Natural History Museum & Narnia World Premiere

And overnight, London is transformed.

You can't actually tell from my photos today, but it was actually snowing at the time.

Maybe I should wish for things on the blog more often! I woke up this morning and, lo and behold, I found snow falling from the sky. It was quite beautiful. I was eager to go out and start my day. It was freezing. I need to buy a hat. Like, yesterday.

But out I went anyway. I started at the Natural History Museum. My favorite galleries there are the Dinosaurs, and all of the geological stuff (the rock collections, the volcano exhibit, the giant escalator.

Yes, I've been there before (hello, Dinosaurs!) but I had never stopped and admired the architecture of the place. The Earth Galleries have always been fascinating, I admit, but I really stopped this time to look at the production value of the exhibits. And the grand entrance hall? Yes, It looks amazing at first glance (and has a giant apatosaurus in the center)

but the detail is really quite remarkable. If you look closely at the arches, there are small monkeys climbing on them. The painting on the ceilings depict different plants and label with their scientific names.

Truly quite amazing. After NHM, I confess I bought a book about the history of shoes from the V&A bookstore. Next stop: Leicester Square to get a discount ticket to see The Rivals at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

As I passed the square, in possession of my 1/2 price ticket for the 7:30 showing, it looked like they were setting up for a big event. The Odeon Theatre chain (ugh) has a huge complex there, and it turns out that is where all the movie premieres happen. Turns out tonight was the Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader World Premiere. I got some great shots of them setting up--I tell you, I did not envy the crew climbing truss in the snow to focus lights, nor the crew setting up the platforms and rolling out the red carpet.

Pretty cool, but I went home to warm myself up before going out again in the evening for the show. So I go back to Picadilly Circus at 6:30, and fortunately I am early for the play. So I decided to hop on over to the premiere in Leicester Square, thinking with security, crowds, and everything I wasn't going to get anywhere near it. Well, the security guys were really nice. And there was no one there. I mean, only a few hundred people...and did I mention the Queen was supposed to be going to the show? It was really that cold.

So I walked around for a little while, kicking myself for, once again, not bringing my camera. The lighting inside the event area was amazing--it reminded me of the Disneyland fireworks show/Christmas parade, especially where they have all the fake snow come down on main street. Except this time, the snow was real. It looked gorgeous in the light. If only I could feel my ears.

I made it close to the red carpet and that's when the nice guard told me the queen was due within 20 minutes. I had 1/2 hour before the show started. Yikes. So I waited around, thinking maybe I could catch a glimpse (2 royals in 2 weeks? Would be epic...) but as time wore on, more people pushed in front of me, and I worried about not making curtain, and would not miss the first act again.

I was about to leave. But just before I did, I caught a glimpse of the guys who plays Edmond,  X Factor contestants One Direction and Rebecca Ferguson, and best of all...Simon Pegg! He looks quite dapper in a tux (I really do want to see Burke and Hare, ps)

After that, I ran over to the theatre, made it in time, and saw Peter Hall's damn fine production. Expect a review tomorrow.

Stay warm, everyone.
xoxo
Antonia

Portobello Road and Hummingbird Bakery

The first thing I do when I wake up each morning is check outside for snow. Every day thus far I have been disappointed.

I've grown quite cross with igoogle weather. First it said definite snow last Thursday. Then definitely last Saturday (moving day). Then 9pm tonight. Frankly, I don't believe we'll get snow Tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday. I have lost my faith in the weatherman.

Nevertheless, it is freeeeezing outside! And with the Tube strike this weekend, it's not been very easy getting around London. After my disastrous experience on the bus from ikea, I only have faith in the 31. So yesterday, along with Fran and Angela, I went to the Westfield shopping center (yes, like in America). Sure it was like a regular mall, but sometimes you just need a shopping day with the girls. And we found quite a lot.

Today I was up and out earlier than usual. I found out I could take the 31 to the Portobello Market. Like the Camden Markets, the markets and stores up along Portobello Road are a great tourist attraction in London. Of course, I realize that more stalls are set up on the weekend, and that the summer would be much more pleasant than the freezing cold of winter. Nevertheless, it was more fun for me to check out the shops on the antiques side of the road than the other, newer areas.

