Joelle Lifestyle - The World at Home

Over the course of history, many queens and famous women have passed through the Piazzetta. From Victoria of Sweden to Simone de Beauvoir, from Mafalda D’Assia to Marguerite Yourcenar. The Piazzetta has always been a stage and in fact, it is thrown into a state turmoil when movie stars make their appearance. It’s in this atmosphere that Silvia De Gennaro grew up, founding 30 years ago the immensely chic and exclusive eye-wear line, named ” Capri People”.

Standing at the door of the legendary family boutique, tanned with a large smile on his face, young Costanzo the Italian grand son of Amedeo Canfora the three generation house of hand made sandals looks at me straight in the eyes. His grandfather Amedeo Canfora in the 1960’s dressed the feet of famous women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn.

Like old souvenir postcards, the latest fragrances get their inspiration from the Italian landscape among Cedars and Magnolias. The landscape of the peninsula is the latest discovery of creative noses. Past the cliched 50’s vintage stereo postcards (with the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the background) there is an Italy of hidden corners and unknown gardens.

To outwit the merchants in the Medina’s famous souks, you’ll need a good sense of direction and razor-sharp bargaining powers! I went everywhere during these ten days and I have organized for you a small menu of my personal shopping delights.

Uncontained, disorderly, untained by grandeur or pomp the ambience of the Jemaa El Fna the city’s thronging market square, provides what must be one of the greatest shows on earth.

Lately one should be careful with the sun. Unfortunately, due to the thinning of the Earth’s ozone layer its rays can be stronger and more dangerous on some days causing irreplaceable damages to our skins. Having lived in Brazil for so many years I have become addicted to a great suntan but more the ever I am aware about skin aging and I know for a fact that I should be prepared before exposing it long hours under the Mediterranean sun—my favorite by the way.

If you wish to avoid the oppressive Carnival crowds of tourists and breathe the authentic atmosphere of old Venice, you should stay for a few days in the neighborhood of Canareggio.

Venice is uniquely famous for its local crafts that have been produced here for centuries and are hard to get elsewhere: the glassware from Murano, the delicate lace from Burano, and the marbled paper. You’ll find them in specialized botteghe, (shops) where you can watch artisans paint amid their wares.