I have already been back in Milan for a fortnight now. I still have to get used to the fact I skipped a week of blogging, because I only now realise that it means I haven’t gotten the chance to tell you about the week preceding this past week. The week in which I already made the first trip of the year. A mini-trip this time: twenty-four hours in Bologna. On Thursday morning the twelfth, I left with our music curator – who is based in Paris but had been with us in Italy since Monday – for la città rossa, the red city. The reason for our trip was to attend two concerts that night, but rather unexpectedly I had also managed to organise a last-minute audition for a potential musician. It turned out to be a success, I might add. At the same time, it was a very nice opportunity for me to experience what an audition is actually like and how it’s done.
My new Saturday hobby turned out to be just perfect to turn those ideas into reality
Back from Bologna I realised that, with January almost half over, the Christmas tree really had to go. It immediately created a lot of space in the hall, for which I – obviously – already had some new ideas. My new Saturday hobby turned out to be just perfect to turn those ideas into reality: treasure hunting!
My only requirement? That they would be super pretty
Because, right here in my street, every single weekend kicks off with a market full of vintage: furniture, glassware, chandeliers, mirrors, pre-loved clothes, shoes, vinyl records and books, as well as vintage Barbies, crystals with healing powers, and yes, second-hand bicycles (from the Netherlands, the seller claimed). Thanks to the market, I come home with something new every Saturday. Last week, it was a gold, enamel fruit serving platter (which turned out to be a little bit kitsch when I got home, but oh well), a cute little picture frame and a book with a golden cover. Now I have to confess that I have no intention of ever reading the book, because despite its poetic title La Montagna della Luca (The Mountain of Light), it seems a rather heavy story to me. The reason I still bought it, was its beautiful, shiny, golden cover. In fact, I am in the process of decorating the bookshelf above the bed, and this seemed to be just what I was looking for to put my little globe (another recently found treasure) on. The effect turned out to be what I hoped it would be, although having just one book seemed a little random to me. Therefore, I decided to go back to the old gentleman in the book stall for two more books last Saturday. My only requirement? That they would be super pretty and match the book with the golden cover, of course.
The man looked at me and must have had his own thoughts (why doesn’t this young lady just read the descriptions at the back of the books?), but he politely kept quiet
I carefully studied the spines of all the books that were so neatly displayed in his stall. The man looked at me and must have had his own thoughts (why doesn’t this young lady just read the descriptions at the back of the books?), but he politely kept quiet. Eventually, I found two gems: two old books from 1975 by Enzo Biaggi with a beautiful vintage photo in colour on the front (although in 1975 they were most probably just contemporary photos) and – much more importantly – a dark blue with gold motif on the spines of the books. Upon returning home, I noted with satisfaction that the books gave exactly the effect I was looking for.
Walking into the bedroom on Monday evening, my eyes briefly glide over the photogenic and styled stack of books
And now, a few days have passed again already since last Saturday’s market and I’m finding myself once again in a new, busy week. Walking into the bedroom on Monday evening, my eyes briefly glide over the photogenic and styled stack of books from Italy’s rich literary past. Oh well, who knows, maybe I’ll get to read them someday. Somewhere between trips, auditions and treasure hunts.
Your taste in everything is detailed and wonderful. You are one genuine and beautiful lady! ❤