All About Olives Workshop Recap
What can I say? Our All About Olives Workshop went off without a hitch. Perfect group, perfect weather, and perfect instructors, Emily Followill and Alisa Barry. This is Emily’s second time teaching...
View ArticleOlive Oil Cake, from All About Olives Workshop in Italy
As you might remember our November workshop “All About Olives” was literally all about olives. Since then, I have been searching for the perfect olive oil cake recipe. At the olive press, we all tasted...
View ArticleWorkshops: Summer 2018 Updates
I cannot believe that we’re just a few months away from embarking on our second summer of workshops at La Fortezza. If you follow along on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that we’re in the thick of...
View ArticleDispatch from the Parma Antique Fair
I have always wanted to attend the Parma Antique Fair because I have bought many things from the fair thanks to my pickers in Italy. Since we have been working on La Fortezza, I have woken up on...
View ArticleItaly renovation:: where are we now?
As you know, Frank and I have been renovating La Fortezza our, 12th century fortress in the countryside for over a year. With the studio and main house complete, we have turned our attention to the...
View ArticleRenovation at the Fortress :: Where are we now?
Hi Guys, time for another update about our renovation in Italy before I head over in mid May. Here’s where we left off in case you need to catch up. We had specific areas of the fortress we wanted to...
View ArticleWorkshop Announcement :: Join us in October
Ciao guys! As you know, our summer workshops have sold out. However, fall workshops are now up for grabs. Full disclosure: we only have a couple spots left in each workshop in September, so we have...
View ArticleGreetings from Italy!
Ciao everybody! Greetings from Italy! If you follow me on my instagram feeds, you know that I have been BUSY!!! Honestly, that’s an understatement. Busy getting everything in ship shape for our...
View ArticleStrictly Styling Workshop June 2018 a recap
As many of you already know, we have been working like crazy to get the Fortress ready for upcoming workshops. Our maiden run was last week for our strictly styling workshop. Needless to say, I was a...
View ArticleItaly Workshop excursions :: Custom Textile Studio in Florence – meet...
One of the many wonderful things about conducting creative retreats in Italy is all of the available talent around our area. Florence is about 2 hours from our doorstep; it’s a beautiful drive or train...
View ArticleA Visit to the Enchanted Valley through the Palette of Steve McKenzie
Today I have a special treat for you. One of our guest instructors and one of my dear friends, Steve McKenzie, is sharing a bit about his experience in May at La Fortezza. Steve is a brilliant interior...
View ArticleIt’s July so where are we now? Renovation Italy update
Ciao everyone! With a couple of workshops under our belts, and a photo shoot with Casa Facile checked off, I am here to give you the update on our La Fortezza renovation. I am happy to report we are...
View ArticleQuick trip to Pietrasanta
Ciao tutti! Recently, I wanted to check out a flea market and new upcoming design neighborhood in Pietrasanta. A little background first, Pietrasanta is a seaside town. It lines the coast of Tuscany...
View ArticleWedding Workshop and Weddings at La Fortezza
As you might have seen on IG stories, last month we hosted a wedding workshop. It was amazing. Kim Vasil of August designs lead the group, and the images are fantastic. We had Hanna and Megan as part...
View ArticleAlmond Biscotti Recipe
I am sure you all are familiar with biscotti, an Italian almond biscuit. They are served in coffee shops everywhere. However, what you might not know is that these biscuits are intended to be dipped...
View ArticleFlea-ing and Finding Workshop with Lisa Burnett
Ciao guys! If you followed my instagram stories, you know that I spent a week last month showing Lisa Burnett from Innerpieces around the Italian countryside and the seaside. Lisa is an antiques dealer...
View ArticleA Weekend in Palermo, Sicily
Ciao everyone! As most of you know, I have spent most of July and August working on finishing our Italian house renovation. It’s been 2 years of lots of blood, sweat, tears and $$$$, but it is...
View Articlerenovation update: our final phase the dependence, 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms
The last and final piece of our renovation was an out building, the dependence. It was a very fallen down structure when we bought the Fortress. Forgotten and neglected, I knew it would be make a fun...
View ArticlePreserving Italy Workshop with Domenica Marchetti
Ciao Guys! I am thrilled to write about our first Fall Workshop here. I have admired Domenica Marchetti from afar for a long time. She’s one of those awesome Instagram connections that has been so...
View ArticleSteve McKenzie’s Abstract Painting Workshop at La Fortezza + Artist in...
Ciao all! by now you know we have been trying out a few different workshops and retreats here at La Fortezza. A few weeks ago, I had my dear friend and amazing artist Steve McKenzie here with students...
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