The things one can find when spring cleaning...
I've been detoxing my wardrobe for some days now, and I keep stumbling upon old favourites with funny little back stories attached to them. Like this vest, which I picked up at an Italian souvenir stall around 2006.
It was my first vacation in Italy, and my then-boyfriend and I were traipsing through Verona, en route to Juliet's house. Where, like many other young lovers, we were about to engrave our initials in a big heart on the house's entrance wall - this was supposed to bring good luck in love and all that fine stuff.
Poised with pen in hand, common sense prevailed at the last minute. Because, given the outcome of Romeo & Juliet's relationship, it seemed highly ironic to be wishing for luck at the home of star-crossed, suicidal lovers. Thus, we kept our declarations to ourselves - there wasn't any free writing space on the wall, anyways - and went strolling through an adjoining, cobble-stoned plaza instead.
We didn't get far along before a rather chic lady sauntered towards us with undulating, passionate cries of, 'Ciao bella! Ciao bella!' My rudimentary Italian was enough to understand her, but I wasn't so sure to whom she was saying 'hello beautiful'.
It could have been a compliment to the both of us; we were being very lovey-dovey with the shy smiles, the hand-holding and what not. Or perhaps, she was complimenting my style. My now-husband, however, swore that she was giving an approving glance to him and him, alone.
The nerve!
The next day in Venice, I promptly hunted down a tee-shirt vendor and copped this little vest as a keepsake. Years later we're still undecided about the intent behind the lady's greeting, but everytime I've worn the the top since, I can't help but smile to myself...
Wearing: Island People Carnival 2007 earring; Italian Souvenir vest; Dior vintage coat; H&M skirt; ASOS leather booties; Le Chat Noir tote;Tory Burch avaiators
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