vacanza romana - roman holiday

Doesn't this happen to you all the time? Friday night we were at A's cousin's home ready to sit down to dinner when there's a knock at the door. Who was it you ask? A priest dropping by to give us an Easter blessing - I know, only in Rome.

We had a great dinner with Massimo, Lucia and Domitilla (M & L are godparents to 'little a'). I eat to live but this family Lives To Eat. Massimo and his brother Marco are opening a fish themed restaurant in the coming weeks - not far from the Vatican (a bit more on this in another post).

Saturday we visited the fabric district in the 'jewish ghetto' not far from Piazza Navonna and Campo de Fiori (near Largho di Torre Argentina). Everything was closed. No, not because it was the sabbath but because we arrived at lunchtime. What was I thinking? I speak Italian but the lone store open was intimidating to me. All of the fabrics, mostly silks, were stored on moveable, elevated racks. You had to ask to view the fabrics - no browsing - no time given to ponder your choice - you have to think quick on your feet and make a decision. If other fabric stores in the neighbourhood have the same storage method I don't see myself buying much fabric in Rome.

We moved on to the book store across from Largho di Torre Argentina called Feltrinelli. The arts and crafts section is in the basement. If you love to cook then Feltrinelli has a great selection of books for you. If you love decoupage then Feltrinelli has a great selection of books for you. If you're looking for craft books on anything other than decoupage, then Feltrinelli is not the store for you. Unable to find a great craft book I turned my focus to craft magazines but I didn't find anything to my liking (lots of knitting, crocheting & decoupage). The magazine / newspaper kiosks are a bit like the fabric store - 'ask and they shall show you'. The craft magazines are usually displayed in an exterior window of the kiosk and you have to know what you're looking for because the vendor doesn't give you time to browse - he unlocks the window and gives you 10 seconds to decide on your purchase.

So you might think I was having a bad day - not at all; it was warm and the sun was shining, and lunch was next on the agenda. What you see to the left is only a small sampling of the pizza slices (pizza al taglio) available in the this eatery just outside Campo de Fiori. There's no need to recommend a pizza place in Rome - I've never had a disappointing slice (the same can't be said for Milano. The further south you go in Italy the better the pizza tastes).

I don't drink coffee but A plans his day around having coffee at Caffe Sant'Eustachio (in Piazza Sant'Eustachio) located between Piazza Navonna and the Pantheon. It's a known fact that they make the best coffee in Rome.

This is a craft blog so forgive me for talking so much about travel and food but there are just a few more things you need to know about Rome.

The best ice cream in Rome? Giolitti - Via Uffici del Vicario, 42 (near the Pantheon). But you shouldn't take my word for it. If in Rome you should try every ice cream shop and decide for yourself. My favourite flavours: fior di latte, stracciatella, kinder (as in Kinder chocolate) and nutella.

The best dinner I've ever had in Rome? Taverna Trilussa Trastevere - Via del Politeama, 23-25 (tel. 06 581 8918). My daughter has only said 'mmmmm' once in her two years of life and it was at this restaurant when she tasted their whipped ricotta. Ask for an antipasto assortment and then try either their ravioli mimosa or pasta all'amatriciana - oh sooooo good. I've never gotten past the pasta course so sorry, I can't recommend a meat dish.

Sunday we headed over to the flea market at Porta Portese. We've always wanted to visit but it's either been too hot (try to visit Rome outside the summer months) or we were travelling on a Sunday. In summary it was a waste of time. The market gets great write-ups but I was disappointed; I can get the same stuff at flea markets in any other city in Europe.

Would I ever go back? Only to scope out their antique market which we were too tired to locate, however, next time I'll skip the clothing market all together. Check out the crowd. They can't all be pickpocketers. Maybe they know something I don't.

We got back to Paris late Tuesday and since then 'little a' has had a fever, cough, cold .....

Stay tuned. I'm planning a Vacanza Romana Giveaway to celebrate my new blog!

my first project

In earlier shots of my atelier you may have noticed that I have no window coverings on the French doors. It is still les soldes (winter sales) in Paris and I was lucky to pick-up prêt-à-poser blinds half price. Only problem is that they're too wide so a little alteration was in order. I got off to a rough start by pricking my thumb; doesn't that always happen when you're working with white?

It took me one hour to complete the alteration and hang the blinds - I love them (the blind on the left needs a shot of steam).

oh happy day

I was birthday shopping for Big A this morning at les grands magasins (Printemps & Galeries Lafayette located on Boulevard Haussman behind the Opera Garnier ) and I couldn't resist running into Bouchara, a fabric store located nearby. I was excited to learn that they're reorganizing their store. Notions, ribbons, and clothing fabric will relocate from the 1st floor to the basement and all the home decorating fabric will leave the basement and occupy the much, much larger space on the 1st floor. Bravo Bouchara !! Bouchara's merchandising has changed alot in the 12 years that we've lived in Paris. When we first moved here Bouchara used to occupy the H&M and Mango stores located on Boulevard Haussman between Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. In those days, besides fabrics, Bouchara used to carry gorgeous tapestries, area rugs, enormous tassels .... all at amazing prices.

Take a look at what I bought. I already have plans for the black / white fabric, stay tuned, and I had to have this because of the lampshade motif. Happy birthday honey !

london's calling

'Big A' had meetings in London so 'little a' and I tagged along for some fun. We stayed near Marylebone High Street which gave me the perfect opportunity to drop into some of my favourite shops: Cath Kidston, Brissi, Divertimenti ....

If it weren't for these helpful reminders painted on the ground at intersections, I'd be dead.

We got caught in an amazing rainstorm and took shelter under an awning before stopping in at Divertimenti for lunch.

Divertimenti is a kitchen shop. 'Big A' loves it for it's cooking gadgets (although he doesn't cook); I love it for their little cafe at the back of the store which serves a simple but yummy lunch menu.
Ah, Brissi; it's a home furnishings store and everything in it (except select clothing) is a lighter shade of pale - my preferred decorating style.
On Saturday we went to Chelsea because I had to check out a shop called Cabbages & Roses (I have one of their books sitting in my Amazon cart ready to be purchased). It didn't hurt that there was another Cath Kidston shop there and a Brissi as well - heaven ! This Cath Kidston shop is better than the one on Marleybone High Street because they have a fabric and oil cloth selection.


We finished off the morning with lunch at New Culture Revolution (305 Kings Road, Chelsea), a trendy noodles and dumplings food spot. Good thing we stumbled upon it, at the moment 'little a' will only eat rice. We sat in the window seats and admired the Bluebird Cafe and Epicerie across the street (owned by Conran), a little taste of France in London. Only wish we had had the time to stop in at Designers Guild but nap time was calling.