Spain (in 48 hours)

The past 2 months have been a blur thanks to planes and travel.  In addition to two wonderful vacations (that I'm behind on sharing), I've had work travel like it's well .... my job!  Dallas, Chicago, California ... the normal stops plus a last minute trip to Barcelona have kept me one very busy diva!

Here's a few snaps from my glorious, but short, trip to Barcelona.  Even though I don't speak a lick of Spanish today (working on correcting that with some training), I'd definitely consider some repeat visits!  I was there for meetings but was able to squeeze in a few site seeing stops, more food than my belly could take and the gracious hospitality of the local culture.  It was a great time as far as work goes for sure!

My journey started in Barcelona, where a new found friend and local colleague picked me up from the airport and whisked me north towards France.  We found our home for the next 24 hours in the Pyrenees mountains.  The tiny village was charming and warm.  Home to about 7,000 people, it's also the home of the business partner I was there to meet.  Picture a small, nice ski town in Colorado with far more old world charm.... that's it!

The village is nestled atop a hill and the views are absolutely breath taking, day and evening.  The hosts were oozing with Euro hospitality and we ate ourselves silly with meals that lasted far too long, eating way too much!  Details on those delish dishes later.

 

After a jet lagged day of meetings, we headed back to Barcelona to meet a few more partners and conduct some interviews.  By this point, I was determined not to return to Spain until I could speak SOME Spanish.  I felt like such an American not knowing anything to say but pointing like a wild woman at what I was trying to say.  Not to mention, my hosts had already told me that I look like what they expect "Americans to look like" for whatever that's worth.  And, then they proceeded to ask me if I was a Prom Queen, to which I laughed and realized that this "American look" must not be too terribly bad!  

 

Back in Barcelona, work wrapped up and we had a few hours to spare.  My local colleague was kind enough to stay and serve as my tour guide and interpretter for the remainder of the evening.  Sigh of relief for sure! 

 

Among our many, brief sight seeing stops in the city we ....

 

Went to the market to see the amazing displays of culinary wonders.  From cheeses, produce, meats of all kinds and sweets ... this market had everything you can imagine (and a few graphic meat related things I wish I could block out!).

 

 

We walked the crowded streets, oogling over the old architecture and charm.

 

 

We stood in awe (and me with my iphone camera) at the beautiful state buildings and cathedrals.  The architecture is a wonder.  I stand mesmorized every time I think about how difficult it must have been and how long it took to build these beautiful buildings back so long ago.

 

 

And this is where my tour guide likely thought I'd lost my mind ... I went from tourist to crazy lady, snapping pictures of the cute Halloween window display.  He could understand the buildings ... but the pumpkins ... a man will just never understand!

 

After a brief trip, I'm ready to start my language training in prep for a return visit.  Love, love, love it!

 

Beach Baby

Saturday, we loaded up the car with enough stuff to move to a foreign nation for a few months.  No lie.  I know traveling with the little tot means carrying "stuff" for every situation, but lordy be ... this is some STUFF.  Two diva dogs, one tot and enough fixins' to stay for a long time.  That just might be the case!

A short drive later, and a shockingly swimmingly good experience with the gypsy tag alongs ... and we were in South Carolina at Hilton Head Island.  As a child, we vacationed here for years with Zsa Zsa and Dear Ole Dad.  Instantly as we came across the bridge, the old memories of the gold fish pond at the Mariner's Resort, the onion ring loaf at Damon's, the ice cream cones after mini golf and all sorts of related things came rushing back. 

This is the start of my beach chapter with my sweet Baby B.  Strategically (I'm nothing if not strategic), we waited until after the summer rush AND waited until we knew that Baby B was old enough and big enough that he would enjoy the experience.  At 14 months ... I'm convinced we timed it right!  We have a house here for the week.  Beachfront, big enough for an army and with our own pool.  We love it.  Since we knew it would be fun and "a first", Dear Hubs and I invited both sets of grands to join us.  Lala even made it down for a day or two here at the beginning. 

We played, we collected shells, we played some more, we watched waves, we splashed in waves and did just about everything possible to get ourselves completely sandy!  It took just a few split seconds at the beginning to get Baby B comfy with his giant sandbox!  Moments later, he was laughing and enjoying every minute of it.  Of course, two sets of doting grands, a sweet Auntie Lala and Dear Hubs and I were just all grins watching this little tot giggle, splash and enjoy every minute of it!

