Of course I know how to play bocce... what kind of question is that?

Sitting outside in the garden, reading for art history.

The sun is shining, the Coca-Cola cold,

and we just finished a round of bocce ball.

Is this real?

wearing my new stella mccartney jacket. thank goodness for italian outlets and sunny days.

Street Style: Fingers Skirt, Venice

not only was she painfully adorable (and nice!)

but how cool is she??

fingers on your skirt,

a matching scarf,

two-tone tights,

and a chanel?

she puts ALL other tourists to shame.

Venezia

Greetings from Florence! I came into the city today to do some work and look for the perfect birthday dress. So here I am, tucked into a cafe with my espresso and chocolate brioche (moment of silence, please), surrounded by books and notebooks, postcards waiting to be sent, and all chance of writing a 6 page paper out the window and in the Arno.

I got home last night from a whirlwind 36 hours in Venice. Our program took us to visit, though unfortunately only for one night. I had heard such mixed reviews of Venezia that my expectations were low- and I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the city. The canals and hidden passage ways make Venice the most romantic place on earth (or so I would imagine, sans 42 college students...)

While we were there we took a boat to Murano and watched the masters at work, visited the Peggy Guggenheim collection (now 2 for 3 on my goal to visit all of the Guggenheim museums), the Academia, and Saint Mark's. The Basilicia di San Marco was a surreal experience. Somehow we pulled off an after hours of the Cathedral where we entered the church in the dark, and sat while they slowly turned up the lights, illuminating the golden mosaics that decorate the church. It definitely made it on my list of most incredible travel (/life?) moments. Completely surreal.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Aunt Barbara, I thought of you the whole time.

My favorites from the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum.

nicole kidman's sandals from the film, Austria

Field Trip?

When I think field trip, I immediately think Zoo/Rouge River/Cranbrook. Apparently I've been led astray. (Though I guess Country Day trips to DC.Toronto.Disney don't help my case...) Here in Italy, "field trip" takes on a whole new meaning. Yesterday we all skipped Italian class to be led through Florence by our Italian professor to visit two of my favorite places in the city- The Ferragamo Museum and the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. I blogged about my adventures at Ferragamo a few weeks ago, but it was a wonderful treat to skip class and dissolve (once again) into the magical land of wedges, wooden lasts, and Audrey Hepburn.

As for the Farmaceutica, I firmly believe that it is the most aesthetically pleasing place in Florence, behind the Duomo, of course. Bold statment, I know, but when you enter the wooden and glass doors, into the grand foyer of the former Dominican church, you are immediately greeted by the scents of homemade rose, juniper, and amber. The tobacco and rose are my most favorite, and I think I could spend all day there, looking at the ceilings and the intricate wood carvings, and trying every scent in the elegant pharmacy cases. Oh the little (hidden) luxuries of Florence.

Jungfrau & Other Alpine adventures in Interlaken, Switzerland

at the top of Jungfrau.

snow angels and peace&love in black

katie and i en route to jungfrau

Greetings from Florence! I'm back in town after a weekend spent at Walter's Bed & Breakfast in Interlaken, Switzerland. Nestled at the bottom of the Swiss alps between two lakes, Walter's was a great deal with wonderful hospitality and phenomenal food. I cannot say enough good things about Switzerland- the people were so kind and helpful, the chocolate (and resulting hot chocolate) were to die for, and waking up to the snow covered peaks was just surreal.

I find myself constantly saying that things are incredible/wonderful/amazing/coolest thing I've ever seen, but Switzerland was different. While most of the other amazing wonders of Europe have been paintings, Cathedrals, and winding roads in small towns, Switzerland was the first place where I was just in awe of the natural beauty. Nothing man made here... other than the trains... Just pure, surreal, beauty. There's a reason they say that it's the closest thing to heaven, other than the altitude.

On Saturday we skipped skydiving (Mom, you can now breathe out.) in favor of a 3 hour train ride to Jungfrau, the "Top of the Alps". At 4 vertical miles above sea level (11,344 ft!) I felt like I had accomplished my childhood dream of climbing Everest.

