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Chic Places


Sunday at the Village
Seeing the Tuscan countryside has been a dream of mine for quite some time. I've lived in Verona, visited the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, and Milan, and nowhere else in Italy quite captures the essence of Tuscany. So following our stay in the ultra-chic Forte dei Marmi, my mother and I spent the majority of our trip nestled into the hills under the Tuscan sun. In researching the trip, I stumbled upon so many quaint villages and extraordinary restaurants. But this festive lunch w

Monica Simanovsky
Oct 112 min read


Forte dei Marmi: Italy's Secret Beach
Discover Forte dei Marmi, the elegant Italian beach town where Milan's fashionable families retreat. A complete guide to hotels, bagno beach clubs, restaurants, and shopping—plus why it's the Hamptons of Italy

Monica Simanovsky
Oct 46 min read


City Guide:Carmel by the Sea
"Discover Carmel by the Sea through a therapist's eyes. From Cypress Inn to La Bicyclette, the hotels, restaurants, and hidden moments that make this coastal town unforgettable."

Monica Simanovsky
Aug 306 min read


A love letter to Carmel by the Sea
Turning 37 in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Why this charming coastal town became the Nancy Meyers escape I didn't know I needed—a personal essay on permission, family, and slowing down.

Monica Simanovsky
Aug 165 min read


El Olivo, Mallorca: How I Scored the Reservation
The story behind the hardest reservation in Mallorca — and how persistence, kindness, and a bouquet of flowers got us a table at El Olivo.

Monica Simanovsky
Aug 25 min read


I Don't Want to Sightsee. I Want to I Don't Want to Sightsee. I Want to Bask.
A Mallorca hotel guide from a therapist who travels to feel, not to sightsee — Hotel Cort in Palma, maximalist Grand Hotel Son Net, the possessió charm of Hotel Es Port in Port de Sóller, and Belmond La Residencia in Deià, and the version of myself each one made possible.

Monica Simanovsky
Jul 196 min read


Living > Lifemaxxing
This outfit was a dream because I actually did dream of it. Meant for another evening with another backlit backdrop per slide 4 on my Canva-made Mallorcan itinerary, I was supposed to wear this sparkly see-through number on the swanky rooftop bar of Hotel Jumeirah. However, to avoid a hike up the hillside and a meltdown from my five-year-old, we settled on a well-reviewed paella spot along the pedestrian pathway, savoring the golden hour with gelato afterwards, my extended ar

Monica Simanovsky
Jul 124 min read


The Art of the Day Trip
Travel truly reinvigorates us, and despite my penchant for finding the most storied and beautiful places around the world, most of what I am looking for actually exists less than two hours away. Short excursions are an underrated luxury I find as I scroll through Instagram, my eyes dazzled by yet another glamorous beach off the rugged coastline of Italy with the promise of the best linguine alla vongole you’ve ever had. And while I might sound like a complete and total hypocr

Monica Simanovsky
May 313 min read


Clementine, Yountville Napa Valley
We found a truly feminine countryside retreat in the Napa Valley! Located right across the street from Bouchon on Yountville's main road, sits one of the newest editions to the valley's high bar for hospitality. I felt like I was on set of a Nancy Meyers film about a feminine girl finding love in wine country! The design is whimsical and feminine, a nice addition to the typical earthy and refined palletes we are most accustomed to seeing in the Napa Valley region. I loved how

Monica Simanovsky
Apr 161 min read


Yountville, Napa Valley
Yountville is officially my favorite place in the Napa Valley! I have been to Napa twice before, both times the main purpose being a wedding and so didn't really get the chance to explore much. So when Parker's spring break came around I figured the drive north into wine country would be an esay retreat and I am happy to report it truly was. Since Arthur has been busy with work, my mother and I decided to take Parker ourselves to Napa Valley, to explore the charming town of Y

