Thanks
so much again everyone for the happy good wishes for my birthday! DH
and I went for a romantic break to Venice, and the
celebration could not have been more magical...
It's been a long time since I've visited last, and as before, I was completely
enthralled by the lagoon city's beauty. I've taken so many pictures, and hope you'll enjoy the resulting travelogue. It will be updated on a
daily basis for about a week, and feature my favorite spots, things
to do and places to eat.
The
first part is dedicated to the color terracotta, which is so typical of
Venice.. whether it is plaster, brick, stucco, leather or paint. So very
often, it is set off against green, which makes for stunningly atmospheric and beautiful
color combinations.
Some
of Venice's most beautiful paintings are just reflections... ever
chaning, and depending on the hour of the day and time of year
The elegant interiour of a water taxi.. each one has their own, individual decor
A
pretty spot around the corner of the Campo San Stefano (which is filled
with lovely trattorias)
the local Hermès store
1292 San Marco, Venice, Tel: +39 041 241 0715
Reminder of Venice is always new, fresh, invigorating...depending on eyes watching&presenting it, therefore I am very much looking forward to the coming photos and hope to see you in all this beauty as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this - I visited Venice a long time ago and think about revisiting when 50 (in 2 yrs).
Might I ask - you wrote a sentence "I look forward to gradually adapting my style... towards a timelessly chic and stylish ‘femme d’un certain age’. I must frankly say I am very curious which direction you should take us (as we follow you :-). Namely, I deeply believe your style IS timelessly chic and stylish, also learnt a lot from you and also from your nice readers sending the pics for collages (I also flatter myself I managed to pick up some hints and better defined my style)...please, give some hints where the travel should take us all.... I understand the pics will tell the story, but also somehow believed your style is a very high point of elegance and stlye - although I am very curious to see the new hints and the new ideas, if any.
Thanks again for all your beautiful help and all the gifts you have given to us during this time with your blog.
Lea
My dearest Lea, thanks so much for your engaging thoughts! With my previous comment, I was only referring to the need to adapt as we get older, and it is always a good idea to think about what lies ahead. Style, even when timeless, has to evolve with age, and needs to be in harmony with the changes that happen to us. I didn't mean for anything drastic happening today or tomorrow, but taking into account that sleeveless tops might not be the most flattering look in a few years time, or that some of the more conservative wardrobe pieces might be appearing a bit too severe in the not so distant future, but who knows! To discover what works and what doesn't, will all be part of this journey xx
ReplyDeleteSighing with relief - I already eliminated all those "tricky" points (like sleeveless tops, etc.), as I am not in a shape which might be comparable to your perfect body shape (although I am still slim).
DeleteMight I whisper a question (although the answer might pop up later on) - have you seen Trophees de Venice scarf? Is it still available? Just curious - I have never had enough courage to buy it without seeing it (I am a "warm type colours" person, don't know how it would "play" with my colouring), but loved the design so much...
TIA, Lea
Ah,yes the journey,dear friend! It is always exciting to see each day anew with nothing ever staying the same! While our bodies may change a little in some amusing ways...yes, they are funny if taken in stride ! Staying fit and strong in mind and body for wellness and not vanity,keeping an open mind and heart are just a few of the things on the 'other side' that allows our confidence as women to soar in this decade! Strut your stuff regardless of your biological age with wisdom and a wink;) Not to worry sweet MT, I am certain you will adjust and adapt as the need arises! Thank you for this gorgy travelogue...love the terracota colors! Cannot wait to see more! Thank you for taking us along,as always. Big, big welcome hugs<3 T xx
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you for the sweet welcome back, and great words of wisdom, my darling Trudye! I'll join any club you are in, they most definitely seem to be the best and most fun places to be! :-) Here's to fitness, strength, humor and good health! Big hugs right back, and have a wonderful weekend <3 xx
DeleteMagnifiques photos dieu que Venise est sublimissime si on arrive a ne pas voir la horde de touristes mais comme vous l'avez photographiée avec la vision du beau. . Du grand art bravo dear Mai Tai. Such good memories.... Monica
ReplyDeleteMerci pour le gentil commentaire, ma chère Monica! Eviter les touristes était devenue un vrai sport.. ;-) Bon fin de la semaine à vous!
