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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

Exploring Italy | Nove

 

Last weekend we decided to finally head to Nove. Nove is a small town north of Vicenza. It’s known for the beautiful ceramics you can find there.

We went to the biggest ceramics shop in Nove, La Ceramica VBC.

I was told beforehand that it was amazing and overwhelming. And that I needed to prepare myself ahead of time so that I could focus.

But let’s just say that no amount of preparation could have stopped me from freaking the freak out.

As soon as we stepped through the doors, I started flapping my hands like a drunk chicken.

Jimmy actually stopped and tooked my pulse. He claimed I was hyperventilating. Hmmph. I claim he was exaggerating.

Or maybe not. I did swoon. That swoon might have come close to a faint.

Y’all. I cannot explain this experience. Hopefully the 23984028403 photos I took will somewhat accurately convey the store.

I.Wanted.EVERYTHING.

I got a full-on case of the greedies. You know. The voice screeching “I NEED”? The one that drowns out the resposible “I want”?? Yeah. It happened.

But thankfully cooler (Jimmy-shaped) heads prevailed.

VBC houses ceramics that you can find at Tiffany, William Sonoma, Lennox, Neiman Marcus, and more. Dana found her parent’s plates there. I spied Tiffany piggy banks that cost over 100 dollars in the US. At VBC? 15 euros.

We wandered. With our mouths wide open and our eyes popping out of our heads.

I had calmed myself sufficiently…until I came until this display.

Yes. Those are doily/lace dishes. The artists actually place lace on the dishes as they are making them.

At VBC, you receive a 10 percent discount for paying in cash.

Here’s what we ended up coming home with. All for just a little over 100 euro.

And my absolute FAVORITE:

So there you have it. The time Stephanie turned into a howling, screeching clapping monkey in the middle of a warehouse. Good times had by all.

xoxo

S

15 Minute Page

I’m up on the Gossamer Blue blog today with another 15 minute page!

For more info (including a supply list and how to make the page in 5 minute increments, head on over!

Tonight I’m having dinner with a group of girls and then tomorrow night we have a Masquerade Gala. I’m so excited!

What are you up to this fine weekend?

Buon Fine Settimana!

xoxo

S

wordless (ish?!?!?!) wednesday

Let me set the scene. Dana and I took Cate and Lucy to the piazza to meet a friend for lunch.

I went up to the counter to buy a cafe and turned around to see Dana frantically gesturing at the window. There were about 20 tourists outside waving at C and L and taking their photos.

I DIED LAUGHING.

Those two hams can draw a crowd anywhere they go. Seriously. Hahahahah! Just wish I could have snapped a picture when they were snapping THEIR photos. But I couldn’t get to my phone fast enough.

LOVE.

xoxo

S

Joy.

 I love this quote and believe in it with all of my heart. I am conscientiously choosing to be joyful each day…even if it’s really damn hard sometimes. Even if I have to work really hard at choosing happiness, I believe it’s really important!

I’ve certainly gotten sucked into the vortex of complaining and negativity. But you know what? It’s malignant. And exhausting. And I much prefer joy.

How about you? What do you choose?

xoxo

S

As We Speak…

Fighting a massive sinus infection. Can’t taste or smell a single thing.

Exploring close to home. Because of work, J can’t go far right now so we are trying to see what is in our neck of the woods. found this gem just minutes away.

Wishing there were more hours in the day. I’m back to feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Just.Can’t.Catch.Up.

Drinking endless lattes that my friend Grazia makes. So good. And only one euro per drink. And the coffee never tastes burnt. 🙂

Eating fritelle. The delicious fried treats are so unhealthy but so good. And everywhere right now since it’s carnevale!

Studying Italian. I’ve started my first class and I love it. It makes my brain hurt (it’s been a L O N G time since I was a student) but it’s awesome. And I can now say helpful things like Sono sempre confusa. I am always confused.

Listening to the Frozen soundtrack. On repeat. LET IT GOOOOOO.

Anticipating the Oh Joy for Target collection. It is marked on my calendar. And I have an American shopping liason. 🙂

Learning about Paris. We had to cancel our Valentine’s trip due to work stuff. We’ve rescheduled (in April) to celebrate our 11 year wedding anniversary…dreaming and scheming. And praying it works out.

Wearing yoga pants and my fuschia NorthFace fleece. No ‘ashion for me when it’s gray and depressing and cold. Comfort clothes for the win.

Missing Body Pump classes. Due to my new Italian class schedule, I can’t do Body Pump any more. And my body and brain miss it.

Holding on to the one day of sunshine we got. It was glorious.

Imagining our summer in my mind. Cinque Terre, Amalfi coast, Sardinia…and the imaginary list goes on and on and on.

Making pretty things using my Gossamer Blue kits.


xoxoxo

S