Deadly combination: Chocolate, Fashion and Designer Handbags

This morning while breezing through my tweets I hit upon an image that mixed two of my favorite things – chocolate and fashion! I just had to save it and devour it privately- even if it was only virtually!  Then I thought, I really shouldn’t be so greedy and pinned it on my Pinterest account (with much deserving results!) and now I am going to share with all my fellow bloggers.

I am putting both these sites out there for credit because honestly I can’t find the exact source to link BUT both of these sites are worth the visit!

Chocolate Madness, handmade chocolate delights

Eat Love and Savor, the name kind of says it all

And of course, I am going to add a touch of our own with this new limited edition (only 14 designer bags available)  FORTUNATA in black patent leather with chocolate colored leather accents:

William Shakespeare, a household word

A man that has touched all of our lives, in fact so many times a phrase will be used in normal everyday conversation which  can and should  be credited to William Shakespeare.  I remember studying his work while at college (it was a REQUIRED class but quickly became a DESIRED class.)  By the end of the semester I was captivated by his incredible wit, his playfulness and extreme talent.  And now today 23 April, many are celebrating his b-day and/or the anniversary of his death (both on the same day), so I thought I would just do a refresher course by searching out his name.   I always find it amazing to discover how many of his scribbles have become one liners and have infiltrated our everyday conversation and culture … so many of them have become household words!!

Here are a few that I remember.  Do you have anything to add to this list?

If music be the food of love, play on.

To be or not to be, that is the question

All the world’s a stage

For my part it was Greek to me, which of course we lazily say its all Greek to me

In fact just a little research pulled up this site:  William Shakespeare . info

and I quote from their site (but please check them out because the full article is even more interesting):

William Shakespeare Quotes – Plagiarism!
…  Other famous Shakespearean quotations such as “I’ll not budge an inch”, “We have seen better days” ,”A dish fit for the gods” are all used frequently and, almost as a parody, the expression it’s “Greek to me” is often used to describe a frustrated student’s view of Shakespeare’s work! Politicians dig deep into their pool of William Shakespeare quotes and quotations such as “Fair Play”, “Foregone Conclusion “, “One Fell Swoop”, and “Into Thin Air “. Furthermore, other Shakespearean quotes such as “to thine own self be true” have become widely spoken pearls of wisdom. So quotes from William Shakespeare have now become household words and sayings – and just to emphasise the point “household word” is also one of the Bard’s ‘anonymous’ quotations!

Nomination and William Shakespeare in Florence Italy

What a fun coincidence that we just put online a new piece from Nomination Italian Fashion Jewelry, a lovely romantic necklace that has a quote (in Italian, but of course) from on of his sonnets.  The Sonnets, published in 1609, were the last of Shakespeare’s non-dramatic works to be printed.  Scholars are not certain when each of the 154 sonnets was composed, but evidence suggests that Shakespeare wrote sonnets throughout his career for a private readership.  This necklace has a sweet little heart with a Swarovski Crystal and a medallion with a lover’s quote:

Sonnet 24 by William Shakespeare
Mine eye hath play’d the painter and hath stell’d
Thy beauty’s form in table of my heart;

Marzo Pazzo is just a tad bit late

but those April Showers are just on time!

Ya’ gotta love the rain. I mean it is the harbinger of a spring well done bringing with it color, flowers, those intoxicating smells of green leaves and just turned soil. The Italians call March “pazzo” or crazy because it seems like it can never make up its mind.  Though I must say, Marzo was very confident this year.  It provided us with plenty of splendid sunny days and some of the warmest temps we’ve ever had this early in the year.  It looks like its craziness is being dumped on April. This morning I woke up to rain pounding on the roof of the house, 30 mins later (yes I hit the snooze button several times) I opened the window to sunshine and singing birds. It didn’t take long for this item, a compact (reliable) umbrella would have been … to say the least … useful because 30 mins later I was dodging the raindrops to make it to my car with 10°C.  THEN 30 mins after that I was only dodging the puddles that had accumulate at the office and considerably colder temps.

