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My Cup Runneth Over

January 4, 2019

gibson x hi sugarplum collection nordstrom

Happy Friday, friends, and cheers to the weekend! I hope the New Year has treated you well so far. Considering I’ve barely changed out of pajamas or jogger pants for the last week, I’d say I’m off to a pretty good start! Real life returns Monday though, plus I’ve got a HUGE announcement you don’t want to miss!

I’ve been recapping the most popular projects and posts of last year…and there were a lot of them (over 200!). But what made 2018 so unbelievably special was you…and the experiences and opportunities that came from your support, readership, comments, and genuine enthusiasm and encouragement.

While I tend to always be pushing forward, it’s important for me to slow down and fully acknowledge the blessings in my life…both big and small…so I can truly express my gratitude. In a world of endless To Do Lists, it’s easy for me to lose sight of what I’ve accomplished, so I hope you’ll indulge me one last recap post of 2018, sharing my personal highlights.

I always hesitate to write this post because it feels so self-indulgent, but this blog is not only a space to share my creative ideas, but also my own personal scrapbook and family chronicle.

So this post is a combination of my own personal highlights from 2018, as well as the projects you made popular…along with some geeky by-the-numbers stuff. Basically everything that made 2018 grand for me, my family, and this little blog, all in one spot!

*Recognitions & Opportunities*

I’m constantly amazed by the experiences and opportunities that come my way through blogging. To me, I’m just sharing thoughts and ideas with friends on the internet everyday, so I’m beyond flattered when it leads to things like trips across the globe or clothing lines!

Hands-down, the biggest thing that’s ever happened professionally was my collaboration with Gibson to create a line of Hi Sugarplum pieces for Nordstrom. My heart still races when I think about it. How. Did. That. Happen?!?

The faith and trust both Gibson and Nordstrom had in us (because I couldn’t do it without you!!), humbles me beyond articulation. I’ve never been more excited and petrified of something in my life, but the way you showed up to support the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collection blew us all away! I literally have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat when I say, ‘With all my heart, thank you.’


Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collection

The second biggest pinch-me moment was being part of the Gibson x Glam Holiday Collection, and having the sassiest little top named after me! The ‘Cassie Sequin Tank’ was a holiday favorite for so many of you!


Gibson x Glam Collection

Even better, was working with this stunning, talented, hard-working group of women on the project. Gibson amazes me with their support and empowerment of all women, and I’m honored to be included!


Behind-the-Scenes of the Gibson x Glam Collection Photoshoot

One of my favorite posts every year is the kid’s Back to School Style with J.Crew Factory. It’s a brand I’ve loved for decades, and I was thrilled to be featured on their website with my kids.

HGTV Magazine featured our Dining Room in their ‘Fabulous Wallpaper’ story…so surreal to see our home in print!

hgtv magazine hi sugarplum

I jumped at the chance to work with my Little Miss for a fun video project for a local shopping center. I’m constantly aware that she’s watching me, and hope she recognizes the power of positivity and hard work. I can’t help but think someday she’ll watch it with her own kids, and know just how much her mama loves her.




*Collaborations*

I think of you all as girlfriends, so I’m very choosy when it comes to recommending brands and products. I know sponsored content is not always a reader-favorite, so I work extra hard to make those posts just as original and authentic as non-sponsored content. But you can be sure I’d never talk about a brand or product I wouldn’t genuinely pass along to my mom or best friend. I was honored to partner with these stellar brands last year.


Gibson x Hi Sugarplum for Nordstrom


The Dyson Dryer | Hot Air or Worth the Hype with eBay

hi sugarplum jumpsuit for day night kendra scott spring-14
One-Shoulder Jumpsuit with Kendra Scott

morning skincare routine colleen rothschild
Morning Skincare Routine with Colleen Rothschild


Affordable Fall Fashion with JCPenney


Mother Daughter Styles with Banana Republic


Back to School Style with J.Crew Factory

cobh deck of cards
British Isles with Princess Cruise


Outdoor Winter Style with Backcountry


Holiday Style with Ann Taylor


Holiday Decor with Macys


Lace Dresses Under $100 with Marks & Spencer


Favorite Pantry Staples with Brandless

*Stand-Out Personal & Family Moments*

We celebrated 20-years of marriage last summer…a milestone I wasn’t always sure we’d hit. Make no mistake, I love this man with all my heart, but it’s a relationship we fight hard to keep strong, and doesn’t always come easy. It’s been an adventure full of so much joy and love, and I can’t wait for the next 20 years!

hawaii family photos
20 Years in Kauai

I know without a doubt that our marriage is the best gift we could give our kids, so we celebrated the milestone as a family!

hawaii family photos
Snapshots from Hawaii

The teen started his senior year of high school, so our days with him at home are dwindling. #sob As hard as it is to see him grow up, we couldn’t be more proud of the young man he’s becoming. I know the next few months will be so precious, and I’m excited for each new moment and experience to come!

