Happiest Race on Earth

Guess who just got back from spending five sunny days down in Orlando! I was there to support my husband and friends as they ran the Disney Marathon. At first I was pretty hesitant about skipping town during renos, but I really wanted to be there to cheer Chris on as he ran his first marathon. Plus, I reaallly needed a vacation.

I had a total blast hanging out with such a determined, inspirational, and fun-loving group! Here are a few snapshots from our trip~

4am - Up before the sun, and ready to run!

My action shot of Chris closing in on the finish line!
 Super proud of my guy :)
Getting ready to beast a scrumptious (and well-deserved) artichoke truffle pizza
Enjoying wine tastings in various Epcot countries. Disney is not just for the kiddies!

Our mini getaway was kind of a tease, and I really wish we could've had a few extra days to relax. But I really missed my puppy, and it's time to come back to reality. And to this:

Lots more to come!

Wanderlust

How gorgeous is this watercolor by Jessica Durrant? I totally have the travel bug right now and am itching to pack my bags and go somewhere. Around this time last year, Chris and I were wandering and eating our way through Italy. It’s always a thrill to see all that’s out there and broaden our horizons together. Even our trip to Punta Canna earlier this year was extremely satisfying. Although we spent pretty much the entire trip lounging poolside, sipping fruity drinks, sometimes it’s necessary to vacate your daily life and just go relax somewhere warm near some waves. If you could go anywhere in the world today, where would you go?

Rome Antics

Many of you can probably relate to my insatiable hunger for travel. The thrill of abandoning the comfort of familiarity in pursuit of unaccustomed cultures is absolutely intoxicating. I am fortunate to have had numerous opportunities to travel the world, and each journey has uniquely impacted and influenced the person I am today.

Chris and I recently spent a week eating our way through Italy. As our bellies grew, so did our relationship. What a wonderful way to enjoy our marriage! Here are a few of my favorite photographs from our escapade~

I fried our converter on the first day with my T3 travel dryer. Oopsies. As a result, we were unable to charge anything, including my camera, and I didn't get as many photos of Rome as I would have liked to. Not that my point-and-shoot could have done this marvelous city any justice. The Vatican City is insanely opulent, although I found the Sistine Chapel a bit underwhelming in person. Nevertheless, I was deeply inspired by the city's wealth of art, history, and stunning architecture. We had tons of fun reliving Gladiator scenes at the Colosseum, and ended our visit with an evening at the Spanish Steps.

It was rainy during our stay, which made the city even more dreamy. We did all our sightseeing on foot, wandering through a beautiful maze of cobblestone streets, and stopping to savor pudding-thick hot chocolates at the Rivoire. Florence is a living museum filled with breathtaking cathedrals, galleries, markets, and piazzas. We had a blast geeking out at the Museo Galileo. It was mind-blowing to see the original instruments used by pioneers of chemistry, physics, and astronomy. The museum didn't allow photography, but I couldn't resist sneaking one of Antonio Santucci's monumental armillary sphere.

Hands down, one of the most breathtaking, enchanting places I have ever seen. We spent the final days of our trip getting lost on purpose, exploring mysterious alleys and crossing countless bridges. Each turn revealed another glimpse of the decaying elegance of this ancient city. It felt almost mystical, and incredibly romantic.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." 
- Saint Augustine