Most times a purchase comes with a story of how that sweater was grandma's and we used to play dress up in it or I brought that back from a trip to Spain when I was backpacking around Europe one summer... etc etc. 
These were a favorite find this weekend, a couple of 1950's college band sweaters.
So, I've taken a break from the European lifestyle to visit my family and get a little bit of the comforts of home. Namely Mountain Dew, pumpkin pie, and Cheetos. Not in that order or together but all priorities. Another priority of visiting home in the fall is the Texas State Fair, world capital of fried foods and food on a stick and they take that title very seriously. This year's buzz food was chicken fried bacon. Possibly the worlds most dangerous food which makes it a challenge we had to try. And we did. And it was awesome. Here are a few picks from the highlights of the fair...
Sculpture of King Tut's mummy and Imus made entirely of butter.
Dancing puppets:
And my mom pretending to play a piano:
The robot at the Ford display. He talked to the people. 
Its official! Torino has more cafes recognized by the Michelin standards than any other Italian City. This was reported in Torino's newspaper La Stampa just yesterday, calling Torino "La Capitale dei Caffe". Our city of 1 million people now has 4 cafés recommended, coming out in the 2009 guide. Take that Rome, Venice, and Milan! Read the La Stampa article (in Italian) here:
This weekend, true to the season, the market was ripe with bounty. I had a hard time choosing what to take home and what I had to leave there. You have to choose carefully when shopping at the marketini because by the 
end of the day, just like gypsies, everything disappears. Spoiled for choice I took a few pictures of the excellent finds from this weekend.
On a side note, A big hello to my new Etsy friend Margaret. She is married to an Italian and lives happily in Canada with their 2 kids. Visit her Etsy shop at www.misfitchic.etsy.com She has a beautiful shop, makes awesome treasuries, and has excellent taste in vintage!
Berlusconi , 71, has a long standing reputation for having a well-documented wondering eye for younger women, much to the dismay of Mrs. Berlusconi, his wife of 20 years who has been a witness to that wondering eye in public many times before.
The new Miss Italy is Miriam Leone, a 23-year old music student from Sicily. I guess we know what her talent is going to be. 
And just for fun, here are the contestants for the Miss Drag Queen Italia 2008.