Little Miss continued her love of singing and art, but added volleyball to her list of passions. Watching her blossom and grow more comfortable with her gifts and abilities is one of our greatest joys.

Part of what made the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collection so special was being able to include my mom. She brings so much joy and life to everything she does, and having her by my side for the experience was such a blessing. She’s actually retiring this year, so stay tuned for more Mama Sugarplum!!

Our annual family vacation is always a highlight, especially when it’s with one of our favorite families! 

As was our family road trip through West Texas and Big Bend National Park. It’s amazing what kids will tell you when trapped in the car for hours at a time!

west texas itinerary

I loved every moment of cruising the British Isles with my Mr. SP and our dear friends!

My parents treated our family to an Alaskan cruise, and it was a week of non-stop laughs and fun!

 

This Blogger Conference was really more of an excuse for a girl’s trip with my favorite blogger friends, and one of the most fun weekends of my year.

Adding Mollie to our family is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made, and we had the best time with these sweet girls!

*Most Comments*

My favorite part of blogging is the interactions with you. Every time I hit ‘publish’ on a post, I’m excited to see what you think, and am always blown away by your kindness. So I’m not surprised that the posts with the largest response are those most personal to me and my family.

The announcement of the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collection drew the most comments, along with the actual launch of both GxHSP and the Glam Collections. We got chatty about Kids Chores and What to Pack in a Carry-On, too.

*Most Viewed*

Some posts take on a life of their own, and I really have no idea why one resonates more than another…but the Amazon Fashion Finds (along with the most commented ones) received more views than any others in 2018. And according to pageviews, Dressing Room Diaries and Sugarplum Style are the most popular of my regular series posts, and Shop My Insta is the most popular page.

*Numbers*

It’s fun for me to see who you are, and where you’re coming from, according to Google Analytics:

*Over 1.5 million of you stopped by last year & read over 8 million pages. I can’t even wrap my head around that!?!
*Most of you are American (92%), with Canada, UK, and Australia up next. There are even people reading from the United Arab Emirates!?
*96% female, aged 35-44…but the 25-34 and 45-54 brackets are a tie and close second. And thanks to Mama Sugarplum’s ever-growing presence, the 55+ ladies are growing fast!
*Phones & tablets remain the most popular way to read
*40% of you come directly to my site & 52% click over from one of my social channels.

 

All that’s to say, the majority of the amazing opportunities that come my way are because of you, darling readers…I know without your support, enthusiasm, kindness, and interactions, none of this would be possible. I can’t thank you enough for popping in every day, week, month, or leap year…whenever it is, I’m thrilled you stopped by! Even the lurkers…I know you’re there!

I know this post was a lot of toot-tooting my own horn, so thank you for indulging me. God has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined, and I’m beyond humbled by your friendship, support, and kind words. I can’t thank you enough for sharing in our joys, supporting me through the sorrows, and celebrating all the silly in-between.

Your encouragement makes me excited to continue creating and sharing what I love so much (staring Monday with something BIG!!). I pray 2019 is your best yet, lovebugs!

 

[More Best of 2018 Posts]
Top 10 Reader Fave Buys
Best of Decor
Best of Travel
Best of Style
Best of Beauty, Tips, Tricks & Everything Else

 

 


by Cassie 
21 Comments
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Lifestyle, Personal

 

 

My Cup Runneth Over

January 8, 2018

jcpenney video shoot

Well, the new year is definitely under way now! I hope the first week treated you well, and transitioning back to life as usual was a smooth one. I’ve been recapping the most popular projects and posts of last year…and there were a lot of them (over 200!). But what made 2017 so unbelievably special was you…and the experiences and opportunities that came from your support, readership, comments, and genuine enthusiasm and encouragement.

