Venice - Day 4 //Murano

The day started with me taking a bike ride, like other days, but this time I went in the opposite direction. This time I decided to push my limits and explore. This quickly became my morning ritual, but on this day I had to turn around and head back to the hotel. It would be one of my last few days in Venice, and it was only right to spend it around the canals. Only once we arrived at the actual canals, a ferry to the small, colorful island of Murano was #1 on the itinerary. 

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Venice - Day 3 //Milan

Original goal: never be caught dead in the U.S. on my birthday ever again.

New goal: When traveling internationally, don't stick to exploring only one city during your stay.

What happened: I SPENT MY BIRTHDAY IN FREAKIN' MILAN!!!

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Venice - Day 2

As much as I love taking photos, I force myself to remember to be consciously present and in the moment. Yes, it'd be nice to have a physical photograph of every little thing, but my mental photographs have been doing a great job. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't be so busy taking the photo that you forget to look up and enjoy the visions before you. I make it my business to tuck my camera away only to wander off and enjoy whatever sights I can find. Even if that means stumbling into a church built in the 17th century or an 18th century cemetery. It's crazy how many times I've wandered off alone down a random street or into a small, dark shop just to take a peak. If it's morbid, looks creepy, or just plain scary, you'll find me there observing.

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Venice - Day 1

Let's also pretend that I haven't been back in town for well over a week, and that instead, I just touched down yesterday, and that I am bringing this post to you ASAP because I am just that dedicated. First things first. After an overnight flight, which I've become accustomed to with most international travel, we finally arrived at our family owned hotel in Quarto D'Altino, Italy. It was quaint, charming, and all the words that come to mind when "family owned" fits the bill. We were kind of in the middle of nowhere, but that was just fine because while waiting to check in I realized that the bikes parked right out front, were free. Yes, $free.99 is the best price and will always get my attention. This would turn out to be something to do on the mornings that we didn't run to town (and by town I mean take the 30+ minute ride into Santa Lucia/the Grand Venetian Canals) on the first train.

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Shop TheMoniqueMichelle

Hey guys, I told you I was releasing a soft launch of the Shop feature on my site, but I didn't mention all the new pieces I have available. Here's a chunk of newbies:

All orders go out within 2 days! What are you waiting for?!

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What to do... #WashingtonDC

Today proves that I found the perfect job. Not because of the work, but more so because of the likeminded people. One coworker is on the second leg of his Spain/Amsterdam vacation, one coworker flies out tomorrow to go to Switzerland for a couple weeks, another literally decided on a whim last friday that he's going to go to Germany this thursday, and today I fly out to Venice. Do I fit in or what?

As I work from home, which loosely translates to: START PACKING, you have a flight to catch this evening, I think about how going away is nice, but exploring your own city is just as good when there's no time, or money to get away. Every now and then I remind you that I am from Washington, DC. So there's your reminder. Born, raised, currently living here. I think it lives up to the title of the "Nations Capitol." We're a perfect mixture fast-paced and chill, and there is always something to do.

How about we start with exactly what I did when I recently had a guest that had never been to the city...

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That time I went to NYC on a whim...

EXCERPT: I had a long itinerary of things to do during my brief, few hour trip. The first item on my list was a quick brunch as soon as I got to the city. It should have only lasted about 2 hrs. Enough time to indulge in the quasi-unlimited mimosa's then head to Lincoln Center for some Fashion Week shots, Brooklyn for a solo dinner, and back to Manhattan to make my bus. Luckily, things didn't quite work out that way. Brunch resulted in my staying in New York well into the next day. Funny how life works. So I'd like to give a personal shoutout to my sister who unfortunately couldn't make the trip in short notice, and the friend who literally spoke to me several times since her invite, just never regarding whether or not she'd actually be able to go. 'Twas truly a blessing in disguise. 

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