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

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

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

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

$937 Total cost

Select

• No booking fees 
• Price Assurance

 Flight details

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

American Airlines 160

• Economy 
• On-time performance: 97%
• Boeing 767

• 2,439 mi
• 5hr 25min
• Meal: Food for purchase

Seat map

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

American Airlines 198

• Economy 
• Boeing 767

• 3,982 mi
• 7hr 55min
• Meal: Dinner

Seat map

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

American Airlines 199

• Economy 
• Boeing 767

• 3,982 mi
• 9hr 10min
• Meal: Snack or brunch

Seat map

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

American Airlines 145

• Economy 
• On-time performance: 66%
• Boeing 767

• 2,439 mi
• 5hr 50min
• Meal: Food for purchase

I am SO happy, humbled and BEYOND excited to say that...

OUR ITALY EVENT IS A GO!!!!!!!!!

It's been a few weeks of researching things, looking at everything one more time, making some changes due to contracts and class size and I can officially announce that we are going to Italy in September!!

Here are a few UPDATES:

1.  We have enough students to make it work so I have contacted American Airlines and have set up a GROUP DISCOUNT for the airfare and if you are planning on coming, but haven't signed up yet... NOW is the time!  Last month we were checking on flights and they were around $1,200!  Right now they are as low as $850!!  I am booking the teachers and my flights ASAP!!  I know with gas prices so high, rates could go up any day, so check those fights out and if you sign up, I can give you the A Kiss on the Chic discount with www.aa.com!!

2.  I still have some apartments available, but unless you have a disability, I won't be using the Hotel Florence next door any longer as a hotel choice.  It's much more cost effective to have everyone in the same apartments.  Now if you book the Hotel Florence yourself, that is a different matter, but to cut some costs, this is one of the changes I had to make.  I still have a few medium and 2 large apartments left, but there are a few groups/families that are about to sign up so they may be taken soon...

3. Some of us are taking a side trip AFTER the Event to Venice, Italy!! Venice is like NO OTHER city in the world.  I was SO taken aback by it the first time I saw it and it's really a MUST SEE at some point in your life.  So, the event is over on Saturday and we are planning to take the train to Venice and stay for 3 nights.  This is not really something I'm coordinating, but I will have details on that if you are interested.  When in your life are you going to be ONLY 3 HOURS AWAY FROM VENICE AGAIN??  So that is an option after our Event if you'd like to join some of us!!

4.  I have done some research on excursions and things to do in the area and I'm VERY EXCITED about that!  I will give more details as we get closer, but one thing that I found is an ANTIQUE MARKET in Bergamo!  This is a beautiful old walled city about an hour from Lake Como and they have an Antique Market every third Sunday of the month!  Well, guess what... We will be there on the 3rd Sunday!  So I think it's a MUST to go to the ANTIQUE MARKET!  This will be on the Sunday after we arrive and I had set that day aside for a "day of rest".... But, I want to make this trip available to those who WANT to go!  So you can decide if you want to relax by the pool and enjoy a day of rest or come with us to the Antique Market.  Totally your choice, but this is a unique experience that doesn't happen very often...

5.  I'm looking for a photographer for the Event!  This must be someone who is going to the event as a paid student.  If you are and you'd like to take some pictures of the event and set up some photo shoots for the students, this would be a way to supplement your costs....

I think that is all I can think of right now.  I'm sure there is more to say, but I'm so excited my brain is not fully functioning!  :)

I will be updating this blog and our Yahoo Group every week now that we are FULL STEAM AHEAD.

Here are some pictures of the Lake Como area I found on www.Pinterest.com this week:

This is a lovely area I think in Varenna where a waterfall comes down from the hills and sprays a fog like mist onto this beautiful old bridge!  This is definitely a must see and we will be eating dinner in Varenna one night as well.

This is the GORGEOUS grounds of Ville De' Este on Lake Como!  This is THE top hotel on the lake and I've never seen it, but heard it's breath taking!  I think an excursion to this hotel for a tour and lunch is a must on the itinerary!!

Another beautiful landscape of Lake Como with the colorful villas and the bridge.  I'm not sure where this is located, but you will have a whole week to explore and find lots of places like this!!

Speaking of exploring... Maybe we will find this guy on Lake Como??  :)  Just saying...

Not sure where this is on Lake Como, but what a photo!!  If you haven't checked out Pinterest yet, it is an AMAZING site with SO much to {LOVE}

Again, email me if you have ANY questions!  There are some spots left, and I can take signs ups until May now that it's a GO!!

Thank you again for all who are coming and all who are SO supportive of my dream to have this event!!  It's such a blessing that we have such a wonderful group going and I feel such JOY at being able to share this part of the world with you!!

HUGS AND THANKS,

Laura