50 shades of Green, with Italian flair

This torta  just looked too delicious and fresh not to post with our 3rd installment of 50 shades, Italian style.

It looks like 6 shades of savory delight with a repeating layer of … my imagination says whip cream.  And my tastebuds say Perfect!

Perfect, exactly like the next 10 pairs of Italian leather gloves for women featured in this blog post.

It’s blah, cold  and rainy today in Tuscany so these wild shades of green are just what you need as you dress to go strolling around Florence or Rome.  Sunday’s Italian Style.  They have turned it into an art form to wake up late, eat hardy (pasta, pasta, secondo, dolce, vino, more vino and but of course un espresso) then dress to stroll the centro (better known as  the city center) here they will excel in socializing, watching, checking things out and well, just being seen is an accomplisment in itself.  Many times for the guys they do this with their ear attached to a radio to listen to their favorite team (win!)

So the Pierotucci selection of Italian leather gloves in green are the perfect touch to  brighten up a brown leather jacket or a black shearling.  And with this dip in temps – hopefully a little green will encourage spring on its way.

Happy New Year! My Resolution is to…

The world hasn’t ended! We’re still here and celebrating a brand new year. We all have a fresh start, a completely clean slate for 2013. So, what are you going to do this year? With the new year comes a heap of resolutions. People go absolutely mad buying gym memberships, self help books, and anything that may help you quit smoking. While all of these are great, they’re definitely not where I’m putting my focus. My new year’s resolution is to travel as much as humanly possible this year. I’m going to do my best to cut corners wherever I can to save money so I can see the world. The more places the better and I promise to share about any and all my travel experiences whereever I may go. So tell us, what’s you New Year’s Resolution? Is it something unique because we’d love to hear about it.

Wishing You A Happy New Year from Pierotucci!

Sparkle This New Year’s Eve With a Killer Combination – The Dress, the Heels, & the Handbag

Sparkle your way into the new year. With the end of the year approaching, it’s time to say goodbye to all that has happened in 2012 and look to a new year full of new adventures. So what are your plans for the ever so infamous New Year’s Eve. Will you be going to a private party, attending an elegant roof top dinner, or perhaps hosting an event of your own? Whatever you decide, look stunning while doing it in the perfect dress, heels, and handbag. And remember while you’re putting your hot little number together, black is always sexy and sophisticated.

And if you’re like me, adding sparkle and shimmer to glamour up your outfit is a must. I swear I would wear sparkles everyday if it weren’t for the fact that I’d probably look ridiculous and like I was attending a party all the time. So, instead I take my favorite color to dress up in, black of course, and throw in some color and sparkles and voilà!

I do also like to mix and match styles a bit, maybe a vintage, twenties looking dress with edgier studded heels. Or even a bright colored pair of heels to pop against your black cocktail dress would do the trick.

Then it’s time to choose the evening bag. Which style fits you best? I know sometimes it depends on what your night entales. If you go out dancing maybe it’s best to have a long cross body strap and if you’re plans are a bit more relaxed like dinner, perhaps a clutch works best.

Take a look at these combinations of dresses, heels, and handbags for a bit of inspiration this New Year’s Eve. Best of luck!

Merry Christmas & Warm Wishes This Holiday Season

Wherever you are this holiday season we are sending you lots of joy. I know we’ll be in Florence heating up by the fireplace for Christmas with our friends and families. Some of us here at Pierotucci celebrate from other corners of the world, myself, for example, will be in what I’m hoping is sunny California desperately trying to escape any part of winter I can. What can I say, I’m a sunshine girl. At any rate, have a lovely day full of presents and cheer.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas this Holiday Season from Pierotucci!

Slow and Steady Doesn’t Always Win the Race But Simply Stunning Does

Turn heads this holiday season. It’s like I said, while slow and steady may not always win the race what does is simple and sophisticated. Let’s throw in a sexy while we’re at it, too. People love prints and wild clothing, something that stands out from the rest but sometimes, less is more. This is something I have come to realize and what a big difference it can make. We all know the people are always on the cutting edge of fashion, wearing something stunning yet just a bit the edge.  I love that style!  Especially when it comes to mixing my favorite fashion color with something as exciting and festive as the color Red, probably my second favorite fashion color.

