bangs? fringe? layers? .........lord it's my age old question........

so every few months i start the 20 year debate.......to bang or grow out........?

i've been wanting a change so have spent the last 6 months growing out my bangs only to be thrown for a loop with alber elbaz's fall 2010 collection! it is so not fair.... i had that hair for many years and loved it (still do) but then started dreaming of long layers.

now i have no idea. so what do you think? maybe even a new color? do you like any of these styles? i welcome any ideas.

xo

Florence Inspiration

This trip I have been drawn to pinks, yellows, orange, grey and electric green. Most of this color inspiration has come from the trattorias and gelataria's! I did stumble, literally in front of a gorgeous flower store exploding with color. I was also inspired by a Florentine paper making store. Dad was cutting the leather for the covers, sister was binding the books.....the best color combinations for marbled papers I have ever seen! If only I could make those patterns in a sweater....

Italy loves bikes

So far my favorite pictures have been the women on bikes! Listen up portland bikers: you have no excuse no to step it up in the wardrobe dept. If these ladies can maneuver a bike in florence (italian drivers are quick and lane changers and streets are notoriously narrow) and look fabulous doing it: high waisted wide leg linen pants and wedges!! Or skin tight silk dresses and heels.....portland you can do it. If you step it up the $80 million in bike lane additions may ease my temper a bit.

Ciao

P.S. I found this photo on The Sartorialist. It was actually taken in Milan, but my point is still proven even though this lady is a little more casual than most I've seen.

Lost Luggage!

So, we jinxed you with the last question about lost luggage. Has your luggage arrived in Florence and how did you cope when it was MIA?

Well I coped sorta well:) it was 98 when I arrived and after 20 hrs 3 flight changes and a 8 min sprint thru amsterdam airport barefoot (gross and not easy) and another quick terminal change at cdg airport I was a bit sweaty and looking forward to a shower and changing for dinner. Hmmm, no luggage put a damper on my mood for a good 45 min. Then I rallied and headed to elio ferraro an amazing vintage store to find something beautiful. A very easy task. I found a silk lil top w/ cut out lapels, nipped in waist to wear w/ my levis just in case (they were unsure when my luggage would arrive). Great shoes and bags here but it was now 6pm and shops close @ 7 and I had a mission as I had a dinner meeting @ 8. I then headed to luisaviaroma (swoon!) Where I now had the perfect excuse to indulge. However, I had a mission so I compromised and bought for fall: stretch leather tunic w/ shoulder zip (so cool and a near death experience just putting on in that weather!) And a beautiful silk print mini courreges shape mini dress w/pockets. It was silk so not stiff but short and lil enough to wear now and with the shoes I had on (which now have destroyed my feet!! Wait, is that another excuse to indulge?)


Yes, hurt feet are always a reason to indulge. Buy some new shoes! 

Rumor has it you are staying in a pretty sweet hotel. Tell all, please!
I am staying at the hoel maria santa novella on the same square. It's a pretty hotel with all the upgrades but not as swanky as the website shows. Which is actually a better thing for me and quite comfy. I wake up to a clear view of the duomo, marble bath, yummy products and lots of wood. I could do without the red velvet headboard :)



Have you met David yet?
Haaaaaa. No comment.

Florence: So Close, Yet So Far Away

suzi answered these travel q's while she was in Amsterdam waiting for her connection to Florence. Look for stories from Florence soon, along with tales for how to get along without luggage. Yes, we jinxed her with that last question....

You're in a new place. What do you do first to get adjusted?
Unpack, quick shower, cool walking shoes and get outside with my camera.

How is Italian style different from what you see on the streets in the U.S.?
Depends on what part of US :) usually, I find italian women sexy because they seem so comfortable with their bodies. So whether clothes are tight or baggy is irrelevant. But, it's been a few years so maybe ask me this again at the end of the trip.

Have you ever been to Italy? What have you seen so far that is beautiful, interesting, or inspiring?
I've been to florence 3 times, venice, milan, naples, aeolian islands, pisa........ahhh but yet to see rome. The ponte vecchio always makes me happy in florence. All those tiny shops.

Let's pretend your suitcase was lost. How would you recover? Go out and buy a bunch of new clothes? Buy a couple of great basics? Or???

Omg! Well considering I haven't arrived yet I'm going with that's a hypothetical ? And not a premonition!! If this happens I would head to the market by a pair of italian sandals and a  and a pair of cotton beachy pants. Then head to luisaviaroma and indulge in a 'perfect t-shirt or top'. I am lucky because in my bag on the plane I have my jewelry, sunglasses, lip balm and ysl touche eclat and a fedora (don't you wish you bought that ports bag?, it fits a million things)