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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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Home is all the little things… Comment HOME to Home is all the little things…

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It’s so easy, especially nowadays when we are bombarded by so many images of home coming at us at the speed of light, to really slow ourselves down and ask this simple question, “What makes a house a home?” And if we dare to ask one more… “What is your idea of a dream home?”

To me, I immediately dive into the feelings a home gives us, the way it makes us feel.  It must be warm.  But how do we achieve that?  Through the little things, like candlelight flickering, blankets tossed on the sofa which seem to be inviting us to snuggle.  There should be a fire going in the fireplace and a basket with extra wood just waiting to keep it going.  The smell of wood burning and pinecones and twigs effortlessly filling bowls and vessels (and when needs must, a candle to help create the smell of all these things.)

We will need a tray of warm steaming drinks and everyone’s favorite snacks, a cake baking in the oven, and jazz music playing in the background. 

The beds are full of fluffy pillows, the garden overflowing with herbs (and if I had my dream it would be almost time to pick the pumpkins while the roses make their last great stand.)

There are bubbles almost overflowing from a hot bath, silk pajamas awaiting afterwards, and fluffy slippers to slide into…

Laughter.  There’s always laughter and love echoing throughout the walls, even as everyone says good night and kisses each other on the cheeks and takes time to thank God for another beautiful and magical day.

That’s what a dream home is to me.  And we build it one day at a time, setting the stage for love and laughter to exist.  That’s a dream worth living for, a life worth working for.  And one that I hope we all get to have.

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Guys! Fall is here and I’m enjoying this year more than any before!! The leaves are just starting to change and even as I watch one little lonely leaf falling, the excitement and anticipation of the fall spectacle of leaves is making me jump up and down! 

I know! So silly but it’s just so beautiful, isn’t it?! I love the warmth, the coziness, the soup bubbling on the stove, the warm candlelight flickering in the evening light, the pumpkin cakes baking in the oven, the long cozy nights spent cuddling on the couch under the fur blankets (and laughing as someone sticks their cold toes on the other’s leg! Ewww hahaha) 

I’m 1000% here for it and I’m soaking up every single second!!!

I hope you are enjoying the season as well! 

Sending a big hug and a kiss for each cheek! XxV
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Guys!! If there’s one thing I love about decorating - it’s decorating for free! Your backyard (or even front yard!) are full of great decor! Nature walks become a treasure hunt and your world inside your home can reflect all the beautify of the outdoors. 

Your vessels, vases, bowls, trays… they all become art with these additions!

But why stop there?! What about the food you eat? Bowls of nuts, trays of dried fruit, vessels overflowing with butternut squash and pumpkins?! Eeekkk! It’s all so beautiful! It’s such an honest way to create seasonal decor while also making seasonal living even better! 

Your books? Don’t leave them sitting crammed on a shelf! Open them up to a favorite page that inspires you to live well and even what’s on the menu this week!

The best things in life really are free and you wouldn’t believe the things you can use to create these magnificent moments of joy in your life!

The only question now is… should we make butternut squash chili, butternut squash soup in sourdough bowls or roast them with maple & brown sugar? 

Love you all! XxV 

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We so often forget that dreams are for adults, too! Creating our dream life is up to us! It starts at home, creating an environment where everything feels possible- becoming daring and bold in our rooms will spark a flame for every part of our lives! The details? They matter! They have a tremendous impact on our mood, so why not set the mood for all your dreams to come true?! 

Starting with a plan helps you have a road map which is why we share our mood boards. We hope they will inspire you- even spark inspiration- to create your life and your dream rooms! We even do it on a budget! 

Which room of your home is ready for something new?

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