All morning I have been either squinting at my computer screen because the sunshine was causing too much of a reflection or reaching for the light switch because I couldn’t see a thing.  And now ? Its thunder-storming, complete with lightening, power black outs and sheets of rain! Never a dull minute and all of April is supposed to be like this.  My guess is May is going to be spectacular with its colors and flowers.

But in the meantime these mid season changes in precipitation, sunshine and temps plays havoc with our physical and mental state of mind.  I am combating this by looking at some spring colors with a warm lining!  Starting with my hands, I know if my hands are warm and cozy with a pair of gloves that I feel as if I can take on the world.  Not only is the wool lining warm – but I love the color in these gloves,  it looks like the first green buds on the trees.

- and when you feel good with a pair of leather gloves then it is easy to make the next step to playing around.  I always thought it would be so lovely to play around in the rain.  The pattern and color in this raincoat just remind me of SPRING, it just seems to beckon to me to come and play in the puddles.  Of course if I did that I would also need a lovely pair of stomping rain boots!

Driving Gloves are Always in Style

Driving gloves are not just for driving anymore!  Elegant and chic, it would appear by checking out the 2012 Alexander McQueen Collection for this Fall that they are a must have  for your wardrobe.

It is a simple item but it can turn an informal or casual outfit into something just one step beyond.

Handcrafted in genuine Italian leather, these unlined driving gloves for men are feather light and long lasting.  The perforated leather allows for comfortable wearing in warmer temps while still offering protection in the chillier weather.  Just as interesting are the unlined driving gloves for women in Italian leather.

The carefully tanned Italian leather is ideal for maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel, briefcase, iPad or Smartphone.  However we don’t think the Alexander McQueen collection is showing them just for their practical use, these gloves in either black or cognac combine with each one of the the outfits below beautifully.  We especially like the use of the coganc colored gloves with the gray jacket and pants – the striking contrast is very appealing.

Black Leather Driving Gloves from Men from Pierotucci

Cognac Colored Leather Driving Gloves from Men

Don’t Save the Date

Save the month of November and December!

And while your at it,  save money with for special sales and discounts from Pierotucci.com.

The management at Pierotucci have launched a non-stop program of mini sales, special discounts, new products and free gifts from now til the end of the year.

Our calendar is updated every Tuesday on line with our sale program and great Pierotucci Buys.

But if you want a peek of what’s in store, read on!

FREE GIFTNovember 15until November 21	For every order that is over 200 Euros Pierotucci is adding a free gift of appreciation !
November 15until November 21	Caterina Lucchi, from the same producer of the infamous Campomaggi bags, are now all discounted for this week only. Click here to see all bags..
November 21until November 24	Coming soon, 18 K white, yellow and pink hand carved gold rings from Florence Italy in a tradtional Florentine style
November 25 ONLY	All orders over 200 Euro recieve a free gift of 34 Euro, an Italian Leather mens belt. Buckle will vary according to availability.
November 25-29LOYALTY DISCOUNT SHOPPERS ONLY	We will double your 5% Loyalty Discount for all orders over 275 Euro recieve. Discount applied at time of shipping. Not to be used together with and special price offers.
November 27 -28 ONLY	GHERARDINI SALE 10% off new and selected items
November 28 -29 ONLY	All of our FIRM GRAIN Bags and Accessories are 10% off

3D photos from Italy, Truly in the eye of the beholder

Have you ever taken a picture with the hope of seeing the image jump out and become “real” to all your friends and family?  In essence to give a “3D” feel to it?

Today’s technology has made the 3D essence possible and we are celebrating our own in house photographer Lorenzo Bartoli with 2 of his Florence and 2 of his Rome images as gift ideas for the holiday season.  Each of these four images captures a renowned historic monument  giving them depth and movement, as if you were really there in person to enjoy the spectacular image.

