Savannah to La Saracina

Last summer I had the privilege of getting to know a wonderful family in Savannah. Mary Lee Stevens, below with husband Henry & their two sons, had commissioned me to do a watercolor. During one of our conversations, she mentioned that she had been following The Lisa Porter Collection. 
We talked about our travels & she went on to reminisce about an elegant country home in the heart of Tuscany where they had stayed, and that I would just love it! Now, in the short amount of time that I have known Mary Lee, I can absolutely tell you that she is as warm & friendly as they get & she’s a Southern lady with a lot of style! I simply had to check it out!

I know you all love to travel so pack your bags & follow me to

It doesn’t get any better than this, is the inevitable thought when traveling in southern Tuscany.

 On the approach, at the crest of the dramatic cypress-lined drive, visitors are rewarded with a 360-degree view of the soft, green hills dotted with villages.

Adding to this incredible scenery, a luxurious and very private hideaway.

La Saracina

A 100-year-old farmhouse just outside of Pienza.

A cozy farmstead-inn in a private setting, La Saracina has been beautifully restored into an elegant country home in the heart of Tuscany.

Amongst the vines and olive trees, near an ancient almond tree, guests are greeted by a pergola covered in roses and wisteria.

Gradually the wanderer becomes aware of the fragrances of an almost-forgotten past...

The six suites, all beautifully appointed and named after local vineyards, open on to a Mediterranean garden of lavender and rosemary.

The fabrics and their colors have been carefully chosen,

as have the local handicrafts and antiques.

As night gently gives way to day guests are slowly awakened by the sweet aroma of fresh-baked bread & jams,

and the distant ringing of the sheep bells.

Gourmet meals are lovingly prepared in traditional wood-burning ovens.

Going down a little path you will find the sheltered tennis court which has a wonderful view of the valley.

In the silence of the valley, the echo of voices from the age-old towns perched on the hills invites you to go and explore.

The land of old rustic traditions...

is ready to reveal it’s an unspoiled charm to those who want to experience everlasting enchantment.

On behalf of my readers & myself, I would like to say thank you, Mary Lee, for sharing this wonderful gem!

All photos compliments of La Saracina.

Here's what readers had to say...

Chic Coles (Cole Design) said...

Wow! It really does not get more beautiful than that. I would love to go to Tuscany and stay at La Saracina and waking up to that view...count me in!
Thanks for sharing about this amazing place!
Have a great weekend,
Melissa

Lipstick said...

Wow! Those pictures are absolutely beautiful....so dreamy! I feel relaxed just by looking at them. Thank you for sharing!

Juju said...

Gorgeous pictures!

sophie dahy designs said...

What an absolutely breathtaking place! We love Italy and have talked about going back and staying awhile. La Saracina may have to be on the list!

old south blogger said...

Thank you, Lisa, for your kind words and reminding me of the beautiful memories!

The Consummate Hostess said...

How beautiful! I was in Tuscany last summer and the pictures you posted take me back. Thanks for sharing!

Alicia said...

Molto bene...& this does not begin to cover the words I could express.
Pastoral, peaceful, perfection.
Ironically I fly to Savannah in 3 weeks to reunite with Hailey & Grant for a few weeks. We're staying in Savannah a bit for my birthday, then up to their mom's in Charleston.
Wishing you a lovely week.

Victoria@WhimsybyVictoria said...

A breathtaking post! I am new to your blog and now a follower. Just beautiful!
Hugs to you,
~Victoria~

Renae said...

This is so very lovely...I have never been but would like to. I can imagine riding my bicycle around this beautiful countryside.
Blessings...
xo

GrannySmithGreen said...

Oh, to be there now...ahhhh! I'm relaxing already. When do we go, really? I'm so there.

Millie said...

Talking about living La Dolce Vita Lisa! A glass of icy cold Prosecco & some fresh ripe peaches, all enjoyed on the terrace of La Saracina - couldn't get much better really. Big sigh.
Millie ^_^

Renae said...