While I tend to always be pushing forward, it’s important for me to slow down and fully acknowledge the blessings in my life…both big and small…so I can truly express my gratitude. In a world of endless To Do Lists, it’s easy for me to lose sight of what I’ve accomplished, so I hope you’ll indulge me one last recap post of 2017, sharing my personal highlights.

I always hesitate to write this post because it feels so horn-tooting, but this blog is not only a space to share my creative ideas, but also my own personal scrapbook and life’s chronicle.

So this post is a combination of my own personal highlights from 2017, as well as the projects you made popular…along with some geeky by-the-numbers stuff. Basically all the stuff that made 2017 grand for me, my family, and this little blog, all in one spot! If we don’t share DNA, you might want to skip it!

*Recognitions & Opportunities*

I’m constantly amazed by the experiences and opportunities that come my way because of blogging. To me, I’m just sharing thoughts and ideas with friends on the internet everyday, so I’m beyond flattered when it leads to things like filming videos with my daughter or speaking at a press event!

My Master Closet Makeover graced the pages of HGTV Magazine (and many more!) as The Container Store’s new full-page ad! I guess they were just as happy with the newly-organized space as us.

I had the fun opportunity to appear on Good Morning Texas as a guest and connoisseur of Barrington Gifts. I’ve done video on several occasions, but live television is a completely different beast!! There’s no starting over, or really even a chance to practice! It was a fun experience though, and I learned just how fast four minutes flies by! You can watch our segment here.

I spent a whirlwind three days in New York City as a guest of HomeGoods…presenting my tips for transforming outdoor spaces to about 40 magazine editors! Definitely a surreal experience.

I was thrilled to be a speaker at the Bloom Workshop when it came to the Dallas area, and have the chance to meet some of you face-to-face! Blogging is my passion, and I’m always happy to answer questions and share what I’ve learned.


Shirtdress | Earrings (on sale!) | Booties

I made two guest appearances on John and Sherry’s very fun, very entertaining podcast! We chatted about being bold and colorful in design, and I tried with all my might to sound like I knew what I was talking about! In true Young House Love style, the podcast is really well done, and all the episodes are excellent listens. Check out No. 43 to hear me babbling (I start around the 15-minute mark), and again in their Why We Stopped Sharing Our Kids on the Internet podcast.

Most days I’m tucked behind a computer, or a silent voice in photographs, so it was a totally different experience to step in front of a video camera all day with JCPenney.  I recorded over 30 videos with no script, just hamming it up and ad-libbing about many of their best products. And let me tell you, it was not easy!! But I loved the chance to do something different, push myself outside of comfort zones, and work with a stellar brand.

jcpenney video shoot

Frog Tape invited me to participate in their Makeover Challenge, where six bloggers had three weeks to transform a space. We barely made the deadline, but are thrilled with the outcome, but more importantly, loved helping to raise awareness for the Alzheimers Foundation, a cause that means so much to our family.

Better Homes & Gardens named me a Stylemaker, and invited me to New York for an exciting day of learning and sharing. Plus, I got to spend time with some of my favorite fellow bloggers friends.


Liz | Jen | Megan | My Outfit: Plaid Shirt | Pleated Skirt | Pumps | Plum Bag  | Statement Necklace

 

*Collaborations*

Since I think of you all as friends, I’m very choosy when it comes to recommending brands and products, and only collaborate with those I’d genuinely pass along to my mom or best friend. I know sponsored content is not always a reader-favorite, so I work extra hard to make those posts just as original and credible as non-sponsored content. I was honored to partner with these stellar brands last year.


Back to School Style with J.Crew Factory


How to Wear Ankle Boots with Nordstrom Shoes


Patio Refresh with HomeGoods


How to Curl Beachy Waves with Nordstrom Beauty


Laundry Room Makeover with World Market


Scandinavian Cruise with Princess Cruises


Summer of Style with Super Goop


Day to Night with Lucky Brand


Our Christmas Front Porch with eBay


Girl Power of Us with Sole Society


Master Closet Makeover with The Container Store


Now & Later with ModCloth


White Jeans Love with J.Crew


Summer of Style with Nordstrom Women


Our Thanksgiving Table with Walmart


Kid Style with Bloomingdales


Summer of Style with Splendid

 

*Stand-Out Personal & Family Moments*

Between getting his braces off, a drivers license, and college prep, it’s safe to say our darling son is spreading his wings, and our years with him at home are dwindling. #sob As hard as it is to see him grow up, we couldn’t be more proud of the young man he’s becoming. I know the next few years will be so precious, and I’m excited for each new moment and experience. (Find a copy of our New Driver Contract here.)

