LA DOLCE VITA: MORE RED + GREEN

Yes, I'm still obsessing over the color combo of red + green as we head in August and the sweetest part of summer...

Evoking some vintage nostalgia and a nod to Italian culture (I mean, could that Dolce & Gabbana dress say it any more perfectly?) this mod mix is the perfect style inspiration for the rest of summer... and right on into fall too!

*resources: red pendant light, coco cozy pillows, anthropologie leather bag, dolce & gabanna shift dress, vespa, louboutin gingham pumps, retro outdoor chair at crate & barrel

TRAVEL DIARY: CAPRI

A perfect place to visit on a Friday afternoon... and my last place to share from my trip to Italy. Welcome to Capri!


This beautiful island is every bit as charming, sunny, and wonderful as everyone promised it would be. By far the most relaxing stop on our travels, I could have spent a few more days here lounging by our pool, enjoying the views, and indulging in a little luxury!

While we couldn't book a room at J.K Place (where I've always wanted to visit) we did the next best thing and stayed in a lovely hotel practically right next door. It was just my sister and I for this part of the trip, so we dolled ourselves up one night and headed over there for drinks on the patio that turned into a spectacular dinner where we were completely spoiled by the staff.

We also discovered a cute little lunch spot where we wedged ourselves into this teeny balcony and people-watched for a few hours on a Saturday when it was quite packed on the island.

The second day there, we spent some time in Anacapri which was lovely and quiet - especially on a Sunday. (It's where I got the pair of sandals I shared with you last week!) I wanted to bring back a whole bowl of these puffer fish too, but I don't think they allow sharp objects on the airplane...

We basically ate our way through Italy - can you tell? This was the best pesto I have ever ever had at some random little spot we picked because we got hungry. Love when that happens!


We ended the last night there in the glow of this beautiful sunset... I was so sad to leave such a relaxing and beautiful place. Capri, I will definitely be back!

I hope you enjoyed a peek at all my travels! It was an amazing little trip and I can't wait for the next one! Ciao Ciao!

*all images by coco+kelley

TRAVEL DIARY: THE AMALFI COAST

The next stops on our quick little journey were to Sorrento and Positano where we spent about a full day in each city relaxing enjoying a little beach (or should I say cliff?) time...

Our hotel was just two blocks up from the waterfront, and this was the view that greeted us on our first day in Sant'Agnello where we stayed (just outside of Sorrento, it's a little more quiet than being downtown).

Having been to the Amalfi Coast before, I took less photos for some silly reason, but I managed to snap a few good ones on our trip to Positano the next day...


I couldn't resist the Missoni shop - it was too perfect! And so is this postcard-worthy view!

There was tons of shopping in Positano, and I came home with some goodies! When we stumbled upon this display of loafers in every possible color though, I froze up and couldn't decide which ones I loved the most! Just looking at them again, I get overwhelmed! Green? Peach? Lilac? Red? What would you have chosen?  

And again - more eating! Of course. This is one of my favorite traditional dishes - I remember my Nonna and my father making it from time to time growing up. It's squash or zucchini blossoms stuffed with fresh ricotta or goat cheese, lightly fried, and served with fresh basil and pomodoro. (If you want to test it out yourself, try this recipe from Giada for the goat cheese, or this recipe from bon appetit for the ricotta version!)

I've saved my favorite spot for last (just like we did in our trip!) so on Friday I will share my final destination - Capri!

TRAVEL DIARY: RENDE

Hello friends! I'm back with more of my travel notes from Italy! Today we are heading just a bit north from the family's adventures in Sicily to the town of Rende where my father was born. This was by far the most special part of the trip, and a place I hope to return to very soon...

Rende is perched on top of a hill and surrounded by a few other towns just like it - all very small - with nothing touristy about them at all. In other words, sheer perfection. We immersed ourselves in the real Italy (no other Americans in sight!) and enjoyed every second of it...


Every little detail seemed enchanting (especially all the worn doorways) and - to give you an idea of how small the town is - we literally ran into relatives on the street while wandering through on our first night! In true Italian style, they showed us to the home my father grew up in, and gave us a little history lesson on the famiglia... complete with a tour of the cemetery where we discovered generations of LaValle, Storino and Principe lineage.

And of course the churches (this one was my favorite - the color of the walls made it glow inside)

The rest of the time was spent simply falling in love with this little hilltop town...


I even picked out my future vacation home...

Definitely my favorite. While the actual city of Rende is quite large for the region, the hilltop area is referred to as 'Old Rende' and maintains its quiet charm, which was just my style. I can't wait to go back someday, visit with the family, and enjoy the simple life!


