Champions League Insanity

I wonder who had the brilliant idea of scheduling all Rome events in late May - early June to take place in around the Colosseum area.

On top of the usual early Summer tourist mob, these days we are experiencing true madness because of the Champions League (the Cup is displayed in the Champions village right by the Colosseum), the celebrations for June 2 (on via dei Fori Imperiali), a Bocelli concert (in the Colosseum) , the Rome Literature Festival (in the Basilica of Maxentius) and a new exibition of large sculptures by Costa Rican artis Jimenez Deredia (in the archaeological area).

Will we survive this madness? Will the archaeological heart of the city survive? Maybe I should ask the soccer fans..

Dresses, closets and shopping

The battle with Mr R on the food pantry- shoe closet continues and while most consequences of this war are negative (the house is a mess, my shoes are everywhere..) there is one positive aspect to it. I am rediscovering some of my long forgotten shoes. From Repetto, to Sergio Rossi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Borini, Church, Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo and the list goes on.

Changing shoes allows you to re-invent an outfit, make it sexy or sporty, elegant or casual.
I pulled out my dresses and started wearing them with heels, strap sandals, flat sandals and of course this led to more shopping, because some of the shoes really needed a new outfit to go with them:-)

So I purchased 3 dresses in 3 days (not good Petulia , not good): the first is a long black dress from Jucca , the second is a tailor made wrap dress a-la DVF, the third (just picked up) is from a local boutique called Le Gallinelle. Le Gallinelle (the chicks) is a wonderful space where Wilma Silvestri and her two daughters create clothes for women and men who love fashion but can go beyond the big names.

Le Gallinelle is in a former butcher shop, and still today you can see the barble counter where the poultry and meat were sold. Today, Le Gallinelle is a hip stop for Romans and foreigners alike...I am still hoping to bump into John Galliano who is rumored to be an admirer of Wilma's style!

Doggie on a bike

This morning, on our way to get a coffee Mr R and I bumped into this perfect photo opportunity.
I am sure my friends Jessica and Katie would have probably done a better job and photographing the little dog, but for now we'll have to cope with my first attempt at manual setting.
In the end, this is much better than my previous dog picture attempts in NY or Paris. I only wish I could draw like Jess and my dog love would be complete..well, I guess I should also own a dog (but that's a different chapter of my life!)

Shoes vs. Food..the eternal dilemma

What is a woman to do?

Food is becoming increasingly important in my life with Mr. R. We started taking classes from my mom, going to wine tastings...we write about restaurants, we cook together, discuss pros and cons of certain cuisine styles, we experiment new recipes but now we have reached the tipping point.
We are possibly close to a schism...or at least I am.

Mr. R's enthusiasm for food has brought him to demand a proper food pantry. Not a section in the kitchen, not a couple of cupboards but an actual room entirely dedicate to food.

This would not be a problem if we lived in a 200 square meters flat, or if we had two closets in our current apartment, but in order to create a dedicated space for the food, we had to empty the shoe closet.

Now, where am I supposed to store my 96 pairs of shoes????


Mr. R owns about 4 pairs of shoes, so this is no problem of his..but since the pantry idea has popped up I finds myself turning and tossing trying to find a solution.
I bought a shoe storage device, but it only fits 12 pairs. I tried packing away the winter boots, but still there are lots of colorful sandals and black pumps that need a home.

Right now, the apartment looks like a disaster took place. Shoes everywhere, the closed half full of food, Mr. R anxious to get his project going...me distressed about finding a home for my heels.

Back on two wheels (questions and observations about cycling)

My poor bike was parked outside for almost 4 months, during the rainiest Roman winter ever.
A couple of days ago I decided to pick it up and get it back in running shape. I took her (my bike is definitely of female gender) to the garage.

After a change of tire and and a few minor touch ups (get rid of rust, straighten the handle bar) we were on the road. Rolling down the viale Aventino, heading towards Piramide and via Ostiense I was reminded of the beauty of Rome, of the smell of summer and the craziness of my fellow users of the road.

On the same day I was approached by the friends at Bici Roma, and by a group of urban cyclists organizing an event in Garbatella.
On my way home (you can see my daily route here) I saw many other cyclists, of all ages and styles..and of course the question came to mind: what is the best gear to wear when cycling in town?
How can I get to work by bike and not look like I just got back from a war in a tropical country?
I like to wear dresses , so that my calves are free and can tan a bit, but I run the risk of flashing the whole town..
I shall find a solution soon, before the full Summer heat arrives. In the meantime, I foudn this interesting article on the Times

Pizza..and a new Enoteca

Garbatella is a beauty, and so is pizza...this was served to us along with delicious organic wine from Abruzzo in the new Enoteca 13 gradi:

Piazza Bartolomeo Romano 4
Monday 4PM-9PM
da Tuesday Sunday 10-1PM e 4PM-9PM
tel 06 83601573

New things I like

Ah, I love the Spring...

In particular the Roman Spring because it is a true anticipation of Summer.

And along with Spring comes the time when I spend more time outside and I discover more things...

I discovered that Delfina Delettrez Fendi opened a small boutique in via del Governo Vecchio, right next to another favorite shops ( Josephine De LaHuertas &Co).

A friend introduced me to the hilarious blog Sexy People. I am now addicted to it, and even tempted to send some of my perfect portrait from the 90s.

Mr. R has finally taught me how to use the new camera we got, so now I can wander around and snap away...

Next week we are all off to the country side for a weekend with friends, the following week I am going to the opening of the Bulgari exhibition at Palazzo delle Esposizioni. 

So many things to do!! Hope everyone is having an equally wonderful Spring.

p.s. the picture is from Delfina's collection for sale at the shop or at LuisaViaRoma.com

at the beach

Ostia is the local beach of Rome. It's only 20 minutes by local train. It's close to the archaeological site of Ostia Antica and for me it's the perfect getaway from the busy streets of Rome.

I am amazed by how quickly the scenario changes, the atmosphere is more relaxed, the air cleaner. I particularly enjoy going to Ostia during the off season, in May for example, when the beach is not crowded and you can walk around catching the breeze and maybe stopping for some fresh fish..

Here are some pics: