Italia Part 2: Rome

Oh, Roma!

The Eternal City. It is a hodgepodge of ancient sites, Baroque and Romanesque architecture, and modern monuments. It is a city that has seen neo-classicism, Fascism, and the glory of the Renaissance. I have never been anywhere quite so distinct in its styling and culture.

Our trip to Rome took about a day. Justin and I drove from Venice to Rome via Maranello and Modena. We visited the Ferrari Museum and the Pagani factory, getting a quick glimpse of Horacio Pagani himself! The drive took all day but lead us through glorious countryside, mountain villages, and acres of vineyards. 

The final destination did not disappoint. 

Our first full day was spent exploring the ancient side of Rome. My family took a jaunt through the Forum, had glimpses of Palantine Hill, and stepped on the two thousand year old marble floors of the Pantheon. That night, we dined with two bottles of wine and gazed at an Egyptian obelisk and the facade of the Pantheon. 

Arch of Titus.

March 15th, the Ides of March and the cremation site of Julius Caesar.

My family inside the Roman Forum.

Justin by the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum.

Inside the Colosseum.

Our second day in Rome was spent exploring the hauntingly romantic ruins of Hadrian's Villa. All six of us piled into our rented Fiat Panda and bumped down rainy roads to the outskirts of Rome.

Olive trees at Hadrian's Villa.

Wandering the grounds.

Justin inside what would have been the banquet hall at Hadrian's Villa.

Our third day in Rome was spent properly exploring the city. Justin, Tori, Becca, and I popped in and out of churches, catching glimpses of the Ecstasy of St. Teresa by Bernini, frowning at the construction being done on the Trevi Fountain, and climbing to the top of the Spanish Steps to gaze out at the city before meeting up with my parents at the Vatican.

 Tori and Becca from atop the Spanish Steps.

Sculpture Gallery at Vatican Museum.

Laocoon and his Sons unearthed from the first century.

Emperor Nero's bathtub atop thousand year old mosaics. 

Inside St. Peter's Basilica. 

St. Peter's from the courtyard.

Our last day in Rome was only able to be a half day as we had spent the morning taking boat, taxi, and train back into the city from Capri. Fabulously sunny with dewy air, Justin and I walked our toes off as we wandered from one end of the city to the other. We visited Via Appia, the ancient Roman road that served as an entry point to the city. We laid in soft green grass and watched kids play soccer inside what was once Circus Maximus, and haggled for fake Chanel with vendors outside the Vatican. 

But most of all we fell in love with the ancient and modern sitting side-by-side in Caput Mundi.

Next stop: the isle of Capri...

Italia Part 1: Venice

This whole adventure started sometime back in January. 

My parents were over for dinner. Bless their souls, they are always willing to be guinea pigs for my culinary creations. This night it happened to be mozzarella-stuffed meatballs and spaghetti. Little did I know the meal was a foreshadowing of things to come.  

We had been discussing the upcoming spring break, Justin and I's desire for travel, and possible future plans. My wonderfully generous dad revealed that he would like to treat us to a trip. 

"Where would you all like to go?" He asked. 

In my mind I believed we would all end up in Florida, splayed out on white sands, the picture of a typical spring break. But shooting for stars I exclaimed, "Hawaii!"

My dad said, "I am thinking Italy." And so the dream began. 

Justin and I decided to make this trip bigger than anticipated and left a few days earlier than my parents, planning to spend a few days in Venice before driving down to meet them in Rome. They say Paris is for lovers, but let me tell you, so is Venice.

We missed Carnival by a few weeks, but the stores sell masks for the festivities all year long.

Justin along the canal outside our hotel, the Hilton Molino Stucky.

Exploring the back streets of Venice.

 Justin at the Arsenal where wartime ships were build, one a day.

Exploring gorgeous Italian churches.

The grand canal.

Fruit and vegetable vendors selling their goods from boats along little canals.

Venetian graffiti.

Aerial view of the Doge's Palace and wharf.

Aerial view of Venice.

Breakfast at Cafe Florian, favourite haunt of Lord Byron and Goethe.

A gondola ride along the grand canal with view of the Rialto.

Our adorable gondolier who spoke four languages.

The Italian version of Justin's middle name is Alessandro. 

Taking pictures in St. Mark's Square.

In front of the St. Mark's Basilica

Sunrise view from our hotel window the last morning in Venice.

P.S. I took a million pictures but these were just some of my favourites. Next stop, Roma!

Velvet Darling

I adore the holidays.

You cannot out-glam, over-sparkle, or over do much of anything during the holiday season. Texture is everywhere, particularly in clothing. The rough scratch of wool, the pebbly prick of sequins, the sheen of satin, and, of course, the watery smoothness of velvet.

This was the New Years of velvet, I decided. I was intent on making a dress that said just that. Something luxurious, glamourous, and perhaps a tad bit risqué.

Well here it is.

This dress is many elements mixed up in a hodge-podge of gypsy glamour. Made with stretch velvet, it has a mandarin collar, wide bell sleeves cuffed at the ends, a thick waist band, pleated skirt, and a large front-cut bodice. I made up the pattern myself, free cutting on the fabric, which I am usually too timid to do. I must say though, there is nothing timid about this dress.

The dress is crafted from hunter-green stretch velvet that I bought at Hancocks. I bought waayyy too much of it, not sure how much it would take to make the full bell sleeves I envisioned. The sleeves are probably my favourite part. They make me feel like a child, swinging down by my wrists when I walk. The back bodice is ruched above the waist band, lending a lovely silhouette from the back and sides. 

And then there is the front. I bandied about with this front bodice for a while, trying to get it lay modestly, albiet with flare. Finally I decided I best buy fabric tape and call it a day. The tape prevents the bodice from gaping when I turn sideways and keeps the front cut-out shape in place. Score.

I love this dress. I want to romp about it in all day, like some over-grown forest fairy. I had originally intended to wear it for New Year's Eve, but didn't finish it in time. Instead it is going to debut this Valentine's Day, complete with a glittering ear cuff and a classic red lip. 

 Velvet and Valentine's Day. Some would say they are the original romance.

***

dress: self made, tights: Target, shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction

btw, my good friend Sarah snapped these pics with my iPhone. Is she not genius or what?