Postcards from Positano

Flying in from Paris…

…driving in from Naples…






I kept getting giddier and giddier.

The Amalfi Coast and the town of Positano couldn’t have been prettier or more picturesque.




Needless to say, it’s hilly; a town you climb rather than walk.

Every time I had to go up and down these stairs, I told myself I could have another scoop of gelato...

...or an extra shot of Limoncello.

Besides, this was the panorama I was rewarded with from my hotel balcony. Seriously.


In fact, I went up and down the stairs quite often because I just couldn’t get over the views—different at every turn, more breathtaking with each step.



And in between the beauty and awe…


… was the ridiculousness and excessiveness…


…the gluttony and fun…





(Nothing like a hot Italian chef in the kitchen to inspire you to make hundreds of gnocchi.)


…the sun and the sea.




I fly solo so often, I had forgotten how fun it is to vacation with good friends.




Happy birthday, ConCon! Love you guys!

Sensory Friday, on the heels of Italy

• It was so, so nice seeing my old friends from San Francisco in Positano.
• And hearing birds and insects and nature in Capri. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks? Heaven.
• And then, of course, there was the food. I can’t decide if the very best thing I tasted was the gnocchi in fresh tomato sauce with ridiculous amounts of cheese that we made in our cooking class? Or the toasted almond gelato from Gelateria Buonocore that was served in a waffle cone that was still warm.
• It was all I could do to pass up splurging on the Eau d’Italie perfume I found in the Sirenuse gift shop. But I figured the 100 euro I didn’t spend on it will go towards the Vuitton bag I’ve been coveting for months.
• And the very best feeling all week: salt water from the Mediterranean drying on my skin in the late-day sun.

Ah Italy, you might get me yet.

Ciao, bébés

If my girlfriend wants to celebrate her birthday on the Amalfi Coast, who I am to refuse her? I'm off to Positano and Capri for a week of fun and sun. A bientot!

Paris makes people happy

This was the week that America visited.

Honeymoon lovebirds Kev and Christie.

Mary and her sister and friends, living! it! up!

Trin finagled a 24-hour layover on her way home from Switzerland.

And I knew I was going to see these rascals in Positano next week, but they didn’t tell me they were coming to Paris first.

Needless to say, much food and wine was consumed this week. Many hugs exchanged.

And is it just me, or does Paris just make people happy?

Sensory Friday

• Horror of horrors, I was actually disappointed with a crumble this week—the blueberry-apple crumble at Chez Janou. They make a mean crème brulée to say nothing of the chocolate mousse… who would have thought they wouldn’t make a decent crumble?
• I’m feeling fired up at work!
• I’m still loving the Laughter perfume (by Space NK) Chris and Dana got me last year for my birthday.
• I was attuned to many small details that decorate this city and make it magnificently beautiful.
• And I loved hearing the sound of AJ and Mer on the telephone the other night.

I wish I lived at agnes b.

Then I would have a cool courtyard like this.

Colorful lights strung up for fun parties.

Because every day would be a party, living here.

Of course, I'd change the sign from "agnes b." to "amy t."

And when the party started fading, I’d hop on my Vespa and disappear into the gray city streets.

Vrooom....

French phrase of the day: le blues de la rentrée

Def: Back-to-school blues

Actually, since la rentrée is more like New Year's, despite being timed when everyone is shoved off to work and school after a whole lot of summer vacationing, there's greater significance to it. It's exciting and bustling and new for some; overwhelming, depressing and a reason to crawl under the covers for others. This phrase is for the latter group.

Bon courage, mes amis!

Sunlight, sunset

It's 8 o'clock and the sun finally decided to make an appearance. So now, after a full day of rain, we can watch the sun set.