Curated Travel Dream Destination: Villa Castiglioni at Lake Como
While exploring lodging options at Lake Como today for my clients, a lovely honeymoon couple, I discovered Villa Castiglioni on the shores of Lake Como, and just next door to George Clooney’s Villa Oleandra. This is truly a dream destination and not just due to the charming movie star neighbor. Enjoy this bit of travel eye candy.
Dream Destination: Villa Castiglioni at Lake Como
While exploring lodging options at Lake Como today for my clients, a lovely honeymoon couple, I discovered Villa Castiglioni on the shores of Lake Como, and just next door to George Clooney's Villa Oleandra. This is truly a dream destination and not just due to the charming movie star neighbor. Enjoy this bit of travel eye candy for #TravelTuesday.
For more:
"Villa Castiglioni is the original name of this fantastic historic villa which was built by a famous Italian architect E. Sommaruga in 1900.Now beautifully restored this architectural pearl stands over 3 floors on top a hill overlooking the Lake Como. Villa Castiglioni is located between Villa D'Este five stars resort and Villa Oleandra owned by a Hollywood star George Clooney.The rental property occupies the whole upper ground floor( 220 sqm) with 2 bedrooms( queen size bed + 2 twin beds which can be joined together, extra long beds), 2 spacious and lavish bathrooms, one with a hot tube Teuco and the second one with a power shower Teuco, 80sqmt living-dining room, and a fully equipped kitchen. There 2 more sofa beds in the living room.The third bedroom has 2 twin beds, the 3rd bathroom is spacious with natural light and is located in the lower ground level apartment. You will also find a TV/ fitness area, with TECHNOGYM equipment, laundry/ironing facilities. The interior design of this property was created by a renovation studio in Milan.The outdoor features a panoramic terrace for outdoor dining with a table for 8, a private garden with a hot tub for 4, sun beds and umbrellas. The whole property has a private access from a manicured garden facing LAKE COMO. Wifi, satellite TV, free parking are also available at no additional charge.The villa is located on top of a hill with spectacular panoramic views of Lake Como and surrounding hills. The distance from Como is 15 km, from Milan- 60 km, from Lugano( Switzerland) - 45km. In the area, there are many very excellent restaurants, bars, and shops. Tennis courts and golf courses are located a short distance, a boat station and a bus stop are also at a walking distance from the property."
To book Villa Castiglioni or other dreamy destinations contact me. I'm currently offering a complimentary Curated Travel Consultation. Let's talk travel!
Beautify Your Home This Autumn with the Following Trends
When it comes to home improvements, spring gets all the attention. Whether you’re cleaning your entire house or knocking out your honey-do list, the warm, sunny season seems to be the time to do it.
But autumn is a great time to tackle home beautification, too. As the weather cools off post-summer, you can comfortably update your space. You can also draw plenty of inspiration from fall colors and trends that will shape runways and interior designs this season and beyond.
Beautify Your Home This Autumn With the Following Trends
Guest Blogger - Kacey Mya
When it comes to home improvements, spring gets all the attention. Whether you’re cleaning your entire house or knocking out your honey-do list, the warm, sunny season seems to be the time to do it.
But autumn is a great time to tackle home beautification, too. As the weather cools off post-summer, you can comfortably update your space. You can also draw plenty of inspiration from fall colors and trends that will shape runways and interior designs this season and beyond.
Even with all of this inspiration around you — and the gusto to spruce up your space — you still might not know where to begin. Fortunately, there are projects large and small that can completely revolutionize the look and feel your home.
Here are four of them:
Freshen Up Your Linens
Just because you have a small decorating budget doesn’t mean your design project won’t have a big impact. A great project to take on this fall is updating the linens in your living room. Pick up new pillowcases and throw blankets to breathe new life into your existing room and furniture.
Let the season help you choose your color palette and texture. In summer, you probably surrounded yourself in breezy, light fabrics in bright colors. So, for fall, pick darker, richer colors and thick, cozy fabrics to help you weather the chilly weather that comes in fall. Knits, faux furs, and fleece will all keep you warm until spring rolls back around.
Repaint Your Walls
Another easy update? Re-painting your walls. This is a home design trend that never goes out of style: painted walls are not only decorative, but they’re easy to change as your tastes change, too.
If you’re unsure of the color you want, you can always draw inspiration from the colors of the season to invoke the feel of fall inside of your house. You can also check out Pantone’s picks for the hottest colors of the season, as these will be found in new fabrics, fashions, and accessories, too. In the end, though, it’s most important to choose a shade you like. Even though it’s easy and cheap to re-paint, you don’t want to do it every time you tire of a trendy color pick.
