Sogni D’oro

Ciao tutti! Our trip to Italia seems like ages ago, so much has happened since then. As you may or may not know, Timmy and I had a month-long excursion through Italy right before we moved back to California, and it now seems like a fleeting dream when I look back on the photos. We took a plane from New York to Milan, took the train from Venice to Rome stopping in incredible cities in between, then we rented a car and drove back up through Tuscany, visiting the hill towns and sampling the wine, gorging on gelato and becoming olive oil snobs. I’d like to share some photos of my favorite memories as well as some excerpts from our travel journal.

“A train from Ozzanno to Bologna, a train from Bologna to Firenze Rifredi, and finally a train from Firenze Rifredi to Santa Maria Novella stazione in Firenze proper. I had been dreaming about this, being back in this beautiful Italian city…but this time with mio amore.”

“Past the girls’ house (Ciao belle!) onto Via dello Sprone, where the green shutters at #13 were flung wide open.”

“For a 10 euro lunch special we got two courses, our first taste of Chianti, and a confession of love for Julia Roberts.”

“From atop the hill at the Santa Margherita church in Cortona, the clouds were splayed below us like a giant blanket over the valley.”

“We spent the day hiking up and down the hilly cobblestone streets, moseying down a wide path along the edge of town, and trying to ignore our hunger since the shops were closed for la pausa.”

“We walked from the train station to the hotel, going up and over bridges, meandering through narrow cobblestone streets, pausing every so often to take a picture of a sight that took our breath away.”

“In preparation for the long lines we were expecting at the Vatican, we packed the croissants left over from our breakfast at the B&B and bought a full bottle of water. When we arrived at the Vatican museums we walked RIGHT IN. Ten minutes later we were in the Sistine Chapel.”

“We have been so lucky with the weather so far, but it has been the nicest here in Roma. The sun has been warm, the skies have been clear, and we couldn’t be happier.”

“The tour groups were out in full force today but we weren’t worried. Mario had an exclusive connection to the Accademia who let us skip the line and get in for free! She led us in through the exit and opened the doors straight to Michaelangelo’s Davide.”

“Breakfast was brought to us in our room at 9 am…coffee, tea, yogurt, croissants, rolls, butter, jam, honey, soft cheeses, and orange juice. Facing the Galleria Dell’Accademia, our room looks out at the Ponte Dell’Accademia stretching out over the grand canal.”

“My new favorite color is the soft silvery green of the olive tree leaves, my new favorite food is bread with olive oil and salt, and my new favorite beverage is sweet red wine.”

“We wandered the Dorsoduro neighborhood and picked up Murano glass souveniers, then got our luggage and took a vaporetto to the train station. Ciao Venezia.”

“When we got to Montepulciano it was cold, foggy and rainy, so we ducked in Trattoria Di Cagnano for a hearty lunch. My ribollita was so incredibly good, thick and oily and flavored with rosemary. We must make ribollita whenever it’s cold…always with lots of rosemary.”

“Along a road lined with oak trees and littered with fallen leaves, we felt like we had stumbled upon a secret town. Besides the man in the field of bell peppers and a sweet nonna sweeping her porch, we were the only two people in this paradise.”

“I love everything about Lucca. The vibe here is so calm and relaxing, people are out on their bikes, there are dogs everywhere. Let’s stay.”

“We headed over to the Mercato Centrale to admire the fresh produce and local vendors selling their meats and cheeses, pasta and olive oil, dried fruit and nuts.”

“We went the back way through a narrow dirt pathway and along olive groves wehre the pickers were too busy raking the fruit off the branches and onto the nets to notice us.”

“At 5:00 the bells started going off at all of the churches, echoing up to us in a symphony of chimes.”

“Our favorite was called Luenzo, a mix of 80% San Giovese grapes and 20% Merlot. Their Vernaccia white wine (found only in San Gimignano) was also really delicious. I also liked a sweet cherry-tasting red called Serise, but Tim wasn’t such a fan.”

“We got in our trusty little car and drove the windy roads up to the beautiful hill town of San Gimignano. It was the first day that it really felt cold, but being chased by the wind through the streets with the towers looming over us just added to the ambience of this seemingly-forgotten medieval town.”

“I love love love Roma! I don’t know what’s so different this time…the lack of crowds? The company? The wine? It’s very much like New York in so many ways that I can’t help but feel at home.”

“Dessert was, of course, gelato. Maybe one day we’ll have tiramisu.”

