The Ladybug, a vintage outfit, a market experience

I am not saying anything new by stating that I miss markets almost as much as I miss travels. We all do miss these things right?

If you consider that markets are not only my primary source for vintage pieces but also a great source for inspiration you can imagine how I feel right now!

As a content creator I definitely miss a lot of my “previous life” inspo: seeing people, going around, making new experiences, traveling, visiting museums, shops etc. was the best food for my creativity.  They brought to content things to talk about, outfit inspiration, clothes and accessories to buy, everything that I do for living (sort of!). Now I often feel drained and my online world does not always fulfill the duty!

Here in Milan I have really a few markets that help me feeding my creativity: the Antiques markets of Brera and Naviglio Grande for sure, they are a classic! In the last year I also enjoyed a good walk to Remira Market on Sunday mornings as there are a lot of things about this freshly created market that I deeply love. First of all the people: the atmosphere is relaxed and fun at the same time and the sellers (some of my favorite in Northern Italy!) are super cool!

It is easy to find your best bargains there: prices are fair and sometimes, if you are a good vintage hunter, you can really find the little treasure for a very affordable price!

Personally I also love a few concepts of Remira that are very important to me: first of all they are a plastic free market. No plastic bags, bottles, glasses etc and visitors are recommended to bring their own canvas bags for their purchases, small but big change isn’t it?

Secondly, it is not just a market but a full art experience: it takes place in the garden of an artistic space, the Tempio del Futuro Perduto, where you can see art performances, participate to workshops, reading a book from their bookshelves and many other interesting activities while sipping a drink or just buying your new vintage piece!

Remira has also space for very nice young handcrafters, many of them I just met there for the first time.

I regret that I didn’t find the time to visit them in February when they were open for two dates, before they closed again, as we all did. I promise I will do it immediately when they will open again (hopefully soon!).

These pictures were taken during one of my last visits, summer 2020 with some friends: I wore a total vintage outfit, shirt and skirt from Humana Vintage plus a vintage a bag from Blondie Girl Vintage. My turban is of course handmade from Madame Ilary and my shoes are the super old thrifted Miu Miu gladiator sandals from the 2000s!

Looking forward to take more pictures in the next Remira Market adventure!

Bag: Blondiegirl Vintage

Total outfit: Humana Vintage

Turban: Madame Ilary

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The Ladybug e un improvviso colpo di fulmine: Gauche Caviar a Milano

Avete presente i colpi di fulmine? Ecco non so se capita anche a voi ma io non li ho solo per le persone (a dire il vero, ne ho sempre meno per le persone!) ma mi capita di avere il cosiddetto colpo di fulmine anche per dei luoghi, soprattutto quando viaggio, delle opere d’arte, degli oggetti (ad esempio le scarpe e i turbanti!), dei libri che mi colpiscono già dalla copertina.

Il colpo di fulmine ce lo ricordiamo sempre, anche a distanza di tempo. Infatti, la sera in cui ho provato l’irresistibile desiderio di entrare in un posto che mi attirava a sé in maniera incredibile me la ricordo bene.

Stavo raggiungendo degli amici a cena un sabato sera e mentre camminavo per strada mi ha colpito un piccolo locale che non avevo mai visto prima in quella zona. Pareti color ottanio piene di foto e poster di icone di stile e dell’arte, sgabelli e divano in velluto a tono, specchi antichi alle pareti, una libreria e strumenti musicali a vista…tutto in quel posto mi chiamava e mi incuriosiva da matti. Mi sentivo come attirata da una calamita. Leggo fuori che il posto si chiama Gauche Caviar e a quel punto, niente può più fermarmi e sono già dentro, nonostante i miei amici siano già ad attendermi al ristorante!

Mi accoglie subito il sorriso della splendida Marta (che indossa un abito meraviglioso!) che insieme al compagno Stefano ha “donato” alla città questo posto stupendo solo qualche mese fa. Le spiego che sono rimasta ipnotizzata dal loro locale e che mi piacerebbe tornarci per scoprirlo e magari farci qualche foto.

La settimana dopo sono già lì a scoprire questo locale così “cozy” da avere l’idea di essere entrati in casa di qualcuno, e in un certo senso un po’ è così perché sia Marta che Stefano ci hanno messo la loro vita, la loro storia, le loro passioni. Anche il bagno è una vera chicca (vi consiglio di entrarci anche solo per lavarvi le mani!): carta da parati colorata e tantissime foto personali scattate durante viaggi e momenti importanti, c’è un po’ anche la storia di Gauche Caviar, del perché è nato (in una foto della donna che ha ispirato Marta e Stefano).

