Door Series #8

I have been walking around, in between the torrential rain, trying to get to know our new neighborhood. The thing about living right smack dab in the center of the city is that not many people actually live there too so, there is a lack of general stores. Still haven't found a place to buy bread or the butchers, and I just barely found the post office. BUT there are no less than 3 thousand cafes within spitting distance of my front door. And, of course, many buildings with these gorgeous doors.

Street Fashion Torino

New idea for a series of blog posts: Italian fashion seen on the streets of Torino.
First post: Fancy Tights

Benvenuto!

I feel like now that we have our new place and summer is coming, this might have to be the name of our apartment.
We offer great city views, turn down service and, chocolate on your pillows. I just hope we have chairs before anybody gets here...

What Not To Wear in Italian

First there was Trinny and Susannah. Then there was Clinton and Stacey. Now in Italy we have Enzo and Carla. What Not To Wear in Italy is called, "Ma Come Ti Vesti" (But What Are You Wearing?) .You would think that with the reputation Italians for being the best dressed people in the world, that they wouldn't need the help of professional stylists groping them and teaching them how to shop. But not everybody can be Sofia Loren, you know.

Great Door Series #7

Now that we are living in the centro città, I find myself looking everywhere but where I'm going when walking down the street. There are architectural details to be found everywhere. Continuing my great door series, here is a painted wood door I found that might just be one of my favorites so far. You can see the paint fading slightly and showing the wood underneath and it's age.

More Spring Windows:Chanel!

I live in a cosmopolitan city and therefore get to see all of the fabulous new fashion displayed in
the spring shop windows. I waked by the Chanel shore yesterday and had to stop in my tracks and admire the view. Leave it to Karl to find a way to wear leather gloves in the spring.

Who Won Grande Fratello?

Last night was the finale of Big Brother Italy. Surprisingly to me it was full of dancing and singing. And I have to say that my very favorite part of the entire show was at the beginning when all of the x-housemates recanted the closing dance of Slumdog Millionaire. Loved it! See it here and love it with me:


This is the guy I had money on winning, GianLuca: I mean look at that face. It's a winning face for sure. Alas, he came 4th. While he was in the house he became close with 2 other guys and together they called themselves the 3 Musketeers. On finale night those 2 other guys, who have already been booted out of the house, presented a surprise with GianLuca's dad. Hilarity ensues:

The winner was a restaurant worker from Montenegro called Ferdi. Here is the moment he won:

I am sad it's over BUT now it's just about time for Big Brother UK to begin. Can't wait!

Walking Along Via Po

We have now moved into that construction site I have been posting about for months. It's not fit for photos quite yet...coming soon. But to go just about anywhere you have to walk along the Via Po. It's full interesting finds. I might just start a new regular feature, fun finds on Via Po, or something like that. Anyways, here is what I found yesterday. A new way to tie your shoes, all the kids are doing it!From a shop called THUN. It's the Italian collectible equivalent to Jim Shore. Massively popular.

Earthquake Update

According to newspaper reports, the Italian government has moved to ease financial pressures on the survivors.

It has approved a package of emergency financial measures providing money to pay rents, and suspending gas and electricity bills for two months.

Some residents have been allowed back to their houses to retrieve personal items.

Four people had been arrested for looting, because almost immediately the police were

put in place to protect the abandoned homes.

Can I just say, I wish we had that kind of organization during Katrina.

Here is the latest footage on the funeral held for 205 of the victims.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7992936.stm

(source BBC news)

Could Have Fooled Me

On another note our floors were were finished today, we can almost move in.

6.3 In Central Italy

For this on going and serious matter, I will refrain from giving my usual banter and instead post a link to, so far, the best information on the earthquake. Pictures, video, and updated info:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7986727.stm

Weekend Market Finds: AND: This is My 200 Post!

It was Palm Sunday at the markets this weekend and along with their vintage purchases, people were carrying around olive branches all day. Plus there was a giant cake! Of which I had to have a piece. Need a coffee cup? He look like a Don...

Brava Mina!

I have learned while living here in Italy that on of the most famous singers to come out of Italy is Mina Anna Mazzini, or just Mina as she goes by. Since 1959 she has sold 76 million records! Her very loud voice earned her the nickname the "Queen of Screams". Mina didn't just sing in Italian but also in English. With all that fame, why haven't we heard of her? Well Mina's pregnancy and relationship with a married actor caused her a ban on the public Italian channels in 1963. After the ban, the Italian broadcasting service RAI continued trying to prohibit her songs which were forthright in dealing with subjects such as religion, smoking, or sex, of which she had a few. She also retained quite the bad girl image. Mina added sex appeal to her swinging 60's act, featuring public smoking, dyed blond hair, and shaved eyebrows. Scandalous, I know but there's more! As her record sales were unaffected by the television and radio ban, audiences demanded to see Mina on the air, Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) was forced to end the ban and let Mina return to television on January 10, 1964. After many many affairs with Italian actors, Mina now lives in Switzerland married to a cardiologist. She doesn't sing in public anymore but still records albums. Here is my favorite Mina song and I have told Pier that the day I can sing it is the day I have mastered Italian!

Makes Me Giggle!

I wasn't expecting a sign like this as I was walking the streets of Torino. So I had to take a picture because it made me giggle.

The View From Our Window

So I spent this morning watching all of our doors and windows and closet being installed, our marble counter tops being put in our kitchen, and making sure the constructions workers didn't put out their cigarettes on my newly sanded freshly varnished 200 year old wood floors. And after 4 days of straight rain the sun came out. I stepped out onto our terrace and snapped a few shots of the view from our kitchen terrace window.

Traffic Signs of Italy

Italians have a reputation for it's drivers but I have to say that these weird and wacky signs don't help. Does anyone want to guess what this one means? No french horns in this neighborhood, maybe?