Tea for Witches...

What a strange day here in Buenos Aires...

So many reasons for it to be so...

I ended my week of Benefits going to the Magical Tea organized by Make-a-Wish, the International Foundation that works to make true the dreams of sick children, as it is proven that the joy of receiving what they so much wished actually generates a healthy evolution in their conditions.

The President of Make-a-Wish Argentina, Mónica Parisier, brought the chapter to Argentina in the year 2002 and since then, with lots of effort, has made true 3300 dreams, a world record. It's not easy to raise the money and many dreams are indeed expensive (traveling, meeting artists from abroad, etc.), but these people somehow achieve it.

And today Make-a-Wish organized a Magical Tea in the salons of the Palacio Duhau, specially decorated in a Halloween spirit by Martin Roig, since we are two days away of the day to celebrate witches...

And what could be best than celebrate with us, almost 200 guest-witches?

Many women, an exquisite tea specially created for the occasion by Tealosophy and a huge amount of prizes to draw among guests, all of them donated by the many sponsors of Make-a-Wish: jewelry from Jean-Pierre, products from Dior, clothes by Awada, gel douche by Karina Rabolini, stays and dinners at the Hotel Panamericano and others I do not remember now...

I didn't win anything this time, but it's how it should be.

We also had a runway show featuring the Spring-Summer collection of Max Mara.

Everything was impeccable and there was even a group of real witches that read Tarot on demand, to all those willing to know their future!!

COAS (part 2)

P.S. 2: It seems I was really tired yesterday when I wrote my post after the Gala... I forgot to mention the hilarious performance by Juan Pablo Geretto as a school teacher... so funny!!

You can see a video of the Gala by clicking here.

I won a watch at COAS' Benefit Gala!!!

Tonight I had another Benefit Dinner, one of those you can miss... that of COAS.

I have a strong bond with all the women working for COAS (Cooperadora de Acción Social), memories and many dinners together... In fact, more or less 17 years ago, when we first moved to our house in Buenos Aires (were I still live), we offered our salons and living for a Benefit cocktail to raise funds for COAS. Its President then was Daisy Chopitea, a great lady who I saw again tonight with deep pleasure. After that cocktail of 1993, I think I missed very few of their Galas. Its always an honor to help such good, honest and determined people that do good to so many as the volunteers that work for COAS. With the money and donations they raise, they buy beds, ultrasound machines and medical equipment to the neediest hospitals in our city.

As usual, tonight's dinner was a huge success. Lots of people (I calculated around 600 to 700), a brilliant speech by Ani Mestre de Sambrizzi, COAS' new President, and another by Mauricio Macri, mayor to Buenos Aires. 

But the dinner was also a good excuse to pre-open the 33° Feria de las Naciones, to be held from November 5th to the 15th. For those of you who can not go the the Rural those days, you can buy the same products and collaborate with COAS by entering their site. 

And, for the first time in my life, I won a Jean-Pierre watch on the giveaway among guests! I can't believe it!!

Of course, there were many beautiful women, starting with the future Mrs. Macri, Juliana Awada, who wore a long white dress embroidered with stones and her hair, tied into a very 1920's bun. Catherine Roemmers had a long black sequined dress and Louboutin shoes. Karina Jelinek, very pretty, used a short blue sequined dress and Ani Mestre de Sambrizzi picked a short leopard dress, that looked great on her and was very into the trends seen in Europe. Evelyn Scheild wore a short black one and I found it fitted her perfectly.

There were so many women I can not remember more!

As for me, before I finish this post, I wore a gold dress with blue and red embroidery by Oscar de la Renta (of course). As a friend of mine said... very Egyptian. I leave you a picture taken at home, before heading to the party...

So, to bed now, it's 1 am... See you soon.

P.S.: I forgot to tell you about the beautiful decoration and mood designed masterfully by Martin Roig. So difficult to achieve something like it in such a big place, but he did it.

And also some words about the food, never so tasty! And for so much people!

Benefit Gala for the Hospital de Clínicas...

