I’ve been to Venice twice.  The first time I stayed at Hotel Danieli in a beautiful blue and gold room overlooking a small canal.  The Gondoliers sang as they passed by my window.  Good thing it was a nice room, because I spent almost all of my several days in Venice in it and in bed.

I was sick in Venice.  It wasn’t because of the sewage in the water, the dampness, the warm air.  It was the summer flu — vicious and untimely.  My only memories of the trip are walking in Piazza San Marco for about two minutes, and weakly eating one dinner at a small restaurant tucked away on a side street.   I never lingered on the piazza in a misty light, with a cup of coffee, listening to the gulls.  My husband saw the sights on his own and reported back to me each day.  I studied the blue and gold wall paper, and watched the sun make light and shadows across the elegant room. And I slept.

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As I continue to clean up my act and my makeup too, here are some tips and books and fun things to ponder and play with.  (And, as we approach the holidays, any of these products mentioned would be great stocking stuffers for the sweet women in your life).

This is an interesting video about all the toxic stuff we slather on our faces and bodies:

These are some good books on the topic of safe cosmetics:

No More Dirty Looks by Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt — These two lovely women explore the cosmetic industry.  Lots of good information and tips.

Not Just Another Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan — Information about specific toxic ingredients, and a look at the cosmetic and beauty industry as a whole.  Informative tidbits and more about specific companies.  Interesting fact:  Weleda is the largest consumer of Organic Rose Oil.  An interesting piece on the history of Dr. Bronner’s Soap — even though it purported to be all natural (and currently is), that wasn’t always the case.

The Truth About Beauty By Kat James (a long time favorite) — lots of ideas for living in a healthy and holistic way.

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I am several weeks into my forty day yoga challenge, but I’ve pretty much lost count because I am having so much fun.  At first I had a hard time finding podcasts to guide me — I need that extra guidance and there is no yoga studio nearby.  I tried iTunes, and there are a couple of good (and free) podcasts there, but then I found yogadownload.com.  Also a friend turned me onto to yogaglo.com (love, love). Lots of great podcasts and videos on both of these sites.   I can find just the kind of class I am looking for (vinyasa and sweaty, or restorative and relaxing) anytime.  So if there is no yoga studio nearby, do not despair  -these are some good online tools to help you on your mat.

Yes, I’m having fun, almost just as much fun as this guy, but in a different way, of course!

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The colors and luxurious interiors of the Villa d’Este are varied and rich.  And the history of the villa is as interesting as the beautiful rooms and the stunning lake which sparkles outside.  My children loved to hear of the noble woman who once lived there and married a general.  In order to keep him busy during times of peace, she had a fortress built on the side of a cliff (the ruins of the fortress are still there today).  He and his soldier friends would stage pretend battles there.  Pretend battles.

My own son was telling me tonight how his skill at making bows and arrows has greatly improved in recent months.  Now his arrows will shoot straight through a pear, or will stick in the ground.  Whereas formerly the arrow just flew through the air with little force.  Yes, he loved the story of the general and his pretend battles on the cliff.  Other weaponry my children enjoy:  they all love to play knights with swords and shields.  If you are looking for some special wooden swords, check out Bella Luna Toys.

One of the reasons that Italy has captured my children’s imagination has to do in part because of this rich history here –knowing that once knights and kings and queens rode through these hills, marched through these cobblestone streets, rested their weary heads at the Villa d’Este.

Stuff for fairy tales.

Lake Como even had a dragon once.  For a time, there was reportedly a monster that lived in it’s deep waters.  Sometimes it was sighted by those who lived around the lake.  However years have gone by now, with no sighting of the dragon in the lake.  I didn’t see it either.