Fashion Fun Other Travel

Venice

September 19, 2011


I can hardly believe the last two weeks of my life even happened. Each night I find myself dreaming of roaming the streets of these foreign places. Words or pictures won’t do it justice; but I’m ecstatic to share a glimpse of our experiences with you when we booked a tour on madeinturkeytours.com!

Scanning the city of Venice Italy was like standing before a fine piece of historic art, analyzing the intricate details and their meaning.

“This isn’t Vegas. No one made this city look old. Time, people, and their stories created this beautiful place.” I told Husby while walking the narrow streets surrounded by water, connected only by small arched bridges.

Time was this city’s artistic master. Mismatched socks hanging from lines draped across bedroom windows. The rhythmic strokes of the gondolier’s paddle brushing through the water. Distant sounds of an accordion piping music into café lined corridors. The bambino’s chubby hand waving, “Chao! Chao!” peeking down at our boat floating by. Tattered walls exposing the perfect amount of brick beneath brightly colored stucco. Sounds like a scene from some foreign movie, right?

Yet none of it a fake facade (the trendy term we now call distressed or vintage). No cars, no Starbucks, nothing new to tarnish the old. All of it, in every direction, was beautifully authentic – perfectly imperfect, full of story.

Worn and loved well.

  • Maddison September 19, 2011 at 10:59 am

    One word, Beautiful

    • missy September 19, 2011 at 2:45 pm

      My words exactly… There’s no city quite like it.

  • Joanna September 19, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    I just recently found your blog and am loving it- I’ve already made your grandmother’s peach pie! I love this post, your photos are amazing. We are a military family stationed about 1 hour from Venice and it is my most favorite city in Europe! I feel as though I’m in a movie when I’m walking the tiny streets and alleys. Glad you loved it, too!

    • missy September 19, 2011 at 2:47 pm

      What a fabulous place to be stationed! I couldn’t agree with you more. Out of all the places we visited, Venice was definitely one of my favorites. Can’t wait to hear if you’ve visited other cities we traveled. Hope you enjoyed the pie! xo

  • Shalyn September 19, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    WOW- what an amazing opportunity! You looked absolutely just as stunning as your backdrop- love that maxi dress soooo much! I dont suppose it was under $20;-)

    • missy September 19, 2011 at 2:48 pm

      Awe, you’re so complimentary! I got the dress at a place in Colorado called Charming Charlies. I think it was close to $30 if I remember right.

  • Whitney September 19, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I visited Venice last year and these pictures help me relive my vacation too! I absolutely loved Venice and the food there. I had alway heard bad things about Venice and after I went I can’t say enough good things!! Love it!!

    • missy September 19, 2011 at 2:49 pm

      How could anyone say bad things about this place? The only food we had there was gelato. We were in a time crunch and unfortunately only spent 1/2 a day there. I was dying to get a bite from one of the tiny quaint cafe’s lining the narrow alleys but we had to get in the sites. Hopefully one day we’ll go back…

  • Tysie September 19, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    AMAZING! You fit in perfectly – so “venetian chic”!

    • missy September 19, 2011 at 2:50 pm

      🙂

  • Casie Youngberg September 19, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Wow these are some beautiful pictures! It looks like you had the time of your life! Did you go through serious with draws with out the baby? I am so glad your back!

    • missy September 19, 2011 at 2:52 pm

      Oh my word, baby withdrawals are understatement. It’s sad but I had to constantly push him out of my mind or else I’d lose it. Being in a beautiful city with Husby certainly helped keep my mind in a happy place. It’s good to be back. 🙂

  • DREW HUMPHRIES September 19, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    These shots are just beyond gorgeous!! So glad to see you had such a lovely time! I would love to take a trip out of the country one day!! This just excites me to make it happen even more!

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 1:10 am

      We’ve never traveled like this before and now that we have, we have the bug. It’s worth saving every penny. Since this vacation we’ve really reevaluated our priorities to try and make international travel happen more in our life. With kids it’ll be challenging… but we’re going to try. Venice is a must see, Miss Drew. xo

  • Anna @ The Guiltless Life September 19, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    These pics are beautiful. It’s funny how our idea of “history” and “old” shifts. I grew up partly in England and old there is completely different to old in Canada, where I live now, or in the Cayman Islands, where I was born and (mostly, bar the English times ;)) raised. I went back to England to visit family just this past May and spent a lot of time wandering around cathedrals that I was too “bored” to visit when I lived there as a little kid and again as a teenager. So glad I can appreciate them now. 150 years is not old. Thousands of years – THAT is old! And beautiful!

