Snack Chat - A Summer Treat with Nathan Turner
I saw on Instagram that Nathan Turner was shooting an online series for The Design Network.What a fun idea. Nathan is a very talented interior designer but he's also known for being quite the host.For this series, he has invited several of his design friends to cook a little something, something in the kitchen. Nathan's enthusiasm is infectious.I met him, briefly, at his shop (a must if you're in Los Angeles) during Kathryn M. Ireland's design workshop and he couldn't have been lovelier.There are six episodes (he's currently shooting the second season). I thought this Banana Berry Trifle dish he made with Mary McDonald was the perfect summer dish.
I want to make this. I may need to wait until my friends return to Rome though. I can't eat this whole thing by myself.Speaking of Rome, it's Ferragosto time. No trips to Sicily or the Caribbean for me this summer, tears! However, there are some very excited things happening here and I cannot wait to share more in September.Buone Vacanze a tutti!
Life in Rome - This Time I am Ready for Ferragosto
First, I've just returned to Rome from a business trip to the States and the Caribbean. Below are some random observations:Los Angeles traffic continues to get worse. How is this possible.Target is great.J.Crew. What is happening? I've been a fan since the 80s. Something is amiss.Why is Ben and Jennifer's former nanny in the press so much? What is her end game? Reality show?Speaking of reality shows, what the heck is Hollywood Cycle?Ina Garten. Adore.Guy Fieri. Why so many shows, Food Network? Why?!My friend Erica posted this TIME magazine article that said Americans dressing like slobs equals freedom. Perhaps I have lived in Italy too long or I am turning into my Caribbean parents because I think that's absolutely ridiculous. Freedom? From what? The tyranny of Dior?The GOP debate. Fascinating. Trump was peak Trump.The flight attendants on Air France were very friendly and cheerful. It's a long flight from St. Martin to Paris (8.5 hours). Meanwhile, the American Airline attendants on the Miami to St. Martin flight (only 3 hours) not so much. Why?Portions in America are too big. I couldn't finish a single meal.The newish Restoration Hardware showroom in West Hollywood is odd. I don't get it. Is it just for the trade? Who thought it was a good idea to have a 40,000 sq ft store where you have to buy everything online or from the catalog? The scale is huge. How can any shopper, who doesn't live in a castle, envision that massive furniture in their home?It would never occur to me to combine these two things:
Second, in the past I have written about my Ferragosto issues. Despite living in Italy for seven years, I was very American when it come to vacations and/or taking a break from work.I said, "was" not "am." Finally, this year I get it. I cannot wait for August 15th. Truly.My trip was intense. I recently signed a Los Angeles based client and flew to Los Angeles direct from Rome. I have NEVER in my life been so happy to sit in a freezing cold plane for a thirteen-hour flight. The six week heatwave in Rome was warping my brain. There were rumblings about Alitalia striking that weekend. Thankfully, they didn't and I got an upgrade to Business Class. Nice.That upgrade made a huge difference. I had horrible jet leg during my trip to Los Angeles back in May. This time it was much better. I think it also helped that I walked to the Century City Mall shortly after arriving and stayed up until 10.30 p.m.While I was running around Los Angeles with my client, I had deliveries and construction happening in Rome for another client. Given the nine hour time difference, things were a little hectic. I was only in Los Angeles for a few days and on my client's schedule so I didn't see many friends or "do meetings".Then I fly to Miami. It was my first trip to the city. I need to return and see more of it. I really liked the vibe. I stayed at the Viceroy which was fantastic.Unfortunately, the design district is shrinking after LVHM bought out several blocks. It was still a productive trip. I sourced some great items for my Anguilla project.From Miami I flew to St. Martin. I said hello to my parents, and the next day took the ferry to Anguilla.After all the flying, unpacking, repacking, shopping, meeting with contractors, painters, carpenters, project managers, receiving texts from clients in Rome about things we need to do ASAP, etc. etc., I hit the wall on Saturday.While packing (again) I watch Flipping Out. Can we talk about this show? I have so many questions. I wish Bravo aired in Italy.I'm not complaining but a very strange thing happened during this trip. I do not feel guilty about looking forward to August 15th. Not one bit.Of course I'm not going completely cold turkey. There are quite a few back office things I need take care of during the break and meetings I must attend.I bought a stack of shelter magazines in the States and the book The Bee Cottage Story. I'm going to cut way back from the Internet and chill. I know September is going to be off the charts busy. Everyone returns to town and I'm looking for a new apartment. The latter will be an interesting process.I may not be able to Dolce Far Niente for two weeks but can try for at least two days. To prepare I need to put together a killer playlist which will include one of my favorite summer jams from August 1990.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzoEK545j64Buon Ferragosto!
