Aug

No explorations are ever wasted

I can’t believe I’m sat here typing on my laptop – no longer my phone – and laying in my bed at home in England. Time has flown since I returned to the U.K from our bijoux beach house in Sicily and I couldn’t look back more fondly on my month in Italia. But, I must admit – it is brilliant to be typing on a keyboard again and not squinting trying to figure out the WordPress app – so every cloud!

I wanted to put a short piece together to expand upon my lessons learnt and exploration gained from my time away. However, I thought I’d start with being more precise to Italy, rather than to life, to keep in tone with my usual writing style (firstly, free flowing and then profundity).

Here is the list I scribbled down when moving from place to place:

Italians have no concept of time – and this could however be down to the fact that wherever you go, whether it be a church or a free standing clock face – it never tells the correct time! And they aren’t all in unison either – they all tell different variations of the wrong time. You can be walking down a street and believe it to be 13:30 but when you see the time next, 5 minutes later, it reads 21:00. Tip: Always know the time.
Italians have zero spacial awareness and it is not uncommon for someone to walk into you or just not move when they see you’re struggling with a heavy suitcase on the cobbled sidewalk. Expect no more and no less. You are somehow in their way even when they are stood still.
When Italian men (in my case, of course) say “Ciao Bella” – it isn’t creepy. It does not equate to the same scenario as when white van men slow down to beep rhythmically until you turn around/ look with a red face to see them wink at you and drive away. I won’t mention the other catchphrases that such humans can come out with.
Italian women are quite straight-laced. The polar opposite to the men. They seem to be less humble and less friendly than even the Eastern Europeans/ Asians. They keep to themselves and don’t understand why you’re touring their part of the world.
Rome breeds crazy people. One day, having lunch, a man was laying face down on the cold road just screaming and singing to himself. He didn’t appear homeless, or starving – but perhaps, just drunk and with heat exhaustion. He carried on this way for a few hours, disappearing somewhere every now and again – only to return with the same tune and plonk himself down in the same place, to continue his plank.
The doors in Italy take Albert Einstein to work out – we couldn’t believe how retarded we felt every single time we went anywhere. We had to get the homeowners or their friends to show us again and again how to open and close the doors. It was worse mainly in Milan but there was no exception anywhere. Either we grew stupider with every bite of pizza, or the doors really do take a rocket scientist to work out – we still aren’t sure.
Wherever you go, you will find a friend.

I know these were all silly remarks but they really are what spring to mind whenever I look over the key points of my time there – and for those going to Italy, it might be good to keep in mind. WEAR A WATCH!

However, these are obviously not the only things I learnt whilst away. My greatest lesson was that: No explorations are ever wasted.

Whether you are a Jetsetter or a home-bird, I urge you at some time in your life to truly spend a lengthy amount of time in any foreign country and force yourself to adapt to their culture, try and learn their language, and eat/drink like a local. It really does change your perspective on how best to live your life. However, in my case, I know that eating carbs 3x a day only leads you to gaining 7lbs – not to a healthier, fitter me! But you get the general idea.

Secondly, in a form of maddening brilliance, you begin to accept others for who they are and know you’re never alone. It is quite easy to feel lonely when faced with large decisions or going through a tough time, but exploring new places gives you the kind of ease that makes you feel completely at one with yourself. It allows you to go outside of your comfort zone, and away from a bubble, and into the wide world – where people function, exist and live day – in, day – out. There is more to life than your country and habits – in fact, there’s a lot LOT more. And accepting that is a great way to keep focused but open-minded.

And lastly, Italy brought me back to life. Along with the previous two points, it showed me who I was again, which was easily lost in the emotional stress and turmoil of the past few months. I returned knowing exactly what qualities I have honed, and appreciating wholeheartedly the love, respect and intelligence of every friend I made out there. I obviously fell in love several times over (not just with the Italian men), and I ate to my hearts content – without any reservation or thought about my intake. I lived exactly how we are supposed to live as God’s creatures – carefree and happy to be exploring. It brought life back to my veins and heated cold bones.

It showed me what it means to feel completely comfortable with yourself and your surroundings and allowed me to relax in the thought of the future and the excitement it can bring. Even though, now I’ve returned, I’m being faced with some pretty hefty questions regarding where to take my future and whether to move abroad and work or to stay in London and study – I am grateful to have those few months of exploration, which will never be wasted. I’ve explored Italy and myself for a solid month – and I have found that life is most beautiful when we have to say goodbye. Because saying goodbye, when it is honestly difficult to do so, shows us that we are blessed to have had that opportunity and experience in the first place. At the end of the day, and no matter the outcome, I assure you that no exploration will ever be wasted.

