Tag: tivoli

Wedding Planning: What’s a budget?

So I think I’m going to spontaneously combust.

Not because I want to, but that’s just how I feel after trying to calculate a budget for this wedding. Because it seems to have mysteriously doubled overnight without my permission.

And yes, it was our decision to have a destination ceremony and reception. And yes, it was ultimately our decision to invite 100 people – this is still debatable though because parental influence plays a huge roll on the family invite list.

And yes, there are many other things that, in the end, are our decision.

That doesn’t change the fact that I want to spontaneously combust.

I’m not having a bridezilla moment…
I’m just having a ‘life crisis, I’m broke ass’ moment.

And it’s really stressful. Especially when you’re trying to crunch numbers and you think you’re doing a decent job at saving and budgeting, but then more things pop up that you forgot to consider. Like the church donation. Or, photo permits. Or, transportation. Or, even something as simple as a guest book and seating chart.

Every little thing costs.
And then on top of that, for bae and me, every other little thing needs to be converted to Euros.
And the Euro sucks right now. Major suckage.

Wallet: Valentino

Is this something we should have really planned for?
Yes.
Could we have started saving for this a long time ago? Like even before our engagement?
Yes.
Are there areas we can cut costs?
Most definitely, yes.

But a lot of things in life that happen are unforeseen.

Sometimes you just really aren’t prepared.
Period.

Kind of like studying for an exam. Whether you’ve studied a full week, or crammed the night before, you can still walk into that exam room, read the first question and your mind just goes blank. And no matter how hard you try, you really can’t remember any sh*t you studied, for the life of you.

So how am I coping?
To be honest, I really have no idea. I’m just taking things day by day. And trying to check things off my list as they come.

I’m usually great at saving and setting affordable goals, but this wedding was something that started off small and kind of exploded. And now it’s at a number that scares me.

But I know we can do it. We’ll be okay.

And yes, the next couple of months are going to be all about the hustle. Or praying we win the lottery. Because realistically, this wedding is more than we can afford, but we’re going to get’er done. It’s something we both want and we’re all about the positive vibes right now. And I’m positively certain we’ll win the lottery jackpot before the wedding. Might as well try to put that out there to the universe.

At the end of the day, money comes and goes. Obviously, it’s preferable that we have money… and lots of it, but if this wedding is costing more than we thought, then we’ll just have to work 10 times harder. Whether it’s in the next couple of months, or the next couple of years after our wedding. We know there will be times when we’ll have an abundance of income. And times when we may be strapped for cash.

C’est la vie.

This is in no way shape or form my life advice for the world. These are my thoughts for my life and what works for me and how I’m choosing to go about things.
Is it ideal? Maybe not.

Though, you only have one life.
So, really… what’s a budget?

xo
Stephanie

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May 27, 2018
Wedding Planning: The Beginning

It’s official!

I’m getting married!

This may be old news to some, but I think it’s the first time I’m officially posting about it. I just didn’t want to mention anything until we confirmed our date and planning has begun.

That being said…

Today marks 1 year to the day that bae got down on one knee and proposed! And I kid you not when I say our experience was exactly how it you would see it in the movies.

Everything fell into place perfectly… except maybe my outfit. Though I wouldn’t dare change a thing… Future post to come about our engagement story and I’ll divulge all the deets.

Anywho…
For a while I was living off the engagement high. Re-telling the story until people were sick of hearing it. Flashing my ring until I was all bling-ed out… which I’m still not and don’t think I’ll ever be.

And then the questions started.
Do you know when you’re getting married? Have you picked a date? Do you know where? Have you gone dress shopping? Bridal Party? Church? Venue? Flowers? Photographer?… blah blah blah.

People. Can a person go through one month of enjoying their engagement without being bombarded?
The answer is no.
But I tried to do it anyways.

And it wasn’t until last December that we selected and finalized our date.
And then I realized it was less than 8 months away.
And cue panic.

As a student, I may have been a bit of a procrastinator. I remember starting essays the day before they were due and pulling all nighters. Totally a bad habit to develop, but sometimes it happens.
Though, it would also put me in the zone and once I get started on something and my mind is focused, I do not like to be interrupted. It puts me in work mode. And I always get the job done.

