Italy, Take 2

Part three of our European adventure took us to a beautiful town in the Dolomites called Fie allo Sciliar. We stayed at an incredible hotel called the Emmy Hotel and Family Resort. 

The view from our room was breathtaking!

Let me say, the Italians know how to do family vacations. Everything about this hotel made it enjoyable for both parents and children. We had an adorable sheep in our room for the Mini Fashionista to ride on. 

They had both an indoor/outdoor pool, a kids wading pool and a playroom, which we didn't get any photos of.

The hotel provided breakfast, dinner and a delicious afternoon snack! There was a fruit bowl too. 

The restaurant included special food for the little people, child size cutlery and plastic plates, cups and bowls. The Mini devoured the vegetable soup! 

Fie allo Sciliar is located near the very popular ski area called Sesier Alm/Alp di Siusi. To get there you take a gondola up about 3,000 feet to a winter wonderland complete with a village, hotels, shops, alpine and XC skiing and walking trails. 

We went for a short winter walk (The Mini refused to get in the backpack), visited with some horses and had a hot chocolate and apple strudel. 

 

Our second day in the Dolomites we drove about an hour to Val di Fiemme for the XC World Championships. These races are second in grandeur to the Olympics and draw a huge crowd of XC skiing fans from around the world. This was a big deal to ski racing fans!

This "band" was awesome!

I think we could call this guy a "fanatic"!

And maybe this one too! Clearly the Mini Fashionista was over watching XC ski racing...

It was a fun event and a great way to finish our time in Italy! We then got back in our Vito van, drove the 3+ hours back to Munich and stayed the night before flying home. 

If anyone is interested in knowing more about our travels, hotels, etc. please feel free to contact me! 

Ciao! 

Italy, Take 1

Part two of our European adventure took us to Asiago, Italy for my +1 to compete in the XC Master's World Championships. Asiago is located about an hour and a half West of Venice on a mountain plateau. The racing took place at the Asiago golf club/Meltar Boutique Hotel and Spa. 

Unfortunately we were not able to stay there, but we did spend countless hours at the beautiful clubhouse, drinking cappuccino, eating pasta, and watching the races.

My +1 raced three times during the week, a 10K, 30K and 45K.

The Mini and I were his biggest fans, cheering him along on the course. 

We also spent a lot of time hanging out. 

 

What else did we do during our week in Asiago besides ski and spectate? Well, we did lots of eating...this was the breakfast at our hotel every morning. Good thing the barre3 "28 to Great" challenege was over! 

I did lots of barre3 workouts in the hotel room, with some instruction from the Mini. 

And on one of the days off from racing, we took a day trip to Venice.

Only one more European vacation post left, our final stop Fie allo Sciliar in the Dolomites. Stay tuned!

Viviana Volpicella Street Style

One of my favorite fashion icons is Viviana Volpicella. I've blogged about her countless times and honestly can't get enough of her street style. She knows how to mix prints, colors and textures as well as anyone. I often look to her for inspiration as I style my own outfits. I will never come close to being as fabulous, but I can certainly try. Here are some recent (and some not so recent) photos I pulled from the VV Facebook Page.

P.S. She sure has a chic group of girlfriends!

And, a little "fashion flashback", here is one of my most favorite VV looks ever! The dress, the shoes....I'm dying a slow, fashionable death! Oh, and Anna dello Russo doesn't look terrible either.

First EVER C&C Video Post

Back in 2008 we took an amazing trip to the Italian Lake Region (Lago di Como, Lago di Maggiore and Lago di Orta). If you've never been, I am happy to give recommendations. It is truly magnificent. We also made two day-trips from Lago di Orta to Saas Fee and Zermatt, Switzerland...two places I also plan on returning! Here are a few photos.

Varrena- where we stayed on Lake Como

Bellagio on Lake Como

Lake Orta- Orta San Giulio

Saas Fee, Switzerland

Anyway...while in Bellagio on Lake Como (no, we didn't run into George Clooney) I purchased the most amazing pleated ombre scarf. The man in the shop was insistent upon showing me the "proper" way to tie it, so I spent a good 10 minutes learning this new (to me) method.  

I often receive compliments on the scarf and the method in which it is tied, so I thought I would share.
Without further adieu, here is the FIRST EVER C&C video post. Please excuse the amateur video and the novice video reporting skills.



P.S. We would love your feedback on today's post. Should C&C do more video posts, or should we stick with photos?

Feature Friday- The Blonde Salad

I haven't decided if it is a good or a bad thing that I discovered the blog The Blonde Salad. Chiara is a young and beautiful Italian whose collection of shoes, clothes and handbags is enviable, to say the least (the good). My jealousy is at its peak....(the bad). 

If you are already familiar with her blog I won't be surprised as she gets nearly 90,000 hits a day! 

images via The Blonde Salad