Kitchen Overhaul
There’s one home update that never goes out of season: a kitchen update. A new kitchen is always an important tool in selling your home, so this is an especially great investment to add value and flair to your home. Even better news is that you’ll get to enjoy a brand new kitchen before you sell your property down the line.
You’ll want to start by making sure your kitchen counters have a beautiful, strong foundation. In addition to the countertops, installing new cabinets can be affordable and an easy way to customize the space. You can also resurface your pre-existing cabinets for an update that’s not quite as pricey.
With your cabinets finished, a shiny stone countertop will ice the cake of your kitchen makeover. Stainless steel appliances, new lamps, accessories, and furniture can further transform your home’s culinary centerpiece this fall.
Of course, not every budget allows for a brand new kitchen this fall. Fortunately, there are easy ways to update your space without breaking the bank. Things like replacing your cabinet hardware or installing a new backsplash, are easy projects to take on yourself that have a huge impact.
Bathroom Update
Your kitchen is a huge project, and this fall may not be the right time to tackle it. But if you’re still in the mood for a renovation, look to a smaller room like your bathroom. Here, your investment will mostly come back to you, as new bathrooms boost the resale value of a home.
A sleek new bathroom won’t go out of style for years, and fall is the perfect time to give yours an update: a new cozy bathtub is a perfect place to warm up and wind down after a cold autumn day. Crisp, shiny subway tiles suit just about any design taste, as do small mosaic floor tiles.
Even better news is that you can do a lot of the bathroom renovation yourself if you have the patience and eye to detail to lay tile on your own. You can also make a big difference, especially for small bathrooms and powder rooms, by painting the walls or adding wallpaper. Update your towels, area rugs and shower curtain to match and voila: you have a brand new bathroom.
Fall In Love With Your Home
Whether you choose a quick-and-easy update or a complete renovation, your home will feel renewed and refreshed this fall. And, as you head into colder seasons that send you indoors, there’s no better time to update and truly enjoy your home’s interior. Time to get started and fall in love with your house once again.
Read more tips on DIY home renovation projects on a budget
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
Wine Country Fires Bring Devastation, Heartbreak and Resolve.
I'm nearly at a loss for words watching the devastating fires in our beautiful wine country. We are hearing reports of family and friends who have lost their homes. This image from iconic Signorello Estate a couple of years back that burned to the ground last night. Thoughts and prayers for everyone impacted by the firestorms.
Update: It's been nearly a week since the catastrophic firestorms exploded in wine country and it still feels surreal. This is a place where I have both lived and visited regularly for most of my life and it always feels like home. Praying that winds calm for brave firefighters and predicted rains help put an end to the destruction. Sending love and prayers to family & friends who have lost homes and livelihoods.
I'm nearly at a loss for words watching the devastating fires in our beautiful wine country. We are hearing reports of family and friends who have lost their homes. This image from iconic Signorello Estate a couple of years back that burned to the ground last night. Thoughts and prayers for everyone impacted by the firestorms.
Update: It's been nearly a week since the catastrophic firestorms exploded in wine country and it still feels surreal. This is a place where I have both lived and visited regularly for most of my life and it always feels like home. Praying that winds calm for brave firefighters and predicted rains help put an end to the destruction. Sending love and prayers to family & friends who have lost homes and livelihoods.
Before and after images of wine country.
This story simply breaks my heart:
Resolution in wine country.
A Sweet Summer Bébé Shower for Briana (and Our First Grandbaby) xx, Gigi
It was a sweet summer bébé shower last month for my beautiful step-daughter, Briana. We are incredibly excited for Briana and Shawn with their little one on the way. Briana's mom, Shawn's mom and I co-hosted the shower for family and friends at her mom, Danielle's, house. For me, the preparation started with flowers at home. I used a mix of pastels since they have chosen to be surprised with the gender of the baby, due in early November. I created little nosegays for use in mason jars. I added ribbons with both pink and blue colors because the ribbons (with baby motif) were just so darn cute!
A Sweet Summer Bébé Shower
It was a sweet summer bébé shower last month for my beautiful step-daughter, Briana. We are incredibly excited for Briana and Shawn with their little one on the way. Briana's mom, Shawn's mom and I co-hosted the shower for family and friends at her mom, Danielle's, house. For me, the preparation started with flowers at home. I used a mix of pastels since they have chosen to be surprised with the gender of the baby, due in early November. I created little nosegays for use in mason jars. I added ribbons with both pink and blue colors because the ribbons (with baby motif) were just so darn cute!
