gifts and home Archive

TAD Concept Store

Published: April 28, 2010Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, gifts and home, storesTags:
TAD Concept Store

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!

Live Llara NATIVE store

Published: November 11, 2009Posted in: gifts and home, storesTags:

It is coming to be that time of the year again. The time to start thinking about shopping for others and the time when all the holiday parties begin.

Live llara on the Naviglio Grande is a perfect store to by a hostess present or quite frankly a gift for any occasion. They have everything from from glasses and cappuccino machines to jewelry and candles. It is a store where you can browse for hours and can find something for everyone, at all price ranges.

The store is open late, so stop in before dinner on the navigli or anytime during the week. It is a great store to find a gift, or to buy things for your home.

Address: Alzaia naviglio Grande, 36/38
Tel: 02 83 73 677
Hours: 10:30-23:00 / 10:30-23:00 (Sat/Sun)
Monday closed
Website: www.livellara.it

Libri e Caffe

Published: October 12, 2009Posted in: gifts and home, storesTags:

This place is so cute and it’s unfortunately easy to miss. When you walk in, you are in the most serene and peaceful store. Libri e caffe, like the name suggests, is a bookstore as well as a caffe. The Starbucks in Barnes and Noble concept, but the real italian version that is intimate, uncrowded and enjoyable.

It is not so small inside, but the book selection is limited. It is as though they weeded out the useless titles and selected the books that you would like. They have adult books and kids book alike, and also a selection of cards and gifts. It’s a store with not so much inventory, but you can browse for a while. Maybe because it is so pleasant inside- the floor is carpeted and the store attendant helps you decide on your purchase- it’s like how bookstores should be

The caffe at the back of the room is a serviced italian bar. with cappuccino and espresso being made at your convenience. There is also an area that sells sugary sweets for kids and snacks for their parents.

All reading material is in Italian, but everyone must stop in here. Perhaps to buy some of their Christmas cards for the upcoming season.

Address: via pietro maestri, 1

Rinascente Design Supermarket.

Published: August 9, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, gifts and home, storesTags:

Rinascente really outdid itself this time around. The department store itself is one amazing place where it epitomizes the high fashion and luxury that Milan stands for. But the opening of the Design Supermarket in la Rinascente flagship store next to the Duomo, will make you once again impressed with the store. Walk through the perfume section, past Tom Ford and under Loius Vuitton and directly to the escalator that will bring you down, and get ready to be awed.

The space is absolutely beautiful and the inventory is equally so. You can browse here for hours. From the fashion and architecture books through the isles of high design home goods to the side rooms specific to a theme, this “supermarket’ is amazing. Give yourself a while to really appreciate all that is there and take some time to just browse.

Many of the quirky things from the upstairs has moved down here, and so there are things for everyone at every price range. Stop quickly for a coffee in the center café or a quick bite in between shopping.

Design Supermarket at La Rinascente

Piazza Duomo
tel. +39 02 88521

Flight Bag Survival Kit

Published: July 26, 2009Posted in: gifts and homeTags:

It’s almost August which means it’s almost time for summer vacation! Planes, trains, cars and boats will get you to your destination of choice with anticipation of total relaxation but thinking of how you will get there is sometimes a source of unneeded stress. With plane delays, sea sickness and traffic always a concern, the route of travel may take much longer than planned.

These flight bags made by Touch of Ginger, will get you through the journey. They have all the necessities that you would need packaged in a compact, hard case container. Thankfully though they come specific to sexes as the women’s bag includes make-up remover, lip balm and cream while men have the needed deodorant and a razor with shaving cream.

Touch of Ginger is a British company that specializes in high design in their unique products and accessories. They make these survival kits in many themes, from a wedding kit to a biking kit and are all fun products to give as a gift for a variety of events or occasions.

So make sure to pick up one of the flight bags before you leave for vacation. One for you and one as a parting gift for a friend.

You can find touch of ginger products online or at NOW at Viale Sabotino, 20 in Porta Romana for 19 euro.


Outlet Shopping near Milano

Published: July 23, 2009Posted in: Day Trips, fashion, gifts and home, storesTags:

It is sale season in Milano as everyone knows, and most stores are offering their inventory at 50% off. But this years sales are coming to the end which means stores full of inventory thats been picked over and left with sizes that just don’t fit.

As you get ready for August vacation and you still need summer clothes, perhaps head to one of the outlet malls out of the city for new options and even cheaper prices. They may be last season, but if you buy right, no one will know the difference.

Serravalle Designer Outlet : They claim to be Europe’s largest and Italy’s leading shopping mall.

