To Italy, With Love

Aperol Spritz Cocktail
Four Seasons Hotel in Florence

Italy is truly a feast for the senses. And autumn is one of the best times to visit. The weather is cool and comfortable and the crowds are smaller. The flower stalls, restaurants, and farmers markets are all bursting with autumnal glories. We arrived in Florence in the evening and our visit began with an Aperol Spritz, a delicious drink of Aperol and Prosecco. This delectable concoction became our favorite late afternoon ritual. It is so easy to embrace la dolce vita in Italy. In addition all its cultural attractions (and the list is endless!), Italy offers daily lessons in the art of living well. If I had to decide what I loved best about Italy, it would be hard to choose. There are so many pleasures...

The Food

Trattoria Da Omero up above Florence

Pasta with eggplant at Da Omero

Contorni --they do vegetables so well

Tiny and charming Lola's Cafe

Mushroom Risotto at Lola's

Apple pie, Italian style

Biscotti and Vin Santo at Da Ruggero, so simple and perfect

 Cammillo restaurant, another gem

 The Churches

San Miniato al Monte
Walking through these old and exquisite churches makes the Renaissance come alive

Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

Basillica di Santa Maria Novella

Santa Felicita

The Views

Everywhere you look is a postcard

The Markets

I have never been more inspired by food than in Italy

Dried fruits

Pastas

Hams and salamis

Biscotti

Fruit and Nuts

Panforte for Christmas

Beautiful flowers also

 The Style and Beauty

The Bar at The Four Seasons Hotel

Love this detail

Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

Beauty products at Santa Maria Novella

China at the Porcelain Museum, Pitti Palace

The Grandeur

Pitti Palace

Boboli Gardens

 The Nooks and Crannies

Florence is a small city and very walkable. One of its greatest pleasures are the little streets and alleyways filled with charm and antiquity.

And gelato around every corner

The Art

Marino Marini Museum

There is nothing more awe-inspiring than seeing a roomful of Botticellis at the Uffizi Gallery or Michelangelo's "David" at the Accademia. But it is also satisfying to go to a small museum and see the art of one man and practically have the museum to yourself. The Marino Marini Museum is a such a place. You can sit down and view it all without feeling rushed.

Florence, you won my heart. 

Next up, Lake Como...

Flowers With a View

There are certain times when we feel in touch with nature. We may be hiking in the mountains, working in our garden, sitting at the beach, or contemplating a view. Wherever this happens, the experience usually brings about a peaceful and happy feeling. Wednesday was one of those days for me. A friend of mine lives in a house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Her view is simply stunning. I was thrilled to be going to a flower arranging class held in her garden. It didn't hurt that this was one of those startlingly clear and gorgeous fall days we often get in Los Angeles. One of those days that makes you happy to be alive. The view of the coastline from Malibu to Palos Verdes was breathtaking. I have always thought that the beach in Los Angeles looks its best in the months of November through January. Something about the lighting at this time of the year and the sun being lower in the sky makes the vistas take on a crystal-clear clarity and a sparkling, vivid blue. On a day like this, the ocean looks like glass.

Nature was all around us. This house has a lovely garden.

The rose garden

 I was happy to discover that the floral event would take place under the olive trees.

When I turned around, this was the sight that met my eyes.
Stunning!  

There was beauty and inspiration everywhere.
But I needed to concentrate, we were there for a flower arranging class.

And it was fabulous! The workshop was taught by the lovely and talented Brenda Berkley.
She is the owner of The Flower Box.   

She brought the most beautiful fall flowers and they looked so vivid in this environment.

There were peonies and ranunculus.

Watching her put these arrangements together was mesmerizing.

 Her creations were simple and elegant and included the signature colors of fall.

She put together a long arrangement that included ferns, moss and driftwood.
It would be perfect for any holiday table in December.

Before leaving, I needed one last look. The color of the ocean was just gorgeous!

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Wishing you a beautiful weekend. I will be at the farmers market buying flowers!