Last weekend we left the now 4 year old with his nonni (grandparents) and my man and I headed to Romagna, the Eastern Coastline that lines the province where we live for a day of vintage market hunting and walks along the beach.
It was the first time in a *long time* that we took the day for just the two of us and it was nice. Not that I don't love doing everything with my son, but there is a certain worry that comes with living an active life with young kids. They run and there are always bikes, scooters, skateboarders, dogs and automobiles to think about. They have the tendency not to listen, to misbehave, to not sit still etc. that must be lovingly yet firmly parented. And parenting takes energy. It means being "on" all the time, which is just not relaxing!
And so on this day when it was just the two of us, I totally relaxed. It was a wonderful vacation day free from responsibilities that both of us really needed. To have uninterrupted conversations, to enjoy browsing the market without saying "don't touch that, don't touch that, put that down, don't even THINK about touching that, come back here, stay beside your mommy, hold my hand...." in continuation.
This had me thinking that maybe we should start being that couple that plans dates more often, because if you don't plan them they don't happen.
It was a warm (warm-ish, lest we forget this Canadian suffers from being cold all the time and I live for the heat of June, July and August when most people can hardly breath and I finally bare my legs!), sunny, Spring day. The sun was shining and the hour drive from our house to the seaside was filled with good music and good conversation.
We made a pit-stop at one of Italy's largest Antique markets in Cesena that occurs once a month, I've written here about shopping Italy's incredible vintage and antique markets.
I cannot stand being indoors when the sun is shining, maybe it is because I'm a Leo and I'm ruled by the sun, or maybe it is because I'm a human and as much as a plant needs sunlight to produce photosynthesis, I need to to produce vitamin D (the happiness vitamin), which is directly responsible for upping anyone's mood and keeping depression at bay. Note: The next time you think you need therapy, maybe all you really need is a long walk on a sunny day!
It literally works for me every time, and so while we were at the Antiques fair (which is indoors), I asked my husband if we could stop shopping and head to the beach. Don't worry, I did manage to get some amazing deals, including these vintage gold sunglasses, a black lace ankle length dress and a checkered button-downs dress, perfect for when I feel like dressing-up like a cowgirl!
In 20 minutes from Cesena we arrived at one of my favorite port towns along the Adriatic Coast, Cesenatico, where antique fishing boats line the boardwalk in the marina, and casual cafes and restaurants make for the perfect backdrop to an afternoon "in compania" - in company with friends.
What I Wore
I'm loving long - like REALLY long this season, so I wore a Zara denim colored sheer long blouse. It is practically floor length on me, but should be around mid-calf on a normal person!
Underneath I wore a wine colored bodysuit and had a wine/light purple sweater with me to throw overtop when it got a little cold by the water or later in the day.
My sunglasses are the vintage pair I picked up earlier at the Antiques Market in Cesena for 15 euro. I have officially stopped buying designer sunglasses a few years ago, when I left a pair in Paris, a pair at the movie theatre and a pair at the grocery store. I've decided that the more I spend on sunglasses the higher the probability I will loose them and since I've made the decision to only buy vintage I haven't lost a single pair yet! (knock on wood!)
My bag is one of the first prototypes from the new bag collection and is made with a "natural" leather from an exclusive Italian Tannery. This clay colored leather is very special, because it is a full-grain calf leather that is one of the BEST quality leathers in the world, in fact this natural finish is so special because you can actually see the characteristics of the animal (like the veins and vein markings).
Why is this special you ask? Basically, the uglier, rougher, cheaper and poorer quality the leather, the fewer characteristics can be seen. The tanneries must cover the leather with multiple coatings to make it uniform and appear nice, whereas this leather has just been colored with a dye and all of the splendor of the leather is left to shine through and be seen .
We have to wait at least a year to receive this type of leather from the tannery because the animals themselves are difficult to come by, needless to say, this is luxury at its best, and has usually been reserved for brands like Hermes!
The little card-holder is my exclusive design and the metal accessories on the bag are also our exclusive design (not commercially available) and were made in Florence by metal artisans.
My boots are by the Italian artisan brand Gianna Marra, and are still available here on sale. If you follow my blog you may remember them from this look, or this one, this one or this one, and chances are you'll see them many other times. When I love something I don't get tired of it quickly and I plan on wearing these as much as possible, and when the soles wear out there is a good chance I'll have them resoled!
The moral of the story is....I don't know why it has taken Marco and I SO LONG to do something as a couple. And why we don't make more of an effort to hangout together. Now that I've tasted what it feels like again to go out on a date I realize that I really miss the sensation and hopefully we do it again before 2017!
This week I am so proud to share one of the blogger's that has been a HUGE inspiration to me this year
I've had Nora on my mind for the last few months because she is a one of the fashion bloggers that has successfully incorporated a REAL fashion and personal style blog into her personal brand and business, Jacket Society. Which is exactly what I plan on doing this year once my first leather bag and accessory collection is completed.
Her website is a perfect mix of fashion and style posts along side her incredible offering of chic and sophisticated jackets, blazers, vests and ponchos of her own design. Over the last few months I've followed her to fashion fairs and stylist events where she sells her collections, on vacations (check out her recent trip to Coronado and La Jolla) and on dates with the men in her life (husband and her handsome grown son!)
Every post is the perfect blend of introducing her audience to her designs and new store offerings, a glimpse into her life and the REAL WEARABILITY of each piece she sells. She is the model for her items, and proves that everything can be worn in real life, by real women. BTW she is a super foxy over 40 mom, with the body that would make any 20 year old jealous. THIS is real fashion for mature women that won't have you looking like an "old lady". So basically I heart her!
#REASONSTODRESS DRESS TO IMPRESS FASHION BLOGGER LINKUP
Welcome to the #REASONSTODRESS DRESS TO IMPRESS LINKUP for fashion and style bloggers!
This linkup is hosted by REASONS TO DRESS - An Italian lifestyle blog about an expat-Canadian married to an Italian leather artisan. Part of this new linkup is sharing up and coming style bloggers and we're always looking for fabulous co-hosts who will be interviewed and featured - email [email protected] for info!
REASONS TO DRESS - An Italian Lifestyle Blog About Fashion, Travel & Life in Italy
JACKET SOCIETY - Fashion blogger designed jackets, blazers and style inspiration
THIS WEEK'S BANNER / INSTAGRAM IMAGE :
- PLEASE : Linkup your STYLE related posts, new and old! Or Linkup a FASHION related picture from Instagram with the hashtag #REASONSTODRESS
- PLEASE: Add the badge or a link back to EITHER of the weekly hosts
- PLEASE: Follow each host on at least 1 social network , we're friendly, social and generally over-sharers! Let us know that you've followed so that we can share the love!
- PLEASE: Please be social and visit a post that interests you. Don't forget to use the #REASONSTODRESS hashtag to let people know how you found them!
