Who is counting down..

Dear all,

and here it comes February! The shortest month of the year brings a lot of love on Valentine's Day and my new collection!!

Check it out online (click here) or come and visit us!!

This month celebrates not only all lovers but, most importantly, the greatest love that should exist in our lives: self-love!

In February, we all deserve a surprise and a flutter of the heart. Let's celebrate love in all its forms, and on the 14th, treat yourself to something special and wear something red to feel loved!

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

From our elegant Woth Avenue, February is set to be just as lively!

The town continues to be a crossroads for social events and exclusive appointments, where my creations not only dresses but accompanies every moment with style.

Finally we are blessed with a warmer weather and we can enjoy some time strolling and shopping under a gorgeous sun. I will charge my vitamin D battery pack for a couple of weeks more, then a quick trip to Florence for the winter collection development (I know we -designers- work backwards!!) and in no time I will bounce back here to enjoy the end of the winter and beginning of the new season in this Pink Paradise!

FIRENZE...

We shake off the January blues and stride into February. Florence ensures there’s plenty of culture to nourish our souls!

My Bella Firenze  is getting ready to welcome Spring..the streets and squares fill with colors and celebrations ahead of Carnival, an event that combines tradition, elegance, and fun.

Following a five-year closure, the Royal Apartments of Palazzo Pitti finally reopen to the public! The 14 spectacular rooms were once home to the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy ruling families, with all the opulence you could dream. The first resident was Grand Prince Ferdinando de’Medici, son of Grand Duke Cosimo II, with the last being Vittorio Emanuele III of Savoy, who left it to the State along with the adjacent Boboli Gardens in 1919. While there, take the chance to enjoy one of the newly launched guided tours of the ‘secret’ garden of the camellias, held at weekends until April 13. 

Keeping with Pitti, the Uffizi Galleries has recently acquired a spectacular new piece: Salvator Rosa’s ‘The Witch’, purchased for 450,000 euros. Dating to circa 1647-1650, it shows a rather horrifying figure engaged in an occult ritual, on show in the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti until March when it will be moved to the rooms of the Uffizi dedicated to 17th century masters. 

Part of the soul of Florence is no doubt its artisanal heritage. The enchanting workshops of all kinds of crafters have been captured in photographs by Guido Cozzi titled Botteghe Fiorentine, on display in Istituto de’ Bardi until May 31. Revealing the behind-the-scenes of some of the city’s most talented creators, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in what really makes this city so special.

Those interested in dance will want to cha-cha-cha their way to Fortezza da Basso for Danzainfiera from February 21-23! The giant fair brings together teachers, students, and those passionate about dance for three days of masterclasses, networking, and performances.

It’s carnival time! Carnevale is a time of great excitement, with little ones in fancy dress running around piazzas throwing coriandoli (confetti), and extravagant parades in many places. Florence’s edition starts at 3.30pm on February 9, setting off from piazza Santa Maria Novella, with popular carnivalesque figures like Stenterello delighting those gathered.

You must get to know Stenterello, he has a sharp tongue and a witty way of speaking, matched by a colorful and lively costume that reflects an eccentric and playful character: an attitude that often leads him into trouble, yet he never loses his characteristic cheerfulness.

With all the carnival antics in mind, it’s time to savor the seasonal sweets that are truly a treat! Frittelle are a kind of sugar-coated fried doughnut that can either be made with orange or lemon peel, or filled with crema (custard). Made in mouth-sized morsels, the scent fills bakeries at this time of year and there are even dedicated festivals (sagre) a short-distance away in places like San Donato a Collina near Bagno a Ripoli. 

If you fancy whipping up your own batch at home, you’ll need to make an Italian yeast bread rolled into small balls, then deep-fried in hot oil before sprinkling with sugar. Sometimes the simple things really are the best!

Have a great month!

With love, 

Jennifer