Freshly arrived into a Buenos Aires already enjoying its Spring time, with the jasmines under my house in bloom (they usually show their flowers by October 25th), I pushed myself into the social world and tonight I went to a classic event: the Benefit Gala held to raise funds to help the Hospital de Clínicas.

As usual these past years, it was held at the Four Seasons Hotel, with a previous cocktail on their Mansion. As Black Tie was the dress code suggested, men wore tuxedos and women were mostly in long dresses. As it happens, there was much more people than usual, and Gabriel Oliveri, manager to the Four Seasons, confirm to me that in fact they had to add tables... more tables, more money to the Foundation supporting the Hospital. Good news!! Its President, Mercedes von Dietrichstein de Zamborain, is an amazing and incredible woman and she's been working hard for so many years to raise funds for such an important health center to our city. She's supported by a Board and a group of wonderful volunteers... in fact, all the food catered tonight (exquisite) was donated by Lily de Sielecki, something that happens every year, in every of their Galas. There were amazing prizes drawn among the attendees too: stays at luxury hotels, jewels, clothes and even a box at the Teatro Colón, to see Buenos Aires' Philarmonic Orchestra... all of them donated for the Gala!!

Attendance was assorted and interesting, from politicians like Scioli and Macri, with their wife and wife-to-be, both very beautiful and elegant, to Graciela Borges, godmother to the Gala, and Viviana Canosa, who was seated at my table and who I found "très chic," more so than on TV.

And of course, all the socialites from Argentina were there, from traditional families to new riches (this meant not with disregard, of course!).

The DJ of the night was, as usual, Héctor Suásnabar, and the food was excellent... as dessert, we had a chocolate moulleux that was to die for... I did not eat it, but did smell it.

My dress, before you ask, was a fuchsia Oscar de la Renta, strapless.

The best of it all for me?

When someone eating at my table said that he read my blog and that he really liked it and make him laugh... What joy!!

You can check the party by clicking here.

The last McQueen...

Fashion shows are over... now it's easy to move around town. Many of the black Mercedes, which filled all the hot spots to be, such as the Ritz, the Place Vendôme, les Tuilleries or the Trocadero, have disappeared. There's much less beautiful girls around and it's easier to get a table at the Costes. During ten days 91 collections were presented and many did not sleep... There were two or three big parties, as that of Roberto Cavalli or French Vogue's 90th Anniversary, or Grazia Francia's first year at the Opera Garnier. Paris proved once again that it is the Capital of the FASHION World, and no-one deserves the title more.

I've been to Alexander McQueen's runway show, whose collection was designed by Sarah Burton, his assistant for more than 10 years. And she didn't let us down: you could breath McQueen's spirit in the air, so pre-raffaelite, hard to wear but totally beautiful and imaginative. In the front row were Salma Hayek and his husband Francois-Henry Pinault, owner of McQueen. 

I also loved Marc Jacobs' collection for Louis Vuitton, a very Shangai 1930 style, colorful and original. I was disappointed by YSL's, borring and a lousy copy of the true Saint Laurent.

Of Chanel's 88 looks, presented on an incredible show orchestrated by Karl Lagerfeld, I only liked 10. 

Finally I'll tell you that Summer 2011 will be one full of color, with some Oriental reminiscences, long skirts, flat heels and the hippie Seventies as inspiration...

The rest is for us to decide... right?

McQueen, by Sarah Burton.

Louis Vuitton, by Marc Jacobs.

Giambattista Valli's show...

It's still raining in Paris, but we, "fashionistas," are unstoppable!! We still go out on our high heels, improbable looks and never get tired of it... it's what Fashion Week's about!!!

Today I went to the runway show of Giambattista Valli. who is a very talented young designer I've been following for quite some time now. As he is Italian, there were lots of Italian fashion socialites, as most of the "IT" young girls of the moment: Margherita Missoni, Bianca Brandolini d'Adda, Tatiana Santo Domingo... all of them wear lots of Valli. Charlotte Dellal was also there. She is a young shoe designer from England and I can tell she'll have a huge success. Her brand, Charlotte Olympia, is already famous and has very original designs.

