Dreaming of Italy....

For the past few months I have been longing to go back to Italy, maybe Capri, Sicily, Sardinia or maybe the mainland, hard to choose. I have been drawn to all things Italian and have delved into my cook books to seek out Italian recipes and have been shopping with an Italian theme in mind.


For my Birthday, I recently acquired a beautiful book called VENEZIA Food and Dreams. The photographs are so beautiful and the recipes look delicious and tempting.




Another image from the book. That chandelier is so beautiful!


Nesti Dante soaps are made in Italy. They are the most wonderful soaps! On a recent visit to Dartmouth, I bought more as they are not always easy to find locally. I had only just ran out of them.


Moving on to food...

I have quite a few Italian cook books, reflecting my love of Italian food.

One of my recent book buys is Two Greedy Italians. The TV series is very enjoyable, if you haven't already seen it yet you will be entertained.




Would like to have a meal at this restaurant in Capri, on a warm balmy evening...


There are a number of online Italian Delicatessens where speciality foods can be bought. I like Sardinia's flat crisp bread called pane carasau also known as 'carta da musica' (music paper) as they are so thin. I bought them from Tre Stelle, they are perfect with dips, on their own broken up as a snack or used in lasagne as an alternative to pasta. The recipe for that dish is featured in the Two Greedy Italians book.
The bottle of Mirto is a speciality from Sardinia. I discovered it whilst on honeymoon in 2006.


I have subscribed to Italia! and every month get my fix Italian images and news. It covers all apects of Italy, travel, food, politics, language, property etc.




This is the book that I am reading at bedtime: Head over Heels - Seduced by Southern Italy by Chris Harrison. It is based on his real life experience of having fallen in love with an Italian woman and leaving his country behind (Australia) to go and live with her in Italy. I like his humour and the way he describes what it is really like living and working in Italy. I am not half way through the book yet but I have already learnt quite a bit about Italians or Italian way of life which I was not aware of before. A very good read so far!


Next book waiting in the wings...


There are quite a few films set in Italy which I have enjoyed watching and this is one of them. An easy going romantic film with stunning views of Italy throughout it. It's a lovely film.



Well, that's my little tour of Italy over for now...Thank you for letting me indulge in a bit of dreaming...

Do you have a favourite place in Italy?

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

Spring GIVEAWAY Book and mystery gift!

It is the first day of Spring and what perfect excuse for a GIVEAWAY!

The giveaway comprises of ONE of the books shown below and a little mystery gift.

All you have to do is leave a comment on THIS blog post, stating which book you would like to have should you be the winner. There are 8 books to choose from.
If your name is selected, you will have an opportunity to choose a different book if you change your mind between now and then.

The giveaway is open to everyone, you do not have to have a blog. I will post worldwide.


Creative Walls: How to Display and Enjoy Your Treasured Collections by Geraldine James


The French Inspired Home by Carolyn Westbrook


Romantic Prairie Style by Fifi O'Neill (Added to list on 23rd March)


Modern Vintage Style by Emily Chalmers


Pale and Insteresting by Atlanta Barlett & Dave Coote


Romantic Style by Selina Lake and Sara Norrman


75 Birds, butterflies & beautiful beasties to knit and crochet


Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale

Remember, if you do not have a blog, please leave your details (name & email address)

The draw will take place on Monday 28Th March at 19.00 hours GMT. I will be using an online random number generator.

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED, THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ENTERED.

Good luck! :-)

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

VINTAGE FINDS from France and Belgium PART 2

I hope that your weekend turned out well. It's been a lovely weekend for us, really warm. It seems strange to think that on the other side of the world it is autumn.

We did a boot fair yesterday and managed to get rid of quite a few things. We need to do a few more boot fairs this year and then the loft will be a lot clearer.

In part 2 of "Vintage finds from France and Belgium", there is a mix of Vintage religious items, books and some Limoges.
I like vintage religious statues, pictures, rosaries, benitiers etc.. but they are harder to find over here in the England. So when in France or Belgium, I buy buy buy when I see something that I like!
Mixed in are also some items which my parents found for me.









Given to someone for their first communion in late 1800s


These books are not that old, they date from the late 70's to very early 80s. I love the book covers and confess that I bought them for that reason alone! I bought 12 books in all. I think that they are romance stories, I might read one and see if they are any good. I might be surprised.
(I have just spotted a visitor on the red & pink paisley book above... can you see it?)



I found a set of 6 pale blue Limoges teacups and saucers, really pretty


This is a special gift from my Father, a bisque Virgin Mary and a missal. Something for me to treasure.

The missal is in such good condition and the detail is wonderful to look at. It dates from the very early 1900s.



I had a lovely stay with my family and appreciate the fact that I was able to bring back so many wonderful vintage treasures.

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

MOTHER & DAUGHTER TIME

Today Miss P and I had to attend a court hearing in Bath. Some of you may recall that Miss P was involved in a car accident in April 2009. After the court hearing we walked back to the town centre to have lunch at Cafe Rouge as we were both feeling very hungry.

By the time lunch was over, there was no point taking Miss P back to school. I decided to take this opportunity to have a little Mother and Daughter quality time together.
We had a good system, we took it in turns, one shop that I liked, one shop that Miss P liked.

You can guess who chose to go here, "The Bath Sweet Shop". It is the oldest sweet shop in Bath





Miss P made it known that some of my choices were VERY BORING....until I took her to this book shop called ROOKE BOOKS. It is almost opposite Neal's Yard.



We were given a very warm welcome by Isha, seen here sitting behind the lovely ornate piece of furniture. (Sorry Isha, I moved when I took the photo...)She kindly looked after our shopping bags whilst Miss P & I enjoyed looked around the book shop.









I love the layout and the decor, it really is a book shop with a difference.



The first time that I visited this book shop was about a month ago when Alan took me there saying he thought I'd find it interesting. What I wasn't expecting then and Miss P wasn't expecting today is to find one of these on the first floor....



Or even better, these on the top floor!

Miss P thought these were so COOL and yes, you've guessed it... "Can we have one these in my bedroom pleeease? I had a sit down too...soooo comfy! Miss P declared that this was a great book shop and I have to agree with her!



On our way back towards the car park I stopped at PAXTON & WHITFIELD in search of some hard goat's cheese for Alan.



The selection of cheeses is fantastic! A cheese lover's paradise...
You may like to know that they offer an online mail order service ;-)








I felt like buying a huge Camembert just for the box!


After trying out sampling some cheeses, I left the shop with two different goat's cheeses. I hope that Alan will like them, I certainly did!

Time to head back to the car park.


I never tire of visiting Bath, it has to be one of my favourite cities in the UK.

I wish you all a really good weekend

A bientôt!

Isabelle X
P.S: Thank you for you for all your comments and ideas re: Trampoline on previous post.