Stylish Simplicity - Stone Candle Holders by Tom Dixon
I was looking through Tom Dixon's website when I saw his Stone Candle holders.These candles would work well with a traditional decor or a modern one. I think it's because of the material, marble. The lines are very minimal but the marble gives the holders warmth.They are fantastic. Stylish and simple.
Photo: tomdixon.net
Weekend Inspiration - Dolce & Gabbana - S/S 2014
Dolce & Gabbana had one of the outstanding collections during Milan Fashion Week. Folks are still talking about the last look.It's funny, Dolce & Gabbana is a house I've appreciated for it's tailoring, marketing, and red carpet looks, yet for some reason I never paid much attention to their RTW.Unlike most houses that are expanding like crazy, especially into the cash-cow lower priced lines, Dolce & Gabbana closed down their very profitable D&G line in 2011. They said one reason was the desire to get back to basics.In getting back to basics, they've also returned to Sicily. The island has had a strong influence on the designer's work (Dolce is Sicilian and the two have a house in Stromboli).When I finally made it to Sicily, I understood how and why the island drives their creativity. I cannot wait to explore more of it.This collection has convinced me to at least think about adding some florals to my spring/summer wardrobe.I never wear florals. I like to keep things simple and clean. I'm short and don't want to look like Great Auntie Gertrude's sofa.This dress is so not my style. I cannot stop looking at it. Is it the color, the cut? I don't know but I'm loving this Sicilian almond blossoms dress.
Photo: Style.com
Buon weekend!
Stylish Simplicity - Ponte Settimia Spizzichino - Rome, Italy
Last month, my friends Erica and Darius hosted another Instagram, "Meet The Romans" meetup. We started very early (to beat the heat) in Ostiense.A few weeks before I was out jogging toward the Basilica of Saint Paul Beyond The Walls, when I noticed a very striking bridge.I found out at the Meetup that this bridge only opened a few months ago. Construction by Rome's Solidus, S.r.l. began in 2010.It was named after Settimia Spizzichino.On October 16th, 1943, the Nazis walked into Settimia's home on Via delle Reginella. She was 22.Settimia was first sent to Auschwitz with her mother, two sisters, and a brother. They died in the gas chambers while Settimia was subjected to Dr. Mengele's "experiments." Later she was transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Many of the prisoners died during the long walk and Settimia nearly starved to death.Finally, when she was 24, Settimia was liberated from the camp by British soldiers. She returned to Rome, where she found her father and two sisters who had survived the death camps. She weighed less than 70lbs.She spent the rest of her life educating young people about the Holocaust. She died in 2000 at 79.I thought there was something evocative about this bridge even before I knew the name. The lines are so simple, clear, and yet majestic.
Buon Weekend - The Last Weekend Of Summer
Autumn starts on Sunday. You can feel it. The air is crisp in the morning and the days are getting shorter.I did not make it to Sperlonga or Santa Marinella once this summer. I need to get my Spaghetti Con Vongole on at the beach this weekend before it's too late.Buon weekend!
Gaeta, Italy
Stylish Simplicity - Paola Navone for Crate & Barrel
One of my favorite American stores has recently announced their collaboration with the incredible, Milan-based architect/interior designer, Paola Navone. To say I'm a fan of her work is a huge understatement.I would like to buy so many things in this collection. The darker blues remind me of Rome at dusk or the color of the sky above the mountains in St. Martin.I wonder how much it would cost to ship a few items to Rome. Okay, I need to stop. I once had to pay €40 to get a pack of Girl Scout cookies out of customs that my sister had sent to me. I love Samoas but come on, that's bananas.I will have to appreciate this collection from afar. It's the very definition of Stylish Simplicity.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXCQo62VWXs&w=420&h=315]For more information about Paola and to see the entire collection, HERE is the website.
Weekend Inspiration - Carolina Herrera - S/S 2014
One of my favorite collections from this year's NYFW Spring/Summer 2014 was Carolina Herrera's.Her clothes are sophisticated, modern, and stylish. I'm loving the grown-up understated glamour of this collection.I wish I could afford one of her dresses but until then, I'll just appreciate the design of these lovely pieces.Buon weekend!
