Gdansk, Poland City Break

I've said before that one of my favorite things about living in the UK is the close proximity to the rest of Europe.  After just a few hours on a plane, you can be in the most incredible city.  Like most of our weekend City Breaks, this one started with Google Flights. We filtered by flight duration (3 hours max), non-stop, and price (£150 max).  For 2 hours and less than £100, a trip to Gdansk, Poland was the obvious choice. 

The Colors of Mykonos

Oh, the debate I had with myself over the title of this blog post.  My readership is pretty much evenly split between the US and UK (with about 10% various other countries).  So...  do I use the American spelling "colors" and let half of you think I just can't spell.  Or do I use "colours" and risk the other half think I'm a wannabe Brit who will next start speaking with a fake British accent like Madonna.  Dilemma. Anywho,  I posted before about all of the reds of Mykonos.  Here are some more photos of this beautiful place sorted by color colour... err chromaticity.   

Girlfriend Getaway in Mykonos, Greece

Gina and I still talk about our last Girls' Trip.  A few years ago we had an incredible time in Provence with Erin and Sarah (miss you!).  Matt gives me the side eye when I still declare it the "best trip ever."  We've been talking about doing another trip since then.  But you know how it is... you keep talking about it but then it doesn't actually happen.  Life gets in the way.   The only way to get around that is to just book the trip!  So we did.  We booked a long weekend in Mykonos, Greece.  Guess what?  "Best Trip Ever!"

Everything's Rosé in Mykonos

Galileo eloquently stated that "Wine is sunlight, held together by water."   My girls' weekend in Mykonos, Greece with Gina was all about sunlight, water and wine.  The cycladic architecture of the Greek Islands features the iconic white-washed cube houses with dominant azure blue accents, all against the backdrop of the turquoise sea.  But while editing my photos another color also popped out of many of the scenes.    The deep rose color of the wine that we shared over our four day escape. 

Battle Proms at Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

I'm counting down the days!  Two weeks from today my Mom and stepdad, Bob will be here!  We haven't had visitors from home in far too long and I'm aching to be with family.  They visited last in 2012, I can't even believe it's been four years.  One of the things that we did when they were here was attend Proms in the Park.  We've been a few times and it's one of my very favorite British things to do.  So a few weeks ago when we got an invitation from Branston to attend Battle Proms, we jumped at the chance.  When we found out that it was at Highclere Castle, otherwise known as Downton Abbey, I was giddy with excitement. 

The Savannah Bar & Restaurant London

Oh, how the days are flying by.  It's funny how the grass is always greener.  When I was working I just wanted to be at home.  Now that I'm home every day, I can't wait to get back to work.  Unfortunately, now that we're outside of London, getting out and about is a bit more difficult.  (I'm still working on that UK Drivers License and making slow progress.)  I was whining on Facebook that I'm going a bit stir crazy.  My friend Fiona from London Unattached invited me to join her for lunch in London at The Savannah Bar & Restaurant.  It was the perfect reason to get out of the house and back into London. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Michael!!!

Look who's turning one year old today!!  My sweet grandson Michael is.  I can't believe it has been a year already.  He is the most gorgeous thing ever.  My sweet Booboo just melts my heart.  We chat on FaceTime and he always gives me the most beautiful smile.  

I can't even put into words what it feels like to be a grandma.  It's like my child Jessica is the most perfect prism.  My pure white love shines straight into her.  My love for Michael is the bright multi-colored light that shines from that prism.   It's all brightness and light and I feel it in my core. 

Sorry to get all deep, but it's just the most precious gift.  Thank you, Sugar Bear, for making me a Gigi.  Happy Birthday, Michael!  I love you both more than words can say.  And to think there is another sweet little boy in our future!!

Happy Birthday, Michael!  I love you!!!

Love, 

Gigi

Fisherman's Village in Koh Samui

My final post about our week in Thailand and I'm now convinced that we need to go back.  And this time we need to stay even longer.  While we were in Koh Samui we mostly just relaxed and enjoyed the beach.  But we did venture a little bit further one evening to experience the Friday Market at Fisherman's Village. 

Koh Samui, Thailand

After our crazy few days in both Bangkok, Thailand and Yangon, Myanmar it was time to move on to the part of the vacation that I had been dreaming about.  As Zac Brown would say "I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand."  (You can take the girl out of Texas...)   Koh Samui is a large resort island off of the east coast of Thailand, second only to Phuket in popularity with tourists.  That is where we spent the reminder of our holiday, soaking in the sun.

Shwedagon Pagoda - The Crown of Burma

During our two days in Yangon, Myanmar there was one site that we could not miss.  The Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the greatest temples and religious shrines in the world.  It is the most sacred Buddhist Pagoda in Myanmar and known as "The Crown of Burma."  The pagoda is perched on a hill in Yangon, a beacon to both the devout and the curious.  The golden spire reaches 375 feet (99 meters) and can be seen from most every spot in the city.  It is a sight to behold from both afar and close up. I still can't believe we were able to visit such a wonder.