Colette's Bella Vita: November 2013

Monday, November 25, 2013

Italy in the News

Working in PR, I've learned that the best way to stay in tune with current events is to set Google News alert about topics of interest. Recently, I've set some Italy and travel-related news alerts for more content inspiration. Three of my favorite recent headlines are below. Happy reading!

"Milan is Italy's paean to the present," by Rick Steves, Seattle Times: I read one of Steves' travel books prior to studying in Rome, he is a fantastic travel writer. Check out this article to learn more about the fashion capital and economic hub.

"Italy's hilltop town offers a trip back in time", by Rick Steves, Vancouver Sun: Another great Steves' article that highlights Oriveto, a small Italian town outside of Rome.

"Italy wants its island back, will pay 2.5 million euros for Budelli," by Nick Squires, The Telegraph: Interesting story about the Italian government buying back an island near Sardinia that was previously sold to a New Zealand businessman.

Source: Commons.Wikimedia.org

Sunday, November 24, 2013

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

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

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

La dolce vita

In honor of the Rome Film Festival, I dedicate this Polyvore set to one of Italy's most famous films, Fellini's La Dolce Vita! The depiction of a journalist's week in Rome, this film allowed the world to romanticize La Citta Eterna.

What is your favorite Italian film?

La dolce vita by colettem featuring Dolce Vita

Red top
$32 - benetton.com

Furla shoulder bag
$220 - zalando.co.uk

Armani Jeans tote bag
luisaviaroma.com

Betsey Johnson pendant
betseyjohnson.com

Pendant necklace
etsy.com

Prada sunglasses
$260 - iamitalian.com

Forzieri Fashion Garden - Owl Cufflinks
forzieri.com

Giorgio Armani lipstick
$40 - johnlewis.com

Eau D Italie fragrance
$130 - colette.fr

Carthusia perfume
$81 - liberty.co.uk

Tocca body cleanser
beautybar.com

Le Creuset coffee cup
williams-sonoma.com

Dolce Vita throw pillow
etsy.com

Vestito maniche corte
$68 - benetton.com

essie nail color, exotic liras 0.46 fl oz (13.04 g)
beauty.com

Monday, November 18, 2013

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/

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A touch of Italy

In 1994, a group of friends from St. Lucia founded the clothing and beauty brand Tocca in New York City. Although St. Lucia is in the Carribean, the brand's name, Tocca, means "touch" in Italian.

While browsing Italian-inspired products on Polyvore I came across an array of their beauty products, which are available at Sephora. Inspired by the St. Lucia beachgoer, Tocca's products are exquisite and affordable. With a variety of price ranges, their items have potential to be fantastic holiday gifts!

Tocca by colettem featuring Tocca

Tocca rose perfume
nordstrom.com

Tocca rose perfume
$93 - liberty.co.uk

Tocca body cleanser
nordstrom.com

Tocca Beauty body cleanser
sephora.com

Tocca Beauty body moisturizer
sephora.com

Tocca home decor
nordstrom.com

Tocca Beauty Giulietta Crema da Sogno Body Cream
sephora.com

Tocca Candelina, Giuliette
beautybar.com

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Travel to Italy within minutes!

While perusing Mashable's headlines the other day, I came across their story on Google Street View's Venice Gondola ride. The tech giant utilized their maps tool to give people around the world a tour of La Serenissima right from a computer!

Mashable's article has a fantastic video with snapshots of the tour, but I also recommend trying it yourself. Coming from someone who has taken a gondola ride in the Grand Canal, this is one of the best views you can get if you do not plan on traveling to Italy any time soon.

Kudos to Google for utilizing their map technology to bring the beauty of Italy and la bella vita to the world! Below is a view of the Doge's Palace from Google Street View.

Source: Google.com

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Inspired by Italy

New month, new Italian inspired finds. From furniture to phone cases, check out these made in Italy or Italian-inspired goods to add a little "la bella vita" to your daily life as the weather changes!