*travel notes: we stayed at the b&b alarcon where there are currently only two rooms available, but more are planned, and the couple who runs the place were kind enough to pick us up from the train station! we dined at the hosteria de mentoza two evenings (there are only a few restaurants in town) and enjoyed what i'd consider to be the best food we had on the trip!

TRAVEL DIARY: CATANIA

While the rest of my family got to enjoy Sicily for about a week, I joined in the party a bit late, so my few days there were spent mainly in Catania. If you want a dose of real southern Sicilian living, I recommend diving into the culture here!

The fish market near the main piazza was a sight to see! (I of course didn't have my camera with me to capture it.) and we ate tons of fresh seafood for dinner both nights. My favorite was the spaghetti with clams. My father was more adventurous with his dish (on the right). The best part, though, was the evening light filtering into the square, drenching the church, and settling on us during dinner before disappearing. Can't you just feel the warm glow? 

Of course, after dinner I had to treat myself to my first gelato, and I chose the gelateria based completely on the fascinating ceiling. Looks like something Kelly Wearstler would approve of, no?

The next day was all about sightseeing, since it was Sunday and nothing was open. We roamed through the little town and found buildings old and new... all beautiful! 


We mused at how Italians always look so chic and cool, even in the middle of the heat, so we all practiced putting on our best faces to fit in. This is my "Oh, what, this gorgeous centuries-old church? Nothing I haven't seen before. Ho hum." face. What do you think?

I was so bummed when we passed Rizzotti and Zara Home and neither were open. Sundays in Europe! Ugh!! The best I could do was snap a few window shopping photos for you.

At the end of the afternoon we ended up in this big park that was wonderfully shaded and quiet... a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the city for a bit before packing up and leaving the next day for more adventures (tomorrow, tomorrow!).

ps - the b&b we stayed at in catania is called BAD, but don't let the name scare you. its decor was slightly hipster meets old world italy, we had our own private patio and kitchen, and the owners were wonderfully helpful! we also dined two nights in a row at the osteria antica sicilia, we loved it (and our waiter, paulo) so much. 

*photography by coco+kelley.

TRAVEL DIARY: TAORMINA

Well, darlings, you asked for it, so here it comes! I'll be sharing a bunch of photos from my travels this week (I know, I know, a little late, but better than never!) so for those of you dreaming of an Italian getaway, soak it in and just imagine you're there...

Our travels started in Sicily where we spent our day in the little resort town of Taormina. Being quite the tourist destination, there was (needless to say) plenty of shopping to be had...


Given an unlimited budget, I would have come home with about twenty different chandeliers from this trip! Not to mention loads of gilded goodness. As fate would have it, however, I spent only a few euros on some Italian treats to enjoy while window shopping instead.

One of my favorite things to spot throughout my travels were pretty little handmade signs and - of course - inspiring architecture and all the decorative elements that went along with it...


Loved the facade on the building above! Of course, the most amazing part of traveling in Europe is the history of the cities, and we god a big dose of that roaming through these amazing gardens...

If you peek through the vines you have the most fantastic view of the sea! We sat here and enjoyed the most deliciously fresh fruit and soaked in some sunshine, enjoying a little peace away from the crowds. It was a lovely way to start the trip! More from Sicily to come...

*all photography by coco+kelley

SCENES FROM ITALY...

I returned from Italy last Wednesday night, and I've been pouring over my memories as if they occurred years ago, it already seems so far away! Many of you asked for photos, so I'm going to share as much as I can but will be spreading things out a bit so I don't overwhelm...

The trip was (of course) wonderful and delicious, our days filled to the brim with inspiration, relaxation, and plenty of sights to see. I indulged in too much gelato, followed strict instructions from many of you to invest in some sandals from Capri, enjoyed the beaches, and took in the beauty that surrounded us.

The trip started in Sicily and ended in Capri with just one day in Rome before I flew back home. So, I'll be sharing a few places and pieces of inspiration from each stop throughout the next month! Not to mention showing off a few more purchases and sharing some recipes. Much much more to come!!

*all photography by me, edited on instagram.

WITH LOVE FROM: ROME

Ciao, it's Jessica, from Life's Little Jems, and I'm here to present a series called With Love From... where I'll be sharing some of my favorite fashion and home decor items inspired by various cities around the globe.

