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The Weekend Guide to an Island Getaway

March 22, 2024 · In: Travel, Weekend Guide

Hello and Happy Friday! I’m writing you from somewhere over the Atlantic between St Martin and Atlanta. We just spent the last four days soaking in the sea, the sun, and the sand and I feel like I drank a long, deep soul quenching glass of water.

We flew to St Martin but took a small ferry boat out to Anguilla, a place, quite honestly, I had never even heard of just a few weeks ago.

I was looking for an island getaway that would also inspire us in a whole new way- something that offered high interior design, award winning architecture, and incredible food… and, of course, mind blowing sea vistas. I felt like we had found all those things in the Four Seasons Anguilla, but as we arrived at the ferry port I had serious doubts.

A Ferry port conjures up images of grandeur, but in reality it was a humble single story building with two docks attached to it. A porter brought our suitcases up to the immigration line on a metal dolly and held out his hand, waiting expectantly for a handsome tip for the 100 meter trek.

Once in the car, I expected that things would quickly improve. I anticipated grand homes set on pristine lots with immaculately kept landscaping, but instead we were greeted by several humble abodes, many of which had been abandoned and a feeling of near untouched nature. 

At first it was a little off putting but I quickly realized that we had landed on an unspoiled paradise. 

Of course the entrance to the Four Seasons was everything any of our wildest dreams could conjure, with a paved road (without a single blemish or bump to be found) and lined with palm trees that stretched right up to the white fluffy clouds above.

Upon arrival all our senses became utterly overwhelmed. How could anything on the planet even exist??!! Nothing felt real! The lobby, designed by the famous Kelly Wearstler, felt like a god had come from the heavens and waved her hand across it. A modern patchwork of marble embellished every wall and floor while the ceiling defied comprehension with its intricate yet modern woodwork. 

The lobby gave way to a grassy pavilion which led to the sunset lounge which overlooked the palm tree lined pool. All of which overlooked the ocean that seemed to have no end.

It felt like a stage, a set, like something that doesn’t exist in reality.  The sun, settling itself down over the horizon, bathed the entire scene with a warm auburn hue that only furthered our ability to comprehend that everything around us was real.

Three days soaking in this new reality has left us feeling inspired in a way that I find myself struggling to explain.  We can’t wait to share every single bit of the trip with you in the next few days. There will, most definitely, be a video coming to the Living Channel and I’ve been sharing quite a bit on our Instagram, but my takeaway from the last few days is that we must save more room in our reality for dreams and adventure. 

Adventure is in our blood, knitted into the fibers of our being. It makes us come alive and see every day in vivid color.  Whether we are at home or away, we must make space for the unexpected, plan for something new, and hope for life to surprise us. 

I wish you all a wonderful weekend and hope you will join us in trying a new food this weekend or a new style of clothing. Maybe it’s time to rearrange the furniture… or even plan a trip to somewhere you’ve never been!

Sending you all love from 28,000 feet above the earth… XxV 

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By: Valentina Fussell · In: Travel, Weekend Guide

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Yayyyy! Our new home design show is premiering ton Yayyyy! Our new home design show is premiering tonight on Amazon Live!! Watch my brand new Amazon Live series, Lakeside Luxe for Less with House of Valentina on your TV, TONIGHT at 8 PM eastern on the Amazon Live Channel on Prime Video.

On your TV open the Prime Video app and search “Amazon Live”
I’m so excited!!!! My new show #LakesideLuxeForL I’m so excited!!!! My new show #LakesideLuxeForLess is coming to @amazonlive on Thursday October 9 at 8pm ET! Get ready for budget-friendly luxury design tips, family moments, and of course - amazing Amazon finds ✨ Search ‘Amazon Live’ on Prime Video to tune in!
Eeeekkkk!!! The HOLIDAY shop is open on AMAZON and Eeeekkkk!!! The HOLIDAY shop is open on AMAZON and it’s packed with stunning but budget friendly finds!!! Why not make this the best Christmas yet?! 👏🏽 🎄 ✨ 

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Comment FALL to get the links! (& find more inspo!) 

Guys!! I’m so happy right now I’m about to cry! The cuteness factor is off the charts!! I’m so excited to see our vision for our fall porch come together complete with pumpkins from the pumpkin patch!! 

And can we talk about Louis in his adorable fall sweater?! And the wreaths (they are faux!!!) and the lanterns and the flickering pumpkins?!!! 

If you could die from cuteness overload I’d be a goner! Hahaha but thankfully it looks like I’ll be holding on for a few more days and greeting our kids as they come home for fall here and it won’t be long and this will be getting a little Halloween overlay for trick or treaters! 

To me, these are the greatest moments of life. Creating a home that says “welcome home!” I hope in our own little way we can inspire you as well! As always, sending so much love from our home to yours! XxV

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