Fashion Fun VENEZIA! Sonia Rykiel Tank Top, MIU MIU Cardigan & GUESS? High Rise Denim Cruise at Piazza San Marco di Piazzetta

November 20-25

Piazza San Marco, Venezia

 

O! Solo Mio! Ciao, Venezia! Piazza San Marco, ‘The Drawing Room of Europe’ by Napoleon I, the drama stage of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, and where the author of Gospel of Mark reclines nearby, is composed of the Doge’s Palace, San Marco Basilica, San Marco Clock Tower, administrative mansion buildings connected with the Napoleon Wing Buildings and the San Marco Biblioteca. The rectangular square surrounded by the Grand Canal, is about 170 meters long, 80 meters wide on the east side, forming the social, religious and political centre of Venice since 1177. 

 

In 2022 we aim for VENICE BIENNALE, within three weeks we secure the biennale pass, the last-minute deal from RYAN AIR, experience the 2-hour delay and finally land at MARCO POLO AIRPORT for my birthday week celebration. Hotel GORIZIA A LA VALIGIA is only 5 minute walk to Piazza San Marco, the water buses, the gondolas, the souvenir shops, the café and outnumbered restaurants are in walking distances. We are fortunate not to suffer from any flooding moments, while supremely unfortunate to witness the thunderstorms on November 22^nd , unwilling to race with the chilling raindrops through the seven bridges from Arsenale Biennale Di Venezia via Piazza San Marco. 

After a good rest and visiting designer outlet NOVENTA DI PIAVE, the outfits of the day at Giardini della Biennale are relaxed yet posh. SONIA RYKIEL 66% virgin wool and 34% viscose knitted tank top offers a sheer sexy look, while the fine materials still keeps the warmth; wearing Calvin Klein pastel pink underwear contrasts the ivory hue a posh style. 

 

Publicly launched in 1993, MIU MIU was established by Miuccia Prada, with a cutie-themed collection in pastel colour tones, MIU MIU items usually decorate the final whimsical touch of my rather posh styles. MIU MIU square cardigan in dark grey containing 67% mohair, 28% polyamide and 5% wool, is a great bargain found at NOVENTA DI PIAVE; furthermore, its rather slimmer sleeves allow to tuck in BY MALENE BIRGER puffy wool coat, which contains 34% kid mohair, 34% wool, 27% polyamide and 5 % of elastane, not only keeps me warm in chilly morning in Venezia, but also bestows the Nordic simplicity and detailed quality. 

 

Made in Mexico, GUESS? high rise regular denim owns 99% cotton and 1% spandex, with vintage iron tone of the buttons, to provide relaxed touch yet lavish details. I adore its 100% cotton reversed triangle GUESS with poppy red question mark logo tag on the right rear pocket, with its high rise waist design, the silhouette of buttocks and thighs are extremely smooth and sexy. 

As for accessories, MIU MIU round-frame glittered acetate sunglasses own the gradient lenses, which are suitable to wear indoors at VENEZIA BIENNALE; they are also handy to tuck up for the instant hairband. DIOR CEINTURE SADDLE offers a removable calfskin belt will bring a touch to any outfits. A subtle homage to the Dior Saddle collection with its flap and metal D stirrup magnetic clasp, with two card slots and one zipped pocket and Fatto in Italia, not doubt I manage the easy cozy style for Venezia Biennale.

TOP TIP 1: In Venezia, take a spare pair of plastic slippers or rain boots for the unexpected climate impacts

TOP TIP 2: Check and avoid the high tide moments of Venezia before book the tickets, wear the layering style to adjust the chilly mornings and evenings

Further Readings in Chinese -> THE MILK OF DREAMS ART CRITICS 2022-23

Special Thanks: Wendy

 

Fashion Fun COLOSSEO! AC/DC Cotton Tee, Zara High-Waist Jeans & Dior Oblique Accessories in Urbs Aeterna

Piazza del Colosseo 1, 

00184 Roma, Italia

 

The largest elliptical Amphitheatre ever built, the paramount wonders of architecture, Gerard Butler’s office in Rome, the principal landmark on GOOGLE map, and the living proof of faith and cruelty in human history. 

 

From Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holidays, from Giovanni Paolo Panini’s oil paintings, from Roman and Greek Mythology, from Latin language seminar, even from the American short story Roman Fever by EDITH WHARTON, COLOSSEO, COLOSSEUM in modern English, has been capturing my fugue since childhood. Deciding to take the adventure to Roma, with cousin Jenny, in despite of my previous concerns on the security of the City of Eternity, it is our collective agreement that Roma is one of the best travelling destinations to come, to see, to conquer. 

