Votivo

Every once in awhile I run across American made products that I'd swear are European -- be it quality, design or overall feeling. The Seattle-based Votivo company produces gorgeous smelling, beautifully designed votive candles. There's so much to like about them: natural essences (not too perfumey), simple design, uncolored wax, subtle arrow crested tie-around, even the paper wrap, packaging and presentation. Initially I found Votivo at Saks, after giving up on the other cheap smelling -- yet expensive -- brands. We've gone through a few votives each of Teak, Mahogany, and Noel fragrance. Currently a vernal Forrest votivo is wafting, a harbinger of Spring growth (the first buds are appearing on the flowering pear tree). The mantle would be barren without a Votivo, and my rooms less pleasant smelling.

Buona Pasqua

March 2004. We almost missed the entry to Caffe Giacosa in Firenze, seeing as it has been practically incorporated into Roberto Cavalli’s wraparound shop on the via Tournabuoni. We had come in the afternoon to have a Negroni cocktail at the birthplace of Negronis. Small bar, rich wood paneled, clerk in the front – the typical Italian affair. The Negroni was tremendous, made just as I had practiced at home. Good gin, Campari, rosso vermouth, orange slice, ice, old fashioned glass. We sat on Cavalli zebra patterened upholstered cubes, sipping and nibbling aperitivi. The small room was full of gorgeous Italians – the ubiquitous Belstaff Tourmaster slung over designer tailoring and the (then newly fashionable) pointed toe loafers. Haute bourgeois Florence on a plate. As Easter was approaching, the cases in the window and in the caffe were full of the most finely wrapped eggs. We brought one back to the States, a white and dark zebra patterned chocolate decorated with a pale green ribbon and a spray of small cala lilies.

The decorative floral element absolutely captures the aesthetic of Italian Easter, Pasqua.

March, 2008. The lilies have been reappropriated to adorn a tabletop votive this holy week. The maribou fluff chicks seem to fit perfectly. Now for that Negroni...

Baggiano

This is the perfect time of year for early Spring cooking. Disparagingly, all the asparagus in the stores is from Peru. I've been making dishes that are somewhere between the heavier meat stews of winter and the fresh fish or grills of summer. I noticed this recipe in an Aussie Italian cooking magazine, (with the off-putting name Italianicious). Baggiano, an Emilia Romagna recipe, is a beef stew lightened with artichokes, broad beans (baggiano = fava, I used thawed fava beans from Whole Foods) and peas. The meat is slowly cooked with a bit of tomato paste dissolved in broth, and the vegetables really add flavor. Served with lightly cooked potato pieces and garnished with flat leaf parsley, it's the ideal March dinner. A great first try.

Buon compleanno a mi

A year older. I couldn't resist the mini Lemon Charlotte Royale. Likewise the Roberto Cavalli aviators: with braided metal and green lens they are perfetto. They are also apparently discontinued -- I must have gotten one of the last pair online. I always seem to want that which cannot be easily found.

Raw, Warm

The typical American approach to interiors is to fill space. To "decorate" rather than to arrange and edit that which you already have. I hate spaces that look overly designed. Antony Todd, one of the few interior designers I like, mentioned in a magazine article (Domino? His apartment is also on the cover of Australian Vogue, May/June 2007) that people sometimes label his aesthetic as Minimalist. He countered that it really is not minimal, it is European.

The Italians really do get it right: quality linens, gorgeous ceiling to floor curtains, unfussy antique pieces, and a piece of contemporary art here and there. Above all, restraint. Their interiors are also far from precious. The legs of tables or chairs might be a bit worn, some practical items for the kitchen or bath might come from Ikea. That's always been the approach I've taken, reflected in the dining room.

Napoli cuffs

Ubiquitous Roman Fiat, classical cuffs. September, 2007.

My cuffs, Barba shirt. March, 2008.

I'm enjoying reading Unexpected Italy, a compilation of Travel and Leisure magazine stories on Italian cities. Gorgeous photos and a level of writing beyond the usual travel hyperbole elevate this picture book to a good read. Guy Trebay, one of my very favorite style writers, reports on the quirks of Naples. Neapolitan tailoring snobs, mainly Americans, argue the merits and faults of the esteemed tailoring houses (Kiton, Rubinacci) ad nauseum online. Let them nitpick construction details. I am a convert to Napoli shirts though. I've been wearing Barba, Borrelli and Finamore shirts lately in either a spread or broad button down collar. In a perfect size 15.75, they float on my torso. A fine agnolotti of cloth. Elements of each shirt is hand sewn by a Neapolitan mama. I've read rumors, probably apocryphal, of cigarette dust and pasta crumbs before the shirts are washed. Brilliant!

Espresso and snow

Hit by a massive snow storm overnight. Even with the Land Rover, I'm not going out for my usual Americano this morning. Attempted making espresso -- can never get that creamy top to it. Besides I'd rather imagine a charming Gianpaolo at the caffe making it for me. I do like these properly small sized espresso cups. From Crate & Barrel yet they seem molto Italiano.

Buon Giorno

Roberto Cavalli aviator sunglasses.

Rome, late September,2007. A group of four young men. Walking down the Via Frattina, probably headed to the Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. Each the epitome of the Roman aesthetic. Classical, made in Italy quality, killer cut and fit, and big name accessories for an element of Italian bravado. Each wearing a slight variation on Ital Contempo yet Classic Style. Jackets: perfectly fitted, narrow lapel, tapered, two button, double vent. Pants: very slim, very light blue jeans. Shirt: spread collar or Neapolitan button down. Accessories: the latest, large aviator or shield style sunglasses, subtle Dolce or Gucci belt, stainless Rolex or Bvlgari diver. Shoes: gorgeous loafers, one of them in a nod to the Paninaro – yellow suede Timberlands. Attitude and grooming: perfectly shaped jet black hair, lightly citrus scented, head up, shoulders back, Italiano swagger.

Absolutely inspirational. Out of that comes Via la Moda (future name: Buonissimi?), the blog. It's purely notes, thoughts, dashes if you will.