Just enough to upload a photo or two and write a few words before breakfast knocks on the door, all warm croissants and strong dark coffee and thick white linen wrapping….
 |
| Last night, walking home from the kids’ place just up the cobblestones road |
After we scarf it down, we’re meeting “the kids” for a day out of town. Some baby-wrangling involved.
 |
| Angel at Santa Maria dell Popolo |
This past week in Rome has been wonderful, although it’s also involved a compromise or two. And it’s the week that I suddenly hated mirrors, which have been fairly kind to me throughout our weeks away from home. Might be the contrast with two beautiful young mom as, might be the steady diet of Just Too Much, might be my greying hair. But I’m blaming the Travel Wardrobe and a shift in weather. Rome is tough to dress for. More on that later. My goal day by day is to focus on the positive and not resort to retail therapy. Trying to remember the fall clothes in my closet at home.
 |
| At the opera, my retirement gift from my generous and thoughtful colleagues. We had the box to ourselves! |
Breakfast is here. Better run. Buon giorno!
Posted with Blogsy
Lovely photo of you at the opera. What a great gift. Buona giornata Mary
Thanks, Mary. And you've added to my tiny Italian vocabulary.
I agree, the photo is lovely. You look very beautiful in your golden dress. Never mind the mirrors. Enjoy that incredible city while you are there!
Thanks, Eleonore. It's really the only way to go, isn't it?
We are all prey to sudden bursts of self doubt. They will pass. Rome will put it in perspective. I would have a gelato and a good walk.
Good advice, Annie, thanks. Done and done.
The first photo is so beautiful,artistic and ambiental. And romantic,too!
You look realy great,Frances,don't worry! Save all your concerns (falsh one,if I may say) for home and enjoy. You are here to enjoy with all your senses,even tasting all these delicious meals is a must,you have to look around,inspire yourself ,and when home, tell everything to us 🙂
I know the feeling,Italy can be overwhelming,women try their best,but when home you'll regret only the things you missed,and everything would look just perfect,trust me.
So,you are on mission,we have great hopes !
I have not been at the coast,hope that Georgia has sun in Venice
Next week I'll fly to London
Dottoressa
Thank you! I know this but it's so great to have all you readers reminding me what's truly important.
Ah, London! Truly a great city to visit. And you'll see your son there?
The light on the cobblestones is beautiful. You look lovely in your golden dress. A box would be very special.
Try to silence the self-doubt as much as you can. Happy Thanksgiving. Did you ever think that you would spend it in Rome?
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Mme. It's the first one I've ever spent out of the country. I think I'll cook a turkey when we get home…
You look fantastic in that dress! I love the top picture, so moody and evocative. I found that Romans often look impeccable, and it's hard to emulate that out of a suitcase. 🙂
Thanks, Sue. It's actually not the Romans and their dress that's a challenge, but rather their weather and their tolerance for it. I don't have enough hot/humid weather clothes–the skirts I thought would do are too summery for October, at least to me. But I'm at the end of it now….
Ah…I too know that old niggling self doubt. I feel great, tripping along in my super cool jeans (or whatever) and then I catch sight of myself in a mirror somewhere or a shop window…and go …"Wha??? Who the heck is that?" Bad trip hair will do it for me every time. Especially with my short hair on long trips, when, after six weeks, the 'do is definitely undone. That's what my sunglasses are for…wearing on my head to hide my bad hair:) I have to say, though, that you look great in that shot. Fit and trim and relaxed in your gorgeous gold dress and bangles. Happy Thanksgiving, Frances.
Yes, you've got the scenario exactly! I hate that my self-esteem can be that image-dependent and fragile, but so it is…doing my best to rise above though, and the support here certainly helps!
What a fabulous way to "visit the kids". Suggest you give yourself the Travel Exemption- remember locals have their entire wardrobes to choose from. As for trip hair, (from another curly girl) sometimes all you need is a good deep conditioner. And i agree with others, you look •terrific• in that shot, not just OK- terrific!
Yes, I'm giving myself a Travel Wardrobe Pass. And you're right, my curls are just behaving differently what with the cut, the lack of colour, and the different water. It's all a good lesson in acceptance. Thanks!
The colours in the photo of you are lovely…it would make a beautiful portrait…'Woman at the Opera: Rome' :).
I'm leaving Saturday and it is Paris first, then Venice and Rome. I have hopes for clear skies and sun but must be practical, so with my arthritic feet need to pack rubber boots to accommodate orthotics. Squashes the hope of bella figura a bit.
You (or your daughter) probably already know, but just in case, there is a wonderful toy shop "Al Sogno' at the north end of Piazza Navona. The window displays are magical.
Thank you! I'm making a note of the toy store for next visit. My daughter loves it but never thought to show me yet (or perhaps thought I'd misinterpret as hinting 😉.
We will be in Paris on Saturday as well and a day or two after. Perhaps we'll cross paths. Good weather would be nice, but I've had my share this trip so will take what Paris offers…
I loved the picture of you in the previous post (wanting your shirt – where is it from ?), I think you can forget about the mirrors!
Aw, thank you Marie-Odile! If you mean the navy, short-sleeved shirt, it's J Crew.
The gold dress! I love it, and you look excellent. And cities will do that to one's sense of wardrobe. The minute I get to an elegant city – New York, Paris, London, I'm always like, "Wait! THAT'S what I needed to wear!" Each place has its own lexicon and references, we can't know them from a distance.
Exactly. And it's just not possible to dress the way I'd like to from a carry-on capsule designed to get me through 7 weeks. Compromise is the only way this works. So…
Five words: wild head scarf, huge sunglasses. Mysterious and chic at the same time. Other than that, the trick is not to stop moving so you don't have to focus on what you look like – you are a blur. Ha. You look gorgeous in your private box! What a thoughtful gift.
Okay, I'm on it! Wait, don't I need a crazy caftan as well?
And yes, it was ever so thoughtful a gift. I loved it!
I think you look fantastic – so rested! But I understand that Just Too Much thing. I've been on that cleanse for almost 2 weeks, but I went insane with the booze and pie this evening. I blame Thanksgiving.
Yep. I keep thinking I might stop with the wine, but, y'know, Italy? And France?
Happy Blame-worthy Thanksgiving!
You look lovely, as always. Could it just be a teensy touch of ennui de valise that has got you turning away from the mirror? Too few garments, too familiar, too not-quite-Roman? Must admit I felt the same when I had a few days in Rome. I thought I had devised a rather effective capsule wardrobe – all navy and white with the odd bit of coral – but, amidst the soignee Roman women in their barely there shades of neutral, I felt like a hick in dayglo. Had to remind self that they looked so stunning because they were dressed for their normal – to suit their colouring and lifestyle – and dressed for my normal I probably didn't look too bad. I am sure it is the same with you.
But Melanie's headscarf and sunglasses is definitely one to adopt. Bravo. I just knew I'd learn something useful if I took a break from lecture prep.
Love it! Ennui de valise is precisely the syndrome! I would love to have a small sign explaining that I can do much better at home…😉
Susan Burpee said well, and Ceri's expression "ennui de valise" is perfect! I'll echo the praise for the opera photo – you're gorgeous. What a great gift from your colleagues.
You look great in the Opera photo! Like Lorrie I think Sue Burpee summarised the feeling perfectly! As a fellow curly haired traveller I really do empathise! I hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving with your family and enjoy your last few days in Paris
Rosemary
Love the lights on the night-time street. And you at the opera. Such magic there,.