Buongiorno Sweet Friends!

I arrrived in Milano on Saturday to meet my friend Margaret from Hawaii. I worked with her at the bank in Hawaii and had the great pleasure of her company inside and outside of work. We became friends and colleagues quickly. She is in Milano to attend shoe design school for 3 weeks as part of a leadership program. I know, right??? How does that happen? But, she admits, she leads a charmed life in many ways. Anyway, I was coming to Italy anyway for the music fest in Pistoia, so I arrived a few days early to hang out with her in Milano. Me, Margaret & Milano = triple threat!

We stayed at the most fab hotel I’ve ever been in! It’s a cross between a W Hotel in NYC, a Ralph Lauren store, and a sporting museum. No really. The lighting, the music, the cool factor is all W Hotel, but everything in the hotel is from an antique market and has to do with sports and is all clubby like Ralph Lauren. It’s vintage and cool and stuffed with things – from an old drum kit to manequin heads with vintage hats. We are in the Fencing room so there are antique fencing masks hanging above our bed, all artfully lit looking down on us like Hanibel Lecter. It’s both cool and creepy. Anyway, the place is fab, trendy, cool, hot and wonderful. And, in the same courtyard is a vegan restaurant and juice bar! Bonus!!! It’s like Margaret picked this place just for me. Thanks Margaret!!

After unloading our stuff, we hit the streets. I was in Milan a couple of weeks ago, but I did not come into this area at all, so it’s all new to me. We had no agenda, so we hit a cafe for some caffeine and to catch up. Then we started walking along the canals and wandering in the shops. I bought a fab dress and bathing suit at Antrhopology Milano that I can’t wait to wear at the next beach. Then we stopped for lunch along the canal. It was a beautiful day and many people were out and about and in a great mood.

We spent the day just meandering through the streets, shopping and taking pix. We went back to the hotel to plan dinner and our day trip to Lake Como on Sunday. My friend Beatrice had recommended several good restaurants in Milano so we decided to try one – Cantina della Vetra. It was indeed very good and overlooked San Lorenzo Basillica and Piazza. Yummy salad with sauteed veggies on the side!! We slowly wandered back to the hotel to relax and plan our next adventure – Lake Como!!

Check back tomorrow for pictures from beautiful Lake Como and George Clooney’s house. Hey, you never know; we are a triple threat from Hawaii!!!

Ciao!