Back to the show, this time I arrived rather late, just one minute before starting. The room was already dark. I was seated on the front row (it's very important to be on the front row... no one confesses it, but I tell you it is so) and when the show began and the lights were on, I realized I had two very different neighbors: on one side, Regine, the famous owner of the Regine's clubs (she's almost 80 now, but always full of life) and a weird guy with a tattoo all over his head, imitating his hair... I then found out that he was Francois Sagat, the king of gay porno films!!! As you can see, during Fashion Week, you can run into Di Caprio or a porno actor and is this variety what makes Paris unique.

The collection was nice... lots of beige, flat sandals and ponytails. Much of what I've seen everywhere else... It must be the trends I guess, what can I say?

I feel disappointed because of the heels, but I'll find some kind of solution...

For now, we'll keep trotting around in mine from one show to the other...

PS: For those who want to know, I wore a blue marine and black Alaïa dress, a Prada coat and Gucci sandals.

Lanvin's runway show...

Challenging the rain, Paris' chaotic traffic on a Friday afternoon (terrible!) and all possible inconveniences, I went to the XIII arrondissement, more precisely to Halle Freyssenet, to see Alber Elbaz's Spring-Summer 2011 collection for Lanvin.

As I have told you before, Paris' Fashion Week is an event in itself. To begin with, stars blend in all through the city, so you can end up having lunch at the Ritz in a table next to that of Leo di Caprio, as it happened to me this Wednesday, or go to Roberto Cavalli's 40th Anniversary party (in fashion, not in life...), or French Vogue's 90-Years Celebration, surrounded in both by a "parterre" of actresses and incredible models.

So, on the runway show, I was seated among the greatest fashion editors in the world (Carla Sozzani, Anna Wintour, Anna Dello Russo, Carine Roitfeld... always the same!!) and next to a very-handsome Lenny Kravitz. Just in front of me I had Janet Jackson, with a young boyfriend (a cougar?) and three huge bodyguards protecting her from the view of others... of course, they left when the show started, for if not, she would have seen nothing, right?

This time we had a delay of an hour and 15 minutes, but it was worth it. The show started a little "sottotono" to me... lots of nude and beige, hair pulled backwards, almost no make-up and, to make it worst, flat gladiator sandals!!

Then things shifted a bit and so did the heels, together with powerful colors in draped dresses. The finale was amazing, with fantastic modern embroidered pieces and long dresses, very Seventies, with huge interesting front cuts.

A special remark for the jewelry: big ribbons mounted on beige leather necklaces or belts... bellissimos!

At the end, all 50 models appeared together to Burt Bacharach's song "Always Something There to Remind Me," remixed by Ariel Wiessmann, followed by the adorable Alber Elbaz, always timidly saluting the audience that, as usual, gave him an ovation.

Always a true pleasure...

Blue... blue...

Yesterday, Milano's Spring-Summer 2011 Fashion Week came to an end and it will start tomorrow here, in Paris... Last stage, till October 9th, of this Fashion caravan that began in New York several weeks ago...

Obviously Paris always has the last word, but we can start to single out the most important trends already. It's mainly fashion for a hippie / bohemian woman, with lots of long skirts and fringes (see Cavalli's and Pucci's), or a true romantic one, with white dresses with lace (Dolce & Gabbana). The 15 cm-high heels we've become so used to now, are beginning to disappear, replaced by low strappy sandals (gladiators... again!!).

Bold colors still dominate, specially blue and turquoise, seen mainly in Versace's and many American and Italian collections.

My favorites so far?

I liked the gowns of Oscar de la Renta, always excellent when it comes to elegant designs. I loved Proenza Schouler, because of the choice of color and tailoring. I was surprised, as usual, by Prada, with her very original dresses. I felt in love again with Dolce & Gabbana, which had me quite bored lately, because of their white dresses with lace... And I was intrigued by the collection of Peter Dundas' for Pucci.