Same goes for this wedding. It is the beginning of May and right now my mind is on wedding mode and there are no time for distractions. So, sorry life, but you’re going to have to take a break… and please don’t throw any more drama my way. Ain’t nobody got time for that!!

Bae and I are having a destination wedding and so we took a trip to Italy last month. Mostly to secure our date and to meet with the caterer and see some venues and churches to confirm we could, indeed, get married this year.
Once we got the green light from everybody, it’s been go go go.

Operation: Tivoli Wedding – is now in full swing.

Though, let me tell you, it is not an easy ride.

We thought we were on the right track. We started the year meeting with the Italian Consulate and making sure we knew exactly what we needed for our civil paper work. And since we are having a Catholic Church ceremony, we needed to get the religious paper work in order as well.

So we began the process.
Signed up for our Marriage classes. Started gathering our marriage searches and translated birth certificates.
Thinking we were on the right path and ready to send our papers over to Italy, we find out we were missing a big chunk of requirements that needed to be sent to the Canadian Embassy in Rome. Which was basically where we just came back from a 2 week trip.

Then the snowball effect.
Thinking we could go ahead with our religious documents, we find out from the priest, they have begun restoration on the front of the church. Aka – scaffolds.
Okay, well I can at least get the invitations started, right?
Oh no, wait. I can’t. Because the caterer and his assistant still haven’t gotten back to us with the pricing. So we haven’t selected our venue. Which means, we can’t do our invitations.
And I can’t budget for a photographer or anything else, if I don’t have a rough estimate of what the venue and food will cost me.

But at least I’ll have fun dress shopping and going to my fittings?
Oh, that’s right. I don’t have a dress yet.

Because did I also mention I can’t try on my wedding dress until my wedding day?

Thanks to my mum and her lovely superstitions, I’m not allowed to try or even touch, my wedding dress until the day I get married.
I’ll let you process that for a moment. And I will write a blog post totally dedicated to my dress shopping experience.

So, to say I’m stressing, is to say the least.
I can feel the grey hairs sprouting. And I can feel the chocolate settling into my thighs, but I know everything will work out.

I am sending that out in to the universe.
Please universe. Be kind. I know Mercury has been in retrograde and will be going back, but please, let this be the worst part of planning and help us get back on track.

And if you can add a couple more zeros to the end of my bank account that would also be most appreciated.

Thank you.

xo
Stephanie

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For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @s_pasquali!

May 11, 2018
Hiking to the Heavens

I’m not one for camping, but I don’t mind going on a nature hike every once in a while. Especially when the views are gorgeous, it’s totally worth the climb.

Now, in Tivoli, there’s a cross that sits on top of a hill that overlooks the town. And I always see it from the train station, but never thought it was reachable. Until one year I went hiking up that trail with my dad and bae. We took a wrong turn and didn’t end up at the top, but after seeing the view, I told myself that next time I’m getting all the way to the cross.

And that I did.

It’s quite the hike since I’m no mountain climber and definitely wasn’t wearing the right shoes (bad moment to break in my new Keds!), but after following the marked path, we reached the croce.

Happy with my accomplishment, it was nice to sit down and soak it all in. There was something humbling about the experience because sitting below the cross were a bunch of papers with hand-written prayer intentions. It made me feel almost connected to those people because even though their home is halfway across the world from mine, we’re all still human and experience the same feelings of life, love and loss.

prayers from Tivoli

prayers from Tivoli

As bae was off shooting a music video with my brother-in-law, it gave me time to take some photos and really appreciate the scenery in front of me. And I don’t know if I was just on a vacation high, or reading some of the prayers, but I swear I had an epiphany. There’s something about being away from home and engulfing myself in a different culture that allows me time to reflect and be stress free, just for a moment.

The past year has been a little difficult for me. Especially from last summer to the first couple of months of 2017. I lost my grandmother and pet chinchilla within 2 months of each other last year. My grandmother had been living with my family on and off since I was about 5. And my chinchilla was my first pet that I had for almost 10 years. So it was really hard to cope, but I had to push through those feelings because there were so many other things happening around me that I didn’t have time to pause and actually mourn.

So I put it aside. I focused on other things like work, because I was hopeful and holding out for a position that I thought I was a candidate for. After months of being told to be patient, and applying and going through the interviewing process two separate times, I didn’t get it.

And that crushed me.

