Curated Hotel: A Sublime Getaway to Zoetry Montego Bay in Jamaica

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Curated Hotel: A Sublime Getaway to Zoetry Montego Bay in Jamaica

In late August, Scott and I enjoyed a sublime getaway to Zoetry Montego Bay in Jamaica. We were celebrating his “retirement moon” and our 17th wedding anniversary. From the moment we arrived, served with cool towels and chilled prosecco, we felt “at home”; just as we always do at Zoetry resorts. This luxurious boutique, beachfront resort has only 49 suites which make for an intimate, relaxing stay of unlimited luxury.

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Curated Travel Dream Destination: Villa Castiglioni at Lake Como

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Curated Travel Dream Destination: Villa Castiglioni at Lake Como

While exploring lodging options at Lake Como today for my clients, a lovely honeymoon couple, I discovered Villa Castiglioni on the shores of Lake Como, and just next door to George Clooney’s Villa Oleandra. This is truly a dream destination and not just due to the charming movie star neighbor. Enjoy this bit of travel eye candy.

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Beautify Your Home This Autumn with the Following Trends

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Beautify Your Home This Autumn with the Following Trends

When it comes to home improvements, spring gets all the attention. Whether you’re cleaning your entire house or knocking out your honey-do list, the warm, sunny season seems to be the time to do it.

But autumn is a great time to tackle home beautification, too. As the weather cools off post-summer, you can comfortably update your space. You can also draw plenty of inspiration from fall colors and trends that will shape runways and interior designs this season and beyond.

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Wine Country Fires Bring Devastation, Heartbreak and Resolve.

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Wine Country Fires Bring Devastation, Heartbreak and Resolve.

I'm nearly at a loss for words watching the devastating fires in our beautiful wine country. We are hearing reports of family and friends who have lost their homes. This image from iconic Signorello Estate a couple of years back that burned to the ground last night. Thoughts and prayers for everyone impacted by the firestorms.

Update: It's been nearly a week since the catastrophic firestorms exploded in wine country and it still feels surreal. This is a place where I have both lived and visited regularly for most of my life and it always feels like home. Praying that winds calm for brave firefighters and predicted rains help put an end to the destruction. Sending love and prayers to family & friends who have lost homes and livelihoods.

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A Sweet Summer Bébé Shower for Briana (and Our First Grandbaby) xx, Gigi

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A Sweet Summer Bébé Shower for Briana (and Our First Grandbaby) xx, Gigi

It was a sweet summer bébé shower last month for my beautiful step-daughter, Briana. We are incredibly excited for Briana and Shawn with their little one on the way. Briana's mom, Shawn's mom and I co-hosted the shower for family and friends at her mom, Danielle's, house. For me, the preparation started with flowers at home. I used a mix of pastels since they have chosen to be surprised with the gender of the baby, due in early November. I created little nosegays for use in mason jars. I added ribbons with both pink and blue colors because the ribbons (with baby motif) were just so darn cute!

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Signature Style: The Perfect Black Leggings from Svelte

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Signature Style: The Perfect Black Leggings from Svelte

Black leggings are a staple in my wardrobe. I pretty much live in leggings year round, especially now that I am working out of my home office. Sorry jeans, there is nothing more comfortable to pull on than a pair of leggings, plus, they are incredibly versatile. Dress them up with a silk blouse and heels or dress them down with a chunky sweater and boots. You can wear them from pilates to lunch to an event with the right accessories. Leggings can pretty much take you anywhere. When it comes to travel, leggings are a space saver and so easy to pack, wear, rinse, repeat.

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How to Make Your Dream Bucket List Trip a Reality

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How to Make Your Dream Bucket List Trip a Reality

This image was taken at the romantic and luxurious Ladera Resort while Scott and I were traveling in St. Lucia several years ago. For me, this island was definitely on my list of dream bucket list destinations and it did not disappoint. For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind and they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles.  For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.

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Rest in Peace: Norma Kaylor Lindstrom

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Rest in Peace: Norma Kaylor Lindstrom

We are heartbroken today that our beautiful, stylish, smart, loyal and feisty sister-in-law, Norma Kaylor Lindstrom, has lost her battle with cancer. She and her loving husband, Skip/Dean, (Scott's brother), fought this battle courageously, with optimism and deepest love. Their love story of more than 37 years is an inspiration to so many of us. I snapped this photo of Norma at our house during a family gathering several years ago and it is one of my favorites. That sly smile, that style, enjoying her family as always. She loved her grandchildren, her two sons, her daughter-in-law and her husband, fiercely. She was a loving and beloved friend to so many.

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Color Story: Yellow Crush

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Color Story: Yellow Crush

Perhaps it's the settling in after a dreamy tropical vacation getaway, the pins and needles concern for our friends in the path of the hurricanes or the review of 9/11 on Monday, but I feel the need for a bit of cheer today. A shot of sunny yellow is just what the mood doctor ordered from my board "Yellow Crush" on Pinterest.

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Retirement for Two: "So What Do I Actually Do Now?"

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Retirement for Two: "So What Do I Actually Do Now?"

I’ve received so many comments and emails about my retirement series as I made the leap from school psychologist to launching my Curated Travel business, a year ago. From making the bold decision, to steps along the way, saying goodbye, even my changing spending habits, I chronicled my journey this last year in these posts: Retirement Series. There are a number of readers who are planning on retirement in the near future and curious about how it feels to go through this experience. It’s been fun to share our experience.

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Ocean Vs. River Cruising: Which One is for You?

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Ocean Vs. River Cruising: Which One is for You?

When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it’s pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.But each one comes with its own unique perks, and depending on your specific needs for your next trip, you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other. So what are the major differences?
One big difference can be summed up in one word: intimacy. River cruises tend to be much smaller (190 max vs. up to 6,200 on the largest ocean cruises), and as a result, you’re much more likely to be interacting with other passengers and crew members.

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