Travel is food for the soul! I believe it has the power to transform us. When we move beyond our comfort zone and experience life through another’s eyes we can fully and deeply feel our connection and kinship to all. Ignorance falls to the wayside as we commune with other cultures, and we quickly realize we all want and deserve the same things; to live abundantly, to experience great love and joy, to feel safe and share in the love of family and community.
Each locale that Dave and I visit has at some point been placed on a “wish list” I’ve dreamed of visiting each of these countries to have the opportunity to learn, grow and be inspired by the beauty in their natural places, art, music food and handcraft. I pinch myself thinking about the blessings that come with these trips and am grateful for how they sustain my inspiration and open my heart.
OAXACA MEXICO
One of the most romantic places I’ve ever been! PASSION best describes the vibrance on every level. In the handmade, and the love of heritage and history. The spiritual grace in Oaxaca pulls you in and deepens your experience, it’s grounding and warm and oozes from the folks you meet and from the local fine art, handcrafts and architecture. All of my senses charge here and the intoxicating colors sets my heart on fire. The soulful beauty and warmth of the people makes you feel at home. Each time I visit I feel as if I’ve never left.
INDIA
India has stolen my heart! When I'm here my spirit is electrified and at the same time grounded in the peaceful flow of life that exists in all of her gorgeous expression through her people and her color. The most transformative quality of India that draws me in is the fact that it’s such a feeling place. The vibrancy of life can be felt because life is simple, raw and real. Folks aren’t too far removed from their hearts….and hands. Food is grown locally, and daily objects whether for sacred celebration or for utilitarian purpose are made by hand and made with beauty. When I am here I feel loved, and most importantly, inspired to love and inspired to create!
ENGLAND
England has always felt like my second home! I feel firmly planted in my favorite city London, and equally at home in the English countryside. I’ve lured many a friend across the pond to join me in my exploration of gorgeous gardens and quirky, elegant hideaways. The English aesthetic is one I relate to very much and you can feel the love and appreciation that folks feel for their historic sites and natural locales. I'm a passionate gardener and I’ve spent much of my life with my hands in the soil. As an artist the beautiful plant forms fill me with inspiration! I can easily lose myself in the flow of cultivating and caring for my plants, but also satisfying are the hours I’ve spent touring English gardens. England is a treasure, timeless and full of grace and a place I know I will come back to often.
EGYPT
I was meant to go to Egypt. Hands down this was one of the most miraculous trips of my life. The amount of synchronicity that had to happen in order for Dave and I to go was mind blowing. This was a major bucket list local for me. We weren’t looking for this trip, this trip found us. The Egyptian way of life is open hearted, child like, vibrant and very much about living in the moment. Traveling here felt like a homecoming. I felt safe, at ease, relaxed and completely inspired by everything; the ancient history, architecture, dessert landscape, incredible textiles, decorative art and especially by the people. There is a soulful grace and exuberance felt everywhere, very warm and creative; flowing with an optimism grounded in ancient culture. I was moved by how such an old story of creation can inform in such a fresh and timeless way. I can’t wait to go back, many years later now, and rekindle my relationship with this magical place and have her get to know me and remember how meeting her in the first place inspired transformation in my heart.
MOROCCO
Morocco is the place of a million remarkable journeys filled with bright energy and unlimited inspiration! This is the place where your imagination and way of seeing the world completely unravels as you are rebuilt by the spirit of life that exudes from everywhere and flows in all directions. There is magic hidden in the color, patina, and beautiful people living a simple handmade life. Every sense is satisfied and I fill myself up with colorful experiences that inspire me until I return again. Morocco is my muse and each time I visit I discover another layer, another hidden treasure and I collect more memories that will fuel my creativity eternally. It is a privilege to return to Morocco and share this experience with friends old and new. I’m already dreaming about our return!
FRANCE
My first trip to the South of France caused Dave and I to move. It was that impactful. This was my first visit and I travelled with good friends (who lived in the town where we reside now).
This adventure was so meaningful and intimate it inspired us to be move to be near the ones we love. France has that kind of effect on you. When you are there you live deliciously in the moment and understand what savoring means on a whole new level. Dave and I have also been in Southwest France and to the west in Brittany. Consistently across the board it is a beautiful, sensual country. The most striking quality I admire about life there is the passion for living well held closely to the heart by the French people. Their priorities are clear, food is the center of everything and the grand marker of time. They are the original farm to table culture and have been living this way for thousands of years. It’s easy to get swept away by the romance of the bucolic countryside, touring medieval villages, scouring flea markets and eating incredible food. What stayed with me the most has been the feeling of being grounded by the authentic details and love present in it all.