Red leather gloves against the sophistication of a black leather handbag, wool jacket and cashmere scarf is almost literally like the cherry on top of a black forest chocolate cake . . . divine.  I willl be dressing my Holiday outfit with the classical touch of Christmas red and since I am heading back to sunshine all year long (instead of frost covered Florence, Tuscany) I am dreaming of an off the shoulder dress, black patent leather pumps and an easy to carry black leather handbag.  What will you be wearing this holiday?

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas From Pierotucci!

4 Steps to Slipping into the Perfect Fit Leather Jacket

You don’t need rocket science or be able to speak fluent Italian to get a good fit on a leather jacket bought on the internet.  Afterall, a jacket, skirt, vest or pants handmade from Italian leather is the kind of item that you would like to get it right the first time around . . . between shipping, customization and customs costs!  Not to mention if we can create an app to identify your favorite song and the words, or one to virtually tour you around Tuscany – one should be able to get a perfect fit in the style that they like – and why not, even the color that they prefer.

Just some common sense and these 4 easy steps will get you going in the right direction.

1. Start by carfully reading the description.  A knowledgable and well prepared site will not write a description for the search engines but they will offer a description of the product including the pros and cons.  Look for candid sales staff critiques as well as customer reviews.

2.  Don’t trust standard conversion charts.  So what if you are a 4-6 Talbot? when it comes to selecting  your size you sould always check the cm / inch measurements given.  Especially when the item is a handmade piece, meaning that it was probably designed, cut and assembled without using any modern sizing conventions.  Especailly helpful is to take another item – with a similar cut – and compare the measurements.

Personalizations and customizations for leather jackets, pants, skirts and vest requires skilled crafts man.

3. Have accurate body measurements.  This means not only keeping them up to date (don’t use measurements from 10 years ago – in some case not even 5 will be good enought!) AND make sure that you are taking the measurements in the same way the size shart is asking you to.  For example, many times the shoulder measurement in the States from shoulder joint to the neck – but Pierotucci ask from joint to joint.  When you are using your measurement to match up an item – be sure to check if the size chart offers BODY measurements or the measurments of the jacket, skirt or pants.  These are NOT one in the same, a tailor will always leave extra cm / inches when the cut the clothing so that you have room to move.

Measure shoulders, chest, waist/hips and stomach at their WIDEST point, length in the back and the sleeve.

4.  Make personal contact with the seller. Language barriers just don’t exsit anymore when shopping abroad.  Stores that mean business will have a bi-lingual sales staff on hand to answer your phone call.  Speaking directly with an experienced sales agent is the perfect way to eliminate many doubts about the cut of the jacket, the sizing, shipping and return details, as well as give you confidence in their product.  Listen to how they answer your questions and how they assist you in finding the right fit. If you aren’t sure about how to contact them via phone, a direct email is just as good.  Any reply should be personal – and not a form letter.  Sizing is individual and personal – and that’s the kind of attention you deserve when ordering a jacket – especially if its online.

Parties, Champagne, and Dashing Men in Silk Ties

This time every year is always filled with all sorts of festivities. You have work functions, holiday parties, dinner parties, sales meetings, family gatherings, Christmas recitals, and who knows what else to RSVP to. I know just how hectic the holiday season gets especially when you’re trying to fit in work and shopping in between everything else that’s going on. But the one thing you don’t want to worry about is looking your best. Let’s face it, we all know that the better you’re dressed, the better impression you make. I don’t mean you have to go out and buy a $10,000 designer suit, I just mean it’s nice when people take a little pride in their appearance and generally people take notice.

Maybe it’s because I was a girlscout that I think it’s better to be prepared. So, prepare yourself this season. If you’re the guy that wears the “fun” Christmas tie with blubs that light up year after year or you know someone who does, help them out, maybe it’s time for a bit of an upgrade. I’ve heard a nice Italian silk tie can be fun too. What you wear can help you command a little more respect in the work place, have you looking quite dashing at this year’s holiday party, and just leaves an overall good impression. And besides all that, from a woman’s point of view, very much including my own, we love seeing men dressed up!

