I hope you’ll join me on my never-ending search for beautiful pieces, with history, for your home. Find my curated treasures, in Booth #154, at the Antique Trove, in Roseville, CA. ~ Barbara
Hi there!, Life is finally getting back to normal, after having been gone for two weeks. What’s better then getting a package in the mail? Shortly before leaving for Italy, the shipment from my New York shopping adventure arrived. So I thought I would share it with you, my shopping buds! First of all I found this beautiful painted wedding scene. It’s Indian and I think it will look great in the dining room, once it is framed. … quite the dashing groom! And what about these bridesmaid outfits? I also love the moon and the stars and the water…
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Something crazy happened while I was away! The jeans hanging in my closet somehow got a little bit smaller! Or, was I eating just a little bit more? The last night in our hotel we celebrated our goodbyes, while enjoying yet another feast. I’ve never had asparagus served as an appetizer with an egg, but it was actually pretty tasty. The second course included ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach. I was only going to eat one, but somehow the second one disappeared as well! The ravioli was followed by pork fillets and pan roasted potatoes. I don’t know…
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Day 13 in Milan: Another thrill-packed day! Our trip is coming to a close and I’ll be happy to be back home. I hear that Wonder Dog has stayed by the front door, waiting for his momma! Our day started early, leaving for the train in the rain. It poured all night long and thankfully the sun was coming out by the time we reached Milan. We toured the city’s Fashion District, on our way to the opera house, that was restored about five years ago. Back in the day, people owned their own box seats, reminding me of how…
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Today was spent on and around Lake Como, touring gardens, eating pasta, visiting a few shops and enjoying the amazing views. This estate was given to Carlotta, by her parents, when she got married, a few hundred years ago. Cut gravel beds are everywhere, in Italy. I really like the paver stone that was used here. (For our future Italian garden!) The plastic grid set in the gravel was interesting. It was used in the hilly areas, to keep the gravel in place, I assume. Inside, was quite a large collection of art, from the same period. Pictures weren’t allowed…
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Hello again!, Just two more nights before we head for the airport in Milan, very early, Wednesday morning. I look out our hotel window, at the lake and see the Swiss Alps! It makes me want to keep driving, to see it all. Yet, about this time, I start really missing Mr. Wonderful and Wonder Dog! Daniella, our very own exceptional tour guide, has shown us all the sights! This shot is through an alley, at sunset, on our way to dinner. We’ll head out soon for a boat ride across the lake, to see more sights. I’m hoping for…
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Daniela, our long time travel guide, has really outdone herself, finding this resort! Serego Alighieri is part private estate and vineyard and part resort. It’s part winery, part private estate and part resort. We stayed here two nights. It’s in a fairly remote location, about 20 minutes from Verona.
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I hope I never forget the first sight, out of the train window, realizing we are crossing the bridge, soon to approach Venice! Before I knew it, we were off the water taxi and walking the streets! While we hardly scratched the surface, I found “heaven on earth”! This is a place you could spend weeks, months or even years, if you’re a student of art, history, photography or all things beautiful! A day in Italy is not complete until you’ve visited at least two or three churches! St. Mark’s is the most amazing church I have ever been in!…
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Good morning!, I have about 10 minutes before our group takes off for a tour of central Padova. We’re staying in a wonderfully quirky art hotel, in town. The hotel is family-owned and the wife is a prolific artist. So there is art everywhere. I was just sitting in a chair that had been decoupaged, before moving to a quieter spot. The chair I’m sitting in now is equally special. Later… Well, let’s see, we just returned to the hotel, after a marathon 9 hour tour of Padova! I have information coming out of my ears! Can you see it?…
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Hello, dear friends, We left Rome yesterday, by train, on our way to Florence. The Italian train system is very impressive. It’s clean, prompt and friendly. But the best thing of all, was the scenery. When traveling, you’re at the mercy of the travel agent. You never know what kind of hotel you’re going to end up with. Even compared to our hotel in Rome, the Hotel Santa Maria Novella, in Florence is first rate! Let me show you around! The breakfast buffet was beautiful! Notice that there are two croissants on my plate! One has to fuel up for…
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Greetings, dear friends! I’m sitting in our hotel’s lobby, after another marathon day of touring. While the city’s sites and history are amazing, I’m thrill-tired! We walked at least 10 miles, I’m sure! Good thing, I guess, since the morning pastries here are pretty delicious! While it rained much of the day, I’m happy to report that I returned to the hotel with relatively dry feet. We began our day at the Catacombes. We visited one of several sites, where half a million Christians were buried between the 2nd and 4th centuries, until Constantine made it possible to choose one’s…
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