 

 

Our history tour guide Federico is a full-time archaeologist, unfortunately trying very best to dress down as a homeless. From his description, that Roma is a city in similarity of lasagna: the layering constructions presenting each epoch of the glory; the city was built with magnificent marbles, solid rocks and pure perseverance. Therefore, In order to survive the day tour from Roma FORUM to COLOSSEO under the burning hot autumn sunlight, and for the contrast to the colour of brownish COLOSSEO, my outfits of the day at Colosseo are H&M AC/DC 100% cotton tee and ZARA high-waist black 100% denim, in fast-fashion casual outlook still keep high voltage spirit from one of my favourite Hard Rock bands, AC/DC, for the metaphor of their Rock or Bust album to signify COLOSSEO. 

 

H&M Summer Collection usually collaborates with rock and roll bands to release the affordable 100% recycled or organic cotton tees with authorized logo or album cover prints, which captures high attentions around the globe. My second AC/DC H&M Summer Collection cotton tee owns its vintage beige tone with classic logo (as well my first worn at TUSKA FESTIVAL), a lighting in between, is a tribute design to AC/DC eighth studio album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, in 20 November 1981, for such an surprising coincidence, this date is (almost) exact of my very own birthday.

 

As for bottom wear, Made in Bangladesh, Zara high-waist straight jeans provide the airy space between the denim and skin, to prevent from the possible humidity to cause the uncomfortable stickiness. The vintage copper buttons decorated on the slightly bleak-grey tone of denim fabric, perfectly match the brownish ancient elliptical Amphitheatre.

 

CHANEL 25mm sling backs with black shining tweet are the ideal travel essentials, for their elegance and comfy, especially a full-length straight jeans shall match with rather girly silhouette than the bulky sneakers. YSL classic round-shape sunglasses are the must-carry during the city tour; the iconic golden logos stand still on the edge of les cadre, and indeed amplify the details of design. 

 

DIOR Pochette CEINTURE SADDLE in oblique jacquard is one of my favourite souvenirs from Paris Rue de Royale boutique. J’ADIOR bracelet set is the last-minute decision at ISTANBUL ZORLU Centre. The hallmark Dior Oblique bracelets are in navy blue with embroidered cotton, its adjustable with handmade tassel cords can be worn in singular or stacked. And no doubt, together with DIOR SADDLE, they are all Made in Italy! 

 

For Those About to Rock, We Salute You. 

 

TOP TIP 1: Choose one size up cotton tee to allow the skin to breathe and as well create a casual rock look

TOP TIP 2: Carry le sac on the chest or on the waist for the safety, and always carry a cotton tote bag on the road

Special Thanks: Jenny

Cuisine Crush Roma! Gelato da Caffè Ciampini & Spritz con Seafood Spaghetti

CAFFÈ CIAMPINI

Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina, 29 

00186 Roma 

 

When in Rome, let’s do as Romans do! Recommended by a passionate staff from AESOP, CAFFÈ CIAMPINI at Piazza San Lorenzo is the perfect place to take a scoop of gelato break, gaze the spectacle of international tourists and locals intermingling. 

During a lunch break on a burning hot sunny day in October, we kick off from Roma Termini to Fountain Trevi, walk down Via Sistina to the Spanish Steps, and then continue along Piazza San Lorenzo to see what lay beyond this local hub of tourist activity.

 

The extensive view of pastel-tone apartments and bell towers mingling among terra cotta rooftops encouraged a desire to linger. Drooling at the CAFFÈ CIAMPINI gelato counter, the professional manufacturer spends every morning making the fresh dairy ingredients following the family tradition. Gelato literally refers ‘frozen’, contains 4% to 8% of butterfat, much less than those 14% butterfat ice cream in the United States; therefore, gelato freezes less solidly than those commercial ice cream to melts in our mouth faster.

 

Furthermore, gelato has a much higher flavor density comparing to those mixing with air and water to increase volume and weight. In Italy, it is illegal to overrun the air and water during the manufacturing process. Even more, that artisanal gelato shall be frozen immediately in small batches to keep its fresher and higher quality in order to be eaten within a couple of days of being made. 

 

My choice of the day at CAFFÈ CIAMPINI is Swiss Chocolate—limited daily without any chemical preservatives nor artificial colourings—the crunching dark chocolate with 70% of cocoa combining together with crispy biscuit cone, no doubt an instant remedy under the 30 Celsius-degree day, a dream truly fulfilled from the childhood, and surely the pure pleasure in Rome. 

https://ciampinigelato.com

RISTORANTE TRATTORIA ANTONIO 

Via dei Pastini, 12

00186, Roma 

 

Randomly spotted through Google map, bustling street next to the Pantheon, RISTORANTE TRATTORIA ANTONIO is an enduring trattoria serving elevated traditional Roman dishes in an elegant, tranquil setting. Its yellowish ambiance, interior and décor, with a fresh glass of SPRITZ, the history of the restaurant tracing back to the Basilica of Marciana once stood, Sor Antonio opened a rotisserie in 1934, soon its house made spaghetti and carefully selected Italian wine conquer the palate of countless diners, including Prime Minister Fabrizio Preti, till the current moments. 

