Roman-inspired holiday gifts

Unsure about what to get your favorite Italophile this holiday season? Do you have a loved one that admires Rome, La Citta Eterna? Want to treat yourself? 

Check out these Roman-inspired items, I've included something for every budget! Stay tuned for more gift suggestions inspired by various major Italian cities. 

When in Rome by colettem featuring Villeroy & Boch

Stretch skirt
shopruche.com

RMK leather shoes
$87 - theiconic.com.au

Red purse
boticca.com

Charm pendant
boticca.com

Pandora sterling silver bracelet
bloomingdales.com

Spray perfume
bathandbodyworks.com

Spray perfume
bathandbodyworks.com

Black and white wall art
etsy.com

NotNeutral autumn dinnerware
2modern.com

Black throw pillow
bedbathandbeyond.com

Wall art
etsy.com

Nordstrom glass ornament
nordstrom.com

Wall art
riflepaperco.com

Villeroy Boch drinkware
bloomingdales.com

Vintage dish
jaysonhome.com

The Little Black Book of Rome 2012 The Timeless Guide to the Eternal...
barnesandnoble.com

Paul Smith Neil Stephens - Rome Flight Tag Print
paulsmith.co.uk

Cinema Italiana: Rome Film Festival

Rome was once the center of the world, and recently was the center of the film world for a few days. Although the Venice Film Festival is Italy's largest cinema-related event, the 8th annual Rome International Film Festival is also a major event for the film industry and cinema fans. 

The festival ended yesterday, with Italian-Croatian director Alberto Fasulo winning the top prize for his documentary-style movie Tir, according to Hollywood Reporter.  The entertainment industry website noted that Tir is the second Italian documentary film to win accolades at a major film festival within the past three months. Sacra GRA, directed by Gianfranco Rosi, won top honors at the Venice Film Festival in September. 

Photo credit: DearCinema.com

Variety reported that Italian comedy Fifth Wheel opened the festival on November 8, with the festival's advance ticket sales up by 20 percent in 2013. This is great news! An increase in ticket sales is not only a surge in tourist economy for the Eternal City, but I think it also means that the film festival is building a bigger name. 

Two familiar names also had a successful trip to Rome. Actors Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson won top acting awards, according to UPI. 

I would love to see some of the Italian entries, such as Fifth Wheel, and hope these films come to the United States soon. Congratulations to all who participated in the 8th Annual Rome Film Festival! 

Sources: 

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/rome-kicks-off-with-italo-comedy-fifth-wheel-1200809495/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rome-film-fest-tir-wins-656746

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2013/11/17/Matthew-McConaughey-Scarlett-Johansson-win-big-at-Rome-Film-Fest/UPI-26831384711722/

24 Hours in Rome

I wish I was in Rome

Every summer marks another year since I realized my dream of visiting Italy. Some sorority sisters are participating in the same study abroad program and their Facebook photos are bringing back memories and making me want to be in Rome. 

Oh Rome, I miss gelato, cappuccino, pizza, gnocchi, smaller portions, the pretty buildings and shenanigans. Piazzas, the river, breadsticks and Nutella, sale season, the beach, eating out and not having a care in the world. 

Italian Film: Cinecittà

One of the highlights of my study abroad experience was visiting Cinecittà. Located in the outskirts of the city, Cinecittà is considered the home of Italian cinema. From classics to modern, movies to television, the studio is a link to Italy's cinematic history. 

Cinecittà entrance. 

The following were filmed at Cinecittà:

La Dolce Vita
Romeo & Juliet
Gangs of New York 
The Passion of the Christ
HBO's Rome

Set of HBO's Rome

My classmates and I were lucky that a tour was one of our field trips; after exploring the website, I realized that the only tab about visitors was for corporate events! 

Costumes from Cleopatra (1963)

Originally founded by Mussolini as a propaganda factory, Cinecittà is now home to studios, sets and props. The museum is beautiful! Housing costumes from iconic films, it is also decorated with quotes from Italian film professionals. A screening room, gift shop and event area are nearby as well. 

