Last weekend was the first time I haven't traveled outside of Rome since my very first weekend here! It was a nice, restful break and I took the opportunity to explore some of the city's more subtle excursions.
Friday, a group of us went to Villa Borghese - this is the uppity chic neighborhood in Rome. There is, of course, the exquisite Borghese Gallery and the surrounding luxe apartments; but the heart of this area is the enormous park smack dab in the center of this sprawling city. Situated almost literally on top of the Spanish Steps (aka retail MeCcA for couture enthusiasts like myself), gigantic trees and blossoming flora create a lush retreat mere minutes from the hustle and bustle of life in the city. This particular afternoon, I was lucky enough to attend a polo match! Piazza di Siena, located within the park, is an arena for polo matches, horse jumping shows, etc. It was so SO much fun to get dressed up, have a chilled glass of pino grigio, and watch what turned out to be a really captivating sport!
Saturday, Caro and I went to Ostia, a small beach town right outside of Rome. Unfortunately, I am too responsible to bring my camera to a place where it will face so many dangers (sand, water, sunscreen, SAND), so I dont have any photos to show you - maybe next time, I can find some sort of plastic bag thing to cover my precioussszzz my SLR and snap a few pics!
orr maybe Ill finally get my letter from Hogwarts and I can perform some kind of charm to make it water resistant.
And finally, Sunday we went to this great outdoor market place in Trastevere called Porta Portese.
it. has. everything.
Expensive, art deco inspired furniture? Oil paintings enclosed in ornate Baroque frames? Vintage issues of Italian Vogue? (I DIE. but considering each magazine ways about a pound, flying back with those babies would be pretty pricey)
Then you have your run of the mill Fay Ban sunnies and PRUDA handbags.
Its funny though, because the same vendors selling the faux designer goods are also selling what they insist is priceless jewelry handcrafted out of priceless Indian silver and priceless gemstones...... uh huh... ok... sure. yeah NO THANK YOU I would not like to give you 400 euro for.... that.. thing...
anyways, here are a few pictures that I snapped over the weekend!
polo match!
I was kind of worried about these two...
they're alive. in case anyone was wondering.
Caro, Leah, and Bonnie walking down a gorgeous allèe.
SAT vocabulary moment!! (you know you love it)
allèe: a walkway or path lined with trees
view from the edge of the gardens - bellissima!
more beautiful trees
got a hankerin' for some shells? make it easier on yourself and simply travel across the Atlantic Ocean to visit Porta Portese in Rome.
pick up some art to match your shells.
and while home decor is important in its own right, don't forget to buy something for yourself!
perhaps choose one of these drool-worthy boho cocktail rings!
little elephant earrings I bought myself!
strange? absolutely not. elephants are always in vogue.
(little or maybe not so little known fact about me - elephants are my favorite animal)
and to top off a beautiful weekend with a phenomenal Monday? Antonietta handmade me cannoli as a study snack. Anybody in the market for a wife? I'm brainstorming ways to snag her a green card so I can bring her back to America with me while avoiding an awkward run in with Big Brother for harboring an illegal alien. I wouldn't do well in prison. no elephant earrings allowed.
