I am sitting outside on our patio this cool spring day, enjoying the sound of Braga: birds chirping, church bells ringing, children playing during recess at a nearby school, and old friends laughing in the café next door. These are the sounds of Braga. To…
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Here Are 14 Great Gift Giving Ideas You’ll Love
This year, a couple of my loved ones are celebrating major life milestones – I’m talking promotions, starting their own business, or toasting to a big birthday/anniversary. I genuinely love giving gifts in honor of these celebrations but lord knows, it can also be super…
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5 Things I Won’t Compromise On Now That I’m 40
“She raised her standards and life started to meet her there.” ~Tonya Leigh The other day, I got to thinking about how I’ve shown up in each chapter of my life: Sure, there are plenty of things that I am proud of too from each…
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A Beautiful Birthday Celebration (Lake Como Edition)
After the whirlwind of Milan, I was ready for a quiet and relaxing two days in Lake Como. We took the train there from Milan Cardona station, which was a comfortable 1 hour ride (note: there are slightly faster trains, which take only 40 minutes…
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6 Helpful Tips I Learned From My Personal Stylist
My sense of style was in dire straits. Leggings and sweatshirts were the norm… for years. That all changed after hiring a personal stylist for my 40th. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was going…
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40 Is the New 30 (Milan Edition)
It’s official – I turned 40 this past weekend! I rang in this fabulous new decade in Italy (more on that below). The amazing thing is, I feel better than ever (even better than I did when I turned 30). I often joke that: I…
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Taking the Train Around Portugal? Here’s the Only Guide You Need
When my husband and I took our quick trip down to Lisbon earlier this month, I noticed a bevy of tourists hop aboard at the Porto stop, looking totally bewildered about where to sit. For the first 20 minutes of the ride, they shuffled back-and-forth…
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I Hired a Personal Stylist (in Milan!) for My 40th Birthday
With 40 on the horizon, I decided that I am no longer available for my own self-neglect. I’ve decided that I care. I’ve decided that I matter. That how I look matters. That how I carry myself matters. And I deserve to look and feel…
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8 Reasons Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve Is The Best Travel Credit Card on the Market
I am a BIG fan of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for so many reasons (well, 8 to be exact). Here’s the story of how I got introduced to it – in a somewhat roundabout way – along with why, 8 years later, I still love…