There were some great little vintage-y shops, a few nicer looking antique places, and some fine menswear stores, like the newly opened Stumper & Fielding. Really nice wool and angora scarves for 29 pounds.

Finally I went to the Hummingbird Bakery to see what all the fuss was about. Let me tell you--its a damn good cupcake. It's very moist and the frosting, though super sweet, is delicious. I think it's all the rage over here because it's best made American cupcake. The frosting tastes like something you might get at any bakery over here. But there really hasn't been anything else like it so far in Britain. At least, that I've tasted. Apparently if I go there on a weekend the line'll be out the door.

But overall, for two strike days (and post move-in), I think the past two days have been productive. Also, I've had a chance to relax and settle in to my new room. More to come soon.

xoxo,
antonia

Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, New Home!

This past week has been crazy! I am as exhausted as I usually get after tech/dress. So the past couple of days have been less about seeing London, and more about living in London.

Wednesday I spent prepping for Thanksgiving dinner--I also visited Argos and got bedding for my new place. Thursday felt like a real Thanksgiving. Of course, I missed my family back in California so much, but this year everyone was all over the world. I was up early, went to the shops for fresh ingredients, and started going about hosting my first ever Thanksgiving dinner. I even made place cards with construction paper turkeys. Here was my menu:

Starters: 

Chips and Salsa (like at Lana's)

Roasted Walnuts w/ Cinnamon Sugar (thanks Amy)

Fresh Veggies (like at Mack's)

Main Course:

Green Beans

Cornbread from Scratch (Fran's recipe)

Vegetarian Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Turkey Breast (I admit--Marks and Spencer)

Gravy

Dessert/Wine:

Chianti

Homemade Sweet Potato Pie

Vanilla Ice Cream

It was such a wonderful night, good food, family, and afterwards we watched "Elf"--a favorite holiday film for all of us.

The next day I went to...IKEA!

Let me tell you--besides the crazy traffic on the buses and the tube (which were a nightmare!) my experience at ikea was great fun. Mostly because...

ikea is pretty much the same in every country. And that is something I am really happy about. When you travel to new places, it is always nice the local things, do something you wouldn't normally do, go somewhere you wouldn't normally go. But that's short term. 

When you are living in a new city, having familiar things can make all the difference in the world--especially if you are feeling homesick. Walking into ikea was such a familiar escape for me--and fun--and i knew all of the products. Also...I paid 50 pence for a coffee and cinnamon roll! It's amazing how cheap it was; you could never get that at a US ikea, even with the exchange rate. Best deal ever.

So then I went home and made my cornbread again to take over to my new apartment! My new roommates were so welcoming and nice, they invited me over for their first thanksgiving ever. It was really great getting to know them, and Angela made such a lovely meal. Yes I couldn't eat the turkey (it looked pretty, though!) but the roast vegetables, homemade pumpkin pie, and Claire's Banoffee pie were a big hit. 

So today I moved in. I love having my own room again, and it's been fun to decorate. I've been able to get my basic supplies, bedding, and kitchen utensils for just about 50 pounds. That was something I was quite proud of. Oh, just to clarify: in London (as in many other European cities) apartments that you rent come furnished for the most part. So it's been one less thing to worry about (and makes moving much easier). I think my room is quite cute, take a look:

And now that I am done I can get back to enjoying myself in London! Get ready holidays, here I come!

xoxo,

Antonia

Camden and Harry Potter

Today was a busy day of running errands--I ran around town trying to get ingredients for a traditional American Thanksgiving! I am really excited to cook my first Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow (as a special thank you to Fran and Justin for all of their hospitality)--with hopefully not too many changes on the classic. Holiday post with pictures to come!

The weather has gotten really darn cold--we expect snow any day now (I am just dreaming of waking up to a snow day...). On top of that, I'm shopping for the move into my new place! I am moving this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited. Today I visited the famous Argos to buy a duvet and pillows, and on Friday I am planning my IKEA trip (cinnamon rolls.....). With so many errands to run and stuff to plan for, I haven't had a lot of time to go out and explore the city. I had a great trip to Cambridge this weekend, and yesterday I finally got out and back in London.

