Moda Mania

Well, it was substantially colder in Italy than I anticipated, and we all know how climate impacts fashion. Leave it to me to pack lots of cute, little cotton jackets, cotton tees, sleeveless shirts and dresses for night time and merely one tiny cashmere shrug. So I either ended up borrowing mom's blanket-like shawl or layering, until I could buy something that would keep me a little warmer. In Positano, the shopping was pretty pathetic—lots of Miami-esque glittery linen type garments or overpriced designer merch.

The value of the dollar was piss poor. Amalfi, however, boasted some great buried treasures.

First, I found a fabulous, plain black, leather, wide belt for like 7 Euros. Next I found this woven wool sweater thingy to keep me warm, and last I discovered this amazing, super trendy necklace with semi-precious stones. It can be worn long or doubled up. I am wearing all three of my Amalfi finds in this pic:



Next stop, an outlet mall on our way to Rome; our driver, Rino, was cool like that. I had been wanting a cool pair of sneakers and I managed to find these groovy, black Costume National ones at the outlet mall.


Final destination: Rome, where Via Condotti is the equivalent of 5th Avenue, but the prices are substantially higher thanks to the damn Euro. The last time I went to Italy was in the good ol' days of Lire, so it was quite a shock to the system to see how thin my shopping money would be stretched. Nonetheless, I managed a couple good finds on Via Condotti.

First, and I know you're saying, "Good god, the last thing this girl needs is another handbag." But hear this: You can never be too rich, too thin or have too many designer handbags and shoes.

I just fell in love with this adorable little Yves St. Laurent wristlet. And I actually don't have a small, white, evening bag, so my demented designer brain functioning is thus justified.



Finalmente, this cute little tee at Gianfranco Ferre. It's appropriate for this trip, as it has a map of the Amalfi Coast on it and reads, "I want to live my life, not record it." Plus the back is really cute too. Love polkadots.


I'm wearing it in this pic with my very Hollywood-looking bro . . .




and in these you can see the whole shebang:






But the speed-shopping prize goes to mom, who, in an 11th-hour hail mary pass managed to score a fab frock at Etro in the Rome airport, just outside our gate, as our plane was literally boarding. It was hands-down the quickest sartorial decision I've ever seen her make. Cute, signature paisley-print, lightweight trenchcoat. It rains a lot in Florida you know. . . .

Thursday I am off to Miami to cover Miami fashion week, so I will have more fashiony stuff next week. Though no more shopping. I am soo done. Unless there are really good sales at Bal Harbour . . .