Milano pt 1

It was my first time in Milan a couple weekends ago! I was very excited to go given all the great things I constantly hear about it. It definitely did not let me down. I don't think it's my favourite Italian city/village but I do think it has a lot to offer. We spent our first evening eating at Cracco. It was a traditional Michelin star meal - very creative and many many courses.

And if you know Mass, you know he loves perusing the wine lists. You can imagine how long this one took:

WOWZA.


I guess we eventually chose one.



10 hours later...


We left....to have another drink. :)

Have a pleasant Tuesday evening!

Piedmont... in photos

Now for some photos from the trip...

Insalata 31, 41, 51.... (51 ingredients in this insalata! Followed by drinking the dressing by removing the bowl)

Test tube concoctions...a bit too fancy shmancy for my taste.

The hunt with the hunter sans his dog


Cleaned, shaved and served...delicious.

BURBERRY PRORSUM shearling coat, HOBBS dress, MENDOCINO shirt, NINE WEST otk boots, MIU MIU bag

Similar to the runway demonstration of this coat, I was inspired to pair a knee length fitted dress with my shearling. I bought and altered this dress a few months ago for work but found that it had exactly what I was looking for to match the coat. Versatility is one of the many highlighting characteristics to this beautiful piece.

Beyond that are images from our weekend trip to Piedmonte to go truffle hunting. We found one tartufo bianco and two tartufo (tartufi?) neri. As you can see I still didn't give up the coat even in the forest (worn with my trusty Hunter wellies and Oxford University cricket sweater).

Alba has some of the best restaurants in the country, including the gastronomic one we ate at that had milk in a test tube for dessert. Best part of the trip: the truffle and barolo (both located in the Piedmonte region). If you love either, I highly recommend a trip.

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.

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.

heads will roll

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD







I'm Wearing: Tods flat sandals (never was a huge fan of Tods until I moved to Europe, seems to be more of a trend here), Asos jumper (you have no idea how difficult it was to zip up - imagine going to the bathroom!), Prada clutch, Marc Jacobs sunnies

Mass' Wearing: Nico Di Donna trousers, Lardini loafers, Linen shirt from Paris, Marc Jacob sunnies

On Sunday, we had the typical Italian lunch (read: feast) at Mass' parents place. It never fails for Mass and his brother to head out onto the terrace after to have a cigar and grappa.

I bought Mass the linen shirt when I was in Paris a few months ago. We were walking along a tailor street (cheaper equivalent to Saville Row in Paris) and I coincidentally popped into a mens shop that provided tailoring to a number of political figures, including Bill Clinton. I love the looseness of the shirt, it falls so nicely on him.







In the evening we went to Gubbio, Italy (a region in Perugia). We met some friends from London who took us to an Agriturismo in the middle of nowhere. Borgo di Carpiano specializes in 'un-plugging'. Especially for those who live in a big city like London, they give you the opportunity to literally unplug from everything (there is barely a bar of reception on your mobile). As you can see from the photos, the view is spectacular. The infinity pool ain't so bad either. The venue is a refurbished church that was re-built brick by brick, layer by layer, a few years ago. They only have seven rooms total and I even heard patrons from North America (aside from me).

We had a fantastic meal at their restaurant with a bottle of red from their region (and yes it was followed by a Toscana - cigar from Italy - and a grappa)

Back in London rain, Ciao for now!