paint them pretty

ciao bellas!! everywhere i look, all i see is pale pink nails and berry bright pink toes. it's all the rage this season. check out your magazines like marie claire, vogue, instyle and look online at style.com don't forget to check out all those pretty painted nails on everybody's fingers and toes!! it's everywhere, it's so feminine, and it's completely flattering.

this summer is a classic. your pale pink nails will work with any flower patterned summer dress (totally in this season). and the berry pink toes are sure to make your summer wedges stand out. my recommendations? For sure; paint those tootsies with OPI "That's Hot! Pink" and combo Essie "Adore-a-ball" and "Sugar Daddy" for your fingers.

looking for a little twist? switch your colors and you're sure to make a statement. that berry pink will really pop on your hands, while a demure pale pink will blend in seemlessly with flip flops on the beach.

my prediction for next year?? a bright orange on the toes and a blush pink on the nails. im trying it out as soon as i get back to new york for the summer. but give it a trial run yourselves and let me know how it goes! try these out: OPI "Brights Power" or OPI "DS Treasure" and OPI "Kiss on the Chic"(it's sure to flatter and pop on everyone!)

surfing the waves via 1950

ciao fashionistas! as memorial day weekend approaches one can't help but notice the plethora of bathing suits that have flooded department stores and boughtiques, alike. upon some internet research (since i cannot walk through saks or bloomies while in Roma) i stumbled upon a surprising repetition of styles for this season.

what a throwback designers have gone for! what i the styles section of the new york times refers to as the 'meet and greet' look.. high waisted bikinis have really made quit a show on runways and in dressing rooms. this retro fifties look is uber sheek, and helps concel any winter pounds you haven't shed yet.

another great line that has also gone hook, line, and sinker.. the full-piece. designers have approached this area of swimwear rather cautiously.. but looking at designs, i have to applaude. they combine classic sheek with sex kitten.

here anne klein successfully portrays a demure cut thats sure to flatter every curve.

and here you can see how le truc works with this retro look on a two-piece

la moda di roma

the fashion of rome.

so milan is the quite obviously the fashion capital of the world. shouldn't that by default mean the rest of the metropolitan areas in the country would be as aware of their style? one would assume. but i am left to wonder whether roman woman consider fashion a part of their lifestyles.

ever since ancient roman times, fashion and appearance have been a part of the italian culture. designs on togas and elaborate jewelry would separate the elite from the plebeians of rome. but modern day roman fashion leaves something to be desired.

a common theme in attire is duo-tone. wardrobes are based on black attire. women pair one other color with their black basics to add a bit of flair. such as; a black skirt paired with a black sweater and black boots. adding some color will include a pashmina in a solid, such as fuschia, and perhaps fuschia tights. while this look can work for a handful of the young women and can exhibit a cute, different look.. where are the fashion designers that boast their 'made in italy' labels?

clearly a point of personal opinion, i have been led to the conclusion that roman women tend not to focus on fashion, with very few exceptions. young ladies know how to get dressed for a night at the discoteca, and men can certainly look suave as they swagger down the cobblestoned streets in loafers, jeans, and sport coats. however, during the daylight hours they don't boast this sleek, sophisticated look much.

buon giorno dei san patrizio

happy saint patrick's day!

in my defense... coming across internet in europe is not as easy as america. that's right fellow bloggers, i am studying in europe this semester. and now that internet access is at my fingertips expect photos and updates.

so i am based in rome for a total of four months. so far i have traveled to:
-umbria: perugia, assisi, and orvieto
-pompeii and napoli
-milan (looooooooooooooved!)

assisi has the most breathtaking sights. orvieto is a little hill town in the region of umbria with the most delicious white wine you have ever tasted. and perugia has quaint little cobblestone streets that are fun to get lost in.
an example of the beautiful hill town views

pompeii is a town that was excavated after everything had been buried in a volcano eruption. really interesting to see and a great day trip from rome. naples doesn't have much to offer except pizza... and boy do they know how to make a pizza!! we happened to get our pie at the same place from the famed book 'eat, pray, love' and it was every bit as good as elizabeth gilbert explains.

the best pizza this world has to offer

the ruins in pompeii

milan is the fashion capital of the world... and i loved everything that city had to offer. it's buzzing with international corporates, designer labels, and travelers. the city has such a life to it that is impossble to resist. the weekend trip up there with my friends was amazing! we saw the fourth largest church in the world, walked past 4 prada stores in the shopping district, and got into vip at the night club 'old fashion'. ...if you can find it in your wallet or bank account, i highly suggest a trip to milan.

the galleria vittorio emmanuele... prada store #1 and the world's best people watching are inside.

this is milan's duomo... the fourth largest church in the world. very impressive.

shaken, not stirred

if you have never had a martini, try one. if you have had a martini, you actually haven't unless you went to the king cole bar in the st. regis hotel in new york.

i had my first martini just last week. a very exciting event for this young fashionista. i had it all planned out in my mind: grey goose vodka, dry, and shaken, not stirred. when kwaku, my trusty bartender, poured every ounce of liquor from the shaker into my 4 oz martini glass, filling it to the rim, i was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. what would it actually taste like? would i like it?

it was so smooth. perfect, actually. being as i have only had one martini, i am no expert. however, i do have good taste in drinks, and the martini is definitely up there. so if you have not had one, please, do try it. and if you are close to new york, visit the st. regis hotel and go to the king cole bar. their bartending trumps others, bar none.

and in case you are wondering, i was wearing a charcoal and ivory pinstripe wool suit with an ivory michael stars turtleneck underneath with black patent heels. a chic, classic business outfit for a chic, classic drink. the two fit together perfectly.