while I certainly cannot wax as poetically as Anita, nor write as brilliantly as Vicki Archer, or create art as beautiful as Jeanne... something lovely comes over me when I think or talk about Italy, which is where I'm taking you today. what is your 1st thought when you think of Italy? tomatoes caprese? or a big plate of pasta at a sidewalk cafe? or a glass of the local wine? for me, it's the vast vistas across the waters of Italy, be it the lake country in the North, or the Mediterranean Sea or the waters & the Adriatic Sea of Venice. all beautiful, but in very different ways. I'm drawn to the water. in any location I travel I want to see water. to me this is the perfect place to spend the rest of my life. sitting right here overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, hanging out with my family & friends, listening to loud music, drinking the wines of the region, some of which must be diluted with aqua minerale as the locals do. going to the market to buy fresh! fresh fresh fresh everything! piling the fruits & veggies high on a big wooden table, encouraging everyone to partake. Vicki Archer described the difference between France & Italy a few weeks ago in the most wonderful way, and I think she got it entirely right. & maybe that says a lot about me also. there isn't any country I dislike, even the ones in the Middle East, however, the one I LOVE is Italy above all. the warmth of the people, the extreme generosity of spirit, the spirit of life which imbues all of the Italians fills me too. I feel like I AM Italian when I'm there! we drove the coastline from Monte Carlo down to Portofino on our honeymoon. of course, we couldn't find the hotel right away (it was already dark because my husband never got anywhere on time), and as he asked directions out the window of the car he literally shouted "PORT-0-FINO" as if being louder made the people understand him better. :)'s everywhere you walk there will be a tiny view of the sea... always the sea. Bellagio imagine this beautiful villa. perched atop the high bluffs of Sorrento, overlooking the sea. our hotel was just to the left of this magnificent place & I wondered every single day who lived there. what did they do, how long had this home been in their family? & if this was just completely "normal" for them? & this fabulously opulent gown from the Italian Valentino seems to be perfect for attending a dinner party in this villa, doesn't it? this is what I love about the Italians, they embrace opulent. they created opulent. but the "opulent" they do is perfection in a world filled with the "over-done." I am opulent, but I am never "too much" or "gaudy," know what I mean? & yes, I would wear this outfit with those little sandals (even though the sandals are Chanel, not Italian). & I would wear those earrings too! & carry that little green bag, made from ONLY Italian leather. thank you to our hostess, the delightful, warm & wonderful, Anita of Castles, Crowns & Cottages for putting this little party together. there are about 50 participants so please take the time to hop over to her place & take a look. HERE a little update on 7/23 Wednesday, we have added many new earring styles to our Designer Earring page on the website reachable via clicking on the icon at top right or HERE