Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,
Firstly, I’m delighted to announce that my beautiful daughter Sharon and her friend Rosie have officially launched their new Magazine EnvyItaly. A cross between an upmarket magazine and a high quality coffee table book, EnvyItaly brings you everything you need to know about Luxury lifestyles, travel, food, wine and love in beautiful Italy. You can also read it online. I love it. Her Dad and I are so proud. Let me know what you think! http://www.envyitaly.com
OK, what next? Oh yes, last Wednesday, due to our regular ristorante C’era Una Volta being closed, and whilst Paolo and Gaia take a well-earned holiday somewhere warm, my man and I went off to San Gimignano for lunch. This famous City of Towers is just half an hour from us and, now it is out of season, it’s possible to walk the cobbled streets without having to weave in and out of dense crowds of tourists. Wednesday proved to be a day when lots of restaurants and shops were closed. And, we shyed away from the Michellin starred places as we really just fancied a big plate of pasta.
Finally, on the way back to the carpark, we were relieved to find Olivieri Bistro open! On the outside it did not look very much, but once inside that all changed. I adore Burratta cheese (a big round soft creamy ball) and it was on the menu. Foto from Trip Advisor. Then I had a big dish of fresh porcini mushrooms with pasta. Yummy! Good coffee too. You can visit them on Facebook and Trip Advisor. This time of year ‘San Gim’ is really beautiful in the evenings, so I would recommend you go then. Have you been there? Let me know.
Anyway, back in our local village of Fiano we caught up with the newspapers over morning at La Dispensa. The music scene remains active, despite the season, and I noted in La Nazione that Jethro Tull is back and to support sufferers of Alzheimers. The band will be performing on 12th December at the Chiesa di San Salvatore in Bologna. Hearing Ian Anderson’s wonderful flute playing in this magnificent church would be fantastic. Sadly, like many of their up a coming performances, this event is sold out. On the band’s website you will find some concerts where tickets can still be bought, in both the UK and Europe. I must download more of his music for Christmas! They have a cute Christmas album you might like. http://www.jethrotull.com
Also in the papers and magazines I found some gorgeous fashion. Just to remind you I only post pictures of fashion shoots that are advertising ‘made in Italy’ designs. Also where the designers are using happy models. So here is a lovely cosy outfit for winter by the lovely designer Carla Ferroni. If you go to her site you’ll find a fun video with a catchy Italian Montalbano type soundtrack. http:www.carlaferroni.it Being cold now, I have been swapping my clothes around from one wardrobe to another. In my dressing room wardrobe is my ‘currently wearing’ stuff, so this is now all wintry. For the first time this season, I wore my waxed padded coat today, and was really glad to be in it. It was minus 2 degrees centigrade in Certaldo! Despite the fact that I am not a cold weather person, I do enjoy getting all my warm scarves and sweaters out. My daughter loves Aautumn and Winter!
I don’t know about you, but I have already ordered in a load of Xmas DVD’s and presents from Amazon. If you are thinking of moving to Tuscany, you should be aware that postal deliveries can be pretty dire. Ordering from NEXT and M&S Italian sites are quite good because the delivery companies they use are very fast and efficient. I am holding my breath as regards the Amazon deliveries, fingers crossed the stuff actually arrives! The last order was returned as the driver could not find us on SatNav! Whatever happened to rolling down the window and asking directions?
And finally on a much lighter note, I have pinched a picture from Beautiful Italy’s Timeline fotos as I could not resist sending you a copy. Seeing this gorgeous Italian Poliziotto is enough to make one rush out and get arrested!
Have a good week and do drop me a line. I love to hear from you. Visit my Official Author site at http://www.junefinnigan.website
Salute June x
PS. To order my books for Christmas visit any Amazon site around the world. If you want to order a signed book, go to my website above, ASAP!
Well, last Sunday morning was busy at coffee time at La Dispensa, in our local village of Fiano, with lots of locals wearing their team Calambur T-shirts, in readiness for the exciting contest due to start at two-thirty. This was going to be a hard-fought contest for the coveted victor’s banner, which the team can keep displayed in their zone for the next twelve months. Our Fiano team is called La Fonte, and our colours are red and white. The village was festooned with flags as was Certaldo, where the big event was to be held. The event is a bit like the ‘It’s a Knockout’ contest we used to have in the UK and is very entertaining to watch, but taken very seriously indeed by the contestants.
At the end of the day it was La Canonica team from Certaldo who came out victors, despite our team putting in a superb effort. La Fonte did win two years ago and I remember the beautifully embroidered banner being displayed in La Dispensa. Oh well, there’s always next year!
Meanwhile, there has been a lot of busy preparation for the Truffle (tartufo) Hunting Season, which starts on 22nd September. Lots of tourists include this rather exciting event in their holiday itinerary and if you visit EnvyItaly on-line you will find an article all about it. Click on ‘Magazine’ then ‘Best Experiences in Italy’. There are also hunts available locally to us; I can put you in touch with the right people. Foto Envy Italy.
And, so to my other love, Italian Autumn Fashion. The papers and magazines here are filling up with gorgeous Autumn colours, my favourite time of the year. I noticed that Burberry in England has taken on a new look, but believe me, Italian designers do have the edge when it comes to style. I just adore this fringed coat, couldn’t you just snuggle up in it? MaxMara’a models are not the most cheerful lot, but I have let this fact pass for once.
The other advert I found, was for a pair of comfy shoes! Arrrgh, I hear you say, fashion and comfort just don’t go together! I have spent a lot of years trying to combine both, and yes it’s difficult. However, what do you think of these shoes? Are they stylish enough or too clumpy? I’m almost tempted to buy some, but I’m not sure…..
And back in the real world, yesterday, Monday, was back to school day. Lots of nervous children and students were starting the new term and some, like my 13 nearly 14-year-old granddaughter, a new senior school in Siena! The Italian school holidays, particularly the summer one, is very long, almost three months in fact, so parents and grandparents alike are sighing with relief.
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