I have many invitations for the shows in Paris: Lanvin, Giambattista Valli, YSL, Alexander McQueen...

I'll keep you posted...

(Cavalli)

(Pucci)

About showing respect to others...

With some disappointment I've been reading the comments sent these past days to my previous post on the Argentine runway show in Paris, specially against Mariana Nannis and her daughter Charlotte...

Dear readers, just a question... why such bitterness towards them?

Why can't we accept the diversity of aims in each others lives? Why must we all want and do the same?

I do not know Mrs Nannis, have never spoken to her, but I am conscious that her ostentations and way of life (which I do not share) may feel violent, specially in a country as Argentina (but truly not only there), where living is hard to many and the economic crisis has had its consequences...

But let's try to judge everything with a more enjoyable eye... She has her show, her own reality TV program. And instead of getting angry, laugh if you want, but do not let resentment find its way... 

Better have a laugh and think of something else... There are so many interesting things in the World to see...

Argentine noon in Paris...

With lots of joy and illusion, today at noon I crossed the whole of Paris, from my 8th arrondissement to the unknown (at least, to me) Rue Fontaine au Roi, in the 11th arrondissement... so far away from home! But be it all to witness the runway show of dear Argentine designers and friends, all gathered to participate in this event.

Invited by the French Government, the usual participant of the BAAM, the famous Salón de la Alta Costura, organized every year at the Sheraton Hotel of Buenos Aires by the tireless Héctor Vidal Rivas (mythical stylist to many TV stars in Argentina), showed really good collections, that caught the attention of many...

They were (in order of appearance) Laurencio Adot, who brought Carolina Baldini as guest model-vedette and showed really nice dresses, mainly in salmon and one splendid long black gown, with transparencies, which I loved.

Then came Sylvie Burstein, who in Argentina used to run the Maison Nina Ricci, and has that sheer light style in pastels that looks so chic.

It was then the turn of Claudio Cossano, who dressed Mariana Nannis (Where did she come from? Someone told me from Marbella) and her daughter, whose name I do not remember.

After him, Verónica de la Canal presented her precious and embroidered corsets, all really eye-catching.

A special mention deserves EA MODA (which stands for Escuela Argentina de Moda) with their seven creations, inspired in the essence of Argentina, using, for example, leather of different colors to reproduce the houses of la Boca, or precious stones and crystals in a long dress imitating our flag.

My congratulations to those who did the casting of the models... they were mainly Russian, beautiful, perfect, professionals, all of who knew how to give value to the pieces they were carrying with elegance and grace.

A note also to the hair-dos, classic and perfect, and the make-up, delicate and "soignée."

For the finale, it was the turn of Jorge Ibañez, who I knew little and thought that he only dressed vedettes from Argentina. But how wrong I was! He showed seven really good looks and a "mise en scène" with Ingrid Grudke, dressed as Evita Perón, first with her tailleur of skirt, hat and feathers, imitating the gestures of Argentina's most popular icon. Then she walked a copy of the Dior dress she used when she did an official travel to Europe in the 50s, strapless, with an embroidered corset and a tulle skirt in grey and silver... All this, to the sound of "Don't cry for me, Argentina," in Spanish and English, and with the voice of Antonio Banderas... I was really touched.

Is it maybe because my heart is truly Argentine and misses home? Who knows...

But the thing is I had a really nice time, meeting friends of so many years, and proud to see that, in spite of the many problems, lack of materials and fabrics, and economic crises, Argentine designers were able to show their talent and travel fearless to Paris, the sophisticated capital of Fashion, to show with success their creations in the 11th arrondissement...

A pleasure...

Spring-Summer 2011 Collections...

Precise as a Swiss clock, the Spring-Summer 2011 Collections began, this week-end, their very long journey with New York's first runway shows.

As usual. they'll follow up in London, Milano and finally Paris, by the beginning of October.

Which will the key items be? What will designers propose us this time to push us madly toward stores to spend our savings on a suit, a dress or a pair of sandals?