My first destination is the Eternal City: Rome, Italy, where Cassandra should soon be landing! A few weeks ago, I myself returned from a magnificent, much needed vacation to Europe, and Rome was my first stop. Here are a few wonderful treasures inspired by my recent getaway to this beautiful and historic city. Until next time…

1. Elizabeth Cole, Gordian Knot Bracelet 2. Zara, Zip Trousers 3. Mid Century Italian Chairs from Boo Radley 4. SuperHeadz, Wide and Slim Camera 5. Marble Roman Bust 6. Vespa LXV 150 7. Marni, Cannello Sandal 8. Reiko Kaneko Lip Tease Cup and Saucer 9. Ascaso, Dream Coffee Maker

COCKTAILS AT SIX: THE VENTIAN SPRITZ

Ciao from Italia, my loves!! Right about now, I'll be enjoying the beaches of Sicily, soaking up ridiculous amounts of sunshine, and hopefully sipping one these refreshing concoctions...

While this recipe originates in the north, it's popular all over Italy, and is a delightful mix of bitter and sweet... sort of how it's going to feel to leave this magical place in another week.

The Venetian Spritz:

4 ounces Prosecco
A splash of sparkling water
1.5 to 2 ounces Aperol
Orange
Lemon
1 green olive

In a glass over three or four ice cubes, pour the prosecco, a dash of sparkling water and the Aperol, being sure to follow that order lest the Aperol sink to the bottom without mixing. Garnish with a slice of orange, a twist of lemon (or both) and an olive.

*images via the glitter guide, recipe + drink via the nytimes, and marie claire

GONE TO ITALY...

Be back in two weeks!! In the meantime,  I'll still have plenty of posts from potential contributors and a few I put together myself to keep you entertained.

And when I'm back, there will be so much to share!! Lots of love... and ciao!

*image via tumblr, source unknown

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: PICNIC ON THE AMALFI

Since the moment Cassandra mentioned she was headed to Italy this summer, I haven't been able to stop dreaming of vino in Rome, shopping in Florence and most of all, long lazy days spent sunbathing on the Amalfi Coast...

Camille Styles here, and today's fantasy is totally inspired by the idyllic two weeks my husband and I spent in Capri and Positano on our honeymoon two summers ago. The incredible seafood, deep Mediterranean waters dotted with pristine yachts and sailboats, and the nautical-chic style of the jet-set as they escape the bustle of a bigger metropolis. A lovely little fantasy on which to base today's fête, no?

A sandy stretch of beach and a fun group of friends are really the only necessities for the success of this party. A lightweight folding table and swath of linen fabric are the base for a spread of fresh, seasonal dishes. On the menu? How 'bout a very Mediterranean cucumber, tomato & feta salad and this most-luscious marinated bean salad with grilled shrimp & watercress.

What to wear to such a summer get-together? A swimsuit of course, although a classic striped boatneck is a must to guard against the sea breezes when the sun begins to set.

Formal invites are not really necessary for a gathering this relaxed, but when the stationery is as charming as this by Mr. Boddington's Studio, you just might not be able to resist. The Wolfgang style is so fitting for an oceanic occasion with it's urchin-like pattern and inky blue script.

Arriverderci, Cass...we can't wait to hear about your adventures!

*images: {row 1} couple, bunting, compass escort cards {row 2} necklace, feathers {row 3} clementine place setting, capri, rope{row 4} map, invites, oyster, dress. all party images: roland bello. invitations: mr boddington's studio.

MAKING MY GETAWAY (IN CORAL + BLUE)

I warned you you're going to have to put up with a little pre-vacation dreaming and planning around here...

So, welcome to my first fantasy! I've got one last hotel to book on the Amalfi Coast, and I happened upon this one while perusing Mr&Mrs Smith last night. Welcome to Capo la Gala!

Their combination of modern decor with beachy flair and (hello!) those zig zag tiles in coral+blue put me over the edge! That headboard rivals the view, too!

Even the bathroom is done to perfection, incorporating coral tiles and high gloss surfaces in that same winning color combo. 

And then, you know, there's this.

And this. So that's pretty cool too. Who wants to come with me?

ESCAPE...

Good morning, beautiful people! How was the weekend?

As I promised myself, I finally took a few days to relax a bit after all the travel I've been doing and it was absolutely lovely. Of course... this girl can't stay in one place too long, which is why I spent Saturday night researching and making plans for a very exciting destination in June...

Italy!! Exactly one month from today my entire family (mom, dad and sis) will be jetting off for a few weeks in the saturated sunshine of Sicily. I'm already dreaming of the wardrobe I'll be packing and the fabulous hotels we'll be lounging in... 

Not to mention time spent on salty beaches as we make our way up to the Amalfi Coast! It's been years since I made the time to hop across the globe for a real getaway, and I cannot wait. We'll also be stopping through Calabria to visit the small town my father was born in, and - fingers crossed - spending one indulgent night in Capri just me and my sis.

Anyone have suggestions for our little escape? I'd love to hear them!

*images via pinterest, kimberly ayres, pinterest, and flickr