DeleteWelcome back we missed you! Beautiful and magical Venise. So romantic place for your special birthday. Your arty photos makes me feel nostalgic, let me think about another trip there with my DH !
ReplyDeleteYou are totally right, in the next years (far away !!!!) we will have to pay attention of some very classical pieces of our wardrobe in order not to look too severe ! But lovely MaiTai no doubt, we still have time and will continue to have fun and be «des femmes d’un certain âge très épanouies »
Silky hugs,
Catherine.
So lovely to catch up, missed you too! Glad the pics brought back special memories, and hope the next installments will too. Very much enjoying our discussion about 'the journey', it's great to exchange our views and experiences. Here's to fun, and happy & full blossoms!
DeleteAs always super photos.... I am 50 next year Venice was one of the options 'what to do, where to go to celebrate' how many days do you think makes for a good break there?
ReplyDeleteAww, it's good to see new members lining up to the club! Venice as a destination depends very much on the time of year, in summer (June-September) it just gets just too crowded.. The duration of a perfect break depends on what you like to do, and how much you want to see. If you have to travel far, you might want to stay a day or two longer, or combine the trip with another destination. From us it's just an hour and a half by plane, so for me, anything between three and five days is ideal (or longer if you combine it with chill time, such a reading a book by the pool etc) Hope this helps :-)
DeleteHi, not far for me either, flying from UK... I think I might consider 5 days, as I haven't been before, to give us time to browse at leisure... thinking early June as I like a bit of sunshine so might have to brave the crowds..
DeleteFive days sound perfect! Hope you'll enjoy the upcoming posts and pictures (they also include a few tips on less busy places and how to avoid the crowds..).
DeleteTrès belle ville ou je reve de retourner et revoir les petits coins non envahi par les touristes
ReplyDeleteJ ai adoré le ghetto et d autres endroit encore tous plus beau les uns et les autres
J espere que vous avez prix du plaisir
Nous etions en belgique la semaine derniere et nous etions en hiver
Tous mes vœux pour votre année suplementaire qui a si bien commencé
Bises
MYRIAM
On a jamais visité le ghetto, merci pour partager votre endroit secret, ma chère Myriam. La prochaine fois on va l'explorer.. Par contre l'hiver en Belgique au mois du Mai, c'est completement fou! Bon weekend à vous (j'espère avec un peu de soleil). Bises
DeleteBeautiful images, MT, especially the reflections. They tell a story with every ripple.
ReplyDeleteLike Venice your elegance is timeless. It's a tremendous influence on the way we present ourselves, whether it's with Hermes, Gucci or some fabulously chic but cheap bargain. Like Lea, I watch with interest as you adjust and fine-tune any look. I'm now 61 and everything you wear, every colour way and flip and twist of silk is an inspiration. Please keep going forever - I prefer reading your blog to buying glossy mags!
I am guilty of having spent more time looking at water and ripples than anything else (exept for lunches and dinners maybe.. I'm a fair weather tourist at heart)! Your comment truly touched me, thank you so much for the kind and lovely words.
Delete
ReplyDeleteSigh!-the pics of Venice take me back to happier times; thanks for the share. I so look forward to your other pics... Also appreciate your thoughts on the need to evolve one's style !