Monica Simanovsky
Apr 35 min read


Salon Salon Nola
A place so nice, I had to go twice. The was hands down my favorite spot in New Orleans. It felt moody and maximalist, a bit of Paris and NYC meets the south. The space was beyond colorful, bold and warm, which is what I love. They had an easy menu of elevated snacks and craft cocktails, the staff were extremely welcoming and the space was a perfect size for a cozy lounge; not just a hotel bar which can often feel cramped and oversold. Some detail shots of the fabulous Salon S

Monica Simanovsky
Feb 201 min read


The Celestine, New Orleans
Yes. We stayed in the French Quarter. And loved it. A good friend's wedding brought both Arthur and I to New Orleans for the very first time I couldn't have been more excited; planning this trip (and all trips) is always half the fun. Whenever I'm looking for somewhere to stay I ask myself two questions; 1. How close is it to all the places I've pinned on my saved google map (which, yes, I do for every city I travel)? 2. Will it instantly transport me to the place I'm in? Ne

Monica Simanovsky
Feb 23 min read


Montecito for my Birthday
How I spent my 36th birthday in Montecito, California

Monica Simanovsky
Aug 19, 20253 min read


Sunset Boat Charter, Lake Como
Golden hour focaccia pizzas and Prosecco in my colorful new coupes, on a boat, feeling like an Italian movie star… A highlight of our trip to say the least. An evening boat ride is a must on Lake Como. I can’t tell you how much fun we all had with our local snacks and sips, enjoying a very comfortable ride along the lake seeing villas, colorful towns and glittering waves! Lake Como by Boat Lake Como is a huge wishbone shaped landmark in northern Italy, just below the Swiss bo

Monica Simanovsky
Jul 16, 20252 min read


Glamour on the Lake at Passalacqua, Lake Como
The promise of magic, is how I got Parker to wear the cute little Italian loafers I earnestly purchased for him, praying he would consider swapping out his Nike’s for one extra elevated evening on the lake… And fortunately the magic worked. Parker totally bought in with the heavy handed clue ChatGBT and I carefully constructed and instantly put on the loafers as we pulled into the narrow, almost hidden driveway at Passalacqua. For anyone who isn’t already aquatinted via Vogue

Monica Simanovsky
Jul 14, 20253 min read


Our Stay in Varenna, Lake Como, Italy
I’ll be honest, the lake life has never quite done it for me. Yes, of course lakes are stunning, especially with soaring mountain ranges behind them quite like many of the lakeside retreats not far from Los Angeles in Tahoe, Mammoth and even Big Bear. However, Lake Como I must add is quite incomparable to those locales, even it’s neighboring Lago di Garda, a place I spent much time at when I lived in nearby Verona. Lake Como or Lago di Como as the Italians say, is absolutely

Monica Simanovsky
Jul 10, 20255 min read



Monica Simanovsky
Jul 5, 20250 min read


My Morning in Milano and Milano Mini Guide
I’d been to Milan a few times when lived in Verona about 15 years ago, but back then my main focus was nightclubs, fast fashion and sightseeing as one would expect at age 20. We often traveled to Milan because the two airports had more direct flights to other European cities than Verona so it mainly served as a nearby port to other more worthwhile destinations. However, as I have gotten older I’ve realized Milan is essentially the only Italian city I’d ever consider living in

Monica Simanovsky
Jul 3, 20256 min read


Packing for Our Italian Villeggiatura!
My family and I just got back from our summer in Italy trip and I couldn’t be more excited! This was the first time we brought Parker on an international trip and also my first time back to Verona, the charming Italian city I studied abroad in while in college. After months of planning I am so excited to finally start this vacation, first with a little travel post including all the things I am packing for our villeggiatura in Italy! Enjoy! Outfits for Italia Rent the Runway

Monica Simanovsky
Jun 30, 20254 min read


Miami Monica, Resort Looks for the Weekend
Shop Miami Monica

Monica Simanovsky
Mar 28, 20251 min read
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