LS
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Happy Birthday Lauren!
A belated Happy Birthday to Lauren! We celebrated Lauren's 30th birthday in high style here in Rome Friday night. Drinks and hors' deourves on the terrace overlooking the Campo at sunset, lots of food and great friends ... not to mention a surprise serenade by a couple of local musicians Jennifer hired especially for the occasion ... made it a fantastic night to remember!
LS
LS
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Mom!
Today is my Mom's birthday! She is 36. Happy birthday, Mom, from Rome! I know, I am missing your birthday, again. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you ... but I will be home soon. Have a great day!(the girls in Alaaaaska)
(M&M heading out for a night on the town ...)
(an old shot but still one of my favorites:)
LS
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Markets: Porta Portese
Last Sunday I headed out to the Porta Portese with 25 students in tow. I have to say that I was surprised that so many of them would get up so early to join me! And it turned out to be a good day at the market - lots and lots of inspiration, and a few purchases too!
The first thing that caught my eye were these old paintings of fruit. There was something about their simplicity that I found charming and I could definitely see them hanging together, with old wooden frames, no mattes ... perhaps in a kitchen?
I also spotted these larger oil paintings that made my head spin with visions of a dusty, abandoned turn of the century country estate with worn, over-stuffed furniture, fraying silk lampshades, a fireplace with a large mantle, cobwebbed wooden beamed ceilings... (are their eyes following me?) But what beauties! I could defintiely envision them cleaned up and framed, hanging in a dining room or den, maybe in an office or library? I wonder who the sitters are? And I hope that they are sold as a pair - would hate to see them separated!
Next I headed to one of my favorite stalls where I always find something cool. Too bad that the vendor consistently asks far too much for his items, and never comes down on his prices! I wanted these huge, rustic terracotta bowls BAD. But thankfully Lauren was there to talk me down.
I am kicking myself for not buying all 3 of these beautiful metal medallions that I saw at another table! I may have to try to find them next week - I could actually use them in their original function in my house in Seattle ... I have 3 chandeliers without ceiling medallions. But they could also be reused in some other way ... Not exactly sure how ... maybe some sort of wall art? I am feeling a a little creativity coming on.
Finally, my first purchase - a terracotta tile for my growing collection. Remember my post on Italian floor tiles? I am getting closer to my goal! Too bad these vendors from Naples didn't have a few more of these tiles. I love the black and white pattern. (The men kept telling me this was an old Giustiniani tile ... If true, dates to the 1830's. But there is no mark ... I will research this and report back.)
I had seen this box of ex-votos a few weeks back, but most of them were new, or I already had them in my collection. However, this week the box was filled with completely different stuff. Lauren and I picked through the entire stash and I selected no less than 8 of these silver beauties.
With my left over pocket change, I purchased a bunch of bitsy glasses etched with a holly pattern. Once I got them home I realized that they are probably too small for digestivi ... what was I thinking? They are like thimbles!
But the hit of the day was the coveted hand clamp that Lauren found for me ... I had been on the hunt for these for a while now ( I can picture a whole bunch sitting on my desk or mounted to the wall holding cards, notes, etc...) So thank you Lauren!! Another collection begins.
LS
The first thing that caught my eye were these old paintings of fruit. There was something about their simplicity that I found charming and I could definitely see them hanging together, with old wooden frames, no mattes ... perhaps in a kitchen?
I also spotted these larger oil paintings that made my head spin with visions of a dusty, abandoned turn of the century country estate with worn, over-stuffed furniture, fraying silk lampshades, a fireplace with a large mantle, cobwebbed wooden beamed ceilings... (are their eyes following me?) But what beauties! I could defintiely envision them cleaned up and framed, hanging in a dining room or den, maybe in an office or library? I wonder who the sitters are? And I hope that they are sold as a pair - would hate to see them separated!
Next I headed to one of my favorite stalls where I always find something cool. Too bad that the vendor consistently asks far too much for his items, and never comes down on his prices! I wanted these huge, rustic terracotta bowls BAD. But thankfully Lauren was there to talk me down.
I am kicking myself for not buying all 3 of these beautiful metal medallions that I saw at another table! I may have to try to find them next week - I could actually use them in their original function in my house in Seattle ... I have 3 chandeliers without ceiling medallions. But they could also be reused in some other way ... Not exactly sure how ... maybe some sort of wall art? I am feeling a a little creativity coming on.
Finally, my first purchase - a terracotta tile for my growing collection. Remember my post on Italian floor tiles? I am getting closer to my goal! Too bad these vendors from Naples didn't have a few more of these tiles. I love the black and white pattern. (The men kept telling me this was an old Giustiniani tile ... If true, dates to the 1830's. But there is no mark ... I will research this and report back.)
I had seen this box of ex-votos a few weeks back, but most of them were new, or I already had them in my collection. However, this week the box was filled with completely different stuff. Lauren and I picked through the entire stash and I selected no less than 8 of these silver beauties.
With my left over pocket change, I purchased a bunch of bitsy glasses etched with a holly pattern. Once I got them home I realized that they are probably too small for digestivi ... what was I thinking? They are like thimbles!