Little Miss graduated to Middle School, and has blossomed in school theater and choir. She had her first solo recital just before Christmas, and hearing her precious voice sing out with such confidence and clarity brought me to my knees. (I begged her to let me share it on my Instagram Story, but she said no. #wompwomp) She’s so sure of herself and the kind of person she wants to be, I’m amazed she’s my kid!

Mr. SP had a milestone birthday and we celebrated in Sedona. He gives so much to others, it was wonderful to shower him with love and attention for a bit. I may be the sensible, organized one, but he’s truly the rock of our family.

One of my favorite days ever, was sharing what I do with my darling girl. JCPenney invited me to share my take on current trends, and how to adapt them for both Mom and daughter. I jumped at the chance to work with my Little Miss, and it was a day we’ll always remember. It’s such a gift to have the video to remember this time in our lives. I can’t help but think someday she’ll watch it with her own kids, and know just how much her mama loves her. See the full video here.

Our annual family vacation is always a highlight, especially when it’s with one of our favorite families! 

As was our family road trip through National Parks. It’s amazing what kids will tell you when trapped in the car for hours at a time!

Every moment of cruising through Scandinavia with my Mr. SP and our dear friends was a dream-come-true, and we never stopped pinching ourselves!

copenhagen nyhavn

This Blogger Conference was really more of an excuse for a girl’s trip with my favorite blogger friends, and one of the most fun weekends of my year.

A major highlight for all of us was adding a new family member, Mollie. She’s stolen all our hearts!

We ended the year with sadness when we lost my dad. And even though this is a post of highlights, losing him is too poignant to not include.

*Most Comments*

My favorite part of blogging is the interactions with you. Every time I hit ‘publish’ on a post, I’m excited to see what you think, and am always blown away by your kindness. So I’m not surprised that the posts with the largest response are those most personal to me and my family. Losing my Dad, sharing my One Word, celebrating seven years of Hi Sugarplum, our new puppy, and the video shoot with my daughter drew the most comments, along with our Master Closet and Make-Up Tips. I can’t thank you enough for sharing in our joys, supporting me through the sorrows, and celebrating all the silly in-between.

makeup tips to make you look younger

*Most Viewed*

Some posts take on a life of their own, and I really have no idea why one project resonates more than another…but these posts (along with the most commented ones) received more views than any others in 2017. And according to pageviews, Dressing Room Diaries and Sugarplum Style are the most popular of my regular series posts, and Shop My Insta is the most popular page.

beachy waves hair tutorial
Hair Tutorial | How to Create Beachy Waves


Styling Leggings | All About Tunics

And how can I forget launching my brand new site? It only took me six years, but I finally own my own domain and site!

*Numbers*

It’s fun for me to see who you are, and where you’re coming from, according to Google Analytics:

*Almost a million of you stopped by at least once last year & read over 6 million pages. I can’t even wrap my head around that!?!
 *Most of you are American, but Canadians & Britons are a pretty close second. There are even people reading from the United Arab Emirates!?
 *96% female, aged 35-44…but the 25-34 and 45-54 brackets are a tie and close second. Which also means 4% of you reading are men. #hmmm
 *Phones & tablets remain the most popular way to read
*37% of you come directly to my site & 21% click over from one of my social channels.

All that’s to say, the majority of the amazing opportunities that come my way are because of you, darling readers…I know without your support, enthusiasm, kindness, and interactions, none of this would be possible. I can’t thank you enough for popping in every day, week, month, or leap year…whenever it is, I’m thrilled you stopped by! Even the lurkers…I know you’re there!

I know this post was a lot of toot-tooting my own horn, so thank you for indulging me. God has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined, and I’m beyond humbled by your friendship, support, and kind words. With all my heart, thank you.

Your encouragement makes me excited to continue creating and sharing what I love so much. I pray 2018 is your best yet, lovebugs!

