travel project preview

When I first started dreaming up the idea of SOJOURNISTA, I had many concepts converging in my mind. Finding a way to logically put them together was the biggest challenge...And as I'm still in the beginning stages of the entire project, I do feel like it's coming together. The basic concept is bringing all the "subjects of style" which I love so much (health & wellness, fashion, food & wine, art, etc) together with one of my biggest passions: travel.

Eventually, I'll be offering personal "Travel Styling" services to Italy and the Mediterranean areas, but meanwhile I use this blog to write freely about all these subject intertwined.


But, I'm excited to tell you about a project I've been working on for several months now - still finalizing all the details - but it involves yoga and travel ....and, of course, Italy.

Look out for a big announcement soon!

stylish destination :: ISCHIA

I recently got back from a lovely trip to the isle of Ischia in Italy's Bay of Naples. I'd been wanting to visit here ever since I first saw the intriguing film, "The Talented Mr. Ripley". One of my most favorite movies of all time, the screenplay by Anthony Minghella's is based on the book by Patricia Highsmith and features some of the most beautiful settings ever.

I've been to most of the other filming locations which were shown in the film (Rome, Venice, Anzio, Palermo), but had never been to its main one...the one where all the beautiful sunny, summer scenes were captured. In the movie it's known as the fictional town of "Mongebello", but really is a combination of coastal shots in Ischia Ponte and street shots in the small village neighboring isle of Procida.


Isn't there just something about the style of Italy in the Summer?! It's always been captivating to me. Maybe it's the effortless steadfastness of classic style even with the temperatures are uninviting. Where, instead of ragged cut-offs and rubber flip flops being thrown on when it gets hot outside, the tailored linen and handmade sandals make an appearance.



Besides this film taking place in beautiful settings, it also has some of the most beautiful style (and beautiful people...Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Jude Law -hello!). With wardrobe direction by Ann Roth, it was nominated for and Academy Award for Best Costume Design. In the special features and commentary of the film, the progression of wardrobes throughout the plot is described; and it's so interesting watching the style change from the mood in NYC (where the film opens) to the coastal casual of Ischia to more formal classic in the later scenes of Rome and Venice. Because Ischia is the focus, that's the wardrobe I'm highlighting too.


The fact that the story takes place in the late 1950s, the style already invokes classic beauty, but the flowing skirts, high-waisted trousers, linen button-ups and silk scarves somehow remain timeless.

Doesn't it make you want to hop on a boat and sail there right now??

it's nice to meet you.

Ciao a tutti! I'm excited about launching this blog as a place for me to combine several of the subjects that I'm interested in: travel and fashion. wanderlust. picking-up-and-heading-out. la moda.

style.

sojourns.

...and Italy.

But let me back up for a minute.

I became interested in fashion in my early high-school years when I would scour through the fun vintage shops around the state and put together (sometimes outlandish) outfits that I don't think I'd even try to pull off today. Then came Miuccia.

Somehow in the late '90s my senses were awakened and I just couldn't get enough of the Prada collections. Just ask anyone who saw my freshman dorm room. The dark moody stylish shots of the '97 Fall/Winter ads lined the walls. I think it was then when I noticed it wasn't all about the clothes, the shoes, or the bags (because these were barely featured in the majority of ad space) - but it was about the overall style. The mood, feel, and projection of the design.

Throughout the next few years came a college path in fashion merchandising, business... then fine art. And with fine art came Italy. What better place to want to go for the love of art than Florence. So I went to Europe with my husband - to Paris, Rome, Florence, and more...and then we visited again. More countries. And again.

Then in '07 we moved to Italy. To "il bel paese"...and the home of Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. More specifically, we moved to Florence. The home of the Reinassance....and Gucci, Ferragamo, Pucci, and Cavalli.

Now we are back in the States, but the wanderlust is alive and well. I do consider Italy like a second home, and the rest of the world my muse. I currently work in the fashion industry which allows for some travel itself, and the time I take away from work usually involves travel for pleasure.

Presently, I'm working on the begininngs of a an idea which has been lingering in my mind for years and is finally blooming. A unique travel consulting ("styling") service. For all the fashionistas, stylistas, and wanderistas. *stay tuned!* But for now this is just me sharing my observations of the fashion world and the world of travel - and where the two so stylishly meet.