 

 

 
After hours at the beach, the tot ate like he had never seen food before.  Someone clearly worked up an appetite.  We ended the day with a bike ride and a low country boil.  Yep, I'd put this one in the success column!  He's definitely a beach babe!  Here's to blue skies and big fun this week - cheers y'all!  xoxo

Shoppin' Cali Style

The high from my so-long-I-was-homesick trip to Cali just two weeks ago was rudely interupted by a little sinus surgery last week.  I spent most of the business week last week snoozing in the comfort of my big ole' bed and recovering, and am finally feeling human once again!

Now ... back to those good sunshine rays and cool Cali vibes....

I mentioned over here, that while this was a work trip, I was able to sneak away long enough to catch a few of my fave home stores along the Golden Coast.  Juxtaposition Home & Studio is a new find and I'm pleased as punch I found my way over there.  This is an unassuming store tucked snuggly between Newport Beach and Laguna.  I've seriously passed this store more than a few times and always made a mental note that I must stop in there.  Well, I finally did.

Juxtaposition is a darling gem that has everything from unique books and paper finds to heavy (read: big), substantial pieces of the finest furniture.  All that, plus most everything in between.  Here's a few shots from around the showroom. 

I just love the assorted burlap and twill pillows and the framed vintage flag is just tops!  This vingette sets the tone when you enter the shop and it's just simply fab!

This bedding vingette literally looked good enough to cozy up in!  The lush bedding looks a lot like the new duvet I (love) purchased from Restoration Hardware and the black and white chalk prints are just beautiful.

I just love everything about the framed collection.  Up close, interesting sayings fill the space in each frame with a thoughtful phrase.  Books, burlap pillows and lushness abounds!

I found a few small and packable treasures at this spot that I carried home, along with a small prezzie for bestie S that was just too her to pass up!  I made plenty of notes and just might be giving them a call back for a vintage wooden crate that was just perfect for baby B's books in our living room!

Next stop, just down the beach in Laguna; Tuvalu Home.  I sure do love this place.  It's just been a darling gem that I love to go visit each and every time I'm in town.  This spot is not only chock full of coastal finds, but they are all fairly reasonably priced as well.  Here's some snaps I took while shopping through, well ... until my arms were too full to snap any more pics!

While the lighting in this corner is a little funny due to natural light and the chandy, the tablewares and the wall art are just too much.  I love the chandy and each of the botanicals and bird prints that fill this space.  The table and fancy chairs aren't too bad either!

These sorts of vingnettes just fill the space.  I literally stand in front of them in awe taking in each and every detail not wanting to miss a one for what seems like hours at a time!  Everything from starfish to oil paintings fill this area and I was grabbing up small finds as fast as I could!

I just couldn't help myself and brought some sweet little things home.  Now, keep in mind, I was constrained to (1) not tooooooo fragile that I'd be devestated if it broke and (2) not tooooooo big since I was out of space already in my suitcase!  Here's a few of the cute things that made their way back south!

I'm a sucker for a fab candle.  I brought back a red quince candle held in the adorable mercury glass jar as well as an Ocean scent Linnea's Light's candle from juxtaposition.  The starfish also found it's way into my bag!

Damn Good Advice for People with Talent is a super cute paperback full of short musing that are right on the money.  This book is presently sitting atop my "must read" stack in the family room.  The papers were to die for, I just had to make these C'est la Vie notes mine!  Bestie S and her adoration of all things Paris also received a set and some cute Paris stickers for cardstock.

The glass whale plate is just fabulous.  It's a nice rich beige, tan and brown natural pallet.  It filled the space that another Tuvalu find from trips past used to fill.  That cutie moved over to the butler's pantry!

Rounding out the things that I'll claim came from this little, tiny shopping trip are a small glass plate that looks like a clock face and a red corral receiving tray.  Both are presently nestled on the foyer table just perfectly!

So, like I said ... just a short, little, not much to see here, sort of shopping trip to some of my fave spots.  Geez, I just love Southern Cali!  Wouldn't you????

California Dreamin'

This week, my work travels took me to my most fave place on the planet; Southern California.  While work was busy, there were a few free moments that I stole away for fun. 
I was able to steal away bestie S, who is conveniently a co-worker too, and meet up with bestie C and another college friend C.  We dined on a delish champagne brunch at Bayside in Newport Beach.  Over the years, bestie C and I have made more than our share of appearances at Bayside brunch and it has become a tradition.  The champagne flows freely, mimosas are divine and the food is to.die.for fresh and lovely.  I opted for a fresh salad and an open face lobster salad sandwich on thick brioche bread.  Simply amazing. 