It must be hard for them... we have gotten so used now to recycling, shortening, modifying or pairing in new ways all the pieces of our wardrobe. Two years of economic chaos have done much to fashion... We no longer buy just because, we double-check before a "coup de coeur," and we privilege smart-bargains over Haute Couture. But the fashion business must go on, it means a stable job for many and it will never end so easily...

So then. let's see what they all have to give...

For now, I've only seen Victoria Beckham's Collection, which was ok, not very exciting though. It felt like a "déjà vu" to me...

But there's still so many collections to see...

And we, women, will always find something to wish for...

Victoria Beckham's runway show...

Biutiful...

Although I've just got to Paris, where Fall is timidly showing off (18°C), I've decided to go to a private screening of "Biutiful," Alejandro González Iñárritu's new movie.

After Amores Perros, 21 grams and Babel, Iñárritu brings us here a true masterpiece of realistic cinema... but...

Two notes:

1) It is possibly the hardest, darkest and cruelest movie I've ever seen in my entire life...

2) Javier Bardem, the lead actor in the film, is definitely the largest and most talented living actor... He deserves every Academy Awards to come...

As we met outside of the theatre, my sister and I, together with some friends, had our throats choked with tears which we could not let go...

What is it about?

This is the story of a lonely man, Uxbal, who, living in a rotten, dirty and corrupt yet lovely Barcelona, has to face the fact that he is dying of a terminal disease and has nothing to leave to his two children, who he adores. In the need for quick money he mingles with Chinese and Africans. The first produce fake designer bags in a window-less underground workroom. The latter sell them downtown, always avoiding getting caught by the police. A true universe of misery...

The mother of the children, Marambra, is a bi-polar mental woman, totally crazy and unable to handle the kids.

Uxbal is dying but selling fakes, the misfortunes (so many!) of those around him and his need for money leave him no time to pity himself...

And he is continuosly haunted by memories of his father, who he never knew...

I won't tell you more... You must see "Biutiful" although there's nothing beautiful in it.

You have to see it because it is a slap on the face that shows us a cruel reality that, although it exists, we usually don't want to see...

A special remark for young Maricel Alvarez, who plays the role of Marambra, a fantastic actress I did not know but, after reading the press booklet given to us, I found out that she's from Argentina! She's been working in theatres mainly and this has been her first movie. Iñárritu was two days from begining production and still had no actress for this role, when he received Maricel's resumé. In less than 24 hours he made her travel all the way from Buenos Aires and in just two minutes he realized she was the one to play Marambra...
Oh, and I don't want to forget to mention Gustavo Santaolalla's original soundtrack, another Argentinian contributing to create a movie masterpiece...

See, after all, I did find something beautiful, right?

Websites for good shopping...

I think you already know them... but, as you keep asking which are my favorite ones, here's a list of them...!!

Beauty products:

- skinstore.com

- spalook.com

- dermstore.com

- SkinCareRX.com

- And of course, sephora.com and sephora.fr!!!

Fashion:

- net-a-porter.com

- ruelala.com

- lagarconne.com

- vente-privee.com

- topshop.com

- laperla.com

- agentprovocateur.com

- myla.com

- luisaviaroma.com

Home Decor:

- horchow.com

- restorationhardware.com

Ayurvedic products:

- ayurveda-herbs.com

- mapi.com

Have fun!!!

Oh, and for those who wouldn't believe it... here go some pictures of my desk... in my bathroom!

Fundaleu...

As Winter is coming to an end and Spring draws near, the season of charity dinners is beginning in Buenos Aires. One of the first to be held was this Monday, August 30th: FUNDALEU's (Foundation fighting Leukemia) Gala. As usual, it was held at the Alvear Hotel, but this year a special tent was placed at the entrance, to protect the celebrities walking the red carpet and the army of photographers and press following the event. The "celebrities" were around thirty, many from fashion and showbiz, and, as every year, they wore aprons to serve the guests the delicious dinner prepared by La Bougogne's chef.

