Years ago, my friend
Chloé introduced me to Santa Maria Novella, which has been making perfumes, skin care products and more in Florence since... 1612! I treated myself to their Acqua di Sicilia cologne, a citrus-based enchantment.
I love writing little notes and cards to friends, so I can never resist beautiful stationery. Aren't these delightful?
Italian is my favorite language. I can never get enough of its literature, so while in Italy I raided some book stores. Of course, I highly recommend Lampedusa's
Il Gattopardo, one of my favorite novels ever, with its baroque, expressive writing and its poignant insights into a nostalgic heart; if you haven't seen Visconti's adaptation,
The Leopard, watch it ASAP, no excuses. And I can't wait to read
Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini, by Giorgio Bassano - I remember watching the Vittorio Da Sica's somptuous adaptation years ago. Right now I'm still reading Italo Calvino's super quirky
Barone Rampante (
The Baron In The Trees).
Years ago, my friend Chloé introduced me to Santa Maria Novella, which has been making perfumes, skin care products and more in Florence since... 1612! I treated myself to their Acqua di Sicilia cologne, a citrus-based enchantment.
I love writing little notes and cards to friends, so I can never resist beautiful stationery. Aren't these delightful?
Italian is my favorite language. I can never get enough of its literature, so while in Italy I raided some book stores. Of course, I highly recommend Lampedusa's Il Gattopardo, one of my favorite novels ever, with its baroque, expressive writing and its poignant insights into a nostalgic heart; if you haven't seen Visconti's adaptation, The Leopard, watch it ASAP, no excuses. And I can't wait to read Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini, by Giorgio Bassano - I remember watching the Vittorio Da Sica's somptuous adaptation years ago. Right now I'm still reading Italo Calvino's super quirky Barone Rampante (The Baron In The Trees).
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21 comments:
En ce moment, je porte Musc de Chez SMDN.
Enjoy your trip.
I know you wanted to see Italy again since a long time.
Have a wonderful Journey.
You have the art to make everything look more beautiful! Great shots!
CHLOE - ah oui, ca ne m'etonne pas de toi... Pour moi le musc c'est tres capiteux et riche, je prefere les odeurs vertes et citronnees, meme pas florales.
Oooooooh, Santa Maria Novella!!! I'm jealous, I love this niche house.
Sandy
Oh, are you sure we aren't twins somehow? I cannot add to what you wrote--it's all there. SMDN A di Sicilia is my very favorite from Italy. I have dropped hints to the appropriate people for refills for birthday. (Well, if you don't tell people, you end up with endless stuff you don't want. That's my experience anyway.) I happen to like fresh florals but also citrus. Also Neroli. I used to be faithful, but life is too short:)
Il gattopardo (film) has been remastered (recently I think) & so there is no excuse for people to say, oof it crackles & pops, no I can't bear to sit through that.
As always, notecards & stationery: oui, or si, si, si.
ciao, bella!
Ps: to anonymous. Don't be jealous. Save up a little at a time & it's for sale in the US.
GIULIA - this is just UNCANNY. How ever did you come across SM Novella? In Italy?
The more I learn about you, the more we seem to have in common... I wonder what's next!
I adore little Italian niche houses like Carthusia, Il Profumo, Profumi di Pantelleria, Lorenzo Villoresi (his perfumes are gorgeous) etc. But, I'm European, so...
Gulia, I'm just kidding. I have a lot of other perfumes. :-)
Greetings,
Sandy
Me encantó este post! que hermosas tarjetas!
SANDY - I'm not familiar with Carthusia, Il Profumo, Profumi di Pantelleria, Lorenzo Villoresi, I'll try to look them up. Where do you usually find them?
Ah! Visconti's The Leopard with Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale - absolutely magical! What a lovely post!
Mary, Carthusia is gorgeous. :-) Aria di capri and Fiori di Capri are my favorites. I've tried all this stuff while I was living in Europe. But, you can try and buy them all in the USA, e.g. Beuatyhabit or The perfumeshoppe (in store/or online). There are also samples available at some online stores. :-)
Oooooh it sounds like you are having a FAB time... j'adore hearing about your trip... ENJOY!
HI Mary-Laure
Well Italia is my absolute favourite destination... I spent 2 weeks at language school in Firenze [1996] but sadly don't use it so long forgotten.. or buried somewhere..
I love all your posts and gorgeous photos of Italy... I usually post travel and often Italy but have been a bit slack lately due to internet issues...
Thanks so much for popping by.... I might have to finish up a travel post I am working on.. Italy of course!!!
Oh.. re your comment.. I think Australians are quite environmentally aware... perhaps as we have that big ozone hole looming above us...
Take care and have a great week xxx Julie
I have yet to try Santa Maria Novella perfumes. A little apothecary near my apartment stocks the line, so I'm thinking a visit is in my future. Their history is incredible!
Nasomatto is another Italian perfume line that has some exquisite scents. I adore silver musk and duro. The latter is definitely on the masculine side; I find myself gravitating toward more masculine scents of late.
Delighted to see you blogging again, my dear!
SANDY - thank you SO MUCH for these tips! To tell you the truth, Capri may be my favorite place on earth, and the thing I remember most about it is the smell of jasmine, all over the island.... I'll definitely check out those scents!
JULIE - I do hope you post about our dear Italy. Let me know if you do...
JOANNA - sounds wonderful. What's the name of the apothecary? If it's in Santa Monica, I MUST visit it.
ah, you speak Italian? Your are so talented, so many languages :-) Glad you enjoyed your trip, I love Santa Maria Novella, but sadly the closest for me is Paris or London, unless I am in Italy that is.
You make such interesting photos, and I am going to read one of the books you recommended, I am not much of an Italian reader (I am half italian, so I was raised bilingual) I prefer english although now I am reading some french, since my husband is french...I am a bit more confident now I learn more in french.
enjoy your week Mary-Laure!!
kisses!
SOLANGE - I had no idea you were half Italian! How wonderful. One of my great-grandmothers was Italian, which is probably one of the reasons why I feel such a strong connection to that country.
And yes, I love reading in Italian.
Oh, a lovely treat!
oooh... that perfume sounds and looks like a dream! must must smell one day. will very much try to remember the name.
GABBI - I am sure you can find it somewhere in LA. Unfortunately, the company's website (smnovella.it) is in construction and doesn't give a list of retail locations...
I love your blog, I think you really make everything look more beautiful, and I am glad you are updating again. I am from Italy originally but have been living in the US for years now. We share a love for travel, Russia, Italy and languages. I also love Santa Maria Novella. They actually recently opened a boutique store near where I live in Bal Harbour, Miami but I see in their web-site that they have 4 US locations, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and Bal Harbour. http://www.lafcony.com/smn/
Ciao
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