https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/fc3909b1-4f9d-457b-b839-5b39f9e1fe23/IMG_0343.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/28b08881-0c25-428a-b003-bdb147c6dff4/IMG_5248.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/fa094c11-aa37-44a4-94e8-dcda760dfb35/IMG_9698.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/e09545c2-136b-4bfb-94c3-f53079305b47/IMG_4380.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/240e5b8d-9d07-49b6-9de6-e991191a5b93/Christa+Florence.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/959f623f-fb7d-4573-87ca-65a98f160419/IMG_5377+2.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/58489173-d750-4c84-885a-5d89eac0e3e7/IMG_9785.jpg Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/ce0dce16-6138-4f71-8336-622af3acfaa6/IMG_0982.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/e0b25443-48c5-406d-8d20-3c747f23fc10/IMG_0271.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/db3a7909-5c25-4287-b58f-95994635bc68/IMG_0325.JPG Blog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/2c64b8b3-cf1e-4493-8eaa-81183846ac52/IMG_7171.jpg Blog https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/the-dreamweaving-shop-is-now-open monthly 0.5 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/83d4c524-8bb4-4e50-bd85-debf2216a281/DW-Green.png Blog - THE DREAMWEAVING SHOP IS NOW OPEN - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/learning-to-surf-in-bali monthly 0.5 2022-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/4da7f5d6-7bbc-4300-a6ee-c45e47c95788/IMG_7306.jpg Blog - LEARNING TO SURF IN BAli - THE BALI WAVE Go follow @thebaliwave on instagram, people. Then book a trip to Bali and learn to surf with two incredible humans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/450d1676-14ed-408e-b9a4-9ae95947ab30/IMG_7294.jpg Blog - LEARNING TO SURF IN BAli I’ve had surfing on my bucket list for years now. Prior to Bali, my failed attempts at surfing included barely standing up on a board at a friend’s wedding in South Florida many years ago and neglecting to stand up once during a session with my family during my 40th birthday trip to Cabo. This was an entirely different story, for two reasons: one, quality instruction and two, water temperature. https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/how-amed-stole-my-heart monthly 0.5 2022-07-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/4b27ee5f-c352-4e5d-9a62-db8f39673204/IMG_7186.jpg Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART - DAY TWO My Aussie buddies were leaving the next morning, so on day two I was on my own. I decided to check out the snorkeling and village surrounding Jemeluk, where both a sunken temple and a sculpture garden waited below the surface of the water for underwater exploration. Explore I did, until I happened upon a water snake and went scrambling to the shore. I sat on a beach bed at a warung all day, getting to know the local family that owned it. The female proprietor said something that continues to resonate with me. Her mother owned the land and their house next door, then they built the warung (a restaurant/cafe in Indonesian), and snorkel equipment and beach loungers followed suit. She said every year it’s like a tree that grows. As I set out to start my own business, it’s a good reminder that everything doesn’t have to happen all at once. In fact, sometimes it’s better to start small and make thoughtful and pragmatic decisions on the next phases. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/be05379a-0f34-4866-94cd-135618dd2b3b/IMG_7162.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART - DAY ONE On my first day, after checking into my lovely pool villa, I decided to walk in the direction of Lipah Bay for some beach time and lunch. Like many in Bali, the beaches in Amed are black sand, and here they’re lined with fishing boats from one end to the other. I walked into Mahi Mahi restaurant at Coral View Villas and settled down for lunch. There were only two other people in the whole restaurant and we quickly engaged in conversation from across the room. The two Aussies invited me to join them for lunch. They had just ridden in via moped from Lovana and were assessing where to rest their heads for the night. As our lunch turned into the consumption of countless Bintangs and afternoon shifted to sunset, they settled on the villas right behind us. I’ll be honest – I’ve always liked Australians. I have dated a few in my time. These two were no exception, exchanging barbs like boxers and welcoming a solo American traveler in their affable way. They ended up being two of the most memorable people I met during my whole trip. We headed to dinner in Amed and then in pursuit of both live music and a functioning ATM. We were successful on the first but not the latter (a warning to anyone traveling to Amed, bring cash with you or exchange cash as working ATMs are hard to come by). To be clear, this wasn’t a romantic connection, but a meaningful one nonetheless. More Bintangs, an Indo band and some new European friends brought a close to one of my favorite days in Bali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/885c3872-55e3-477d-8458-83fba4bd2885/IMG_7161.