It's been a bit quiet on the blog front regarding Ring Cozy but I promise that it's been the complete opposite behind the scenes. I'm putting the final touches on a really exciting next step and can't wait to share it with you real soon. Just like the flowers in this lily pad pond, Ring Cozy is ready to bloom!
photo by Ana Maria Munoz, taken in Con Dao, Vietnam
This time of year always makes me reflect and one of the things that I'm most grateful for are the opportunities we've had to travel. We set out to live internationally for many reasons but traveling was/is priority numero uno. Looking back, I think we did a good job a sticking to our plan even though some days it feels easier to just veg out at home! Here are my fave moments, sights, and thoughts from our 2012 travel adventures....
Breaking away from Europe and landing in Marrakech. High hopes and expectations were met with a chaotic Medina with a character all its own.
Passed Berber Villages in the Atlas Mountains and seeing nothing but beautiful vistas. And snow. Who would have thought Africa had snow?!
Sipping on fresh mint tea while picking out our new/old Berber rug...the perfect souvenir!
Our first LA visit together and indulging in three things: In N Out burgers, Mexican tacos, and fresh American donuts. This photo was from our morning binge session while doing loads of laundry next door.
Re-discovering the cool designs and colors found in LA
Taking a quick break from LA to Anchorage, Alaska for a visit with Joe's parents. It was so awesome to be in the house he grew up in and see his childhood town.
a day-trip to Oxford - LOVED it there. For you Hogwarts fanatics - their cafeteria is just off to the left.
Stopping in Florence en route to Chianti. It's so true that the entire city is a museum.
enjoying an impromptu lunch overlooking vineyards near Greve Chianti. Hands down my fave meal of the trip...for sentimental reasons, mainly, because the other meals were aawweesooomme.
a "booze and chocolate tour" of Brussels with some sight-seeing on the side. A flea market was also involved - this one was one of the most legit I've been to.
Leaving our love-lock in Paris as we wrapped up our time in London.
Our first trip after moving to KL: Penang. So colorful and vibrant.
and with charming old character everywhere you look.
Piggy-backing on one of Joe's business trips to Bangkok and exploring by boat.
Visiting Singapore for the first time and wishing we had moved there instead since it was so clean, organized, and seemingly perfect. It was during a rough point in my new-home adjustment but now love and appreciate the imperfect and real character of KL.
The beach holiday that ruined it for any other ones in the future. Con Dao, Vietnam was utter perfection. Honeymoon is done and done.
Going back to LA to give these little ones hugs and kisses and begin research on my new venture. 
Making a long-weekend out of Joe's business trip to London. We'll take any amount of time there, no matter how long the flight. Plus, Joe needed to stock up on his favorite Whisky and you can pack more with two people + checked bags than you can with one ;)
The unexpected layover in Abu Dhabi from London. I did my best to make the most of my 48 hours there despite major jet-lag (I was only one week back from LA!)
Getting to know and love the bits of Melbourne that give it it's reputation as a hub for good coffee shops and interesting street art.
Hanging out in Bondi Beach where I used to splash around as a toddler. Can't believe that we used to live just down the road. Part of me wonders what it would have been like to grow up there and be a little beach bunny...
... or just dance around The Opera House all the time...
...and with Australia, that brings us to a wrap!
But we won't be idle for too long. With the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa covered in one year (that is cray cray!) it's only fitting that we kick off 2013 with South America in February. Yep, I cannot wait to visit my parents in Colombia and say our "I Do's" with family, friends, and buñuelos!
I'm so thankful for this beautiful year....and to you guys for sharing it with me. I'll stop before I get all sappy but know that interacting with you via this blog, twitter, instagram, email is such a joy. And if you just joined me this year, you can catch up on where we went in 2011 by clicking here. Oh, the places we will go......
My my was it tough to pick just a handful of photos for this post! We had the most amazing time at Six Senses in Con Dao. We're usually the type to check into a hotel and return only after a day of exploring but this time we were total resort dwellers. Between relaxing in our villa, swimming in the warm ocean, and eating yummy local cuisine, there really wasn't much reason to leave. And to be fair, we were on a small island so the choice was made even easier. We did venture out for a snorkeling trip that was followed by the most incredible fruit picnic on a tiny secluded beach. I kept pinching myself because it all looked like something out of a magazine spread. It was the type of setting that dream holidays are made of.
The resort lived up to its scenery too. Everything was eco-conscious and the staff was beyond friendly and hospitable. Every villa is given a butler so if you need anything you call just one person. Ours was Nghia and I knew we had come to service-heaven when after turn-down on the first night I found a lens cloth cleaner for my glasses and a jar of detergent soap; Nghia had noticed that I was wearing glasses (and that they were dirty) and had caught a comment that Joe and I made about getting a stain on his clothes. How impressive is that? We hardly called on Nghia for things but I can imagine that families really get their monies worth with all of the details that the butlers can take care of for you.
We're already scheming our return because it truly did feel like a slice of heaven. Everything - the service, the scenery, the vibe - was perfect. Places and experiences like this is why we moved to South East Asia. Thanks for the reminder, Six Senses Con Dao.