[More Best of 2017 Posts]
Best of 2017 | Reader Favorite Products
Best of 2017 | Tips & Tricks
Best of 2017 | Travel
Best of 2017 | Decor Projects
Best of 2017 | Style Series

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by Cassie 
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Lifestyle, Personal

 

 

2016 | My Cup Runneth Over

January 6, 2017

Cheers to the first Friday of the New Year, friends! I hope the first week treated you well, and transitioning back to life as usual was a smooth one. I’ve been recapping the most popular projects and posts of last year…and there were a lot of them. But what made 2016 so unbelievably special was you…and the experiences and opportunities that came from your support, readership, comments, and genuine enthusiasm and encouragement.

While I tend to always be pushing forward, it’s key for me to slow down to fully acknowledge the blessings in my life…both big and small…so I can truly express my gratitude. In a world of endless To Do Lists, it’s easy for me to lose sight of what I’ve accomplished, so I hope you’ll indulge me one last recap post of 2016, sharing my personal highlights.

I always hesitate to write this post because it feels so horn-tooting, but this blog is my happy place…my own personal scrapbook and life’s chronicle…of not only what we do to our home, but what happens to the people in our home.

So this post is a combination of my own personal highlights from 2016, as well as the projects you made popular…along with some geeky by-the-numbers stuff. Basically all the good stuff that made 2016 grand for me, my family, and this little blog, all in one spot! If we don’t share DNA, you might want to skip it! 😉

*Recognitions*

We didn’t have any major photoshoots last year (unlike 2015! #toottoot), but the photos from this shoot lived on in several publications. The largest being a four-page spread in Better Home’s & Garden’s inaugural ‘I Did It’ issue!

I almost fell out of my chair when Traditional Home contacted me about being featured in their new digital magazine, Simply Perfect Kitchens & Baths. And to see my face in it is almost too much! It’s a gorgeous read, with tons of great inspiration…check out the full issue here.

 

Our previous Dining Room appeared in Family Circle as part of their ‘New Trends to Try’ story.

It was a fun surprise to see our last Living Room pop up in the ‘Pillow Talk’ story of Better Homes & Garden’s new special interest publication, Makeovers.

My jaw is still on the ground that Real Simple featured me as their spotlight blogger in a Summer issue, and called me ‘the best friend you always wanted.’ I’m pretty sure that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me.

I continue to be overwhelmed by the response to our Living Room from a previous One Room Challenge. As if it’s not treat enough to enjoy my morning coffee in this room, House Beautiful just named it one of their favorites from all 10 seasons of the ORC, and it made their #bestnine on Instagram again! #Icanteven

Women’s World magazine included me in their ‘Christmas Shortcuts’ article, featuring my tips for streamlining your holiday season.

And Relish Magazine (it’s a Sunday insert in major market newspapers) wrote about how to throw a Texas-style cookout…and I had the pleasure of being the resident Texan! #yall

*Opportunities*

I’m constantly amazed by the experiences and opportunities that come my way because of blogging. To me, I’m just sharing thoughts and ideas with friends on the internet everyday, so I’m beyond flattered when it leads to things like filming makeovers with Ikea, or hosting events at my favorite stores.

Family Room Makeover with Ikea Home Tour Squad

 

Bloom Bash Workshop in Tampa, Florida
Mix & Mingle Event at J.Crew Mercantile

 

BHG Stylemaker Event

*Collaborations*

Since I think of you all as friends, I’m very choosy when it comes to recommending brands and products, and only collaborate with those I’d genuinely pass along to my mom or best friend. I know sponsored content is not always a reader-favorite, so I work extra hard to make those posts just as original and credible as non-sponsored posts. I was honored to work with these stellar brands last year.

Back to School Style with J.Crew Factory

 

Date Night Style with Nordstrom
Girl’s Study Nook with Pillowfort for Target
Princess Cruise Line

 

One Room Challenge

 

Work to Weekend | Striped Skirt with ModCloth

 

Screen Porch Makeover with World Market

 

Three Ways | Pink Field Jacket with Barrington Gifts

 

Kids Homework & Craft Cart with Ikea

 

Organized Craft Closet with Container Store

 

How to Style Bar Carts with Wisteria & La Crema Wines

*Stand-Out Personal Moments*

Between getting his driver’s permit and a full-blown Homecoming date, it’s safe to say our darling son is spreading his wings, and our years with him at home are dwindling. #sob As hard as it is to see him grow up, we couldn’t be more proud of the young man he’s becoming. I know the next few years will be so precious, and I’m excited for each new moment and experience.