Welcome home My Not So Fair Lady!

XOX

Jul

Stop six: Napoli Mi Amore

If I was to tell the truth, I’d say that I was absolutely horrified when I reached Naples train station. It was dirty, and littered. After our plush stay in Rome, we couldn’t believe where we had got off the train. Hearts broken and confidence wained, we reluctantly began our trip to Via Toledo – a hugely popular and crowded part of the city.

In all fairness, the apartment was in a perfect location – surrounded by hundreds of cafes and on the main high street, meaning plenty of shops and things to do. However, we couldn’t deny that we had gone from riches to rags, staying in an apartment with no air con – and not even a fan! Except the later found bottle of Limoncello in the freezer softened the blow a tad.

However, everything changed the more we stayed there. We now describe Napoli as “unexpected” because everyday we would find something new, discover something brilliant or meet perhaps the most interesting people of our lives. More of that later.

Via Toledo was in fact the heart of Naples, and the backstreets were the arteries all leading from the central point. When we began exploring, we started to understand that if you wanted to be part of the Neopolitan culture, then you had to explore every nook and cranny of the city itself.

Being typical English girls, grown up impressioned by American films – we knew that Naples was also home to a famous pizzeria – featured in one of my favourite films, “eat, pray, love”. The film follows a woman who, after deciding not to settle down, travels to Italy to “eat”, India to “pray” and Bali to “love”. In Italy she stays in Rome but goes to Naples to eat pizza – of course!

The pizzeria was called “Da Michele”, and despite reading numerous reviews saying the wait time was at least 3 hours – we decided that it would be quiet around 9pm and there’s no way any pizza place could be that busy!!

We were wrong of course.

We were given a hot tip to order the pizza as a take away, and eat on the street with the locals. The tourists queued of course, whilst the locals were smart enough to sit out. Given that the evening was super super warm – we decided to do the same. 20 minutes later we had our pizza and our lifelong mission to find food which would change our lives forever began and ended with 8 slices of pizza.

We cannot emphasise enough how amazing the pizza was. I now will forever be let down by any pizza I have ever again. So I suppose that’s a downside of trying the “best pizza in Napoli”. A large claim but one which Da Michele definitely fills.

That same evening, we thought a few drinks should be in order. We had arrived safely and it was our last major spot before Taormina and the more relaxing beach-part of our Italian trip.

Yet again, little did we know that we would visit this bar every night whilst in Naples and meet some of my most favourite people – never mind just Italians. The bar was a hippy joint not too far down a backstreet near our apartment! It served vegetarian food in the day and beautiful strong cocktails in the evening! We met a waiter named Luca who was one of the most fabulous people in the world. He wore a bejewelled headband and worked as a hairdresser part time too. He served us every night from then on, and on our final day there – we went back to see him to persuade him to visit us in London. He agreed of course.

Naples was a more bar-type place where locals hung out and chilled, rather than partied in a nightclub. People would gather in the street or round terraces until 5/6 in the morning. You never ever feel alone in Naples.

I’m just going to spam a little bit with selfies from our nights out – as there were so many, I will try pick the best few.

For me, Napoli wasn’t about sight seeing or doing the tourist duty, it was about being a part of Neopolitan culture, and better yet, being accepted into it.

I made what felt like a new friend every single day in Naples. From the local cafe staff, to the waiters at restaurants, the owners of our local hang out places, other foreigner travellers, to families. It felt like a huge hug being part of a community so solid, it’s hard to believe such solidarity exists in a fairly lonely digital world.

A man, who later became my most favourite person there, said that “no matter where you are here, you are never alone”. And he couldn’t have been more correct. For someone who doesn’t like to be alone, I couldn’t have found a better safe haven.

We were shown the spots and the best bars, the best places to grab some food. We were spoilt rotten by the kindness, generosity and love that we were given. I even have a place to stay whenever I return. Let me explain a little about these fascinating friends.

One was called Pepe, which Cat decided to liken to the Pope. “You know, Papa … Pepe. Same thing”. Whether he likes it or not, he will forever remain Papa Pepe! He was an ex-parachuter for the army and was signed through conscription to fight for Italy. Upon serving his time, he joined an extreme left movement against the government and the “corrupt officials”. He does not believe in religion but in spirituality. Wearing an old Buddhist tattoo on his arm, he has travelled the world but remains forever at one in Naples. He married the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and they moved to Spain and then Paris for her work. Pepe told us of how much he loved this woman, but as he follows his heart and his gut instinctively and has, for all his life, he recently left her to move back to Naples where his heart was born and will die.