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 1:11 am

      I can see how as a teen it’d be the “same ole”… What a blessing to have grown up in so many places that provided you with such meaningful experiences. Canada is definitely on our to-do list!

  • Jenedy September 19, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Wow. Amazing. I HAVE to find a way to visit with my man some day! You’re turning out to be quite the photographer little Missy! Glad you had the experience of a lifetime. 🙂

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 1:12 am

      Yes, yes you do. Venice, Rome, & Florence have your name written all over them! Romantic, historic, and absolutely artistic! The sistine chapel had me wishing you were alongside me. Miss you, friend. xo

  • Whitney September 19, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    We did a cruise and were only there for 1.5 days and I wish I was able to stay just there for a week. I love the fact there are no cars, it was sooo perfect! I plan on going back without a doubt. What were your other stops?

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 1:14 am

      Cruising is awesome, isn’t it? I felt like it was the most ideal way to see so much in such a short period of time all while still being able to relax. We also visited: Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos (greek isle), Naples/Amalfi Coast/Pompeii, Rome, Florence, and Monte Carlo (Monaco). Where did your cruise take you?

  • Kerri September 19, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    Welcome back Miss cute stuff! Love your outfit and swooning over the pics. I think I belong somewhere like that.. ahhh, some day. Glad you had fun!!

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 1:14 am

      Awe, Kerr-Bear I’ve missed you. Yes, definitely make it happen one day. xo

  • Natalie September 20, 2011 at 12:37 am

    Oh I love the pictures! Absolutely stunning! You also looked so gorgeous!

    Natalie

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 1:15 am

      You’re so sweet, Natalie! Thank you! Is it obvious I planned my outfit around the architecture? Can you say dork-face? ha!

  • Maggie September 20, 2011 at 1:18 am

    I LOVE the picture of you running through the pigeons! I wanted to do that every time I saw a bunch of them in Paris. I’m so happy you were able to celebrate and relax with this vacation!

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 5:35 pm

      Those bold birds rule the roost around Europe. They aren’t scared one bit! So I thought I’d show them a thing or two… Ha!

  • Vita September 20, 2011 at 10:00 am

    It is nice to see Venice with your eyes! :-))) I live very close to Venice and it is one of my favorite towns in Italy. My husband lived in Venice for years and he know almost each street which means we never get lost! :-))) The best is to stay in Venice at least for a few days, because it is changing so much during the day. I like it most in very, very early morning, when the town is just waking up and is still very quite… the colors, the smells, the sounds and marvelous. Another good option is to go to Venice in non touristic season, it is totally different town and even more fascinating. 🙂

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 5:38 pm

      Vita, what a pleasure to meet you! I just spent the last little bit getting to know you and your precious family on your blog! I would’ve loved to have seen Venice at sunrise. It was absolutely gorgeous at sunset. Truly a sight that must be seen in person. xo

  • ashley poulsen September 20, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    your pictures are gorgeous! glad you had a great time. love you sis!

    • missy September 20, 2011 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks, Sister! You would have LOVED everything about Venice. Tell Mark to start saving for your 5th anniversary… wink wink.

  • Denise September 21, 2011 at 3:05 am

    i love these pictures. traveling is the best. thank you for sharing. your blog is always so relaxing to read at the end of the day. Be blessed, your joy is contagious.

    • missy September 22, 2011 at 12:44 am

      I wrote your last sentence on my fridge. What a powerful statement that I hope I can ALWAYS live up to. Thank you so very much for your words. xo

  • Whitney September 21, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    The cruise I went on left out of Venice stopped in Split, Croatia / Corfu, Greece /Athens, Greece/ Mykonos, Greece/ Olympia, Greece/ and we stopped in London for 2 days! It was magical.

    • missy September 22, 2011 at 12:49 am

      What an experience! I’m already saving my pennies to do something like this again (too bad it’ll probably be at least 10 years before we can)! ha!

  • brittany-population250 September 21, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    oh my gosh your outfit is perfect for that place! what an amazing adventure!!!

    • missy September 22, 2011 at 12:49 am

      haha! you’re too cute, Britt! Thank you so much! xo

  • Allison J September 22, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I’m catching up on your blog as the baby girls nap, and this post made me swoon! Hubby and I went to Venice for a week for our second anniversary (ages ago, before kids) and we had an amazing time. Your pictures make me want to go back, like right now! You are such a beauty….once upon a time I had style too…and someday I will again. For now I’m enjoying my role in life as mommy to three little angels. We have to get together one of these days. Bring the munchkin over to play and we will have a cup of tea and talk about Venice!

  • Leslie September 23, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Beautiful pictures. I am so jealous. Would love to go to Italy!

    shadylanestyle.blogspot.com
    Leslie