Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles.
Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.
Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it.
Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?
Expediency ask the question, is it politic?
Vanity asks the question, is it popular?
But, conscience ask the question, is it right?
And there comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Monday, January 18, 2016
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Murano & Burano
On our second day in Venice, we visited two clusters of islands off of Venice, Murano famous for glassware & Burano, famous for lace making.
Audrey and I took a boat from our hotel to Murano, the ride there was beautiful and I think during this ride is what solidified my falling in love with Venice. Riding through the canals, seeing all the dilapidated yet still beautiful buildings with uneven doorways and water stains, boats bopping in the water, the brightest blue sky I'd ever seen, the sun's warmth on my face, the absence of people in the streets, and the silence of the morning brought a sense of peace that I have not felt in a long time.
When we got to Murano, we were greeted by nice gentlemen who took us to a small shop where the "Master" creates, all the glassware sold in their adjacent store. We watched Master Mariano create a vase and a horse figurine, each in less than 2 minutes. We were amazed! After the small demonstration, we walked through their store which had everything from vases, chandeliers, mirrors, table settings, small figurines, to huge glass sculptures. The chandeliers were my favorite, they are so meticulously created, having to be completely balanced on all sides, a perfect harmony of calculation and imagination. I will have one of these in my future home. After our visit to the first shop we went around the island, all the shops sold Murano glass. The people of the island are very prideful of their heritage and the legacy of glassware they have created.
After Murano, we took the public boat bus to Burano. All the buildings in Burano are painted bright colors like orange, pink, green, yellow, blue. The buildings reminded me of being in a tropical place. We walked around the island, checked out a lot of stores, some which had lace dating back as late as the1800s. There was so much beautiful lace!
Audrey and I took a boat from our hotel to Murano, the ride there was beautiful and I think during this ride is what solidified my falling in love with Venice. Riding through the canals, seeing all the dilapidated yet still beautiful buildings with uneven doorways and water stains, boats bopping in the water, the brightest blue sky I'd ever seen, the sun's warmth on my face, the absence of people in the streets, and the silence of the morning brought a sense of peace that I have not felt in a long time.
When we got to Murano, we were greeted by nice gentlemen who took us to a small shop where the "Master" creates, all the glassware sold in their adjacent store. We watched Master Mariano create a vase and a horse figurine, each in less than 2 minutes. We were amazed! After the small demonstration, we walked through their store which had everything from vases, chandeliers, mirrors, table settings, small figurines, to huge glass sculptures. The chandeliers were my favorite, they are so meticulously created, having to be completely balanced on all sides, a perfect harmony of calculation and imagination. I will have one of these in my future home. After our visit to the first shop we went around the island, all the shops sold Murano glass. The people of the island are very prideful of their heritage and the legacy of glassware they have created.
After Murano, we took the public boat bus to Burano. All the buildings in Burano are painted bright colors like orange, pink, green, yellow, blue. The buildings reminded me of being in a tropical place. We walked around the island, checked out a lot of stores, some which had lace dating back as late as the1800s. There was so much beautiful lace!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
My visit to Venezia
I LOVE VENICE.
It is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I am going to go back there in the future, hopefully with a lover. So we can run around at night and get lost in the alleys maybe find ourselves on the Rialto. I need to be kissed in Venice, seriously. Haha. People told me that the city was built on water but I didn't really understand what that meant until I got there. There are NO cars, just tiny uneven streets for walking. If you need to go somewhere far, there are boat taxis or boat buses, but we mostly walked.
Audrey and I traveled on train from Rome to Venice and the view when we stepped outside of the train station was like one out of a movie. It was pouring rain, people were walking in every direction, taxis and buses were cruising through the canal, it was unbelievable.
Our hotel, the Palazzo Paruta is the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. I want to live there. We felt like princesses, everything was designed perfectly from the glass chandeliers to the fabric on the walls, I was dying! When we got in, we attended tea time, tea time! I had a meltdown because it was surreal and I was wearing sweats to the fanciest party I've ever attended. (Well maybe not the fanciest but the juxtaposition of my sweats and the fancy serving platter made me feel much more far removed from the reality.) We were served little cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and of course tea.
What made our hotel even more amazing was the breakfast, the chef made us omelets and crepes in the morning. The spread included cakes, cookies, fruits, buns, pastries, tarts, cereal, cheese, sliced hams, prosciutto. (Our chef made all the tarts, buns, pastries, etc.) I usually don't eat breakfast but I ate SO much at the Palazzo Paruta. I definitely took advantage of the included breakfast. I am getting so hungry thinking about it.
We visited St. Mark's Basilica on our first day, and walked around to a bunch of places. I forget what else we did our first day, what I do remember is falling asleep VERY early and not going anywhere at night. Our sleeping clock was out of whack, we slept for about 4 hours every night and tried our best not to take naps but once Audrey lays down, she's asleep. It was very funny, she fell asleep mid sentence once, I looked over and she was out.