Weekend Inspiration - Muriel Brandolini's Pool - Hamptons, NY
I wonder if we could re-set this week.Every time I turned on the news in the morning before my workout, there was some horrific, sad, or tragic breaking news.I had to look at something relaxing and beautiful. A picture of interior designer Muriel Brandolini's pool, featured in Architectural Digest was just what I needed.When I read the issue, this page jumped out at me. How stunning is this pool?
I don't swim (long story) but I could see myself enjoying the pool and the views.It's important to be informed about what is happening in the world. We must also remember to appreciate beauty in the world as well.Buon Ferragosto!
Dolce Far Niente (The Sweetness of Doing Nothing).
I wish I knew I how to do this.Trust me, this is not a humblebrag. You know when you ask someone how they're doing and they reply, "BUSY!"? Then they proceed to talk for twenty minutes about how busy they are?I used to do the BUSY thing all the time when I lived in Los Angeles. I broke out of that habit after living here a few years. When Italians ask, "how are you?", they really want to know. It's a conversation starter, not an opportunity to brag about how much work you do. Nobody wants to hear that mess unless you are at a work conference or something.While I have calmed down a bit since my big move, I still find myself feeling guilty for not working all the time. I know there are people who never stop. I did that during my Hollywood years but had nothing to show for it other than missed weddings back east, stress, and debt.So I know I wasn't healthy or happy during that time yet August in Rome continues to freak me out. This week my vendors are closing up for the summer. There is nothing I can do regarding deliveries, invoices, my projects, etc.Last year when I went to Salina, I had a view like this,
but I was constantly checking my emails and on the phone with my clients. However, that was in June. August is another story.In August I'm forced to slow down so why can't I just chill the heck out without feeling guilty about it? One of my favorite designers, Erin Gates of ELEMENTS OF STYLE, wrote a fantastic POST about the pressure we Americans put on ourselves to do it all.It's madness. I told myself that this year would be different. It's not. It's only the 6th and instead of reveling in the summer, I want September to get here already.My local caffe and many of my favorite restaurants are shutting down this week. Only the places catering to tourists will be opened. Most of my friends are gone and the rest are leaving next week. Tumbleweeds will roll down Lungotevere.I should try to follow my dad's example. He was an incredibly hard worker but he also knew how to relax. He truly appreciated the little vacation and down time he had. My mom also worked hard but NEVER relaxed. Even on her days off from work she was going, going, going. I used to think I was a combination of the two but no, I'm more like my mom. There's always something that must be done.I have my own company. You'd think I would be able to give myself a break and/or vacation. No, instead I think if don't burn the candle at both ends I won't be able to succeed, which means I won't be able to pay my rent, therefore I will end up living under the Ponte Sisto bridge.Okay, this summer I am going to break the cycle, dammit! I must do it for my mental, physical, and creative health.We'll see how the rest of the year shapes up as I start my quest to partake in the fine Italian tradition of Dolce Far Niente.Any suggestions?
August In Rome
All over my neighborhood are signs like this:
Before I was on Hollywood's schedule, so August was a busy time for me. While all my friends and neighbors fled the August heat and tourists, I stayed behind in Rome writing and pitching TV projects.Now I'm on a local schedule and it's a trip. Last week I was running around town making sure to touch base with my vendors before they closed up shop for the month.There will be NO furniture deliveries in August.September will be out of control. Everything is being pushed to that month.In the meantime, I'm going to use this period to catch up on office paperwork. I also need to find more space in my tiny apartment for all the new books I have. I'm literally running out of room.One friend (who just left town for the rest of the month) suggested I see a few movies. Then we started laughing because most of the movie theaters are closed too.