I was so overwhelmed with disappointment that all those feelings I bottled up were starting to surface and I broke.

I desperately needed to get away. I needed a break. So I was counting the days until my trip. And it really helped. Plus, something major happened on this trip that I’ll go into more details in future posts, but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to travel and refresh my mind. And being at the top of Tivoli looking down made me realize I am so small in this world. I can’t wait or count on others to tell me my worth. I have to do it for myself. Appreciate myself. Believe in myself and what I want to accomplish in this life. It’s not going to come easy. I have to work for what I want. Maybe harder than others, but I don’t want to waste anymore time. I don’t want to be stuck in a place just going through the motions. I want to start living my best life, so I can experience more moments like I did climbing to the top of that cross.

The pictures don’t really do it justice, but here are some of the photos I took looking down upon Tivoli.

xo

Stephanie

Tivoli

Tivoli

August 13, 2017
A Sucker for Sunsets

There’s something about a sunset that’s so calming and peaceful. Watching the way the blue sky changes colours within seconds. Blending and intertwining with one another without separation as if they all fit together perfectly. So picturesque.

Though, what I love most about a sunset is the moment the sun touches the horizon. It makes me think it’s something attainable. That if I were to quickly run to the ends of the earth, I’d be able to reach out and feel it with just the tip of my finger… but then I remember that’s impossible because the earth is round. And the earth and sun are in space. And space is infinite. Which freaks the crap out of me. Because how that is possible?!… No? Only me having those thoughts? Anyways!

So I stop thinking about it and come back down to earth.

One of my favourite places to see the sun set in Tivoli is at the Panoramica. Just at the top of these 75 steps from my dad’s house, it’s a long walkway covered by trees to one side, but the other side overlooks all the towns below since Tivoli sits on top of a hill.

And so, watching the sun set here is something I always look forward to. It gives me a moment to pause whatever I’m doing or, wherever I’m going, and just admire.

Here are some of the moments I caught from my most recent trip.

xo

Stephanie

La Panoramica

Sunset in Tivoli

Sunset in Tivoli

Sunset in Tivoli

July 2, 2017
Home Away From Home

I grew up with the privilege of having travel bugs for parents. We haven’t been all over the world, but I’ve been lucky enough to have visited some amazing cities and experience different cultures.

Though, one place that will always be a second home to me is my father’s hometown of Tivoli. He was the only one of his family to have moved abroad and so we go back to visit when we can.

Situated just east of Rome, it’s a lovely town that sits on top of a hill filled, with ancient history, picturesque views and a lively community. Plus, the gelato at every corner is a total bonus!

Here are some moments from my recent visit. Enjoy!

xo
Stephanie

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

Tivoli

*Note: All photos were taken by me and mostly captured during the early mornings.

June 25, 2017
Less Is More

I have been itching to travel.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been some place new. Last I was on a plane I was headed to Vegas and LA just over a year ago.. As much as I love trips to Cali, I’m in need of some fresh and inspiring scenery.

I blame my parents. They gave me the travel bug. And I’m pretty sure once you catch it, it’s not curable. My family has always been one to go on trips because my dad’s family lives in Italy. He’s the only one that moved abroad. So, every few years we’d go and visit and tour the country. It’s a gorgeous country. I’ve been privileged to experience it. Some may even call me spoiled because of it, but I don’t think so. It’s a second home.

I remember staying at my nonna’s with a friend when I was 17. It was our first time travelling without our parents. My cousins were there and we were arguing over who would do the dishes. I said my friend would do it, and my cousin said no, because she’s a guest. So I said, “well I’m a guest too!” and he said, “no. You live here.”
For some reason that was very comforting to hear.

It’s a totally different lifestyle in Europe. Way more relaxed and a less stressful. Maybe I think this way because I haven’t stayed for more than a month at a time, but the people seem to be more laid back and free spirited.
And I’m in need of a refreshment.
Less wifi, more history. Less PVR, more art. Less worrying about work, more exploring different cultures. Less worrying about weight, more eating delicious food. Mmmm gelato.

Tivoli, Italy

My boyfriend has this tradition on New Year’s Eve, where you pack a bag with your important belongings and at the stroke of midnight you run out the doors and go as far as you can. It’s supposed to signify many travels ahead for the new year.

So come on 2017. Let’s go explore.

xo
Stephanie

January 13, 2017