Our second day was much more eventful with visits to Murano and Burano (that post will come soon). On our way back, we wandered all around Venice, found a grocery store, Audrey bought a nice wool jacket, and we ended up at the Rialto bridge.
If the slideshow isn't working, click here.
It is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I am going to go back there in the future, hopefully with a lover. So we can run around at night and get lost in the alleys maybe find ourselves on the Rialto. I need to be kissed in Venice, seriously. Haha. People told me that the city was built on water but I didn't really understand what that meant until I got there. There are NO cars, just tiny uneven streets for walking. If you need to go somewhere far, there are boat taxis or boat buses, but we mostly walked.
Audrey and I traveled on train from Rome to Venice and the view when we stepped outside of the train station was like one out of a movie. It was pouring rain, people were walking in every direction, taxis and buses were cruising through the canal, it was unbelievable.
Our hotel, the Palazzo Paruta is the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. I want to live there. We felt like princesses, everything was designed perfectly from the glass chandeliers to the fabric on the walls, I was dying! When we got in, we attended tea time, tea time! I had a meltdown because it was surreal and I was wearing sweats to the fanciest party I've ever attended. (Well maybe not the fanciest but the juxtaposition of my sweats and the fancy serving platter made me feel much more far removed from the reality.) We were served little cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and of course tea.
What made our hotel even more amazing was the breakfast, the chef made us omelets and crepes in the morning. The spread included cakes, cookies, fruits, buns, pastries, tarts, cereal, cheese, sliced hams, prosciutto. (Our chef made all the tarts, buns, pastries, etc.) I usually don't eat breakfast but I ate SO much at the Palazzo Paruta. I definitely took advantage of the included breakfast. I am getting so hungry thinking about it.
We visited St. Mark's Basilica on our first day, and walked around to a bunch of places. I forget what else we did our first day, what I do remember is falling asleep VERY early and not going anywhere at night. Our sleeping clock was out of whack, we slept for about 4 hours every night and tried our best not to take naps but once Audrey lays down, she's asleep. It was very funny, she fell asleep mid sentence once, I looked over and she was out.
Our second day was much more eventful with visits to Murano and Burano (that post will come soon). On our way back, we wandered all around Venice, found a grocery store, Audrey bought a nice wool jacket, and we ended up at the Rialto bridge.
If the slideshow isn't working, click here.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
My visit to Roma
Prior to my visit to Rome and Venice, Italy, many people were sharing their stories and suggestions on what I should do during my trip. Thanks to everyone who was supportive of my trip and got me excited for my first visit out of the country as an adult! I needed some inspiration and something to lift my spirits being that I haven't felt myself for a little while now. I am very grateful for being able to take the trip and also to share it with my now, good friend, Audrey.
We visited so many sights and attractions in Roma, my favorite was the Fontana di Trevi. It is so magical, romantic, and grand it took my breath away. The myth is that for our wish to come true, we must throw the coin over our shoulder. Oh, I really hope my wish comes true! =) We visited the Trevi every night before heading back to our hotel. Minus the people trying to hustle flowers and photos on us, guess my ethnicity (every night) and told us they loved us it was the most peaceful way to end our evenings.
The Colosseo (Colloseum) was very cool, it is falling apart but still creates a great impact when seeing it. The place made me feel a little dreary and creepy knowing that so many people were killed there. The weirdest part is that a bunch of cats live there! Oh my goodness, I'm surprised I didn't have an allergy attack. We ran into one cat, he looked sad and like he was falling asleep or dying the entire time. Weird.
The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican was beautiful (no pictures allowed). Thanks to Rick Steve's walking tours, we learned some history of the frescoes and meanings behind the art work. It was very inspiring and uplifting to learn about what we were viewing. What I remember from one of the pieces of work is that perhaps "Michelangelo wants to remind us that even the best of men are imperfect," in regards to Noah's sons finding him passed out drunk. All great men and women have their flaws, no one is actually "perfect" but that it is in our ability to look past imperfection which makes us perfect.
Here are some photos from our visit to Roma. Please enjoy! More pics from Venezia and other fun sightings will be shared soon!
And of course comments and questions are always welcome!
XOXO
V
If the slideshow isn't working, click here.
We visited so many sights and attractions in Roma, my favorite was the Fontana di Trevi. It is so magical, romantic, and grand it took my breath away. The myth is that for our wish to come true, we must throw the coin over our shoulder. Oh, I really hope my wish comes true! =) We visited the Trevi every night before heading back to our hotel. Minus the people trying to hustle flowers and photos on us, guess my ethnicity (every night) and told us they loved us it was the most peaceful way to end our evenings.
The Colosseo (Colloseum) was very cool, it is falling apart but still creates a great impact when seeing it. The place made me feel a little dreary and creepy knowing that so many people were killed there. The weirdest part is that a bunch of cats live there! Oh my goodness, I'm surprised I didn't have an allergy attack. We ran into one cat, he looked sad and like he was falling asleep or dying the entire time. Weird.