Lisa,
I am so loving your story on the right side of your blog on your first trip to NY at 16. How much fun for you and the memory made of purchasing the same swimsuit as Jackie O! Also your son Collier is a doll, and I know you are a proud Mama!
Blessings...
xo

...from the original post July 2009.

Repose of the soul.

I missed you all last week. I was making time, taking time, clearing a path, paying attention to details, rising to the occasion, and regaining focus. You all know the drill.

During this time I was reminded that repose is a quality too many undervalue.

When I find myself in a crowded room, be it a fundraiser or dinner party, I'm always drawn to the woman who is incredibly, gracefully, relaxed. She sits still because people are drawn to her.  She speaks in a low voice almost as if creating a spell around her. 

Lisa Warninger

We have all met her.  If it's the first time, she doesn't treat you like a stranger, instead, she listens with responsive eyes and a smile. If you're an old friend, her eyes light up when you tell her how you've been. She cares about your husband, children, parents, and even your dog. 

 

Lisa Warninger

When you walk away from her you feel as if you've been bathed in beautiful warm light. You have. It's the best beauty secret around.  It's called repose.

 

Lisa Warninger

These days I seem to have more harried moments than tranquil ones. I find myself going in so many different directions and often I don't arrive gracefully.  One minute I'm hot, the next minute I'm cold and the holidays are right around the corner! 

 

Lisa Warninger

So last week I acted as if I was a woman with repose. I tried not to rush my family in the mornings. I greeted most everyone I met with a warm smile. While I was with friends, I spoke softly, listened attentively and I sincerely thought that every conversation I had with them was the most important thing on my mind today. I looked at my children and my husband in the eyes when they spoke to me and loved on the dog more than I usually do.

You know the saying, "As is the inner, so is the outer."  By taking the time today to step outside myself and embrace others, I found serenity within. You should try it and see how different you feel at the end of the day.

 That is repose.

 

Lisa Warninger

Now, don't you just love it when Cindy Crawford or some blogger like me tell you that the real beauty secret in life is finding your inner light?  No Shit!

I have done plenty to find my inner light and yes I'm happier, but I still don't look like Cindy Crawford. All I can do is try to have repose and look my best. This is where the fashion part of my post comes in to play.

My mother always told me, keep it simple, go with a classic, and that I don't look good in prints. Ok. I adore this though!

But when I was a young girl my self-confidence in how I looked wasn't based solely on my mother's directive. Remember my Pierre Deux tiny French bikini story?

  Most of my fashion sense was based on what was on the cover of Seventeen Magazine and what my girlfriends were wearing.

Our Catholic all-girls prep school uniform had us yearning for free-dress days!

You see, whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we're constantly programmed by the world to be other women, not ourselves.

We're supposed to look like Cindy Crawford and entertain like Martha Stewart.

  We are all so hard on ourselves. We not only want to be other people, but we also want to be perfect visions of them.

Katherine McPherson for Fab Over 50

How women look and how their looks change in the course of their lives is what I'm really referring to.

How do I look? 

That is such a loaded question. Instead, I ask myself, how do I feel.

Whether the day calls for a cotton sweater or a silk blouse, I'm at my best when I feel comfortable both inside & out.

 That's called self-confidence!

Attitude, experience, knowledge, wisdom, optimism, and faith. So much goes into this special elixir.

The good news is that a little self-confidence goes a long way.  So who needs a huge closet full of clothes? 

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that when the seasons change and the September issue shows up it's sometimes impossible to quiet down the wants.

And then I remember fashion fades, only style remains.

Lisa Warninger

Style is an intersection of what you wear and who you are.

Once you learn that less is more, then enough becomes plenty, and your entire outlook on life, including fashion, is transformed.

Fashion is a show-off.  Style has seen it all before.  Fashion is impatient.  Style is steadfast.  Fashion guesses.  Style knows.

Style begins when you seek and discover your strengths, then bank them for all they're worth.

Many of the beautiful photos above are by Lisa Warninger a Northwest-based photographer, specializing in lifestyle, fashion, and location shooting. Nightingale Photography is where she blogs about her stylish life in Portland.