Weekly Inspiration

All from Elizabeth and James F/W 2010.

xx, E

Napoli

Naples, Italy is not a typical touristic destination. On a good day, Naples is best known as the homeland of many Italian-American immigrants and the birthplace of Neapolitan pizza. Try Solania's for the best pizza in the world!! This all according to my friends of course, since I cannot chow down on the gluten-filled delicacy [insert sad face here]. Naples is best known for it's crime, garbage lined streets, and as the city most heavily bombed in all of Italy during WWII. Typical of Southern Italy, Naples is a free-spirited, colorful, energetic, cultural mishmash.


As one of the most important cities for Renaissance and Baroque art, Naples was an obvious destination for my Baroque Art History at Temple University taught by Ana Tuck-Scala. As we pulled up to our first stop at Palazzo Capodimonte, Professor Tuck-Scala announced that we should be extra cautious about our belongings today because there would be many school children around. It was a Friday and all the Neapolitan public school children, frustrated with lack of government funded, decided to go on strike. A transplanted native, my professor explained to us that this sort of thing is very common in Naples. Hmmphh wonder who got the idea first, the Neapolitans or the French?

I won't bore you with all the details about the museums, so here are the highlights:

• Caravaggio's Seven Acts of Mercy in Pio Monte della Misericordia which is a personal Caravaggio favorite
• Caravaggio's Flagellation of Christ in Palazzo Capodimonte
• Caravaggio's last known work, The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula in Galleria di Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano
• Guiseppe Sanmartino's stunning sculpture Veiled Christ in Chiesa San Domenico Maggiore
• Certosa di San Martino- an old Carthusian monastery that houses some of the most beautiful Baroque paintings I have ever seen. In the church there is also a painting that some believe to be one of Caravaggio's missing works. Not a popular tourist destination, but one of the best stops on the trip. Situated on top of a hill, overlooking Naples, it offers a fantastic view of the city (see below).

View from San Martino

Gesù Nuovo

Although it is not famous for being one of Italy's must visit city's, Naples is definitely worth a stop if you are on your way to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, or Sicily. Downtown Naples has decent shopping, cheap prices, and even more knock-off designer goods. Check out the Galleria, its an exact replica of the Galleria in Milan.
xx, E

Munchenland: German for a Weekend

I headed up to Munich on my first overnight train in Europe Thursday night with a couple of friends. We thought we booked a private 3 person sleeper car, but when we got on the train we discovered we were actually booked in a 6 person sleeper car. Luckily for us, only one of the three strangers we'd be sleeping with got on the train in Rome and he spent the entire train ride in another compartment. We were already passed out by the time the other two cabin mates boarded the train in Bologna around 11 PM. This allowed us to host our own private party in our cozy compartment. A few other friends were also on the train to Munich for Oktoberfest, however they weren't lucky enough to be seated together, so we rocked out to some jams and feasted on Italian cheese, crackers, fruit, and a few bottles of wine before parting ways and hitting the hay. Despite my full belly and quenched thirst, getting a goodnight's sleep in preparation for weekend of too many one-liter brews was no easy task. 

Fresh off the train in Munich

We finally arrived around 9:00 AM Friday morning. The rest of our group didn't get in until later that afternoon so we decided to explore a few touristy spots around Munich and grab a quick bite to eat until everyone arrived.

This year, Oktoberfest was celebrating it's 200th anniversary. It was everything I ever could have imagined and more- a combination of a giant county fair with rides galore and 20+ beer tents. Besides the delicious authentic German food (think giant pretzels, bratwurst, frankfurters, schweinsbraten, and giant decorative cookies), there were carnival rides, roller coasters, and a giant ferris wheel. Important fact: the ONLY beverage served in the tents at Oktoberfest are giant liters of beer. At 8 euros a pop, beer was definitely not cheap, but a much better deal than you'll find at any fancy Western European night club and boy was it delicious!