 

Jenny orders homemade spaghetti with mixed seafood while I always fall for the Primi di Mare—Octopus with potatoes and citrus mayonnaise—tender, juicy but yet fresh and salty sauces offer the ultimate Italian food experience. We reach to the final agreement that the homemade spaghetti from TRATTORIA ANTONIO is far yet the most prime version we’ve ever tasted—smooth and chewy, with a sense of wheat flavor. 

 

Last but not the least, tiramisú is the must-have on foodie’s bucket list! Traditional tiramisu contains a short list of ingredients: savoiardi, egg yolks, sugar, coffee, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder. A common variant, such as we order, involves soaking the savoiardi either in dark rum, brandy, amaretto or a coffee liqueur, topped with Irish cream and cocoa powder, layers within yeasted panettone. At the first scoop of tiramisu, are soft and slightly cold touch from the top, secondly spongy and airy in the middle, and base crust gives out the rather strong alcohol odor. 

 

Solo mio! How could you ask more of Italian food?

www.trattoriaantonio.it 

Special Thanks: Jenny 

Fashion Fun Roma! Zara Tweed Corset & Regular Denim, YSL Logo Sunglasses & Dior Pochette Ceinture Saddle at Banca d’Italia

Via Nazionale 90

00184 Roma 

 

Buongiorno Roma!! From Paris ORLY to Rome FIUMICINO, the unexpected Easy Jet delay is never brining any us down, since the October sky is still burning high in this city of Eternity. 

 

Taking Leonardo Express to Roma Termini, HOTEL AUGUSTA LUCILLA PALACE is merely 400 meters away. After we treat ourselves a full rest with the seafood spaghetti, icy spritz and a good night sleep, the city walking tour kicks off the very next morning, from VIA NAZIONALE, through PONTIFICIA UNIVERSITÀ GREGORIANA to FONTANA DI TREVI. 

Established in 1893, now a part of the European System of Central Banks, Banca d'Italia on Via Nazionale is also called Palazzo Koch, a Renaissance Revival palace built from 1888 to 1892 ,named after the architect Gaetano Koch. Measuring 37 meters in height, the main façade of Banca d’Italia is made of travertine marble and owns features of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders. The first piano nobile houses chandeliers made from Murano glass, and Salone dei Partecipanti is the location of our outfits of the day photo campaign.

 

How to wear chic and facile during the city tour? ZARA tweed corset with 40% polyester, 33% cotton, 23% acrylic, 2% viscose & 2% metallised fiber with bleak black, forest green, peachy pink, plum purple interlock with shining silver, sparkling teal blue plus glittering fuchsia threads, spice up my bare shoulder silhouette; its 100% cotton lining provides the comfort, with Calvin Klein balconette by adapting single removable strap, the corset style offers a effortless touch while keeps the shape resolute. ZARA high waist regular straight jeans with 100% denim, the vintage copper buttons and the fringe edges grants the sensual tweed corset materials look a more of easy feel. 

 

ZARA high waist regular straight jeans bestow the Roma day trip a breezy comfort, while CHANEL slingbacks with its elegant and slim design, interwoven with silver and black tweed, avoid the bulky clique. In comparison of 4,5cm version, the heels of 2,5cm are amiable to kick off the city tour without worrying the slippery of the back strap. 

As for sac de jour, DIOR saddle ceinture saddle is a modern alternative to the classic belt pouch. Crafted in blue Dior Oblique jacquard, it offers a hidden pocket for my alcohol pads and the major compartment for key card, credit cards, IPHONE and travel sizes of Dior Addictive Lip Maximizer and Le Volume de Chanel mascara. Its calf skin removable belt brings out any outfit and can be worn over the shoulder, cross body or carried by hand, definitely the must-have-now after purchasing from DIOR Rue Royale Boutique! 

 

Continue Via Nazionale, we are ahead for those Goddesses in Urbs Aeterna, Rome. 

TOP TIP 1: Always carry a virgin wool cardigan for the chilly night out

TOP TIP 2: Either bare shoulder corset mix with casual jeans or sexy bottoms match with covered shoulder sleeves, showing off a portion of skin is way more sexier than giving all away

Special Thanks: Jenny