Happy 4th of July...

Dear all,

Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!

I am still in Florence for the first time in a long while, likely it is full of fellow Americans to celebrate the Independence Day.

The weather in Florence has been quite moody lately, to cool of when is warm I like to escape for the weekend in Forte dei Marmi and I see that even there many of you have found your home away from home

Now, tag me in your stories, write to me, stay in touch with social networks and if you need a special personal shopper session online, you can ask to:

personalshopper@jennifertattanelli.com

PALM BEACH AND THE HAMPTONS

The Ateliers in Palm Beach are both open and the town, even if quieter than previous months, still gather visitors especially during the weekends.

Yes it is hotter and more humid, yet the gentle breeze coming from the ocean at the end of Worth Avenue mitigates the summer weather and makes a stroll in town still enjoyable.

While in The Hamptons Atelier, Catalina, Lesly and Sofia are welcoming all of you already out and about in these gorgeous part of the Country. Families are gathering for the 4th of July weekend and now we can finally say the season is open.

Enjoy the morning strolls by the beach and the breakfast at the local bakery for me too!! I am not going to lie, I do love my Latte in the Hamptons however I cannot trade it for the Espresso while in Florence.

FIRENZE...

As the summer heat starts climbing, we’re on the lookout for ways to keep cool. It’s all about the rooftops and riverside this season, with hangout spots opening up all along the Arno, decked out with stages for live music, street food stalls and a non-stop calendar throughout the summer. A stroll by the river with a gelato in hand is no doubt one of the best ways to pass an evening, soaking up the sights and sounds of people enjoying the city.

I love attending one of the many outdoor cinemas, too, with places like Villa Bardini and the courtyard outside the Uffizi Gallery popping up big screens for a film viewing like no other. There’s a new addition to the offering this year, with the Sant’Orsola former convent complex opening up as a summer venue with 150 seats under the stars. Cinema even comes to you with the roving Cinema Tascabile that brings movies to various piazzas from July 15 to August 7. So, there’s a way to enjoy this memorable experience no matter where you are in Florence!

If you’re looking to get moving, there’s a range of free, open-to-all sporting sessions all across Florence as part of the series called Sport all’aperto. Held until August 9, you can take part in gymnastics, Pilates, Tai-Chi and more, for all ages and levels, giving you a good excuse to get out and about and also to meet new people! 

In terms of cultural developments, new public gardens have been opened along Viale Michelangelo, with the former campsite becoming a fabulous summer events space! It’s always great to see a bit more greenery added to the city, and even better to see a place that had fallen into disuse for 10 years get reinvigorated.

Situated right beside Piazzale Michelangelo and the Iris Garden, the park covers nearly ten acres and will even see plenty of contemporary culture with a street art section in partnership with Street Levels Gallery. There’s ample space for picnics and even an area for kids to kick around a ball too!

I couldn’t leave out the latest political news in Florence, which is that the city has elected its first female mayor, Sara Funaro. This is added to the fact that Prato and Perugia have also just sworn in their first woman mayors. 

A refreshing yet filling dish on my summer to-make list is a spelt salad, one of those oh-so-versatile grains that you always need to keep handy in your cupboard!

One of the best to be found is Garfagnana IGP spelt. It’s an ideal base for a salad as you just need to add seasonal ingredients to create something delicious! Whether your preference is cherry or sun-dried, tomatoes of some variety are always a must! A bit of basil and mozzarella, and you’ve got yourself a tasty dish, with pesto or rocket adding an extra bit of flavor.

Have a wonderful July!

Yours,

Jennifer