A Spring-like Update

Happy Sunday my loveliest!

I'm writing this post with the windows opened, letting the fresh air of this glorious sunny day to come in and shake the curtains of my bedroom.

On the bedside table there is a burning candle, "Midnight Jasmine" of Yankee Candle, a very relaxing scent of water jasmine, sweet honeysuckle, neroli and mandarin blossom, which is perfect to celebrate this little moment of my own.

The last couple of months have really flown and my job has practically swallowed me, but there were some lovely things that are really worth being remembered...

1. Strawberries and chocolate on toast. There's nothing that can put me in a good mood like having a yummy breakfast! Last week I was craving for something sweet and tasty, so I went for a combination that really amazed me: the most creamy and delicious dark chocolate spread on toast with fresh organic strawberries: PARADISIAC!

2. Stripes. I simply adore them! I've been wearing this black t-shirt with white stripes in every occasion and I think it goes perfectly with every kind of outfit (a pair of skinny jeans, my favourite dungarees, my black leather jacket) and it makes me feel a little bit " glamour", expecially if I'm wearing a veil of red lipstick, which is something I thought I would have never been able to do!

3. Blue skies and windy walks. Spring is for the most stunning strolls in the countryside, where the meadows are showing all their glory, with their bright green grass, the colorful flowers and the lapping of the creek. Fingers crossed for more and more of these gorgeous days, for these running clouds which seem whipped cream and make me feel like I was in Ireland again, reducing a little the nostalgy for this isle of emerald!

4. Northanger Abbey. During the month of April I've been reading this classic, which is my first Jane Austen's book, and I throughly enjoyed it! It's a very quick and fun read and I would reccomend it to any lover of classics or to anyone who hasn't delved into this peerless writer yet!

5. Venice. How could I end up this post without mentioning Venice?!? You know how much I love this charming city and the feeling of happiness, peace and well-being I feel when I'm scampering around and about its tiny streets. 

April and May gave me some idyllic moments there with my friends and family, of whom I savoured every single moment hoping for more to come!

Love

xxx

Martina

Scented Vibrations...

Happy Monday my lovely ladies!!!

After a glorious sunny week, today the weather is grey and rainy, so I've thought it was the right moment to visit this little place of mine that I've neglected for so much time!!! So, here I am, ready to write an ode to spring with some flowering pictures, to suggest you a new recipe and a book that I'm loving right now.

As you can see, I truly love daffodils: their yellow and white blooms, swaying in the breeze, announce with joy the arrival of spring, bringing a lively note on the banks of the rivers and in the green grass of the meadows.

Everytime I see them, during my little daily walks in the countryside, the poem of William Wordsworth comes in my mind, and brings with itself  the same emotion that I felt the first time I heard these verses in my last year of High School.

Yesterday we celebrated Easter, so I tried a new recipe of a dairy-free "colomba", a traditional Easter cake in form of a dove... it's very easy to do, but the outcome is amazing! Fluffy and tasty, with a note of almond, lemon and orange zest... try it and you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients: 3 eggs, 350g of flour, 90g of sunflower oil, 170g of milk, 150 g of sugar, the zest of an orange and of a lemon, 1 vial of almond flavoring, 1 tablespoon  of yeast for pies, almonds and granulated sugar to decorate.

And, last but not the least, the book I'm currently reading: " The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair", by Joel Dicker, a gripping story about love, sadness, books and hidden pasts.

Love

xxx

Martina

" When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim; Hath put a spirit of youth in everything. "

Hello lovelies!!!

It's Saturday night and I'm snuggled up on the sofa with my sister, eating Chinese food, chatting, laughing and watching many episodes of "Downtown Abbey"...I couldn't ask for anything better!!!

I've just come back from Florence, which is actually my native city, where I spent some days with my grandmother and my relatives that I hadn't seen  for a long time. 

The weather was wonderful, always sunny and warm, so I decided to take advantage of the many beautiful shops in the city centre to do some new purchases.

Spring for me is a really exciting moment , it means flowers, pastel colors, polka dots, shiny green and bright blue so, this time, my want to change has been satisfied with some items I really desired: 

1. a lovely red leather bag I bought in "San Lorenzo's Market"...I've always wanted a satchel like this so, when I saw it in the stand, I decided to make me a little gift!!!

2. a jeans blouse  and a blue one with white polka dots, to be matched with a blue skirt with two adorable pockets on the front;

3. a bright red lipstick...I'm not used to wear such an eye-catching colours, but sometimes we really need to go outside from our comfort zone, right?!! 

4. "Travelling to infinity"...after seeing the movie a few months ago I've always desired to read the book so,  when I came into the library, I felt that it was the right moment to bring it home with me! "Stoner" insted was a birthday gift and it really must be a remarkably good book!!!

What has been your spring best buy?

Lots of Love

Martina

An Ode To Spring

This week has been a wonderful one, full of sunny days, bright skies, bike rides, regenerating strolls and nights out with the closest friends!

Although Autumn is by far my favourite season, I use to get tired of Winter pretty quickly (exactly just after the Christmas holidays) and now I'm looking forward to the arrival of Spring!!!

Unfortunately today the sun has given way to rain and the countryside is immersed in the fog , so I've thought it was the right  time to share these nice pictures with you to try to lift up my mood! 

I've bought this flowered dress a couple of weeks ago and, when I saw it in the shop window, I immediately realised it had to be mine!!! 

I love its roses and also the white collar and I really can't wait to put aside the lifeless colours of Winter and give way to the navy blue, the pastel colours and the lighter fabrics!

I want to leave you with this lovely quote, another ode to Spring ( after my dress, of course!), even if it's only the 22nd of February and we need to wait for one more month for its beautiful colours and the sense of rebirth that it brings!

Love

Martina