Arezzo

Arezzo has been the biggest surprise for me at our stay in this region so far. It is such a beautifully ancient city, filled with architectural treasures. One of them, the church San Francesco, was build in the 13th century and contains Piero della Francesca's Legend of the true cross(1452-66),one of Italy's greatest fresco cycles.


The frescoes, now visible again after long restoration, show how the cross was found near Jerusalem by the Empress Helena. Her son, the Emperor Constantine, adopted the cross as his battle emblem. He also granted the Christian faith official recognition through the Edict of Milan, signed in 313. All is so beautifully executed, I could have sat for hours and slowly take it all in. Of course this was impossible, since there was so much else to see and we moved on after an hour.




Arezzo is one of the wealthiest cities in Tuscany, filled with antique stores and markets.





Jewellry making is a large part of the local industry and gorgeous pieces are displayed in many stores!
One can walk throughs many beautiful piazzas, one of the most impressive ones being the Piazza Grande. Truly medival in it's design, many buildings date back to the 13th century.







We dined under the handsome arcade designed by Vasari in 1573. The old Palazzo della Faternita dei Laici, right next to it, is decorated with a gorgeous relief of the Virgin by Bernardo Rossellino in 1434. One can get so absolutely absorbed into history.
Wherever you look, the city is filled with breathtaking beauty and is alive and full of acitvity. We so enjoyed our time there.


The movie 'Life is Beautiful' was filmed here. I will want to see it one more time now, seeing it under a new aspect...I loved the movie and now even more!

We will visit one more time, the city deserves a second time to stroll through it's small streets and to enjoy many more details.


Now we are back to the house in the mountains, where the weather is always different then in the valley below! Today we went up into storm clouds and now it's raining...
We are cozy inside, listening to Vivaldi and the wind outside and I get an early feeling what autumn must feel like out here!


I keep on writing my blog, this is a great way for me to preserve my memories and all my impressions are still fresh and unaltered by the passing time.
Thank you all for commenting I am so grateful for your loyal followship, soon it will be time to return home and I will catch up with all your news as well!


CIAO!
Victoria


Pictures by V.Zlotkowski, images from Piero della Francesco's frescoes via google image.

Etsy love

Book Art via EartArt. I love it!


Since I found Etsy I have enjoyed looking through many sites, found many sellers I love and have tried here and there things as gifts or useful for ourselves. I love the abundance of individual, vintage and often handmade pieces, clothing, jewelry, pottery, one of a kind furniture or artworks.... The list is long.
Today I take you to a few of the sites I found note worthy!
Let's get started!

Who has the time?



In order by seller imotime and mbartstudios.
And these small pretty things to decorate or use at tea time...


I absolutely love this tea or coffee pot. So gorgeous and the gunmetal glaze is very beautiful!
Porcelain bottle through etsyseller PigeonToeceramics, birds via redhotpottery and tea pot from juditavill.

I love a pretty set table and these tablecloth below are handmade Russian linen. I bought a square one in blue with 8 matching napkins for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary this summer. I have it embroidered with their initials and I wish they will hopefully have still many years of use for it!


Via estsy seller tablecloths!
And speaking of pretty linen I love these pillows and small linen containers:
Via WillaSkyeHome and eNanoo!


And look at these cute, environmentally friendly lunch pouches...From TheSilverBobbin!
The following can find a home in a stylish home office!

At babableu!
Which gets me thinking towards prints and letterpress items:

Via Sycamorestreetpress.
I love birds and can hardly resist these lovely prints as well!


Littlebluebirdstudios.

Via Sooooound!
And this little key chain flew all the way from London from the lovely Melanie of fourandplenty! It will go with me on our trip to Italy!!!


Then there is jewelry, so much, I just pick a few...


Via AllThingsTinsel and Cocosgreenhouse! Aren't those etsy seller's names fun? I love what sprouts in Coco's greenhouse!
And then there is fashion! More then I can get my mind around and it takes a bit to find the things I like!
But here are some of my favorites!

From 13threads! You have such pretty pieces! J'adore!

And Prizesebastian's dresses are fabulous!


Both above via YongS.

This one fascinates me with it's sparkling color and adornment! From the talented seller RawHemline.
And last but not least furniture!


Something rough and tumble via PunctureBags.



Fun from fabulousmess!
And how about the little parade for a nursery?

Via ellynelly!
And this stool had me at hello!!!


And below will conclude my travels through Etsy:


Woodguy32 has steampunk on his mind!!!

I hope you've got inspired and find your treasures on Etsy next time you go and look!


XX
Victoria




Pictures all through mentioned etsy sellers!

Show and tell

Nyack is one of my favorite destinations for walking and looking, getting garden inspirations and just having a good time by myself or with anyone who is willing to come along...
It's a lovely little town right on the Hudson, giving way to the most spectacular views over the river, pretty much across from were I live! A short ride takes me there.


I love the incredible small town charm, which is casually preserved without being in your face cute! A lively art community supports the style of hand made pieces, be it jewelry, clothing or antiques. One finds any style from Victorian to Mid Century, hip to classic. There are small cafes with creative menus, cozy and inviting restaurants and lots of nooks and crannies to discover!
This antique store gave me plenty to swoon over...check out the lovely Art Deco figurine and the handcarved polar bear!!! And those needle point dog pillows!




This Asian inspired shop 'Saffron' has many beautiful treasures, from Asian style furnture to handmade soaps and candles!



And I could not resist to show you this lovely place with its pretty lantern adorned tables...true to its name!


Scences like that can be found at every turn...





And being German I had to grin from ear to ear seeing this:



I am so going to eat there, quality control, LOL!
But before this happens, I pull you along a little further,
I found this and that lovely piece...



Those necklaces are handmade by a wonderful woman who owns a beautiful shop which I will introduce separately in a few days, since it is so fabulous and much more to say!
Now you must be exhausted and I take you to this little cafe, where we can have a cup of tea and a small bite...




Now a little walk along the pretty houses and gardens, laden with spring flowers...



Just to round the corner and to run into these flamingos...garded by those puppies...


Here is to small town diversity!

I hope you had fun to come along and perhaps you get inspired to visit a small town near you and marvel at its pretty sites!

XX
Victoria


Pictures by V.Zlotkowski