I’m happy to buy supplies, make donations, and even work an occasional carnival booth, but I’m not the mom who volunteers to spearhead major events or lead committees. So no one was more shocked than me when I stepped outside my comfort zone and chaperoned the three-day overnight camp for fifth grade. It was one of the best things I did all year, and I’ll treasure that special time with our Little Miss forever.

Unfortunately, while at camp, our precious Maggie was bit by a venomous snake, and we had a scary 48-hours of waiting (with an even scarier vet bill!). She’s totally fine now, but it made us realize what a huge part of our family she is, and how completely attached we’ve become!

Our annual family vacation is always a highlight, especially when it’s with one of our favorite families! 

Every moment of cruising the Mediterranean with my Mr. SP was a dream-come-true, and we never stopped pinching ourselves!

I loved the chance to get my darling Mama Sugarplum on the blog, in our Mother’s Day Tea post, and I treasure these pics of our three generations of ladies! I’m so excited that she’s agreed to appear more regularly in Dressing Room Diaries posts, too!

This Blogger Conference was really more of an excuse for a girl’s trip with my favorite blogger friends, and one of the most fun weekends of my year.

I don’t know what I liked more on our Big Sky trip…spending time with my darling brother and sister (and new brother-in-law), or watching my kids learn to ski with patience and courage!

*Most Comments*

My favorite part of blogging is the interactions with you. Every time I hit ‘publish’ on a post I wonder what you’ll think, and am always surprised by your response. The number of comments and reactions to these posts really blew me away!

Dining Room Reveal & Source List

 

Who’s Doing it All?!

 

Makeover with the Ikea Home Tour Squad

Since we’re all friends here, it’s only natural I ask your opinion on life’s really perplexing issues…like kitchen tile and which dress to pack! 😉 I love hearing your feedback and ideas, and would love to find a way to have more circular conversations with y’all this year!

To Tile or Not to Tile

 

Eenie Meenie Miney Maxi

*Most Viewed*

Some posts take on a life of their own, and I really have no idea why one project resonates more than another…but these posts (along with the most commented ones) received more views than any others in 2016. And according to pageviews, Dressing Room Diaries and Sugarplum Style posts are the most popular of my regular series posts.

Craft Closet of My Dreams

 

How to Make Your Legs Longer & Bum Perkier

 

How to Curl Your Hair

 

One Room Challenge Process

*Numbers*

It’s fun for me to see who you are, and where you’re coming from, according to Google Analytics:

*More than a million of you stopped by at least once last year & read over 10 million pages.
I can’t even wrap my head around that!?!
*Most of you are American, but Canadians & Britons are a pretty close second.
There are even people reading from the United Arab Emirates!?
*95% female, aged 25-44…but the 45-64 bracket is catching up.
Which also means 5% of you reading are men. #hmmm
*Phones & tablets took over as the most popular way to read
* I wrote 204 blog posts & published over 4,000 comments.

More than half of you are referred here from other sites…so thank you to these amazing bloggers who so generously share my projects and include me in their blogrolls. Without them and Pinterest, I’d likely be writing to just my mom and aunt each day.

Jen at I Heart Organizing
Natalie at Designer Bags & Dirty Diapers
Megan at Honey We’re Home
Shay at Mix and Match Mama
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick
Sheaffer at Sheaffer Told Me To
Linda at Calling It Home
Kristin at Hunted Interior

That said, the majority of the amazing opportunities that come my way, are because of you, darling readers…I know without your support, enthusiasm, kindness, and interactions, none of this would be possible. I can’t thank you enough for popping in every day, week, month, or leap year…whenever it is, I’m thrilled you stopped by! Even the lurkers…I know you’re there!

I know this post was a lot of toot-tooting my own horn, so thank you for indulging me. God has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined, and I’m beyond humbled by your friendship, support and kind words. With all my heart, thank you. #grouphug

Your encouragement makes me excited to continue doing what I love so much. Starting this blog was the best whim I’ve ever acted on, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. This year has already started with a bang, and I’m excited to share all the ideas and projects with you, starting with a big update on Monday! I pray 2017 is your best yet, lovebugs!

