In honor of the first day of Milan fashion week, team WGACA put together a compilation of some favorite spots in the lovely Italian city. These places are far from touristy – think chic and a little off the beaten path.
Best place for a cappucino or caffeine fix:
Cova – Famous pastry shop and coffee spot; their coffee is made from seven types of Arabic blends.
Pasticceria Cucchi – Best for chocolates and pastries. Delish.
For Fall 2010 What Goes Around Comes Around produced the lovely Violeta top. A semi-sheer black blouse with beautiful gold floral detail, inspired by 1930s designs. We knew we loved the top, and then we saw Jessica Simpson does too! If you’re a fan, you can get one here.
A long walk in the woods
I love to visit my friends in Woodstock, NY. It is so beautiful here and I always have a wonderful time.We have been visiting this area of hudson county for almost twenty years. The drive is nice and scenic as well if one chooses to take the Taconic Park way. I like to get there fast so a quick Journey through Jersey whips us up to this special piece of land. Upon arriving we are always greeted by a friendly dog or cat wandering around the property. The relaxing laid back atmosphere lends itself well for if your looking to relax after being in the city and usually a walk in the woods helps remedy the two hour drive after you get up here. A glass of wine accompanied by some Artisnal cheeses usually precedes an amazing homemade meal. After gathering wood we sit around the firepit with our friends and a nice bottle of wine while my daughter searches for the best marshmallow roasting stick she can find. If she’s lucky we make Smores. Coming from the city it’s great to have the room to run around and take advantage of a tree to climb or a vine to swing from. When we turn in we’re tired and happy. Just a couple of days up here feels like a week. When I wake up there’s a hot pot of coffee up and sometimes if I’m lucky there are pancakes, eggs, maybe bacon. Yum! It’s so beautiful up here, it’s always nice to walk around exploring the area….
The eve of September 7th found me at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, a venue whose warm, vibey interior harkens back to the days of the Grande Ballroom and the Fillmore East and that is purportedly the “loudest” room in Long Island, since L’Amour closed it’s doors anyway. Expectations were high…
Sashayed up in the fray front stage for Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter, they opening show for BXI and Altar, each a big dark prehistoric pachyderm of a super group (Altar being Boris plus Sunn O))) and BXI being Boris and Ian Astbury of The Cult). The gig itself was curated by Jim Jarmusch in conjunction with the All Tomorrow’s Parties shin dig the previous weekend. Jesse had a smooth stoner balladeer vibe and her band was a crack unit seemingly road tested and bristling. Did their wares pretty fair and strong and laid a heavy foundation for the rest of the eve with their Mazzy Star/Dead Meadow thing done up their own way.
Next up was my main reason to go: BXI – Ian Astbury fronting Japanese doomers, Boris, doing a clutch of new originals plus a cover of “The End” by Ian’s last effort, the John Densmore-less Doors regrouping. Ian didn’t waste no time and channeled not only the vision of a paunched-out latter period Jim Morrison done up with cholo head bandana and leather jacket with denim vest but also threw down the sheer banshee vocal chord onslaught that Astbury is known the world over for.
Whether you are a fan of Arcade Fire or not, I truly suggest that you embark on the journey that is The Wilderness Downtown. An interactive film by Chris Milk, set alongside their song “We Used To Wait,” it suggests that you type in your childhood address, but any address that holds meaning to you will do. And – a little hint – it is best viewed with Google Chrome.
I have seen friends watch it and laugh, and I have seen friends watch it and cry. Sometimes it feels good to revisit the past; to feel like you are back in the street staring at your childhood home. Amazing.