Tag Archives: Italy

August 14, 2012 in Bright and Shiny

Obsessing!

20120811-005953.jpg

20120811-015239.jpg

This year I have been totally obsessed about 3 things: the perfect bag, the most stylish riding gear and MOSQUITOS.

The latter has been something that has drained me of the wish to wear anything short! It started in Panama where I came out in unsightly lumps anywhere near dusk, then in Italy and now in TENERIFE!

I have now taken up the gauntlet and decided go headlong into battle. For the good of my fellow sufferers I am going to try to test every mosquito repellant I possibly can.

It’s going to be about prevention, REPELLING, curing AND immunity.

In fact, Incognito have a useful acronym for basic protection: C.L.O.A.K

C – Cover up arms and legs with suitable clothing.

L – Light coloured clothing is strongly advisable. (oh no!)

O – Odours, bodily or otherwise like certain kairomones and perfumes are strong attractants. Therefore washing thoroughly which includes exfoliating with a loofah and not using perfumes is essential to minimise attractiveness. (no scent?!?!?! )

A – Apply an effective insect repellent.

K – Keep away from stagnant water.

…and always sleep under a good quality impregnated mosquito net and prepare it before you go out for the evening. Avoid emitting carbon dioxide, for example burning a candle as this invites insects in. Burn Java citronella oil in an oil burner or citronella incense sticks instead. (looks like romance is out then),

This and wearing just WHITE. Mosquitos apparently are rather keen on blue, green and floral colours. It looks like I might need to rethink my wardrobe. NO WAY! So, before that I am going to try Spezia, Mosi-guard, Bio-Life, ZAP-IT and a long list of etc.

20120811-015419.jpg

Este año he estado totalmente obsesionada con tres cosas: el bolso perfecto, el conjunto más elegante para montar en moto y LOS MOSQUITOS.

¡Esto último ha sido algo que me ha quitado las ganas de ponerme cualquier cosa que sea corta! Empezó en Panamá donde salía con unas marcas antiestéticas a cualquier parte al atardecer, luego en Italia ¡y ahora en TENERIFE!

Ahora he aceptado el reto y he decidido arrojarme a la batalla. Por el bien de las demás víctimas, trataré de probar todos los repelentes de mosquito que pueda.

Se tratará de prevención, REPELER, curar E inmunidad.

De hecho, Incognito usa un acrónimo muy útil de protección básica: C.A.P.A.S.

C – Cubrir brazos y piernas con ropa adecuada.

A – La ropa de colores claros es altamente recomendable. (¡Oh, no!)

P – Los olores, corporales o de otro tipo, como ciertas kairomonas y perfumes son potentes atrayentes. Por lo tanto un lavado concienzudo, lo que incluye exfoliarse con una esponja y no usar perfume es esencial para minimizar la atracción. (¡¿Sin aroma?!)

 A – Aplicarse un repelente de insectos efectivo.

S – Alejarse siempre del agua estancada.

…y siempre dormir bajo una mosquitera impregnada de buena calidad y dejarla preparada antes de salir por la noche. Evitar emitir dióxido de carbono, por ejemplo encender una vela, ya que atrae a los insectos. Quemar aceite de citronela de Java en un difusor o varitas de incienso de citronela. (Esto ya parece más romántico).

Eso y vestir solo de BLANCO. Al parecer a los mosquitos les atrae mucho el azul, el verde y los colores florales. Parece que tendré que pensar en renovar mi armario. ¡NI HABLAR! De modo que antes probaré con Spezia, Mosi-guard, Bio-Life, ZAP-IT y un largo etcétera.

 

20120811-015507.jpg

August 8, 2012 in Bright and Shiny

My FAVES on Corso Garibaldi Milano are 3!

20120807-235110.jpg

20120807-235141.jpg
1. Bagghy is a luxe leather line from Grazia Peletteria Bijoux, a Venice-based artisan company whose trade mark is the printed imagery on its bags. Having seen some pretty NASTY imitations worldwide, it’s got to be said, the REAL thing is totally buyable!
I LURVE the 60′s icons range!

