roman holiday

Our hotel in Rome was a slice of roman heaven. Tucked away on the north side of Trastevere, steps from the river Tiber. You couldn't want for more a tranquil place to rest.  The Gran Meliá Rome Hotel is one of those places you don't want to leave. The staff don't miss a beat, they are friendly, extremely helpful and have a lovely sense of humour. Every experience they recommended couldn't have been more perfect. They have the best of Rome at just a phone call and it's not your run of the mill tourist expeditions.

The elegance of the hotel is noted everywhere, historic yet modern. The building is the authentic Villa Agrippina, which once belonged to the Roman empress, mother of the Roman Emperor Nero. Yet inside it is so elegantly modern, from the egg shell baths to the Nespresso facilities.What's more you're only 5 minutes walk from Vatican City and Saint Peters Basilica and if you spend a day in the Vatican State, which most visitors do by the end you are absolutely exhausted and an urban retreat is just what your bodies are commanding. This hotel was a gem. We couldn't recommend it more.

All images via Gran Melia Rome website.

poreta eggs

There is this lovely old lady named Rosella, whom owns the local village (Poreta) store. She sells all the simple necessities from olive oil, local bread, fruit, milk, cheese, washing powder, toothpaste. Even serves up delicious espresso. Fortunately for us, our brother-in-law speaks fluent, beautiful Italian, as Rosella speaks next to no English. Rosella absolutely loves Simon and engages him in some wonderful conversations and S always comes back from her little store with goodies.
What we adore about her is her passion and support of her local farmers and their produce. We had to giggle, S popped down to get some eggs for breakfast one morning. The Poreta chickens apparently hadn't laid enough eggs this particular day. Rosella did however have other eggs from another village in the fridge, when S asked if he could buy them Rosella insisted he wait for some Poreta eggs, they are much, much better!! So above are our Poreta eggs carried back in brown paper and absolutely delicious I might add. It's Sunday, are you having eggs for breakfast?

pool of paradise

The heavenly pool at our farmhouse/villa in Poreta, Umbria, Italy. Every detail is simple, elegant and fits together perfectly. It's natural. As if it was built by their ancestors in a way. And is meant to be there, tucked into the landscape. For you Frannie.

sofitel rome villa borghese

Our first night in Rome, we stayed here at the Sofitel Villa Borghese. I found a fabulously cheap deal on bookings.com and this was worth every cent. It felt more like a boutique hotel, the service was absolutely impeccable and every room was a treasure, the guest rooms were so spacious I couldn't believe we were in a hotel in Rome. A 5 star hotel at its best. Pure Luxe. We took photos, however they really didn't turn out very well with the light. The bottom image is their rooftop bar and restaurant and yes that is Saint Peter's Basilica you can see in the distance. It was breathtaking. To top it all off, when we arrived in our room from our 20 something hour flight there was a lovely handwritten (i must highlight handwritten) card waiting for us that read like so:
Dear Mr & Mrs C, 
We welcome you to The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. The whole team will remain at your entire disposal to answer every request you may have and wishes you a wonderful stay in The "Eternal City". Yours Sincerely, Manateressa Sesto
I have to say this hotel ticked all the boxes and more for me. I'll be back for sure. Fingers crossed.

Image 1, Image 2,  Image 3

so many things to share

I had so many precious things to share before we left on our holiday and now the discoveries are endless. How will I ever post them all. I promise I will get there. Top of the list though is our impending renovation, some Melbourne finds and endless baby love. Patience is a virtue, patience with myself.  
The olive groves in Poreta are warm and glorious. I love living amongst them for a couple of weeks.

winter woolies for melbourne

A girlie weekend to beautiful Melbourne, only 6 hours until we board our little plane. So very excited. So we think Brisbane is cold, we're pulling out our serious winter woolies for this weekend. I have this lovely Alannah Hill cream coat I rarely get to wear, but this weekend it will keep me forever toastie. Unfortunately we're a member down on our lovely team. It won't be the same without you sweet P.  

Loving this image I found via Little Expeditions Blog. Joanne Piechota has a love for travel and photography and her blog is filled with incredible travel photos. I'm so happy to have stumbled upon her blog.

poreta is calling

We're off to garner some European summertime in a couple of weeks. This photo just takes me back instantly. I just love, love, love it. I want that door, I really do and I want that pot and the bougainvillea. I just want it all!!!
dreamt by (this is a really fascinating tumblr site)

sweet paree

This incredible loft in Paris is breathtaking. I discovered it on my adored style files blog. Apparently located in the 20th Arrondissement. I love the raw, yet homely feel to it. Ooooo I'm excited about looking for a new house. What do you think? this can be created in Brisbane.

dream, dream, dream

I've been dreaming of lavender fields, olive groves, medieval villages, the sun-drenched countryside of Provence in the south of France. How beautiful are all of the above images, I've never been but I've heard over and over what a special part of the world it is. Have any of you been? what's your story from this little piece of heaven? Hope you're all having a lovely weekend, albeit the rain.

Image 1, image 2,  image 3,  image 4 via

potato head

Another Balinese gem, Potato Head Beach Club, located in Seminyak. This grand haven offers an escape from madness - think pristine, fresh, cool ambience. Be thirsty, hungry and take your swimmers for a dip. Oh and have your eyes and senses prepared for some stimulus.  

dodo

I can't wait until our new ipad case arrives. My mum bought the pink, I bought the blue, I do after all share "the" ipad with my hubby, I figured he wouldn't be overexcited with a pretty pink case.
the dodo ipad case from Rushfaster.

a bali alice in wonderland

I want to jump through the looking glass. This was a desert bar at the W Hotel Seminyak, sweet. More W Hotel photos to come.

cafe bali

A blissful cafe, amongst the mania that is Bali. Cafe Bali in Seminyak is a gorgeous, white-washed, airy retreat, serving delicious refreshments and yummy fresh food.

chilled

In Bali, feeling very chilled, this is an island to be frequented. I love this photo found on style files. I can't remember where it is from but I thought it was someones house in Bali. 

ms g's

Ms G's in Potts Point, Sydney is a fabulous new restaurant/bar designed by Sibella Court. They offer asian fusion delicious eats and kooky cocktails, with - for a nice change - the most agreeable and pleasant bar staff.
Image 1 via, Image 2 via

sydney out and about

Sibella Courts shop the society inc was open, hooray. Coffee at Vini a gorgeous Italian cafe in Surry Hills, the streets of Paddington.

hello palm beach

Sydney for the weekend, Palm Beach for the day. Quality time with a dear friend.

take my hand and grow young with me

Take my hand and grow young with me; don't rush; be a beginner; weave pearls in your hair; grow potatoes; light the candles; keep the fire; dare to love someone; tell yourself the truth; stay inside the rapture. Marlena de Blasi. 
You may know I've been reading lots of Marlena de Blasi recently, I love this from 1000 Days in Venice. Read this every day and feed your soul. 

tiki bar

Tiki bars are all about tropical cultures, largely inspired by the South Pacific, especially Polynesia. What's not to like? They are full of exotic decor and fruity cocktails. I didn't know this, but they were started in LA, full of South Pacific artifacts and rum based cocktails. Basically close your eyes and think, bamboo, hula girls and Mai Tai's.  Mia and I stopped by The Rusty Knot on the edge of the meatpacking district in NYC, it was so much fun, someone should open one up here, please, please we have the perfect weather for it.
image 1
image 2&3

this makes me happy