I visited Camden, home of the Roundhouse Theatre and the famous Camden Markets. Camden has been home to London's alternative scene for decades, and it does not disappoint. It does cater more to the tourist scene, in my opinion, but if you look close enough you can still spot the locals. I remember visiting 3 years ago with my dad and being blown away by the scope of the marketplace. Let me clarify: there isn't just one market in Camden, there are many.

While the high street and the "official" camden market are home to the kitschy shops--the ones that cater to the hipsters, the posers, and the douches, there are a number of other markets that are quite interesting. My personal favorite is the Stables Market, which has a large array of vintage shops and delicious food stalls. When you step inside, its kind of like stepping back in time. Everything is a little off-kilter, a little alternative, a little strange. But they don't live in the past--its still a current and vibrant place. It could be a parody of itself, but it's just cool enough to not be.

For those who love the look of Urban Outfitters, or Stripe downtown, you can find the looks here for a 1/3 of the price. When shopping for dresses, though, beware. Most of them are "one size fits all" and therefore they don't fit anyone exactly right. You need to visit a stall or store with a changing room and try it on. 10 pounds may seem like a good deal, until you realize it looks like crap on.

Do visit the Chin-Chin Laboratorists: "Europe's 1st liquid-nitrogen Ice Cream Parlour." Science? Ice Cream? Count me in! It's really fun to watch them work, even if you don't want to shell out 4 pounds for a tiny cup of ice cream. It was so cold, I just got a coffee. Perk: instead of sitting on a bench or chair, you can sit on a swing at this establishment.

To sum up: Camden Market (Stables, particularly) are a great stop on your London tour. Oh, yeah, there's also an Odeon Cinema there, where I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Let me tell you...it was the best HP movie in my opinion. Way better than any of the others. Although I am not a fan of the Odeon Cinema chain. For one, if you want a seat where you don't crane your neck to look at the screen, you have to pay for a "premiere" seat instead of a regular. And they enforce it too. Second, instead of playing the local ads and commercials while we waited, when the movie 'started' we got 15 minutes of ads before 15 minutes of previews. the movie started a 1/2 hour later than listed. Ridiculous.

But Harry Potter? Awesome. Walking down Shaftesbury Avenue myself today? Double Awesome.

Hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. I know a lot of you are scattered across the country, or globe, at the moment, but I hope you can keep in touch with your family. Personally, I am loving Skype.

xoxo,

Antonia

Celebrity Sighting!

So I wasn't planning on posting today, because I didn't really have a plan. I'm off to Cambridge this weekend to spend time with my family, and I leave tonight on the train. My non-plan for the day was to stay indoors and have a lazy day reading, watching movies, and maybe napping.

But this morning it was TOO nice out! It's been overcast and raining the past couple of days, and I looked at the weather report for the weekend--rain in Cambridge too. Today was one of those rare days where it was clear, sunny, and almost double digits in Celsius.

So I hopped on the tube and decided to take a walk through St. Jame's Park. I got off and walked around past Buckingham Palace (the guards wear grey overcoats that cover their red during the cold days) and through the park by the lake.

From there I through St. Jame's, down Horse Guards Road and through the archway near the horseguard's parade.

As I come out the other end, I am bombarded with tourists and cameras. At first I think they are taking pictures of the guards on horseback, stationed outside this building. But then I turn around, and there is a HUGE crowd gathered around the banqueting house at the corner of Whitehall Place.

We stand here for a while, and I wonder what's going on. I don't ask anyone, but I go a bit closer. "Hmm..." I think, "We're quite close to Downing Street, maybe I'll see the Prime Minister. Or maybe It'll just be some cabinet official who I don't know at all."


And the, from out of the building and into the crowd steps...

Prince Charles!

It was sooooo strange, I was actually shocked! He waved politely at all of us, got in his car (just a fancy sedan, no police escort, no limo treatment) and drives away. He even does the little "royal wave" from the car. It was soooooooo funny!

