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April 1, 2015

Florence Dreaming

MP Florence Sunset

As I mentioned in my post over the weekend, one of the greatest perks of living in London is the ease of travel to other European destinations. This weekend we’re heading to Florence with my parents (so excited!), and are both so looking forward to returning. My husband studied abroad there for four months, and I visited for a few days during a trip following university graduation. It will be our first time there together, and we’re thrilled to be experiencing it with my parents who love Italy — so we’re all just giddy with excitement.

We want to spend most of the time just enjoying spring in Italy, taking in the gorgeous city, drinking delicious wine and eating yummy gelato (!), of course. There are a few other must-sees on our list {I jotted down quite a little list from Dan Brown’s Inferno, which I blew through on our honeymoon}. Here’s what we’re looking into for the weekend:

  • Wake up with a delicious cappuccino each morning
  • Stroll around the Boboli Gardens
  • Shop for leather sandals in Sabatini
  • Dine on handmade pasta and so much Chianti
  • Watch the Scoppio del Carro {the Explosion of the Cart} on Easter Sunday
  • Climb Giotto’s Campanile for a perfect view of Firenze
  • Have afternoon espresso — every afternoon
  • Eat lots and lots of gelato
  • Walk the Ponte Vecchio at sunset
  • Peruse the farmer’s stands and artisan shops at Mercato Centrale

Scoppio del Carro

The amazing Explosion of the Cart in front of Santa Maria del Fiore.

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Posted by Kristen Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Travel Tagged: Florence, Italy, Travel

February 28, 2015

Host an Italian Countryside-Inspired Dinner

MP Tablescape

These days, the overwhelming sentiment from everyone I talk to is spring can’t come soon enough. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been pouring over our summer plans and dreaming of the warmer weather that’s slowly approaching. I decided to give us a little preview of the fun to come, and take us to the Italian countryside for a recent date night.

I try to cook mostly in season, using local vegetables and decorating with regional flowers. But there does come a point where I break that, like a Saturday night when we need a dose of springtime. We picked up some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, along with rocket greens and a giant ball of mozzarella for our dinner.

MP Roses

For the table, I used a bright white tablecloth and a peach-colored runner to add a light, fresh feeling {I got mine on sale at West Elm, but also like this one here}. Then I got to work on the center arrangement. I picked several leafy branches from our trees outside our building and inserted them into a wire frame. I used roses from another arrangement, cut them so there were just a few inches left on the stem to show off just the bloom, and added them in casually.

Modern Pineapple Italian Tablescape

For the place settings, I paired our bright white plates with our rattan chargers {ours are from Caspari, similar here} to give it a relaxed rustic feel.

I was inspired for the pasta dish by the one Camille Styles shares in her book {she has great taste – I love the way she brings all the senses together with her entertaining}. It was a simple mix of olive oil with minced garlic, cooking down the halved cherry tomatoes, adding in the cooked pasta, creamy torn mozzarella and shredded fresh basil just picked off the plant. The entire kitchen smelled heavenly.

MP Pasta

For the salad, I just drizzled from freshly squeezed lemon juice onto the rocket and parmesan, along with a little olive oil. It was light, fresh and a delicious accompaniment to the pasta.

MP Parm Salad

My husband decanted a wonderfully aged bottle of red, and poured them into our crystal glasses {it’s okay to add a little glamour, it was a date after all!}.

MP Table Setting

MP Pasta Bowl

We had such a good time laughing and dreaming about returning to Italy {the bottle of wine certainly helped!}. I know we’ll call on this combination again soon. Salute!

MP Italian Countryside Dinner

Chargers / Plates / Silverware / Napkins / Glassware / Decanter / Wine Coaster / Pitcher

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Posted by Kristen Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Entertaining Tagged: Inspiration, Italy, Tablescape

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