“We spent our 11 year anniversary driving through the Tuscan countryside. The grape vines that had been yellow just last week are now turning into luscious oranges and deep reds, creating beautiful ombre palettes on the surrounding hills. Snacking on bread and pecorino seemed perfectly fitting for our Italian road trip as we rolled by herds of sheep grazing on the farms.”

“Perfect weather…perfect time of year…perfect travel companion.”

Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place!

Oh my gosh ya’ll, I’m still alive! I know my lack of posts in concurrence with this hurricane had you all scared that I was a gonner, but lo and behold HERE I AM! Wow. First of all, to go back to our mother nature and her sidekick Irene, luckily here in New York City we just had some whistling winds blow down a few branches. I know that other cities were hit pretty hard so I feel super lucky that we were left unscathed. The crazy hype sure made it interesting though…I have never seen New York so deserted and quiet! I was tricked by the thought of post-hurricane weather and decided to wear skinny jeans today, only to get out of the subway and immediately regret my decision. Why couldn’t I have just worn a dress like a normal New Yorker!? It really made me feel a little sad because it felt like summer was coming to a close, then here we are two days later and I’m back to my glistening sweaty self. Thank god! Don’t leave me, summer! I love youuuuuuuuu.

I guess I haven’t really divulged what I’ve been doing all summer, and I’d really love to let you guys know finally! You know that bridal shop Lovely that Tim and I always talk about/photograph/hang out at? Well a few months back the darling owner mentioned that she was thinking about opening a location in Los Angeles, and since the husby and I are moving back in November (oh, did I tell you that yet!?!? yaaaay!!!) then I would be in Los Angeles too! I asked her if there was any way that I could be involved, to which she replied “Do you want to be the manager?”…uhhhhh whaaaat? Moi? My resume includes parade performer, dance teacher, party starter (you know those dancers that come with DJs to Bar Mitzvahs in the glittery vests? ya, me)…but never ever retail. Oh wait, unless you count working at Forever 21 for like, a week, but I surely don’t. So naturally I took on the challenge and for the past 4 months I’ve been working at Lovely here in New York preparing for my future job as the manager of Lovely LA!  The plan, as of now, is to move home in November and get a space and hire my peeps and then launch by February. So hey all you future brides out there…not only do you have access to an amazing husband and wife photography team, but that very same wife will also be running a bridal shop selling the most wonderful gowns! You can kill two birds with one stone!

Needless to say this job has really affected my fashion choices since I’ve been forced  to dress up every day for my super fancy shmancy new position. I’m posting a few of my favorite outfits so you guys can see how professional I am (woop woop!) Also my dearies, notice the new hair? Ohhhhh yeaaaaaaaaaaaah. I dig. I dig very much.

mama’s got some brand new shoes…and needs to get her hurr did

I got some brand new lovely shoes that have me giddy giddy gumdrops! They’re sweet, and blue, and comfortable, and I’m in love. Muy precioso! (from asos) <3

Today someone told me that due to my overgrown roots I look like a skunk. And with that, my determination to create the ombre look naturally has been defeated. I am now scheduling a hair appointment.

is it gonna be a daisy or a rose?

Hello darlings. These past few weeks have been craaazaaay (what’s new, right?) and I thought I’d just share with you a few things that have been going on. First of all, the adventure that had brought us to New York in the first place is now over…Tim is now a Master of Fine Arts! After two years going through the grueling process of a graduate program, on thursday my honey walked across the stage and accepted his diploma. As you may guess, that also means that our time in New York is now coming to a close. We’ll be moving back to the west coast either in August or October, depending on a few opportunities that may come our way, but new wonderful adventures are awaiting us back in Los Angeles and we can’t wait to get them started! I hear you guys have been enjoying 90* weather (jerks)…while over here we’re still NOT enjoying 60* weather. I mean, HONESTLY when are things going to heat up for good!? I know I always complain about the weather, but I am promising you that once it is hot I will never say a negative thing about it!!! I pinky promise! Although I maaaaay complain about the effects of the humidity, mainly my frizzalicious mane, but the sun on my face will never have me utter one mean word! But until then, damn will I be glad to get back to the steadiness of LA weather. And by steadiness of course I mean the fact that although one day it will be hot and sunny and the next cold and rainy, it will never ever give me five months of straight bone chill. And I love it for that.