I guess it was just one of those "right place, right time" kind of things. Never have I seen a member of the royal family before...or anyone of that importance and magnitude. 

All in all, good afternoon out. Went afterwards to South Bank, had a coffee, read my book. Found out there's a chocolate festival there in december. Sooo...yeah. 

Good day.

xoxo,

Antonia

A Short Review: Design for Living (and dress shopping)

Tonight I finally went to the theatre!

This evening's performance was Noel Cowards "Design for Living" at the Old Vic. Most of you know that I am always punctual--early is always better than later in my book. So I was going to leave for the theatre an hour and a half before curtain (it takes about 25 min on the Tube), but I figured "I know this city well enough, and I don't want to stand around the theatre for too long by myself." So I left an hour before the show and ended up stuck on a train because of a delay at a station on the Bakerloo line. So I traveled allllll the way around on the circle line and ended up at the theatre an hour and a half later--a half hour after the curtain went up! Lucky for me, there were 2 intermissions in this play, and I arrived just as the first one started.

So I missed Act I, but for the most part the play was pretty clear. I won't talk plot here (though I suggest you guys read it!) and just say that it was really funny. The writing was brilliant, of course, but the direction and acting of the piece made it laugh-out-loud. There was a lot more physical comedy than I expected. The lighting (David Hersey) was adequate, the sound was subpar, and the "design" (which is the blanket term for the scenic and costume designer--usually one person in Britain)--by Lez Brotherston, was phenomenal.


Design for Living, as the title suggests, relys on the scenic elements heavily in the production. In fact, the scenery is an important character. 3 interiors--Paris, London, and New York apartments--one for each act. They tell as much about the passage of time in this play as the characters do. The Art Deco/Moderne design is naturalistic and historically accurate, while the palette is understated. The costumes blend well with the scenery--hisotric silhouettes with a complimenting palette. There is a collective gasp from the audience as the curtain rises on the third act, and another as our sparkling star emerges.

Kevin Spacey knows how to rake in the big bucks. The seasons big sponsors are American Airlines, Merrill Lynch, and Bank of America, funny enough for a historic British theatre. The design is decadent and as costly as a Broadway musical--something not normally seen in this volume at a theatre this size. It's not the most serious or thought-provoking play, but the show is a fun ride and makes you laugh and feel good leaving the theatre. Runs till Nov. 27th.


Now what did I do earlier today? I'm glad you asked--I went to Oxford Street to do a little shopping!

You know, people always say that customer service in Britain isn't very good compared to America. While I agree with them on some counts, when shopping at House Of Fraser today I was bombarded with incredibly nice saleswomen. Now HoF markets itself on selling designer brands--and they do. There are some pretty expensive things there. But they also have reasonably priced items, like dresses for 50-60 pounds that I kind of liked. Seems more like Macys than Nordstrom.

No matter what department I was in, however, the girls were very nice--even in the sections I could not afford. After trying on a few lower quality dresses, I found myself in the Karen Millen section. Let me tell you...
It's my new favorite design house in Britain.

I tried a wide variety of dress styles, and while I think I look good in specific silhouettes, I felt pretty awesome in all the things I tried on. They even offered me a pair of heels to try the eveningwear on with.

I felt so elegant in this draped cupro dress. The pricetag was still shocking though!

Not a silhouette or print I'd normally go for, but I felt like a total rockstar in this backless mini (again, pricetag!)

Next week I think I will try one of their boutique shops and see if I can find anything to my liking on sale. I admit, I splurge but I love having quality pieces over a large quantity. 

Finally, I fell in love with these Swarovski Crystal earrings:

...if only...

xoxo,

Antonia

Eastenders

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been discovered!

....just kidding. Though this did put a smile on my face--today on my way out of the tube station, this attractive man told me he was looking for new talent to model for a fashion label, and that my look was fantastic. Now I just laughed, and told him politely thanks but no thanks. You never know what these guys are up to, and we are taught to be very wary. Still...it was nice that the man was, for a change, young and attractive instead of creepy and old. So, bonus points for one day.

