Christmas is Magic

And so here came Christmas  again

A magic time when  my city  puts on its most sparkling dress

And also my favourite pastry looks very different!

At home the sitting room has been decorated ...

... And  presents took place on the settle chest, waiting  tomorrow ...

But before tomorrow comes 

 I  do wish all of my dear friends 

 a Very Merry Christmas !

♡

The Man in The Iron Mask

With Autumn, the  celebrations for the Man in The Iron Mask are back And I was ready to enjoy the days!

Mild temperatures allowed to still wear  t-shirts.

On Sunday I found a good place in the square to see the entrance of the main character. 

(According to the tradition he was Luis XIV secret twin who had been prisoned in Savoy )

Well, as I said I was wearing a t-shirt, but  my outfit needed something sparkling for the occasion

( hence, I matched the top to a midi skirt with decorations )

After all, there were the most beautiful dames in their gorgeous period costumes around!!

I made a pair of earrings with beads in a pale shade of light blue and filigrane 

Which would have been nice with one of  these berets and the lady's costume! 

I was wearing a very festive pair of shoes

( they are from soft velvet for extra comfort )

The show went on with extra  characters  telling the whole story for two days

In the afternoon I put on a jacket with funny  (fake) hairy pockets

Which probably I already posted somewhere last year

I wanted to stay until late ( when the release of the mysterious prisoner was scheduled )

and it was becoming chilly

The story inspired the movie The Man in the Iron Mask  a 1998 American action drama film directed, produced, and written by Randall Wallace, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio .

At the end of the day I said  bye bye to the Three  Musketeers ...  until next year! 

Sweet pepper Festival!

 When the holidays are over and you are about to start working again you probably are not in your best mood, right?

What to do then to improve it?

Well, in my opinion a new pair of shoes can always help to cross the blues

:-)

As well as  a visit to a nearby city for the Pepper Festival ..

So, off we went! 

In the city  there was also an exhibition of old cars

( here I posed next to a "Topolino" Fiat car which I think is so cute!)

Being the surroundings known for the quality  peppers which are there cultivated, cars had been decorated with the vegetables )

And shop windows too.

There was  an open air market with regional products where I bought canape bread, some bakery goods, a pistachio sauche for dressing pasta, and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil from Rieti.

Of course I couldn't miss to buy some peppers too!

Oh, yes! I think there will probably  be some cooking in my future ...

A different kind of holiday!

I spent part of the summer at my second home by the sea 

and then some days at Orta by the beautiful lake.

When we went back home my husband was ready for another time by the sea but I wasn't.

At the end I made up my mind to stay at home 

The fact is that we have recently moved house and I desired enjoying my new flat for a week before going back to work!

What did I do? 

I ate a lot of sushi and watermelon 

Went to the supermarket with  Grillo

(Isn't it cute that they allow him to come in a dedicated cart?)

Had relaxing breaks for a coffee 

( life is so hard, why don't slow down now and then?  )

I red some good novels comfortably sat  on my favourite armchair...

Of course I made a new necklace ...

( Have you ever noticed how long is the day when you are alone?)

Being alone I had plenty of time for everything I like , also for a walk in the city!

It definitely was a different kind of holiday! 

About last week

Last week I decided for some days next to Orta lake 

I posted from there already last year, so you can recognize the place 

It's a charming touristic resort that I love 

For the beauty of nature around and quietness 

The light there is of a extraordinary sharpness

That allow you to take good quality photos too !!

This time I brought my old parents with me

as I wanted to thank them for always giving me a happy life

And giving them some joy back.

We had nice days ...

In my luggage ( and about sales )

What are your best picks for feeling confident on holidays?

Midi skirts this summer for me .

In my luggage I put three of different colours...

My favourite is the linen one that I am wearing today...

I also packed what I consider an unmissable bargain :

 these Maliparmi flats which are embroidered with beads! 

The end of the season sales often offer treasures at an affordable price...

did you catch anything special ?

Basic colours which are easy to match 

And perfect whereever you decide to go.

At the end I forgot to add some jewels into my luggage

So had to buy a brooch to complete the look...

...Never been too good at packing up!!!