The Floating City

Venice, Italy

During our time in the city of water, canals and bridges, I had the chance to cross off many items on my bucket list, and even some I never had the kahunas to put on there in the first place. When I first visited Venice as a younger lass, I dreamt of a romantic gondola ride with a cute Ashton Kutcher lookin' fella' from the cruise ship we had just disembarked. Instead I got to ride with my father, in the tourist infested canals, while the man rowing us sang romantic hymns probably assuming we were a couple, and I was a child bride. Not what tween dreams are made of. So you can imagine my absolute delight riding this banana boat next to my husband, under the stars, after gondola rush hour, and drinking champagne on our way to dinner at Harry's Bar. I mean the singing was still somewhat awkward, but like wayyy more warranted. I must have some good karma or something, because that moment was 10 years in the making. Never give up on your dreams kids!

When we arrived at my favourite iconic Italian eatery, none other that Harry Cipriani was sitting next to us, eating with very VERY old friends. He's like 90, what did I expect, that he'd be hanging out with the cast of Stranger Things or something. Anyway, I tensed up rather quickly, as I really wanted to tell him that by creating the Bellini, he made the the alcoholic I am today, and then another perfect moment occurred, he walked to our table to say hello...and I went full vow of silence. Weird the people you get starstruck by. I should have figured that anyone who provides the yummies in my tummy, would be the ones I admire most. Anyways, Mr. Cipriani, was the loveliest of all gentlemen. Though I didn't tell him about my affinity for his peach cocktail, I did muster up a few words about his Meringue cake being our absolute favourite and also our wedding cake...and then something wonderful happened. Not only did, Arrigo Cipriani grace us with a photo to remember that moment forever, but he sent over cake. Dead. To quote Lizzie McGuire on her own Italian adventure, "this is what dreams are made of". Moral of the story is, reach for the stars, go the distance, because dreams are wishes your heart make and therefore you should always Hakuna Matata, and...I can't kinda muster another Disney song to conclude this sentence but you get the picture.

Coining the term "botanical garden chic"

Bottega Veneta sunnies, Zara top and pants, vintage Hermes Kelly, and Prada slippers.