Ciaotraveler

This may need some clearing up.   I've made Grey Goose  Milano cocktails  for company in the past and wanted to share the recipe here.  However, my research keeps coming up with a very different concoction.   The "new" recipe uses equal parts of gin, Galliano and lemon juice.   So what happened to the Grey Goose Milano Cocktail using Grey Goose vodka, blood orange juice , and a splash of Cointreau?   If anyone can clear this up please feel free to do so and contact me...

Found these great Euro linens, fabrics and items to inspire a post...

Only the freshest produce, spices, breads, meats and cheeses are available at the many open air markets in Europe. In the future, I'll post in the popular market schedules in a blog. I bought some dried peppers on a trip in 2000 and still have them for flavoring olive oil with garlic. I like to have spices mixed up before I cook so I can add to my dishes...here's one of my pasta seasoning blends...

Wine charms can be useful when having a party where guests often misplace their wine glasses.  Now there's such a variety and much more decorative.   These copper discs are crafted by Gasquetgirl at Etsy and I added my Euro photo stickers to personalize them.

Flowers in Florence

According to WSJ, "there is something about waking up in Sofia Coppola's bedroom at the Palazzo Margherita that makes one feel rather like a princess. The walls and high ceilings are painted with golden trompe l'oeil trellising and faux marble, tall doors with long white curtains open onto a terrace and a walled garden below, and the bed is enormous. It is even lovelier once the chambermaids have been through, leaving behind a haze of citrusy Acqua di Parma. Located in the lively working town of Bernalda, in Southern Italy , the palazzo is the fifth and most luxurious in a collection of hotels owned by Francis Ford Coppola . It represents a homecoming, of sorts, for the multifaceted filmmaker, whose grandfather immigrated to America from there in 1904." Bernalda is situated South of Puglia and North of Calabria on the South Eastern coast of Italy.  Sofia and her husband were married in this small, rustic town.   The article is worth a read at at  WSJ . See another ...

Herbs de Provence  is an earthy fresh seasoning used commonly in the south of France that can be added to many meat, fish, chicken or vegetable dishes.  Its often blended with olive oil and used as a rub prior to cooking.  This special blend of spices makes the meat pop with freshness.  Don't let the lavendar fool you...it's the perfect ingredient for an unusual but delightful taste. After you've made your favorite blend, seal it in a spice jar, small clay pot or small burlap bag and  gift it with a nice ribbon or add to a basket with beans, rice. etc.  Continue for recipe...

Ciaotraveler Short Feature I think you must know by now that I'm silly for Shabby Chic design and decorating, so when Pamela Anderson's Malibu home came on the market to rent, I had to post the photos.  The photos are from Curbed and the house is by Architect Lautner.  I remember seeing the tour some years back on TV celebrity home tours. See Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Malibu Shack

Time for some sweet stuff from the artisans of the world....

 Life in Italy Nutella is one Italian treat beloved around the world. Born in Piedmont region of Italy thanks to the ingenious sweet tooth of pastry maker Pietro Ferrero, the sugary confection is easy to recreate at home.  Click below to continue...

Architectural Digest featured rustic kitchens recently and I was totally surprised where these were located.  Can you guess which one rustic kitchen is from Napa, France, Malibu, Mexico and Rhode Island?  Answers:  Upper left, France;  Upper right, Malibu; Lower left, Napa; middle, R.I. and lower right, Mexico...

London Ice Skating rinks are beautiful and popular this time of year...above, the London Eyeskate near the Thames.  The Natural History Museum is at the upper right. Who would have thought the Tower of London hosts a skating rink (above left) in the moat area of the property.  You can think about Anne Bolin and the many others who went to their deaths while skating.  Hampton Court Rink, another of King Henry's hang outs, is featured lower right and the posh Somerset House rink (lower left). Info:  The London Telegraph Don't forget, London is  hosting the 2012 Olympics .   The Royal Guard are preparing already (upper right)

Harrods is lit with 11,500 exterior light bulbs!  Seven floors, 4.5 acres, over 20 Restaurants and Cafes Harrod's of London London's famous  Department Store ... (Hi Sis!) Harrods' Christmas display for 2011 was based on the theme A Crystal Christmas and is inspired by Swarovski.

From time to time I like to feature properties for sale in Europe just for comparison and the fun of it.  Most people don't want to live on a rooftop in Lucca, Italy like in my photo.  But here are some more photos and surprising facts about expats buying and living in Europe.  Continue...

Although I feature many shops in my posts, there are always more worth mentioning. Located just south of Santa Barbara and Montecito in the charming beachside town of Summerland, Botanik is a destination for garden enthusiasts, discerning designers and those anxious to indulge their senses.   Set within the backdrop of a 1920’s Victorian, the boutique offers ever-changing collection of unique wares fills both the interior and private garden of this stop along California’s Central Coast.  Things from Europe too. More shops and photos continue...

Elegeant molded cookies ... Eggshell white, perfumed with anise and intricately printed using carved molds, crisp springerle have been a holiday sweet across central Europe since at least the Middle Ages, when, during mid-winter festivals, the poor offered animal-shaped biscuits to the gods in place of actual livestock. Eventually the subject matter diversified and the carvings began to reflect every aspect of life, including biblical figures and fairy tales, holiday scenes and wedding motifs, fruit and folk-art hearts.  To make these biscotti-like cookies...see recipe here .  (From WSJ)

Five people have died and eight are missing after torrential rain hit Italy's Tuscany and Liguria regions overnight last week. Rivers burst their banks and landslides devastated villages, local authorities said.   The worst-hit areas were the Spezia region and the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) tourist destination, where four people died. I was saddened to learn of the landslide that occurred in one of my favorite picturesque towns of Vernazza part of the Cinque Terre in the Liguria region of Italy.   I can't believe the horrific appearance of the town after the slides ruined all streets and roads.    Continue to see the photos...

Necklace from Let Them Eat Cake at Etsy.com Do you have a lot of spare time?  Everyone is busy but there are so many products on the market today to make it very easy for us to have our cake and eat it too.  You truly can make things for your enjoyment, but why not just go ahead and buy them? Continue...

21st Pumpkin Festival in Venzone Published: Oct 20th, 2011 Venzone is located at the Northeastern area of Italy near Trieste Words by Sharon Rogers0-- Life in Italy Venzone is the only medieval walled city in Friuli Venezia Giulia and so it stands to reason that during the annual pumpkin festival the whole town takes the opportunity to don period dress creating a re-enactment of life in medieval times. This year’s festival takes place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October.  Click below to continue...

Wallpaper cutouts such as this Venice scene are great for a specific area instead of using photos. I went through my wallpaper stage and didn't want to see it again, however, it's getting revitalized by designers.  They say to select stylish artistic papers with geometric designs or papers that appear to be painted by hand.  Did you know you can even design your own wallpaper on certain sites? See more...