MIAMI: Bikini Central, Fashion Week

My quickie 48 hour trip to South Beach was to attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. I must say, there is quite a difference in culture from Miami Fashion Week and NY Fashion week.

First, I have never seen so much plastic surgery in such a small space. Second, I have never seen so many women try to maneuver stilettos in the sand. Third, a lot more amenities for attendees here than in NY.

My gal pal Fab Ritzy and I stayed at the seemingly see-and-be-seen Hotel Gansevoort. The rooftop pool was home to many a pool party and fashion show (and where no one actually goes to swim). There was a great VIP lounge where Ritzy and I took advantage of the catering and complimentary beauty services. We ended our stay at the Palms Hotel, which had a cozier, classic art-deco Miami feel. The pool was one where we actually went swimming at 2 AM.

Celebs in town were the Kardashian sisters debuting their Beach Bunny line. Kendra the Playboy Playmate launching her book, Phoebe Price, Donald Pliner, and a smattering of NY Fashion regulars (though missing most of the big editors). The smaller presence of NY VIPs was fortuitous for Ritzy and myself. Our seating assignments were much better in Miami than New York.

Did I mention the plentiful open bars in every corner?

The Raleigh Hotel's gorgeous art deco pool was the setting for an old-school synchronized swimming performance on the last day. See the video below. Check out the MsFABulous coverage of Miami Fashion Week.  MAP

Rome: Beauty in Antiquity

The Trevi Fountain is the iconic setting where Marcello Mastroianni cavorted with Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita. The entire fountain was silenced the day Marcello died to honor his work. The Trevi fountain marks the junction of three roads to the ancient aqueducts that supplied water to Rome. At the late hour of 11 pm, I had assumed it would be quiet. I was very much wrong.

Every tourist in the city of Rome had converged on this spot. Overpriced gelato spots surrounded the circle. Aggressive vendors attempting to sell you toys, wilted roses and Polaroids of yourself harassed you from all angles. If you have the New York attitude however, they were easy to ignore.

Vatican City on the other hand, was much more serene at night. It was majestic to approach and scenes from Dan Brown's Angels & Demons came to mind.

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Panzano: Rustic Italian Cooking - Girls Night In

A culinary fantasy come true...  My mother, sister and I took a cooking class at the Tuscan cottage where we stayed (see my previous post for pics).  Our chef was the very sweet Stefania who often partnered with our B&B proprietor Giulietta on catering events.  I had a mission of learning how to make fresh pasta in Italy.  My sister, already a well-trained amateur chef was just happy to eat.  My mother had a goal of making a scrumptious local dessert. 

The menu was a medley of local vegetables,  pork roulade cooked in milk, spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter sage sauce and a Tuscan apple cake.

The herbs were picked outside on the grounds.  The olive oil used was pressed from the proprietor’s own olives.  The lemon used in the cake was still warm from the sun…Gorgeous, no?

Kneading the pasta was quite the workout, but I realized that with Italian food, it’s pretty simple once you know what you’re doing.

Since returning home, I have made ravioli several times and the apple cake twice.

Cooking lessons and B&B: http://www.fagiolari.it/

Greve in Chianti: Weekend Market

Artisanal cheeses, fresh organic produce, spices and dried goods. Each vendor showed pride in their product and was happy to have you taste why. This market carried everything one would need, from clothing, fashionable shoes, groceries.

For tiny towns as small as Panzano and Greve, the market brings all the essentials to the residents so they don't need to disturb their rural lifestyle by having to go to the city.

Panzano: Celebrity Butcher, Dario Cecchini

What is a celebrity butcher? I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on my ipod during the bus ride from Florence. His sarcastic description of Tuscany's treasures featured Dario Cecchini. Jack Nicholson proclaimed the best hamburger he has ever eaten was consumed here. Mario Batali counts Dario as a mentor.
He was described as an expert of traditional Italian cuisine, classic butchering techniques and a performer of Dante. The chefs of my B&B spoke mostly of his passion for food.
Upon visiting his shop in Panzano, we were welcomed with open arms and immediately offered a glass of house wine.

The best way to taste the results of his culinary passion is to visit his restaurants. There is a steakhouse and Antica Macelleria Cecchini. For 30E at Antica, one joins a tightly-seated communal table to taste dish upon dish of the freshest meats and vegetables you could hope for. This endless feast is accompanied by wine, ends with olive oil cake and then the party continues across the street at the shop for some grappa. A wonderful value, the servers and guests make the night with their enthusiasm and sense of humor.
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Panzano: Bespoke Shoes and Indie Fashion

One wouldn't think a small town like Panzano could be a shopping destination... Yes, it has made a name for itself as a pretty Tuscan village and for its celebrity butcher.

My mother treated herself to her most elaborate purchase, a pair of bespoke shoes. The Verso x Verso boutique offers classic and fashionable shoes in everything from suede, crocodile, lambskin to stingray. The handmade footwear has traditional colors, or can have super-bright colors to your wildest fashion whims. The prices, for a custom shoe, were quite reasonable, starting at round $350 (I recently interviewed Hungarian designer Ildiko Gal whose custom shoes ranged from $3000-$7000).

Also sharing the boutique space was Karina Wollinsky. She is a former economics professional who is now following her dream of fashion. Her sculpted pieces had beautiful workmanship and seaming.

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Florence: The Medici Legacy

Florence is a city known for it's art and architecture, mostly owing to the wealthy Medici family.
Hubby, Sis, Bro-In-Law and I started our brief afternoon parked outside of the city gates and walked through the Gardens of the Palazzo Pitti. The meticulously maintained gardens served as a lovely backdrop to the collection of sculptures.

Next, we strolled down the Ponte Vecchio, past the endless of supply of jewelry shops. Peeking in between the boutiques awarded you lovely views of the river and city. Just watch out for pickpockets and tourists zipping by on Segways...

Onward to the Piazza Del Duomo, where the elaborate Gothic architecture rose before us. The grand Cathedral had a long lines around the structure. We decided were content to admire the beauty from the exterior.

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