Sweet success.

The Pitti- Costume

On Tuesday I had the incredible opportunity to privately tour the Pitti Costume Institute with their wonderful and elegant director, Cecilia. Special thanks to my program advisor who set up the meeting and tour. In addition to the beautiful collection of over 8,000 pieces from private donors and design houses, the museum also maintains a permanent collection of garments from the quattrocento (14th century) and the Medici family dynasty. Included in the collection are velvets and leather accessories found inside the family tombs (still in tact, even after the bodies turned to dust!).

Between my elementary Italian and Cecelia's near-perfect English, we were able to get on quite well. We stumbled over some fashion vocabulary, but with the help of elaborate hand gestures and allusions to other designers' work, we were able to communicate perfectly. My favorite pieces were from Ferre and Capucci, two designers who I had heard of, but was previously unfamiliar with their couture work. Both showed incredible architectural elements and would win over anyone willing to argue that a gown does not qualify as art. If you happen to visit the Pitti Costume, look out for Ferre's 1989 couture work. The ballet inspired gown looked like the perfect inspiration for Lagerfeld's Spring/Summer 2010 Chanel show...

Now I can't wait to visit the private museum next door, dedicated entirely to Capucci's work! The opportunities here are incredible and I am so lucky to have been able to explore my passion in conjunction with the program. I could not ask for anything better.

OFF TO THE ALPS.

ciao.

paris je t'aime.

Just a few photo highlights from Paris!

half way up to the eiffel tower... on foot

friday night.

rue cambon, bonjour coco.

howard lay's 271 class, come to life.

with one of my favorite paintings of all time, the raft of the medusa.

Outside of the Louvre.

at marie antoinette's country estate

I ate my way through Paris, via macaroon

bonjour bonjour bonjour

ooo la la...

Home from Paris, with stories for a lifetime. What a wonderful city! Everything is so magnificent and beautiful, from the people to the boutiques, even the McCafes*. We had a wonderful weekend exploring, and I made it my personal goal to try each of the most famous macaroons in the city. So here it is, the rundown of my macaroon marathon.

#1 Angelina

Rebecca told me to go here for the mont blanc dessert but when the mini boutique appeared on our first day at marie antoinette's personal chateau, I couldn't resist the raspberry and dark chocolate. Very good... but in this land of famous macaroons, only 2 stars of 4.

#2 Pierre Herme

Jessica and I went here on Saturday after I heard that the former Laduree chef had created his own shop. Rebecca, Jessica, and the WallPaper guidebook were all correct. The rose macaroon was to die for, and was even more delicate than Laduree's. 4 of 4.

#3 McCafe

Yup. McDonald's has cafes in Europe and they are beautiful. Plus, with their .90euro cent price tag, they are definitely the budget seeker's option. Their citrus was yummy... but just too chewy. 1 of 4 stars, but still impressed... if only by the fact that you can chance your BigMac with a macaroon...

#4 Laduree

The one. The only. Where one can easy spend half an inheritance (Joelle's words, not mine) on their edible art. (plus half a day in line...) The rose couldn't touch Pierre's but the violet black currant? We had a moment of silence. Everything was delicious, but this flavor was not to be missed (the dark chocolate mint was quite good as well!). The currant gets 4 stars, the rose 3, and the overall Laduree, a perfect 4 as well, thus bringing my marathon of macaroons to a close.

3 days. 4 famous macaroons. Mission accomplished.

tough life.

eloise in paris.