at Hofbrau with friends Friday afternoon

Day 2, still at Hofbrau

Snacks with parents

The group I was with spent nearly all of our time in the Hofbrau tent, outside the Hofbrau tent, or trying to get in the Hofbrau tent. The Hofbrau tent is the official English speaking tent and a popular hangout for Americans, Australians, the Irish and the Brits. It was here that I ran into just about every single person I know who is abroad right now, it was definitely the place to be. Despite the apparent lack of Germans, tons of people were dressed in traditional Bavarian outfits: lederhosen for the men and dirndls for the ladies. I need a pair of lederhosen nowwww. They are absolutely adorable!
Facts about Oktoberfest:

• Largest public festival in the entire world
• Over 6 million visitors attend annually
• Isn't held in October! Oktoberfest traditionally begins the first Saturday after September 15
• 75% of attendees are Bavarian

Oktoberfest in Munich is something everyone should experience at least one time in their lives. Nothing can compare to Oktoberfest in Munich. It was definitely a trip I will never forget! Not only were the beers delicious, but so were the Germans. Makes me wish I studied abroad in Germany instead of Italy. Oktoberfest was filled with gorgeous, big, muscular German studs like I've never seen 'em before. Quite a nice change from the small and delicate, fashion-obsessed Italians I've been meeting the past month.

Happy singing Germans

xx, E

Current Obsession: Korres Yogurt Cream

Korres Yogurt Cream is by far the best face lotion I have ever used before in my entire life. I used to swear by La Prairie's Cellular Nurturing Complex Anti-Redness Cream but at $255 a pop, I couldn't exactly afford my obsession, even if it was the only thing that seemed to help rehydrate my skin without causing it to break out in the dead of a Chicago winter. I had long been trapped in a cycle of trying to keep my skin clear by drying it out with a complex combination of salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and creams prescribed by my dermatologist and then turning around and attempting to heel my peeling face with intensive moisturizers. Something needed to change, pronto.  

About two years ago, a salesclerk at Sephora introduced me to the Korres line after I told her I needed an intensive moisturizer that was oil free so that it wouldn't cause my face to breakout. Ever since I first took home Korres Yogurt Cream, my skin has cleared up dramatically. The moisturizer delivers tons of nutrients to my skin, re-hydrating and heeling it all at once, while being entirely oil free and organic. Who knew mother nature, not chemicals and artificially concocted compounds would work best? It seems to me that I consistantly have the greatest success with the most homeopathic remedies. 

Korres Yogurt Cream is made with live, edible yogurt in order to maintain the unique properties in the final product. WOWWW, now that is cool. Official product description from Korres' website:

"Ultra-soothing, non oily cream for long-lasting hydration and comfort to normal or combination yet dehydrated skin. Yoghurt, a natural source of lactose, proteins, minerals and vitamins, instantly hydrates and relieves dry skin areas. Vitamin E, Olive oil and Macadamia provide essential antioxidant protection."

The Korres skincare line first launched in 1996. It was developed in the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens using its experience with over 3,000 homeopathic remedies as a starting point. Today, Korres manufactures over 400 natural and organic certified products in 30 countries. 


A current and forever obsession. Thank you Korres.
xx, E

A Weekend on the Amalfi Coast

I woke up Friday morning slightly hungover from the night before, threw a swimsuit, jean-shorts, sunglasses, and a tee shirt into my backpack and headed off to the Amalfi Coast for the weekend with 15 of my closest friends.

We opted not to book our weekend getaway through the overpriced, overcrowded, ultra cheesy Bus2Alps tour group. We left the residence Medaglie d'Oro at 1:00 PM to catch a train out of Termini to Naples where we then took the local train, emphasis on the local (there wasn't an inch that wasn't covered in graffiti, no AC, windows that went all the way down, and lots of Italians who don't believe in deodorant), to Salerno. After an hour an a half and a few, due to a few navigational mistakes that doubled our journey, we caught a SITA bus from the seaside town up, up, up into the mountains where our hostel, Beata Solitudo, was situated. The hostel was located directly in front of the very last bus stop.

We were really in the middle of no where... 

