indirectly in the nyt

we went, we met, we conquered!

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/rome-party-wrap-up/

Friends

the good life

Is when you have the ones you love around you, and you have great food with them.
After the crazy rambles of flying from one city to the other, wearing high heels and having gourmet meals, I am finally back home. With my friends and family, and enjoying the beauty of my life.

One often forgets that behind the big names of Parisian haute couture, is the work of artisans that never make the headlines.

On my usual walk from the Paris office to the Hotel de Ville, I often pass the area known as Village St. Paul. This lesser known part of the Marais dates back to the 7th century; it was used as residence by Charles V and was the parish of the kings of France from 1361 to 1559.

Among many antique shops and refined cafes, I found an interesting boutique/workshop where Veronique Brykalski uses straw to craft beautiful hats, purses, and jewels.

Veronique and her husbands have been in the fashion business for decades, and their hats have been displayed in museums as well as catwalks. Nevertheless, both of them are in their atelier in rue St. Paul every day from Wednesday to Sunday, shaping creations for everyone. I walked in the shop, intrigued by the colorful bracelets (starting from one Euro), and was immediately taken by the urge to buy everything, from hats to purses to vases.

Veronique kindly helped me pick the most suitable model of headband, while explaining the technique used to make these fashionable accessories. She adjusted the hat so it would fit my head perfectly, just like a custom-made piece should.

Of course I ended up purchasing more than I needed, but you can never have too many custom-made hats!

Back from Pakistan and off to Paris and London. Back from London and on with the Scent Dinners in Paris, Rome and Florence.
The life of a jet set worker is quite hectic but very satisfying. Summer has finally arrived, time for sandals and new clothes.

Off to the wedding

I haven't packed yet, but I have made a list of all the things I want to bring. I have shoes, books, trousers and lots of make up.

Mostly, I have excitement! I have been dreaming of dances, colorful outfits, silks and cottons, sparkly tops and soft shawls.

Hopefully I will be posting my pictures and thoughts on a daily base..so I do not lose track of the exciting things happening during my trip to Pakistan.

And yes, I am going to get the Mehendi!

Disfunzioni e Disservizi

Vi scrivo perche' oggi ho cercato di prenotare una visita alla
Galleria Borghese per un amico portatore di sclerosi multipla.
Ho chiamato il numero di prenotazione (0632810) e un messaggio
registrato e' partito in automatico. Oltre alle informazoni standard
relative agli orari e le tariffe, la voce avverte anche che: "si
sconsiglia la visita al museo a persone con difficolta' motorie".
Quando finalmente sono risucita a parlare con l'operatore ho chiesto
delucidazioni. Non solo mi e' stato confermato che il museo non e'
dotato di ausili per portatori di handicap ma anche che l'ascensore
del museo e' rotto e non sara' riparato per almeno 1 mese.
Come e' possibile che uno dei musei piu' importanti del paese e
decisamente uno dei piu' visitati a Roma non sia predisposto per la
visita dei portatori di handicap??? E come e' possibile che ci voglia
1 mese per riparare un ascensore??

Spero possiate aiutarmi a fare luce su questa situazione