My Return from Italia/Christmas Preparations

Looking OK for no sleep in over 24 hours...the lattes made up for it!

beautiful friends

Evie at her art exhibit-so proud of her showing her art in Florence, how cool?!!

one of my absolute fav things about Italy in December, all of the pretty lights

the Duomo

this bartender was an artist

first night

I had a lot of ribolleta on this trip, this one was more like stew but totally yummy

the best food store ever

w/ Uncle Dick on the bridge

gorgeous.

I couldn't resist these gloves. My splurge on the trip. I got the grey pair on the right. Maybe it was the ruffle, or mini bow, or the fabulous color, which I have been obsessed with this Fall/Winter... I HEART THEM

snuck a shot of David

the best dinner on the trip. so much fun!! butt jokes, delicious food, sweet and funny Italian staff and chefs, lots of booze and time together

a cute one with Kristina

the most amazing dish I had! pasta with white truffles. orgasmic :)

the owner of the restaurant and our waiter. the owner was so dreamy in person :-)

the cutie chefs...when the guy on the right found out we were from CA, he said "we need to go to California"-with a wonderful Italian accent, hehe

the butt...

we sent the Chanel party some prosecco and they toasted us with it. so cute

Jen with our waiter...she is almost tanked at this point

no words needed

WOW

and thats a wrap!

almond gelato, the bestttt

the Biennale Artist dinner for our last night...definitely not what we thought it would be, thank goodness for the crazy dinner the night before :)

Back to America...Back to my husband and little Louie :)

My hubby got Louie groomed for his first time while I was away. What a magical surprise, so happy to hold my little man again!!!!

And he put up the new curtain my mom made for our master bedroom...I love the birds in the floral design

And he put up lights on our balcony...AND he cleaned our whole apartment from top to bottom. I love him so.

My dining room table scape. I was proud of my work...I like to think sometimes I have an eye for things, maybe I'll keep hoping. Thoughts?

We strung popcorn and cranberries for our tree-which turns out is a hubby fam tradition and one in mine too. Love that similarity!

While Louie napped...

Our tree in all of its glory...and Louie too

B made awesome homemade chocolate, caramel and seat salt popcorn

Gifts arrived from my family on the East Coast

Garcy turned 92 and was surrounded by her family for the occasion. What a wonder she is to all of us!

Florence Italy Tomorrow!

I can't believe that I am jetting off to Florence tomorrow, it seems so crazy and so surreal. My mother-in-law was asked to show a piece of artwork there and she invited me as well as her brother-in-law, Dick, his daughter/her niece,Kristina, and Kristina's close girlfriend, Jen, to go along too. So I happily said yes and well, the rest is history.

I am very excited to spend a week with family, eat gelato, thin pizza, shop, sightsee, see the Christmas decorations and just enjoy a fun getaway. I will check back in with you all next Monday when I return. Until then ciao!

Uncle Dick and Kristina

My mother-in-law and me at my engagement party in CT

Inspirational Quote Friday

Happy Friday, ladies and gentleman! I love this quote I found on fb and think that it fits perfectly for me because although I can't see the whole big picture right now I know everything will make sense when I look back years from now. I do agree that challenges strength a person and hopefully make you more appreciative for all that you have in this world.

I feel a little uneasy about the fact that I don't have a job yet since moving out to CA-anyone know people who are hiring for part time or full time event planning/marketing related jobs hit me up :). I mean between going back to the East Coast several times this summer, I haven't really settled down since September and the hubby has told me to take it slow and find my ideal job, one that makes me truly happy and fulfilled since my last gig was truly miserable. I mean I am very grateful but sometimes I feel anxiety, lacking purpose and stuck. Normal, I hope?! I'm still settling in to CA life and being far away from everything I've ever known-missing my girlfriends-- horribly at times, dreaming about being a homeowner at some point down the road..., thinking about babies in the next few years, having a pup who is now 6 months old. There is a lot swirling around in my head and a lot of changes going on in my life so I am really trying to adapt and take risks and put myself out there. Here is to new adventures and a lovely, relaxing weekend ahead! WahooooOOOOOoooooo