I don’t even drink coffee or have an espresso maker, yet I would love to own these cups. Stylish, simple, elegant… I adore them
Designed for Alessi by Massimiliano and Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas
Photo: Amazon.uk
Speaking of Fuksas, the world renowned architects recently renovated the flagship Benetton store in Rome. I haven’t stepped into a Benetton since college but I’m very curious about this building.
On Thursday morning I decided during my jog, at the last minute, to pass by the garden to see if it was opened yet.
It was.
If you plan to be in Rome any time before June 16th, I highly recommend a visit to the Roseto Comunale/Municipal Rose Garden.
The hours are 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. It’s located right across the street from Circo Massimo. There is only a six week window to enjoy these stunning flowers from all over the world.
Buon Weekend!
It’s a Ponte Weekend in Italy.
While most of my friends are out of town, I’m using this weekend to catch up on work and to get organized for next month.
I would love to spend some time in the country this weekend. Instead, I will go to the park.
Fountain, Villa Borghese Park
One of my favorite parks is Villa Borghese. If you are visiting Rome, it’s a great place to go for some peace and quiet.
Buon weekend a tutti!
Audrey Hepburn’s son, Luca Dotti, has edited a book about his famous mother.
“Audrey In Rome” has over two hundred photographs, many of them never published before, taken during the time Ms. Hepburn lived in the Eternal City.
Ms. Hepburn was a resident in Rome for over twenty years after marrying, Dr. Andrea Dotti, an Italian psychiatrist.
I cannot wait to buy this book filled with photos of Rome and of fashion from the ’50s to the ’70s. The release date is April 16th.
Hope you have a stylish and fantastic weekend.
Book Cover: Audrey In Rome
Last week my friend Courtney and I went to see the new Helmut Newton exhibit at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni.
There are two hundred photos covering three legendary books by Newton. This blockbuster show runs until July 21st.
Newton forever changed fashion photography and is considered one of the most influential photographers of the modern era. Many copy his style, but few have his talent.
It was incredible to see all these iconic photographs in person. This one was shot for VOGUE in 1975.
Le Smoking
Photo: Vogue.com
My friend and I left the show very inspired. Newton was passionate about life and his work. He was shooting until the day he died at age 84.
His first book of photography wasn’t published until he was 56 years old. By Hollywood standards that’s close to 100.
I’ve worked for years in culture that was/is obsessed with age and making it. I had friends in L.A. who started getting Botox in their 20′s and I’m not talking only about actresses.
It’s hard to be in that world and not lose your sanity. Once I moved to Rome, it was a little easier. However, there were times I still woke up in the middle of the night in a panic because I haven’t “made it” yet and time is running out. I thought, “I’m done. It’s a wrap.”
Last week I walked out of that exhibit thinking,”later for that nonsense, I’m just getting started.”
Buon weekend!
I’m seeing a lot of orange for Spring.
I do like the color but I don’t have any of it in my home and very little of it my wardrobe. I went to Syracuse University. Trust me, I have worn my share of orange in the past.
SU!
Photo: Syracuse.com
Every time I jog past the Hermès store on Via Condotti, I sigh. One day.
It’s time to bring some orange back into my life. For my home, I’m thinking pillows with a pop of orange. Like this Moroccan style one from D.L. Rhein.
D.L. Rhein Mocorran Pillow
Photo: D.L. Rhein
I like how subtle the orange is in this room. I will buy some fresh orange flowers to help brighten up these rainy, cloudy, March days.
Modern Orange
For my closet, a pair of Repetto Ballerinas would be perfect. I’m trying to add more color to my wardrobe.
Orange Repetto
Photo: Repetto
I did see an orange wrap dress in a store window the other day. Hmmmm, that might be too big of an orange commitment for me!
A new Pope was elected this week. We still don’t have a Prime Minister. It’s kind of nuts but I digress.
The determined sun fought its way through today’s stubborn clouds and after a week of horrendous weather, we finally had a few hours of sunshine. The angels sang.
Perhaps it’s a little early for Spring cleaning (the horrible weather is scheduled to return on Sunday afternoon) but I would like to get started on some projects this weekend.
Thoughts of Spring brought me to the photo below.
How lovely is this space designed by L.A. based, British born, Peter Dunham?
