"A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past. The condition of being homesick."
That's the definition of nostalgia.
Can a person be homesick when she hasn't left her home yet?
Yes.
I am. Right now.
I'm in the final phase of packing after a couple of weeks spent in Milan - you might imagine I'm moving with the whole furniture, since packing is requiring so much time,but actually I'm not: it's just a couple of armchairs and a big bookshelf. And a big, huge, amount of stuff.
Tomorrow morning people will come and bring all my stuff to Milan in a new (temporary) little apartment, and looking at empty shelves and drawers is making me nostalgic.
This has been the first house I've shared with my BF and we have a lot of funny memories here, mostly due to the lack of space and the constant presence of boxes and beads everywhere.
This little house has been so comfy and heartwarming, and this city has welcomed me back after 3 years and given me so much joy. I'll miss it a lot.
Positive thinking: our new house has a balcony with access to the garden. It's hidden from everyone's eyes but still it's reached by the sun, so I'm planning nice evenings on my Ikea armchair sipping tea and reading. Or beading.
I'm also thinking about planting some flowers and herbs, hoping my famous green thumb won't let them die.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Leopard bow
Yesterday night I was watching a movie, when internet let me down.
And wouldn't come back. Which makes me think about my next post...
So I started beading and this is the result:
I've been wanting to experiment a leopard pattern for a while, but while making the bow I realized it's much easier if you "improvise".
These bows are so nice, you can also use one on a shirt as a tie or as brooche.
Maybe it would be wiser to list them as they are and let people tell me how to customize them.
And wouldn't come back. Which makes me think about my next post...
So I started beading and this is the result:
I've been wanting to experiment a leopard pattern for a while, but while making the bow I realized it's much easier if you "improvise".
These bows are so nice, you can also use one on a shirt as a tie or as brooche.
Maybe it would be wiser to list them as they are and let people tell me how to customize them.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Marcia De Coster Disco Squares Bracelet
Between my calls to get electricity into the new house and some more packing, I managed to finish this gorgeous bracelet
It's Marcia De Coster's Disco Squares Bracelet
I used random beads in my stash but I really love the result. It makes me feel spring is really coming after all!
It's Marcia De Coster's Disco Squares Bracelet
I used random beads in my stash but I really love the result. It makes me feel spring is really coming after all!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Elegant 1800
I just come back from Rovigo, a city 1/2 hour from Padua, where I saw a wonderful exhibition called "L'ottocento elegante" - The elegant 1800.
It was a display of (mainly) feminine portraits with many references to Moroccan and Japanese influences typical of that period.
Being addicted to period costumes, I really enjoyed it.
A good choice of paintings, divided into different themes, one for each room.
It was a pity I couldn't see another exhibition in a city nearby, with an amazing display of Fortuny's clothes.
I hope I'll manage to go before moving to Milan.
It was a display of (mainly) feminine portraits with many references to Moroccan and Japanese influences typical of that period.
Being addicted to period costumes, I really enjoyed it.
A good choice of paintings, divided into different themes, one for each room.
It was a pity I couldn't see another exhibition in a city nearby, with an amazing display of Fortuny's clothes.
I hope I'll manage to go before moving to Milan.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japan
I've been really speachless these days watching pictures like this and constantly reading the news.
Yesterday my laptod just died out of the blue, when I needed it the most to organize the moving and receive documents for the new house, not to mention I need to find a job quickly to pay for it. My boyfriend and I had issues with 2 real estate agencies so we're now so messed up and will spend more money than we actually have because of incompetent and untrustworthy people. You can say I'm pissed off, sad and angry.
And then I watch these photos and remember that at least I have a house, more than one - and I realize how stupid I am to complain.
I've always been dreaming of visiting Japan and was near to actually doing it a couple of times, but jobs and money made me postpone it.
The beauty of this country, of its language, traditions and the big heart of its people have always attracted me so much that I can't stop thinking about the danger it's involved in.
If you want to give a hand you can find useful links here or you can even buy handmade on Etsy choosing from some sellers that decided to donate some of their creations to this cause - you can find them here.
I hope to join this group very soon.
Friday, March 11, 2011
EBW March Challenge - Fashion Through the Ages
This month I didn't have time to partecipate to the EBW challenge - I tried though.
The theme is amazing, "Fashion Through the Ages" and here is the mosaic:
I wanted to choose the 20's or 30's and I see they're a lot of people's favorite periods ^_^
I was even thinking about making a beaded cloche, or a headband. I started a couple of projects, but had to stop to go to Milan and see houses (won't talk about that again, promise) and to pack all my stuff.
Half of my beads have been already packed, which is pretty sad since the moving has been postponed for a couple of weeks.
I'm now trying to make something nice for the Spring swap and to think about next challenge, but I'm not sure I'll be able to partecipate again.
Meanwhile don't waste your time: go to Etsy Beadweavers blog and vote for your favorite, you have time until the 15th!
The theme is amazing, "Fashion Through the Ages" and here is the mosaic:
I wanted to choose the 20's or 30's and I see they're a lot of people's favorite periods ^_^
I was even thinking about making a beaded cloche, or a headband. I started a couple of projects, but had to stop to go to Milan and see houses (won't talk about that again, promise) and to pack all my stuff.
