Buongiorno a tutti! Erica Firpo’s Ciao Bella has published my interview with JJ Martin. Yes, it’s true I rave about her and her brand often but I know first hand how difficult it is to be an entrepreneur in Italy. What JJ has created is incredible. It was truly a pleasure to sit down with … Continue reading My Ciao Bella interview with JJ Martin, founder of La Double J
I’ve bought baker Sofie Wochner’s cinnamon rolls during the Latteria Studio‘s holiday pop-ups. Big fan. I’ve also heard about the pop-up dinners she and her husband, chef Domenico Cortese, used to hold in various locations through out Rome. Sofie and Domenico have dreamed about opening a restaurant and micro bakery in Rome for years and … Continue reading Marigold – A Delicious Newish Restaurant/Bakery in Rome.
I have written about Franco – Italian Chez Dédé before. I heard about this incredibly talented and creative couple, Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla, from the late great Wonderfool. My friend Courtney and I met the lovely Daria at the store/spa and wanted to buy all their bags. Daria and Andrea are quite modest. I didn’t learn … Continue reading Italian Chic – by Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla
I noticed this large abandoned palazzo when I first moved to Rome. I wondered what the history of the building was and why it was falling apart. I found out that it was a city owned property built in 1929. It used to be the headquarters for the Health Administration. Once those offices moved, the … Continue reading Palazzo Merulana, Rome
Yes, it’s true that Venice has many tourist trap restaurants. Tourist traps don’t care about the quality of their food (and love to over charge people) as it’s a volume business, especially from the mega cruise ships. They will never see those tourists again and locals would never eat there. Do not let the bad … Continue reading The Design Files – Ristorante Local, Venice
My friend Erica invited me to join her on a press trip for the preview of the 16th Architecture Biennale. I haven’t been to any of the Biennale. I follow the art, cinema, and architecture ones on social media but it’s not the same. My first (and last) trip to Venice was twelve years ago, … Continue reading La Biennale Venice – 2018
Edited by Carl Dellatore, INTERIOR DESIGN MASTER CLASS: 100 Lessons From America’s Finest Designers On The Art of Decoration, is an outstanding book. Although it’s geared towards students of design and professionals, this book would appeal to anyone who’s curious about interiors. The book is divided into six sections: theory, structure, style, process, elements, and … Continue reading The Design Files – Interior Design Master Class
I made it to Puglia, finally! I’ve wanted to visit this region of Italy for years. I was excited to learn that Eat, Pray, Move had a yoga retreat in Puglia and signed up. I wrote about my first yoga retreat which was in Tuscany. That retreat had an art component. This retreat had a … Continue reading Eating, Praying, and Moving in Puglia
I went to Florence for the first time during my second vacation in Italy. I stayed for a couple of days. My second trip was a few years later during the first month I lived in Italy. I couldn’t wait to leave both times. The second trip was over nine years ago and I believed … Continue reading I Used to Hate on Florence, Italy.
One of my friends, who owns a boutique travel agency in Italy, told me that finding four star hotels in Rome is difficult. She said there are great options at the five-star high-end level and at the economical end but there are too many four-stars that are really a three- star at best. Enter Le … Continue reading Life in Rome – Mini-break at Le Méridien Visconti Hotel
Arlene Gibbs Décor 