A Beverly Hills Family Room Designed by Peter Dunham
Photo: Architectural Digest
We had a chance to visit Peter’s showroom during Kathryn M. Ireland’s Design Bootcamp. His showroom was filled with beautiful things and Peter was very charming.
I think those chairs need to be in my home.
Buon Weekend!
We had some sunny and warm weather here in Rome on Saturday (only to get slammed with more rain yesterday, today, and apparently for the next three days).
On Saturday all the outdoor cafes were packed. Everyone was rocking their sunnies and most of the heavy winter coats were packed away. Of course, some Signore insisted in wearing their furs as it’s only mid-March.
During the Winter I give my nails a break. With the change in weather, it’s time for a professional mani/pedi.
Bella Ballerina
Photo: Chanel
My favorite neutral is Chanel’s Ballerina.
This color looks great on almost any skin tone. That’s one reason why so many manicurists and beauty editors rave about it. Another reason is the quality. Yes, it’s more expensive than the drugstore brands, but the polish doesn’t streak, lasts a long time, and is formaldehyde-free, toluene-free, and DBP-free.
One coat is very sheer. Two coats gives you a little more pink, but not too pink. It’s a sophisticated, yet fun color.
I know many people like to wear outrageous colors on their hands. For me, it’s not practical. On my hands, I like to keep it simple and stylish. Ballerina is everything.
Seven years ago I traveled to Rome for the second time.
The first time was a revelation and I fell hard for this crazy city. It didn’t make sense. Nobody in my family is Italian and I was not an Italophile by any stretch.
I loved London, Paris, and Amsterdam. When I was in junior high and high school I just KNEW I would live in Paris or London one day. I wasn’t thinking about Rome or Italy despite living in a town called Verona .
I thought maybe I had responded to Rome that way because of what was, or wasn’t, going on in my life at that moment. I had to find out why that one trip had unsettled me so much.
I returned the following year and took a short trip to Florence and Positano.
The view from my terrace.
It was a pain in the butt to get from Rome to Positano. First the train to Naples (not bad), then the train to Sorrento (an hour on a local train with many stops), and then finally a bus to Positano.
I walked down the steep hill, followed by a million steps, to reach my hotel. Once I stepped into the room and opened the large French doors, I saw that view. My heart skipped a beat. It was so beautiful it felt unreal, like a movie set.
There is a great hiking trail/path way up in the mountains, Sentiero degli Dei/Path of the Gods. Early one morning, I went up the mountain.
It was quiet. I saw two German tourists hiking and that was it. For the first time in years, my mind wasn’t racing a mile a minute, overwhelmed by the things I had not accomplished.
That walk changed everything.
I realized I had to make some serious changes in my life for my mental and physical health. I wasn’t sure how at that time.
Eventually, I figured it out and moved to Italy two years later.
Buon weekend!
A few days ago I met my friend Annie for a coffee. She was super busy this year and we were finally able to get together and catch up during her low season.
I told Annie how since September I’ve spoken more Italian than in the previous three years. I was joking when I said my “word” for 2013 should be “Si”. Then we thought about it and realized it’s a perfect word.
When I mentioned this to another friend, she said, “Uhm, hello, wasn’t your word last year, ‘yes’?”
It was. However, “si” is different.
Until recently, I was living in an English speaking bubble. I do have Italian friends (all speak several languages), but I worked only in English. I’m not married to an Italian and I had no reason to speak it everyday, which is bizarre given I live in Italy!
Now that I’m suddenly working in Italy, everything has changed. My getting-by-Italian is fine for dinner parties and ordering food in restaurants. It’s a problem when I have to order meters of fabric for customs drapes and sofas. It’s important that I’m clear and able to communicate with the artisans I’m working with.
Already, I feel a whole new world is opening up to me because my language skills have improved. I dream in Italian sometimes. In one of those dreams Idris Elba was also speaking Italian but I digress.
As I explained in my post last year, I tend to over think things. In 2012, I said “yes” a lot more often and took some financial risks (going to the Salone, buying Photoshop, etc.) It wasn’t easy to step out of my comfort zone but I’m glad I did. 2012, on a personal and professional level, was a much better year than 2011.
I’m excited about 2013 and hope that the momentum from the last few months carries over.
