Gucci Garden


Last month when I was in Italy, I had the pleasure of visiting Gucci Garden. Alessandro Michele has redesigned the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence, which dates to 1337 and previously housed the Gucci Museo. Opening this past January, 2018, Gucci Garden is an exclusive boutique with clothes, accessories, and shoes not available at any other location. It also houses archives in a perfectly curated exhibition by Maria Luisa Frisa. If you are planning a trip to Italy, I suggest adding it to your list. You will not be disappointed! Ciao Ciao!

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beach prep!

clockwise from top right: sunglasses: Prada,  Prada, Gucci | sandals: Old Navy similar | beach bag: Marc Jacobs | bikinis: Proenza Schouler, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Proenza Schouler similar| coverups: both Old Navy | scarves: Moschino, Gucci similar | products: Sum Bum, Dermalogica, Dior Lip Glow

My husband and I will soon escape Chicago’s cold weather to soak up the sun in Tulum. Here are a few items that I’ll be bringing on our trip to Mexico! This year, I decided to add a white bikini into my wardrobe. After spending hours online shopping, I decided on another one from Proenza Schouler. I love the black and white bikini I purchased a couple of years ago and was excited to find this one – super comfortable and a great fit. Also, since my hair is short and I can’t pull it back, I wrap it up in silk scarves. It’s easy and keeps me looking chic on the beach! Sunshine, beaches, tacos, and mango margaritas for days! Follow along on Instagram @taffetaandcedar.

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postcards from Greece

AcropolisErechtheonHydra – no cars on the island, just donkeys!HydraMykonosMykonos – windmillsSantorini – OiaOia – blue domes

Enjoy a few postcards from Greece! My husband and I have been busy exploring Athens, Hydra, Mykonos, and Santorini. We’re having a great time – the weather, food, people, history, antiquity, and overall experience has been so wonderful! We’re also traveling light, only carry-on luggage. More on that later, but it’s completely doable and my newly preferred way to travel internationally. Follow along for more highlights @taffetaandcedar 

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Antigua – Sugar Ridge

Turners Beach

The Nest Beach Bar – Jolly Harbor 

Our spring getaway this year was to Antigua. We stayed at Sugar Ridge, a gorgeous resort on the southwest side of the island near Jolly Harbor. It was wonderful, and everything we needed to relax and escape the cold weather in Chicago. Here are just a few highlights from the trip, check out more on my Instagram @taffetaandcedar. The weather was perfect – sunshine and in the low 80’s. We started our first full day with a massage at their Aveda spa, then we took the beach shuttle (vintage Land Rover) to the beach, followed by a trip to the pool, and dinner at one of their restaurants. Perfection! The next few days were pretty comparable. It was just what we needed to relax, defrost, recharge and reenergize.   If you’re looking for a place to escape, add it to the list!

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weekend #37

Hagia Sophia-1

weekend inspiration #37: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I took this picture last August when my husband and I traveled back to Istanbul to visit some friends. The Hagia Sophia was built in 537 as an Orthodox Basilica, then became a Roman Catholic Cathedral for a short time, later an Imperial mosque and is now a museum. The building is an architectural wonder, especially the construction of the dome. Learn more about Hagia Sophia here.

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favorites from Tulum

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great beach cover-up // Céline shades

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Mayan Ruins – Pyramid El Castillo

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beach beds at Ziggy’s – we spent days here!

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fish tacos and mango margaritas

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@mybikeislost checking out the waves!

Here are a few highlights from the quick trip my husband and I made to Tulum, México. We had such an amazing time! It was the perfect way to escape the snow and cold of Chicago for an extended weekend. Our days were spent eating tacos, lounging in the sun, and enjoying margaritas! If you haven’t been, I highly recommend visiting and relaxing on the white beaches and exploring the Mayan ruins along the Yucatán Peninsula.

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