Prepping for a trip and returning always takes time and disrupts one's routine. Hence, no blog post for awhile. I am back now and refreshed with new ideas and new inspirations. I spent a week in Iceland and felt like I was on another planet. The landscape is so varied and always unearthly. I jumped out of bed each morning eager for all the sights I would see that day. Truly a stunning island. I would be remise if I did not mention the food. I was very impressed with the cuisine in Reykjavik. I indulged in sushi at a restaurant called Sushi Social. Many of the items we ordered included fresh mango, and it added an element of summer in a not so summery place. The decor was tropical and the scene was happy and festive. We also had melt in your mouth fish at Sjavargrillio. This restaurant I would run back to. Dark interior with loads of antiques surrounding you and fun booths with sweet velvet bows sown into the back. Again a fun and festive crowd. People in Reykjavik know how to have a good time. Also have to mention the two best bakeries in town: Sandholt and Bread and Co. Bought more than I could eat at both of these places because it all looked so good. On to Italy which I have visited before and was ready to feel the sun again and have some good Italian food. Tried a new restaurant in Milan called Ratana. Outside was a lovely kitchen garden and inside fun decor greeting you at the door. Always a plus for me. We ordered the risotto as we were told it was the best in town, and it did not dissapoint. We ventured north to Lake Como where I had the honor of working with Chef Raphaelle Lenzi at the restaurant Berton Al Lago. Truly a dream come true to shadow a Michelin star chef through the kitchen prepping for the dinner service and watching him work with his sous chefs and staff. Later he prepared four dishes in front of me to photograph. We had a fun time and hotel staff at Il Sereno, where the restaurant is located, enjoyed the shoot as well. But truly the best part of traveling is meeting new people, which seems to be so easy when on vacation and you slow down enough to have a good conversation. I need to incorporate that into my life at home. Don't just say a quick hello but actually take an extra few minutes to inquire about the person's day or how their life is going. I loved the slow way of living in Italy. A leisurely lunch followed by relaxing and then back to work and a late, long dinner with friends. Every night our dinners got later and later as we became locals if only for a moment. Really that is the goal of any trip, to become a local and truly experience the culture, language, food, and people. Then you come home refreshed and see your life and surroundings a new.
As a side note, you may be wondering about the picture above. It was taken at Il Sereno in Lake Como and is a living wall of greenery. It runs parralel to the lobby and can be viewed from inside. I really loved it and needed an excuse to share it.