As I promised last week, in the hope of inspiring those who have decided not to take vacations this year, the series “Staycation in Style” starts today and it’ll run for the week.  There are so many things we take for granted and sometimes we forget all the wonderful things we can do to have fun without having to spend a serious amount of money on getaway vacations.  I’m more than happy with my blogger friends who accepted to be a part of this series and one of them is Ada from Classiq.  Her more than inspiring blog has quickly become one of my favorites to visit for its great content and stunning images.  Every time I go into her blog I can relate to her wonderful taste and get inspired by her posts.  I knew she was going to deliver beautiful images accompanied with fantastic ideas of how to “Staycation in Style“.  Thank you Ada for accepting to be a part of this series. 

Hello, everyone! This is Ada from Classiq. I am so happy and honoured to be here on Belle Vivir today, while Julie is spending some quality time with her family, to share my favourite things to do when not leaving on vacation.  As much as I love traveling, I also very much enjoy taking advantage of all the little pleasures summer has to offer when not going away.

Reading. I love books, but as unfortunately I don’t have as much time as I wished for reading, whenever I have a few days off I like stocking up on and getting lost in magazines, old and new, novels, fashion and movie books. There are so many beautiful words, memorable quotes and breathtaking images tucked within their pages that I find myself constantly interrupting my reading to write them down, hence a notebook is always at hand.

Visiting my parents. Every summer I like taking a few days off to spend them with my parents. Shopping, taking short trips, cooking delights (home-made jam, the best in the whole world), wine, Turkish coffee (again, the best in the whole world), gardening, talking our hearts out: I always leave with a big smile on my face and with my batteries fully charged.

Picnic in the park. How long has it been since you walked barefoot in the grass? It’s such a blissful feeling, very few others compared to it. I don’t have to wait for the weekend to enjoy it. It’s so much more exciting taking the afternoon off and heading to the park with a book and iced coffee. Gelato is in order too.

Classic movies. Nothing relaxes me more than a low-key night at home, cuddling on the sofa with my hubby and watching an old movie. I’m completely transposed into the story, thinking of nothing else. We’re now in an European-directors phase: François Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, Claude Sautet, Curtis Bernhardt. Were we to have a house with a backyard our home design would most definitely involve a big screen and a film projector.

Explore the city. You may think you know it and that it has nothing else to offer, but dare to discover it over and over again. And the best time to do it is in the summer, when it empties out. I’m always surprised to find out how many exciting and interesting things are happening every single day: a new play, an outdoor concert, an art exhibition, flower markets, boutiques and bookstores with little treasures hidden inside, waiting to make their way to my home.

Cooking. A favourite weekend activity. Every weekend I’m experimenting my culinary skills on a new recipe. My latest success: pasta with ricotta and spinach. And cooking in two can be so romantic.

Brunch or coffee with my best friend. Talking and talking and talking (the topics are endless) and laughing in between, time really flies when we get together. Two hours seem like no more than 10 minutes.

A favourite spot. A favourite spot in the whole city where you feel completely free, where you can go any day, any time you want to unwind and just have a moment with yourself. It can be on a terrace on the rooftop of a building, a bench in the park, the driving seat of your car or the intimacy of your living-room. I have two: my favourite café and my home studio (whenever I’m not working).

Al fresco dining. A beautiful summer evening, a romantic dinner or meeting up with friends (people relax and inspire me imensely) and I’m sure it’s going to be a long, long night, with truly unforgettable moments (and very loud ones if the party is for more than two).

Spontaneous day-trips. Waking up early in the morning sunlight and realising it’s going to be a glorious summer day…on a clear day you can see forever… And what springs into my mind is a one-day trip. Aren’t these the best? To the seaside or in the mountains (I’m lucky it’s a 2-3 hour drive to either direction). My photo camera is a permanent companion.

Decorating. Or better said, re-decorating and hand-making all kinds of decorative objects (I’m like a little child playing with his toys) to add new flavour to my home. Right now I’m thinking of decorating part of one of the hallway walls with framed pictures, the most beautiful ones I’ve taken.
Thank you for having me over, Julie. It’s been a pleasure.

Right now we are driving to Columbus, Ohio, yes driving, I would take any short cut (hypothetically speaking) in order to not get on an airplane.  After 9/11 I’m terrified of flying.  Anyhow, I’m very happy and excited that Lucas, Jennifer my niece, and I are going to spend two weeks with my in-laws whom I truly adore.  My hubby who is more than sweet to drive us all the way there will fly back.  We woke up at 3:30AM and left home at 4:30AM in order to take advantage of the morning hours that seem to fly away faster than the afternoon ones.  Unlike everyone else on board I really enjoy days like today because I’m a morning person.  I love to wake up early in the morning listen to the birds singing and watch the sun rise.  I’m even more happy and grateful to my beautiful blogger friends who are going to run a series by guest-blogging here in Belle Vivir.  Without your help it wouldn’t be possible for me to spend quality time with my in-laws.  These five talented ladies have excellent taste and always have the most breath taking, beautiful images in their blogs.  I couldn’t be happier.  I really appreciate it.  Next week I’ll reveal their names and blogs.  The series will be called
“Staycation in Style” where they’ll share with us what they do when not going away in order to renew and to get inspired.  Since our trip to Ohio is not really a vacation, I’ll make sure I do some of those things with my mother in law and niece whilyst away.