homemade lemonade

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I tried my hand at homemade lemonade for the first time a couple weeks back, anything to try and cool off from the unbearable heat.

Unfortunately I didn't have enough vessels to make as much as I would have liked but it was a great success, one I will definitely be trying again. 

You can also see one of the 2 really cute chairs I bought on our last trip to Liguria, just need a table now to sit at and enjoy the building site below my balcony...ahhh La Dolce Vita!

favorite corner in verona

patchwork

Wanted to show off the super cute patchwork cushion I purchased in Cheshire Street, near Brick lane last time I was in London. Patchwork is such a great resource for all over print inspiration, just need the time to scan and archive all the prints now.

getting close...

We've a pretty hectic couple of months coming up lots of fun stuff, but I'm jumping around like a 5 year old for 2 events;
One being Stefan and Natasha's wedding at the end of August, it's been the the highlight of my calendar since they announced the date. Firstly because they are most amazingly wonderful people to have in your life and to see them get married is a honor,  I am truly blessed. Secondly 2 other amazing people are going to be there Kim & Ashley 'the girls' and this makes it complete. I'm so fortunate to have this group of inspiring, talented, funny, kind and loving people in my life. It's the worst thing about being so far away from the US, missing out on those normal things that come with friendship, I'm also super excited for my roomie to finally meet my wonderful friends.

The second exciting event runs very closely behind the wedding and involves 2 of the same peeps, Kim, Ashley & I are taking ourselves off to Paris for lots of food, shopping and Parisian deliciousness. Found a super cute apartment to rent for the week...will let you know how we get on...

from our last adventure together Frank Lloyd Wrights Fallingwater http://www.fallingwater.org/

home made pesto

The herb growing seems to be a success so far...so much so that I had enough basil to try my hand at Pesto...Mmmm.
The downside to this is that we spend quite a bit of time in Liguria the home of pesto, and the roomie is half Ligurian (of sorts) no pressure then!
It's surprisingly easy and quick to make, all you need is a blender and the ingredients. I started with a smaller quantity to start then I can adjust the measurements where needed. Having been in Italy nearly 3 years, I too have become obsessed with fresh quality ingredients, it becomes part of normal life. The basil plants are Genovesi, the pine nuts local, as is the olive oil and parmesan.
I have to say for a first attempt not bad - possibly got over excited with the Parmesan.

Micah P Hinson

For my roomies birthday last month I bought tickets for us to go see Micah P Hinson...well that what this Friday evening. We had such a wonderful night, his voice; outstanding, the lyrics; moving and thoughtful. I know I often complain about the access to the music I love in Italy, but Verona Folk Festival made up for the rest of them Friday night.

bookstore

Passed by our friends bookstore this weekend, just for a chat and a coffee. Loved his arrangement of paintings on the wall hidden amongst piles of books.

In my post box.

Very excited!

the yellow desk

The roomie & I have been so busy the last couple of days...first was the tidy and general re-organisation...

this generally causes angst from the direction of my beloved, as I usually spend my Wednesday evenings  running around a like a desperate housewife cleaning for when Dipa, our wonderful cleaner arrives Thursday morning.

We are all spring cleaned.

Next...project desk! I know. I have my faults,  and yes,  I know how difficult & particular I can be when it comes to what finds a home in our house...how difficult could it be the find a desk to put in my roomies new office at home space? well in a week impossible.

DIY it is then, off we go to LeRoy Merlin ( Italy's answer to HomeBase & B&Q) we come out with a Heinz variety of hardware...you almost get what you want but in reality you could have picked in up in Steptoes Yard.

Plan A. 'Honey, you build the desk and I'll stay out on the balcony potting'

'No? OK then'

Plan B. 'Pretend to help build the desk, but remain at a distance for support'

'No? Right!

Plan C. I help, get annoyed cause you don't do it how I would, and we get frustrated?

'Yes. Great!

Voila! a new desk that doesn't wobble...cost under €50 and will be fine until we find something we really love.

window sill garden

Checking out my new herbs...

green fingers?

There was no where to hide today the heat was stifling, stayed in and tidied, organised and recycled, although in this heat being in our laundry/storage room which is approx 1.5m x 2.5m wasn't exactly cooling. 

After lunch we headed out...having been inspired by my trip home and my friends garden along will finally clearing off the window sills, I decided I wanted some herbs. It was 36° outside imagine the garden centre it was sweltering, but I didn't care I was having too much fun - if only I had a proper garden to play in.

We came away with, 6 genovese basil (only the best), chives, parsley, sage & marjoram, and some really cute pots. 

All we have to do now is wait and see how I get on, my passed gardening skills have only seen success with cacti...watch this space.

Cooling off in the Dolomites

It's been hot...so an excuse to leave Verona and head to the mountains for the day was greatly received Michael & I.

Our friends are currently teaching at a school in Fiera di Primiero in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Sùdtirol region. A private Catholic School for wealthy Milanese families who want their kids to learn English. It's  a 2h30 drive from Verona, we arrived just in time for lunch which was a typical Tirolean fair, spinach dumplings, tris all delicious & finished off with an Apple Strudel...obviously.

Back down the mountain in Fiera di Primiero I discovered an amazing haberdashery, and delighted over a shoe shop filled with shoe boxes, two wicked pairs of shoes caught my eye and their boxes...seriously old stock and unfortunately not in my size.

It's so beautiful in the Dolomites National Park, will definitely be returning for some walks in the Fall.

Antibes finds..

summer bunting

I love bunting it's so nostalgic and brings back such happy memories of village fetes, fancy dress and cake!

This I made from sample square leftovers from our SS11 collection, I have scissor blister to prove it! It's so easy to achieve such a pretty accessory for the home or garden, if only I had a garden to put it in...hopefully someone will want to buy it at the next garden fete.