Hmmmmm.

Is it fair to live in paradise and dream about somewhere else?

Today I miss this:

View from the Capitoline

Maybe it’s because my older brother just moved to Sicily, but this morning I woke up to the curtains fluttering in the wind and the distant sound of scooters and what I imagined were church bells, and I’ve had Rome on my mind ever since. I suppose five years anywhere is enough to make a lasting impression, but The Eternal City seems to be eternally tugging at my heartstrings.

Oh Roma, quando ci rivedremo di nuovo?

An Icon has Passed

Taylor sunning herself on the set of “Giant” –Image by Sid Avery

At some point in my life I arrived at the conclusion that quite simply, Elizabeth Taylor is a goddess.

It’s easy to recognize her charm when you see her look so effortlessly stunning in films like Giant and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but my favorite Taylor role of all time is her turn as the frumpy, hard-drinking wife in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Her character is crude and maybe even crazy, but to me Taylor has never been more appealing than in that film.

They just don’t sparkle like they used to, now do they?

Please (do it!) visit The Selvedge Yard for more incredible photos of Taylor (oh God, and James Dean!) on the set of George Stevens’ epic film.

Another beautiful day in Hawai’i nei

Over the last eight months, I’ve grown accustomed to this:

How could I ever leave this behind?

Today, the sun is spilling over us. I’m happy that no trouble beset my little islands, saddened by the devastation in Japan, but thankful that no harm came to my loved ones. While the sun sets, Justin is out surfing at Diamond Head. We thank the water. It’s a bittersweet feeling.

 

M on Jauntsetter

I’m tickled pink to have been chosen as Jauntsetter of the Week!

Jauntsetter is website geared towards (but not limited to) travel-savvy New York women. The featured trip picks, last-minute travel deals, and food/book/handy gadget recommendations are enough to make anyone with a touch of wanderlust begin scheming up their next adventure.

Most inspirational of all is browsing the archive of past JOWs, an amazing group of women that I am honored to become a part of. Here you will find the favorite travel memories of women like the lovely Kasey, who nominated me for the interview, and Dorothy, who created the site.

Be sure to sign up for the newsletter and check in regularly to the site’s blog. There are frequent giveaways, like 5 nights at a Tuscan Vineyard. Now, how did I miss out on this?

The Eddie that Didn’t

January 20th, 2011:

Watching and waiting

A few days before, we heard that a monster swell was on its way to Oahu’s North Shore. A rumor began spreading that the conditions might be perfect for The Eddie to go off, and by Wednesday night surf forecasts predicted that the swell would peak the next morning. By 4am Justin and I had packed up the bike and were headed north to Waimea Bay. We hit rain in Mililani, but the sky was clear by the time we crested over the pineapple fields and could see out to the ocean.

There was a dying full moon glittering over the water and everything felt like magic.

Happy Women’s Day!

March 8th in Italy marks La Festa Delle Donne, or the Festival of Women.

If I were still living in Rome, tonight I’d be enjoying a nice dinner out with my girlfriends. We’d feast and drink and likely end up dancing around restaurant tables with other women of all ages, celebrating our womanness! To be fair, I think that is celebrated every day in Italy.

And I’d bring home yellow mimosa:

Yellow mimosa blossoms by vvo77

Lately I’ve been feeling like a real grown-up.

Reevaluating your priorities?

I think you might want these labels.

 

Close Your Eyes

This is what good surf on a perfect day sounds like.

I Was Thinking by Gauntlet Hair

Justin (with his annoying athletic prowess that makes him good at everything he tries) is already shredding waves like he’s been at it for years.

I, however, look about as natural in the water as a cat at bath time.

What a difference a year makes.

We live here now.

So here’s the deal:

I’ve been neglecting this poor blog. I’m still writing everyday, but just not here I’m afraid!

I’d like to write about our present lives while I continue to post photos and events from our 2009 motorcycle trip (with their original dates). Please check back occasionally in 2009′s archives to make sure you aren’t missing out on any “new” old material!

By the way, have I mentioned how much I’m loving Hawai’i?

Day 2, Chicago

We had feasted on sushi the night before at Itto’s on Halsted, so I was surprised when we woke up hungry for Nookie’s, also in Lincoln Park. Nookie’s had come highly recommended by someone we met while riding the bus (one thing I love about Chicago is that the people are so friendly—open up a map on the street and in no time a passerby will help you find what you’re looking for, and everyone wants to tell you where you should eat). Our new friend told us not to miss out on breakfast but be sure to go on an empty stomach since their portions were enormous. It sounded like a challenge, and one we were up for!

Nookie’s is located within the Old Town Triangle of Lincoln Park, which was quickly becoming my favorite neighborhood. It’s one of the wealthiest communities in Chicago, but definitely one of the most charming. Around every corner is a bookstore or boutique or cozy café waiting to be discovered. I loved walking the little streets, coveting the ivy-fronted buildings that residents called home.

Nookie’s is a little cafeteria-style eatery, and though the garish fluorescent lights hindered my ability to take a flattering photograph of our meal, it was delicious. We had a giant frittata and best of all, french toast encrusted in crunchy cornflakes. It’s something we’ve never had before, but we’ve been making our french toast that way ever since.