My invitation to Blogtour Milan has me dreaming Italian style, reminiscing about Capri!
Italia Beckons!
My Adventures As
A Travel Designer and Writer
continues with An Invitation
to Milan's Interior Design Show
and Art and Culture Trip to Venice. But First, My Love for Capri is Ignited With The Promise of This Return to Italy
throwback to Amalfi 2005 with my daughter,
we shopped, walking through the cobblestone streets in Amalfi.
I am excited to be embark upon another design tour and this time to Italy.
I will be traveling with a group of journalists all hand-picked by Blog Tour (aka Veronika Miller) after our maiden voyage to London for Decorex and London Design Festival in 2011, then a trip to New Orleans for the kitchen and bath show, KBIS, and now Italy. All this musing has gotten me to channel my love for Italy, and reminisce about some of that here today.
This Italy trip is slightly different than others because it is the first "lifestyle" tour, and although we will still muse about interior design (hello, we are visiting swanky Italian furniture show, Salone Internazional del Mobile), we will also be writing about our experiences with food, wine, hunting for antiques, and, all the fun "lifestyle" topics surrounding this wonderful country. To be able to visit one of my most favorite corners of the world with an eye on these subject, makes me giddy. On April 5, together with 10 other talented writers and designers, I will be saying "Ciao Bella" for six days--first in Venice, then Milan so stay tuned for details and of course I will share, share, share my sources and sites.
The Promise of this trip
has me remembering my favorite place, Capri
Of all the places I have traveled, Italy remains the most memorable. On this particular trip I highlight today, I hope to inspire a little Italian love. I'm channeling my last trip to the chic island of Capri, which was a dream vacation I spent with my mother and daughter. Capri Island is off the southern, Amalfi coast in Italy and was one of Jackie O's favorite get-aways. She visited many times throughout her life. Her fascination with the island's infamous handmade sandals, which are created on the spot and bespoke while you wait by island artisans, helped propel their popularity. While in Capri during my honeymoon in 1992, I had heard of the famous sandal maker that Jackie forged a relationship with, Camfari. I had my very own sandals made, and molded to my feet and even chose the special starfish jewel to adorn them. Camfari opened in 1946 by owner Amedeo who produced colorful, unique sandals. Decorated with jewels, shells and little decorative items that have become their signature look, Jackie O fell in love with them. The shop would open exclusively for her when she visited the island in order to have her famous "K" sandals made. Other notables fell in love with the shop including; Sofia Loren, Clark Gable, Naomi Campbell, Maria Callas, Princess Caroline and more.
In Capri, they even have effervescent blue glowing water, the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzura) which is a sea cave where sunlight passes through an underwater cavity and shines through the water, creating a blue luminous cave. Just like so much of Italy, it's magical! The last visit we stayed at an elegant hotel on the island, the Grand Hotel Quisisana, which holds court over the chic scene that unfolds every afternoon on the large outdoor dining area, offering up a quintessential "Italian" dining experience. Don't forget to sit outside, while sipping a Campari because the people watching is an event in and of itself!
After my last visit, I became enamored with lemons. Lemons are everywhere, and in addition to growing they are adorned on their pottery, art, clothing, paper and even in the architecture. When I discovered my brother's new home in California has a blooming lemon tree recently I was overjoyed and he sends me regular boxes of his fresh-picked lemons! And, finally, I share my favorite restaurant on the island, paolinocapri restaurant and it is a gorgeous setting and delicious food served al fresco, paying homage to the lemon.
We became enamored with the Italian gardens throughout the island and the country, discovering we loved the way Italians mix greenery with gargoyles, statues, urns and injecting a sense of drama into their outdoor spaces. So, stay tuned for more Italian adventures and new stories to share here soon.
Happy Nesting
XO TAMARA
Jackie Kennedy visiting the shop to have her K sandals made
I have a serious lemon obsession
With my mother and daughter,
we dined under the lemon trees
managing to stay dry even with a light sprinkling.
my cute little button, Gabriella
Check out my Capri pin board
