Behind The Scenes of The Ueno Home Photo Shoot

Having recently gone through my first home photo shoot with Kristyna Archer, I can confidently say it was fun, challenging, exhausting, creative and rewarding.  On one hand, I am relieved it’s over.  On the other, I want to go back and savour the moments that were caught on camera.  Yes, I know.  For someone who doesn’t have an obsession a passion for interior design and photography, you may think I am nuts. And that’s totally fine.  But the mere fact that I was able to merge the design of my house with a professional photographer gave me a little slice of heaven.  And so, while I patiently wait for the images to be edited and perfected, I am here to share with you some of the behind the scenes I snapped with my iPhone.

The Flower Prep

Decorating WIth Flowers

Decorating With Flowers

The Staging

Kristyna Working Her Magic

Kristyna Archer

Kristyna Archer

Kristyna Archer

Kristyna Archer

The Mess That Nobody Talks About
(and this was a FRACTION of what the mess actually was throughout the day!)

The Portraits Slash Outtakes 

Rick Ueno

Ann Ueno

Rick Ueno

Ann Ueno

Rick and Ann Ueno

Italy’s Best Kept Secret: Livernano

 

There’s a good chance I may never get a moment like this again.  This moment where I sit outside in 74 degree temperature with a light breeze and the sun shining just enough rays onto my face and arms.  This moment where my feet are met with stoned grounds and my taste buds indulge in a chilled rose wine.  Where plants of fresh freesia surround me, smelling of a light, sweet perfume.  Where in my view, all I see are magnificent mountains of lush green trees, huge vineyards stacked with Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet grapes.  Olive trees.  So many olive trees. A fresh garden that is used daily to prepare the meals.  Basil.  Saffron.  Arugula.  Eggplant. Romaine.  Tomatoes.  Cucumbers.  Zucchini.  This moment where beautifully designed villas made of gray and white and olive colored rocks create an estate that you only see in the movies.

This moment, with Rick, is in Tuscany, in the Chianti region on a piece of land called Livernano, at The Hotel Livernano.

It’s the moment on vacation where Rick and I look at each other and ask ourselves how the heck we got here and immediately start to plan for our next adventure back. (We decided on 2015 for our 5-year wedding anniversary to renew our vows with our closest friends and family.)

Three-and-a-half hours from Florence by choice.  We could have taken one of the main roads to get here in an hour.  But, since we rented a charcoal gray stick-shift Fiat, we felt compelled to seek the adventure, get lost.  And that, we did.  When your iPhone dies and your Blackberry doesn’t work and you are driving up and down winding roads that are maybe the width of a couch in the midst of vineyards and trees and not amidst any human beings, that’s the moment you know it’s going to be worth it.  And it was.  And we miraculously made it.  Without one fight or argument during the whole route.  We agreed on that at the start of the journey.  No fighting allowed.  If we get lost, we get lost.  If one of us is to blame, oh well.  This is the beauty of traveling, right?!

Welcomed with a glass of chilled Rose and a loud “Bonjourno Mr. and Mrs. Ueno!” I silently thanked God for this part of our trip in Italy.  As Rick and I rested before dinner (there is a prix fixe menu each night at the villa restaurant that you choose earlier in the day), we had the pleasure of meeting the owners, Bob and Gudrun Cuillo.  Bob is one of Rick’s boss’s closest friends and is actually considered more family than friend and deemed a “character.”  Character, he was.

We ended up sitting with Bob and Gudrun for hours, breaking bread and drinking wine together.  We learned about their life.  Their wine business.  Their car dealership businesses. Their dogs.  Their millions of dollars made, and lost (but clearly they came out on top). Their marriage.  How they met.  Their challenges.  We ate and drank until late in the evening, hours after the sun had set.  We said goodbye.  And they invited us to their home for the following day.  To give us a private experience educating us on how the wine is made.  Blog post on that soon 🙂

I leave you how I started.  With the wind blowing scents of freesia and the mountains covering the land.  Italian words echoing from the kitchen.  Chilled sparking wine that tasted like the best glass of sparkling wine you ever drank.  Under the Tuscan sun.  In one of the most beautiful places I have been.  Livernano.  If you get the opportunity and want to experience something incredibly beautiful and unique and delicious, go to Livernano and stay at Hotel Livernano.  And as an extra bonus, try to meet Bob and Gudrun.

Photo of the Day: Italian Grapes

Cin cin!

Friday Feature: Florence, Italy

Florence.  One of the most touristy cities of Italy, but completely warranted and understandably so.  Holding the capital title in Tuscany and considered the birthplace of The Renaissance,  Florence is rich in history and is deemed one of the most beautiful cities in the world by Forbes.  I wholeheartedly agree.  And you will too if you go or if you have been.  Many people asked me what day trips I would take from Florence.  None.  I actually think there is so much to see and do in Florence that I would wonder why anyone would want to leave the city for the day.