Gusto, eleganza e raffinatezza retrò sono l’elemento distintivo di questo posto, insieme all’accoglienza delicata e appassionata dei suoi creatori che amano raccontare questo posto che sicuramente non ha eguali in città. E’ il posto perfetto per sorseggiare un bicchiere di vino, un cocktail o una cedrata (io adoro la cedrata!) prima o dopo aver visto un film al cinema, al ritorno dal lavoro prima di andare a casa dopo una dura giornata, anche da soli. Parlando con Marta mi ha colpito molto una sua frase: “Volevo creare un posto dove anche una donna da sola può trovarsi a suo agio”. Sicuramente ci è riuscita, perché l’accoglienza è decisamente uno dei punti forti di Gauche Caviar.

So di avervi incuriosito, quindi vi dico anche dove si trova: in via Vicenza, zona Cinque Giornate a Milano.

Per il primo shooting ho scelto un outfit vintage + handamde: tunica con ricami dorati vintage marocchina scovata al Mercatone dell’Antiquariato sul Naviglio Grande quest’estate, borsetta vintage anni 40 trovata a Lubiana nel bellissimo negozio Divas Vintage, turbante in raso e decorazioni giordane handmade by Madame Ilary, orecchini in bronzo Metalica e sandali ricamati Anniel.

Vi riparlerò di Guache Caviar presto con un nuovo outfit vintage!

Photo Credit: Milena Molinari

The Ladybug returns to the scene of crime (Gauche Caviar in Milan)

A couple of weeks ago I shared my first shooting in one of my favorite bars in Milan, Gauche Caviar.

The post was in Italian but I guess that you have easily imagined how much I love this place that really felt like home to me. One thing that I didn’t mention in my Italian post but that I will mention here is the music that you can listen to at Gauche Caviar: if you are a jazz lover and if you love retro music this place is not only fabulous to sip a good glass of wine or a cocktail but it is also perfect to listen to great music as a background for your conversation or just for your thoughts if you are alone.

If you live in Milan or just pass by for a quick visit, I really suggest you spend some time here as it is really worth the visit and easy to reach as it is in near the central Piazza Cinque Giornate.

This is then my second post at Gauche Caviar and I went for another vintage and handmade outfit with a retro vibe that really fits the place.

It all started with this beautiful silk shirt with a ruffle on the collar and precious details that I purchased from the adorable Josephine Vintage. She is selling on Depop and Vintag incredible pieces from the past, many of them are designer’s, and she quickly became one of my favorite online vintage sellers. I paired it with black and white roses silky pants handmade by Madame Ilary: these are a very glamourous version of her Marlene trousers and I always feel so elegant when I wear them! Same for the beautiful handmade turban with a brocade fabric and vintage trimming that I keep for the “special occasions”!

Embroidered sandals are from Anniel while golden bamboo earrings are from Giovanni Raspini (I received this pair of earrings as a gift from my colleagues for my last birthday and I was going to cry for how happy I was!) .

Last but not least, a special mention for the amazing 40s velvet bag with golden chain that I got from A Rebours Vintage in Milan during my last visit. I loved it at first sight and it is incredible how such a small accessory can make every outfit great! This is the power of vintage pieces…I will never get tired of learning and praising this!

Photo Credit: Milena Molinari

The Ladybug’s best vintage find in Milan: the Après-Coup bistrot

I still remember when a friend of mine sent me a link on my phone to a post from a Milanese blog announcing the opening of a new “vintage” bistrot in town called Après-coup in the Porta Romana area. It took me a while before I could finally go there for a Saturday lunch with my friends but calling this place just a vintage bistrot is very limiting.

Après-coup is a (delicious) restaurant and (innovative) cocktail bar, a theatre, an art gallery, a place where you can really enjoy the good things of life with your friends but also learn something and appreciate the wonderful vintage décor dating from the past century in a venue that feels more like a beautiful home than a restaurant or a bar. It has a very intimate twist that it is difficult to find anywhere else in Milan.

Food and drinks are amazing and pricing is very fair. Incredibly welcoming and qualified staff, very friendly and helpful, it is already one of my favorite places in town!

I took a couple of pictures to show you the place, but its perfect position, the lovely space outside in front of the Teatro della Contraddizione makes it perfect for a dinner/cocktail/theatre night out!

