Heading south from Rome is a beautiful medieval village, Anagni. We only stayed for a night but I would love to go back and explore. It seems that the more unprepared you are and the more you don't know about a place, the more it can surprise you and exceed your expectations! Having stumbled onto our accomodation at Le Stanze del Duomo, we were completely bowled over by the beauty of the space, the views that greeted us in the morning, and an unforgettable dinner served by a mother and daughter who spoke no words of english, yet somehow through the food and wine we understood each other perfectly!

Le Stanze del Duomo

On the first Sunday of the month the Jesus Pobre farmers market on the Costa Blanca merges with the local antiques market. Spanish markets have an atmosphere that you could eat with a spoon. The usual warm, sunny weather bring everyone together in a good mood, and shopping for treasures becomes simply a by product of simply being there and enjoying yourself. I often come home empty handed but our hearts are full, whether it's from puppies that are being offered to you for free (yes really!) or the sweet older gentleman telling you stories about his wares.

Little vignettes that have caught my eye around the house in the last little while.

Phosphenes n. the stars and colors you see when you rub your eyes

It's been a summer full of traveling for weddings and for joy! Finally some time at home to go over some of the photos. Menaggio and Bellagio were beautiful, though we weren't prepared for the cold and the rain within the first 2 days, having packed about 3 bikinis, yet missing key items like long trousers or warm sweaters.

The last day more than made up for it with a refreshing swim in the lake as well as a chilled glass of prosecco in what seemed to be about the only place not charging a cover for the patio. And it was right on the lake! I was in heaven. It's the little things.

Hot sun, cold coffee, jean shorts, beach blankets and pure summer.


“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
- Henry James

A few days in London working on shoots and catching up with friends. It's so nice to be back as a visitor after living here for a few years.

Styling shoots and reveling in the summer light. the pastel colors come at you from every angle.

Making homemade lemonade at home is simple and deliciously rewarding. Try it!

• 1  cup fresh lemon juice (approx 8 lemons)
• 1/2  cup superfine sugar
• 2 cups water

“The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea. 

-Isak Dinesen

we must bring
our own light
to the
darkness.

-Charles Bukowski

On Tuesdays in Jalon on the Costa Blanca, fresh vegetables from the lovely vendors, and a cold beer in the narrow streets. La buena vida.

“This morning, with her, having coffee.”
– Johnny Cash, when asked for his definition of paradise.

I love the wine, I love the food, I love the people, I love the land. But most of all, I love the light.

Guy has been cooking up a storm of different sauces; hot, bbq, smokey, sweet and just about everything in between. Our glass recycling has found a savior.

A lovely chair found at the market for 3 euros, love at first sight.

Níspero, nipero and mespel are terms referring to certain fruit-bearing trees, or to their fruit in particular:

• Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica), the origin of the term (called Mispel in many Germanic languages, mispeli in Finnish, nespolo in Italian, etc.)
• Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), widely traded under these names today, in particular in temperate countries
• Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), often known by these terms in tropical countries in Latin America
• Manilkara huberi a tropical fruit

source: Wikipedia


Nispero season is wildly in bloom, it does feel like the official start of the warm season,the fruit hangs heavy, while the air feels light. Guy's mother makes a delicious chutney out of these little fruits, combine a cup of vinegar with dried fruits, a dash of curry powder and cook down for a good while. Heaven awaits I promise.