Spring Has Sprung.

color wheel installation at the Ferragamo Museum

It's coming!

I can feel it!

It's almost spring in Florence. The shiny puffy coats are being tucked away in favor of chunky layers and tights are quickly replacing trousers. I tried to buy thick, high socks today (in an attempt to replicate the looks from NYFW and Pitti) and the woman told me that everything thick was gone, as the new collections were in!

*

There is no better way to spend a spring morning than wandering the sun drenched streets of Florence. After an art history lecture, I wandered around Tornabuoni, the high fashion street where I visited the Ferragamo museum, had panini at Procacci, and window shopped the new spring collections. The windows were beautiful and made me feel even more excited for my upcoming spring break trip to Spain.

The windows at Tod's were beautiful. The brand constantly ropes me in with their aesthetic. Their models are always simply beautiful- a perfect counterpart to their simple, luxurious, and expertly crafted leather goods. I love their leather wedge loafers and new pastel leather bags. Lavender, beige, and camel... gorgeous.

And no better way to end the morning than with two of Procacci's miniature tea sandwiches. Truffle pate and one with brie and wine jam. At under 2euro, these delightful minis are a wonderful and entirely accessible luxury on a street lined with Birkins, Pucci scarves, and Prada sweaters...

Dear Spring, I'm ready for you!

PS Dad, wine jam is where it's at.

<3

Boarding School at 20?

Don't get me wrong,

I LOVE it here.

(I mean, it doesn't hurt to wake up to the Tuscan countryside...)

I chose this program because I wanted to have a more rigid plan

but my goodness.

I think I went from

PREP SCHOOL => UNIVERSITY => BOARDING SCHOOL.

Not exactly the typical academic plan...

I live in a beautiful home with 43 other students, eat three meals/day (7, 1, 7... when was the last time I sat down for three meals in a day?), and live with my professors (who sometimes travel with us on weekends and like to show movies for class on Sunday evenings). While it's a really cool opportunity and completely different from my life at home, what it came to selecting a stereotype for Thursday's party, Boarding School was an obvious choice...

(pucci scarf, theory charcoal cashmere vest, zara elbow patched professor blazer, vintage theory tweeded mini, henri bendel cashmere vneck)

But please note the book "Medici Money" found in the library, marked with a photo of my parents in black tie, nestled beside my moleskin.

i love costume parties.

New York Fashion Week

I will not disrespect Mr. Schuman by reposting his work, but doesn't this image just completely sum up NYFashion Week?

How admirable/glorious/empowering.

Good luck in the snow with those fabulous Loubs, darling!

In always looking fabulous, no matter the temperature...

ciao.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I hope that where ever you are, you had a wonderful day and spent it with someone special. I woke up feeling a little bummed this morning, thinking about how my day would consist of studying for midterms and hoping to skype with my Valentine... then after brunch I was surprised with a massive bouquet of sunflowers! I was sitting in my room reading emails and in walked my friend Adam carrying my beautiful bouquet...

"I've been meaning to tell you for a while now... you're boyfriend is an amazing guy!"

I nearly started sobbing I was so excited! Thanks to my wonderful Valentine, I had an amazing day. I wish I could have spent it with him, but this was an amazing compromise :) Plus Savannah made me a card and we shared a bottle of wine for dinner. Lovely friends and an incredible boyfriend... What more could I ask for?

<3

A Single Man

This was, in all honestly, the most beautiful, aesthetically pleasing film I have ever seen.

(click here to listen to the npr interview with Tom Ford)

The Women Got The Short End of the Stick

I have become absolutely enamored with Italian men's fashion during my time in Florence. It probably helps that the week I arrived was Pitti Uomo, men's fashion week in Florence, so the best dressed gents of Europe happened to be hanging out around town... but seriously.

If you've been reading the Sartorialist lately, you know that Scott shares my obsession with Pitti Uomo style... and maybe you've read the Times piece about how women are wearing more black so men are taking more fashion risks?

When I was packing for this trip and simply announced that I needed a goal... and that it was to be the best dressed person in Europe, I knew I had set the bar high (I clearly like to set my sights high... that seemed to be the HIGHEST). Yet I didn't realize that it would be the men who would be my biggest competition. As my mom explained as I packed, women dress simply. Leggings, black trousers, tights, and sweater dresses with the finest leather boots, leather bag, and beautiful scarf. While that remains my go to in the city, I've become much more infatuated with the men's trends in Florence.

My favorite menswear trends in Florence:

- wearing knit cowls (neck warmers) as beanie caps

- layering chunky sweaters with tweed blazers (especially the elbow patches)

- scarves, scarves, scarves... skinny, patterned, chunky knits

ugh. I never thought I would idolize menswear like this...

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Roma, 1-0

On Sunday night, since a weekend in Rome wasn't exhausting enough, we decided to go the Roma v. Fiorentina game in Florence. European futbol? Yes please. And on the night of the Superbowl, no less? Looks like I'm officially Italian.

please note the metal spikes and the riot police waiting on the sidelines...

Favorite things about European soccer:

1. Insane fans waving flags and swearing in Italian

2. Creepy old men who go to the games alone, don't take their eyes off the game, and never smile.

3. The half time show where a huge carton of milk was rolled out onto the field to advertise Mukki smoothie milk, which just sat midfield for the entire break.

3. The guy in front of us who violently kicked the glass when Fiorentina missed a goal (not actually that funny... really more horrifying.)

4. The guy behind us with blood on his face, smoking away, never realizing that he was bleeding through the entire 2 hour match (also horrifying...)

Roma 1, Fiorentina 0

wah. wah.

Spanish Steps

Spotted: THE BEARON @ LUISA VIA ROMA

Spotted.

pitti uomo

Sartorialist book signing.

When in Rome... Dov'e Lizzie McGuire?

Not Banksy

but willing to pretend.

Italian Life Lesson #123536

Note to self.

When doing laundry in another country with appliances you don't understand in a language you can barely decipher, read the english directions and follow them. You do NOT know everything... and you definitely don't know more about Italian appliances than the Villa house mom. Washing your clothes without a spin cycle can only end badly, leading to a white tee monochromatic installation extending from shower curtain rod to radiator.

oops.

Cross that off the list of possible careers...

Adam wanted a haircut.

Adam thought I could help.

Adam thought wrong.

DINNER:

Entire plate of salad: arugula, red cabbage, romaine, toasted walnuts, apple, artichoke with a light oil dressing

Orecciette with pesto

Fresh, crispy bread

A bottle of 2euro red wine

and for dessert, an almond cake with citrus custard and slices of blood oranges.

FORGET SMOOTHIES.

i love you bruno.