The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican was beautiful (no pictures allowed). Thanks to Rick Steve's walking tours, we learned some history of the frescoes and meanings behind the art work. It was very inspiring and uplifting to learn about what we were viewing. What I remember from one of the pieces of work is that perhaps "Michelangelo wants to remind us that even the best of men are imperfect," in regards to Noah's sons finding him passed out drunk. All great men and women have their flaws, no one is actually "perfect" but that it is in our ability to look past imperfection which makes us perfect.
Here are some photos from our visit to Roma. Please enjoy! More pics from Venezia and other fun sightings will be shared soon!
And of course comments and questions are always welcome!
XOXO
V
If the slideshow isn't working, click here.
Monday, December 17, 2012
What I'm Wearing...Holiday
Contrary to what a lot of people think, I don't shop for myself as much as I shop for others (maybe that's why I do what I do). Everything I wore to this weekend's holiday party was bought a while ago, the newest being the shoes which were bought over the summer. I had to have them, they're rose gold! The jacket is about 3 years old and the dress I wore last year for new years. You can also recycle your clothes as long as you buy quality pieces, it's easy and fun to mix and match to create new looks. It's also necessary when you're ballin on a budget (like me).
Sorry that I had to take mirror pictures to show you my outfit. I don't have a professional photographer that follows me around like a lot of the other bloggers out there. It's just me (by myself, one iPhone). ;)
Thank you for coming by! Happy Holidays and be safe out there!
xoxo
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| Jacket: Wilfred | Dress: Bar III | Shoes:Jeffrey Campbell |
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| My point of view. |
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| Sitting by the fireplace (it's just cranberry juice, no alcohol). |
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
DMX Sings Rudolph
The holidays are upon us and everywhere we hear Christmas songs...I think they start playing them earlier and earlier every year; it used to be after Thanksgiving but I think they started the day after Halloween this year. There's a few songs that I absolutely love like "Last Christmas" by WHAM or "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole but this year, I've added a new favorite: "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" by DMX.
I love DMX's rendition for many reasons: the way he sing/barks the lyrics, the beat he drops for himself by banging on the table, his chains clinging together like bells (very holiday-esque), but my most favorite is the added "Come on!" and "Forever..."
Thank you DMX for singing this song. I've never really enjoyed this song but it is now a holiday favorite.
Videos:Youtube
I love DMX's rendition for many reasons: the way he sing/barks the lyrics, the beat he drops for himself by banging on the table, his chains clinging together like bells (very holiday-esque), but my most favorite is the added "Come on!" and "Forever..."
Thank you DMX for singing this song. I've never really enjoyed this song but it is now a holiday favorite.
Videos:Youtube
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving week was very busy this year. My friend Antanice is getting married so we drove to the Palm Springs area to look at venues and check out possible vendors for her and her fiance's big day!
While we were there we discovered this amazing cafe, Palms Cafe. It was the best pancake I have ever had and I'm not big on pancakes. The blueberries inside were nice and soft, I didn't even need butter or syrup! It was delicious!
Antanice loves nail polish and she has discovered the Sally Hansen nail stickers, they are great! She prefers them over regular nail polish. There are a lot of cool designs, it even comes with a little wooden stick and file for you so you can do it anywhere! Antanice did my nails which you can see down below. I love them. I am terrible at painting my nails so this may be a better alternative for me since the sticker comes in a nice nail shape.
On Thursday I flew to see my family. I love visiting my family; I always eat well and seeing my dad's new clothes is always a joy.
Below are pictures of only some of the food I shared with my family. I was too busy eating to take pictures.
I hope everyone had a lovely holiday week...the season is upon us...Happy Holidays!
While we were there we discovered this amazing cafe, Palms Cafe. It was the best pancake I have ever had and I'm not big on pancakes. The blueberries inside were nice and soft, I didn't even need butter or syrup! It was delicious!
Antanice loves nail polish and she has discovered the Sally Hansen nail stickers, they are great! She prefers them over regular nail polish. There are a lot of cool designs, it even comes with a little wooden stick and file for you so you can do it anywhere! Antanice did my nails which you can see down below. I love them. I am terrible at painting my nails so this may be a better alternative for me since the sticker comes in a nice nail shape.
On Thursday I flew to see my family. I love visiting my family; I always eat well and seeing my dad's new clothes is always a joy.
Below are pictures of only some of the food I shared with my family. I was too busy eating to take pictures.
I hope everyone had a lovely holiday week...the season is upon us...Happy Holidays!
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| Blueberry pancakes, bacon, strawberries from Palms Cafe. |
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| Sally Hansen nail stickers |
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| Thanksgiving dinner (Mom made everything from scratch.) |
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| Vietnamese Dinner: Lobster with noodles and Seafood soup |
Monday, November 12, 2012
Sparkly!
Saw these on instagram today...how fun would these be for the holiday season? I love them!
Wear the set together or separate...there are lots of options for these. I would certainly wear sparkly hot pants with matching bralette. These are from Motel Rocks.
Photo: Motel Rocks
Wear the set together or separate...there are lots of options for these. I would certainly wear sparkly hot pants with matching bralette. These are from Motel Rocks.
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