For the Saturday lunch at Après-coup I wore a vintage polka dot top from Humana Vintage mixed with Dixie black culottes and Mango black leather jacket. I also mixed handmade (with a beautiful turban from Madame Ilary and brass earrings from Metalica), vintage (with the beautiful hooked bag from Vintage Studium that I found on Ebay after years of hunting for that specific type of bag!) and modern (with my new Vans white sneakers found in Tokyo last summer, with the French colors, just like my vintage top!).

 

 

The Ladybug discovers one of the hidden treasures of Milan: Albergo Diurno Venezia

Many people say that Milan is not as beautiful as Rome. They say that Rome is an open air museum and that you can walk through the ruins of the Roman Empire at almost every corner of the city, while in Milan there is not much to see except for the Duomo and some other museum.

I love Rome but let me tell you one thing that I learnt about Milan: most of its treasures (and there are a lot!) are hidden. They are hidden in the wonderful internal courts of the city center private buildings for example or in areas that you would never imagine, as the stairs of the subway stop of Porta Venezia as I discovered las week!

Following the non-profit Italian organization FAI for the protection of the artistic and cultural Italian heritage I found out about the Albergo Diurno Venezia in 2014 when it was opened for one day to let people visit it for the first time after its closing. I missed the occasion as I was not in town but I kept an eye on it as I really wanted to visit it.

This underground day-hotel was created in 1925 to allow people arriving in Milan after a long travel by train or by tram to have a proper bath or shower, get their hair done, have a manicure or a shave. It was also open to people living in Milan, especially to those who didn’t have a bathroom in the house, very common thing at the time as buildings used to have only one outside bathroom at every floor.

The Diurno didn’t open its doors again (due to the bad conditions of the place) until last weekend and the good news is that it will be open every Saturday of December and January so, if you are in Milan and haven’t visited it yet, just take the chance and I know that you will thank me for that!

The conditions are still not excellent but the volunteers of the FAI made a great work cleaning the hotel and they are still working to give it its old glamour back! The Diurno is a piece of history of Milan, one of its best kept secrets! It is the glorification of the art nouveau, which is “so Milan”!

As an homage to my current city I decided to have a stroll in one of my favorite parks in Milan (Indro Montanelli), not far from Porta Venezia, after a long walk in Corso Venezia to admire the beautiful buildings and to mentally repeat that my Milan is a bit like me: not clearly beautiful but in actuality  “bellissima” (quote from the Milanese actress Mariangela Melato).

I wore Imperial faux-leather pants, Max&Co coat and sweater, Asos hat, & Other Stories scarf, Tosca Blu ankle boots and Michael Kors buckle bag.

The Ladybug in Outlet-land: Good Shopping Tips for Shoe Lovers!

I know that this post comes a bit late, but it’s never too late for some good tips on how to find beautiful designer accessories (especially shoes!) at very good price when you are on holiday on the Riviera Romagnola or maybe swinging at Summer Jumboree like I did last summer!

I announced this post last August (that’s why I am late), but the good outlets haven’t moved so you can easily find them if you go check them out.

When I was traveling to Summer Jamboree from Milan, I saw a billboard on the highway advertising the Sergio Rossi Factory Outlet in the area around Rimini: it was late, but I immediately went online to check when it was open. While surfing the web, I realized that the area between Emilia Romagna and Marche was full of great outlets, and it took a while to select those worth visiting while I was there.

Sergio Rossi, for me, is the best: the prices were almost good and it was easy to find- not only some killer heels, but also regular black & brown shoes to use everyday for the office. It was a bit hard to find my size, but I managed to buy these lovely patent heels that are super comfortable and great quality for a very good price.

If you are a fan of Giuseppe Zanotti and Pollini these two outlets are also worth a visit: Zanotti is maybe more a risqué style and also a bit more expensive, but if you prefer a classical style you can find Pollini (and Moschino) a few kilometers away! I was tempted by some over the knee stiletto heels at Zanotti, but I went for patent cream platform heels at Pollini (I know I was patent obsessed during these days!).

If you go South in Marche you can find more interesting outlets like Prada-Miu Miu and Tods-Hogan. I am not a fan of the latter (too classical for me!), but Prada and Miu Miu are quite interesting- especially for accessories. I gave myself the gift of a black Miu Miu clutch for my birthday… And I was dying for more bags, shoes and sunglasses, but my limited budget stopped me!!

