The Italian Touch

I always joke that the Italian tourists are always the best dressed and the book Italian Touch definitely backs up my assertions. Tod's commissioned the book that includes over 100 Italian families and their homes but you don't even notice the product placement. Everyone is elegant and chic yet completely casual and relaxed. What's amazing is that most of the women aren't even wearing make up and yet they are amazingly beautiful. I don't think you'd ever find an American woman to pose without professional hair and make up so that's quite refreshing. The book is like a love letter to Italy and definitely makes me want to move there! Enjoy!

Photos by Paolo Leone

I Am Love: Villa Necchi Campiglio

I saw the Italian film I Am Love this past weekend and it was as gorgeous as I thought it would be. I'm not sure the actual story will appeal to everyone but it's worth seeing for the beautiful interiors. The Recchi family live in Milan in a fabulous villa that is actually the Villa Necchi Campiglio. As you can see by some of the photos, the producers took out some of the furnishings for a sleeker look befitting an "haute bourgeoisie" family. The Villa Necchi Campiglio was constructed from 1932-1935 by Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi in a style that is referred to as rationalism but also continues on with many luxurious details of the Art Deco period. I really loved all the woodwork, sliding doors and built-ins in the film and especially the lower level kitchen area. There seemed to be a bit of an upstairs/downstairs theme going on in the movie which was interesting as well. In the film, there was also a gate house that guests had to enter before walking up to the main house which creates a courtyard for the pool and garden in the front of the house. Definitely not what we're used to in the US but absolutely gorgeous! Villa Necchi Campiglio is open to the public and I definitely suggest that you put it on your list of places to see when visiting Milano! Ciao!

I Am Love

One reviewer of the Italian film Io sono l'amore (I Am Love in English) declared "see it by any means possible" and after viewing the trailer, I am terribly upset that I won't be able to see it until it's released in the US on June 18th! The story centers on a wealthy Italian family and their resulting reactions to their patriarch's decision to split his company between his son and grandson. Add in a little adultery, gorgeous cinematography and fabulous fashions (designed by Raf Simons for Jil Sander) and you've got yourself some serious aesthetic overload. I Am Love stars Tilda Swinton playing a Russian woman in Italy which has her speaking Italian with a Russian accent. If that doesn't have Oscar nomination written all over it, I don't know what does! Oh, and it also stars Marisa Berenson who looks like she's channeling Nati Abascal! It's beyond chic! I insist that you watch the trailer so you'll know why I'm so excited for this film. Ciao!

Today's Inspiration

Yesterday, I was inspired by Reese Witherspoon's casual style and today it's Anna Dello Russo's over the top elegance! That's just how my mind works. Tommy Ton has posted some fabulous photos of Anna's favorite things in her apartments in Milan on his Jak & Jil Blog. And yes, I said apartments plural. One of them is entirely devoted to her clothing archive! What I swooning over is the beautiful photographic wallpaper of what looks to be a French chateau or maybe it's an Italian palazzo since Anna is Italian after all. Whatever the case, it's to die for and going in my inspiration file for future reference! But right now I'm off to the not quite so glamorous day of meeting with my upholsterer. Ciao for now!

Photo by Tommy Ton

Roman Flair

Not that you need another excuse to go to Italy but just in case, Flair, my favorite store, just opened a new outpost in Rome. Unlike their stores in Florence, Milan and Capri that have the signature black walls, this one has a lighter color scheme but don't worry, the furniture and art will remain a mix of old and new. I might have to plan a trip soon but until I do, I will continue to visit their only American shop on Grand Street in Soho. And no, they didn't pay me to write about them! Although, I think they did give me one of their fabulous smelling candles once. Ciao!

Flair Roma

Via Margutta 55b

oo817 Roma ITALY
+39 06 32652067

Historic Racing Club

I have a friend who's dream it is to drive around Europe in a classic car so the Historic Racing Club seems perfect for him! Each year, they drive vintage cars around "the breathtaking landscape that surrounds Gardone Riviera and Mantua" Italy. This year the race takes place April 16-19 and is only open to cars built before 1963. I wonder how you call shotgun in Italian!