Shortly after the time with friends, my focus did shift to work, promise.  In between meetings and quality time with my laptop; I was able to break free and go for a few jogs on the beach and sit outside at the resort to enjoy a few California sunshine rays. 

Huntington Beach, my home base this week, is host to the US Open Surfing event.  The festivities have quite a draw and lots of interesting sights to take in. 

My other fave thing to do in Orange County is to hit a few of my fave shop spots in Newport and Laguna.  I'll detail on the elaborate finds separately once I unpack my finds at home, but these spots are simply tops! 
Here's to a great week workcation.  Now, to get on home and see my fellas that I missed dearly this week!

Austria State of Mind

I've heard of a New York state of mind ... but after a fast work trip to Salzburg, Austria; I've been in an Austrian state of mind!  Why you ask?  Well ... one look at these pics and you just might be as well. 

While overdue since my trip, I finally gathered my thoughts and am happy to share my top five reasons this place is such a delight!

Beautiful view from dinner at the art museum.  It doesn't get much better!

• First ... it's a gorgeous city rich with history.  The streets tell the stories of those that walked there before.  The buildings walls speak to the tenants that lived and worked in the same place before.  The castle tells a story of protecting this charming hidden beauty from war and threats. 
• Second ... lush countryside and beautiful nature abounds.
• Third ... Mozart lived here and the city still sings for him.
• Fourth ... the food and beer.  Every bite from bavarian pretzels, big plates of schnitzel and did I mention the beer?  All so delishly tasty I came home with an extra 5 lbs.
• Fifth ... the Mozart ball candy.  It's a gem!  My local partners sent me this candy on special holidays in year's past and this time I took the opportunity to stock up on my own stash!
• Bonus number six ... bicycles are EVERYWHERE.  From my colleagues that bike to work (looking like the perfect J.Crew ad with a preppy blue sports coat, pink gingham button down with matching pocket square on a bike with the perfect market basket ... no lie!) to the townspeople out for dinner with their doggy bags in those big charming market baskets on the front of their bike ... I'm in love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best: Travel Edition Fashion

Ya'll... I swear ... I am currently uploading the picture library from my work travels last week to Austria.  That's right ... not my usual Texas hot spot of Austin ... and no, not to be confused with previously visited Australia ... but AUSTRIA. 

I'm convinced days are moving more rapidly in my world than ever.  That said, I found a few moments to squirrel away and multi-task some site seeing out of my most recent trip abroad.  It was fab.  If the mothership (aka work) said to pick up the southern diva family that is mine and transport them to the far away land that is Europe I'd be sold (note ...I said southern diva with full regard for the fact Zsa Zsa and the entire crew might be in tow!. 

Anywho ...loved every minute and a pic review is forthcoming.

Until then, feel cozy in the few travel fashion tips every belle must know. 

Prepping for a ten hour flight will definitely challenge even the most frequent of flyers regular travel routine.  I have the coast to coast domestic thing down pat, but the thought of sitting in (gasp) coach for ten hours is something that this diva had to prep a bit to conquer.  Luckily, I pulled on a few of my travel fashion faves to spend the flight in comfort (and high fashion).

First fave … my lululemon vinyasa scarf.  Gosh, I just love this cutie pie!  It’s a warm (but not too warm) and ever so versatile.  The scarf has athletic snaps that let this heavy duty all purpose scarf do just about anything from be a blanket throw, to a shrug, to a cape, to a scarf and pretty much anything in between.  It’s absolutely so fab and is my new standby staple for almost all situations!  Lululemon proves they do more than zen athletic apparel well this time.  I'm pretty sure I wore it each and every way possible in the first few hours!  Love!

Second fave … my Toms.  Who knew I’d fall in love with a pair of flat shoes!  While I almost always sport AT LEAST four inch heels, these flats have saved me in a pinch and fit well in my laptop bag.  They definitely come in handy when walking half a mile to a meeting in the Financial District in San Fran or a long flight like this one at hand.  I opted for a stitch out pair and they are just presh with rolled up jeans (since all my jeans are too long for flats) or a cute black romper.  

Truth me known, what diva can only buy one pair?  I am also the proud owner of a pair of cute wedges that are about to become a summer staple.  Hey ... I'm doing good here!  Tom's provides a pair of shoes to a child / person in need for every pair we buy.  So, I like to think that FINALLY someone appreciates my shoe obsession and it's paying off!  Not only are they comfy, but they do some good!  Aren't they just darling?