A heard of sheep crossed through while we waited for the bus from the mountain town to Sorrento at early Sunday morning

We ventured out to find some much needed nourishment at a nearby hotel where we were treated to an amazing meal and free limoncello shots (much thanks to Colin) we finished the complimentary limoncello. Perfect start to a perfect weekend.

The next morning we woke up bright and early, took the hour long bus ride down to Amalfi and caught a ferry over to Positono and spent the day lazying around on the beach-- relaxing, drinking beers, catching some rays, and floating in the uber salty Mediterranean.

Positono

The girls and I hiked up into the town and found a cute place to get an American breakfast for our late lunch. This was definitely a highlight of the whole weekend... Italians only have "uno cafe e uno cornetto" for breakfast. Three weeks into being abroad, I was craving eggs and bacon!!

View from the top:

Me and the girls

If only I could spend every weekend on the Italian Riviera, my life would be perfect!

xx, E

Current Obsession: Jeffrey Campbell Boots

Available for purchase at Solestruck

What girl doesn't love a pair of Jeffrey Campbell shoes?  This fall, the design team at Jeffrey Campbell has outdone themselves. The Brit takes a western interpretation of the traditional motorcycle boot and it is to die for. Available in both black and brown, your Brit boots with a pair of dark denim jeggings and an oversized button down (Equipment, Gemma) or an oversized tee (T by Alexander Wang). Funk it up with a long pendant necklace or a statement ring, and blue nails. I love OPI's What's with the Cattitude? and Blue My Mind.
xx, E

Guidos in Italia

Guidos across the pond.

Two Years and Counting

This September will mark my two year anniversary being completely gluten-free! Since my nutritionist, Karen Raden, first suggested I go on a gluten-free diet, I have never felt better. Prior to going gluten-free, I spent about a year and a half getting sick to my stomach after nearly every meal. And if that wasn't the case, I sat (or more likely lay) in excruciating pain for several hours with my stomach churning, while it tried to break down the food I just ate. I had constant, never ending acid reflux that sometimes last as long as 4 days before subsiding. I remember begging my mom to take me to the hospital once because my acid reflux was so painful. I hadn't slept in days because it was too difficult to breathe if I wasn't sitting up straight. And, I was always tired. I would get home from school at 4 PM, do homework, and then shove some food down my throat before I passed out, usually around 9 PM.

My primary care doctor, along with several well-respected specialists, diagnosed me with IBS. They attributed my stomach problems to environmental and self-induced stress. I was an "A" student and a classic over-achiever, the oldest of divorced parents, and involved in many extra-curriculars. I took weekly singing lessons, saw an acting coach, and was involved with three Chicago-area theater companies, while also researching and applying to colleges in my spare time. The doctors said I fit the "classic" IBS diagnosis. I was advised to eliminate a long list of foods from my diet including: any heavy cream sauces, all spicy foods, red meat, anything with high-fructose corn syrup, all dairy including yogurt and butter, tuna, and red meat.

This left me with a very limited list of things that I could eat.  My meals consisted of plain bread, rice, chicken, bagels, oatmeal, Luna Bars, turkey sandwiches, salads, Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza with the cheese scraped off, and Chipotle burrito bowls. Karen was the first person to introduce the idea that a gluten intolerance or Celiac's Disease might be the cause of all my digestive troubles.

Now, two years later, I can say that I have never felt better! I rarely, if ever, get a stomach ache after a meal and I can finally enjoy food once again! During the past two years, there has been tons of increased awareness about Celiac's Disease and gluten intolerance throughout the United States, which has caused many food companies to pour lots of resources into the development of delicious gluten free foods! My favorite new discovery is Udi's Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread. I swear it tastes better than any bread I've ever had in my entire life (including the ones that use real wheat flour!!!). It doesn't need to be frozen, like most gluten-free breads, and it has about 70 calories per slice!!!! Even my mom loves it, and she is just about the pickiest person I know when it comes to her morning toast.

You can find Udi's at most Whole Foods and many regular grocery stores in New York City and the Chicago-land area :)

xx, E