Incentive Trip Highlights - Cruising the Mediterranean 2016

I can't believe that it's a month ago that we were heading out to Barcelona, in preparation for boarding the Norwegian Epic for the 2016 Incentive Trip.

This was my first ever Incentive Trip and boy did it exceed all of my expectations. Prepare yourself for an abundance of photos. 

We started the trip in Barcelona, where we enjoyed a delicious Paella out at the Marina. There was a hive of activity there, plenty of boats in, street performers and stalls a plenty. It was wonderful to enjoy a meal alfresco before heading back to the Hotel to meet up with many other Demonstrators who were all beginning to arrive from various locations around the globe.

We stayed in the 5* Fairmont Hotel, Rey Juan Carlos, that was fantastic. Very comfortable, friendly and accommodating … Look at the view down to the main foyer from our floor … 

It felt so surreal at Breakfast the next morning, when choosing breakfast from the buffet, stood right next to many of the top names in Stampin' Up! that I've followed since before becoming a Demonstrator. I can only say that I felt quite star struck. From the hotel, we set off for the Port to board the Norwegian Epic in preparation to set sail around the Mediterranean. 

WOW, you should have seen the size of the ship! it was quite literally a floating resort and beyond all of my expectations of what it could offer in terms of facilities.

We were at sea for one entire day, which was when General Session was held. Oh my goodness, Stampin' Up! certainly know how to make us Demonstrators feel valued … and not just us, but our respective spouses/partners who are usually our best cheerleaders - I know my husband is mine.

Our first port of call was Naples, where we set off with 8 others from the UK market, on a Private Tour of the Amalfi coast, covering Sorrento and Positano. The views were breathtaking! At last … we were back in Italy, where hubby and I had spent our Honeymoon, nearly 7 years previous.

The elegance of the area stood hand in hand with the rustic beauty and charm that it offers. Just delightful. These photo's really don't do it justice, but seriously, I could have made this post so photo heavy that I'd have bored you if I'd posted them all.

Wednesday and we were heading off to Rome, where we were going to meet up with a dear friend of mine, Luigi, who I'd not seen for a little over 7 years. We used to work together in my former job. He'd never actually met Graham, in fact, I wasn't even married the last time we flew together. Hubby and I had both been to Rome before, but never together. The atmosphere there was amazing and the weather just perfect!

We spent what time we had with Luigi, eating, drinking, reminiscing, laughing and chatting. It was priceless … and to think that this job (not that I think of it as a job), enabled us to meet up with Luigi and share this precious time together … amazing!!

Florence sits dear to our hearts, as we spent our Honeymoon in Tuscany, so to return was really was quite special. The weather was just stunning for mooching around Florence itself, before heading off into the Country for a spot of Wine Tasting. 

We had discovered that the lovely Gina Connor, from Northern Ireland, and her husband had booked to do the same excursion so we mooched around together. They had never been to Florence and it was lovely to share in their excitement as we went around. They were also celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary that week, so it was an honour to be a part of those celebrations and toast to their marriage whilst in the Tuscan countryside. 

That evening we were treated to a Cirque Dreams show and Dinner by Stampin' Up! which was amazing. Boy those entertainers had great strength and abs. They made me feel quite unfit. 

The next port and we found ourselves in Cannes, where being a little tired, we simply decided to hop off the Ship for Lunch in the harbour and a leisurely stroll. 

Corrr one of my favourite lunches to enjoy in France ...

Who said that this was going to be a relaxing trip? … The week passed and our energy levels were depleting more and more and by the time we pulled into Marseille, we decided to take advantage of time of the ship. I went off to do Make & Takes with a few of the girls, before spending time on deck relaxing. Hubby went back to his childhood and took advantage of the water slides. We couldn't believe that our time sailing the Mediterranean with the others, was slowly coming to an end.

