Ciaotraveler

I've featured George Clooney's Lake Como villa in a previous post but now visit George and wife's British country estate near London...see it at  Lonny .

If you've not seen the movie "Bottle Shock" starring Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Chris Pine and Dennis Farina, then check it out on Netflix.  It's all about the emerging Napa Valley Wine industry in the '70's and the impact it had on the skeptic French wine sommeliers. The scene above where the blind tasting event was held, reflected Euro vintage vehicles on a rustic farm as if it were set in France (and convincingly pulled off).  However, scenes were shot n the beautiful California Napa Sonoma Valley.  

   A lighthearted movie about two brothers as Italian chefs who run a flailing restaurant. Although filmed in 1996, the setting was the 60's which reminded me of visiting with my Italian family.  There I learned about the routine gatherings where everyone socializes around the much loved meal.  Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rosselini are outstanding in their roles.  Continue to see more of the kitchen, food and movie...

Chic color study...loved the clay pots from Pinterest so I made this color study...

                    Fess Parker Wine Rommancing Venice....                                                                                                                             Ciao's rendering

Beautiful snow scenes in London, Paris (Louvre) and the Trevi Fountain, Rome.                                                                                 AD photos                                                                     Ciaotraveler photo

Happy New Year 2015

Europe has plenty of snow but I love the many aged, salt and pepper structures and that remind me of snow ...more...

Harrod's Dept. Store in London always a designer's dream. The Christmas atmosphere is already in full swing in London! Shop windows are glittering with holiday decorations, the Christmas lights along Oxford Street and Regent Street have been switched on and ice skating rinks are open at some of the city’s most iconic spots. London is absolutely festive during the holidays, and it’s easy to get into the Christmas spirit while out sightseeing and shopping. If you’re traveling to London now through Christmas and New Year’s, there is so much to see and do during your visit. Hit the big name shopping streets and enjoy the lights, caroling and holiday charms. Take a whirl around Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park or go ice skating at the Tower of London. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in London are a blast!                                    (Daily Mail Photos)

Have a wonderful holiday season... Be sure to check out Harrods Dept. Store's Holiday season window displays ...

The Staten Island home of the infamous Corleone (Godfather) family is currently up for sale for a mere $2.9 million.  I took my (Italian) mom to the movie the first weekend it premiered in Hollywood as a young student.  We must have seen it 20 times since that date.  Who ever gets tired of the movie?  The fashions and the actors were superb.  As for the house, its' had some remodeling in the kitchen for a contemporary theme.  The Corleone compound address is 110 Longfellow Ave. See the kitchen...

  I came across a colorful article in Italy Mag featuring the top ten colours of Italy from Naples Yellow  to Schiaparelli pink , the famous fashion designer I studied in art school.   Naples yellow includes various shades of yellow that artists used in painting.                                                               See more of earth-rich Sienna , the most widely used pigment of the Master artists;  Venetian Red , Celeste Blue and more popular, inspiring colors of Italy here... Beautiful Naples yellows with Mt. Vesuvius in background

George Clooney and his beautiful wife, Amal, married this weekend in Venice.  These photos are from Dailymail.uk.  They spent their wedding at the luxurious Cipriani and Aman Hotels.  Amal's parents paid for the wedding and Cindy Crawford's husband (seen with them on the boat) was best man.   

Oranges and Orvieto ...I love oranges, browns and greens this time of year. Italy is full of the warm seasonal colors in its buildings, monuments, statues and landscape. Upper left: popular Pompeii oranges; Capri clock tower at night; Middle: Villa Margherita, Levanto; Middle right: Positano; Lower left and middle: Pisa, Rome.  See more...

Got empty wine bottles?  Idea from Pinterest: Spray paint wine bottles and wrap jute string around the tops or bottoms for a more rustic look.  The ones on the left have chalkboard paint you can write on and erase.

Do you have a few maps hanging around (or put away) to inspire you to take a trip?  I love maps and have featured some various uses of maps in older posts. I'm convinced there are hundreds of ideas for using maps after seeing these marvelous new ideas and products. Take a look at   the latest finds from Pinterest to inspire your journeys without ever leaving your home...

Two men, six meals in six different places on a road trip around  Italy. Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and ending in Capri. See Ciaotraveler's  Liguria , Portofino Tuscany Rome Shopping  Amalfi , Positano Capri See the movie  Trailer

Check out the Dove Chocolate commercial and my post here...

Very natural linen bags in euro style I found on Etsy...

A writer (Kate Bosworth) and her husband are visiting on the Island of Ischia, Italy when she meets a younger man in the new movie, "And While We Were Here" filmed in Naples and Ischia.  See more... I used vintage photo and card techniques for this picture.