These images are individually elaborated by hand  into a 3D image making them a unique handcrafted item.

How does it work?  The lenticular technique consists of interposing an optical layer made of tiny longitudinal lenses, called a lenticular sheet, between the image and the viewer’s eye. This creates the illusion that the image changes depending on the viewer’s visual angle. These self-stereoscopic images, also known as three dimensional or 3D images, use a special method that eliminates the need to wear special glasses in order to appreciate the effect.  The lenticular sheet of APET plastic has a series of straight lines engraved in it, making it feel like you are scratching a record when you touch it.  These lines are what give the 3D effect to the images.

The first image is of the statue of Perseus located in the Loggia outside of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which depicts him wearing the many gifts of the gods as once he undertook the mission to bring back the head of the famous Gorgon, Medusa.  Interesting to note that though this bronze of Cellini is graphic with the blood gushing from the severed head of Medusa, this  subject is not treated with horror or disgust.

The second Florentine image is of  Neptune, and was meant to be an allusion to the dominion of  Florence over the sea. The figure stands on a high pedestal in the middle of an octagonal fountain. However, when this white marble statue was finished, it was not appreciated in particular by the Florentines, who called it Il Biancone (the white giant).

The lenticular illustrations by Lorenzo Bartoli are made with the precise and passionate characteristics found in a hand crafted production. They are printed in a superior quality and then each image is individually hand laminated. These images are made with real photographs and it is this which gives the subjects a spatial volume, resulting in a true 3D effect.  It is through these images that the author has tried to convey the warmth and emotion felt during his work.

Murano Glass in Miniature

Miniatures have been treasured throughout history for the detail, their size and their artistic expression, so it is no surprise when these micromosaics made from spun enamel glass, that they too would be treasured and collected.  Though this art was exemplified in the Byzantine times, then in Rome, there are very few creative studios that still produce them using the age old techniques that created incredible collections like those seen in London and the Hermitage in Russia.  In fact, Traversari is one of the few that still study and utilize the skills developed 100′s of years before to create original and beautiful works of art.

The miniature originally grew as a way to convey the story and meaning of the written word.  In fact, the art of miniature painting is directly connected to illustrations in books.  As time passed, the images were cut out of  books or documents so that they could be carried more easily.  From this came the idea of the “portable”  portrait miniature and artists were commissioned to paint small portraits – paintings that were used as we use wallet sized photographs today.

These micro mosaics made from Murano glass or enamel basically have the same idea – to make an image or memory portable – are made from sticks of glass and/or enamel or what they call wands – which look a bit like a squashed straw (about 30cm in length and about 1mm in thickness).  These sticks are then cut into little pieces (about 3mm high) and placed together to create an image such as a floral, a landscape of Roman ruins or a copy of other well known works of art.  It is an art of patience, carefully cutting the pieces and then compiling them to create an image.

The micro mosaic was born in Rome in the second half of the 1700′s when the decoration in the Basilica in Rome was nearing completion,  resulting in putting many mosaic craftsmen out of work.  These craftsmen returned to their own workshops and began to produce mini mosaics.  These works of art in fact quickly became popular with the tourists on the Grand Tour since there were easily packaged and carried home. Typical scenes were landscapes of Roman views and ruins, sometimes micromosaics were used as small panels  in furniture,  inlays on snuff boxes, framed images  or even as jewelry.

A distinctive feature of micromosaics is that the tesserae, which is the Italian name for the tiny elements of glass or enamel that make up the image,  are usually oblong rather than square.  Many images will also show tesserae which have more than one color in them, these pieces of Murano glass are actually a work of art in themselves. Amazing but beautiful, some of the best work can achieve 3,000 to 5,000 tesserae per square inch.

Royal Wedding Charms by Nomination

Nomination has commemorated the March 2011 Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton by creating a link charm modeled after the sapphire engagement ring previously worn by the late Princess Diana. 