Among them were Susana Giménez, Martín Palermo, Facundo Arana (the most eager to attend the needs of his fans), Mike Amigorena and Carla Peterson (the one with the look I liked best).

Many prizes were given and thankfully a lot of money was raised. 

The anecdote of the night was that Susana Giménez's dress, a design by Libanese Zuhair Murad in black lace, was also worn by another of the guests... Katherine Roemmers who, to make things worse, is also tall and platinum blonde! The two of them accepted the fact with humor... what else could they do?

The same thing once happened to me on one of my birthday parties... I had everything planned and one of my guests arrived wearing my exact same white embroidered dress by Azzaro! How awful!! I felt unique with my newly bought dress from Paris... and suddenly I wasn't unique anymore.

Since then I've decided that if that happens again, I will immediately head back and change into something else: a pair of jeans, a minidress, whatever... But I will never again share the scene!!

Have a nice night...

My dress, by Oscar de la Renta.

Fashion at the Emmy Awards...

Nothing attracts me more than watching Film and TV award shows, specially those from the US. I never miss the Golden Globes, the Oscars (my favorites... there was a time when I even held dinners at home with friends to watch them together) and the Emmys. Ever since I've became addicted to certain TV series, starting with Sex & the City to be honest, but then with Desperate Housewives, Nip Tuck, Dirty Sexy Money, Grey's Anatomy, In Treatment, and lately Mad Men (I have all the seasons in DVDs and I keep copies in all my houses, in case I feel like watching an episode from time to time...), I follow the Emmys with interest...

And tonight, from my beloved and unreachable Los Angeles, we receive the first images of the 62nd Emmy Awards, from the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood. As usual, Americans are UNBEATABLE (caps are on purpose) when it comes to glamour. For American actresses going to an award show is part of their job, image is important and they work on it with care. Impeccable skins, perfect make-ups (never too much nor too little...), professional hairdos, jewels, the best American and European designers and a battalion of stylist put in service by the main Studios to their key stars... Not a detail is left unattended: shoes, bags, even the pose (left arm on the waist, body lightly moved towards the right...). And such display begins as early as 2 pm, under an intense sun!

This year's looks showed many strapless gowns, mainly in neutrals or beige, dark or lighter blues, some reds (they feel like too much in broad daylight), embroidered golds or sequined blacks. There was also some grey dresses, one of the hues that look worst in parties. Of course, the best piece of jewelry to pair with a strapless dress are long, important and shinny earrings. There were many by Cartier, Fred Leighton (a jeweler from Los Angeles), Lorraine Schwartz (who's a friend of mine and very talented indeed), Bulgari and Boucheron. Bags with crystals, as those by Judith Leiber, were definitely the most popular.

I also noted that many stars wore dark nail polish, like Chanel's Black Satin.

Among the most seen designers were, of course, Oscar de la Renta (a classic option that never fails), Carolina Herrera, Armani, Versace (awful was the dress of my favorite actress, January Jones, Mad Men's Batty Draper... a blue disaster with a short hem that turned behind in a longer train... Anyway, nothing can diminish her beauty) and Marchesa... Marchesa's designer, Georgina Chapman, is Miramax's CEO, Harvey Weinstein's wife... many contacts for a clientele!! Jokes aside, her collections are really wonderful and I have many dresses from her label. The one that wore Kim Kardashian tonight (a white dress with Greek inspirations) was very flattering. I did not like Heidi Klum's minidress because, for me, Award shows deserve long dresses. Tina Fey, the most talented and famous comedic actress of the moment, looked good on her Oscar de la Renta... Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon's wife (the more he ages, the better he looks), on the other hand, was awful: a too-untidy hairdo and a bordeaux dress that wasn't at all interesting. At least she got the Best Leading Actress Award...

As for the men... many smoking or black suits, white shirts and black ties... It's so easy for them!!! As French writer Sacha Guitry once said, men wear black to be a backdrop curtain for the ladies...

Jimmy Fallon was great as the host of the night and, as most American artists, he knows how to act, sing and dance.

