Italy is calling: Come on vacay with Rose

Euro summer is calling! Our Co-Founder Rose, is heading to Italy later this month with her WHOLE family in tow. We sat down with her before she goes to chat where she's venturing, what she's most excited about and the vibrant pieces she's packing in her suitcase!  

Tell us a little about your European adventure! How it came about, what you’ve got in store...

My dad's mother, Maria (who we fondly call Grandy), was Italian - both her parents were born in Sicily! Her father came to Australia on a boat, couldn't speak a word of English, and he was sent to north QLD to cut cane .. where he eventually met his wife. Grandy passed away last year at the age of 94. She was an incredible woman, who birthed 7 children on 7 different days of the week! When dad got his inheritance, he decided the best way to celebrate her life was to shout our family on a trip to Italy! Yeah dad!

What are you most looking forward to in your month away?

Having full time babysitters on the road with us - haha! No, I'm looking forward to over-indulging on pasta and wine, on exploring the lemon-scented streets of Capri, visiting wine windows in Tuscany, swimming with the locals in Scopello, and drinking excess proseccos in the sun with my mum and sister-in-law Purdy.

Any places high on your wish list that you’re extra-excited for?

We are spending 5 days in Puglia and I have heard so many great things about it! We are staying in a traditional Trulli house, which are like beautiful old fairy castles! I cannot wait to visit the white city Alberobello, basking in the sun at Polignano a Mare and exploring the ancient ruins on the coastline which you can swim in!

We know you’re the most organised person ever! Do you have any tips for planning a big Euro trip like this?

Travel with people who also like to research to share the load! Work out your whole itinerary first before you book anything in. We changed ours soo many times because of logistics - travelling with 11 people can be hard at times! And i'm so glad we waited to book until the end. Work out the places you are happy to skimp on accom -- because you will be out and about -- and the places you really want to splurge on for a more special experience! And give Michel Thomas audio language lessons a go before you depart!

Which NLB pieces have made the cut in your holiday suitcase?

My entire suitcase is filled to the brim with colourful Nine Lives pieces! There's been so many special pieces come out this year that I knew would make the cut -- The Holiday dresses from Love Song (coming oh so soon!), the Zippy dress from Promised land (extra ideal for a suitcase as this fabric doesn't need ironing!) The Serendipity and Sunkissed slip from Lotus, and the Vixen from Sunshine People.

Can we expect to see any sneak peeks of what’s to come?
I'm OBSESSED with our September collection Halcyon Days - it's such a vibing holiday wardrobe and some cute swim styles too. There's also some super fun, colourful pieces coming with Casanova in October, I can't wait to capture these on the Amalfi coastline! So yes, lots of sneak peeks to come.