Tiny, cobblestone streets that barely fit a Mini Cooper yet are jammed with people, bikes, outdoor cafes and Vespas zipping by.  Food that is what you imagine and hope Italian food to be.  Fresh pastas covered lightly in olive oil, tomatoes and basil.  Steak Florentine that would potentially convert a vegetarian.  Creamy, dark chocolate and pistachio flavored gelato that you dream about over and over again.  A city you can walk and walk and bump into leather markets and farmers markets and piazzas and pizzerias.  Shoe boutiques, paperies, clothing stores. Florence is one of the reasons I love Italy so much and when I come back, Florence will be one of my stops.  Until then, let me take you through a few highlights of our time in Firenze!

The hotel.  We had booked three nights at the Hotel Brunellleschi and upon arrival, they were oversold and had to send us to The Grand Hotel Villa Cora, a five-star resort about 10 minutes from the city center of Florence by car.  Disappointed we were.  Until we arrived.  It was a beautiful oasis you only see in the movies.  Seriously.  The design of this mansion had me running around shooting every possible 19th century chair and landscape I possibly could.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel stay, want to splurge and be a bit away from the hustle and bustle of Florence (especially during peak season where there are so many tourists everywhere!), I would highly recommend this hotel.

The food.  Yes, I know, really surprising that I blog about the Italian food from our travel.s

1.   Le Pool Bistrot at The Grand Hotel Villa Cora.  The first night we were there, we didn’t want to leave the property as it was so wonderful.  And the menu here looked creative and unique so we went for it.  I wouldn’t recommend making a trip to this restaurant, but, if you are staying at the hotel, definitely experience it.  It was worth it!
2. We had a quick drink and aperitif at The Golden View Open Bar which overlooks The Ponte Vecchio bridge and offers really nice views, especially at sunset.  Slightly touristy, but I would recommend it for a drink before dinner.
3. We experienced two really traditional Osteria’s of which both I would recommend.  Boccanegra and Osteria Cipolla Rossa.  Go and go.
4. For lunches, we honestly stumbled into places and of course, every single place was amazing.  Do the same.
5. Last, I LOVED the gelato at a gelateria called Bellamia.  But, I won’t say it was the best that Italy has to offer.  Why?  Because in my experience, every single serving of the ice-cold creamed yuminess was amazing.  This one just stood out for me.

Shopping.  I did the most damage here.  The shoe outlet store by Hotel Brunelleschi (we ended up there for our last night). The leather market where I became friends with Lorenzo and plunged into love for a black, form-fitting leather jacket.  The jewelry store near the train station.  The paperies.  The markets on the Piazza Repubblica.  The list goes on.  As does my credit card bill.

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the main church of Florence.  You will most often hear it be called Il Duomo.  Seeing this amazing church 15 years ago was breathtaking.  And it was as breathtaking, if not more, today.  It’s one of the main tourist attractions in Florence and you honestly see it from almost every single place you are walking, eating, sitting, shopping.  I personally think the outside is more beautiful than the inside.  However, I still recommend doing the tour inside.  And this time, inside, I lit a candle.  I lit a candle and stopped and released all thoughts into a few quiet moments in this beautiful church.  I stopped to pray for the women in my bible study.  That they would all experience becoming mothers to healthy babies.  And I prayed for all women out there that have struggled with loss and confusion and pain while trying to have a baby.  I will always remember Il Duomo in Florence for that very moment.

Last, I just am in love with the beauty of Florence.  At every single turn, there is a moment, a plate of food, a historical element that must be captured with the lens.  It’s filled with the lovely sound of Italian voices and the smells of the most delicious pizza and pasta you will eat.  Ahhh, Florence.  Thank you for your hospitality, for making my jeans a bit tighter and my smile a little wider.

{Photography Credit: All images in this post are my own.  Please give credit where credit is deserved 🙂  Grazie!}

Photo of the Day: Reflection of Rome

As I glance through the hundreds of pictures that we have taken, this one is a stand out. First, it’s completely unedited. Second, it’s in a beautiful locale in Rome, right on the Tiber river where Rick and I walked and walked after dinner on one of our last nights in this magical, historical city. Last, I just love the literal reflection and the symbolism here. When I travel, reflection is much of what I do. Reflecting on the past, reflecting on the fresh, sweet basil I just enjoyed, reflecting on the new people that have come into my life. Reflecting on the glory of God and the grace He has bestowed. Reflecting on the simple, yet profound art of travel and the richness it brings into the lives of millions of people each day. Therfore, this shot is appropriately named Reflection of Rome.