A special note on Sofía Vergara, a former Colombian model that became famous for having an affaire with singer Luis Miguel, who was nominated tonight as Best Supporting Actress for her role in Modern Family. Good Girl, you've made a long way...

Frankly, a lovely Hollywood night...

January Jones (grr!) / Kim Kardashian (!!)

Our blog's first anniversary...

Exactly a year ago, on August 27th 2009, around 3 pm, I was at home with Carla Mitrani, a young (just 30) radio producer, with whom I've been working for the past three years as a columnist in "El Toque," a radio program, hosted by Mario Mactas. 

Carla had contacted me on September 2006 because she wanted me to talk on Mario's show about the movie "The Devil wears Prada," a huge success around that time... And as I've been wearing Prada for years, she thought I could explain the importance of the label... She did reach me on my mobile, while I was walking around San Gimignano, in Tuscany. Since then, I became a constant collaborator in Mario's program, going live from which ever part of the world I was...

However, in August 2009, Mario decided to take a year off, and the two of us were left without his show. I missed my columns...

So, as I was telling you, that afternoon of August 27th, while we were at home, Carla suddenly said: "Why don't you start a blog?"

I hardly knew what a blog was, but I answered: "If you teach me how..."

And that's how this magnificent adventure began, an adventure that has done me so well, that has repositioned me in the world after a couple of tough years and that has actually became my therapy... Communicating with my readers fills me with joy and has changed the way I think. Now, every time I go somewhere, read something, see something, "think of" something... I just want to share it with you!!

Thanks to Carla and to her enthusiasm and energy, which have been important.

And above all, thanks to my followers...

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

And for many many years of posts...!!!

The end of the European holidays...

And so we have reached the final days of the holidays...

After a last week in Toscana, I find myself again in a fresh and sunny Paris, with 19°C, with everyone getting ready for the rentrée: the arrival of those who were on vacation, the back-to-school preparations and the return to work. Yesterday I did some window-shopping around Faubourg-St. Honoré and the Fall-Winter 2010/2011 collections are ready in store!

But before flying to Buenos Aires for a couple of weeks, I would like to suggest to you the best addresses and spots in my hometown and beloved Toscana, specially those of Montepulciano, which has lately become a trendy and touristic destination.

There are few hotels around and many "agriturimos," which are a whole new concept. They are basically old country houses, restored into farm hotels or Bed&Breakfast. The best one is definitely Dionora. Giulio is its manager and will gladly attend any request. Other options, midway between Montepulciano and Pienza, are La Saracina and Villa Poggiano. Around the area of the Cortona, another jewel of Tuscany, is Il Falconiere.

To try the wonders of the Tuscan cuisine, mi favorite restaurant is "La Grotta," just in front of the Church of San Biagio, work of Il Sangallo... a true must, specially during sunset.

In town, if you want to taste the "pici," Montepulciano's typical pasta, the "Trattoria Diva" will not disappoint. 

For a lunch with the best view on Earth, go to "Pulcino," which is a Polizian classic, where you'll find the best Italian "cantuccini" and Gabriella's unique panello...

As for dinner, don't miss "La Porta" in Monticchiello, a few miles from Montepulciano and in front of the Val d'Orcia, an amazing landscape... at least for me!

If you are looking for something more sophisticated, but still true to the essence of Tuscany, "La Chiusa" in Monteffolonico is perfect.

Ciao, Toscana...

The Dionora

Some answers...

This is for that reader who asked me to suggest some cool places in Mykonos...

Restaurants:

- Kalita, divine, my favorite, right in the middle of Hora (or Chora), which is the main town in the Island.

- Matsuhisa Nobu, at the Belvedere Hotel, excellent food and atmosphere.

- Gola, with an incredible view and a refined cuisine.

- Interni, also in Hora, a sophisticated place with a charming garden to dine under the stars.

If you are looking for something simpler and typically greek, go to the taverns at Ano Mera, a small town just a few km away, on the route to the beaches of Elia.

For lunch, the IT beach is that of Psarrou, which is rather similar to those in St. Tropez...