Best of 2016 | Tips & Tricks
Best of 2016 | Travel
Best of 2016 | Style Series
Best of 2016 | Decor Projects

by Cassie 
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Personal

 

 

Ports of Call: Pisa & Lucca

September 21, 2016

It’s hard to believe three months have passed since our Mediterranean cruise. Or that it’s taken me this long to report back on each of the stops! #badblogger I think I subconsciously drag them out so I don’t have to admit to myself the trip is over. But at the same time, creating these posts takes me back…and in the case of Lucca, I can still remember the quiet of the alleyways, feel the mist of the rain, and the taste of the homemade pasta.

Florence, Italy was the final stop on our Mediterranean cruise (after Sitges, Cartagena, Marbella,  Provence, and Portofino), and since we’ve seen (and loved!) Florence (read that Trip Report here), we decided to venture out a little further in the Tuscan countryside, to the lovely town of Lucca.

Since we were fortunate enough to have a private car and driver as our guide at this port, we decided to make a quick stop in Pisa along the way. Yep…there’s the tower, and she’s leaning alright!

I was surprised by how small it is, and shocked at the degree at which it was leaning! But even more startling are the crowds, and the rate at which they multiply! We almost had the place to ourselves when we arrived around 8:30am (hence the limited number of people in my pics), but it was crawling with selfie-stick wielding tourists and buses an hour later. 
Sugarplum Tip: Go early, see the tower if you must, and move along. 

On Me: Chambray Shirt | Striped Skirt | Favorite Sneakers 
On Mr. SP: Pullover | Jeans | Sneakers

We quickly hopped back in the car, and our driver dropped us at the gates of peaceful Lucca a short time later. The narrow cobbled streets of Lucca’s city center are hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, and stepping through the gates is like going back in time. Gorgeous piazzas, shady promenades, and historic cafes are easily explored by foot, as either a day trip from Florence, or in its own right.

Broad, tree-lined pathways line the tops of the massive walls encircling the city, making them perfect for strolling or biking the perimeter of this peaceful town. My hope was to bike the walls, but a light mist made things pretty slick, so we wandered the quiet streets on foot, stopping for cappuccinos along the way.

Chambray Shirt | Striped Skirt | Favorite Sneakers 

Chambray Shirt | Striped Skirt | Favorite Sneakers 

Our guide suggested we head to a traditional Tuscan farm and vineyard for a late lunch, and I literally swooned at the idea! And maybe squealed. There’s no question a private car for day excursions is pricey (thank you, Princess Cruises for that luxury!), but it allows you to cater the day around your exact interests, and utilize your time in port to the fullest.

For instance, in Provence, we told the guide we wanted to see true Provencal life, outside the areas of tourism, and experience as many of the villages as possible. (See the recap here.) When we met our guide in Livorno (the nearest port to Florence), we asked for quaint villages, beautiful countryside, and a delicious Tuscan meal. Both guides delivered perfect days beyond anything we could have planned on our own.

We spent the afternoon feasting and exploring at Fattoria Il Poggio, a family vineyard and restaurant that makes its own wine, oils, soaps and candles. It was as magical and delicious as it sounds!

Similar Pineapple Tee | White Skirt (similar) | Denim Jacket | Similar Sandals | Striped Tote

On the way back to the ship, we paused for a quick walk through the small village of Montecarlo…another spot we’d never have found on our own. In a word, the day was perfect.

The entire trip was spectacular, not just for the amazing itinerary and experiences, but for the new friendships made with my fellow bloggers. A huge thank you to Princess Cruises for inviting me on such an adventure, and to you for making it possible!! This post wraps the last of my ports of call, but we extended the trip on our own, and up next is the most breathtaking locale of them all…the Amalfi Coast! 

Which was your favorite Mediterranean stop? I hope to write a packing post, but for those of you asking, you can use this post as a guide to what I packed and wore.

{More Posts from this Trip}
Port of Call: Sitges, Spain
Port of Call : Marbella, Spain
Port of Call: Cartagena, Spain
Port of Call: Provence, France
Port of Call: Portofino, Italy
Port of Call: Lucca & Pisa, Italy

Cruise Style: Formal Night

Cruise Style: Formal Night II

Doors of the Mediterranean


by Cassie 
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Cruising, International, Spring & Summer, Travel

 

 

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