If you check online you will easily find all the addresses with the days/time that they are open. But believe me, if you are in the area, and the weather is not excellent (not that you really need an excuse… though it was mine), and you like designer pieces, and you cannot afford exaggerated prices… this area is like a paradise for fashion lovers!

The Ladybug Blesses the Union of Craft Love: The Alliance of Make Thrift London and Handmade by You

I think it was last December when I received an email from my lovely friend Daisy giving me a lot of news about her life: love, work, family, many things were going on, and I was thrilled about how she took her life in her hands and made things happen.

If you don’t know who Daisy is let me tell you: I love this girl for many reasons that I won’t list here, but one of them is her artistic side: Daisy is indeed the beautiful director of Make Thrift London and she is a wonderful handcrafter. I’ve seen many of her creations and I have always been amazed by her fantasy and talent. This is the reason why I got very excited when she told me that she was going to join Alice, the girl behind Handmade by You, whom I already knew as a talented crafter and events’ planner.

You can find them at Alfies Antiques Market in their adorable studio where their art and talent is exposed everywhere! And this is exactly what I did on my first day in London.

The studio represents the girls very well: there is creativity, talent, smart recycling and upcycling, vintage, antiques, London are everywhere.  Still, you also feel at home because they’ve recreated a warm atmosphere where you can drink a tea while shopping or sewing or creating at one of their workshops, or craft parties (as they call them)!  And here’s the kicker; Alice and Daisy don’t only sell what they create, they also organize different kinds of workshops to teach us how to be better crafters; for example on the night that I arrived I missed a very interesting make up lesson on how to make a perfect eye-line.  But they’ve also done presentations on how to create elderflower cordial and how to make a mini-protest banner!

From millinery to cooking, from sewing to makeup, from jewels to homeware- it is fun to start learning how to craft! Also a craft party is a great idea for hen parties (bachelorette parties), birthdays, baby showers and every social event where you want to do something different, fun and useful!

I loved this place and I was amazed by its warmth… but I know that the magic of it comes from the magic of its wonderful hosts and their awesome smile and passion!

Visit their site www.handmade-by-you.co.uk to know more about them and their recurring craft parties.

Soul Sunday with KNAGUI: Gypsy Gems – An Interview with Davina and the Vagabonds

This past Spring, I was in Italy doing vocal clinics and Masterclasses. You know about some of the events The Ladybug and I attended together while I was there. And, as usual, I was in heaven chillin’ with my girl, especially since that trip started with us attending a concert featuring my homie, Raul Midon at La Salumeria della Musica in Milano. To put a marvelous musical bookend on the trip was a surprise date in my detoured route home.

I stopped in Minneapolis, Minnesota for business and happened to see online that a band I’d been audibly stalking was playing at a spot called Patrick’s Cabaret.  I immediately called the venue to reserve my seat.

Normally, here’s where my post would go into talking about the show and telling you about how amazing this venue (honestly, this place and “its” philosophy of paying and supporting artists is MIND BLOWING) is.  But, I’ve got something better… an interview with the incredible front-woman of Davina and the Vagabonds, Ms. Davina Sowers.

Ciao Davina, this moment has been a long time coming!  I can’t believe it’s been over 2 years sine I first heard of your artistry on NPR and now I’ve finally gotten a chance to experience you live… I must say, you were worth the wait!

Tell me about this crew of yours, the Vagabonds, how long have you been working as this “outfit?”
The band, itself, was formed nine years ago. We’ve had many wonderful musicians through those years. The line up of Vagabonds I have now are:
Dan Eikmeier: Trumpet and Vocals
Ben Link: Trombone and Vocals
Connor McRae: Drums and Vocals
Andrew Burns: Upright Bass and Sousaphone

Your sound is quite vintage, not just stylistically, but also sonically.  Why this direction?
It was never a plan. I think it was just my and The Vagabonds love for specific eras. We have what we love in our hearts and it plays out on stage and [through our] recordings.

But the direction isn’t pure vintage, I’d say you at times mix vintage with more modern themes and musical landscapes. Many times I picked up deep grooves in your presentation and Pocket (which was the song that introduced me to you and was later used on the blog) that night was dressed around a super hip-hop drum approach. Do you often cross-pollinate your music?
I write in many different genres. Many different feels. I have a vast love for all music. I am sucker for a good solid pop/r&B/hip-hop feel, but I’m also a sucker for a swaying swing. A lot  of my music is based upon what I’m listening to that week, that day… etc. I’m a sponge and try to emulate where my ear is that day.

