venetian engagement.

It happened. Just when I thought the summer getaway in Italy couldn’t be any more amazing, my boy threw a unexpected curve ball - and it just so happened to come in a little blue box. I never imagined I'd be one of those girls that boasts the story of their engagement, but here I am. Doing it. Deal with it. But, I do think that the romantic Venetian backdrop makes the story worth a shameless share. It was the absolute perfect end to a vacation with my favorite person ever.

Venice was nothing short of magical. We stayed for the week at St. Clemente Palace – a hotel on it’s own private island, a quick water taxi ride away from the city. I always knew Venice was close to water, but never realized it was literally in water. Instead of streets and sidewalks, canals split each block, and rather than buses and trains you catch boats and gondalas here and there. Amazing. St. Clemente was an absolute dreamland. The island was impeccably kept, the service was fantastic and the island was filled with bunnies. Yes, bunnies. The fluffiest, cutest things you have ever seen. It literally felt like you were stepping off the boat and into a dreamland.

 We were so exhausted from traveling that we decided to stay on the island on one of our last days, sipping Bellinis and Spritz by the pool. For dinner we went to the hotel restaurant, made up of a few tables along the waterfront. We dined just as the sun was setting on the city. After a wine-drenched four course meal, and a delicious plate of desserts – because that’s what you do on vacation – I was ready for a Negroni nightcap and bed. But, just as we were finishing desert, Josh surprised me with a question that has made me giddy to this day. And now, I get to marry my best friend and the sweetest dude I've ever met. Not a shabby way to end the trip. 

{Right before he popped the Q.}

{Dining at sunset.}

{I mean, who could say no to this guy?}

{Our wonderful new friend, Giovanna. We had met her sister in Milan and stopped by their family restaurant, Al Vagon. We were welcomed like long, lost family and treated to one of the best Italian meals of the trip. Deliziosa.}

{Giovanna's mom makes one killer dessert.}

{View from the gondola.}

{Bellisimo.}

cinque terre | hiking in paradise.

Cinque Terre. It's one of those other-wordly discoveries that makes you wonder 

why we don't all pack our bags and grow old sipping Moscato in these parts. 

"Cinque Terre" literally translates to five hills, referring to the adorable little towns that make up the area: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Each is pocketed within beautiful mountains spaced along the Italian Riviera. The towns themselves are quant and lovely, shaded in Easter pastels and each a welcome destination between the hefty climbing trails between them. Not that I'd dare complain. It's too freaking beautiful to whine about the 1-2 hour hikes in between. I realize I tend to fall head over heels for every new place I travel to - but Cinque Terre is quite possible the the most beautiful place on earth. 

{View from Vernazza}

{Manarola from the trail}

{Riomaggiore Harbor}

 {Locks of Love}

{Spritz in Manarola}

{A long hike to Vernazza}

{The rough life}

{Well-earned drinks after a two hour hike}

{Finally made it to the beaches of Monterosso}

florence | day and night.

Our next stop on the Italian voyage was Florence. I quickly realized why this charming city is such a traveler's favorite in Tuscany. Florence peaked in the Renaissance and hasn't come down since. We spent most every day simply wandering the streets and admiring the art + architecture, gelato in hand. 

    

    

{The city revolves around the main centre: Duomo, Baptistry and Campanile.}

{Pleasant greeting each morning.}

{Chicness in a castle.}

{Gelato on every corner.}

{The result of a very difficult flavor decision: Tiramisu.}

{After a dauntingly narrow and terrifying climb to the top of the Duomo, the view was worth it.} 

{The Boboli Gardens}

{Ponte Vecchio.}

{A very pleasant surprise: our rented apartment had a rooftop terrace with a breathtaking 360 view.}

{Goodnight Florence.}

wedding in milan.

I'll admit it, my blogger status should be officially suspended without pay. I've been an epic fail on keeping this little guy freshly updated. 

But, I think I have a pretty legit excuse - the past month included traveling to Italy for a friend's wedding, wandering the Italian countryside, getting engaged to one of the sweetest dudes alive (OH YES, more to come on that!), and then venturing on a cruise up to Alaska. It's been one dream of a summer but now it's back to the 8-10 grind (that's an ad agency schedule, for those lucky ones in the 9-5). 

I've officially sucked up every minute of vacation for the year, but at least we have these amazing images to look back on and memories that make life worth living. 

Here is the first adventure of many: our friends Brian and Stella hosted an indescribably beautiful wedding in Milan (where Stella is from). In a place like this, though, it doesn't take a lot of effort to make an event lovely - every corner of city screams historic yet refined Italian beauty. 

{Pre-wedding photo in Piazza del Duomo.}

{Duomo of Milan, simply breathtaking.}

{Put a bird on it: (if you don't watch Portlandia, start now).}

{Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii.}

{When in Italy.}

{Heavenly Rehearsal Dinner.} 

{Groomsmen + Groom.}

                

{My favorite new adorable brit, Alex. Voted Best Dressed. And a view atop the Duomo.}

{The head table. Like all of Milan, even the wall was a treasure.}

{Take aim.}

{The happy couple.}