Pepe managed to put life into perspective in just a few short sentences. He said that in the end we all leave the world alone anyway, and he has no time for pointless ventures when in his heart of hearts, he knows what and where makes him happy. For any person, and we are all guilty of it, who has put their life and happiness on the line for the sake of someone else’s, I urge you to think of Pepe and how no matter what – you should live for you and no one else.

The other man we met was called Alfie. He was born in New York but grew up Italian-American so spoke perfect Italian and fluent Neopolitan. He moved to Naples 17 years ago. He said that no matter where he’s been in the world – from Nicaragua to the Amazon, he has never felt as comfortable in a place than when he is in Naples. “Sometimes I think about leaving and moving back to the states to be with family but then I just leave my front door and it’s as though nowhere in the world will ever be as perfect”. I knew exactly what he meant in that moment. He was an avid surfer who lived life single so he could too do as he pleased (you can see why they are friends right?). He is an English teacher at a local university and grows his very well looked after “plants” on the side as a hobby and relaxation venture. I will leave that open to interpretation. Taking each day as it comes but booking a few months out to travel to different parts of the world he hasn’t yet seen, he knows about every culture, every region and every person. Alfie is perhaps the most inspiring person I will ever get the pleasure of meeting and for that, I am quite upset.

Alongside Napoli being the central hub of family and community, it is also the place for food! Julia Roberts doesn’t just go here to chat – she came to eat! And we did so too!!

Besides eating our weight in carbs and drinking too many cups of coffee – we also visited the island of Capri. Where Phoebe was stuck on a boat too long and took her first (no doubt not the last) burn.

We managed to see the famous Blue Grotto too which is a sea cave near the Island – it was a 2 minute journey with a whopping price tag. But I suppose – the cliche saying goes – you only live once.

From quirky cars like the one below to a beautiful Duomo – Napoli really was the unexpected city.



And also a city I could definitely call home. Just like in my Milan post, I said it was very rare, and you were incredibly lucky to find anywhere you feel completely at ease – that same feeling I felt for Milan came back to me here in Naples. So much so that sitting here typing about my experience almost makes me feel hollow – as though Napoli made me whole.

There are no words to express how this city operates and breathes but if you are lucky enough to be accepted, you will never feel alone again.

I will be running back to Naples with a huge heart and a bigger appetite, but for now, the adventure must continue.

Thank you for being my life jacket! Ciao for now. 🙋🏻

Bongiorno Taormina.

Jul

First stop: Milano

My friend and I decided that the best way to remember the places we visit in Italy is going to be by summing them up in only three words.
After day one in Milan, I decided that my first word would be “grey” as everything seemed so bleak and lifeless – but this was of course before I experienced the nightlife or the city, and changed my mind completely.
Okay, let me begin…

We arrived in Milan on Tuesday evening and after an easy journey, we found our home for the next few days relatively quickly – down a street called San Gottardo (highly recommend!). The flat was so close to everything – all the good bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants. And not to forget the amazing shops of course!?

We were greeted by this beauty the second we came up from the Metro and I instantly fell in love. A picture doesn’t do it justice but the Duomo really has the most incredible architecture. And – as it was our first day of being tourists – it was natural to pay 20 euros for a biscuit and our first Italian coffee with the Duomo right in front..

Later we would learn that you don’t pay over 1 euro 50 for a coffee. Oh well – we had to fall into the tourist trap at some point.

I think that my second word for Milan is going to be “beauty”. Although I am well aware that there are far more beautiful places in Italy which I am yet to explore… Milan is the epitome of beauty for me.

Just look at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele! This is where the super plush supposedly shop… Except I’m quite sure it was just a lot of tourists with a lot of cameras and the ridiculously hunky Carabinieri walking around smiling at poor unsuspecting foreign girls (and we don’t just mean us!)

The people here are beautiful too. There’s no place like it (and I would know – being a great lover of Paris). I was told by my Italian friend that the Milanese are easy to spot – the men all wear suits (even in 35 degrees heat) and the women will always look flawless – perfect makeup, heels, long thin legs and an inspiring fashion sense. One evening, my friend and I decided to just find a local spot to sit with our wine and watch the Milanese world go by – when we met two of the greatest Italians of all time: Luigi and Miky.

