Friday (mini) Escape

Happy Friday, my friends! I don’t have time today for a full Friday Escape but I had to share with you this amazing home outside of Lisbon. It belongs to designer, Monica Penaguião, who obviously has impeccable taste! It’s no wonder her gorgeous store, Poeira enjoys much success. Enjoy the tour and imagine yourself stretched out next to that pool…sigh….

I’m pretty sure you would have to pry me away from this table…so dreamy!

I love the pops of rich color against all that white!

And I’m back at the pool…what a surprise. Seriously, I could lay there all day!

Hope you have a very relaxing weekend!

xo,

All images via Casa de Valentina

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Mrs.Tea Cup goes to Finland

Happy Friday everyone! It’s a perfect late spring day here and I’m loving all the sunshine. Today, is Grace’s last day at school and tomorrow she graduates from Pre-K. So cute. They will even have a hat and gown ceremony! Pics to follow…

So, I just got back from the post office, where a kind gentleman helped me fill out custom forms and calculate posting to Finland! Yes, that’s right, I just sold this little tea cup to a lovely woman in Helsinki. (I have four more left).

I always get such a delight connecting with people across the globe. Etsy makes that so easy to do! We emailed each other a few times and she has said she will take a picture of the tea cup when it finds its place in her home. Oh, how I wish I could send myself off to Finland! I’m living vicariously through a piece of porcelain…lol.

Isn’t she sweet? I found her and her buddies on the dusty shelves of a thrift store – just waiting to be loved. The pattern dates back to the 1930’s and she was made in England by the Myott Staffordshire company. There’s a little history…now let’s take a peek into her future…what will she see in this beautiful Nordic country?

Bustling city life…stunning architecture…sailboats…

vast blue skies…ancient forests…winding mountain roads…fabulous interior design (they are just so good at it!)….oh and nordic tea pots…hello.

I wonder what table she will grace…what stories will she overhear? Whose hands will she warm? I know I must sound a little nuts…but it’s fun to imagine what an object witnesses…if it could actually witness things…ok, you get my drift…I think all the sun is getting to me. Let’s just hope the mounds of bubble wrap and peanuts gets her to Finland in one piece! Fingers crossed!

Have a fabulous, fun-filled weekend!

xo,

Images via here.

Travel Visions 2

I know you may have been expecting a Friday Escape…but while I’m doing my Unravelling class, I’ve decided that I need to focus on my writing and photo assignments….so I hope you will forgive me and still enjoy this little collection of travel inspired images. I promise we will jump back into our vicarious travel when I’ve completed the course…which, by the way, is AMAZING!

Have a beautiful and inspired weekend!

xo,

Images via here.

Friday Escapes: Ireland

Happy Friday! With yesterday being St. Patty’s I thought it only fitting that we journey to Ireland today. I can’t wait! Let’s go…

Speaking of castles…you know I have a thing for them…what girl doesn’t? So of course, I found a gorgeous one for us to stay in! We are headed to Lismore Castle just outside of the town of Lismore in County Waterford. Map. If you want to stay at Lismore Castle you have to rent the whole thing out…it costs a fortune but I managed to pull a few strings and got us a deal. ;)

Oh and I have a surprise – I arranged for a coach to pick us up. Why? Because arriving at a castle in a horse drawn carriage is perfectly dreamy…

There is the castle up ahead!

Let’s check in and take a peek at our room and then we can explore the gardens.

So beautiful! Don’t you feel like a princess? Oh let’s stop in the drawing room and have tea and treats before we venture out…

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Let’s go for a stroll through the manicured grounds…

Well…I must leave you now my friends. Have a rest on this bench, smell the roses and breathe in the gorgeous fresh air of the Irish countryside. Hope you enjoyed our little trip to Ireland.

Have a fantastic weekend!!

xo,

Images via here, here and here. Sounds via here.

Friday Escape: Maldives

Okay so are you ready for your Friday Escape? I am! Thank you so much to those of you who left suggestions. I really appreciate it. I made a list and we will be visiting all the lovely locations you recommended.

Today, thanks to one of my fabulous readers, Hera, we are going to the Maldives!

This gorgeous Island Nation is in the Indian ocean about 250 miles south-west of India. Amazing crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and decadent resorts…it’s a little slice of paradise. Let’s go!

I know…it doesn’t look real. I’ve only seen this kind of beach as a screen saver!  This must be where they get those shots!

We are staying at the Alila Villas Hadahaa resort. The resort is located on one of the tropical islands in the North Huvadhoo Atol. It’s reputation is stellar and many celebrities have stayed here…so it should be perfect for us.

Luxury – check. Amazing – check. Could never afford it in real life – check.

That’s it up ahead…see the little villas that are built right over the ocean! I booked us in one of those…of course. Only the best for my Friday escape travelers.

Welcome to the resort…wanna go see our Aqua Villa….

Isn’t it beautiful? Let’s go inside…

Yeah… this should be just fine. Follow me and I’ll show you where I will be spending most of my time…

So fabulous right? The colors of the water are so stunning! Who’s making cocktails? Oh heck, I’ll just have some brought over to us.

So what do you think? A couple of hours on the deck then we can hit the beach, a sunset soak at the spa followed by a massage then we will hit the bar and restaurant for dinner…sound like a plan?

The two restaurants at the resort, Battuta and Relish serve up Maldivian and Moroccan inspired cuisine. Yum! I love trying new dishes. Want recipes? Go here or here.

I ordered this delectable Moroccan chicken and chickpea dish with spicy avocado! Recipe.

That was delicious! Let’s stroll back to our villa. I am totally ready to fall asleep, listening to the waves…

Wow look at those stars. This place is magical. Okay…lets see take a vote…raise your hand if you never want to leave!

Hope you enjoyed this little jaunt to the Maldives. Pretty amazing place huh? Thanks for coming along.

I hope you have a perfect weekend.

xo,

Images via here and here.

Travel Visions

Hi there.

Well…unfortunately, I don’t have a Friday Escape for you today. My little Grace is home sick with an ear infection so my attention needs to be on her. But…I didn’t want to leave you with nothing, so I’m sharing some of the beautiful travel images I’ve collected for my Pinterest Travel board.

A majestic landscape in Val di Funes, Italy.

The gorgeous city of Prague.

Colorful hot air balloon over Paris.

Simply charming tea houses in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

Last but certainly not least, my beautiful home town, Sydney, Australia.

Hope you enjoy these. I want to hear from you – where would you like us to explore on our Friday Escapes? Any ideas? I’m making a list.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

xo,