Scott helped me deliver the rocking chair we had ordered from their registry. We were so pleased with this piece, comfortable and stylish, that they will enjoy for years (and hopefully more babies to come!). Though this shower was only for the ladies, the men went out to brunch while we were celebrating.
A sweet summer shower for a beautiful mom-to-be and we can hardly wait for the next chapter!
xx,
Gigi
Signature Style: The Perfect Black Leggings from Svelte
Black leggings are a staple in my wardrobe. I pretty much live in leggings year round, especially now that I am working out of my home office. Sorry jeans, there is nothing more comfortable to pull on than a pair of leggings, plus, they are incredibly versatile. Dress them up with a silk blouse and heels or dress them down with a chunky sweater and boots. You can wear them from pilates to lunch to an event with the right accessories. Leggings can pretty much take you anywhere. When it comes to travel, leggings are a space saver and so easy to pack, wear, rinse, repeat.
Signature Style: Black Leggings
Black leggings are a staple in my wardrobe. I pretty much live in leggings year round, especially now that I am working out of my home office. Sorry jeans, there is nothing more comfortable to pull on than a pair of leggings, plus, they are incredibly versatile. Dress them up with a silk blouse and heels or dress them down with a chunky sweater and boots. You can wear them from pilates to lunch to an event with the right accessories. Leggings can pretty much take you anywhere. When it comes to travel, leggings are a space saver and so easy to pack, wear, rinse, repeat.
After a busy long weekend of travel in Southern California, with celebrations, late nights, and overindulgences in food and bubbly, I was not exactly feeling my most 'svelte' last Monday. I slipped on my new bootcut leggings and I felt instantly put together and well, more svelte. I'm a curvy girl, no doubt, and while I love my curves, there are times we all need a little extra support. I am NOT a fan of shapewear that binds and crawls around under my clothing. I probably should be, but I find it oh so uncomfortable. When the stretch is built into the clothing that's a whole different story and it's a story being written by the Montreal based 'Svelte' brand.
From Svelte, "Shapewear leggings, tank tops, shorts, and skirts—Svelte’s form-fitting clothing keeps you looking and feeling your very best. The ready-to-wear line integrates to your body shape with a 4-way stretch spandex panel. It sculpts a comfortable, non-restricting solution to those stubborn tummy rolls and periodic bloating. All Svelte shapewear products are equipped with a signature, built-in waist panel to accentuate your silhouette. Capris, leggings, and shorts are high-waist while tank tops integrate three panels: top and bottom cotton comfort with a centerpiece that flattens out your midriff. And not only will you be looking good, Svelte’s boutique line is ultra-comfortable and delightfully soft."
I ordered the flared 'wide leg leggings' from the Svelte website for a change of pace from my usual straight leg cut style. They are super stretchy, soft and so comfortable to wear. I can also wear them with boots, heels or flats which makes them ultra versatile. These will be my go-to leggings for fall. Check out the entire stylish collection at Svelte.
These images were taken at Aloft Concept Hotel in El Segundo, California.
The leggings were a gift from Svelte and all opinions given are my own.
How to Make Your Dream Bucket List Trip a Reality
This image was taken at the romantic and luxurious Ladera Resort while Scott and I were traveling in St. Lucia several years ago. For me, this island was definitely on my list of dream bucket list destinations and it did not disappoint. For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind and they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles. For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.
How to Make Your Dream Bucket List Trip a Reality
This image was taken at the romantic and luxurious Ladera Resort while Scott and I were traveling in St. Lucia several years ago. For me, this island was definitely on my list of dream bucket list destinations and it did not disappoint. For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind and they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles. For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.
We all know that the best way to make something happen is to start intentionally giving it shape — something to look at, imagine, talk about, and (most importantly!) plan for. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself so you can get started working out the details of that trip you fantasize about during those hectic workweeks.
- What’s your “happy place” when you have bad days? Again, for some, this might be a specific place — Bora Bora or the Alps or Johannesburg. But more than that — what’s the feeling you go to when you’re stressed out or stuck in traffic? Do you imagine the lazy perfection of pristine beaches? The thrill of craggy mountains? The rush and sensory feast of busy marketplaces? The smells of spicy foods? Make a quick list: 10 things that come to mind on the most fun, free, relaxed, no-obligations, open day you can imagine.