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART - THE GRIYA VILLAS & SPA Griya is perched between Lipah Bay and Jemeluk on the cliffside overlooking the northern Bali Sea. The staff, the spa, the food(!) were more than five stars. When I booked my stay, they only had a Deluxe One Bedroom Pool Villa available, which I didn’t really need but it was my only option. Upon check-in, they’d had a cancellation and they graciously downgraded me to a regular One Bedroom Pool Villa, which featured an outdoor living room and kitchen, infinity pool overlooking the hillside and water, and a bedroom bungalow with outdoor bath. Similar to Ubud, the villa was a bit fatigued from two years without tourism, but the service made up for it in every way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/185871ee-34ac-4f09-be97-b3fbdfce171a/IMG_7176.jpg Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART When you fall in love with a destination, sometimes it’s the place you stay, sometimes it’s the priceless view, sometimes it’s the people you meet. For me in Amed, it was all of the above. I was slightly hesitant to visit the Northeast corner of Bali, considering I had a finite amount of time on this trip, but I’m glad I did. Amed should be on the list of anyone heading to Bali, especially those in search of peace, quiet, snorkeling and diving. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1ade70aa-1ba5-48f4-8f2b-f346afc7b7d4/IMG_7183.jpg Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART - DAY THREE This was to be my final day in Amed, so I wanted to spend some time in Amed Village. I got a ride down and had lunch at Rimba Café, a European style spot that was packed. I had a delicious panini and a very pretty yet over sweetened iced tea and read my book for a while. (Side bar: I was flying through books - I think I read about 17 in total over the course of my seven week trip.) I drifted through some of the local shops and went in search of some beach time. I stumbled upon two French girls looking for the same and we joined forces, ending up back in Jemeluk at another beach warung. I skipped snorkeling that day because of my snake encounter, but enjoyed the afternoon practicing my French and awaiting the sunset with my newfound friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829178709-VUHSQ5HPI0RUMJ8FLBPS/IMG_7161.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829191613-4EZQ2SM1NJA4EZ76YXTW/IMG_7163.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829194358-7CHX9UWPGYSN5U3OC92F/IMG_7165.jpg Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829200641-5PHMQLEF0ZZ10XOZRMAD/IMG_7169.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829213125-MLSDJ3VB3G63NPQH9LRC/IMG_7172.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829225368-I1HYLH0YLFHWBT6DR5QG/IMG_7177.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829237164-8C1PPYXQHYFP1KSY44LZ/IMG_7180.jpg Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829251012-3QVPVRSLK9B3NP756WDS/IMG_7183.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829259685-T120YV49P85JNMXAP11S/IMG_7191.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829260791-YM2FGCQMM1A9J6T7A7FL/IMG_7195.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829265302-542JBCQPSXAKTFVRSM86/IMG_7197.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655829267914-4FG6V228AH2SNJYUV8AH/IMG_7204.JPG Blog - BALI: HOW AMED STOLE MY HEART https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/four-days-in-ubud-bali monthly 0.5 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/a27ffc57-672a-4828-a0f5-1d069e138489/komaneka-at-bisma.jpeg Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD - KOMANEKA AT BISMA Komaneka at Bisma came at the recommendation of my friend and former colleague who honeymooned here. I lusted after its instagram account for a bit before booking the one-bedroom pool villa. For those that don’t know, Ubud is located in central Bali amidst the dense jungles and rivers, and most importantly, it's the spiritual center of Bali. Spiritual healing and mindfulness is what I felt was most essential to my trip when planning it, coming out of my completely consuming and overwhelming job. In retrospect, I probably would have done Ubud second and given myself a few days to relax on the beach, settle into solo travel, and mentally prepare my expectations for the spiritual part of my journey. Live and learn, right? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/6f392400-4621-4c28-973b-ca35c0b1e353/IMG_7101.