We’ve been back from our trip for two weeks now and it’s good to be home, and to have moved into our own place at the weekend. But I’m still dreaming about some of the amazing hotels we were lucky enough to stay in while we were away. One of my favourites was The Thompson in Chicago. This hotel’s comfortable, luxurious, stylish decor made us not want to leave!
It’s gorgeous, don’t you agree?
Nothing about it felt like that cookie cutter kind of hotel decor. While the lobby was amazing, our room didn’t disappoint at all, showing that the same care had been taken with the guest rooms as the communal areas.
As you read this, I will have already left Australian shores as my six-month adventure with my husband Damian begins! The last couple of weeks have been full on, with lots to organise, two weddings of dear friends, a very early morning trip to the flower markets (wedding-related), many farewell meals and some very last-minute packing. I imagine the reality of this trip will only really sink in as I sit on the plane and enjoy a little enforced relaxation!
Me in Venice, somewhere we hope to return to
First stop is Singapore (you have to break up that killer journey somehow!) for two nights, followed by a week in Italy (you may remember I won this trip to Tuscany and Rome last year as part of a blogger promo with De’Longhi) and then onto the Motherland, the UK. Then before we know it we’ll be off to Italy again, as I attend EuroCucina and Salone del Mobile (thanks to sponsorship from Freedom Kitchens). The rest of our trip is TBA but will include trips to as many European destinations as we can afford and fit in around working, as well as all of June in the States. We will bounce back and forth from my relatives’ homes in London and the Wiltshire countryside. Having family happy to take us in makes this trip infinitely more doable, as does being able to work from anywhere with an internet connection!
As far as you’re concerned, this blog should be business as usual, with my editorial assistant Olivia Shead (based in Sydney) and I (based in hotel rooms, cafes and quite possibly Apple Stores and Starbucks with free wi-fi) bringing you all the usual Aussie content as well as some exciting European extras, videos, reviews and interviews. You can find all the content from my travels in the new, dedicated Addict Abroad section. Please continue to email me as usual and I’ll forward it, if appropriate, to Olivia, who will also be attending events in my absence.
My trusty MacBook Pro is about to get even more battered!
Look out for heaps of photos on Instagram, of course!
For more on why we’re going away, read this post. I’d love to hear your recommendations of must-visit European destinations or design and interiors treasures in NYC, San Fran, Chicago, Boston or Vancouver. Please comment below.
Australian soft furnishings brand Bandhini Homewear Designs is seeing fantastic success in the American retail market, now being stocked by big name stores Neiman Marcus and Crate&Barrel.
The range stocked at Neiman Marcus
Sharm Schaffler, BHD’s USA director, says: “The response has been great and not only do the Americans love to deal with Australians, they most importantly find BHD’s Australian designs a refreshing, unique asset to their stores.”
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