Aged and Gilded (Palazzo-Interiors & Gardens)

Mosaic Monday: Love Letters

1. saved, 2. The ancient art of letter writing, 3. nouveau stylo plume, 4. Journals, 5. Postcard 1, 6. La vie en rose...., 7. Words, 8. Untitled, 9. write me a letter..., 10. Letter out of grandma's photo box, 11. Letters to Florence, 12. Letters...

Sweet Weekend

Hope you're having a sweet weekend.

Martha Stewart Living

Romantic City: Venezia

If you had to choose the top three romantic cities in the world, what would they be? For me, unquestionably the choices would be in no particular order Paris, Florence and Venice. Venice is everything magical. I've written in the past about how my first visit brought me to tears. I am surprised to find that people either love or loathe it. I've heard some say that it is dirty and the water smells. I was aware of none of this. Sure, it is overridden with tourists, venetian glass trinkets and overpriced gondola rides. Still...in the dusk of fading light, it is nothing short of a fairtytale; a romantic stage set where a theater of dreams continually plays out.

Life as Francesca Possati must be a dream as well. She grew up in a 17-century palazzo which she now owns and renovated as a hotel several years ago. In fact, it is now two hotels--the modern wing is the five star, 120-room Hotel Bauer and the older palazzo is the six star (yes, I said six) deluxe Il Palazzo at the Bauer. Naturally, with its silk walls, gilt furniture and Murano glass lamps it is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious places to stay in Venice. Could it be that I cried on my visit because I could not afford to stay here?

I think we all know why she's smiling. (Young and beautiful too? Damn her!)

Doesn't this just reek of old world, opulent, I-don't-care-how-much-it-costs glamour?

Would you expect any less grandeur from a 17th century Venetian palazzo?

Town & Country

Mad for Minimalism or a Raving Romantic?

Options are great. Clearly, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. And change is good. But there are those of us whose style is clearly defined. There are those women who wear a signature scent or perhaps an unwaveringly favorite shade of red lipstick. There are those women who know exactly who they are--the script is written, lines memorized; no ad lib. There are those women who know without fail what flatters them most and never minds trends. I am not this woman. I find myself all over the place and bending to the whims of the moment. I'm in love with the frill of femininity and the reverie of ruffles. And then, I'm just as taken with the luxury of less. Thank goodness for choice!

A few of my favorite designer picks from the 2011 Spring Ready to Wear Collections...

Blumarine

Alberta Ferretti

Elie Saab

Emilio Pucci

Lanvin

Nina Ricci

All images courtesy of style.com

Valentine Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget to leave a comment on any of this week's blog posts for a chance to win a limited edition "Love" candle from Seda France. Also, if you mention the giveaway on your blog, you'll receive a double entry.

Oh, and I'm just sayin'...