Half of my beads have been already packed, which is pretty sad since the moving has been postponed for a couple of weeks.
I'm now trying to make something nice for the Spring swap and to think about next challenge, but I'm not sure I'll be able to partecipate again.
Meanwhile don't waste your time: go to Etsy Beadweavers blog and vote for your favorite, you have time until the 15th!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
New home - part2
Tomorrow we have a 2nd round in Milan looking at houses.
By now I don't completely dislike what I saw, I really loved 1apartment but the kitchen was so tiny, no table, no dish rack, well no space at all to move!
After seeing brown bathroom fittings in 1 house (and I mean: "chocolate" brown) I came back home and looked at my apartment under a different light.
It's tiny, it's full of (my) stuff, but everything's new and it doesn't feel like living in an ancient house. Being in the very centre of the city I believe the building is pretty old, but you'd never tell.
In Milan things are different.
Most of the buildings were built in the 40's or 60's and you can actually guess their age buy looking at them, especially at the furniture.
Not that I don't like some good piece of furniture from the 70's :) maybe not with brown&yellow together or blue/yellow tartan couch...but really, I don't think it's a good idea to rent a house whith stinking, old furniture that will break at the first use.
Ok, for today I've complained enough!
Wish me luck for tomorrow!
By now I don't completely dislike what I saw, I really loved 1apartment but the kitchen was so tiny, no table, no dish rack, well no space at all to move!
After seeing brown bathroom fittings in 1 house (and I mean: "chocolate" brown) I came back home and looked at my apartment under a different light.
It's tiny, it's full of (my) stuff, but everything's new and it doesn't feel like living in an ancient house. Being in the very centre of the city I believe the building is pretty old, but you'd never tell.
In Milan things are different.
Most of the buildings were built in the 40's or 60's and you can actually guess their age buy looking at them, especially at the furniture.
Not that I don't like some good piece of furniture from the 70's :) maybe not with brown&yellow together or blue/yellow tartan couch...but really, I don't think it's a good idea to rent a house whith stinking, old furniture that will break at the first use.
Ok, for today I've complained enough!
Wish me luck for tomorrow!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
First: finding a new home
My BF and I have been scrolling down thousands of house ads. I'm sure it's the same all around the world, and it's not the first time for me; but I'm always amazed about what people can call an "apartment". Obviously we have a different definition.
And, if your house is like the ones below, no offence: I just think you should show the best if you put an ad on the web.
I don't understand why people make such bad pics
or sometimes they just show you a corner of the bathroom and that's all
(and let's not talk about the ceiling....)
Or the house is a complete mess
Or they show you the street, in the worst area of the city.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!
And this is only the beginning, I'm sure we'll laugh a lot when we'll actually see them.
And, if your house is like the ones below, no offence: I just think you should show the best if you put an ad on the web.
I don't understand why people make such bad pics
or sometimes they just show you a corner of the bathroom and that's all
(and let's not talk about the ceiling....)
Or the house is a complete mess
Or they show you the street, in the worst area of the city.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!
And this is only the beginning, I'm sure we'll laugh a lot when we'll actually see them.
Moving
The day after our 1st anniversary in this house my boyfriend got a call - he's got a job...in Milan. A pretty good one.
I'm not sure I can bear another relocation...especially after only one year, several months of which were spent only to empty boxes!
When I left Milan last february I was pretty sure never to go back there again, but I also knew it'd be really hard for the both of us to find a job anywhere else.
Good news: a bigger house (I hope) and all the friends I had left in Milan.
When I moved here my best friend moved in the same period from a city around here to Milan, so maybe we'll finally be together again since College time!
Plus I'll be able to visit Claudia Cattaneo shop and maybe take a class with her to learn bead embroidery properly!
Bad news: all the green and the nice places around here, the long walks under the arcades, the jogging in the park along the river...gone.
Back to the "gray city"!
I'm not sure I can bear another relocation...especially after only one year, several months of which were spent only to empty boxes!
When I left Milan last february I was pretty sure never to go back there again, but I also knew it'd be really hard for the both of us to find a job anywhere else.
Good news: a bigger house (I hope) and all the friends I had left in Milan.
When I moved here my best friend moved in the same period from a city around here to Milan, so maybe we'll finally be together again since College time!
Plus I'll be able to visit Claudia Cattaneo shop and maybe take a class with her to learn bead embroidery properly!
Bad news: all the green and the nice places around here, the long walks under the arcades, the jogging in the park along the river...gone.
Back to the "gray city"!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Starfish & Turquoise necklace
Haven't been posting for a while, but I'm still trying to figure out how to get some order in my little house! After me&my boyfriend came back here from our very long Xmas holyday in our hometown, there's such a mess.
But today I almost finished my new necklace:
Now all I need is a nice toggle and it'll be ready for my etsy shop.
I'm also trying to make Marcia De Coster's Urchin Lariat, with some alteration. The problem is I started with some beautiful tones of blue and turquoise, which I love but never wear...so guess it'll be a nice gift for someone!
But today I almost finished my new necklace:
Now all I need is a nice toggle and it'll be ready for my etsy shop.
I'm also trying to make Marcia De Coster's Urchin Lariat, with some alteration. The problem is I started with some beautiful tones of blue and turquoise, which I love but never wear...so guess it'll be a nice gift for someone!
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