For as long as I can remember, I’ve loooooooved Paris. Cliché, but true. I loved the pastry shops, the fashion, the cafés, the gardens, the way the Eiffel Tower would twinkle on the hour – I mean, what’s not to love?! It’s Paris!
But Lifting the Veil is all about getting back to our *true* selves.
It’s removing the veils that keep us from our true self and for me, it turns out Milan is where my heart is – not Paris.
Me, so happy to be back in the streets of Milan. Unlike Paris, which always felt a little reserved, Milan and Italy are much more welcoming!
Milan is also the birthplace of Tarot (which means it embraces the mystical, spiritual side of us), and there is a wonderful shop that has been making hand painted decks for decades!
Each deck is numbered - part of a limited edition, and every box is made by hand. This shop also offers paintings, posters and hand made 52 card playing decks as well.
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. So many fashions, styles and items never leave the city, so lots of unique pieces can be found in Milan!
Me, in one of my favorite pair of Tita Bijoux earrings. Available in all different sizes and colors, these earrings are lightweight and handmade (and only available) in Milan.
Own it. Werk it. Love it. Move it!
From jewelry, to wallets to crossbody bags and more, there is something for everyone at Furla. Italian design and never a mortgage payment for a bag!
In terms of culture, Milan is home to the only Starbucks in Italy (the Italians are very particular about their coffee — and the culture around it!), Leonardo’s Last Supper, the most famous opera house in the world, La Scala, the Campari Museum, and the largest church in Italy, Duomo di Milano, which took almost 600 years to build.
An amazing group my mom organized (front & center with the long necklace on), to discover Milan for 3 days with me as their guide and then head off to Piedmont for their cooking class, wine tasting and truffle hunting!
A short metro ride away, Galleria Campari offers a chance to learn the history of Campari and its link to Italian culture.
Like many things in Italy, Campari has a rich history of bold, fun and unique design.
Milan is also known for great design (the Italians are very creative), and this is beautifully captured in Villa Necchi.
This villa was the backdrop to the gorgeous film, I Am Love, staring Tilda Swinton. In terms of architecture and design, it was extremely ahead of its time for the 1930s and is a beautiful spot in Milan.
Set right in the heart of Milan, Villa Necchi is an oasis of peace & calm. It has a beautiful garden and had the first swimming pool in Milan. If you’ve seen the film, you will recognize the foyer immediately!
Not only is every ceiling different, but every pocket door in the house as well (all the doors are pocket doors because the house was meant for entertaining so one could effortlessly move from room to room).
From fashion to food, to history and culture, Milan has so much to discover and this is the Milan I would love to show you! (more info below :)
My mom — modeling her new coat she bought at a fun concept store in Milan (of course she’s not planning on wearing it with gym shoes! :)
Would you like white or black truffles with that? Enjoying lunch at a restaurant in Milan where you can add truffles to anything and everything!
The Piedmont region of Italy is located at the foot of the Alps, which means it is known for beautiful rolling hills & landscapes, truffle hunting in the fall (with dogs, not pigs as the pigs will eat the truffles!), and some of the world’s best known red wines like Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera.
Look at this view! What an amazing way to explore Italy.
My mom and her friends with the chef at the cooking school in Piedmont.
Would be easy to walk right past these beautiful and tasty truffles - that’s why Michael, the dog, is in charge of finding them! :)
DISCOVER MILAN & A COOKING SCHOOL IN PIEDMONT
If you would like to Discover Milan and Piedmont, please contact me. I’d love to be your Milan tour guide as it’s my favorite city in the world. :)
For the cooking school in Piedmont, I have partnered with Chris & Kaarina of italiancookerycourses.com
Chris and Kaarina own a luxury villa in Piedmonte and will be your guides and chauffeurs for wine tastings, truffle hunting and exploring the Italian countryside. All meals, transfers and day trips are included along with luxury accomodations. Everything is taken care of! You just need to arrive in Milan! :)
Please contact me or Chris & Kaarina for dates and details for trips to Milan and then a 3, 5 or 8 day cooking school in Piedmonte. I also offer a chance to visit Lake Como for 3-4 days as well.