transition wear

STEFANEL vest, GUCCI trousers, ELINA CHEUNG shirt, BCBG shoes, PRADA purse and gloves

London technically never had a summer to transition from. Instead, we just hopped right into winter. Its about 8 degrees outside at the moment spiking an average high of 13 during the day. The only good thing about the winter-esque weather is being able to wear huge gilets and being able to get away with it.

Got this one in Sicily when bikinis were still in season. I wish we had Stefanels in London.

PS. Got a lil trim (finally...!)
PPS. Sorry about the very delayed posts lately...real life has made me very very tired.

LUCY IN DISGUISE

LUCY IN DISGUISE vintage jacket, ASOS trousers, UNIQLO belt, QUEENS WARDROBE blouse, MIU MIU shoes and purse, STREET VENDOR from Sardinia silver cuff

Everyone knows Lily Allen as a singer/face of Chanel/Karl Lagerfield's muse, but she demonstrated her fashion/shopping sense in her new vintage boutique in London last weekend. LUCY IN DISGUISE is the brainchild of Lily and her half-sister Sarah, where you can buy or rent designer vintage that they have either searched endlessly or hoarded over. They even have a blow-dry bar downstairs and a seating area for men with ps3 and vintage Playboys (which are surprisingly very tasteful; it was the first time I was actually trying to find naked women in a magazine).

We stopped by there opening day and picked up the jacket above. The actual designer is S.Howard Hirsch whom we believe to be an interior designer turned fashion designer from the 60's. It was love at first sight. The material is quite thick and velvety and surprisingly warm, which comes in handy for the brand-spanking new 13 degree weather that's been sporting about London these past few days.

24 hours in Soho

GUCCI trousers, QUEENS WARDROBE blouse, BALMAIN (knockoff I think) blazer, BCBG ponyhair wedges, MULBERRY bag, KENNETH JAY LANE ring, NECKLACE from Sardinia street vendor

A couple Saturdays ago, we stayed in Soho literally from lunch til the wee hours. There's something to be said about having a huge city to venture and explore in yet we stay in the confines of a few streets for over 10 hours. At least it gave me a chance to wear my new Gucci trousers that I picked up in Sicily from one of the Parisi stores. The Parisi family practically owns Taormina including its access to designer goods. Thankfully I spent just enough time searching in their outlet to find these bad boys from s/s 2010. I love how reminiscent the flare is of my high school days.

Taormina

NICO DI DONNA vest/dress, TALULA dress, BCBG belt, DVF shoes, MIU MIU bag

Last nights in Taormina, Sicily were spent gobbling up as much gelato, granita, seafood, and coffee as possible. I really cannot stress enough how beautiful it is...the city is built on a mountain so you'll always have a view and since its seaside, you'll always have a beach. Sicily is known for their Godfather-like residents to us North Americans but I would rate it high on my list of Italian towns to visit.

Finally, for the past two years Mass' birthday has been spent flying home so I didn't get to send him a proper and formal birthday blog shoutout. Happy Birthday, you really are the greatest boyfriend ever.

Verona...and Aida

NICO DI DONNA dress, MIU MIU bag, DVF shoes, KENNETH JAY LANE ring

One of the biggest attractions in Verona is their open air Opera theatre so during our trip to Lake Garda, we went to see Aida at the Arena di Verona. Aida itself was probably a good storyline but my lack of Italian really put a damper on the whole thing (that and Mass was hogging the program that had English, the whole time). However, the arena was gorgeous. I'm always a fan of watching anything underneath a bed of stars. If you're ever in town, you should definitely check it out. Prices for tickets are as low as £20.

PS. My skin went from pale to brown way too quickly...

Italy Photo Diary Aug 25 - Sep 5

Seaside lunching in Taormina

Nightly family dinners in Sardinia followed by night market browsing

Lake Garda for sulphuric spas


Delicious meals in Verona

Juliet's home in Verona

Gorgeous monastery turned hotel that hosted the event we were in Sicily for

Climbing/walking along the volcanic ashes of Etna

Etna

Few quick out-of-order snaps from our two week trip to Sardinia, Verona/Lake Garda, and Sicily. Took about a week because I always need a holiday after my holidays.

CALDESI

LISA: MAJE dress, BURBERRY trench, DRIES VAN NOTEN shoes, ROBERTA FREYMANN bib necklace, MIU MIU purse

MASS: NICO DIDONNA trousers/jacket, CUSTOM from ITALY shirt, NYC belt, CAMPANILE shoes

Two weekends ago, Mass and I headed out to Reading for my friend's son's christening (isn't he adorbs?). Following the ceremony, we stopped by my favorite town for my favorite meal in the UK: Caldesi in Campagna in Bray. Some of you might recognize Bray to be home of the infamous Fat Duck, but I like to think of Bray as home to Waterside Inn and Caldesi.

Mass took me here for my bday last November and it was heaven. Caldesi is where I first laid eyes (and nose) on my eternal favorite produce, the white truffle. This time around was no less spectacular. Although Bray is a small town known for its Michelin star restuarants (houses two 3-stars w/in a 2km radius), it's such a treat when you need to get away from London. (Caldesi also has a restaurant in London (Marylebone) but I prefer the ambiance in Bray).

Boarding to Sicily now for the rest of the wknd. Will be back in London Tuesday. Have yourselves a fantastic weekend.