What to do about this moody weather..

Dear all,

February arrives quietly, but it leaves a mark. It is known as the month of love.

Love is care, respect, and complicity and like leather, love carries the signs of what it has lived. Wrinkles and imperfections are not flaws: they are memory. And just like handcrafted leather, true love is not created quickly.

It requires time, patience, and passion. It is a relationship that grows with use, that adapts to the person who lives it and becomes better because it is loved. It is not perfect, but authentic.

What is made with love, like leather, does not age it gains character.

This month we do celebrate the everyday love: toward others, toward the things we do with passion, and first of all toward ourselves.

That is probably why it has been designated as National Cancer Prevention Month, focusing on reducing cancer risks through lifestyle changes, with World Cancer Day observed on February 4th.

PALM BEACH...

February in Palm Beach is filled with beautiful days....yet lately it has been quite chill!!

The air is light, and time moves slowly. A walk along Worth Avenue among curated storefronts, palm trees, and details.

Brunch becomes a ritual: outdoor tables, easy conversations, time for yourself, a simple but precious moment.

Looks follow the same idea: clean lines, bright colors, carefully chosen details. Dressing well not for someone else, but to feel good, confident, and valued.

Palm Beach hosts "Cavallino", the event dedicated to Ferrari excellence, an iconic appointment celebrating design, performance, and Italian craftsmanship in one of the most refined settings in the world. Between historic models and contemporary creations, Cavallino is a meeting of passion, style, and the culture of beauty.

For Valentine’s Day, there is a desire to rediscover a more authentic romance: a sunset boat ride, when the sea calms and being close feels natural, sharing a moment just for you. Or a carefully prepared outdoor picnic, where everything is designed to feel good together.

No grand gestures are needed only the right ones. Simple and intimate experiences, able to turn small moments into emotions that last....this is what Palm Beach is all about right?

FIRENZE...

February’s quieter feel brings a sense of needed tranquility, with fewer tourists and more locals milling around the streets.

It’s the time of year when important works push forward, like the continuing extension of the tramline that was recently halted for an intriguing reason: the discovery of medieval city walls below piazza Beccaria!

While somewhat to be expected in centuries-old Firenze, it has still proven a fascinating story. The archaeological remains have been partially removed to enable the works to proceed, connecting piazza della Libertà to Bagno a Ripoli.

The Accademia Gallery has announced a significant change for the city’s museum set-up. Forming a seven-museum strong network, the museums will have shared management moving forward, under director Andreina Contessa.

Reaching 18,610 square meters of exhibition space, the agreement consists of the Accademia Gallery, the Bargello National Museum, the Medici Chapels Museum, the Palazzo Davanzati Museum, the Orsanmichele Complex, the Casa Martelli Museum, and, once the work is completed, the former Church of San Procolo that will be dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

This news gives us all the more reason to celebrate the city’s heritage, which we do on February 18 to mark the Electress Palatine, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, the last descendant of the Medici family who bequeathed the extensive collections of the Medici to the city of Florence through her “Family Pact” in 1743.

Carnevale comes to Florence! While the Venice edition is certainly the most splendid, the Renaissance city also boasts its own festive flair. A parade will take place through the central streets, with family events and even an extravagant masked ball in Palazzo Vecchio.

For an even more elaborate affair, head to nearby Viareggio for giant floats that are true masterpieces.

A new exhibition on my list is at the National Archaeology Museum. Titled Icons of Power and Beauty, 20 artifacts, including gilded bronze heads of Roman emperors and the goddess Venus, go on display until April 9. From gems and jewelry to medallions and coins from the Medici collections, it’s a fascinating array of items and details how such images were used to express power in the Roman imperial world of the 3rd century AD.February is also all about flavor!

The 19th edition of the food fair, Taste, showcases the best in Italian cuisine. Over 750 companies present their wares at Fortezza da Basso from February 7-8, with admission to the public from 2.30-6.30pm.

And now that we’re thinking about food, I’m fully embracing the carnival feel this February, with everyone’s sweet snacks of choice being cenci or frittelle! The fried treats aside, however, I’m also enjoying the rich wholesomeness of polenta (cornmeal) and the myriad things you can make with it!

A Tuscan favorite is to combine it with a meat sauce or cavolo nero (black cabbage), making sure to whisk well for the smoothest texture possible. Ultimately, it’s well suited to both sweet and savory dishes, so have fun experimenting! 

With love,

Jennifer