"Hello give me the Bell Captain

please will you kindly send up some twine

we want to wrap up our trunk

We're going to Paris France

bon voyage and

thanks a lot"

-eloise in paris

ciao ciao ciao

bonjour bonjour bonjour

off to the land of laduree

and colette and

mademoiselle chanel

xx

Scott Short

Untitled, Green (2009), Cardi Black Box

Untitled, Violet (2008), Christopher Grimes Gallery

So this weekend I went to the Strozzi for their surrealism and Gerhard Richter exhibits. In the Richter exhibit I discovered an artist that I was not previously familiar with. His name is Scott Short and his work is described best through this label from the show:

"His work consists of "small splotches of black paint that form evanescent structures on white ground. Their starting point is an ordinary sheet of white paper, a neutral support that is photocopies repeatedly until this mechanical process generates a new and unexpected pattern of signs. The artist ends the process when by chance an image is produced that seems to have acquired its own aesthetic autonomy and becomes the basis for a painting"

wicked.

ugh.

.sick.sick.sick.sick.sick.

in bed sleeping until Paris.

Nothing cures the plague

like macaroons and baguette...

Little Luxuries

I love weekends. And while I love to travel and be constantly on the go, there is something to be said for a relaxing day, spent alone, doing exactly what you want to do... made even more wonderful when you live in Florence.

We were meant to be in Milan for the weekend but do to a last minute field trip ended up in Arezzo yesterday and decided to lay low in Florence for the rest of the weekend. I woke up to a call from my wonderful boyfriend (perfect), did laundry, and spent my sweet time getting ready for the day. I wandered into Florence around noon, stopped by Palazzo Republico where I bumped into two girls from Mexico that we met on the train yesterday (SMALL WORLD!). I spent the next hour and a half on a mission to find Olio & Convivium, a beautiful restaurant I found in both my LUXE and WallPaper guides.

conviviumfirenze.it

diningcity.com

I had such a beautiful and relaxing lunch of homemade pasta with truffle butter and sausages. YUM. Seriously one of my favorite meals yet. Since I eat nearly every meal a home, it was nice to have such a treat!

Following lunch I visited the Strozzi Palace for their Surrealism and Richter exhibits. Both were great- very well done! After stopping in a few of my favorite boutiques, I picked up a gift (and a soy gelato!), and met some friends for apperetivo, the Italian tradition where you buy a glass of wine and gain access to the cafes delicious spread of complimentary snacks, sandwiches, and desserts. Best 7euro in town!

Now I'm off to sleep... big day of homework tomorrow... and maybe even the ballet!

ciao.

Spring Trend: Temporary Tattoos

I have very mixed feelings on tattoos.

I wish I was cool enough to pull it off but what would I get?

Where would I put it?

Wouldn't it hurt?

And where could it go where no one would ever see it?

Well thanks to Chanel I can now live my pseudo-rebellious lifestyle

through their package of elaborately detailed and elegant

Les Trompe L'Oeil temporary tattoos for Spring/Summer 2010.

Temporary tattoos? Really, Karl?

When I think of temporary tattoos I think of dinosaurs and

smiley faces from the dentist and sitting in my mom's bathroom

urging her to apply the water evenly to make sure that it would came out perfectly.

I saw them on the runways and when they were announced for retail last month I was hoping they could show up in Florence. I visited the Chanel boutique in Florence yesterday and they said that they were set to arrive next week. Talk about the best birthday present/outfit/accessory ever.

images courtesy of betseyj.com and culturemap.com

FIRENZE FASHION: WINTER WRAP-UP

Spring is on it's way to Florence...

I can't wait but I loved the beautiful layering and chunky knits

that took the city by storm during the weeks surrounding Pitti Uomo.

In honor of the beautiful style of the Florentines during the colder months I have compiled a list of my favorite trends from my first two months in Florence.

I love this photo of Ashley in NYC. She is wearing a charcoal knit hat

with a killer leather jacket and she looks perfectly European-cool.

I saw this photo right when I arrived in Florence and it served as

great inspiration for my favorite Italian trends

I'm worried that it's too late for over the knee boots... the spring collections are out in full force

but maybe that just means I will be able to score them for a great deal?

ciao.

safe and sound.

home sweet home villa.

back safely after a whirlwind of

Girona, Spain

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Spain

Porto, Portugal

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Pisa, Italy

phew.

spring break 2010.

happy to be home for bruno meals

and clean clothes...

oh the luxury.