14:50 Michele: It is completely fine to NOT disclose when you are not going to be home/away on a trip. It is safer for you and your family to only disclose trips AFTER you come back. You don't need to tell us anything like that.
Italy travel suggestions. 1) If you plan on going to sight see the Vatican and the Sistine chapel give yourself a full day. 2) On your way to Florence stop in a hill town called Orvieto. 3) In Florence don’t skip the Baptistery AND next to where Galileo is buried (Basilica of Santa de Croce) there is a leather school attached Scuola del Cuoio where they sell leather goods (handbags). 😊 Have a wonderful trip.
I would also like to add to these wonderful suggestions that I strongly recommend you book the Vatican tour (which includes the Sistine Chapel) in advance. Otherwise your day is spent in a very long queue!
I second booking a tour in Rome, it's worth it! Also Scuola del Cuoio is a great tip. Thing is, both Rome and Florence are cities you could spend *weeks* exploring.
I lived in an apartment near the leather school by Santa Croce when I worked over there! I loved visiting for peace and quiet on a hot summer day because it was like a little hideaway.
I’ve never been to Italy, but a friend of mine goes every couple of years with her boyfriend, who is from there. Very good call on bringing linen. It’s very hot and humid in the summer, according to her. Bring good, sturdy walking shoes. It sounds like the streets can be uneven and rocky. My friend came home last summer with one broken arm and one sprained wrist after she took a tumble on one of the streets in Rome. Can’t wait to see your travel vlog!
Participating in agility training with my dog was so much fun for both of us. If you can find a class where you can actually be on the course with Butters and give directions to jump and run thru tunnels, you and Butters will have a BLAST!
I’ve shown dogs for most of my life- 45+ years- agility, that your Butters is doing, is one of the coolest sporting events at shows- I’ve never shown in it, but do conformation with my pugs and years ago, Wire Fox Terriers. It’s really a blast to do and a great bonding activity with your dog. What a marvelous doggy day care that they would do that with Ms Butters! She’s beyond darling!❤
Congrats on the car. I drove a 911 for about 6 years so I'd like to offer one or two suggestions -- the rear wheel drive ones are very prone to fishtailing and spinouts. So I suggest that you take one or more of the courses that Porsche or your local Porsche club will offer so that you are prepared for this when it happens. You will also go through tires pretty quickly in your climate so keep a closer eye than you might usually on your tread. Also -- it's VERY hard to get out of the car with any elegance when you are wearing a skirt -- but I know that probably won't be much of an issue for you (it wasn't for me either)! Enjoy the new purchase!
Have a wonderful trip to Italy! Florence is the most beautiful city!!! You can walk everywhere and there is this great energy in the city! Really beautiful ❤ How cute was Butters in these photos!
I agree - after two trips so far it really does require multiple trips to Italy to experience it! My first time in Italy was for a few days along Lake Como after touring around Switzerland. I particularly enjoyed our time in the village of Bellagio. Fall In Florence and Tuscany was the next trip with a few days along the Amalfi Coast added for good measure. Florence had wonderful food (really most everywhere does). For a great on the go lunch go to Pino's Sandwiches (Via Giuseppe Verdi). The numerous locals in line was a great endorsement and the sandwiches were amazing. Lots of gelaterie to choose from and recommend searching for gelato artigianale. We found Antica Gelateria Fiorentina (Via Faenza) near our hotel. The gelato was clearly homemade without added preservatives or enhanced color. The pistachio was my favorite. Enjoy your travels!
As a fellow summer dress lover. I got out of the habit of wearing a dress slip under my dresses. Last summer I had a sheer dress that needed a little more coverage, so I went on the hunt to purchase a dress slip (not a easy feat) I had to to order several to find one that would work. After wearing one again last summer, I had forgotten how nice it feels especially under linen. I live in Kansas and we have a lot of humidity, so your comment about Italy made me think about this. They really help keep the drag of the fabric away from the body, helping to keep you cooler.