I was wearing my new coat at the time--I am so in love with it! Coming to London I only brought my short green jacket and my hideously loud houndstooth winter coat. Either I was too cold or stood out too much. Well I finally invested in a black woolen coat--and it is great! It fits well, it's made partially from recycled wool, and get this...it's from H&M! Only 50 pounds--much less than anything else I have seen here on in the states. Check it out:

I figure when military is no longer chic i can take the gold buttons and buckle off and replace them with a subtle black.

Today, as you know, I checked out East London--specifically Spitafields Market and Brick Lane. It was quite a dreary afternoon in London. This place is becoming very trendy, but my Lonely Planet guide says that the key times to go are Sunday afternoons. Instead of crowds of holiday shoppers I just had locals on their way home from work. Not that exciting when you are going out on your own. I did find one cool menswear store there: Nigel Hall.

So I left early and took the tube down to the Old Vic (Kevin Spacey is artistic director there). I got myself a ticket to go see Noel Coward's "Design for Living" tomorrow night. They have a special deal for under 25s: 12 pound tickets! I also picked up a pair for the opening of "A Flea in Her Ear" on Dec 4. Opening nights are so much fun! I'll post reviews here on the blog.

I was out all afternoon, and thankfully I just beat the rain. As I sit now, having a cup of tea in the living room, it is pouring outside (and still 6 degrees C). Time to cuddle up with Northanger Abbey, which I bought at a discount bookstore on my way home, and go to bed early. Tomorrow I get back to theatre!

xoxo,
Antonia

A Short Review: The National Gallery (and Liberty)

So up until now I haven't been posting reviews of my museum visits in London. I have been to a lot of them before, but the other day I finally visited The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square. I have always found myself more interested in artifacts than paintings, so my time has been devoted to the British Museum and the V&A.

But after so many years of traveling to London, I thought it was time to expand my horizons. The National Gallery is home to so many great works of art, from the medieval era up till the present, from all over the world. After seeing so much medieval and renaissance work in Florence, I found myself gravitating towards the more contemporary works.

There are rooms devoted to Renoir, Degas, Seurat, Van Gogh and their contemporaries.

This Degas is different from his more "classic" ballerinas, but it is quite fun. The color palette is great up close--Miss Lala at Cirque Fernando, 1879.

For you costumers out there, check out this beautiful work by Gustav Klimt--not only did he paint Hermine Gallia, but he also designed the dress she is wearing in the painting.

I did wander through the older galleries (by the way, the lighting and design of the rooms is so beautiful and diverse) and saw the famous work by Van Eyck (again, for costumers):

The detail of this painting is deceiving--I always thought it was a huge canvas--it's miniscule!

Finally, I was surprised how much I liked these paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder, from 1506. Though the paintings of these saints are both somber and represent great trials, the colors and textures of their costumes are soooo beautiful and vibrant.

 

Saints Genevieve, Apollonia, Christina, and Ottilia. 

I can't wait to go back--and to visit the National Portrait Gallery to see the work of Hans Holbein the Younger (from the Tudor court). 

After my stop at the NG, I walked the retail shopper's paradise from Picadilly Circus up to Oxford Circus to meet up with Fran and Justin at Liberty. They are an amazing department store on the corner of Carnaby Street. They are known as Liberty of London in america, and they make the most amazing printed fabric in cottons and silks.

Sooo expensive though. They also sell designer clothing and accessories, as well as stuff for the home--like a really really upscale "Stripe." 

They just celebrated their 135th birthday. Look at how amazingly quaint this place looks--and the window displays for christmas are spectacular. Soooo creative and beautiful. 

Tomorrow I hope to finally make it to the East End and check out the trendy boutiques and markets. Been feeling a bit homesick lately--maybe it's the fact I can see my breath outside all day because its so cold, maybe it's because I miss you all. 

xoxo,

Antonia

Back in Britain

Well I've been a bit lazy lately...posting that is. Life back in London has been pretty crazy from the word "go." Trying to get my bearings, hanging out with Justin and Fran, looking for a place, sightseeing, and doing normal things going to the doctor, getting groceries, visiting the bank.

