Packing for the Hamptons & The Weekend

This past week has been a little more than hectic.  Between work projects, Luca's bathroom renovation and rushing-in last minute shopping, I was also getting things ready for our get away for a week.  We have rented a house in The Hamptons specifically in Sag Harbor and I'm so looking forward to just disconnecting starting from tomorrow.  Whenever I'm going away I like to refresh my wardrobe by getting a few pieces that could relate to the place I'm going to and when I found these jeans with an uber-cool tag on it, I was sold.  Because nothing says more "Boho-Chic" to me than Sag Harbor.  I've heard a lot of good things about Tahitian Monoi oil so I was happy when I found this one (below) and even happier when I tried it.  It's unbelievably soft and smells heavenly.  The great thing about is that it's not greasy at all.  It feels more like a silky touch.  It really is incredible!

While up-and-around in the City I use sunblock that don't smell like sunblock but for the beach or a beachy town I want to smell sunblock all over.  After all that is a smell that I absolutely adore.  I'm looking forward to trying this one below.  Available here.  If it turns out that it doesn't smell too much like sunblock we'll have Jack Black, a product we've been using for a few years now. 

when under the sun I like to spray this L'Occitane product on my hair because it protects it from the sun rays, sea water and the pool.  A girl's gotta take care of her hair!

A Paul Rafferty's painting of Sag Harbor's main St.
Bon Voyage! I'll make sure I stop in once in  a while. 
Have an excellent weekend everyone!

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Last day of the series with Beth and Kristy from My Design Chic

I wanted to thank all of the fabulous ladies who collaborated in Staycation in Style series and my fantastic readers for supporting it.  I hope we have accomplished our goal of bringing everyone suggestions as to how to spend the best time in your own skin and in your own town.  Today is the last day of the series and I couldn't think of a better way of ending it with Beth and Kristy from My Design Chic.  The mother and daughter's great eye and taste comes across in their beautiful blog which is a must to visit.   I'm up for all of their great ideas.  Who doesn't need a relaxed weekend or some extra  sleep?

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Summer is the perfect time to get away from everything and take a break from your normal routine, but, sometimes, between packing, flying, stopping the mail, finding someone to feed the cat... Shew! Getting away can feel less like vacation and more like, well, work. That’s why we think that, every now and again, finding a way to relax and recharge in your own home can be an even better way to truly unwind. What’s the best start to our perfect staycation? Why, sleeping late, of course -- it’s guilt free! Sleep hours, like chocolate calories, simply do not count while on vacation.

Perhaps the loveliest transition from sleeping to waking is a piping cup of tea, in your pajamas, overlooking the most beautiful view in your home. If we felt so inclined, this would be a prime time to catch up on some long overdue journaling.

The last thing some people want to do on their vacation is work out, but yoga makes us feel so refreshed we don’t even think of it as exercise. Deep, quieting breaths, a few sun salutations and meditating on all the things for which we are thankful really put us in that vacation state of mind.

Or, better yet, recapturing our childhood with some time in a swing.

No vacation would be complete without some time on the courts. Adrenaline pumping, fresh air and good friends. Does life get any better?
We would like to thank Julie so very much for choosing us as guest bloggers while she’s away relaxing.  However you choose to unwind, we hope the rest of your summer holds many moments of restful bliss! Best, Beth and Kristy

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Nancy Marcus' takes on how to Stay in Town in Style

Today We have the pleasure of having Nancy Marcus from Marcus Design sharing with us her tricks to enjoy ourselves while in town.  I am already putting into practice some of her clever and low-key suggestions on how to rediscover our city or town like a tourist and see the beauty in the everyday activities.  Thank you Nancy for so beautifully collaborate with this series.

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Hello lovely Belle Vivir readers!! I am so honored to be here today and I thank Julie for including me in on this fabulous 'Staycation in Style' series. 

My personal favorite thing to do when not jet setting away for the summer is to explore my own city, and more specifically, the local markets. 

What is more summery and inspiring than a farmer's market, where you can indulge in the fresh and colorful bounty of the season? 

Or better yet, discover fabulous treasures at the flea market, and come home with a bundle of blooms from the flower market to adorn your table. It's also a great way to eat locally grown foods and stumble upon local artists. I can't think of a better way to spend a holiday in town!

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Stay in Town in Style with Debby Steele

I knew that when I invited Debby from Inspired Design to collaborate in this week's series I was doing the right thing.  I came across Debby's gorgeous blog a few months ago and was immediately smitten by it. Debby didn't fail to contribute with fantastic ideas and  stunning images for all of us to get to enjoy ourselves while staying in town.  Debby, thank you so much for so kindly accepting to be a part of this series.  

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Hi Everyone! It's Debby from Inspired Design. When Julie asked me to do a guest post on staycations, her timing couldn't have been more perfect, seeing as our family just enjoyed a little staycation. Here are my suggestions for creating the perfect vacation at home:  Unplug the phone and hide work phones, work computers and basically anything that will keep you from feeling like you deserve a break.  Sleep in, take extra long showers and linger over delicious breakfasts... al fresco if the weather allows.  Take your camera and explore your city or town the way you would if you were on a destination vacation. You might be surprised at the details you've never noticed, and you will have a renewed appreciation for where you live.  Take a great book outdoors will a tall glass of iced tea and let yourself be transported to another time and place.  Explore your local boutiques and treat yourself to a little something special.  Plan a Parisian style picnic in a beautiful setting. Ham and cheese on baguettes with butter, macaroons, fresh fruit and sparkling water... don't forget the flowers and music.  Treat yourself to dinner at your favorite restaurant and order champagne. Toast yourself... you deserve it!  How would you spend your staycation?