Set of Gangs' of New York 

Touring Cinecittà was one of the highlights of the courses I took while in Rome. It was a true joy to connect media, culture and history in one activity. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this iconic studio, please do! Everything about it will amaze you. 

Outside sources: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinecitt%C3%A0

http://www.cinecittastudios.it/

Piazza Spagna - Spanish Steps

I vividly remember the first time I entered Piazza Spagna. I was heading to my Italian placement exam at the school hosting my program. Walking through the Spagna metro stop into the sunlight felt like a scene from a movie. The sun was shining on the palm trees and exquisite buildings. Locals and tourists were running around, even though it was pretty early.

The sun was shining down on the stone steps and the fountain at the base was flowing. The piazza was crowded with rose sellers, police officers and pedestrians. This was where Lizzie McGure signed autographs as Italian pop star Isabella, was what I thought to myself. Lame, I know.

Photo Credit: rome-tours.org

After passing this area every day for class, I started to take it for granted as I sometimes do in Chicago.

Piazza Spagna and the Spanish Steps are a cornerstone of the Eternal City. If you are looking for something affordable to do in Rome, get some drinks or gelato and spend your evening on the Spanish Steps. Piazzas are a gathering spot in Europe and this piazza is no different. One of my friends and I realized this on our last night in Rome and were so disappointed we did not realize it sooner! The hustle and bustle of the intersecting streets, tons of people and occasional live music is a beautiful sight. 

Piazza Spagna in the early evening is a true example of living "la bella vita." Simple, relaxed and fun. 

Packing for Italy 101

Packing for Italy was rough. I had to fit clothes, toiletries, books and magazines, my laptop and "American" items for my family friends and meet the suitcase weight limit. To make this chore a little easier, I compiled some lessons and tips I learned during my study abroad experience. 

• You do not need as much clothing as you think. I wish I packed less because after making purchases abroad, it was a struggle to fit everything in when returning to the U.S. My recommendation is to pack for three weeks and do laundry. 
• Duct tape your shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and body wash so it doesn't open and explode during your flights/train rides & put them in plastic bags. 
• Bring a smaller suitcase with clothing and necessities in it as a carry-on, just in case something goes wrong with luggage. 
• Ladies, heels are not cobblestone street friendly. Wedges & flats work. 
• Ladies & gentlemen: be sure to have one long pair of pants and a sweater or long sleeve shirt for visiting churches. 
• Don't forget a converter for chargers, blow dryers or hot styling tools. 

Photo credit: social.eli.ubc.ca

Hope these tips help! If you have any other tips, I would love to hear. 

Buon viaggio!

Cats of Rome

As an aspiring social media professional, I know that the Internet loves cats. I found these gems in my study abroad album and thought they would be perfect to share. 

I previously mentioned that Italians take looking good very seriously. Italian cats do as well. I present the modeling cats of Rome! 

This cat above was lounging at Largo di Torre Argentina, the Roman ruins at which Julius Cesar was murdered. We discovered this ferocious feline when during a Spaces in Cinema in Rome class field trip. 

Wandering down a street near the Trevi Fountain searching for a place to eat, my friends and I found a precious cat posing on a moto.

Italian Cinema: Roman Holiday

One of my classes in Rome covered classic Italian film. Naturally, Roman Holiday was on our screening list. Although it is in English, the classic starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck is a timeless, entertaining piece that makes great use of La Citta Eterna as a setting. 

Photo Credit: IMDB

Princess Anne (Hepburn) is the original rebellious royal, escaping from her security to explore Rome. After falling asleep on an outdoor bench, an American reporter (Peck) finds & takes her around the city, unaware that she is the princess due to her new short hairdo. 

The Vespa scene is my favorite part of the movie solely because it places all of the tourist attractions such as Piazza Spagna, Altare della Patria and the Coliseum in close proximity to each other. While it is possible to get to these locations in one day, they are farther apart from each other than shown. 

Roman Holiday is a timeless film and provides a wonderful snapshot of the Eternal City!

Source: IMDB