Glad you had such a lovely time, best wishes, Mandy
So nice to know the pics brought back some special memories, dear Mandy <3
DeleteI've been a reader for years, I have to ask, do you work for Hermes or is it your family's business? You seem to know so much about the company. I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the lovely commment, it is so nice to know you have been enjoying the blog and posts for so long. Re Hermès, there is no affiliation in any way, I am just a very devoted fan :-)
DeleteWhat lovely pictures! I spent a semester studying in Milan and went to Venice for a weekend. Unfortunately I didn't have time to explore it all but nevertheless I fell in love with the city. It's so incredibely romantic and poetic (despite the hords of tourists). It feels like the place is "hors du temps" as we say in French because it's so unique. I look forward to seeing the rest of your trip!
ReplyDeleteOh what fun it must have been to study in Milan! 'Hors du temps' puts it so well... Venice's 'skyline' must have been exactly the same a few hundred years ago.. Hope you'll enjoy the upcoming installments too!
DeleteOH I went for my birthday two years ago, it was just magical, I had the feeling that I was on a film set all the time I was there. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteSo well said, dear Tabitha, Venice truly has this magic spell...
DeleteLovely photos, and looking forward to the travelogue! Venice is a favourite city of mine, especially in the depths of winter when it is misty, cold and deserted. Did you visit Peggy Guggenheim's house? My favourite art gallery/museum in the world! Glad you had such a lovely birthday trip!
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed the first part! We didn't make it to the Peggy Guggenheim this time, unfortunately. I read her autobiography years ago, what an amazing life! Have a lovely weekend x
DeleteOoops, I missed this one, sorry! HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY, dear MaiTai and welcome to the five-o(h)- club ;-) Only the very best to you! Sounds like you celebrated in true MaiTai style - that's the only way to go! ;-) Greetings from Vienna xo :_)
ReplyDeleteStunning photographs of a magical city, both during Carnival, as I experienced it in February 2008, or during Spring or Summer.
ReplyDeleteLook very much forward to seeing you in perfect harmony with so much beauty, dearest MaiTai.
Thank you for this wonderful journey :)
Will happily join you in the future 'journey' though that one still seems so far away..., :)
Have a lovely weekend, my dear.
Warm, sunny hugs, Manuela
Welcome back! So excited to see one of my favourite cities through your eyes...if Venice was a woman, what would she look like? I see her as a Titian redhead with buttermilk skin, dark mysterious eyes, and a voluptuous body! How do you see her?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the travelogue. It's interesting that our perspective about places (and people)evolve as we grow older. The first time I visited Venice, I was 20 yrs old,several trips in my 30's and the last time was 3 yrs ago (let's just say...OLDER) I think I was more aware of the nuances of beauty, art, tastes, on the last trip. Perhaps a sense of mortality, as we age, enlightens us in some way. At least there's an upside to aging!
As for timeless style...you are the epitome of the definition!!
So happy that you had a special birthday~
Barbara A
Dearest MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, my dear friend! Ah, beautiful Venice - what a most special city to celebrate your happy day. As always, you are the kindest to share so many phenomenal photo souvenirs and to let us share in your celebration. Such a splendid Venetian post - Terracotta is so marvelously comforting. Like you, I too lose myself gazing into the beautiful world of reflections. And you, my dear MaiTai, are an all encompassing beauty - eternal and ever new. It is truly a most joyous priviledge to share your wonderful journey <3 Wishing you a lovely weekend back home. Sending you big special happy hugs and kisses xxx
Very beautiful words, dear Scarf Enthusiast, to a very beautiful lady. Warm hugs, M xx
DeleteAww…you are the sweetest, my dear Manuela <3 It is so wonderful to share with you our mutual love and admiration for the very beautiful and beloved MaiTai. Big friendship hugs to you xx
DeleteThank you for your kind words, dear Scarf Enthusiast.
DeleteIt is a pleasure to share this wonderful blog with you too. Big friendship hugs to you xx
And more than the fact that Venise is unique there are so many fantastic museums Guggenheim, Pinault collection, to take a boat to go in front at he Verandah belonging to the Cipriani to eat under the "vignes" so so romantic and excellent and to come back a little bit tipsy with their own boat..,, i would like to return soon...
ReplyDeleteMy best to you