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Staycation in Style with Ada from Classiq

As I promised last week, in the hope of inspiring those who have decided not to take vacations this year, the series "Staycation in Style" starts today and it'll run for the week.  There are so many things we take for granted and sometimes we forget all the wonderful things we can do to have fun without having to spend a serious amount of money on getaway vacations.  I'm more than happy with my blogger friends who accepted to be a part of this series and one of them is Ada from Classiq.  Her more than inspiring blog has quickly become one of my favorites to visit for its great content and stunning images.  Every time I go into her blog I can relate to her wonderful taste and get inspired by her posts.  I knew she was going to deliver beautiful images accompanied with fantastic ideas of how to "Staycation in Style".  Thank you Ada for accepting to be a part of this series. 

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Hello, everyone! This is Ada from Classiq. I am so happy and honoured to be here on Belle Vivir today, while Julie is spending some quality time with her family, to share my favourite things to do when not leaving on vacation.  As much as I love traveling, I also very much enjoy taking advantage of all the little pleasures summer has to offer when not going away.

Reading. I love books, but as unfortunately I don't have as much time as I wished for reading, whenever I have a few days off I like stocking up on and getting lost in magazines, old and new, novels, fashion and movie books. There are so many beautiful words, memorable quotes and breathtaking images tucked within their pages that I find myself constantly interrupting my reading to write them down, hence a notebook is always at hand.

Visiting my parents. Every summer I like taking a few days off to spend them with my parents. Shopping, taking short trips, cooking delights (home-made jam, the best in the whole world), wine, Turkish coffee (again, the best in the whole world), gardening, talking our hearts out: I always leave with a big smile on my face and with my batteries fully charged.

Picnic in the park. How long has it been since you walked barefoot in the grass? It's such a blissful feeling, very few others compared to it. I don't have to wait for the weekend to enjoy it. It's so much more exciting taking the afternoon off and heading to the park with a book and iced coffee. Gelato is in order too.

Classic movies. Nothing relaxes me more than a low-key night at home, cuddling on the sofa with my hubby and watching an old movie. I'm completely transposed into the story, thinking of nothing else. We're now in an European-directors phase: François Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, Claude Sautet, Curtis Bernhardt. Were we to have a house with a backyard our home design would most definitely involve a big screen and a film projector.

Explore the city. You may think you know it and that it has nothing else to offer, but dare to discover it over and over again. And the best time to do it is in the summer, when it empties out. I'm always surprised to find out how many exciting and interesting things are happening every single day: a new play, an outdoor concert, an art exhibition, flower markets, boutiques and bookstores with little treasures hidden inside, waiting to make their way to my home.

Cooking. A favourite weekend activity. Every weekend I'm experimenting my culinary skills on a new recipe. My latest success: pasta with ricotta and spinach. And cooking in two can be so romantic.

Brunch or coffee with my best friend. Talking and talking and talking (the topics are endless) and laughing in between, time really flies when we get together. Two hours seem like no more than 10 minutes.

A favourite spot. A favourite spot in the whole city where you feel completely free, where you can go any day, any time you want to unwind and just have a moment with yourself. It can be on a terrace on the rooftop of a building, a bench in the park, the driving seat of your car or the intimacy of your living-room. I have two: my favourite café and my home studio (whenever I'm not working).

Al fresco dining. A beautiful summer evening, a romantic dinner or meeting up with friends (people relax and inspire me imensely) and I'm sure it's going to be a long, long night, with truly unforgettable moments (and very loud ones if the party is for more than two).

Spontaneous day-trips. Waking up early in the morning sunlight and realising it's going to be a glorious summer day...on a clear day you can see forever... And what springs into my mind is a one-day trip. Aren't these the best? To the seaside or in the mountains (I'm lucky it's a 2-3 hour drive to either direction). My photo camera is a permanent companion.

Decorating. Or better said, re-decorating and hand-making all kinds of decorative objects (I'm like a little child playing with his toys) to add new flavour to my home. Right now I'm thinking of decorating part of one of the hallway walls with framed pictures, the most beautiful ones I've taken.
Thank you for having me over, Julie. It's been a pleasure.

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Driving away

Right now we are driving to Columbus, Ohio, yes driving, I would take any short cut (hypothetically speaking) in order to not get on an airplane.  After 9/11 I'm terrified of flying.  Anyhow, I'm very happy and excited that Lucas, Jennifer my niece, and I are going to spend two weeks with my in-laws whom I truly adore.  My hubby who is more than sweet to drive us all the way there will fly back.  We woke up at 3:30AM and left home at 4:30AM in order to take advantage of the morning hours that seem to fly away faster than the afternoon ones.  Unlike everyone else on board I really enjoy days like today because I'm a morning person.  I love to wake up early in the morning listen to the birds singing and watch the sun rise.  I'm even more happy and grateful to my beautiful blogger friends who are going to run a series by guest-blogging here in Belle Vivir.  Without your help it wouldn't be possible for me to spend quality time with my in-laws.  These five talented ladies have excellent taste and always have the most breath taking, beautiful images in their blogs.  I couldn't be happier.  I really appreciate it.  Next week I'll reveal their names and blogs.  The series will be called
"Staycation in Style" where they'll share with us what they do when not going away in order to renew and to get inspired.  Since our trip to Ohio is not really a vacation, I'll make sure I do some of those things with my mother in law and niece whilyst away. 

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