Don't get me wrong--I love it here! This city still takes my breath away--and every part is so different--from the old regal feel of Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey (Still never been in!), to the bustling business of Picadilly Circus, to funky Camden, to the Victorian residential neighborhoods where I live.

So Saturday night I went out with Justin, Fran, and some of their friends to watch the boxing match at a local pub. Very traditional London thing to do. The experience was a lot of fun, though the fight was over in round 3 (not that I mind--i don't really like fighting or sports).

Sunday I visited both Liberty and the National Gallery for the first time. I will be writing a separate post about them tomorrow, because it was just so cool. I also watched "Donnie Darko" for the first time, which was an interesting experience.

Finally, today I went over to the British Museum to book tickets to see the "Book of the Dead" exhibition when Will comes to visit in December. Also got our tix for "War Horse" at the NT (puppets guys!) and to take a tour of the Royal Opera House (among our other epic adventures). I forgot how much I love the British Museum: i mean, they have one of the most amazing Greek and Roman collections I have ever seen, including the Parthenon Sculptures. Today I paid special attention to the (albeit small) room devoted to Korean art and culture, to start researching for my trip to Korea to see Lana and Steve.

Spent an hour or so at Covent Garden listening to a guy sing La Boheme in the courtyard, eating my favorite Ella's cupcakes and met a very silly man who claimed he used to be comedy partners with Eddie Izzard. I love crazy old people in seafoam poly-silk 3 piece suits.

Tomorrow's plan: Back to the Natural History Museum to see some Dinosaurs, then off to Harrods and King's Row to do some exploring and shopping! I hope all is well with you all.

xoxo,
Antonia

Two Days Exploring

The past two days have led to some fabulous adventuring with my mom. Though we have not yet exhausted all of the tourist attractions in this city, I've been feeling a bit under-the-weather and not so inclined to spend the day bumping into and battling with other tourists. The weather outside has been less than perfect, so our daily excursions have taken place when we look outside and say "quick! let's go before it rains again!" i must get a real pair of rain boots back in London (also..any tips on where would be fab).

Yesterday we decided to visit the famous Officina Profuma-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. They are a legendary pharmacy and parfumerie, started in, get this, the year 1221 by monks. They grew herbs in their gardens to make medicines and herbal remedies. The building where the Officina resides today was established in 1612. Can you imagine? I was incredibly psyched to go.

I walked into the building--even the entryway was grand. I've visited a lot of castles and manor homes in Britain, but nothing compared to the magic of this place. It doesn't feel like a museum, it feels like stepping back in time. For one, as you enter the building you can smell the perfumes, soaps, and candles. You can also smell the lavender and honey--it's a bit overwhelming. It was softly lit in the main room with incandescent light, and I could have easily been in an apothecary in Harry Potter. Vials and vases filled with beautiful amber liquids lined the shelves--they glowed in the light of the room and towered high to the ceiling. It had the hushed atmosphere of a chapel...or very expensive spa. Their lists of products were printed beautifully on parchment-like stationary in four languages. Eau de Colognes, Pure Essences, Liquers, Oils, Tea, Soaps, Shampoos, Pot-Pourri, Creams, Lotions, in Vanilla, Camomile, Seaweed, Witch Hazel, Lavender, Iris, Pomedgranate, Sweet Almond, and so much more. 

Just look at the beauty of this place.

                               

And yes, everything was pricey, but they had some teas there that looked so amazing and were beautifully packaged. I couldn't resist...

 I only wish I wasn't allergic to perfumes and scented lotions, otherwise this place would be my home. I mean, I wish I could have stayed there all day. You can check out their website here.

(btdubs...for those Gossip Girl fans--just found out that the Officina Profuma-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was mentioned on last night's episode.)

After that we were on our way back to Rivoire for another hot chocolate, but stumbled upon an amazing chocolate shop that was too good to pass up...

We each tried two different chocolates. The ones with champagne in the middle were amazing. The lady who worked there was incredibly sweet and had amazing earrings on. Also, when we left she let me sample one of the gelato-filled truffles for free...raspberry deliciousness.