This sapphire charm comes with three different kinds of accompanying pieces. You can choose from a antique crown, white crystal matrix, or hearts. As with any Nomination link bracelet the remaining links can be used for other additional charms. This way not only will the commemorative Royal Wedding charms be the centerpiece of your bracelet, but you will be able to add other symbols that capture your unique personality.

In addition to the commemorative bracelet, Nomination has also had a little bit of run with a mock ring, the stretch band makes this a one size fits all!

Sterling silver and stainless steel Special Edition Extension ring with Cubic Zirconia stones.

Italian Cameos: The Difference in Color, Shape, and Design Unravelled

The Italian cameo is a longstanding member in the world of fine jewelry. The detail, rare materials, and elegance have made it a sought after item by centuries of royalty and nobility alike. Though the world of fashion has changed significantly since those times cameos still emanate a sense of luxury, and are a must for any fine jewelry collector. Cameos come in three different types of raw materials, and each material speaks about how the cameo was made, where it was made, and how valuable it is. Below is a description of the three main different kinds of cameos for the jewelry collector wanting a bit more info, or for the novice interested learning the basics. Cameos naturally are made out of many types of materials, though the three we have listed tend to be the most prevalent in the market.

Sardonyx Shell Cameos are the most rare and valuable of the three. This is for multiple reasons, however the most prevalent reason is that sardonyx shells grow at a very slow rate, and therefore the are not harvested in abundance. A limited number of sardonyx shell cameos are produced every year.

Sardonyx shells are also desirable due to their color pigmentation. Sardonyx has a pure white mid layer and a beautiful deep red to chocolate brown interior. This provides each cameo with striking color contrast, adding to its elegance. Both types of shell cameos are hand carved by artisans who have been specifically trained in one area of detail. This means that one artist has spent their working life trained to carve noses or hair while another is trained to carve flowers. Only a master carver has the experience and know how to carve a cameo in its entirety, therefore the majority of cameos on the market have gone threw an assembly line type process where multiple carvers add their expertise to every piece.

Cornelian Shell Cameos are more common as this type of shell grows much more rapidly, and is harvested on a regular basis. The majority of shell cameos are made using Cornelian shell. This shell coloring is different than Sardonyx. Cornelian shells tend to range from orange to pink hues, detracting from the amount of color contrast between the base colored part of the cameo to the carved out profile. Cornelian shells also have less white coloring between the layers, meaning that the profile or object being carved will not be a pure white like on Sardonyx shells. The object being carved will have a tinge of the orange or pink of the base of the shell. These two reasons are why Cornelian shell cameos are more widely seen and purchased.

Cornelian shell cameos are also created in the same way of Sardonxy shell cameos. The assembly line of artisans carve their expertise into every shell. There is however one major difference in the process that is attributed to Cornelian shell cameos that Sardonxy lack. The amount of layering in the carving of Cornelian shells cameos can include the top outside layer of the shell, mid layer for the profile, and the bottom base layer adding a level of complexity and hue to the overall beauty of the cameo.

Another determining factor in Cornelian cameo creation is the actual decision of while type of design is put on which piece of shell. Sardonyx shells are more uniform in nature, and therefore do not have as many natural rises and falls like a Cornelian shell. The layout of the shell becomes critical to which design in carved into it. For example, a shell with a large bump will tend to have a flower motif carved into the raised area instead of a profile. Profiles need to have a somewhat flat surface in order to be carved properly.

There are also many types of non shell cameos in the modern market. Many cameos can now be produced using semi-precious stones instead of fragile shells. Agate is one such stone that is commonly used in modern cameo production. This specific stone was selected for use due to its high white mineral content, allowing the profile and motifs to still have a white coloring. Agate can also come in a variety of different colors, allowing for a wider selection in color contrast.