Neckties have a long history too, they date back hundreds of years to times of war where soldiers could often be seen wearing them as a symbol of a specific group they belonged to. The Romans were particularly known for this to be easily identifiable.

And nowadays, it’s not just women who have tons of options for their wardrobe either. For one, you can find several types of ties like the ascot tie, the bow tie, and the cravat. There are even matching handkerchiefs and pocket squares to accompany your choice. Plus, you can tie your necktie in a number of ways. From the traditional Windsor Knot to the well-known Atlantic Knot, which is notable for being tied backwards. See, the possibilities are endless.

For all those non-tie wearers or for those who rarely put one on, here’s a little cheat sheet for you. No sense in putting a tie on poorly; kind of defeats the whole point, doesn’t it? This demonstrates how to make the Windsor Knot in five simple steps. And if I can do it, simple it is.

So look sharp this Holiday season and add that Italian silk tie to your jeans and dress shirt or your three piece suit to look more dapper than ever.

Ever Thought About Visiting This Place, Where the Sun Shines More Than 300 Days of the Year?

Santa Barbara, my home. A lovely place on the southern coast (although typically referred to as the central coast) of sunny California. This is where the sleigh bells will ring for me this Christmas. In less than 48 hours I will be California bound, driving down the famous highway 101 with the ocean breeze caressing my face, throwing me into a fit of pure joy.

It’s the best of both worlds really, splitting time between Florence, Italy and Santa Barbara. Florence with its old world charm, the romantic streets of cobble stone surrounded by rustic colors of terracotta and traditional green shutters lining every stone building. The family owned shops, trattorias, and cafes with their handmade leather goods, traditional local dishes, and their perfected cappucinos. And don’t forget the wine bars whose walls are lined with endless bottles of some of the best wine in the world.

 Then, of course, there is Santa Barbara. A little corner of the world unlike any other. With its red tiled rooftops and beach town vibe, this city is as charming and mediterranean as they come. One of my favorite places for an absolutely one-of-a-kind and spectacular view of the city is from Stern’s wharf. It’s a view that’s breathtaking. Imagine sitting over the ocean, on the pier, eating a bowl of freshly made clam chowder soup with the salty breeze running through your hair. Out in one direction you see the vast, blue Pacific Ocean with boats, fishman, and very often the sight of dolphins and humpback whales. You take a glance in the opposite direction and you have the sandy coastline decorated in an endless abundance of palm trees that follow the boulevard, one right after the next. Beyond the immediate coast, the city is picturesquely set against a mountain range, ever so perfectly tucked away between the mountains and the water. Sounds great right?

Like Florence, Santa Barbara is a striking little town, much of which can be reached by bicycle. If you’re staying downtown having a bicycle is the perfect way to get around. There you’ll find the lively and picture perfect State Street, the main avenue for shopping, filled with boutiques, cafes, department stores, and a number of restaurants boasting all types of cuisine. I can’t resist a day of shopping with my coffee in hand strutting down State Street, especially with all the unique and lovely boutique shops there are to take advantage of. It also turns into the main area where all the night life can be found. Everything from your back door pub to your nightclub for dancing is either on or right around this street. And for those who like something a little more low key, you can always have a cocktail on one of Santa Barbara’s most scenic rooftop terraces.

I consider myself to be a very lucky girl! Now if only I could take these two worlds of mine and collide them into one, it would be in my idea of paradise. But for now, I’ll settle with one at a time. If you’re in Italy looking for a winter escape, Santa Barbara is the place for you. And I suppose, if perhaps you’re simply reading this from the East Coast or somewhere else with frosty winters, Santa Barbara is a wonderful, not to mention warm, winter escape. Otherwise, to all my Santa Barbarians, come venture to Florence and see what I mean about experiencing the very best of both worlds.

To everyone, warm wishes this holiday season from sunny Santa Barbara!

Free Men’s Italian Leather Belt

Only two days left to take advantage of this deal. Now when you spend €150 or more on any order, receive a free men’s leather reversable belt.

10 Days till a Bearded Man in a Red Suit Leaves Us Presents to Open

Ok, you have exactly 10 days until Christmas morning is upon us. Turn the fear of not having found the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone and let it kick you into gear. Go, go, go and get to shopping!

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas From Pierotucci!