The evenings of socialising, the excursions, the food, the Ice Creams … what an amazing week it had been. If there was one thing that stood out above everything else, it was the people we had the privilege of sharing this experience with. We laughed, we cried laughing, we laughed some more and we created firm friendships. It was wonderful. To me … THIS was what it was all about. 

I'm sure you've heard of the giveaways, which came in abundance and boy they did … This was just one day. Stampin' Up! were very generous … 

… but seriously, it was the time we shared with others that was most precious to us and we thank you all, for the memories. 

Our First Incentive Trip was A-mazing !!! Thank you Stampin' Up! … and thank YOU for reading this to the very end. 

Mikaela x

OnStage Live, Brussels … Sneak peeks and more ...

I can't believe that it was a week ago already, that I was in Brussels for the start of the first ever OnStage Live event … formerly known as our Annual Convention. 

A word of warning … this is photo heavy and isn't best suited to those following a diet.

This year I decided to arrive a day early, so that I could take in some of the delights that Brussels has to offer before the main event started … The Architecture here is breath taking and the Meringues, Macarons, Chocolates and general window displays, appear to all be presented to perfection.

With the build up to Christmas, chocolate Saint Nicholas' were in abundance and the displays were beginning to look very festive. Sadly we have arrived just one week ahead of the Christmas Markets, which I'm sure will be fantastic.

This is certainly not the place to come if you're on a diet though … just look at all of these temptations!!

Thursday afternoon came and it was over to The Square for the start of OnStage Live and the first of General Sessions, Prize Giveaways and a few Sneak Peeks from the up coming Spring/Summer Catalogue, that's due to launch on 5th January. 

Our Interim CEO, Sara Douglass opened the event with a wonderful explanation of how birds migrate and how we as Team Members of Stampin' Up! work better together as a Team, by pulling on the strengths of each other to move forwards. 

A few sneak peeks from the up coming Seasonal Catalogue … 

with lots of oooos and ahhhhhs … before it was time for … Centre Stage. 

This was an evening of recognition laid on for those holding certain titles. We were whisked off by coach to the waters edge, where we boarded a boat for an evening of live entertainment, a wonderful 9 course taster meal, drinks and time to chat with friends and fellow Demonstrators.

The next morning and it was back to The Square for yet more Inspiration, sneak peeks and the start of the rewards and recognitions, which this year, included me. 

Yes, this year, with the support from my loyal customers, my Team and of course my loving husband, I worked hard to achieve a few milestones of my own. I may not have reached the sales that some remarkable Demonstrators had reached, but for me, I've reached levels I had only ever dreamed of before and earned myself a week long cruise for Hubby and I around the Mediterranean. 

The Heart of Stampin' Up! was awarded, the new Artisan Team announced, Incentive Trip achievers applauded and over the coming days recognition made for Sales, Milestone years with the company, Recruiting and Promotions all interspersed with … yes you've got it … more Sneak Peeks, Prize Patrols, Giveaways and Crafting … after all, that's what we're in it for.

The main Product area was like walking into the up coming Catalogue with display boards a plenty and lots of hands on crafting time.

This was just one of the project suite areas, but one that a good friend and my room mate, Zoë Tant, was presenting at. 

It really was a good few days away taking in all of the delights that both Brussels and Stampin' Up! had to offer. It's always wonderful to catch up with fellow friends and Demonstrators and I've returned home buzzing with renewed enthusiasm, but sadly slowed down a little having returned home to knee surgery … 

Still, it's given me plenty of time to ponder the gorgeous new catalogue (disguised here by the annual catalogue), forward plan and when I can manage, I'll take a few photo's of some swaps and Giveaways that I was fortunate enough to receive. 

All in all … a fantastic OnStage Live … so if you'd like to join in fun of this type, then you might like to consider joining me and my Team in April for the next Stampin' Up! event. 

Get in contact if you'd like more information … just allow a little longer for me to get to the phone ;) 

Hoping you're all well

Mikaela x