As for hotels, here are some options: first, those in town, as the Belvedere, very near to the seaport, or the Cavo Tagoo. I personally prefer those with private beaches, as the Royal Myconian, Kivotos or Mykonos Blu.

And if you are visiting, don't forget to stop by the boutiques, as SohoSoho or Juicy Couture. There's even a La Martina store!

And to the reader asking me about the nail color on my feet, I tell you that I always use Chanel's Black Satin. My gladiators are precisely from Mykonos. However, know that the best gladiators are those from Rondini, in St. Tropez!

Gladiators... yes or no?

Christian Louboutin / Balmain

Summer in Europe is reaching its peak. We are on the eve of August 15th, the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and the middle of the vacations. On Monday 16th, people will slowly begin their return to their jobs and obligations and Fall will slowly start to reveal itself...

Anyway, let's enjoy the last remains of summer, heat and trends...

And it cannot be denied that the Queens of Glamour this season have been the gladiator sandals, or spartiates as they are called in French, or i sandali a la schiava in Italian. Available in every imaginable color, mainly flat, now you can also find embellished designs with really high heels, as those by Balmain, Gucci, Pucci, Giuseppe Zanotti or Christian Louboutin.

I have not seen anything else on the streets of the various places in the Mediterranean that I've visited this summer... exit the espadrilles and the clogs, which everyone said would be the hit of the season... well, they were nowhere to be seen.

Paired with shorts (another summer 2010 trend), gladiators provide that "casual chic" touch that looks so good on everyone... I've seen them on teenagers and forty-year-olds, on actresses and international models...

And of course, I had to get a pair myself... The issue here, when buying the classic ones, is tying them on... it just takes too much time!

But they are worth it...

Here, a picture of them for you to see... tell me what you think...

My gladiators...

A Mediterranean Summer

It's been a while since I've last spent an entire summer in Europe. Finally, in 2010, I've decided to stay by the Mediterranean Sea and visit places I've never been before.

To begin with, I went to Greece, which, in spite of having been born in Italy -such a close country-, I didn't know. And what a surprise it was to discover such a beautiful place, so full of History, Mythology and Art... And also of entertainment and incredible landscapes, with a warm and transparent sea, as that of the Caribbean.

I've been to Mykonos, the glamour island par excellance: the St. Tropez of Greece. A true show in itself, with beaches, nightclubs, lots of young people and joy!

But... beware! If you, heel-lover-women, are thinking about going... well, forget it! It is impossible to walk the streets of Hora (or Chora, as you wish to pronounce it), Mykonos' main town, with heels... Even a true fan as myself had to store them away and move around with basic Havaianas flip-flops. Several local shops sell the classic gladiator sandals, which are a must in the European Summer. They are flat and with straps tying around the ankles, very similar to those worn by Russell Crowe in Gladiator... They look amazing with a mini skirt or mini short, as long as they don't visually shorten the leg...

Another thing to consider about the Greek Islands is the wind, or meltemi, as locals call it. Forget about going to a Hair salon and go for a comfortable ponytail. When the wind blows, it really does blow, but however it is useful to make the air breathable, because if not, the Sun of Greece would feel too strong and hot.

I've also been to Santorini, another of the Cyclades Islands, but located to the south of Mykonos. 

Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. Its spectacular beauty, together with its busy nightlife, has made of Santorini one of the main vacation destination in Europe. It also has a giant central lagoon, more or less rectangular, and measuring about 12 by 7 km, which is surrounded by 300-mts-high steep hills on three of its sides. The island slopes down to the surrounded Aegean Sea. On the fourth side, the lagoon is separated from the sea by a smaller island called Therasia; thus the lagoon merges with the sea in two places, in the northwest and southwest. As you can imagine, a unique landscape!

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I fell in love with the excellent Greek cuisine: fishes, feta cheese, vegetables and, above all, their white yogurt, the famous Greek yogurt, that I ate to excess, always with a spoonful of Greek honey. The best of desserts. And one that won't make you fat!!!