I know I said I wasn’t going to post this week but I couldn’t wait to share my recent trip.
It was wonderful, partly because Italy is such a fabulous place but mainly because of the people I was with. Ines, Asali and Natalie are all truly kind, supportive and inspiring women. It was a real joy to finally meet Ines (read her lovely write-up here) and Asali (who designed my gorgeous blog header) and to get to know Natalie better.
We not only saw Bologna, where we were based, but also took the train to Parma for the day.
Sadly, Ines and Asali had to leave before our final expedition to Venice on Monday.
Bologna
Parma
Venice
I came home feeling extremely fortunate, but also with something I’ve wanted to own for a while now.
Fornaetti is an iconic Italian homewares brand, producing room fragrances, plates, cushions etc.
You may have seen their scented candles, even you didn’t know the name. The images are very striking and usually quirky. I guess they are something that you either find appealing or you don’t. For me, they are actually much more about the ceramic holders than the scent of the candle inside. They are a thing of beauty and wit – a winning combination.
What had put me off until now was the price. The smaller 300g ones are generally £140. However, visiting Italy gave me the perfect excuse. We were browsing a clothes shop in Parma when I noticed the candles. There were about 8-10 of them and I thought they would make the perfect souvenir of this awesome experience.
The shop offered a little money off and when Natalie worked out the conversion rate (£113), that swung the deal.
I took a little while to make up my mind but I went with the image that spoke to me the most. This one of soprano Lina Cavalieri dressed as a medieval knight – called “Armatura” – fits me to a T. As Natalie said “It’s dark and empowering”.
The candle’s scent is called ‘Otto’ which was created in collaboration with perfumer Olivier Polge, who in recent years has composed Misia and Boy for Chanel. The fragrance was inspired by the Mediterranean herbs found in and around the Fornasetti home in Milan. It has notes of thyme, lavender, cedarwood and incense and was created in Grasse, France, while the porcelain holders are made and hand-decorated in Italy.
I’ve been piecing together my own metaphysical suit of armour for a couple of years now and the idea of a fighter with femininity resonates greatly with me. It will be a nice reminder of the strong women that are my friends and for who I will travel the earth to see, as well as my own inner warrior.
Do you like Fornasetti or scented candles in general? Is there a decorative object that you’ve long lusted after?
A Bottled Rose 