vagabond merchant

Designer and shopkeeper I have been traveling, designing, photographing, and collecting for years. For work and for pleasure. I am both a vagabond and a nester. I love to travel and I love to come home. I also love books, bags, vintage things,...

[vagabondmerchant]

Recoleta

I am not generally a fan of cemetaries, but Recoleta, the famous cemetary in the middle of Buenos Aires, is one of my favorite places to wander and explore. Evita Peron and many other renowned Argentines are interned here. The beautiful mausoleums, the memorial sculptures, the plants and flowers all contribute to a fascinating, poignant experience. If you are visiting Buenos Aires sometime soon, Recoleta should be on your not-to-be-missed list.

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Springtime in Rome

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Rome. The weather is perfect. Flowers and fresh fruit abound in Campo di Fiori. Piazza del Popolo is less crowded than usual. And, if you time your visit in May, you can attend one of the best clay court tennis tournaments in Europe, Internazionali BNL d’Italia. All of the tennis stars participate in this great tournament which takes place at the Foro Italico. This year, games will be held from May 10-21. If you would like to combine a little art with your sport, Zaha Hadid’s gorgeous contemporary art museum, MAXXI, is located just across the street from tennis grounds.

[vagabondmerchant]

Scala dei Turchi

If you are in the mood for an other-worldly travel experience, Scala dei Turchi deserves serious consideration.  Located on the southern coast of Sicily, Scala dei Turchi is a dramatic rocky cliff characterized by its unique white color and stunning beauty. A walk across the cliffs feels like a visit to another planet. Layers of step-like Marl stone make the hike from bottom to top easy enough, and views of the Mediterranean from the height of the cliff are breathtaking. The ancient Greek temples of Agrigento are just a short drive away; making a trip to this region of Sicily a memorable two-for-one travel experience.

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Cefalu

Cefalu is just an hour or so from Sicily’s largest city, Palermo, yet it feels light years away.  The historical center of Cefalu is calm and charming, and it beautifully integrates the surrounding sea into the life of the town. Cute shops and restaurants too.  

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no words. just paris.

[vagabondmerchant]

La Biennale di Venezia

The 56th International Art Exhibition opens tomorrow, May 9th. This year’s curatorial theme is “All the World’s Futures.” If you are planning a visit, be sure to head to the PALAZZO GRAZZI to see the work of Martial Raysse, the artist who represented France at the 1966 Venice Biennale. In an age of “selfies”, Raysse’s work feels especially fresh and relevant.

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The Merchant of Venice

By appointment of Palazzo Mocenigo, The Merchant of Venice has developed a new line of perfumes and scents that are inspired by historic trade routes between the fascinating cities of the Orient and Venezia, the most important of the ancient Mediterranean ports. The spices, aromas and rare essences used in the fragrances represent a re-imagining of the ancient “L’arte Profumatoria Veneziana,” and can be experienced at their flagship shop in San Fantin, just across from La Fenice. The shop is housed in an amazing 18th Century apothecary. On a recent visit there, I bought myself a bottle of Noble Potion, a soft blend of violet, sicilian bergamot, orange flower, sandalwood, lebanese cedar, and musk absolute.

[vagabondmerchant]

beautiful baskets made in kenya

These wonderful baskets were made by artisans in Kenya, and are available through the Far and Wide Collective, an organization that discovers and partners with talented women artisans in post-conflict and emerging economies. To see and learn more, visit farandwidecollective.com. Don’t miss their wooden “joli’ trays made in afganistan

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silvia k ceramics

Bowls and food boards from the 2014 collection of Silvia K Ceramics are beautiful ... clean and natural-looking. The leather handles are a very nice touch. see more at silviakceramics.co.uk

[vagabondmerchant]

on a shoe kick

Love these gorgeous boots by Santoni

and these lovely summer slip-ons by Les Chaussons de la Belle

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new to the shop

Portrait of a woman.  Oil on canvas.  From the 1940's or 1950's.  Signed by the artist.  Nicely framed.  See vagabondmerchant.etsy.com

[vagabondmerchant]

vieste

I captured this moment in Vieste in May. A woman was painting her balcony. No doubt in preparation for the coming high season.

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gipas 111

Gipas 111 is a lovely cocktail bar in Ostuni. Set in a perfect little square in the historic center of town, Gipas 111 is a beautiful spot for an aperitif before dinner or a night cap before bed. Gipas 111 is located at Largo Spennati, Centro Storico, 72017 Ostuni, Italy.

www.gipas111.it 

[vagabondmerchant]

trulli gallo rosso

Trulli Gallo Rosso is a wonderful b&b in Puglia.  Located just outside Martina Franca, the Gallo Rosso is a beautifully renovated property that has old-world authenticity and modern conveniences.The suites are comprised of two trulli - a sitting room with a wood-burning fireplace, and a bedroom with a nicely appointed en-suite.  Everything about Gallo Rosso is perfectly charming - the location, grounds, rooms, details, lighting, breakfast, and its owner, Hugo.

www.trulligallorosso.it

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summer reading

My summer reading list this year includes:

The Quincunx by Charles Palliser

Lord Byron's Novel, The Evening Land by John Crowley

In the Night of Time by Antonio Munoz Molina

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

The Mandarins by Simone de Beauvoir

Marianne by George Sand

Gillespie and I by Jane Harris

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vintage fiat

I fell in love on the streets of ostuni with a gorgeous car in my favorite color.

[vagabondmerchant]

ostuni

Just back from a lovely Italian holiday. We explored the Puglia region this time. Ostuni was one of our favorite towns. Bright, white and artsy.