the joys of pets continues to amaze us.with a houseful of four legged creaturethe days are filled with their antics and craziness. that fits in so well in our household.last night , one of the cats ,Sinbad, a black rescue about 3 years old...decided to scale the christmas tree and capture a bird ornament...so far 3 have been ripped to pieces.cannot wait to fill their stockings with toys and treats!

black friday why name it that?$$$$

i am off to pick up some framed protraits of us...to hang upstairs in hallway.tony moved all the Gruau's downstairs hallway.then do some shopping at Encantada,take a couole of the dogs to the Jeferson park then gym and meet tony for dinner at Kingfisher.
lucky us..Tony wants a turkey dinner so he can make sandwiches next week...so will pick one up and prep tomorrow and he can roast it!Guess the meal yesterday wasn't enuf...we joined friends at their restaurant and a good time was had by all.
WE saw"Burlesque" yesterday..real fun ...Cher belted a few songs,Christina was delicious,lots of dancing..gotta get the soundtrack asap...maybe I am crazy, but there is something so alluring about Stanley Tucci...always have liked himn but really noticed him in Midsummer Night's Dream with Rupert ,etc.Nore to self..find his other films on Netflix!

carnival cruise

best said ...we have always avoided a mexican riviera cruise...now i know why.one note on cruise ships: when first boarding avoid conversation with too many///they will hunt you down and you can't shake them!

quickly wanted to mention the wonderful character of the Italians...i found almost everyone terrific and reall nice...maybe the shop salespeople have issues but i usually win them over with a smile.my landlord,allessandro,(will use one of his larger apts.next trip) looks like my friend greg...anyway he met me on the street and took me up...helping with the heavy luggage..why i take so much???..and i was a small apt in the torre (tower) on via da benci..adequate as i move around a lot during the day and night in florence...i did mention i needed an duvet and t.v. which he brought over the next day.great guy.
plus the folks i met around town and i did win over the salesmen at dolce gabbanna...trying to find something to fit my chest and shoulders..heck i am not that big....they all looked cute in denim white shirts and black ties.made it to womenwear and saw the most beautiful woll coat with a floral pattern w grosgrain belt!

it's not just italians that can dress with style.

Oh i know the feeling of stepping out looking terrific.in Italy i swear there is someone organizing,pressing and folding clothes for the wearer...anyway..they do have a flair and definite style...but that doesn't men the americans or english don't have the style and substance.unfortunately...as said before we have lost that real sense of choosing good clothes that are flatering and have style.again the loss of formality to being comfortable.
in europe for example, they have a taste level that is continually inspired by new design and family values on presenting oneself in the best possible manner.they do not go out and buy oddles of clothes, they window shop,watch the styles in the magazines and on the street.even the frenchmen have not not given up to lacklustre clothes...suits are perfect fitted even on older gentlemen.the french women on the other hand could take a lesson from the italians.throw in some glamour,use a bit of makeup and for goodness sake get a manicure!
so america take a stand.educate your children in manners,style and putting your best foot forward.it all starts at home...hey have a family dinner once in awhile,don't ket your kids go out looking like sin and misery!

monsoons

finally some good rain with thunder and lightning...love that.of course the german shepherd wanted to play tag!when it rains like this your stuck, esp. when trying to get out if a car.
years ago i was taking my mother to lunch.she was wearing a dress and coat in yellow and white linen...needless to say she wasn't about to dash to the retaurant door...so i tore in and ordered and she sashayed in after the deluge...looking fabulous .son was drenched...it was so funny.

travel in style for goodness sake

it get more curious when you see the worst looking clothes that people decide to wear ...no style or finesse.a little effort can make the sometimes difficult airplane and train travel become a better experience.imagine a poorly dressed tourist trying to manuever around and european airport personnel aghast at the earth shoes ,grandpa's jeans and sweatshirt some people decide to wear.a better turnout in clothes gets one more respect for sure.

guess i am old fashioned but i like to arrive in style!

A Democratic Panic Attack?

A Democratic Panic Attack?