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD - DAY THREE I had a half day tour planned for the next day that I organized with the hotel (with a little help from Alexa West’s book “Solo Girls Travel Guide to Bali.” On my agenda were waterfalls, Pura Tirta Empul (the iconic Ubud water temple), and these swings I had read so much about. Plus, later in the day I had a planned session with a spiritual guide and healer. Doni, the same driver that picked me up from the airport, was my guide for the day. When you listen to Balinese hospitality staff talk about what the last two years have been like for them, it breaks your heart and you want to just give them all of your rupiah. That said, they are hard workers with a strong sense of pride and are working for every rupiah they make. We decided to go to the closest waterfall so that we could squeeze all these adventures in one day. I had been relatively warned against Tegenungan, largely because there’s grander waterfalls close to Ubud and this one has some serious steps to get up and down it. I’m not sad I went though – even though we have quite a few waterfalls in our backyard in Colorado and there’s such a sense of power and nature when you’re staring at the face of a waterfall. And the stairs? I live at altitude, so they weren’t so bad! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/08beb931-a555-492c-8968-16cd7489ef94/IMG_7124.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD - DAY FOUR After such a jam-packed day, I was looking forward to a day of rest. I started out with a wonderful private yoga session at Komaneka, which helped to ease my stress and focus on flexibility and my hip joints. I spent the rest of the day between the pool and the spa, reading and resting–and reminding myself that a day of rest is okay! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/212c8ce5-8e31-45f0-a294-6c1d58e60d55/IMG_6976.jpg Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD Okay people, bring on the Eat Pray Love jabs. I’ve heard ‘em all already. I’m skipping ahead a bit here, foregoing Paris and Singapore for now. After 24 action packed hours in Singapore, I flew to Bali. At the time of travel, entry COVID tests were still required, but are no longer necessary. To get into Bali you do need a Visa, which you get on arrival, appropriately called “Visa on Arrival.” Bali’s updated tourism site, Welcome Back to Bali, is relatively helpful and provides up-to-date information on entry requirements. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/4d4a4079-8637-4fba-b4c9-4e4894240cc5/IMG_7013.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD - DAY TWO With just a few days to explore Ubud, I was up early and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant once more. Perfectly poached eggs on avocado toast appeared before me, along with a cappuccino. After walking everywhere in Europe, I decided to walk to the Monkey Forest in central Ubud. Now I understood why I was one of the only people on foot. By the time I arrived I was drenched in sweat and had been dodging mopeds and cars the whole way. I arrived to the sacred Monkey Forest and paid my admission which was the equivalent of $5 USD. It’s important to know that there are monkeys almost everywhere in Bali, but there’s an enormous concentration at the Monkey Forest. There are also a ton of people who want to taunt the monkeys for photo opps or just to get a rise. Thankfully, there are Monkey Forest guides there to keep this to a minimum. The intention of the Monkey Forest is to provide a wildlife sanctuary for the monkeys and offer a protected habitat for them; it’s pretty apparent immediately that many visitors have little respect for this. At any rate, I strolled through the sanctuary keeping my distance from these guys, but certainly took more than a few pics on the way. It was my first time being up close and personal with a monkey! It’s best to go early in the day when the monkeys are a bit more relaxed and there’s less tourists along the paths. After several overnight flights and a little bit too much fun in Paris, I was ready for some lunch and a private pool villa afternoon. I had dinner that night at Copper Kitchen & Bar at the neighboring Bisma Eight Hotel, which had a craft cocktail bar and a little bit more of a social scene than my hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489366009-YML4JFTOVWXF9943XSK4/IMG_6967.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489446408-4T038G374GEE7XFMRCSJ/IMG_6970.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489447619-RN1AUDNCV2SYD1XLX09M/IMG_6973.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489425332-IKPOUNTCG762S1TC51GM/IMG_7010.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489417703-2MSKE705R5LOS6WXSR7R/IMG_7015.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489428311-5CH7VB1V8Y3HVBAQZY3G/IMG_7009.