Marzo

Yes, I know that it is May, Maggio and I am a little behind, but I just could not let time go by without giving you a glimpse into the month of March, Marzo.  It was a busy period here in Laura Fair land...my poor little hands and wrists went into overdrive designing away on new projects.  In fact, I still have a hard time looking back without ghost pains appearing in my right hand.  However, you know the saying, with all work and no play one runs the risk of lackluster designs...so you know that I took some time to travel around.  My Marzo escapes were full of florals and frescoes, lakes and sunsets, and a little wildlife for good measure.  You are going to love what we have for you in the pipeline...and thanks to my never disappoint me surroundings...it is more inspired than ever.

La Neve

Happy 2012 a tutti! Days are flying by fast this year...are we already in February? As per this time every year, I have been glued to a chair in the studio...losing myself in some amazing projects. Speaking of that and not to go back in time, but did I ever show you the new Laura Fair "12 Days of Christmas" collection I launched with Evergreen at the winter shows? How fun it is going to be to set the table and trim the tree for Natale in December!

Oh....and did I tell you about the blizzard? Just look at the front yard! For the last two weeks, Italy has been hit hard by snow, blistering winds, Siberian temperatures...no kidding...actual storms from Siberia! My poor friend Lynn got caught in the middle of it with us. Can you imagine...snowed in a 1400's farm house with a broken wood burning stove, a shivering cold dachshund, a mad Tuscan shoveling snow, and of course, bottles of wine. Thank goodness for having heavy duty snow chains on the car, otherwise we would have never managed to get out and cope with our cabin fever. As I type this, snow is melting, wood burning stove is flaming away, sun is shining, and I am smiling with the memory of it all.

Happy Holidays

Buon Natale! Buone Feste!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season full of peace and joy,
and prosperity for all in the new year.
See you in 2012!

Auguri

Tanti auguri a me...happy birthday to me! 40...quaranta...a really big number. Thank goodness my birthday month started with drowning my sorrows in a big old Bloody Mary complete with all the fixin's and a Brunch of Eggs Benedict whipped up from scratch. Not to mention a whole gang of lovely old friends that joined me...from near and far. If you have not already guessed...I was Stateside for a quick indulgence of Thanksgiving and Birthday fun all wrapped up together, with a side of German Chocolate cake!

Grazie to all of you who celebrated with me, who stick by me and support me daily, and who continue to check in with me. Today I celebrate all of you...what a blessed girl I am! I know I mention it often, but I am so appreciative to have friends and family that make me feel as if I am next door instead of 5,000 miles away.

Oooo...I can't wait to get my second celebration started in Italia...

Autumn change

As the weather cools here...and having a few short minutes this morning...I did a little "autumn change". Would love to know what you all think about the new Laura Fair home page...

Tendence

I journeyed recently to attend Tendence, the international trade show for home furnishings, decor, and gifts in Frankfurt, Germany. And I mean journeyed...planes, trains, automobiles, buses and trams for that matter to reach my destination, but all worth it. Having gone to scout for trends and fabulous new products from companies all over the world, it was also a great excuse to catch up with good friend, Tracy, of the magazine Home Accents Today. To give you an idea of what we saw...here is a copy of a 2007 article she penned on the show.

I am always struck by how I feel in different countries after living in Italy for the last 6 1/2 years. I was surprised to note that I felt no attachment to Germany...at least not in that way I feel for Italy. Of course, the bustling city of Frankfurt is the polar opposite to my little town in the Italian countryside, but nonetheless, European all the same. I will say that Frankfurt has some fabulous shopping, quaint streets and restaurants, a beautiful waterfront, and we even stumbled upon a street food fair. Not a bad way to spend a weekend...even if work was involved...and always better to step away with some inspiration to boot.

After six

A walk in a sunflower field with girasoli bigger than my head; an international gathering of friends for a wine tasting...rose', syrah, sangiovese, merlot, cabernet; a sunset drive across the valley with fresh breezes in my hair; an extravagant festival dinner celebrating the frog...yes, I ate them again this year; playing a game simply to donate to children only to win a leather jacket and a turquoise blouse; the freshest pistachio gelato; a short visit with my puppies...who are not so much anymore after a year; fifteen cinghiale, wild boar...mamme bambini babbi; rounding the corner of our driveway to see yet another two little ones; a midnight snack with our two toddler falcons...yes, another story I have yet to tell you. Where I live...anything seems possible...just look at what can occur after 6:00 in the evening on a random Venerdi, Friday. Too good to be true. As my sister so wisely said to me...time to get out the gratitude journal...and oh how grateful I am to soak up every minute, be able to write about it, and savor the memories in low times.

Unbelievably...Sunday morning as I am writing this, a friend arrives at the door with more than a handful of truffles, tartufi. Irresistible...now I know I am having pasta for lunch.