But the hit of the day was the coveted hand clamp that Lauren found for me ... I had been on the hunt for these for a while now ( I can picture a whole bunch sitting on my desk or mounted to the wall holding cards, notes, etc...) So thank you Lauren!! Another collection begins.LS
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What's in the basket?
I had a pretty good score at the Porta Portese market this weekend ... Details on these cool finds tomorrow.
LS
LS
Dumpster Diving
As a rule I usually do NOT pick through piles of garbage. But on my way home yesterday afternoon I saw a stack of about 25 fabric sample books thrown onto a huge pile of trash in the Campo. Most of the fabrics were beautiful silks and linens, and I hated to see them go to waste.
So, I called up Jennifer and we went diving. Jennifer is exceptionally creative and does a lot of collage work so I knew she would have some great ideas about how to use the samples. We each settled on 3 books (they were large and heavy!)
I know, I know. What will we do with them?? Well, you will have to wait and see! Any ideas?
LS
So, I called up Jennifer and we went diving. Jennifer is exceptionally creative and does a lot of collage work so I knew she would have some great ideas about how to use the samples. We each settled on 3 books (they were large and heavy!)
I know, I know. What will we do with them?? Well, you will have to wait and see! Any ideas?
LS
Monday, June 21, 2010
J Crew Love: Lisa's Picks
OK, don't judge, but I am really missing ... J. Crew. Thankfully I just realized that they post their catalogs online! Joy! While nothing beats endlessly pouring over the real thing, the electronic versions will have to do.
Here is a sampling of the items from the new July catalog that I am lusting after for summer:
I think I could simply step right into the scene above: I adore this entire outfit - from head to toe, perfection. I love oxfords (and bought no less than 3 pairs in different colors this winter.) I think a summer weight and color is in order. But $250 for these "camden suede brogues" is a little steep for this gal. Will try to find a Roman knock off.
I could also see myself in this outfit: the paisley bubble skirt is a bit of a surprise, but it works. I am digging the chunky leather belt and gray "haya two-tone pullover" styled in a shirt-mullet (a little tucked in, only in the front.) Cute and casual.
Who doesn't love the go-to ease and comfort of cargo pants? Imagine that in a DRESS ... Get in my closet! I give a big thumbs up to the belt and scarf ... (natch.)
Overall I am loving the juxtapositions in the summer collection, the unexpected contradictions - especially the blending of feminine and masculine pieces; dressy and casual, hard and soft .... these sequined or silk ruffle tanks paired with worn jeans are, in my opinion, a really chic, effortlessly-sexy look:
J. Crew has been hitting it out of the park lately with their accessories - chunky necklaces or bracelets, usually shown layered (again, the hard/soft, masculine/feminine combo.) I am loving these:
Also, I anticipated the espadrille come-back when I was in Barcelona and stocked up on a few pair ... they really scream 'summer' and they are a comfortable alternative to the strappy gladiator sandal that has absolutely taken over. Happy to see the style legitimized in J. Crew ;)
No question, these distressed jeans shorts are a must. And I love the layering of textures and long shirt/short jacket combo that they show here:
One of the things I like most about J. Crew is that, for the most part, their clothes are classics - I probably own some of the items, or something remarkably similar, already. So, the catalog provides lots of inspiration, and ideas on how to wear things I already own in new and updated ways. Theoretically I should get by with only buying one or two trendy pieces to mix in, right?! Ahem, we shall see!
LS
Here is a sampling of the items from the new July catalog that I am lusting after for summer:
I think I could simply step right into the scene above: I adore this entire outfit - from head to toe, perfection. I love oxfords (and bought no less than 3 pairs in different colors this winter.) I think a summer weight and color is in order. But $250 for these "camden suede brogues" is a little steep for this gal. Will try to find a Roman knock off.
I could also see myself in this outfit: the paisley bubble skirt is a bit of a surprise, but it works. I am digging the chunky leather belt and gray "haya two-tone pullover" styled in a shirt-mullet (a little tucked in, only in the front.) Cute and casual.
Who doesn't love the go-to ease and comfort of cargo pants? Imagine that in a DRESS ... Get in my closet! I give a big thumbs up to the belt and scarf ... (natch.)
Overall I am loving the juxtapositions in the summer collection, the unexpected contradictions - especially the blending of feminine and masculine pieces; dressy and casual, hard and soft .... these sequined or silk ruffle tanks paired with worn jeans are, in my opinion, a really chic, effortlessly-sexy look:
Scarf around the waist as a belt??!! Excellent idea.
J. Crew has been hitting it out of the park lately with their accessories - chunky necklaces or bracelets, usually shown layered (again, the hard/soft, masculine/feminine combo.) I am loving these:
Also, I anticipated the espadrille come-back when I was in Barcelona and stocked up on a few pair ... they really scream 'summer' and they are a comfortable alternative to the strappy gladiator sandal that has absolutely taken over. Happy to see the style legitimized in J. Crew ;)
And an old favorite, the chambray shirt! They show it with everything! I adore the added detail of the ribbon on the front - This could be accomplished with a simple ribbon run through a button hole ... I will definitely be snagging this trick. What about those shorts?? I think I love them, but I may hate them ... What do you think?
No question, these distressed jeans shorts are a must. And I love the layering of textures and long shirt/short jacket combo that they show here:
LS
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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