Wedding – Our big day near Florence, Italy
Posted: October 19, 2012 Filed under: Personal, Travel | Tags: Bridal, Bride, Groom, Italy, marriage, married, photo, photography, Photos, wedding 15 CommentsI’m back with a new name, Nicole Michele Cleary. I feel an odd sensation when I look at my new name. Letting go of the past and starting a new family is a lot to take in, but I know this change is for the better. Opening up a new chapter of my life with new possibilities.
The wedding day itself felt like a dream, because it went so perfectly. The colorful sunset and gorgeous 70 degree weather in Fiesole, near Florence Italy, made the ceremony magical. Certainly a day I will never forget, not for the beautiful scenery, exquisite decorations, delicious cuisine, and swinging jazz band, but for the romantic, patient, supportive and strong man I married. He is who I was walking down the aisle to, my husband, my person. We could have gotten married in a McDonald’s, but this way had a bit of artistic flair :)
Below are some pictures of our special day by our beloved friends and family:
Shaun Cleary, my husband’s brother and best man, ©SuperClearyPhoto website link
Audrie Lawrence, a family friend. website link
Evan O’Reilly, my husband’s cousin and good friend. website link
Bride Getting ready – Fiesole, Italy – 10-8-2012 – photo by SuperClearyPhoto
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Drawings of Florence, Italy
Posted: May 16, 2012 Filed under: Personal, Sketchbook, Travel | Tags: art, artwork, drawing, family crest, Florence, Italy, pencil, sketch, Travel, villa, wedding 3 CommentsMy vacation in Florence was very special to me. Below are sketches and a recount of my memorable trip.
Florence Rooftop Garden Pencil and Paper Drawing by Nicole Barker
After a day of tasting gelato, moving about streets of Florence, and mingling in the shops, my fiance and I retreated to the hotel and walked up to the secluded garden on the rooftop. At midnight the city was almost dead quiet, and I felt inspired to sit and draw in my sketchbook the view I had towards the Piazza Ognissanti. It was beautiful. I sat there for hours drawing what I saw. Then the clock tower chimed, and I decided to head off to bed.
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Everyone Should Travel
Posted: March 2, 2012 Filed under: Personal, Travel | Tags: artwork, Florence, Italy, photography, Travel, wedding 1 Comment
River Arno at Twilight, Italy
- Photo by Brian Cleary.
Everyone should travel. It expands your horizons, changes your world views, and effects your life choices. Be open to the change. From something small like listening to a new song you heard on your travels, to something large like choosing to get married in Italy because you loved it there that much.
Recently I traveled to Florence. The city of Florence is artistically beautiful, especially for me. I love to draw landscapes, trees, grass, flowers, etc. I was constantly amazed by the gorgeous countryside. It was a feast for the eyes, and all I wanted to do was see more. I traveled there with my fiance Brian. We meant it to be a scouting trip for our wedding coming this fall. I knew I was going to be pretty taken with it, but all my life I never thought I’d get married in Florence. Once I saw it, I knew a wedding there would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nicole M. Cleary 