They also sell plain bars of chocolate, bags of treats, and novelties like a chocolate hammer for your Father's Day gift. You can view their website is here.

So that was just day one. Day two (today) was also fantastic. My mother has friends here in Italy that she made when she lived here in the 80s. We met with them this morning at La Via del Te, one of the oldest tea shops in Florence. I haven't seen them since I was 6 years old, it was a very relaxing morning, although we were drenched on the way over in torrential rain (boots! you are soaked now...). I had English Breakfast but my mother was more adventurous and tried an infusion with Orange, Cinnamon, and Vanilla. 

After that we traveled over to a small boutique store that my mother had been to before. It had a beautiful handbag she wanted, and a very nice British expat worked there and we had a lovely conversation.

Then I saw it.

The most gorgeous scarf hanging around a handbag on a pedestal. It was silky and sheer, but caught my eye with the spots of gold woven through it. Red, black, white, grey, purple, and yellow don't seem to go together when you think about them. But this...

And then I looked at the tag. Genuine Missoni. No wonder the print was so fab. I'm not usually a lover of Missoni knits (though I do have one knockoff dress from Target...) and prints. The silk scarves, for the most part, make me go..."eh." But this scarf was different. This scarf was special.

Thank you Mom! Feeling very spoiled right now, I leave you. This will be my last post from Florence. My time here draws to a close on Friday and I go back to...I guess what you would call real life. now London is real life. Though that does sound glamorous, I do have a lot of business to take care of. 

 As a person who thrives on work, I am trying desperately to make myself useful again. The end of a wonderful vacation, now down to business....

xoxo,

Antonia

A Short Review: The Uffizi

It occurs to me that I never wrote a review for my trip to the Uffizi. It was created by Francesco de'Medici in the 16th Century and overlooks the Arno river. The gallery is one of those iconic places in the world (like the Louvre)--one that requires you get tickets in advance, lest you end up waiting 2 hours in line. It's always crowded, it's just a matter of degree. It houses some of the most famous paintings in the world, including The Birth of Venus (Botticelli).

It is one of those "you can't miss it" stops in Florence, but also requires planning to get through the galleries in one piece. I say it's worth stopping at the cafe halfway through, paying the cover charge to sit down and relax with a cup of coffee. you can buy your lunch there or just get a snack.

I admit, not all of the galleries in the museum were my cup of tea. Perhaps its just my own aesthetic, but i get tired of pictures filled with religious iconography. and the gold leaf triptychs. and the martyred saints. Perhaps its the costume historian in me, but i love seeing the works that depicted the current life, not the myths and stories of ages past.

Tangent: For example, at the Galleria dell'Accademia, besides the statue of the David I was most interested in the Cassone Adimari (1450, by Lo Scheggia), for it depicted the preparation for a wedding in Renaissance Italy. Here is just a part of the overall scene:

So a few works stood out to me more than others in the Uffizi. It was great seeing the Birth of Venus up close, but it was so crowded (think Mona Lisa at the Louvre). Also, after seeing an iconic two-dimensional painting reproduced in books for most of your life, it is hard for it to seem particularly special up close (unless you have a real connection to the piece). Personally, I think sculpture can be more incredible up close, as a two-dimensional picture cannot capture it in full (ie Winged Victory at the Louvre).

Don't get me wrong. Some pieces took my breath away. Others made me think, and research more when I got home. Here are a few of my favorites that stood out:

Adoration of the Magi. Da Vinci, 1481-82

1469-1472: Series of Panels by Pollaiolo, depicting virtues: Temperance, Faith, Charity, Hope, Justice, Prudence, and (an early work by Botticelli) Fortitude. These are some amazing portraits of women--and look how kick ass Fortitude is (also, how Botticelli's style differs from Pollaiolo).

A few others I cannot find pictures online for, but they include Boscoli's Piramo e Tisbe, Spagnolo's Cupid & Psyche, and Pannini's Pool of Betsaida.

A gorgeous place, a great visit.