Au Revoir!

It's SO hot in Verona at the moment and I'm seriously struggling with the temperatures...no rest bite not even at night...but we're off on our vacation today...I'm in search of some cool water, shade and a good book.

Sicilia

This week has been a really tough week work wise...having come back from Sicily for the SS13 presentation feeling a little deflated and worried about the up coming season...things didn't really get any better as the week progressed.
Although Sicily was great, it was my first trip to the island our time was pretty tight, but I definitely got the feeling it's a place to discover rather than to find in a tourist guide...
...but now I am officially on holiday! So I'm letting my troubles and concerns disappear for some seriously needed R&R hopefully accompanied by a large glass of vino and lots of baguettes!!

Catania

Mount Etna

Ortigia

F&M party

Allotment time...

A great morning at the orto, more bamboo sticks added to support the tomatoes which are coming along a treat, my main job this week is to get the map done, so we can start planning next seasons crops.

Oh! and we have a new team member!

Date night with friends

Two of our very good friends got engaged at the end of May and we just haven't had a moment to celebrate with them, so Friday night was date night!

They recommended a great restaurant Trattoria dal Taio  just outside Verona, which was perfect for us country folk. Our table was reserved inside the grotta, originally used as the ice house, with it's constantly cool temperatures you're kept warm by the stufa...the food was great I highly recommend the Strangozzi della nonna alla umbra as a primo. Such a lovely evening.

in the grotto

Jubilee Sunday

 We had a little party to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee with a lotta help from our fab friends, the bunting was hung, Pimms mixed & food prepared...we're so fortunate to have such wonderful generous kind friends who bake, sing and help clear up...

::Our Jubilee Celebration supplies::

The Queen

....

Pimms

....

Coronation Chicken

Quiche Lorraine

Egg Mayo Sandwiches

Cheese & Pickle Sandwiches

Ham & Chutney Sandwiches

Cornish Pasties

Scotch Eggs

Coleslaw

.....

Victoria Sponge

Strawberry Pavola

Cream Tea

Mr Kipling

Tunnocks

Ginger Bread

.....

Tea or Gin & Tonic

....
This is all thanks to everyone for making time to create culinary masterpieces.

The Queen

Thanks to Steve for singing Here, there & everywhere from Revovler, the song he sang at our wedding ceremony, which I have no recollection of  due to all my blubbing and general overwhelming-ness on the day. I love my husband for choosing this song.

Good Night!
God Save the Queen!!

Jubilee Weekend

Once I got back from the allotment my Jubilee weekend started with a nice cuppa PG tips and and a Tunnocks tea cake.

Flowers ready for party on Sunday.

Saturday at the Allotment

It was a struggle to get out of bed Saturday, this past week was never ending with the feeling of never having enough sleep, I'm blaming it on the Earthquake we had on Monday, it's put our bodies all out of sync...but I dragged myself out pulled on my wellies and headed up to the orto, it seemed that in the week I missed the plants had a growing spurt aswell as the weeds...it would seem the straw we're using has started to germinate creating a lush green cover between our plants, most of my morning was spent trying to clear it out, so we can see our plants again.
But everything seems to be coming along nicely, the tomatoes are coming on a treat...time to put in some bamboo support for these guys, the Runner Beans I planted from bean have sprouted, they just have a problem with black fly, which I need to figure out...these guys must survive...

 Hard at work

 We have a baby cucumber

Lookbook

It's not often I'll blog about work, but this week we had a great if not long day in the studio with the beautiful Ania photographing the new lookbook for SS13.
This is my...oh my goodness 9th collection at Franklin, and probably the biggest challenge for both Elisa & I with the work load, but it looks great and am really proud of the hard work & continued passion (some days not so much) that has been put in...
here is a sneak peek...

Now it's time for a vacation...well almost, we just have to get through the collection presentation in a couple of weeks.