Lunedi Lunacy

Lest that vile rumour that has been going around that I have a shoe fetish gain any credence I thought I would post a few photos of something else I found a bit "lunatic" in a shop window in Ravenna this past weekend.  Apparently these bags are very high fashion - and I might add high priced - that little tomato number - only €105.00 ($149.00).  And who wouldn't want to be seen strolling through the market with that clutched firmly in hand?

And a reminder that a left click will give you a closer look at these haute couture creations in another window.

 

Myself I rather like the snails but I'm not really that sure what would be worn to compliment them? Something garlicy and buttery???

And yes there are shoes in the pictures - not my fault! The store just happened to sell shoes as well!

27 giugno - San Cirillo di Alessandria

Guys Never Make Passes...

At men who wear glasses!
with apologies to Dorothy Parker.

On-going Conversation between me and my Napolitano friend Marco:

6 months ago:
Me: I need new glasses, I think I'll do that next week.
Marco: ....
5 months ago:
Marco: Do you have your new glasses yet?
Me: No but I will see about them next week.
4 months ago:
Marco: Do you have your new glasses yet?
Me: No but I'll see about them next week.
3 months ago:
Marco: Do you have your new glasses yet?
Me: No but I'll see about them in a week or so.
Last week:
Marco: Do you have your new glasses yet?
Me: No I need to go with someone who speaks Italian but I'll see about ....
Marco: No, we will see about them next Wednesday. Meet me at Piazza Regina Margherita at 1745.
Tuesday Night:
Marco: Tomorrow we will get your glasses.
Me: Yes I'll meet you after work.
Marco: You should have your hair cut and make sure you shave!
Me: ???????
Marco: And wear a nice dark blue suit.
Me: I'll wear my tuxedo.
Marco: You are a silly man. You must look your best when you are choosing glasses, its very important.

So this past Wednesday I met Marco at the appointed place and the appointed hour - I did not have time to get my hair cut but I had shaved, was wearing a blue dress shirt and had actually remembered to bring my prescription. We went into a few Optica in my neighborhood.

I tried on a pair of frames and noticed that Marco had that look on his face that you give people who order a cappuccino after noon hour. "Do you really intended to look like an old professor?" he asked rather pointedly. I put them down sheepishly and reached for the next pair and returned them to the counter very quickly when I saw that look! I tried several more sportier, lighter frames and found a great pair of Rayban - blue tinged, light and studious without being antique professor. The look on Marco's face told me he approved. Then he asked all those questions in Italian that I would never have been able to - guarantee, types of lens etc.

At the next store I knew better than to even consider the "professor" frames and went straight for the more sporty ones finally settling on a pair of thin Adidas specs. And again they got the Marco look of approval. More discussion with the oculist about guarantees, lens etc.

I wasn't able to find a photo of the RayBan but here are the Adidas.

But which did I prefer. They were both nice but different. And a pair of glasses is a big investment here. Again good solid Napolitano logic came into play.

Marco: You must go home and think about it. And tomorrow come back with Laurent, he is the one who has to look at you all the time.

Good advise, so I went home and thought about it, took Laurent back the next day and made my decision. Marco agreed wholeheartedly with my choice. In 10 days time I should no longer look like a "professor".

11 settembre - San Ramiro

Quel Chapeau!!!!

Our wanderings through Fortnum and Mason last week brought us to the Ladies Hat Department and this lovely number caught our eye immediately.


I was begging Deb to try it on so I could take a picture when a very friendly Irish saleslady with an "Are You Being Served?" manner, came gliding over. We were trapped! Deb did try it on but I couldn't get a picture which is a shame because it looked great on her and she said it was one of the most comfortable hats she had every worn. In lilting tones the Saleslady extolled the virtues and glories of said chapeau for that special occasion. Deb wryly remarked that she had found the hat now all she had to do was find that occasion. I suggested with a big birthday coming up perhaps we had found the perfect gift and I could drop a hint to James. Deb simpered "Oh would you?" I said it would be my pleasure. We both radiated contentment at finding the perfect birthday gift, thanked the saleslady for her kind assistance and made our getaway. I must say that Deb and I are rather good at by-play in shops.

Before we left we did convince the saleslady that such an elegant hat would show to better advantage on a mannequin head than a hat stand and she made the switch. It takes an unmarried gentleman of a certain age accompanying a lady friend on a shopping spree to notice these things.

Oh and the price tag on this little snake skin and feather confection? Why only L695 - that would be 1,382.89 CAD or 1,375.23 USD at today's rate of exchange - cheap at half the price!

26 gennaio - SS Tito e Timoteo

Window Shopping

I'm really not that much of a shopper myself - I prefer online where I don't have to deal with snotty clerks - but window shopping here in Roma can be great fun. The Corso is the ultimate in chic shops though Nazionale and Victorio Emmanuale have their share of name designers and boutiques.

The Galleria off Corso is a bad imitation of the glorious Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in Milano - they try but....

And for the man who still uses a straight razor - or Sweeney Todd

And should you need that ancestral bust for the entrance hall or cherub for the garden walk.

You may have heard about how stylish Italian woman can be; well there's stylish then there's...... downright slutty.

I thought of one or two people I know when I saw these shoes - and most of them where women.

And how practical would these little items be?

Borsalino makes hats for men, women and, if that orange one is any indication, pimps.

Then there's those Christmas chatkas that we all need - like Faberge egg presepe and sterling silver Santa sleighs.

And looking forward to the blushing bustiered brides of spring:

And for all your devotional needs:

16 gennaio - San Marcello papa

Ferragosto

We’ve arrived in Rome at “the best of times ...the worst of times”: Ferragosto.

At least a third of the population have already left on their annual vacation and by the 15th the only people left in town will be tourists, us expats and the odd Roman whose work demands that they stick around while their friends bask in the sun at country retreats and resorts.

Only in August - Via Nomentana almost empty!

The best of times? The normal snarl of traffic is absent, parking spots are easy to find, the buses are empty and the stores (the few remaining open) are almost deserted.

Our local shopping drag - barred and lock for August

The worst of times? Almost everything is closed – the local fruit, vegetable and flower stalls are barred, store front grills are locked and signs indicate that, as an example, the local gelatoria (sob!) will not be serving double chocolate and black pepper ice cream again until 27 agosto. And except when budding Grand Prix drivers use them as practice courses those empty streets give the new arrival a false sense of tranquility. But soothsayer-like, more experienced hands have warned us: beware the 1st of September.

We’ve also been warned to stock up supplies for the coming week – everything will be closed August 15th – the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and the real start of Ferragosto. And just so this miraculous event can be celebrated in an appropriate fashion most things will be closed the 14th and chances are, to allow for recovery from the wonder of it all the 16th too.

13 agosto – S. Ippolito