Photos: Carolina Herrera
Stylish Simplicity - Haribo Gummi Bears
I'm dead serious.During my trip to Munich, I saw Haribo candies everywhere. Haribo is a Germany company founded in 1920 and the birthplace of Gummi Bears.I know there are fancier gummy candies in the world.They are not for me. I like my candy the same way I like my dècor, timeless. Let others jump on the latest sweets fads.I'll stick to the original. I except no substitutes.
Photo: Yatego.com
Weekend Inspiration - Dead Macbooks and Cy Twombly
What a crazy week this has been.My sister, who lives in Washington DC, was in Hamburg for an international public policy conference and we decided to meet in Munich.One of the highlights of our very quick trip was the Brandhorst Museum. This modern art space has some really impressive pieces, including works by Cy Twombly.When I returned to Rome, I hit the ground running. Suddenly, everything came to a halt because my laptop (granted, it was very old) died.Now I'm typing on an Italian keyboard. I'm glad that the € symbol is right there along with é and è but the darn ' and @ are in completely different places.It's a good thing I'm getting better about rolling with the punches (thanks dysfunctional Italy!) If this large and unexpected expense had happened last year, I would've worked myself into a giant knot of stress while freaking out about my credit card bill.Instead, I'm thankful that I have a business that's growing and I know that this purchase was an investment in that business.That said, I must admit that a tiny part of me was thinking, "damn, I could've bought a scarf and the bracelet I love at Hermès for that amount."As one of my close friends would say, "It's only money." Of course this statement is usually uttered by people who have money. She went on to say that experiences are more important.I do appreciate nice things and I would love to have some of them in my life but I agree with what my friend said about experiences.Yes, I took a big hit this week but what I will remember is standing in a large room in Munich surrounded by Twombly with my sister talking about art, politics, and how despite a ten year age difference we have the exact taste in men.Several of these pieces are in the Broadhorst. Inspiring. Buon Weekend![youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XO4_A1orV4&w=560&h=315]
Life In Rome - Il Rientro
I’m still not used to the rientro effect, even after five summers here. It’s as if a giant light switch was turned on and BAM, the locals have returned.
There is traffic again on Lungotevere and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The woman who owns my local newsstand is very tan, relaxed, and tells us all about her vacation.
I’m excited that my butcher and my favorite baker at the Trionfale farmers’ market are back. I’ve missed them.
There’s an electric energy in the air despite the fact that our government could collapse (again) at any moment.
Suddenly, my phone is ringing off the hook with vendors letting me know when furniture will be delivered, appointments to see clients, and friends wanting to meet up for post-rientro aperitivi.
I'm glad the rientro has begun.
Weekend Inspiration - Rosé Wine
When I was growing up in the States, rosé had a reputation for being a second rate wine. I don't know why that is.However, in St. Martin (the half French, half Dutch island) I noticed it everywhere, restaurants (including upscale ones), beach bars, house parties, etc.Once my parents moved back to the island, my siblings and I started to spend more time there. My sister, Daniella, LOVES rosé and would insist on stopping by a wine shop to stock up for our stay.Now, thanks to Daniella, I am a big fan of getting my rosé on the minute the warm weather arrives.Certain words and images come to mind when I drink rosé: summer, family, friends, good food, beaches, the Caribbean, outdoor seating in my favorite piazza, France, Sicily, parties, pink.
Here's a write up about rosé from The Kitchn.Buon weekend a tutti!
Stylish Simplicity - Allaire Desk Fan - Restoration Hardware
I saw a very cool old-school fan when I stayed at the lovely Baur B&B in Piemonte.I don't know where they bought it, but I finally found something similar.
Restoration Hardware's brushed nickel Allaire desk fan is gorgeous.It's functional, simple, and stylish. Plus, it would work with a variety of interiors, modern, rustic, contemporary, etc.Speaking of fans, I've been running mine pretty much non-stop for the past week. I cannot wait until fall. Seriously.
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.
Buon Weekend - Jimmy Fallon, Robin Thicke & The Roots - "Blurred Lines"
I love Jimmy Fallon's elementary school music room instruments covers. It's sad that many elementary schools no longer have music periods but I digress.This week Robin Thicke stopped by and the result was this:[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOZjaqHioro&w=560&h=315]Buon weekend a tutti!