OK, so that gives me a sense of some of some of your musical influences, but what about your influences in fashion and art?
My ultimate influence in everything is “Timelessness.”  I love the touch of a good fabric. I love the sound of good music.
There is a certain freedom in ability to be who you are. I have always been a collector of fashion past. My days as a teenager where spent sorting through my local thrift stores, finding pieces that called my name.  I was the girl people laughed at for wearing vintage bowling shoes and singing old traditional songs in front of my lunch period people. I would never want to change that. It’s just who I am, and who I’ve always been.

You are equally amazing on keys and with your vocals: you’re both gritty and a songbird, but your ability to convey a song is what struck me most.  All night you killed vocally, but there was a song, the Etta James record, that vocally was not as “beautiful” as the rest of the set, but you effin ripped my heart out with your convincing performance.  Can you tell me about what that song means to you and where you go when you sing it… if I’m not prying too much?
I’ve been through heartache, you’ve been through heartache, your neighbor, your mother, your father… They have all been through heartache. They deal with it or not deal with it in many ways. I sing about it. It’s the only way to make a layer of my heartache melt away. I hope my honest, gut wrenching storytelling through music helps those who can not deal or haven’t dealt with those things.
I’m a dark sensitive soul at times due to that. That is my only way to sort through the muck. Sing about it honestly and truthfully.

I read that you’re from my home state of Pennsylvania.  Tell me about growing up there and what brought you to Minneapolis and were there any stops along the way?
Altoona, PA…[sigh]…, they were not ready for me. I struggled a lot growing up there. Left when I was 15 and never looked back. I could write a novel about what I’ve seen, done, and experienced. Maybe in another interview with you. All-in-all, Minneapolis is where I landed and ended my gypsy living. I travel and experience through the band now, and I call MPLS my home… for time being.

What’s next for you and the crew?
Our New Album “Sunshine” will release July 15th!  Europe for the next two months, Monterey Jazz Festival in September. Touring. Writing. Spreading the Vagabond word to as many people as we can.

Last thing, the Ladybug would kill me if I didn’t ask these two important TLC questions: 1st, what and where are your favorite vintage or thrift shops?  2nd, what does vintage mean to you?
Vintage means a energy from a  past life. Every vintage dress, hat, piece of jewelry, piece of furniture, book, etc… has a past story and I want to continue to keep that story going. It’s amazing how a lot of these pieces have held on so well. The idea of how they were made so differently than [the way] we make them now. This is just one of the so many reasons why I love my treasures from the past.

I have spots in different cities for clothes when I travel. I love this shop called Little Gems and I also cruise the internet. I buy TONS of jewelry and little antique nick-knacks online. I get too nervous buying clothes on the internet… I haven’t had much luck with sizes.

I have tried to quash some of my clothing purchases as of late. I am busting at the seems storage and body wise [she says with candor and a nubile smile]. When I lose some weight in both departments,  I will be packing less just to shop more on my journeys.

Thanks so much for your time and all the best with the next steps you and the band take!

To learn more about Davina and the Vagabonds, you can visit their site, http://www.DavinaAndTheVagabonds.com, where you can listen, buy and connect.

[photo credits: Christie Williams, Garrett Born, Davina & KNAGUI]

The Ladybug Goes Back to Where it All Started: Montagnola Market in Bologna

If you follow my blog regularly you might know: that although I had an early passion for vintage from my incursions into my granny’s closet; I definitely fell in love with vintage at the market called Montagnola, while I was a student at University in Bologna.

Before the Christmas break, I accepted my friends’ request to visit the infamous Woolrich and Barbour outlet in Granarolo, near Bologna, to try to find a good warm coat for the upcoming winter season. So, I thought it was a good idea to find something interesting and to test the outlet itself for my readers. Since we were heading to Bologna, I asked to spend some time in town. And as it was a Friday off, I more specifically wanted to go to the Montagnola which is found in my favorite area- the vintage and second-hand section of the market. The good news is that my request was accepted!

We started the trip with a wonderful meal of handmade pasta and delicious meat and wine at the historical Trattoria Il Cannone where I used to go when I was a student!

We then moved to the Montagnola where I must confess I my heart was racing as I really felt the same feelings and emotions I experienced when I was a student: I was so excited to find exactly the same stalls (and stallers) from more than ten years ago when I used to buy things that my mum hated for me to bring home because they were “dirty and old fashioned!!”