We learnt that Luigi was a surgeon who was born locally and had lived here all his life. Whereas Miky was a poet come lover-of-life who had toured with one of the greatest living Italian poets but had now taken to art and painting portraits. Miky knew everyone – and everyone knew Miky! He would be on the phone 24/7 or speaking to locals in the street. He even helped me with a bit of Italiano which was necessary but by no means enough as I still have to reply 99% of the time with just “I’m English” when the Italians start ranting on.

Miky and Luigi were beautiful too – both inside and out. In all the pictures we took they wanted to get in on it and thanked us with beautiful roses – oh, and a trip to our first club!

Club Bobino it was called – a Peugeot (yes the car) owned bar with a huge outdoor terrace and two rooms inside also. It was an unexpected evening as we just assumed we were hanging local but I’m so glad we didn’t! Giving up pronouncing our names 50 times to the locals, we let them have it their way and instead of Phoebe and Catherine, we became “Bibi e Gato”. Quite the ring to it I think! And from that night on, every time I gave two kisses and said “Piachere”, it was “Sono Bibi” oh and Gato (meaning “cat” of course).

I think what I found the most beautiful part of the bar was the random fountain which, although the picture doesn’t do it justice, it was pretty huge! Not quite the trevi of course, but impressive considering it was at a club. The theme of the night was “we love the 90s” and so naturally, I expected the music to continue as it started – Michael Jackson, Jackson five… And then the DJ shouted something in Italian, to which Miky translated for me as, “let’s go old school”. Except, then the DJ played Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars, followed closely by I love it by Icono Pop?! Oh and don’t forget the legendary Spanish tune Danza Kadora (or however you spell it) – even though we were in Italy….

Either way, the fact we knew the words to every single song playing worked like a charm and the Italians thought we were the most fascinating creatures of all time. One peculiar thing we did realise and it must be because of their Latino nature, the Italians didn’t know a fist pump but instead salsa danced to British pop music – much to our amusement. But after a few bottles of wine, the good old party Brits came out and caused quite the stir! We managed to get at least 30 people in a circle – with us at the centre – and taught them how to dance English style! From “going low” to a hearty punch to the sky – they were going mental! Three cheeky phone numbers and 50 million Italian kisses later, we stumbled across the new Valentino campaign models. Already infatuated by our rhymic dance moves – it was like we were one of them. Accepted into the circle of the rich, famous and the beautiful.

Before I left for Italy, I remember my friend telling me “you always say you’re in love with people, why?”. Well the truth is, I do fall in love with people – usually from the second they interest me. And I will fall in love again, and again and again… I told Gato that I wanted to fall in love every single place we stop in Italy, and after Milan and the beautiful Milanese model below, I think I’m going to fall in love time and time again – but mostly with Italy.

Last night, and the reason for my low funds and pumping headache, was the evening in the Just Cavalli Bar. One of the loves of my life had told us that we must go before we leave or we will regret it! Now if we thought that the evening before was “the best night ever” – the just Cavalli bar was something else.

Set in Parco Sempione, this bijoux spot would be an absolute find for someone not looking. We loved the fact it was surrounded by the park – it made it a surreal experience. You needed a reservation or to be “on the list” to get in, just like at Bobino, but our English charm and the smiley faces you see below sealed the deal once more and we were accepted inside.

The bar is set on different foundations – all immersed within a fake forest with the VIP section set above the dance floor – graced by zebra stripe couches. It was ridiculously Cavalli. We stupidly decided to spend 60 euros on a bottle of wine – as it was our last night in Milan we thought we may as well go for it – and we will just “slum it” in Venice. The waiter brought it to our table and even waited nearby to top our glasses throughout the evening and to ensure the ice wasn’t melting which would “wet the bottle and that is no good”. After a quick girly chat, a glamorous mother and son interrupted and later invited us to the main VIP area to drink Cavalli Vodka (yes – it exists) and have not just the one personal waiter but five! Oh and to top it off, we even got a sparkler.

Naturally, many drinks and many hundreds of euros later, we felt fresh and free – ready once more to brave the dance floor. The manager of the club already blowing kisses and throwing love hearts my way, alongside the DJs making hard heart shapes – we were popular English girls once more. Dancing (or salsa-ing) the evening away with our new glamorously beautiful friends.

