Buongiorno, signorina! To quote many American toddlers during football season, “Touchdown!” Greetings from Milan. 🙂 I’m just getting settled in my hotel, but I couldn’t let a little jet lag and delirium (Italy is 9 hours ahead of the U.S. West Coast) stand between me and the Web. Are you ready for today’s intercontinental installment of Saturday Surfing?
I’ve only been in the city for a few hours, so I haven’t had a chance to explore very much, but the surrounding area is an interesting mix of rural houses, open tracts of land and high-rise buildings.
Lots of green!
…juxtaposed with random buildings like this one named after El Hub, ha ha!
A Milan street
See the rooftop garden across the way?
One of the first things I noticed here was how fashionable folks are. Within the span of 5 minutes, I saw a guy in leather pants with a well sculpted mohawk, another dude in a full-length faux fur, and a woman wearing a pair of crazy sky-high leopard print shoes.
Being fashion challenged myself, I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb, but hey, what can ya do? I just smile and hope for the best. 🙂
Have a great day today, and I’ll catch up with you soon. I think I need a quick nap…
Eh, it can wait a few minutes. Surf’s up!
Random Bright Spots
- Burt’s Bees Nutmeg lip shimmer looks like something my lips would love — theNotice
- FASCINATING: Do Men Prefer Women with Make-up? — Rabbit Write
- Okay, I think I found my new favorite bracelets (you know me and costume jewelry) — We Heart This
- $52.50 gets you 18 eyeshadows (most of them BRIGHT!) in the Kryolan Shimmering Vision Cream Base Eyeshadow Palette — Vampy Varnish
- Have you heard Lush’s Sacred Truth? — Kajal Couture
- Do you ever feel like you can’t/won’t wear lipstick? — My Women Stuff
- Repurpose makeup packaging to make a handy sewing kit — Eat, DINK and Be Merry
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Christina says
September 25th, 2010 at 11:45 amWhat an exciting trip! Thanks for sharing the pictures (even though you must be exhausted from traveling)… can’t wait to hear more!
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 12:36 pmI’m majorly jet-lagged, but having a great time.
Thank goodness for concealer…
Anywho, what’s up with you this weekend? Doing anything fun?
Ithfifi says
September 25th, 2010 at 11:54 amWow, it looks beautiful! You must be absolutely knackered, you totally deserve the kitty nap! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
Ithfifi recently posted … Time for some positivity! Tagging random people!
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 12:37 pmHi Ithfifi,
Yeah, I’m a little cray-cray from the lack of sleep. Still having a good time though! 🙂
How’s your weekend going so far? Hey, aren’t we in the same time zone?
Amber says
September 25th, 2010 at 11:57 amThe important question is: what are you going to eat first??
Thanks for the link!
Amber recently posted … A little more organization
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 12:40 pmSo far I’ve only had the time to eat at the hotel, boo. But I’m hoping to go culinary exploring tomorrow.
On the top of the list: FIND NUTELLA GELATO.
Are you having a nice relaxing weekend? Say hi to Sweetpea for me.
Amber says
September 25th, 2010 at 1:14 pmI am. Mark got called off work due to low census, so we have done so much relaxing that I haven’t accomplished ANYTHING on my to-do list. 🙂
Amber recently posted … A little more organization
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:18 pmOh yay! Those are the best kinds of weekends. Have fun baking… and don’t forget to save me a bite.
After the show today I will hopefully have enough stamina in me to go hunting for gelato!
Eleonora says
September 25th, 2010 at 12:12 pmYay! You’re in Italy!! I’m waving at you right now! I’m a couple of hours away from Milan but I’ve been there a lot. One of my best friends lives there.
have fun!
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 12:38 pmHi Eleonora!
I’m enjoying this wonderful city so far! Your friend is so lucky to live here.
Where are your favorite spots to eat? I need to do some grubbing while I’m here.
Eleonora says
September 25th, 2010 at 12:57 pmIf you’re looking fore some healthy, tasty food I suggest you some quality ‘risotto’ and ‘cotoletta’ while you’re in Milan. They are two trademark dishes LOL
I actually don’t remember if we ate here the last time I was visiting her (cause we usually had dinner at home) but I’ve been here:
http://www.trattoriadelpescatore.it/homeeng.htm
You’ll find out the atmosphere is very homey and welcoming basically in every ‘trattoria’ you’ll decide to eat, though.
