My Cinnamon Girl

This is so I can post a rare photograph of Signorina Julie (Giulia). Every time a camera is pointed in her direction, she suddenly turns her head. I still lack a camera but the cheapo video-cam thingy to document her asthma has a camera function. I think her vet will be impressed on Thursday with my neo-realism/Italian directing style. (Open City, Rossellini) Uh huh.

The Vietri pitcher with hyacinth has a film grain imposed on it. I can't remember why. That was yesterday. I did buy the piece (& matching/contrasting pieces) in Vietri, though. The decaying dining room with terracotta-colored walls is via we heart it & now I can't find the attribution. If anyone knows, let me know. I'm leaving it in.

So much going on that my head might pop off, also allergies. GG's site is on spring break. I'll finally clean up this site, visit everyone, respond to comments & email, & figure out why ants are walking around a perfectly clean kitchen counter. For days, where there is nothing for them to eat. It's like Burning Man in there--not that I've been. They're not eating, they just seem drugged. And they're called--by some people--cinnamon ants. Oh happy day.

ciao

Claudia in Black & White

Did you know that bella (& smart) Claudia was born in Tunisia (of Sicilian parents)? Here's a good link to a UK site--a Tribute to Claudia Cardinale. Much, much better photographs than here. I like the one of her on a Roman street (left in collage); it's so familiar. She has a book called "My Tunisia." Alas, I cannot find it (yet). Ciao.

[the large photographs by Paul Schutzer/ Rome, 1961/LIFE archives; the others are via we heart it, from Femenino plural & por FactoryGirl photography/tumblr; pASTelgIRL/flickr]

Week's End - Anouk in Black & White

La Dolce Vita still. Good luck finding the still photographer. Maybe Fellini took it. Here's the link to the full credits.

Malèna

I've been thinking about Sicily a lot lately. Some people have seen a version of this in the GG blog (some pix are different). Here's the post in Giulia Geranium. By the way, the reason I'm not soliciting comments by asking questions is because it seems an imposition. I don't know why because I don't feel that way about other blogs. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. At a loss.

Last night I rewatched Roman Holiday...all cleaned, restored, & impeccably groomed. But of course:) Many new pix of Rome are also cheering me up...& those will be later today & during the week. ciao belle...

[Malèna credits; Alone in the Sea & Alone with the Sea by Giampaolo Macorig; LIFE archive, uncredited Sicilian scene]

Federico's film that changed everything...

It must be everywhere today but I can't let it pass without saying something. La Dolce Vita (the movie, not the saying) is 50 years old today. More thoughts another time...but I keep hearing Anita Ekberg say: "Marcello...come here..." in that nutty high voice at that goofy Trevi Fountain. (photos from screen shots).ciao belle.

Blue Roma, Fontana di Trevi

I used this on the other blog & its blue filter looks ghastly against the yellow background. (I really did not think that through back in May.) I wanted to see Giampaolo's photograph against a white background. I can feel myself pulled to vintage Italian film photos. The Roman obsession is kicking up. We'll see. I've a word-collage list (I use it to write) linking imagined photos/illustrations that I shall covet if I ever find them. Greedy, I am. Buena notte, belle.

Moreau Inspiration

The real J.M. Then inspiration for Steven Meisel's Cinema Stills shoot in Vogue Italia (October 2003). We love J.M. for many reasons but making under-eye shadows acceptably sexy (yes!) was a major achievement. That & not being classically beautiful but being considered gorgeous. As she was & remains. ciao!