The Ladybug kissed Ben Harper and she liked it!

It was end of the nineties when I first heard a song written by Ben Harper.

As most of his fans it was a friend of mine at the University who introduced me to his music. I still remember it was “Roses from my friend”. No surprise if I tell you that this is still one of my favorite songs ever.

Since then I started buying all his music. The date of each new cd release from him was written on my calendar and I start my excitement for every upcoming album a couple of months before! I saw him in concert six times in Italy and in France, my last concert being one of my favorite at the summer arena in Assago where he made an hour singing solo with his guitar: I have never been so thrilled during a concert. It was so emotional that I started crying! It felt like people stopped breathing not to disturb that moment.

A few months ago he was in Milan to present his new album with The Innocent Criminals “Call it what it is” at the Feltrinelli and I thought it was a good idea to listen to him live and maybe to get an autographed copy. He played his music for more than an hour, it was so great to see him a few steps from me…it was the first time (even if in Naples I had the chance to be in first row during his concert!).

After a long queue I finally managed to talk to him for a few minutes while he autographed my cd: I couldn’t help telling him how great his last concert in Milan was and how emotional it felt.

Then I started all these things, you know: “I’ve been following you for ages” “I am a huge fan of you” “I saw you in concert everywhere” and all the stupid things that you say when you meet your music icon! Although I felt totally stupid he was fun, nice and so kind that I couldn’t stop myself from asking him if I could just hug and kiss him…which I did!

I felt like a 12-year-old girl meeting Simon Le Bon (ok, nowadays I should say Justin Bieber…I am still a vintage girl after all!) and I went back home saying “I kissed Ben Harper, I kissed Ben Harper, I kissed Ben Harper”.

For those who are wondering, yes he is still hot as hell!!

(First photo courtesy of Feltrinelli).

The Ladybug’s outift from the Corporate Office to the Summer Festival

This was my third Ben Harper’s concert: the first one was in France, the second one in Naples and the third one was the end of last month in Milan. It was during the so-called Milano Summer Festival at the Assago Arena and he was supported by his amazing band, The Innocent Criminals.

I’m not going to tell you how much I loved the concert (especially the acoustic part) and how magical this guy’s voice and guitar sound at the point that after three concerts I can’t get enough of his music (actually I just did tell you!) but I’m going to discuss here the outfit problems that you may face if you are going from a day in the office to a night at the festival with no stops at home!

First problem: shoes! If you prefer (like I do) heels during the day at work you may find it really uncomfortable to bring them with you to a summer festival where you need to walk and stand a lot and try to be as much comfortable as possible. That’s why I left my heels in the office and wore this pair of black pointy flats by Lolita Milano. Of course I lost a few centimeters (maybe more than a few!) but my feet were very happy and they thanked me for that! A pair of sneakers are perfect too (I used them for the D’Angelo concert at the Estathé Market Sound Festival a few weeks earlier).

Second problem: how to dress! If we would love to wear denim shorts and slouchy shirts just to feel a bit like at Coachella Festival, we better not leave the office dressed that way! A simple dress is always the answer: easy to accessorize and to wear, a simple black dress is always the right choice. I went for this black tunic dress by Cos and I love how it is versatile based on the accessories. I must confess that it looks completely different with heeled shoes but it is still cute with flats (maybe if I was taller…anyway…).

Third problem: the bag! If you have to spend the whole day around you need a proper spacious bag to contain all your stuff, including the crucial anti-mosquitoes spray if you are going to a summer festival – or any other open space – in Milan, make up, water, shoes (if you bring them with you), mobile, charger and so on. In my case it could only be my Miu Miu bag!

Fourth problem (only for vintage lovers): how to add our usual vintage touch! This is quite easy: turbans, headscarves, retro frames or jewelry, whatever we feel can make us feel like we have our vintage piece with us! I decided to wear a family vintage treasure: my grandma’s Indian vintage silver necklace, a statement piece that I wear pretty much with everything!

Once all these female problems are solved, you can just sit down, sip a beer and enjoy your amazing concert!