- What do you crave? Think of what you say you wish you had more of — free time, adventure, romance, time to learn a new skill, sunshine, purpose. What are you truly, deep down, just plain hungry for? What do you long for? When you imagine being your best self — what are you doing? And who is with you? Jot down 10 things you are longing for in your life right now.
- What season suits you best? Do you love to soak in the sweltering heat in your swimsuit? Or the crisp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot? Or the intense blue quiet of a mountain snowfall? When do you feel most at home in your body and most in love with your environment? Your perfect vacation doesn’t have to be the most popular! It’s your perfect vacation, remember?
- What’s one crazy luxurious thing you secretly wish for? For some people, it’s as simple as a pile of books and no emails to answer for three weeks. For others, it’s endless room service or all-day spa treatments or king-size feather beds and huge whirlpool tubs. No matter how big or small — go ahead. Write down five luxuries that would make you feel like you’d won the lottery if someone handed them to you right now.
- When you scroll through magazines, which images grab you the most? What colors draw your eye? Spicy and exotic? Cool and laid back? Misty and mysterious? Go to a bookstore, and pick up four or five travel magazines — and just notice which images you keep going back to, the ones that make your heart skip a little. You might be surprised. Some people assume that their “dream” trip is an all-inclusive resort somewhere. But if you keep coming back to the pictures of a bike tour through Tuscany — well, that’s worth paying attention to. That experience might feed something in you that an all-you-can-eat buffet might not even begin to touch. Cut out the images that speak to you the most and look for common themes, even (and especially) in images that seem to be opposites.
When you’ve had time to assemble your thoughts — and if you’re working on this with your partner or friends or family members — look for overlaps, recurring themes, those quiet nudges you can’t seem to shake. Listen to your gut. And start to dream big.
You can set a goal, start saving if you need to and start giving shape to your plan. Put your images and any accompanying words or phrases up on a cork board, or glue them to a big piece of tag board, or make a digital collage that can be your screensaver on your computer at work — anyplace where you’ll see it multiple times a day — and let those images inspire you as you get closer and closer to making your bucket list trip a reality.
The best part? I can help you design this trip down to the last customized detail. Send me an email or give me a call and let’s get started!
Yours in wanderlust!
Heather
Rest in Peace: Norma Kaylor Lindstrom
We are heartbroken today that our beautiful, stylish, smart, loyal and feisty sister-in-law, Norma Kaylor Lindstrom, has lost her battle with cancer. She and her loving husband, Skip/Dean, (Scott's brother), fought this battle courageously, with optimism and deepest love. Their love story of more than 37 years is an inspiration to so many of us. I snapped this photo of Norma at our house during a family gathering several years ago and it is one of my favorites. That sly smile, that style, enjoying her family as always. She loved her grandchildren, her two sons, her daughter-in-law and her husband, fiercely. She was a loving and beloved friend to so many.
We are heartbroken today that our beautiful, stylish, smart, loyal and feisty sister-in-law, Norma Kaylor Lindstrom, has lost her battle with cancer. She and her loving husband, Skip/Dean, (Scott's brother), fought this battle courageously, with optimism and deepest love. Their love story of more than 37 years is an inspiration to so many of us. I snapped this photo of Norma at our house during a family gathering several years ago and it is one of my favorites. That sly smile, that style, enjoying her family as always. She loved her grandchildren, her two sons, her daughter-in-law and her husband, fiercely. She was a loving and beloved friend to so many.
We know you did it with courage, with grace, and on your own terms, as always, dear lady. Oh, how we miss you already, Norma.
Rest in Peace....xx
Color Story: Yellow Crush
Perhaps it's the settling in after a dreamy tropical vacation getaway, the pins and needles concern for our friends in the path of the hurricanes or the review of 9/11 on Monday, but I feel the need for a bit of cheer today. A shot of sunny yellow is just what the mood doctor ordered from my board "Yellow Crush" on Pinterest.
Color Story: Yellow Crush
lemon.canary.daffodil.sunshine.banana.butter.limone.mellowyellow.goldenrod.lemon.canary.daffodil.sunshine.maize.lemon.canary.daffodil.sunshine.banana.butter.limone
Perhaps it's the settling in after a dreamy tropical vacation getaway, the pins and needles concern for our friends in the path of the hurricanes or the review of 9/11 on Monday, but I feel the need for a bit of cheer today. A shot of sunny yellow is just what the mood doctor ordered from my board "Yellow Crush" on Pinterest.
Happy colors have a tendency to lighten the mood and I totally agree.
Wishing you a cheery day.
