No words are needed explain why this new hotel in Sicily is inspiring.
For more pictures of this stunning place, please click on their website HERE:
Buon weekend!
(I’m going to dream about the bedrooms. I know it.)
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.
It’s time to hit the courts.
There are a lot of things I enjoy about playing tennis. It’s fun, it’s outdoors, it’s a sport you can play for life, and the clothes.
I’m dead serious. From a very young age, I’ve LOVED tennis outfits. I like to keep my clothes simple, no lace or crazy patterns. I’m there to play a sport not to go clubbing.
Below are some of my favorite old school photos. It’s interesting, you could wear any of these clothes now (perhaps not the headbands) and they would look contemporary even though they are from the 70′s and the 80′s. Classic.
Hubbell! “The Way We Were” 1973
The late great Arthur Ashe.
Carrie Fisher in “Shampoo” 1975
Frenchman, Yannick Noah. Big crush on him back in the early ’80s.
Bjorn Borg, from Sweden, my other big crush.
Steffi Graf, in the 80′s.
John McEnroe in ’79 looking salty. As usual.
Photo: Guardian UK
Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Good friends off the courts but had one of the best sports rivalries in history.
Photo: World In Sport.com
Other photos: Google
I’ve written about “the mix” before. I absolutely adore the European style of mixing traditional and modern design elements.
Clearly, I must add the book FRENCH ACCENTS to my interior design library.
Can we talk about the moldings in this living room? Stunning!
FINALLY!
Winter is gone. Over the weekend we had highs in the low 70′s/20′s. It was glorious.
This morning I jogged past my favorite flower stand and I was compelled by this amazing weather to buy some tulips.
I think they would look perfect in this vase.
Pera Vase
Photo: Crate&Barrel
The lines of this vase are simple yet elegant. Crate & Barrel proves once again that great design doesn’t have to be expensive.
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.
What a week.
Just when you think Italian politics couldn’t be more confusing or bizarre, they are. I have no idea what is going to happen now. Maybe we’ll have new elections.
The Pope said good-bye yesterday. The city is packed with tourists who came to see him for the last time. Cardinals are flying in for the conclave and there are journalists in town from all over the world.
Work-wise, things were hectic. I’m not sure how it’s Friday already.
Yesterday, Domenico and I drove up to Tuscany to visit the job site and to meet with our client who flew in from Germany. Normally, we would stay overnight but we decided to make it a day trip and left Rome at 6:30 a.m.
It was a very long day. At one point my brain said, “BASTA!” and refused to cooperate. It was around the time I was asking the contractor questions in Italian and then translating his answers into English.
On the drive back home, all I could think about was taking a long shower, getting in my PJs, and then watching Law and Order SVU reruns on Fox Crime (I have a thing for Detective Stabler).
I wish I had a shower like this:
Unfortunately, I do not.
The shower in the photo was designed by Ilaria Miani for Monteverdi. Monteverdi is a group of rental villas and a hotel in the small village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro in Tuscany.
Stunning. I hope to check it out sometime later this year.
In the meantime, Stabler and I will be relaxing this weekend.
Buon Weekend!
I’ve been a fan of these glasses for ages. I saw them in Kathryn Ireland’s kitchen last year and thought to myself, “I need to buy some when I move to a bigger apartment.”
I had to find a new kettle. I decided to go ahead and spend money on a solid one, as the cheap one I bought fell apart way too soon. Off I went to C.U.C.I.N.A.
I try my best to avoid this store as every single time I stop in to buy one specific item, I get sucked into picking up a few things.
It happened again. I walked past the glasses section and somehow two glasses ended up in my basket.
La Rochere French Bee Tumbler.
It’s okay. It makes me happy when I open up my kitchen cabinet and see these two little glasses. Once I move, I’m getting a set.
In the States you can find them at Sur La Table.
As for the kettle, I bought a Le Creuset that was double the price of my old one. However, this one is built to last and very pretty.
I’m not sure why Mariah is wearing a long gown, but I love this striped down version (complete with classroom instruments) of her Christmas song.
The kids are too cute.
Rainy season will start soon in Rome.
I know Hunter Wellies have become crazy popular recently. However, unlike some other trends, this one is a classic. Hunter’s boots are not just fashionable, they are well made.
This Scottish based company has been making boots since 1856. While I don’t own a country estate in the UK, I do need boots that can stand up to the torrential downpours we get here.
I’m not sure which color to get. I love their Stylish Simplicity.
Hunter Wellington Boots (aka Wellies)