Stylish Simplicity - Lemonade
Okay, the recipe below is simple but what makes it stylish? To me, its simplicity!
The summer heat has finally arrived and the last thing I want to do is to be in the kitchen making complicated things.
When I'm at the market and see the huge Amalfi lemons, I must make this lemonade and add a sprig of mint.
Photo: Exsus
Homemade Lemonade 1 ¾ white sugar8 cups water1 ½ cup lemon juice (about 10 lemons)In a small saucepan combine sugar with 1 cup of the water. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate until chilled.Put the lemons in hot water for 10 minutes then roll to loosen up the juice.Remove seeds from lemons (leave in as much or as little pulp as you like). Squeeze the lemons in a pitcher, added the chilled sugar syrup and then 7 cups cold water.
Enjoy!
Weekend Inspiration - Genesis - Sebastião Salgado - Rome, Italy
Sebastião Salgado is one of my favorite photographers.His show, GENESIS, is at the Ara Pacis until September 15th.
Photo: Taschen
It's a large exhibit filled with staggering beauty. At times I was overwhelmed. There was a lot to take in.Salgado spent eight years traveling to thirty-two different locations to photograph people, places, and animals that have had little or no exposure to modern society. It's about how they relate to the earth.I will be thinking about this exhibit for a long time.Buon weekend!
Weekend Inspiration - Bee Gees - "Jive Talkin'"
I was channel surfing the other day and watched a documentary about the Bee Gees on the History (!) Channel.They were closely associated with the disco era because of the huge success of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. However, in reality they were not disco artists.I'm always fascinated by what inspires creative people. I was floored when I found out the inspiration for the opening bars of "Jive Talkin'" was a car going over a bridge.The Bee Gees were recording in Miami and everyday would cross the Julia Tuttle Causeway. This proves once again that inspiration can come from anywhere or anyone.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBw25CrUS-o&w=420&h=315]Buon Weekend!
Snapshots - Ostia Antica, Italy
Ostia Antica, the ancient port city founded in 620 BC, is a place I've wanted to visit for a long time.So when I heard that Save Rome and Moscerina were organizing an Instagram meet up, I signed up right away.It was fantastic. We were very lucky to have archeologist Dr. Arya show us the sights. If you have any interest in Ancient Rome, Ostia Antica is a must see.Here are a few of my snapshots.
Weekend Inspiration - La Farmacia
I know people love to talk smack about Gwyneth Paltrow's webiste, GOOP. I don't understand why someone would subscribe to a website they hated. It's not as if anyone is forcing them to read Ms. Paltrow's musings.Yes, some of her suggestions are bananas. However, posts like The French Pharmacy are fantastic.One great about living in Europe are the pharmacies. Finally, some of the skin care products can be found in the States but usually at much higher prices.Klorane is one of my favorite brands. I will be working this weekend, including a very early Saturday meeting with one of my clients. I ran into my local farmacia to pick up one thing and ended up also buying the Energia shower gel and some conditioner.
Photo: Allure.com
I wish I could go to a spa this weekend. Instead, I will do a janky home version. Now, I need to run out to the market to get some cucumbers and limes.Buon weekend!
Rhapsody In Blue - Using Wallpaper To Open Up A Small Kitchen
The latest issue of HOUSE BEAUTIFUL features designer Sheila Bridges' New York City kitchen.
This is a very striking and unusual blue for a kitchen. Bridges' Torino Damask wallpaper is gorgeous and does make the space seem larger.
I love how the silver in the wallpaper works with the stainless steel appliances.
It's funny to me how this is described as a small kitchen. True, it is much smaller than the kitchen in Bridges' Hudson River Valley home, but by NYC standard, this kitchen is pretty decent size.
To see more of the kitchen, the HB slide show is HERE.
Weekend Inspiration - Kenton Nelson
I first became familiar with Nelson's work when I saw his piece "Swin Party" in the movie "Something's Gotta Give."
Photo: Kenton Nelson
Incredible painting. The colors are so saturated. When I look at it, I think Southern California in the late 30's.I know this painting will be on a future mood board. Look at that red!Buon weekend.