Local Lingerings No.3
A bit of linen, birthday cake, a €3 Pucci find, and a no frills pizzeria in Rome.
Ciao friends!
Yesterday was Raffaele’s second birthday, and the heat this week came in like a wrecking ball, so I have slumped into a bit more hibernation than I expected by 9:30 a.m. Between last-minute gift buying and cake eating, American birthday cake, that is, thanks to my mom who made the icing twice to perfect it, we took a morning stroll to the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci), which we all absolutely love. If you have kids and are visiting Rome, or even if you don’t because it is a blissful retreat in the city, it is such a treat to head up there for a morning under the orange and pine trees with one of the best views overlooking the city. We spent an hour there without any sign of wanting to leave.
Dressing
The closer June inches, the more I cringe at the thought of getting dressed (sweaty girl problems…!). Though I am happily smiling at the somewhat concerning amount of gelato, tomatoes, and watermelon my body will consume in the upcoming weeks of peak summer food season. I am a shorts-and-pants girl through and through over dresses and skirts, and these blue-and-white striped pajama pants my mom got me from Gap a year ago were my hero piece last summer and will be again this year. Throw them on with a lightweight t-shirt or tank top, and you are off to the races without much thought for day-to-day living. Here is a very, very, very similar set.
Of course, living in Italy is also synonymous with linen! Cliché? Sure, but trust me, linen will make you a very happy camper, or traveler, come June and July. I snagged this champagne shimmery linen shacket (shirt-jacket) from the market over the weekend that will work as a top or even tossed over the shoulders with a white tank and shorts on vacation. Delusionally wishful thinking there will be an ocean breeze to accompany said shacket? Most likely.
I also found a sherbet-colored linen dress with matching acrylic buttons for €1 (!!!!). It did indeed come with shoulder pads, which have been happily removed, and I will absolutely try to wear it because it requires zero thinking. As well as a yellow and gray plaid dress from Vinted below. Speaking of getting dressed, I really loved this Parisian street report summer dressing piece, by the incredible Frosso, that is absolutely worth checking out if you are someone who is allergic to getting dressed in the heat like I am and dying for inspo.
Eating
I don’t craze Rome’s famous maritozzi pastries often, but when I do, there is only one place I am going to and that is over at Il Maritozzaro. Yes, Regoli is also good, but it’s a tough call to truck across town only to wait in a long line full of tourists who are more concerned about taking a photo than actually savoring each bite. Instead, Il Maritozzaro is located where Trastevere just kisses Marconi, which is a fabulous international neighborhood to explore.
We all have those weekend evening pizza go-tos that we rarely stray from. Mine are Ivo a Trastevere or Pizzeria Remo right in Testaccio, but we decided to venture over to Ostiense to pay a visit to Pizzeria Ostiense since they seemed to be one of the only pizza spots open before 7 p.m. I blame the 2-year-old for this timeline and not my semi-controlling devotion to an 8 p.m. bedtime..hehe :). By 7:30 p.m., the joint was packed from the outdoor tables to the back of the venue, and my Roman pizza craving was absolutely satisfied. Absolutely order a few fiori di zucca for a starter. Theirs is salty enough from the anchovy without being heavily coated in batter for frying.
Did I mention gelato? My midday pick-me-up power couple is mango and coconut or mango and lemon, which oddly reminds me of my childhood summers begging my dad to take me to Rita’s Water Ice for their mango “gelati.” It is cool, refreshing, and brings you right back into equilibrium.
Market-ing
My friend Paris aka Adenah is always inspiring me with her upcycling projects, so when I spotted this blanket/sheet in a pile of madness that reminded me of Pucci last Sunday at the market, which turns out to actually be Pucci, I knew I had to snag it for €3 and turn to her for inspiration on what to do with it. I am thinking an open kaftan with some trim or a two-piece pajama-ish set. Speaking of up-cycling, my favorite vendor Salvatore gifted me this needlepoint trim of kitchen accessories that I will most likely add to a pair of pants or around a straw hat because it is just too pretty to let sit in my closet. Open to suggestions, please!!
My aunt was in town just two weeks ago, so in good visitor fashion we hit up Via Condotti to do a little perusing in Gucci, Prada, and Chanel. I spotted these perfectly circular sunglasses that are new this season at Prada, but could not justify the price tag on a Monday. Alas, my Vinted senses were tingling, and I found an older model that are nearly identical for €50. New summer personality unlocked!
I don’t usually shop at Zara anymore (RIP peak Zara 2011), but every once in a while they have a piece that really peaks my interest and justifies a splurge, like these baby pink patent open-toe mules.
That’s all for now. Buon weekend to you all and we will be back next week!!
Xxx
I may earn a small commission on three products linked in this article :)
That needlepoint trim is adorable! Post a pic when you find its new home.
When I think of a chic person full of personality and aura it's 100% you. I'm obsessed with all your finds and you need me to teach me your ways. The sunnies !!! Iconic.
ps - can we get pizza and gelato when i'm in rome?!