Herb Garden

I've decided. There's nothing better than growing something, and then eating it. I mean making something from scratch is one thing... but tending to something for weeks, then enjoying it is just a whole other experience. 

I've hated loved working in the garden, tending to plants (that i have no clue what i'm doing with and have had to do a series of google searches on). It has been a fun and exciting adventure of homeownership, and something that i'm learning to love.  Enjoying this fresh caprese salad with my own home-grown basil the other evening was amazing. and good news, i've got plenty of leaves for some homemade pesto. 

This set of garden markers makes for a really cute way to identify each lovely herb as well!  

Links I Love

This summer more than any in the past, I find myself longing to be outside, soaking up the sun, and just enjoying all that "summer" has to offer. BBQ. Afternoon tropical adult beverages. long walks with Z. It's been rough the past couple of weeks! My life transition in jobs is set to happen officially July 14th, so I'm hoping to schedule myself a bit of free time to enjoy myself the last couple weeks of summer. May have to have some lunch dates with my SAHM and teacher friends!

1. these adorable melanine plates from Target would be great for an outdoor BBQ

2. Did you know Mara Hoffman did a collaboration with Anthropologie?! I'm dying over all of it, but this bathing suit is just amazing.

3. Loving the adorable limited edition Chandon bottle this year! Once again rockin red white and blue just in time for the 4th! (and apparently Johnathan Adler is doing a collabo with them as well!)

4. Bobbi B, exclusive for Lord and Taylor- the perfect pink shade for your lips, be it fun in the sun or summer date night. Miami Pink.

5. Love whole foods movement to save the bees! Crazy what the grocery store would look like without bees and their pollinating powers.

6. Love these cute bee bobby's!

7. It would be tragic without this amazing honeycream. I'm going to order them all online. 

year two.

Two years ago today, I married my love. 

It's truly cuh-ray how time flies. 

The funny thing is, he's usually the more sentimental of the two of us. We like to joke, that in many ways, I'm the man. My thoughtfulness and pre-planning only goes so far.  For example, I thought last week... "hmm. I wonder if I should get him a gift...?"

I cherish this man for who he is. My sweet husband, and teammate. He is beyond supportive of all things me-related. These past two years sure have been good to us. We've continued to grow together. I am truly grateful each day to have someone who lifts me up, and always challenges me to do more and be more than I think I am.

Here's a few favorite shots from our wedding day:

an intimate moment after we sat down at the church.

 

Love that sweet smile.

typical me face.

 our amazing, and yes, giant, wedding party. 

It was so important to us to include our nearest and dearest, and even then, we felt like we were leaving people out!  

 

he offered to carry it, but i said i got it.

Can't wait to see what exciting adventures this next year brings. 

mi carissima, I love you.

Castello Banfi, Montalcino

this is real. like, really. No filter. Just life.

After the hub-bub of the car show, we stayed at a beautiful castle in Tuscany to do some wine tasting.

:: um, did I really just type that, slash, did that really happen!? ::

Yes. 

Yes, it did. And again, silly. pretty.

The Castello Banfi is set in the gorgeous surroundings of Montalcino, in the area of Tuscany in Italy. This would be an incredible place to get married abroad, honeymoon,or spend a big anniversary. Lia and I enjoyed watching our parents be che romantica with one another, and face-timed in the evenings with our boys.

the wine shop.

who doesn't love a good sparkling rose!?

again, not edited..

beautiful, and spacious room

hand painted tiles in the shower.

i just love a good Brunello!

I've been dreaming of this place since we left and think it's officially my new, "happy place" for visualization purposes. I'm excited to relive it over a glass of wine or 48.. as the case of wine I had shipped home should be arriving any day now...

just. couldn't. help it.

xox Ciao!

Villa D'Este, Lake Como

On our trip, we had the pleasure of staying at the absolutely, stunningly beautiful, Villa D'Este Hotel in Cernobbio.  If you look at the website, you can see aerial shots. Let me tell you, it is absolutely stunning in person.

It's. like. silly. pretty.

(Like where you laugh, because you can't believe it's real and you're there.)

That blue Rolls Royce... is not regularly parked there.

and the pool, is floating in the lake.

umbrellas to shade the sun

the little lady that got us there!

Our time there was incredible. Even though the car didn't win, it's an honor to have been there. Plus, there's always next year! ha.