The majority of all Agate is quarried in Northern Europe, and therefore differs from the shell versions which are harvested in the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas respectively. Also agate cameos cannot be carved by hand due to the hard nature of the stone. Agate stone cameos are cut using modern laser technology. This has both positive and negative repercussions for cameo enthusiasts. Negatively the agate cameo is not technically an artisan item, as it is made by machines, however this does allow a cameo to be exactly reproduced. The ability to perfectly reproduce popular designs gives consumers an increased availability of exactly what they want.

Another defining difference between stone cameos and shell cameos is the actual shape of the cameo. Shell cameos are convex in shape, allowing the design to protrude from the metal setting. Stone cameos being more uniform in nature are not convex but flat on the underside. They also lay flat within their settings.

S/S 2011: Furla’s Cash In On Candy and Pierotucci’s Lucky Break

The main theme of S/S 2011 fashion hasn’t been focused on revolutionary shapes, innovative patterns, or revamped interpretations of a past decade’s popular trend. Instead S/S 2011 has been all about bright, bold, in your face colors. Handbag designers worldwide have pulled out the color palettes, and delved into transient world of shade definition. Balenciaga, always known for their courage with colors is a prime example of the variety of tones we have seen this season. They have showcased a sunshine yellow, military green, deep pink, and blue toned lilac. Their F/W 2011 collection also has one of the most eye popping reds I have ever seen. Balenciaga, though known for their daring colors, isn’t the only brand making a wide color splash this season.  Most premier designers have pulled out the stops on colors, and demanded only the best in artisan dying and tanning.

Furla, a well known label in Europe and Asia, has also followed the trend with their new Candy line. Candy consists of classic bag shapes in brighter than life colors. These are the colors you see on those poisonous tropical fogs! The line is also produced in PVC rubber, which helps clarify the low price tag, but adds weight in comparison to classic leather or straw totes. Furla Candy has been making quite a few heads turn, despite the weight issue. I have seen on various fashion themed forums, as well as received calls here in the factory, concerning the stock, color, and availability of Furla Candy bags. They are also famously cheaper than other premier designer bags, which allows the fashion conscious woman to splurge on a trendy bag for the summer. The Candy colors are also present in their classic leather handbags. The brightness becomes vogue in faux croc, reptile, and pebbled calfskin. A passion fruit faux croc tote would turn my head any day! Candy is also represented in the shoe and sunnies category. Candy’s vivid colors are available in heels and flats, and are reminiscent of Jellies, though with the touch of chic that seems to be incorporated in all “Made In Italy” marks.

At Pierotucci, we somehow unknowingly stumbled onto the color scene as well. Our latest and greatest design, Fortunata, is necessarily produced in a plethora of colors due to the large stock of leather we amassed . For the sake of reaching a more trendy market, we took all these different colors and expanded the palette even further. The majority of our color combinations contrast and highlight the variety of brights and undertones of each bag. Instead of playing it safe by comparing bright body colors with neutral accents, we went bright on bright with select bags. We did however take into account that those bold overlapping colors only work for certain people, ergo bright oranges, yellows, and deep reds are also paired with neutral creams, blacks, and beiges. We are also lucky in the sense that our bags hit the color market at the right time, but with an added amount of utility that most seasonal bags lack.

Every handbag has different uses for different owners, but we like to think of Fortunata as the go to bag for everyday chic. Its large enough to be categorized as a tote when worn by the handles, but also has the option of crossbody and folding if your day’s needs don’t require you to carry along as much. I recently helped a college student pick out a navy patent leather with white accents, and I have to say it is one of the chicest Fortunatas we have. It dresses up plain jeans and a blouse with out looking completely out of place. Furla’s Candy and Balenciaga are also fantasic brands for this affect! So if you can’t afford Balenciaga’s price tag, or can’t bear Candy’s weight, then check out Fortunata!

3-way shoulder tote

3-way long crossbody tote

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-way crossbody fold over tote