20120808-001344.jpg

20120808-001841.jpg

2. Surplus is one of those ‘been around forever places’. Sadly this is the only branch remaining. The stock is a mix of surplus lines and vintage. I’m rather liking this light-as-air puffy jacket that can be squished away into its mini bagette!

20120808-003220.jpg

20120808-003248.jpg

3. ASAP is short for ‘As Sustainable As Possible’, and it certainly is: recycled, upcycled, naturally tanned leather and natural fibres. The team behind ASAP
question the need for seasonal buying. They are justly proud of their Made in Italy mark of excellence and their men’s collection is number 1 in my book. It marries style, flair, design and ecology!

20120808-005136.jpg

August 7, 2012 in Bright and Shiny

Ganesh Clothing – ‘Made in Italy’, discovered in Tropea

20120805-153053.jpg

While Mr. P was doing his onion thing, I found Ganesh Tropea. Having just opened in May this year, it’s run by Mrs. Antonello Foto, who is a sweetie and encouraged (AS IF) me to try every piece of the collection she stocks!

Ganesh Clothing is now run by Nicholas Bargi in Milan. Grandson to the founder, Nicholas is still intent on keeping the brand ‘Made in Italy’ and is passionate about using the finest quality textiles. The shop in Tropea is fantastically set out and is the BEST of only 3 shops worth looking at…the rest being upgraded versions of tourist plastic fantastics.

Although it may be a wee bit casual for me – Ganesh’s female collection is mainly shirts and pants, the fabric and designs just bowled me over! I managed to drag Mr. P away from the his heavenly bulbs to try on a shirt for our very own version of the AW60 print TREND!

Now it’s just a question of convincing him that we need to wear our shirts out together! MATCHY MATCHY!

20120806-015509.jpg

August 2, 2012 in Bright and Shiny

BEND zeee KNEES – Mr P checks out MOTOINFINITO.

20120731-114740.jpg

20120731-114808.jpg

20120731-114838.jpg

Motofinfinito are not just a fabulous logo they
have ground breaking almost stylish biking kit. Mr P & I dropped in on the occasion of the launch of their new 2013 collection! & of course in true ITALIAN style their was laughs & PIZZA.

Their showroom is somewhere in the maze of motor exits to Verona! But quite easy to find with the unmentionable GARMIN!

Their piece de resistance has got to be the NordKapp jacket, which comes with the innovative d30lab limb protectors.
It’s been designed for all year riding, 3 distinct layers which can be worn separately, Petrol, Black, Grey and Brown are the colours stocked! Which is huge in motorbike terms!

Mr P checked every bit, side pockets, Zips, layers, impact protection, material, breath ability, weight,
collars, packing power -and more . I was IMPRESSED! It took him 2 hours to claim it almost 80% perfect!!! WHICH IS even HUGE..R!

And yes he bought!
(they stock women too BUT I will wait for their fashion range!)

August 1, 2012 in Shops

Can a table change your life…?

20120721-143532.jpg

If it’s from DERUTA, yes – especially the ones from the DOMIZIANI.

20120731-092314.jpg

Well, picture this – a dark, dark, dark grey day, somewhere in between Christmas parties and the January sales…getting up in the morning you make your way to the kettle, or the Nespresso machine or whatever fixes you at that time, then EXPLOSION! You’re transported to sunnier climes, beaches, groves, patios and lots of SUN! It’s THE TABLE that works the magic!

Roberto DOMIZIANI and his team (thank you, Sara) ship tables all over the world, allowing us to dream of a little bit longer! Hard wearing and hand painted, they’re made from volcanic rock, they’re shock-proof, acid-proof, resistant to salty air and adverse weather conditions, and are less likely to scratch than marble or crystal.

DERUTA clay has been renown from the Middle Ages and hit its peak in the Renaissance because of its excellent Majolica.

Needless to say, what was supposed to be a brief stop in between Assisi and Pietrasanta ended up as a full blown DAY!

20120731-101348.jpg

20120731-101551.jpg