APRIL 6 - 12, 2025
Five days of deep connection to creativity, culture and
coveted insight with inspiring, like-minded women.
this is for you
FEMALE FOUNDERS +
CREATIVES
WINE, WANDERLUST + CREATIVE CONNECTION
Join our dynamic group of women as we journey through the storied hills of Tuscany to the private Villa and working farmstead at Chiarentana. Enjoy coveted keynotes + exclusive break away sessions in this intimate, inspiring setting. Our five night retreat curates an unforgettable experience for female founders + creatives of all seasons and sectors to connect, share wisdom and chart unique paths.
April 6-12
2025 ITINERARY
Arrival Day
Cocktail Reception + Welcome Dinner in the Courtyard
Day 1
La Colazione (Breakfast)
Host Chat + Lay of the Day
Open Air Yoga on the Lawn
Lunch on the Lawn
Rest + Reflect, Optional Language Instruction
Keynote Session
Aperitivo (Cocktail Hour) in the Garden
Dinner in the Villa
Day 2
La Colazione (Breakfast)
Host Chat + Lay of the Day
Keynote Session
Lunch in the Garden, Optional Headshots
Breakout Sessions, Optional Painting Class
Olive Oil Tasting
Aperitivo + Dinner in Pienza (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Day 3
La Colazione (Breakfast)
Host Chat + Lay of the Day
Sienna Exploration Day Trip + Lunch
Vineyard Wine Tasting at Villa Cerna
Keynote Dinner in the Villa
Day 4
La Colazione (Breakfast)
Host Chat + Lay of the Day
Breakout Sessions, Optional Open Air Yoga
Lunch on the Lawn + Keynote Session
Cooking Class
Aperitivo (Cocktail Hour)
Dinner in the Villa
Evening Soundbath Under the Stars
Day 5
La Colazione (Breakfast)
Host Chat + Lay of the Day
Guided Reflection at Catilian Gardens
Lunch + Farmhouse Cheese Tour
Aperitivo + Keynote
Farewell Dinner + Jazz in the Garden
SÉJOUR - TO VISIT, SOJOURN, STAY
Power of place. Joy of connection. Alignment with presence and purpose.
Stay with us, go with inspiration.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Hello!
Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall + Amy Mulder
Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall is Principal Designer + Owner of Lauren Waldorf Interiors and Shop Domestics. Along with her fortified team, she has served the luxury design market for 15 years and coaches other designers and creative professionals to do the same. She is passionate about product design and is launching her first furniture line next year. She is based in Charleston, South Carolina. You can learn more about Lauren here.
Amy Mulder is a world renowned film photographer shooting luxury weddings and editorials. Her work has been featured in over 25 publications. She serves as an educator, mentor and creative coach in the United States, France and throughout Italy, her second home. Amy's work is showcased here.
STAY WITH US
SÉJOUR
Brought to you from the hearts + minds of interior designer Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall and photographer Amy Mulder, Séjour Creative Retreats exists for female founders and creatives seeking rest, renewed passion, and refreshed perspectives for themselves and their businesses. For seasoned + sage, start-ups, or still dreaming. Wether you're looking to pivot, chart a new path, or reignite your creative flame, this is for you. We're so glad you're here.
Spring 2025
SPEAKER LINE UP
A few of our fabulous speakers
Heather Leroux Cade
Owner of District Loom, a leading force in investment-worthy antique rugs, Heather Leroux Cade is an expert in profitable, aligned brand collaboration and has grown her business at stunning rates through her partnerships with nationally recognized retailers including Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and The Expert. This is all the more impressive considering Heather's past professional life was in nursing, halfway across the country from where she now resides. She’s no stranger to successfully pivoting, trusting her instincts, and taking on the challenges that come with building a business from the ground up. Heather and her showroom are based in Big Sky, Montana.
Fen Bolodeoku
Fen Bolodeoku is the award winning culinary visionary of Mon Annie, bringing to life exquisite patisserie in the form of bespoke wedding cakes. A true artist, she crafts each confection with delicate attention to detail, creating movement and texture in innovative mediums, winning industry recognition in London and beyond. With grace and conviction, she's pivoted from a career in pediatric medicine, crediting this experience for the work ethic, integrity and empathy she carries with her into her craft. She also curates artisanal welcome gifting. Fen is based in the UK, just outside of London.
Meredith Tanton
Meredith Tanton is founder and Creative Director of Sweetgrass Social Event and Design, a luxury event firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. As one of the most in-demand planners in the market for over fifteen years, Meredith is seasoned in all areas of the unique entreprenural journey of a creative professional, business owner, and mother. Having navigated the highs, lows and everything in between, Meredith is passionate about prioritizing balance and practicing self-care for sustainability in her personal and professional life.
Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall
Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall is an interior designer, shop owner and product developer. She's built her design firm, Lauren Waldorf Interiors over the past fifteen years, and is passionate about talking shop, helping others find their inspiration, and turn their dreams into reality. She's navigated the challenges of running a business while handling difficult personal circumstances, professional successes and failures, and defined what it means to stay resilient, creative and inspired. Lauren is based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Amy Mulder
Amy puts her heart and soul into everything she does. She is an adventurer and lover of the authentic and meaningful who cares deeply about the people she serves and the art she creates. For the last 15 years she has traveled the world, experienced new cultures, met new people, and created art. Drawn to things that have meaning and purpose, she infuses both into her life and art. Amy values relationships, experiences, adventure, and being present. She successfully spends her time on things that matter most while building multiple thriving businesses.
ACCOMMODATION
All attendees and speakers will be staying in the Villa apartments at Chiarentana. Each apartment is charmingly equipped with a full kitchen, living room and full bath.
Private Apartment - $9,500
Private Bedroom, Shared Apartment - $7,950
Shared Bedroom (Individual Bed), Shared Apartment - $7.500
Dual payment and Affirm payment plans available.
See our FAQs for travel tips + more.
What's included
Five day, six night accommodation at the Villa at Chiarentana, Tuscany, Italy
Transportation to and from airport to villa at arrival and departure + excursion transportation
All on site meals + planned restaurant dinners
Excursions + activities included in itinerary
Personalized welcome gift, journal, and swag bag
What's not included
Airfare
Transportation outside of airport transportation if individual auxiliary travel is planned before or after Séjour Retreat
Day trip lunch, snacks, shopping
Travel Insurance
The Villa
About Chiarentana + Val d'Orcia
Deeply rooted in rural history, Chiarentana is first referenced in the 10th century. Records show pilgrims staying in its small castle while in route to Rome to see the Pope. Several centuries later, it became one of the first communes in Tuscany with it's own by-laws and currency.
Today, Chiarentana shares a history of magnificent restoration, nestled in the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia amongst prolific rosemary, lavender and irises. A true delight to all the senses, this Tuscan gem is as authentic as it is pure magic.
Upon arrival, guests are transported to a world of endless verdant views in this peaceful retreat. Gracious accommodations in well-appointed apartments surround a dreamy stone courtyard. Words hardly do this stunning corner of the earth justice (although the internet sure does have some glowing things to say about Val d'Orcia and it's Unesco site status), so we hope you'll come along to experience Chiarentana for yourself!