My next word is going to be “food”. I realise everywhere in Italy, the food will be incredible. But I just had the best salads, best pizza slices, and best drinks – ever! In italy, they have “happy hour” whereby you buy a drink – and you get food?! A buffet is put on every evening from around 9-11 where customers are both fed and watered. It’s fantastico – far better than our dismal 2-4-1 deal. Italia 1 England 0.

We stopped by the same cafe every day (usually a few times a day) for our morning coffee and croissant – then our evening Amaretto and coke. The owner took a real shining to us – and you must admit, the best messages are those written in froth…

And lastly, my third word will be “home”. Someone once said to me that where you’re “meant to be” is when you go to a place and you just feel right. Since leaving Bath, I haven’t ever felt the same about anywhere I plan on going. Desperate trips to London to make me fall in love with the city has only resulted in further disappointment. Milan, on the other hand, is just right. It isn’t the most beautiful Italian city, nor is it famous for local cuisine or culture – but it’s just fabulous in every way to me. And it just feels right.

Little did I know on that first day when I decided my word was “grey” and I messaged home saying I couldn’t wait to leave Milan that I’d be sat on the train to Venice sad to be leaving my “home”.

Four days of partying and countless kisses and laugher has resulted in this (below) and so I think a quick detox is required before it all begins again.

Ciao Milano. Bonjourno Venezia! 🇮🇹

Mar

Spring/Summer Loves Orientalism: High Street Fashion

With the turning of the seasons, I am compelled to remember my Bali holiday last year where Orientalism and Asian design were both quite obviously commonplace. Perhaps I took the vivacious colours, floral prints and silk fabrics for granted, as now we see Spring/Summer bring the best of Asian fusion design.

After seeing Rochelle from the Saturdays fashion Victoria Beckham’s tunic red dress, I was enthused with ideas of what to buy for the warmer season. The blood oranges, striking rouges and contrasting black makes for the perfect summer attire, whether rain or shine. So I decided to put together a few ideas to spice up your new season (oriental) wardrobe.

TOP 3 BEST PICKS FOR SS15

1. The Wallflower Look

This image was taken recently at Paris Fashion Week 2015 of a look fashioned by Carolina Herrera. I’m sure you agree – never has the concept of large floral prints ever-felt fresher for spring. Big and beautiful, like pictured above, or minute and abstract, so long as the flowers are bold and feminine – you will be right on trend.

2. Printed Skirts

Miu Miu certainly delivers this year at New York Fashion Week on the success scale of orientalism. This Asian – fused inspired printed skirt turns heads as the velvet fabric sits perfectly on the models frame. Paired with a basic vest, heels and nude bag, the beauty of the skirts sky blue colour really comes alive.

3. Asian Dress

Céline certainly gets my recommendation this season with her floral print floor – length dress. In keeping with traditional oriental colours such as reds, blues and greens, this summery attire leaves even the discerning gentlemen eye-locked.

Whether you’re enjoying a romantic sojourn away, a trip with friends or just staying in the UK this summer, you have no excuse to not make the most of the scintillating colour trend. Especially for my readers, and the loyal fashionistas, I will advise you what to buy, to get ‘the look’.

GET THE LOOK

Made from pure silk and using seasonal floral print design, the dress provides an effortless silhouette for the summer daydreamer.

Available from All Saints, £168

Stay classy and independently chic for the new season with a yellow floral print pencil skirt. Creating the perfect flattering finish, this attire is ideal for the weekend or those long working weeks.

Available from River Island, £25

With a square neckline and a zip back fastening, this dress is adorned with a kick slit to reverse. The white dress is graced with vivacious purples, greens and blues to give the ultimate Asian finish.

Available from Lipsy, £80

Don’t forget your summer bikini girls! Make it count this year by even being on trend right down to your swimwear. This archival design by Etro will add style and much needed colour to your 2015 swimwear collection.

Available from Net-a-Porter, £195

It wouldn’t be ultimate on-trend without a feature for this seasons fanatical trouser suit. Floral and contrasting, this attire expels luxury. Jacket and trousers sold separately.

Available from ASOS, Jacket £40 Trousers £40

Throughout the difficulties of life, and working through the summer months, we can bring the sunshine indoors by keeping in – trend and oriental!

MNSFL xox

MY NOT SO FAIR LADY

Category Archives: Highstreet fashion

No explorations are ever wasted

Stop six: Napoli Mi Amore

First stop: Milano

Spring/Summer Loves Orientalism: High Street Fashion