Recently saw the film " i am love". i am in love with it.the genius of film at its best.The set decoration and clothes were magnificant. The casting of actors impecable and the stroyline gripping and unique.
Having lived and worked in Milan, the cold character of the city was captured flawlessly.The langorous beauty of San Remo brought back memories of summer vacations, there.
Food brings the family and friends together.Eaing precious meals brings the lovers together.One can almost taste the flavors of dishes presented.
Style and substance is part of the enthalling storyline that moves one into the lives of the privelged class.Their foilbles and attitudes carefully make one react to the loneliness felt by some of the characters.
Tilda Swinton is flawless.I have never her seen her more beautiful.The final touching scene between her and her hosekeeper brought tears to my eyes and they scramble to pack and part company.
Brilliant work.Forever thought provoking...so Italian in nature...

somebody is taking acting classes to appear to have some emotion.another photo op for the cheap piece of baggage.
joren and pelugosi should have a blind date!

enough sloppy clothes be inspired

Try to be inspired in the manner in which you present yourself everday. how easy to create a wardrobe of nicely made clothes and accessories that tell the world you care.think european ...no sloppy pants..pants on the ground looking like a fool...saavy dressing is something europeans in general make an effort to do.i think it's the parents that don't get involved anymore...and peer pressure wins out...buy a full length mirror and say to yourself...is this outfit flattering?

keep your hands off my piggybank you useless cheeseball...and show respect for israel and poland!!!

turn on.white shiny car paint on the walls of the boutique.tatoo on neck chinese inscription.always genius...always hot.why didn't we ever connect that way?
sadly insipid management much like what we have in the w h today.people advance that do not belong why oh why?.we aleways worked hard and made our numbers and commitments.glad you moved on.
dolce boutique drama drapes and bosom dresses.corbusier chaise lounge...you made it happen.
miss that ...we rocked.

venice...what a wonderful place..gotta take tony there...especially in winter...spooky dreamy and mysteriously romantic.

The recent passing of McQueen has me dumbfounded. Lee was such a marvelous talent and he was as they say, the real deal.One has to wonder where talent like his comes from. I would venture to guess that he possessed the know how and style of a craftsman...one of design and amazing creativity. Via training and hard work he was able to take the world by storm and literally blow us away.
This kind of talent does not just come along everyday. His genius will be forever remembered by those who understand style and invention.I was lucky to have met him in the beginning of his career.I will preciously preserve the memory forever.

Is it old fashioned to try to be a gentleman? What happened to chic and debonair? My parents were the best in that they made sure I was accustomed to proper manners and chivalry. I scarcely see it these days..well in Europe I do. I think parents allovee the world should make an effort to provide the etiquette and know how one needs to taught.Ladies and gentlemen ...unite and make it happen.

Italian shoes

These are a pair from last year's Venice visit...shoulda woulda coulda bought but store was closed...my first pair were red leather loafers we bought in San Remo, Italy when I was 10 years old.i remember going back to the Villa Maria, a small hotel a few blocks from the casino and walked proudly thru the front door in my new shoes.A Catholic clergyperson was registering and I remember he was admiring this kid's shoes and gave me a compliment...I believe it took days before i stopped to change shoes.

Red shoesand all...I remember the meals there that were served with a formal service at lunch and dinner.I gladly listened to my mother in making sure I was on my best behaviour and minded my manners.I believe, this is where I first experienceda pizza pie...Margherita with anchovies..still my favorite.

Friends

Imagine if you could go back in time and recreate old friendships with those we have lost track of.The first place I would go would be Versoix,Switzerland where I attended boarding school at the ripe age of 9. Immediately immersed in the French language and every other class was taught in French as well,even biology. I found myself pretty much alone. and cried myself to sleep a few nights in the dormitory.

Wandering the adjacent forest one day, i watched an older couple gathering mushrooms.They smiled and introduced themselves.Over time they became friends and I fondly remember taking longs walks with them.returning back to the building, an old chateau...I would be craving the tea and biscuits served at teatime.

The couple became friends of mine and with time I met schoolmates and became so much less lonely. Every weekend I returned to Geneva to be with my Mother.You can imagine my excitement.