Anywhooooo, my mind wanders. Let me share with you a few things I’ve been wearing the past few days to kickstart my spring fever. Bright stripes, turquoise, lacy shoes, oh my!

the drifter and the gyspy

In a fort under the stars played a lone ukulele.

dress: h&m…hat: urbs…boots: f21

back in the city

Hello, darlings!  I’m back from my wonderful two week vacation in sunny rainy california, and it certainly was quite unexpected.  From an emergency visit to the hospital (don’t worry, just a really bad heartburn attack), to a few more unexpected hospital visits (to make sure it actually was, just in fact, heartburn), and a slight flood rushing through the house (thankfully just the carpet and furniture were damaged), I really didn’t have the relaxing trip that I planned.  But it was also full of family fun and wonderful reunions with a few friends that really warmed my heart when the sun wasn’t able to.

But now I’m back in the city and while it’s much colder than LA was, the sun is shining and I’m back with my husby so I couldn’t be happier!  I also have a new outlook on life and with that I’m determined to have a new outlook on fashion.   I’m taking more risks and having more fun and dressing the way I want to.  It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, especially in the winter (it’s not spring until jackets are unnecessary!!), so yesterday I put on a fun printed skirt and my new boots from the sweetest boy in the entire universe and strutted my stuff through SoHo.  Boom baby!

skirt: casual closet (thrifted by mamasita)…top: akualani…tights: buffalo exchange…bra: forever 21…belt: flea market…necklace: forever 21…boots: urban outfitters (gifted by the husby) <3

(close enough :P )

spring is just around the corner!

On Monday the weather made for a perfect almost-spring day…just what every girl wants on Valentine’s Day!  I was able to bust out an outfit that consisted of a button-up shirt and a pea coat, instead of the usual long sleeve shirt, then pullover sweater, then zip-up sweatshirt, then big puffy jacket topped off with a beanie and a scarf.  And I didn’t even wear tights under my jeans!  I think my California body doesn’t take to the cold very well, hence all the extra layers, so thank goodness it is starting to warm up.  It’s supposed to be 65* on Friday and I can guarantee you that all of the New York fashionistas will be showing off their freshly shaved legs :)  Here is my valentine attire <3

birthday girl

Whenever people ask me how old I am, I have to take a moment to think about the correct answer.  I usually end up saying “twentyyyyy………..(long pause) three? four?”  On Sunday I turned 25 and I think that will be easier to remember since everyone keeps reminding me that now I’m a quarter of a century old.  In fact I got enough quarters to do a load of laundry.  Ohhhh thank you friends!  A week before my birthday my mom sent me a beautiful package filled with amazing jewelry, big cozy sweaters, and my favorite childhood book “Bridge to Terabithia”.  It’s all worn and loved and it even had my name written in it from when I was in grade school.  What a nostalgic kick!

On Sunday Tim took me out to brunch with our friend Sasha, her birthday was a week before mine so we had some celebrating to do!  We tried this really cute Brazilian/Pan Latin fusion restaurant called Esperanto that was so funky and cute, and we had guava mimosas which were so sparkly and yummy!  Perfect morning fare.  Then we took advantage of the warm, sunny 40* day and walked around the city, hitting up a pastry shop in Chelsea for some macarons (YUM!), shopping at Buffalo Exchange, trying to shop a 60% off sale at LF Stores (with no success), best cappuccino ever at Stumptown at the Ace Hotel, dinner at Luzzo’s for a delicious wood-stove cooked pizza, cupcakes at Butter Lane for dessert, then a trip to the Russian Baths for a late night steam!  WOW!  We were busy :)  There’s so much pressure to have a “great day” on your birthday, and just to let all you well-wishers out there know…I really truly did!

uh oh…a new celebrity crush

Hello Andrew Garfield.  You are so adorable.

Adding him to the list of my other leading men:

Jay Baruchel

Hugh Dancy

Jake Gyllenhaal

Well I certainly have a type, don’t I?

The Antiques Garage

I’ve been having such an amazing response to my Gangstah Hankies that I was in desperate need of a trip to the flea market for more hankies!  The Antiques Garage flea market in Chelsea is two floors filled with incredible goodies, and you could honestly spend all day in there (at least I sure could!)  From vintage clothes to antique knick knacks, from old handwritten postcards to retro kitchenware…anything in your wildest dreams can be found here!  I stocked up on hankies as well as a few other wonderful items, including a weekender suitcase with old travel stickers still on it.  Every time we go to the Antiques Garage I just want to buy everything I see, but of course we don’t have the money (or the space!) for so many treasures.  Oh well, a few key pieces will hold me over :)