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489438992-TMBC0HZCB3JSLODO6V45/IMG_7003.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489408116-VSBJ46BSFMBL67E5XW0P/IMG_7062.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489400519-P7QLDJ4IJ3PFA2GXYQ8C/IMG_7067.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489391191-ZZ8C1OFGCAXW1NLPSOGK/IMG_7078.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489379583-QIWJLGPAUSMKWPF6AYBD/IMG_7105.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489385587-13YSDYZF6GI901S54N7J/IMG_7104.jpg Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489401047-G4Z01O06SDNO91VB03JL/IMG_7081.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489356144-6BC5ONSO11060ZCI6U2N/IMG_7824.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489367385-5XUYQGUTQRX66ZL8GW9J/IMG_7125.JPG Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655489405023-BM3641XVSK1NRNZQ7ABJ/IMG_7037.jpg Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/28236c97-7321-4caa-bf55-9a347aa3d240/c6905537b9e8621f072f40bbeb950773.jpeg Blog - BALI: 4 DAYS IN UBUD - DAY ONE Komaneka’s pool villas are beautiful, despite a bit of fatigue as a result of Bali’s two-year COVID closure, but cobwebs and geckos also just come with the territory. It’s almost a detriment to book a private pool villa as a solo traveler, because you risk never leaving your villa for the whole time, hopping from bed to pool to lounge to room service table. Fortunately for me, I booked a massage which was waiting for me upon arrival so I trekked down to the Wana Jiwa Spa at Komaneka, a beautiful 5-minute walk through the jungle. A ginger tea awaited me as did my massage therapist. The treatment was perfect and augmented by the sounds of running water from the Campuhan River just behind the spa buildings. Afterwards I relaxed on my pool lounger, sipped rose, wrote in my journal and had a delicious dinner of Balinese chicken and rice at the hotel restaurant https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/a-weekend-in-bruges-belgium monthly 0.5 2022-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970364046-TNQDVOUTB5N283ZAONCQ/IMG_6681.JPG Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970382707-MVV4GPG2FI46JZSAIRBW/IMG_6678.jpg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970433266-150YKJO65SNDKXPKY33Y/IMG_6667.JPG Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970474902-HD8BMJLXOTNAUCEB7IUW/67308592482__93DE1D4C-9210-41F5-BD92-C1E0FB641CB2.JPG Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970538646-S526DYX6BPVLIOU4B545/IMG_6650.JPG Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970568767-0MRGEJKSMURYX13FNG19/IMG_6649.jpg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970601934-16NYCA5K2EA4IGVSTI03/IMG_6652.JPG Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1654970620408-HUZRZXN3VBSAI202Y26Z/IMG_6656.jpg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/d80ff01a-37ae-42e6-a040-8d915d73e370/IMG_6668.jpg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES The Adams family had a bank holiday weekend getaway planned well before my trip and they graciously invited me to tag along! Megan and Rupert and Genevieve had been once before and I’m almost positive I went when studying in France in college, but I need to verify that on an old passport when I get home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/a11c158e-2716-4aa1-92db-267a60eb86cc/Screen+Shot+2022-06-11+at+1.48.45+PM.png Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES The ease of European travel was part of the allure of moving back to London for the Adams, and COVID put a pretty serious damper on that. Easy it was indeed: We hopped in Lars (the family Volvo) with T & G in their car seats and me folded neatly into the third row. We drove through South London and to Folkestone to drive aboard the ferry to France. The car-carrying train takes just 35 minutes and we were in Calais, France by mid-morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/ee6fddd9-088a-4f96-9b24-f8809735ce28/Jan_Brito-Bruges-Exterior_view-8-70743.jpeg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES We arrived to the quaint, cobblestoned canal city of Bruges an hour later and checked into the Jan Brito, a charming, slightly rustic hotel just outside of the ville’s main plazas. What the Jan Brito lacked in modernity, it more than made up for in hospitality and service, even going so far as to give us Euro coins to satisfy a tooth fairy emergency. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/fbabc931-b5d1-4a6e-87d3-865b4bc2fef5/IMG_6692.jpg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES The next morning we packed up and hit the road early for the return journey to London, stopping in the seaside town of Knokke, the northeastern most seaside town of Belgium. While it was still low season there, it was sunny enough for a jaunt on the beach and an alfresco lunch along the boardwalk. Full of ritzy shops, boutique hotels and oceanfront properties, it could easily be compared to the Hamptons of Northern Europe. I hope the Adams make it back there for another family holiday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/b8208c4c-6a2a-4ea0-ba57-d79e0c70775a/IMG_6661.jpg Blog - A WEEKEND IN BRUGES We had an early dinner that night near the plaza, where both the beef and chicken stew were the stars. Megan and I put the kids (and Rups) to bed and went in search of a cocktail bar. Our hotel directed us to Bar Ran and the recommendation was a fabulous one. Two manhattans later and Megan and I were fast friends with Ran himself, along with a few of the regulars. https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/two-weeks-in-london monthly 0.5 2022-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/a75036c5-6380-44c9-bc76-99005735f8f6/Genevieve.jpg Blog - Two Weeks In London - My London Routine I’ve fallen into a pretty nice routine: Around 7 am, I’m roused by the sound of Genevieve and Theo’s giggles as they open the door to my room where I’m feigning sleep and scrolling on my phone. I head upstairs with them and I braid (or platte) Genevieve’s hair every morning for school. On the best mornings, I get to take Genevieve to school myself where she expertly weaves her way to the tube and to school. As soon as we get close to the schoolyard door, she’s off, without so much as a wave or a goodbye – much like myself at that age. From there, my day revolves around two things: Which yoga studio I’m going to select from my free 30-day ClassPass account and which neighborhood is in or adjacent to that studio for the day’s exploration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652422702600-U8UDE9YPT1P6U6FHYNTW/IMG_6717.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652449868757-2GUIQ0M4PZ2S1O67LS9Q/IMG_6773.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652422716009-EG890Z4R2A8CM3VZNX47/IMG_6619.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652449788965-N1OJPFBO5PTDBD8F5YNR/IMG_6702.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652422714865-ZDNDEI2WGVK1RCF68CLH/IMG_6732.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652450019179-CRW2P7TZ277OIVLSPD4B/IMG_6745.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652450112103-5RUDMZATHR7NHDUJN3BK/IMG_6743.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652450454929-ABB0Q808PCC87WV807R1/IMG_6628.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652450500549-ZQ53V5BJER7H504CHLX5/IMG_6629.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652452103626-TLYKHTJBDNDT8USABLKC/IMG_6640.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652452157058-JD5GH4YNVX67V5SHGNQ5/IMG_6697.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652452247574-CKQGBH1MR9S50QE6EXXY/IMG_6701.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652452364795-022JSDVFDE1515ZUY9XF/IMG_6757.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1652452514273-AA8D8ISCV06J92LJYO1I/IMG_6769.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/14cb99b8-d0ae-4279-9194-87f32bd9dd85/IMG_6790.JPG Blog - Two Weeks In London My best friend, Megan, has lived in London somewhat on again and off again for the past decade plus. Her last move was pretty permanent; she moved from New York with her husband and their daughter Genevieve in 2018, right after I moved from New York to Denver. I’ve only seen her a handful of times since then and mostly for quick long weekend rendezvous with our college group of girlfriends and then one time here in London after her son Theo was born in late 2019. This is not the best pic of us, but it’s one of very few we took in London together. We were too busy catching up! https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/why-travel monthly 0.5 2022-04-25 https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/pushing-pause-for-travel monthly 0.5 2022-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/240e5b8d-9d07-49b6-9de6-e991191a5b93/Christa+Florence.jpg Blog - PUSHING PAUSE FOR TRAVEL - I normally would never equate myself to Simone Biles, except for the fact that I was a gymnast growing up. But when I saw the new Powerade campaign starring Biles celebrating her decision–or irrefutable need–to refuel, rethink, and recharge, I found myself in a very similar position in life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1650565989617-RCYBJT430NXWG3CVYDPY/IMG_6522.jpg Blog - PUSHING PAUSE FOR TRAVEL - Home: Visiting my parents, some friends and family and bringing my pup, Scarlett to stay with my dad (man am I going to miss that Scar-face) London: Hanging with my BFF, her husband and kiddos Bruges: Tagging along with aforementioned bestie on a family weekend getaway Paris: Heading back to my favorite city in the