May I suggest a couple of things? If you can't make it to the Duomo in Florence, the Duomo museum right behind it is amazing. The Mercato Centrale is great to grab any kind of food. A lampradotto sandwich is a must but not to everyone's liking. One of my favorite restaurant there is Osteria Cipolla Rossa. A short drive from Florence to Sienna for a day is also a great thing to do. From there, may I suggest heading toward Paris with a couple of stops either east with Avignon, Arles or Lyon or west with Toulouse, Bordeaux, Arcachon Or even through the Dordogne region. France is the size of Texas so it wouldn't take too long to make a few pit stops on the way to Paris. I'm from Provence but I have family everywhere in France/Spain/Italy so I've done many road trips while visiting :) Have a wonderful time!.
Yes!! The Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tints are amazing. I have two of them so far and I want them all. I absolutely LOVE this cream blush - my god! Perfection.
All encompassing vlog. Loved it! So excited about your Porsche! White with light interior for the Vegas heat is my guess. Butters' picture jumping mid air is so cool! She's so special to us subscribers!! 🫶🏻
Hi Michele, a 100% italian here but based in Bangkok. You make me feel like coming over to Italy just to meet you!! I would say advise N.1 is to watch your belongings at all times. And then since you don't have much time there I would concentrate on Florence and Tuscany this time. It has enough to keep you busy with art, architecture and shopping.Don't miss the Uffizi museum. Keep up the good work!!!!
Rome is the most beautiful city, so much history. I spent 4 days there with my family at the start of this month. The gelato by The Pantheon is amazing.
I too am off to Italy in June....Tuscany....and will be visiting Pisa and also Florence 😊 I have never been to Italy, always wanted to go. That foundation stick looks stunning on your skin! Have a great trip 🧳😃
Michele, lots of exciting updates! Can’t wait to see the Porsche! And how exciting you’ll be going to Italy so much to see. And love seeing the pictures of Miss Butters so cute! I love how her school has these activities and takes pictures for you. I love the jumping ones of her!! 😊❤️
My brother and his family have been in Italy and Paris for last couple of weeks. They are having such a great time and have a million pics they have sent to me. I can’t wait to go
Michelle- You may want to see Lake Como. The views / surroundings are stunning. There is also a luxury outlet mall in Florence. Enjoy and have a safe trip.
Michelle, I’m so excited for you going to Italia! I lived there for many years and I think you will love it. Can’t wait to see what you purchase- bring an extra suitcase 😁 please vlog as much as possible. Thank you for the advance notification.
Ok Now I am going to really look at the Porsche. My friend scared me because she has one and it is a killer in terms of being uncomfortable on the back for mid-long drives. I cannot wait to hear about how fab Italy was. My mother recently went and fell in love. I am headed there in the next couple of months. I will use what you share to help guide myself along!
Venice is an easy day trip 1-1/2 hours from Florence by hi speed train (il Rosso) and if you’re going for inspiration….the Biennale exhibition is there and it’s a must for inspiration. Also so many beautiful artisanal shops and of course the Peggy Guggenheim home / modern art museum on the Grand Canal.
Italy is my favorite destination. Each area is like a different country, Sicily being my favorite. Some restaurant recommendations: Sostanza in Florence (the best steak bistecca Fiorentina), Roscioli in Rome (a branch in NYC is being planned) and Dishoom Kensington in London if you like Indian food. Happy travels!
We waited 2 full years for our 2021 Corvette......stunning car, mid-engine stingray. Because they are the first of their kind and it was rona times and product was hard to get it just made getting it so much longer. We are now ready to up the anti and get the new E-Ray in the most insanely lovely color and I cannot wait until Chevrolet makes our car for us!!! Having a car made for you and not being able to buy from a lot is a bit stressful, but super fun when you get it. ❤
So excited you were going to Italy it’s my favorite place to travel. You can’t roll all of that into one trip unfortunately. I spent 10 days in Malon a few years ago and we did day trips and it was awesome. I’m hoping to go back to Florence and get to bologna this time. Sicily is still on my list of wants. Also, my old Mercedes convertible was very low to the ground and scraped on everything. You have to be really careful all the time on driveways!
