Monday, April 30, 2012

Happy Monday Ladies!!

I wanted to come on here early this week to give you a few updates since I will be at an event later this week and it's been a "mad dash" to get everything done for my class.  I'm SO excited to be teaching at Kim Caldwell's Event "An Affaire at Tiffany's" and I thought I would share a little SNEAK of my project the ladies will be making:


This is going to be an AMAZING event in Los Angeles and I feel so honored to be one of the three teachers!  I'll post some pictures after the event on my other blog so you can see what FUN events Kim does!

Now back to Italy...

Our event is taking WONDERFUL shape and I have had a few more ladies interested in joining us in September.  The teachers and myself are SO thrilled about sharing in this experience with everyone and we can't WAIT for September to get here!!

I do have some things I'm needing to make decisions on so if you are "on the fence" please consider joining us ASAP!  :)  The hotel is wanting me to give them a final count on the apartments.  This wasn't supposed to be until June but since it will be a smaller group than I originally told them, they would like me to release some of the rooms that I won't be using.  Problem is, I don't know how many quite yet...

SO...

If you want to join us, I can only hold the rooms until May 15th now and that is FIRM.  That basically gives me about a week from when I get back from the event above to finalize anymore sign ups!  So don't delay any longer.  If you've been DREAMING of coming to this event with us, send me an email and we will work out something so you can go!!  

Picture of the main town of Como in the evening

Some more updates:

1. Get that PASSPORT if you haven't already!!
2. We are booking the apartment for VENICE afterward, so let me know if you want to come along!
3. Let me know if anyone has any "food allergies" or sensitivities.  I have a couple ladies who are Gluten Free and have already talked to the hotel about that.  They are very aware of this and can accommodate this, but I just need to give them advance notice of any problems.
4. Check the AIRFARE on Tuesdays!  For some reason this is the day the airlines have special deals and I got an email this morning mentioning the price may be going back down??  
5. I am looking into having a "local day" at our event!  Anyone interested in coming to some classes who lives close enough to Bellagio is welcome to come!!  I've had a couple ladies mention this that live in Milan and around that area and I would LOVE to have you JOIN US for the day!!  So, PLEASE, if this is something you would like to do, send me an email at:  Laura@akissonthechic.com and we will work out the details for you!
6.  As one of the excursion options, I thought we would do a SHOPPING trip!!  Lake Como is known for it's SILK making, see link, but also the famous Italian stores like Armani,  Valentino, Ferragamo, etc... all have OUTLETS in the boarder town of Ticino, Switzerland called Foxtown.  So I'd like to get an idea of how many ladies would be interested in this and then I'll set this up for one of the excursion days!
7. I'm also looking into a concert or play in Como (picture above) on one of the evenings.  This would be a wonderful evening of taking the Ferry to Como, having dinner at one of the many lakeside restaurants and enjoying an evening of theatre!  


So, that's all I can think of for now.  Have a GREAT week and make sure you SIGN UP SOON if you want to join us!!

Ariel view of Bellagio

*Pictures are care of SmithsonianMag.com

Have a GREAT week ladies!!

Laura

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

This year is flying by, I can't believe we have already passed up TAX DAY!  Do you have a refund this year??  I know where you can spend that money??



Yes, you knew I was going to say Lake Como!!  (couldn't resist)

This is the town of Menaggio, Italy.  Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?!   It's right across the lake from Bellagio, in fact you can see it from the hotel we are staying at.  I'm going to go explore this town in July when we are there so I'll know just the right spots we want to go back to in September!  


Finding these lovely photo's on Pinterest and adding them to my "A Kiss on the Chic's Retreat" board.  SO. MUCH. FUN. Pinterest is SO addicting...

Well, back to work.  A few bits of REAL news to keep you updated on our EVENT:

1.  BIG NEWS!  I can officially say that Stayce DeWid is teaching at our event!!
Stayce is SO talented and works with all kinds of ARTSY mediums.  We are SO excited to add her to our teacher list!  She works with Tattered Angels and lots of other companies to bring really great TECHNIQUE classes to you.  So lets all welcome Stayce to our event!!  She will be doing a class and a make-n-take and enjoying all the FUN the week has to offer!

2. It's time to get your PASSPORT!!


You can get one at your local post office, Costco, Staples and lots of places.  So get that going NOW because it takes quite a while to get it in the mail.

3. I don't know about you, but I've seen SO much on TV lately about Italy!  Just watching the Food Network,  HGTV's "House Hunters International",  the Travel Channel or even PBS.  It sure puts me in the mood for September!  There's so much to check out and to see, just watching those shows gets me EXCITED!!  So turn on your T.V. and check these shows out for some INSPIRATION!  

4. I've mentioned the Bergamo Antique Market as an excursion on Sunday.  Well, I have another cool one for you...  How would you like to go on a Funicular??  Take a look at this video of Lake Como and see the beauty of the lake and you'll catch a bit of the Funicular.




YouTube is a GREAT place to check out the are we will be staying!  There's so many videos to get you excited...

Have a GREAT day,

Laura



Saturday, April 7, 2012



I {heart} Pinterest and I always look in the travel section for pictures of Lake Como.  I came across this one yesterday and it TOOK MY BREATHE AWAY!  I don't know where this is on Lake Como, but I HAVE to find it!!  Would this be THE most AMAZING place for dinner for our group? (click on the photo to enlarge it and see the full details, it's just so beautiful!)

So,  instead of hunting for Easter Eggs... I'm on the HUNT FOR THIS!  :)  If anyone knows where this is or can help me find it, I would be forever grateful!!



Have a WONDERFULLY BLESSED Easter!!

Laura

Thursday, April 5, 2012

So last week and this week the flights having fluctuated a LOT!  One day it's $875 to Milan (from LAX) and the next day it's $1,000 to Milan!!  If you haven't bought your tickets yet, keep looking!

Today I went to www.orbitz.com and found this flight, so my suggestion is to check out all the sites and book SOON if you see prices this low!!

Hugs,

Laura




Leave
Fri, Sep 14
Total time: 15hr 50min
Depart
7:45 AM
San Diego, CA , United States
San Diego Airport (SAN) Terminal 2
Stop 1
4:10 PM
New York, NY , United States
Kennedy Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
Change of planes. Time between flights: 2hr 30min
Depart
6:40 PM
New York, NY , United States
Kennedy Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
Arrive
8:35 AM
Milan , Italy
Malpensa Airport (MXP) Terminal 1
This is an overnight flight.
Return
Wed, Sep 26
Total time: 18hr 55min
Depart
10:30 AM
Milan , Italy
Malpensa Airport (MXP) Terminal 1
Stop 1
1:40 PM
New York, NY , United States
Kennedy Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
Change of planes. Time between flights: 3hr 55min
Depart
5:35 PM
New York, NY , United States
Kennedy Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
Arrive
8:25 PM
San Diego, CA , United States
San Diego Airport (SAN) Terminal 2