world with my favorite travel partner, same best bud and another one joining us Singapore: A 24-hour stopover (suggestions welcome!) Bali: Two glorious weeks of soul searching, yoga, self care and surfing Australia: Two more weeks and hopefully a wonderful friend joining https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/tag/Bali monthly 0.5 https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/tag/Ubud monthly 0.5 https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/tag/Amed monthly 0.5 https://www.dreamweaving.co/blog/tag/Surfing monthly 0.5 https://www.dreamweaving.co/about daily 0.75 2023-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/ec6040f9-c66b-4b1b-9bc6-da99b85c92a0/Christmas-166.jpg About Me With a robust background in hospitality and travel marketing, including Chef Charlie Palmer’s Michelin-star restaurants and boutique wine country hotels, Christa most recently oversaw Cuvée’s brand, communications, and digital strategies, driving awareness and recognition for Cuvée around the world. Her media efforts have led to features in Netflix, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Men’s Journal, Condé Nast Traveler, and more. Christa’s performance marketing campaigns and omni-channel digital marketing strategies have delivered tens of millions of dollars of revenue to the brands she’s represented. A Rocky Mountain transplant, Christa’s an avid world traveler, a lover of rosé and a dutiful dog mom to beagle baby, Scarlett. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1650307069683-ZOVOESPKCQRPB981Y1YQ/Royal-Island-5.jpg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1650307274288-ITDUU3CX52YA0NL13K3J/db.jpeg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1650307334168-IQUNINJLOCOIS8AD3WGX/1604_01_Marc_Murphy.jpeg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1650651331367-OSUN7JUTZP7HLT1HM5M2/images.jpeg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/b4ac010a-21f0-4f3f-9aae-7f779c56b3b2/DJI_0142.jpg About Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/b3185c5e-1f2e-4351-af5e-510728128d45/99-100-Apex-+Lifestyle+%281%29.jpg About Me https://www.dreamweaving.co/contact daily 0.75 2022-06-20 https://www.dreamweaving.co/new-page daily 0.75 2022-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/79ce0829-c436-4c51-8fd3-06d19ebde8b3/IMG_6717+3.JPG TEST https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/6bdf79e0-f82f-4b2a-8d3a-15b983bbf6a6/IMG_6611.JPG TEST https://www.dreamweaving.co/portfolio daily 0.75 2022-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/75ed0e6f-d335-4c55-86cc-73144f2be780/Screen+Shot+2022-06-20+at+3.06.31+PM.png Portfolio Cuvée | The World's Only Truly Bespoke & Personalized Villa Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/6ac65bdd-0903-4191-b74d-3e40f6dbd44b/Captura-de-pantalla-2021-07-05-a-las-11.40.44-1-1080x656.png Portfolio Netflix: World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals | Cuvée https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/06e153ea-b0a7-4423-9ea0-8861c372a9db/Screen+Shot+2022-06-20+at+3.22.01+PM.png Portfolio Sky & Vine | Rooftop Bar | Napa, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/4d31a592-cfcb-45b7-9109-9ceebd2686e9/Screen+Shot+2022-06-20+at+3.38.13+PM.png Portfolio Wall Street Journal | Becoming a Luxury Host with the Most | Cuvée https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/cf6093e1-a623-458c-a16a-61f8873cbf07/image.jpeg Portfolio Crimson & Rye | Craft Cocktail Bar | New York, NY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/33547dd9-52ba-44cd-a29c-87cfca67de8a/2019-Royal-Island129.jpeg Portfolio Men's Journal | 2020 Travel Awards | Royal Island by Cuvée https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/23b161af-1fbd-462c-aa97-6aac6fc615bb/Harvest-Inn-Gallery-13-5ba14e741caf2.jpeg Portfolio Harvest Inn | St. Helena, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/3486d17d-618d-44af-8449-0597e3f37a7f/1-great_room.jpeg Portfolio Departures | Navigating Socially Distanced Travel | Cuvée https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/9505074d-ac55-4cc1-8d35-5beb5dfa0836/Charlie-Palmer-Steak-Napa-drinkmemag.com-drink-me-Charlie-Palmer-Steak-Napa.jpg Portfolio Charlie Palmer Steak | NY, DC, LV, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/a9f04ab9-82c7-42e0-9c88-3ad7132fb3d6/Screen+Shot+2022-06-20+at+3.48.08+PM.png Portfolio New York Times | Charlie Palmer Rethinks His Empire https://www.dreamweaving.co/homev2 daily 1.0 2022-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/1655751214786-Y649ODKWCJO0OQ89ZOUI/unsplash-image-qXYQzOTeC5E.jpg Home https://www.dreamweaving.co/services daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/625732816e4f7a309c8a4795/57b56392-d36f-4c59-9ee8-4ddced8f95fc/unsplash-image-B8-4oXtXUqM.jpg Services - 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