July will not be too bad humidity-wise, just never go to Rome in August. I drove from Rome to Paris -- it can be done but the TGV is better. Your route will be beautiful and omg, the food! The restaurants! Just make sure you keep your cross-body close to you. Shopping is in all the usual places. Give yourself ample time in Florence -- it is one big museum. I personally love Milan. You are going to love it all. I purchased an XC90 (Volvo) and a Volvo sedan (S90) -- I like having them both for the various uses you already mentioned. My sister in law has the 911 and loves it. You will feel quite luxurious and cool. So glad to hear about yours. Everyone will give you ample room because they don't want to be liable for damage, LOL. Always so happy to see Butters. xoxo
I absolutely love Italy ♥♥As we are fortunate to live in Switzerland it is luckily not fare away from us. I would definitely try to visit Venice or Capri. Some of my favourite places in Italy.
Yay! How exciting! Italy is amazing. I've been once and its great. The food and the scenery is unparalleled. I haven’t been to Milan but yes to Rome and Florence. There is so much to see! Take very comfortable shoes. 😅Everywhere we ate it was delicious. (I had lots of gnocchis and margherita pizzas 😂) The best gelato I had was in a little shop next to the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Don't recall the name but its right there, you can't miss it. I can't wait to go back and do some shopping in Florence. I can't wait to see your vlogs ❤
Hi Michele, so exciting your trip to Tuscany! I am also going in September. I have been a few times and my advice is to visit the Val d’Orcia, south of Siena. The whole valley is UNESCO patrimony and when you get there you will see why. It will take a little over an hour from Florence so no need to travel many hours.
What do you use to tether in Butters in on car trips? I’m trying to find the best and safest solution for our dog. I went to the Porsche site and have my ideas on what you have selected so it will be interesting to see if they match up! I adore Italy and my favorite area was the Lake region. We were there many eons ago during an unseasonably hot late May early June. In all the pictures I’m full on beet red. One of the places we stayed was so charming but like a pizza oven. I was grateful for the pool!
The nails! Such a 180! Love them and love seeing new colours on you. And enjoy Italy. I was a poor backing university student when I visited last so I don’t think you’d want the recommendations I’d have. .... lol
You will love Florence!!! I was there during my studies to become an art historian, so the places I would recommend are Piazza della Signoria, Basilika Santa Croce ( where Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei are buried) and, of course, the Uffizi (where Michelangelo's David and The Birth of Venus by Botticelli are among others). The whole city is full of art. Have fun and if you can film. I would love to see it.
I love the Porsche 911 series. It's a beautiful iconic car, I'm sure you're going to enjoy her. Oh, Miss Butters, isn't she adorable and super determined - she's happily jumping and tunnelling ..... whilst taking the time to look amazing on camera 😍😍😍 Love you 🤍✨️🤍✨️🤍
Michelle, you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE Italy !!!!! We did a wonderful 3 week tour of Italy in September 2018 and then spent 4 days in Paris. I want to go back ❤
Your new Porsche sounds exciting! Are you leasing or buying? For resale value, the S and 4S makes a difference, but if you’re not concerned about that, then enjoy! Ms Butters is so cute!
Florence is fantastic! Definitely need to check out Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, be touristy at Cafe Gilli (pastries!) and visit the Giardino de Boboli
Mind BLOWN! I didn’t get the Lit Highlighter because of the same reason. Now I have to go back to get a small version and try it. I’m also going to try that technique that you did with the other WA highlight. Loved that Jillian Dempsey blush! Lol my WA set came with an empty mascara!!
In Florence you must go to the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy. It was established in 1221. The most beautiful interior and lovely perfumes and creams. You can also grab a cup of tea or glass of champagne.
Hi Michele, if you stay in London ever, I can recommend The Mandrake as a 'best kept secret' and oasis of tranquility. They even have a well-being concierge and offer meditation x
