TAD concept store is a place you must put on your must go to stores in Milan. You can find things for your home, gifts, clothes and everything in between. Rolls of fabric. big ottomans, vases, candles, bed linens, bags and on and on. All on sale up to 70% off. So you can buy a huge hang made glass vase for 50 euro from over 200. There are three floors of minimalist, high design objects from furniture to small accessories.

Apparently there is also one in Rome, but definitely go here in Milan, and go often because the inventory is constantly changing!

If you have been to the legendary Blue Note jazz club in NYC, then you already know of its location also here in Milano. But for those who don’t know, Blue Note is a jazz club in the city that offers live music six days a week, dinner and an expansive drink menu.

It is the first location that Blue Note has in Europe, so just from that, it is bound to be great. Musicians from around the world come here to play. The ambiance is just right of a jazz club, the music is fantastic and its something new to do in the city if you haven’t yet been!

They also serve sunday brunch- a fun way to spend your sunday afternoon!

Website

37, Via Borsieri Tel: +39 02 69016888

About 2 hours from Milan is this little town situated at the top of a mountain so isolated that you need to take a cable car to get to it (or a 45 minute hike).

There isn’t much to this town, just stunning views and a place so old it will make you want to explore for hours. There also aren’t many inhabitants in this town and are only 2 restaurants, so you really feel like you are discovering some place really special. And old!! You rarely see anything so old and in tact and quite amazing.

The restaurants in this town serve up typical mountain fare, but some of the best you have ever had. Make sure to spend a lot of time at lunch and order up a meal for a king. Trattoria il Camoscio serve pastas that melt in your mouth and are so incredibly good!! And the meats are so tender and fresh. Basically it is the meal you are expecting when visiting a small town in Italy- amazing food, family run, lively atmosphere, and the restaurant staff who know what they are doing. There is no frills, no nonsense and no complaining. Order anything because it will be one of the best meals and remembered and talked about.

And after lunch, take a walk. Explore the town, take some pictures and experience the outdoors. The air is clean, and you won’t believe you were in Milan that same morning. The drive to monteviasco are gorgeous, so take your time and leave early from Milan for a wonderful, unrushed day!

If you have been to the outlets outside of Milano, you realize how people can be so well dressed and afford to have money left over to live. Italy is known for it’s outlets and some even come just for the shopping, but sometimes you don’t have the time to go so far, especially if you may come back empty handed. Outlet shopping is so hit or miss that its nice to have places in your backyard.

Since 1978 Il Salvagente has been selling designer clothes to the Milanese and visitors of the city. West of Porta Romana, it is easily accessible by public transportation, so you can stop by during your lunch break or on the way home.

This outlet doesn’t just sell designer clothes, it sells designer clothes that you would want to wear and clothing that you can’t believe they are selling at that price. From Prada to Pucci, so many high designers are here at half price or less. There are not many shoes, but they have a whole back room of jeans and the front room is dedicated to high fashion.

For a dress to a black tie event or a skirt for work, you can find it here. Like all, it’s hit or miss, but when you hit it, it will make your day!

www.salvagentemilano.it

Address: via fratelli Bronzetti, 16

Tel: 02 76 11 03 28

There are some places that you come across that you either want to immediately tell all your friends about or you want to keep for yourself in order to not overexpose it. This is one of those places.

Right up the road from Porta Genova station, Ennji is a small store easy to walk past, but if you are window browsing, it’s a definite place you would stop into. The store is a small space, but it is packed with things, from fun jewelry to bags to clothes, and so you can browse for a while. Everything is one of a kind, which means that there is only one of each style of clothing, making hundred of options, but if it is not your size, too bad and move on.

The price range is more than reasonable. Sweaters at 45 euro, dresses at 90 euro, leather jackets at 200 euro. All price ranges, but most items are in the 45-90 price range which making shopping so much more fun.

Not much else is better than finding a store with cool one of a kind clothing at prices that you get at mass produced stores like Zara.

So next time you are around Porta Genova, stop by and take a look.

WEBSITE

No credit cards accepted. Cash or Bancomat.

Address:

If you visited the beautiful town of Stresa on lago Maggiore from last week, then this week, take your car and visit Bellagio. Situated in the nook where the lake splits, Bellagio is famous for its name, but before it became a Las Vegas institution, it became famous for its beauty and has remained more upscale than its neighbors.

Lago Maggiore is often overlooked by the name recognition of its Como neighbor. Perhaps because it’s harder to get to on public transportation, or who really know, but this weekend if you have a spare day, take a visit because its beyond gorgeous and its only about an hour away!