AUTUMN IS HERE
I had a taste and I'm not letting go.
I LOVE autumn. The shorter days, cooler temps, fall colors…everything. I was lucky enough to be traveling most of September when Southern California notoriously clings to (if not finally embraces) summer. The hot days when I’m dreaming of fall are a mood buster for me. I’m always ready for the change of seasons and a trip to Italy and Switzerland provided me with everything I crave. Cloudy days, occasional drizzle, golden leaves starting to fall…it was perfect. The mood is set and I’m fully embracing it in October despite how the weather goes at home.
A quick recap of September. Following a beautiful three day wedding in Tuscany, we returned to the Dolomites for a little over a week (never enough time for me), then on to Switzerland. I got a taste of the relaxed Italian countryside, the dramatic and active pace of the Alps, and city energy from both Florence and Zurich. I ate well, shopped selectively, and pleasantly rested in a variety of hotels. A full post on trip planning will come soon. Until then, view my Instagram story highlight ITALY 9.25.
Home now, I’m reflecting on it all with a montage of memories made even more special when shared with family. There’s nothing that makes me happier.
Fashion took a back seat and packing was a breeze as most was a repeat of what I took last year to a wedding in Lake Como and the Dolomites. I looked for new dresses for the wedding events in Tuscany, but none ignited a spark. I liked what I already had more than anything I shopped for, plus knew the looks were comfortable and easy to travel with. There was no reason to shop for the Dolomites since I have all the hiking and biking gear I need from previous excursions.
But, I always have an interest in style. It presents itself unpredictably. People on the street, local boutiques, hotels, and restaurants all contribute to an ambience that stays with me. It’s a collective of small touches that make an impression I hold on to.
I wasn’t on a specific shopping mission on this trip. If something caught my eye in a shop window or I stumbled upon a flea market, I’d explore further. I prefer to purchase things I don’t see at home or online. I bought beautiful Italian notecards - both printed and plain - in Cortina. In Merano, I found a light cashmere wrap in a striking green print with a fuchsia stripe and a hat recreated from vintage Louis Vuitton pieces (wore it out of the store). Inspired from the collected decor at Ottmangut, I picked up a few decor objects from another vintage shop. Fresh off the Dolomites portion of the trip, a wooden box with a carved cottage in a forest scene immediately went in my bag and is now sitting on my nightstand.
In Switzerland, I bought two loosely knit cashmere sweaters from a brand called FFC Fashion that will be perfect for California. And of course, Swiss chocolates from Laderach. I obsessed over a book on The Alps not available in the US and finally tracked it down in a tiny boutique in Zurich. The owner was literally unpacking it as I walked in to ask about it. Crazy timing. These are the things I like to collect from a trip. Special little mementos that briefly export me mentally to a mood, a day, a reminder of a beautiful experience.
