Summer Hiatus

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I've decided to officially go on summer hiatus. I still might post things occasionally but won't be posting daily as I have done so in the past. It's time to relax and have fun in the sun. I should be back in a couple of months but maybe sooner. Hope you all have a great summer!

Palazzo Tornabuoni

One of the most beautiful places I have ever had the opportunity to visit is Florence, Italy. I didn't think any place could be more spectacular than the south of France, but Florence just blew me away. The art, the food, the culture.....the place is magical! I recently came across pictures of the recently restored Palazzo Tornabuoni, which is a fifteenth century palace in Florence that was once the Medici family residence, and I felt heartsick for Italy all over again. Doesn't this place look spectacular?





Images from Palazzo Tornabuoni.

Eat Shop Phoenix

Because I am originally from Arizona, I often have friends ask me where to eat and shop when they go for a visit. Over the years I have kept a list of my favorite places that I edit and add to regularly. I usually tell my friends about places that I love that I know they can't find anywhere else. For example, you would never catch me recommending PF Changs on a visit to Phoenix. I mean, I love PF Changs but you can get their lettuce wraps in virtually any city in the US. Plus, I tend to prefer more independent places anyways.

So today I was in a bookstore and found a travel guide called Eat, Shop, Phoenix. It looked pretty cool and so I flipped through the pages and then I immediately sat down and read the entire thing. Basically, it is as if the editors of the book went inside my brain and my computer and made a list of all the coolest places in Phoenix, except it is so much better than my list because there is amazing photography and tons of great recommendations on what to order or buy. There were even some restaurants I had never heard of but look absolutely amazing. Even though I am from Arizona, I still bought the book. I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to the Valley of the Sun (note that the fabulous resorts in AZ are so much cheaper in the summer!). I now plan on checking out the other Eat, Shop guides for cities like Boston, Paris, and Seattle.

A Few Imports From Germany

My mom recently came back from Germany and I requested that she bring me back a few things that I can't get or can't seem to find in the States. First off is an extremely powerful sunscreen from French Company La Roche-Posay. It is their Anthelios 50+ Fluide Extreme with Mexoryl XL. La Roche Posay is now sold in the US but they don't sell this particular product - who knows why? I think this is the best protection against UVA & UVB rays on the market. In fact, Allure magazine just did an article in which some of the best dermatologists in the country said they use this product. That must mean it's good right? In Germany it is 17 euros but I have seen it being sold on Ebay for $60. Yikes!


Second, I had my mom bring back several kinds of Labello lip balm. I don't know what it is about this particular brand but I am crazy for it - especially the strawberrry and honey and milk flavored ones. You can get them anywhere in Germany and they are super cheap.


Finally, I always request Milka chocolate bars - but not just the plain old Milka bars which are very good (and can be found at Cost Plus). I stock up on the Choco & Rice flavor, which is absolutely addictive and delicious. I think I ate 2 whole candy bars in the span of like an hour. They are that good!




So those are a few things I had smuggled into the country that I enjoy. Are there things that you love that you can only find in another country?