And I don’t even need to tell you the food is GREAT 😉
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:22 pmThanks, Eleonora! I’m going to see if I can snag some food there tomorrow. My tummy is already grumbling at the thought…
leo says
September 25th, 2010 at 1:49 pmI DEFINITELY quote eleonora on the trattoria del pescatore!! it’s great! Sardinian cuisine, yum!!
(better reserve a table, though: it’s always packed!!)
May I ask you where are you staying? so that I can give you suggestions in your area of the city…
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:25 pmLeo, that would be great! I’m at the Hotel Principe di Savoia on Plazza della Republica. I haven’t had the chance to explore the surrounding neighborhood since I’ve got here, but hope to do so for dinner tonight.
Tomorrow I’m meeting a friend who’s staying at a hotel by the Duomo, so if you know of any thing in that neck of the woods I’d love to hear them!
leo says
September 26th, 2010 at 12:23 amthe Duomo area is full of tourist traps… but you can try Focacceria san francesco close ti Piazza Liberty, the Osteria di via Cerva (but I’m afraid it’s closed on sundays) and Le colline Pistoiesi, just by the Sant’Alessandro church. Or, if you’d like a typical “italian fast food”, try Luini, just on the back of La rInascente: they make panzerotti, that’s like little pizza pockets, deep fried (remember, Italian calories don’t count and are REALLY fashionable!! 😉 )
leo says
September 26th, 2010 at 12:46 amwhen I saw the geraniums and the view from your window I suspected you were at the Principe!! Lucky girl! 😉
The hotel fare is very good (the chef is a lady and really talented); If you venture around you’ll find the Bolognese, posh and expensive but good, or you can try – a bit farther, take a taxi – the “22 risotti” restaurant in Piazza Carbonari: they make 22 different kinds of risotto, and they are all great (bring a friend to share, and definitely reserve a table, it’s a small place).
Two typical Milanese restaurants not far from the hotel are also Berti and Cavallini, both with a very nice garden.
If you can spare some time, have a tour in the Navigli area – our small Venice: best place for an aperitivo/happy hour with plenty of food and crazy people!! (i live nearby… :D)
I have posted some gelateria tips in your forst post about your trip.
Enjoy Milan!! and let me know what you think about it!! 🙂
Karen says
September 26th, 2010 at 1:37 amHi Leo,
I sent you an e-mail… I hope you got it!
leo says
September 26th, 2010 at 2:22 amgot it – and answered!! 😉
Nina says
September 25th, 2010 at 2:59 pmBuongiorno! 😀
How you doin’?
Weve had a busy, busy day! Take care of you, Karen!
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:26 pmBuongiorno, Nina!
Apart from the jet lag, things on this end are great. Milan’s a very cool city and I’m enjoying it a lot.
Busy is always good! Whatcha been up to?
Nina says
September 25th, 2010 at 4:53 pmI know it’s a little late but, have a great trip! 😀
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:26 pmThanks, Nina! 😀
Paris B says
September 25th, 2010 at 8:34 pmEuropean streets do look so quaint don’t they? 🙂 Enjoy your trip Karen (and thanks for the link love) 🙂
Paris B recently posted … Holiday Haul – Clothes and Shoes and ahem! Others
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:27 pmThey are! The buildings have so much personality. I love the little details you can see from the street — the window boxes, the patio gardens, etc.
Lee says
September 25th, 2010 at 8:58 pmHey Karen 🙂
I would looovvveee 2 be in italy right now, well any time actually lol! 😛
My fathers side is italian and ive never been YET but will def go in the next couple of yrs 🙂
So hopefully u can write up a list of ur reccommendations where 2 go there!
I quickly read through the other comments and noticed one about nutella, im not sure if the usa has it cos we dont here in aus, but when i was in greece there was giant and i mean GIANT jars of white nutella it was so yum!!! and apparently its all over Europe so make sure u find that hehe
Anyways keep the photos coming im sure everyone wants 2 see more 🙂
Have fun 🙂
Karen says
September 25th, 2010 at 9:28 pmHi Lee,
If I find any good places I’ll be sure to let you know!