I must say that I grabbed a couple of bargains for old times sake! For example: I got a beautiful American vintage boucle jacket for 20 euros. And at the stall that I called the “sequined” for all theirs amazing glowing gowns and cocktail dresses, I got an amazing black midi circle skirt and a wonderful trophy jacket for a ridiculous price, a quarter of the usual prices online and in vintage shops… I was amazed and I can’t wait to wear them all!

But my bargains of the day didn’t finish there!

The Woolrich outlet was full of surprises too: I had read, before going there, that people were a bit disappointed by the fact that it wasn’t easy to find jackets in the color and size that they wanted, especially if you want black and blue and if your size is M/L. But I didn’t want a boring jacket so it was easier for me!! The place is really small: some ranges are for women and other for men, but often the things are messed up so you better have a complete tour trying to find a space on the middle of the hungry crowd (hungry for a good Woolrich jacket at 40% off!). Usually the jackets have small defaults, but let me tell you that in most cases they are barely noticeable. I was looking for a grey or military green warm jacket so I was very lucky to find this grey one to warm me up during winter- even if I must say that I am still not completely sure about this color… I should wear it more before giving my final answer! Or I may go back next year and get another one! Ha ha!

But the second big bargain there was my new brown Barbour jacket in this lovely edition with this adorable purple flower pattern inside at 50% off! I was over excited to finally find a Barbour and at that price! I have been looking for a vintage one for ages, but none of those that I found (usually in London) fit my shape. I went to the Barbour shop in Milan, but I wasn’t in the mood for spending 350 euros for a Barbour jacket so this was the perfect occasion that I’ve been waiting for so long!!!

I looked like the Befana on the way out of the outlet with my big bags! Also because I went for a super comfortable outfit with UGGS, thrifted Dorothy Perkins salt and pepper boyfriend jumper and Zara grey sweatpants! I tried to add some cute details like my purple Max&Co cape coat, my adored vintage fur arm warmers and floppy hat (both from Naples and from some years ago) and my vintage bag (from Verabis vintage in Florence!)

The Ladybug and the Chronicle of Compulsive Shopping at the… Outlet?

Another sale season came upon us here in Italy earlier this month and I was looking forward to it, and I found it the weekend after the first sales. But finding myself in the middle of a mad battery of buying, I destroyed shopping snob cliché about myself. The cliché being that I’m not an outlet girl!

It took a while for some friends of mine to convince me to visit the famous Serravalle Designer Outlet. Less than an hour outside of Milan, on a grey Saturday morning, we decided- it was the perfect day to spend at this nice outlet.

I usually don’t go to outlets because I am not a fan of most of outlet’s brands. I hate making compulsory shopping with too many other compulsory shoppers and bla bla bla… but you know what? This was bullshit! I was happy as hell and I shopped no-stop for 8 amazing hours!!!

I know, I’m a woman after all!

Serravalle’s Outlet is a real little city with shops, bars and restaurants where you can find all the biggest designers and high street brands, from luxury to sportswear, clothing, accessories and home-ware… a real paradise for compulsive shoppers and shopaholics!

I was a bit shy and out of place at first, but after I realized it was the Vintage Festival event that month, I immediately felt more comfortable and confident and immediately went into Prada, just to leave half of my pay there! It wasn’t very smart, but this is what they call compulsory shopping right?!

Now, let’s be serious: how can you resist Prada shoes at 50-70% off? I HAD to get these two amazing pair of sandals in navy suede and black leather!

And what about these ’50s inspired shades still from Prada?

Also, being the beginning of summer I couldn’t say “no” to this lovely swimsuit from Miss Bikini with retro lips!

As you may imagine my biggest joy was finding A.N.G.E.L.O.’s temporary store in Serravalle! They were celebrating the vintage event at the outlet with a beautiful temporary store (where I spent a lot of time trying beautiful vintage clothing and bikinis!) and an iconic vintage expo with the “best of” their pieces related to a vintage icon. Of course, I also managed to buy a vintage polka dot shirt!

No need to show you here all my swimming/fitness shopping as I don’t want to be monotonous, but believe me when I tell you that it was very hard to fit all our bags in the car nor was it easy to tell which bags belonged to whom at the end of the day! But there was a huge smile on my face when, albeit I was completely tired from the long day, I put everything neatly in my wardrobe!

I too was vintage themed in my outfit for the day. I got this beautiful vintage red and white striped dress on Ebay a few years ago and I paired it with retro inspired sandals from Les Lolitas, my new Balenciaga red handbag and a pair of vintage Yves Saint Laurent frames that I showed you when I got them in Reggio Emilia vintage fair a few months ago.