Alla Fine ...

We're elated to announce the birth of our son, 

Zayden Enrico Rinaldi 

Born: 5:53 pm on January 29th, 2013 

Weight: 8lbs. 3oz.

Destination Italia: LA PIU’ BELLA CINQUE TERRE

Few places I have been in all my life conjure such magical memories as The Cinque Terre in Italy. So it came as no surprise to me when I recently read an online news article, citing a poll where Italy was voted the Top 2013 Vacation destination choice for Americans. Situated on the Italian Riviera, in the Liguria region of Italy, "The Five Lands" as it is otherwise known is to the west of the city of La Spezia and composed of five stunning cliff top villages hugging the coastline: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.  

Riomaggiore, Italy

The coastline and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But the region offers up much more than just a great getaway vacation with sweeping panoramic vistas and pastel colored villas. Think of it like Positano before the Hollywood invasion. Here, one is easily transported back in time with picturesque rugged villages terraced into the mountainside, wharfs dotted with netted fishing boats and locals, connected by a series of trains, boats, and walking paths. Marking part of the area’s quaint charm is that with the exception of delivery vehicles and emergency responders, there are no cars allowed. Perfect for meandering by foot the narrow cobblestone streets which run in a labyrinth-like fashion through neighborhoods, under homes, around quaint shops, and restaurants which harmoniously co-exist next to centuries old chiesa and pasticcerie embellished with crystal chandeliers. A destination that attracts honeymooners & artists alike, food & wine enthusiasts, students on holiday & retirees, hikers, bikers, and nature lovers---those seeking a slower pace of life to rest & recharge away from the hustle & bustle of the big city & tourist-y meccas - The Five Lands certainly does not disappoint with it’s wide range of interests and activities for all ages.

Seaside warf

Spaghetti alle Vongole

Beyond the usual seafood fair, the region offers an amazing and tantalizing array of Italian cuisine that will delight and discern even the most gourmet palate. The area is particularly known for pesto, focaccia, farinata and heavily planted with lemon trees, which the locals use to make a spectacular limoncello drink and a fantastic limone gelato which is often served up on a half lemon at local restaurants and eateries throughout the region. Connecting the five villages is a walking path called the Sentiero Azzurro, or the "Light Blue Trail”, with a section from Riomaggiore to Manarola that’s called, the Via dell’Amore, or the “Walk of Love”. This easy walking/hiking trail offers breathtaking postcard views running the entire coastline perfumed by wild roses, honeysuckle, and lavender leading off to secluded alcoves, rocky sunbathing spots, olive groves, and well-cultivated vineyards which produce two of the regions internationally and critically acclaimed wines - The eponymous Cinque Terre and the Sciachetrà, the latter of which unfortunately has a two year waitlist in the U.S. and which we highly recommend.

  

the glorious view from our room

Questo è il mio paradiso incantevole! The place where I am instantly transported back in time whenever I catch the scent of caprifoglio. Here is the very place where I fell madly in love with the most incredible man I've ever known, as he entwined our names onto a stoney wall by the sea. A place we both reminisce most often about and fantasize countless times returning and retiring to. Now, into the beginning of this blessed New Year 2013 (our 6^th together and 3^rd Wedding Anniversary), we hope to finish the journey this time as a family, with our soon-to-be-born baby son.                

 

 

For more information please visit:
http://www.cinqueterre.com/
http://www.cinqueterre.com/blog/en/  
Both are available in English 
For a great Riomaggiore B&B, we highly recommend La Terrazza, ran by two sweet anziane nonne ;-)  
Our Restaurant recommendation is TRATTORIA LA LAMPARA,
Via mal borghetto 8/10 - 19017 - Riomaggiore (SP) tel: 0187.920120
http://www.riomaior.it/ristoranti.php 

NOTICE TO THOSE WHO STEAL MY COPYRIGHTED IMAGES

As an artist, nothing angers me more than censorship, except for thievery. And when I discover someone has stolen my images or uses my face & likeness for commercial purposes without compensation, well...let's just say hell hath no fury! It never ceases to amaze me the stupidity of those who think Copyright lawsuit's are worth it.  


FYI: ALL my works are COPYRIGHTED!!! THEY ARE NOT STOCK IMAGES!!! They are NOT public property!! They are ALL copyrighted and I will NOT tolerate any person or entity who steals my likeness and/or photographic works!!! I routinely do image query on ALL my works and if I catch ANYONE using them illegally, I will not hesitate to pursue YOU under U.S. Copyright Law 17 U.S.C. § 106(1) & 17 U.S.C. § 102(b).       

New Photography Gallery

Please visit my new online PHOTOGRAPHY PORT and let me know what you think! 👌 
Be sure to bookmark the site to stay up-to-date on my latest images! Or better yet, spread the love and show your support by posting a link on your Twitter, Google+, Facebook, Blog, MySpace, etc.  ◕‿-｡

💋
In Love & Light,
Tammy

New Announcement

Hello Dear Friends!

I just wanted to inform you of an upcoming personal project near and dear to my heart that I'm very excited to be a part of to help support a great worthy cause and my wonderful friends at StopMonsanto. Together, we are part of a growing number of Americans who are against the Genetic Engineering and bio-tampering of our food crops, animals, and fish. As consumers, we believe we have the right to choose what goes into our bodies and to be informed of those companies which use Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) in their products through awareness, education, and mandatory national GMO labeling. 

Check back here for my forthcoming project news! In the meantime, please visit StopMonsanto's website at http://www.indiegogo.com/stopmonsanto and #StopMonsantoMov on Twitter to learn more about their exciting film project and how you too can help contribute in the fight against GMO's today!

For more information about GMO's, please visit ...
 
NonGMOShoppingGuide.com

www.CenterForFoodSafety.org

www.HealthierEating.org

www.NaturalNews.com 

OrganicConsumers.org 


Articles I recommend:
USDA Recommends "Coexistence" with Monsanto: We Say Hell No! by Ronnie Cummins

Is the USDA a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monsanto? by The Cornucopia Institute

Natural Brands Betray Consumers over GMO Labeling: NaturalNews Issues Boycott of Kashi, Silk, Larabar and More

Monsanto's engineered crop hits stores unlabeled, but Wal-Mart isn't worried by Chicago Tribune

The following is an excerpt from NaturalFoods website:
"It is the children in America who are being fed the most GMOs. This represents a highly unethical food experiment being conducted on an entire generation, and the long-term effects of human consumption of GMOs are simply not known.

What we do know is that rats fed this very same Monsanto GM corn developed shockingly large cancer tumors.

The photo released by the French research team, showing large cancer tumors growing at a strongly heightened risk in rats fed a "lifetime" of Monsanto's GM corn, is shown below. According to that study, 70% of females died premature and showed significant damage to their liver, kidneys and other organs."---Pretty Crazy, huh? 

Think about this foto the next time you hand your kids a bowl of yummy Kellogg's.

P.S. A special note to all my friends in California: Please Vote YES on Prop37 and send Monsanto and other FRANKENFOOD corporations a clear message---NO GMO's! NO GENETIC TAMPERING! STOP SCREWING WITH MOTHER NATURE!

✌

Together we can change the world. ❤‿↗*✩

XoXo,
Tammy

La Musa: Bodypainting

Airbrush on glass by ArteKaos

Koi Bodypainting by International Airbush artist ArteKaos

Kaos Studios, Bologna, Italy

 

Gold Leaf Bodypaint by Me 

ツ

Do you like lace?

...X0Xo

Fan Faves...

NON UNA FOTO MA SEMPLICEMENTE "ME" 

©Kaos Studios, Bologna, Italy