Address: Via della Moda, 1 15069 Serravalle Scrivia (AL)
Tel: + 39 0143 60 90 00


Fidenza Village : 90 Boutiques at up to 70% off. This place is a true outlet, cheap prices and definitely worth the trip.
Address: Via San Michele Campagna 43036 Fidenza (Parma)
Foxtown outlets : Actually over the border in Switzerland, but only about 1 1/2 hours away. Over 130 stores at 30-70% off. But in reality, its not cheap and definitely not the best option.
Address: Via A. Maspoli 18 CH-6850 Mendrisio
Tel: +41 (0)848 828 888

The Mall : Not close to Milano- Outside of Florence actually- but if you want deigner, this outlet is awesome. Give yourself enough time to drive to Prada nearby.
Address: 8 Via Europa, Leccio Reggello
Tel: 39-055-833-1300

Italia in a Bag

Published: July 21, 2009Posted in: gifts and homeTags:
I received the gift of the NYC landscape when I moved to Milano as if not to forget the city in which I know and love. What a wonderful present that makes anyone who sees it smile and reminisce about their time in New York as they name and play with the buildings.
These little figures however come in many different cities around the world from Paris to Barcelona. It may not come in the city of Milano (there are not enough famous landmarks to justify making a whole set), but it does come for the country of Italia. From the Coleseam to a Venetian gondola, this set is the perfect gift for anyone visiting Italy or for anyone who has visited you here
They can be found at Muji stores all around Milano are are only 9 Euro. How perfect is that; Inexpensive, personal, fun and unique. These cities in a bag are a gift that allows people to think of you when they see it and reminisce of the wonderful country of Italia.

website: www.muji.eu

Muji Locations in Milano:
MILANO CORSO BUENOS AIRES
Corso Buenos Aires 36
Tel: +39-02-74281169

MILANO-CORSO VERCELLI
Corso Vercelli 11,
Tel: +39-024-851-7578

MILANO-VIA TORINO
Via-Torino 51,
Tel: +39-02-809441

Vanessa Amalia Jewelry

Published: July 20, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, gifts and home, jewelryTags:


Milano may be a city with high design and high fashion, but so is NYC. Therefore, there is an exception made to feature VanessaAmalia jewelry. She may not be

an Italian designer, and this site is everything Milano, but the internet is virtual, and it makes the two cities one in its own (well… sort of).

All hand made from her studio in NYC, the jewelry of VanessaAmalia is totally unique and certainly you will find nothing like it in Milan. Made from silver and gold, the line has so many different pieces that it is easy to find something for anyone, or a lot for yourself.

Take note of the stacking rings in gold with an array of stones (from diamonds to sapphires) that are pictured above, because they are awesome. There is also a line of good luck charms which will brighten anyones day, because quite frankly everyone needs a little more luck and good fortune in their lives.

Check out the site VanessaAmalia to see all the designs. Also make note that the prices range from inexpensive upward, and everything is of high quality. Her jewelry is

only in stores across the United States, but the beauty of online is that you can have anything shipped to Milano or anywhere you may be.

So before the August holidays start, order something from VanessaAmalia to accessorize your outfits, or buy a gift for whomever you may be traveling or visiting. You will be glad you did so.

Giovanni Scafuro Art/Jewelry

Published: July 13, 2009Posted in: fashion, gifts and home, jewelryTags:

If you haven’t seen the work by Giovanni Scafuro in the stores around Milano, you’ve got to seek them out. Born and trained in Naples, he creates these completely unique and interesting pieces of art and jewelry that make you stop to admire.

His line of jewelry called FORKINPROGRESS are actual forks twisted and formed into rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc and are things you have never seen before. The image shown is actually of a plastic version found at Salvatore + Marie, but some are made in silver and gold as well.

Four stores in Milano, listed below, carry his stuff, so go check them out for yourself. They are fun pieces and almost like conversation starters. Things that would be hard for people Not to comment on.

It’s always good to support your local artist and it’s always fun to find artists like Giovanni Scafuro who are creating new and different art.

For more information about Giovanni Scafuro : http://www.giovanniscafuro.it

Stores:

LE 18:00 – Via San Vito

Frida – “particelle complementari” – Via Pollaiuolo 3
Salvatore + Marie - Via Vigevano 33
Zerodue_restaurant – corso di porta ticinese 6 (esposizione)

10 Corso Como

Published: July 4, 2009Posted in: FAVORITE PLACES/THINGS, fashion, gifts and home, storesTags:

10 Corso Como is arguably the best store in the world. It’s like the best of Barneys NY, Saks Fifth avenue and Henri Bendel all in one beautiful space. Every piece of clothing, shoe, bag or jewelry will make you dream and dream big. Wanting and wishing and ohhing and awwing. It’s awesome in every sense of the world. Mostly everything has a ridiculous high price tag but there is no shame in just looking.

There are a few things in there however that you can take home or give as a gift without having to do the “is it worth it” debate in your head. But it is more of a store to splurge and browse. You will want to spend your one month paycheck here!

Address: 10 Corso Como

Tel: 02 2900 2674

www.10corsocomo.com

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