Portugal gives me that feeling of "saudade"

Finally a break from work and school and the everyday errands of life. Where to go? Well when miss Elisa told me she was headed to Portugal I hopped on board not knowing at all what it would bring. We found a few couches to surf and I flew into Porto early on a Friday morning. I had time to kill before the girls' flight got in so I dropped my luggage off at one of those train station lockers (can anyone say Madonna in "Desperately Seeking Susan") and trekked out into the city. The weather was sunny and beautiful and the city was so picturesque with tiles and cobblestone streets covering the hilly streets. After wandering up the funicular and picnic-ing next to the river I met the girls at the train station just as the rain began to fall. Our adventure to Lisbon could not have been complete without three bottles of champagne and a feast of prosciutto and cheese...we made our way to our couch surfers house and were greeted by Bruno and Sushi...his amazingly energetic puppy. The apartment was gorgeous but we weren't there to relax. First thing we headed out to downtown Lisbon for some Amendoa Amarga (almond liqueur with fresh lemon juice) and to meet some fellow couchsurfers...stop one included an underground dance club with couples twisting and tangoing and i-don't-know-what all over the dance floor. After a few more shots and a drunk blanket of confidence I took my turn on the dance floor and learned a thing or two about Portuguese dancing. Let me just add that my calves were sore for two days after. After we'd had enough dancing...and a few more tequila shots...we headed up to Barrio Alto to explore some of the gay clubs. We met some gorgeous men with some fabulous coats and did a little outfit trading before heading to a fun little club with good music and drinks...if I could remember the name I would tell you but it was getting difficult at this point. Alas! We were headed to LUX. Lux is one of the most famous clubs in Lisbon and equally hard to get into. Elisa and I knew we'd have NO problem getting in...much to our dismay when we reached the door the bouncer said "No." A little too wasted? Indeed...Oh well, after Elisa proceeded to call him "a ginger" we whined and wheeled back to yet another club. Another drink and a little dancing was abruptly stopped when what looked like a SWAT team burst through the doors. The DJ went running and the  police with their face masks and giant guns stopped everyone on their way out. Elisa and I were not really in a position for bargaining so Bruno stepped in and told them he had recommended we leave our passports at his house as they would be safer. Thank goodness...two little Californians in Portuguese jail, no thanks! Turns out the cops busted into every club in that area so we skipped out and to a disco where the dancing was good and everyone was singing along to the Portuguese tunes. A little worse for ware it was time to re-up with some grub and head back for a little shut-eye. What did we find on our way to the taxi? A huge stand making fresh hot dogs and hamburgers with crunchy wontons, corn, and amazing sauce. 4 please! After our bellies were full, our clothes stained with alcohol, and our feet sore from dancing in heels we made our way back up the million flights of stairs and into bed with the heater Sushi (miss that dog) until the hangover set in.

After a night like that there's only one thing to get you through the next day...espresso please. Elisa and I headed out into the Lisbon sunshine to wander around downtown and attempt to find the flea market. Of course being hungover did not help our sense of direction and we got on the wrong bus that took us into the "industrial" part of town before we realized we should probably turn back. An hour later and at the same spot we began we finally found our way with the help of a tram driver and worked our way through the hills of Lisbon to a fabulous little flea market with music, clothes, jewelry, and pretty much anything else you can imagine including a man trying to sell a pair of roller skates to everyone at eh market. We shopped, bargained, and snapped photos working our way back down to the main square for a pitcher of sangria. As much fun as the previous night had been, we were in need of a chill night and Bruno offered to cook us dinner. This was not just your average dinner...when we returned to the apartment we were greeted by spot shrimp, mussels, clams, asparagus, and peppers. I almost forgot to mention the green wine, Mimosa, and port. Our chef prepared a masterpiece as we had a little blanket picnic on the living room floor. The full bellies were just what we needed for a night of rehabilitation from Barrio Alto.

The next morning we headed to Belhem to Pasteis for some egg custard pastries and port. Ohhhhh port how I love thee :)

Berlin Berlin Berlin, you make my head spin

Aw Berlin, what a wonderful trip! I'm just going to preface this entry with: I will definitely be going back before my year abroad ends! Anine and I flew to Germany last Monday and were greeted at the airport by her cousin and his girlfriend. Unfortunately their window decided not to roll up just minutes before we arrived and the 30 minute car ride was a bit chilly with the -5 degree (that's celsius and about 20 fahrenheit for all you americans) wind blowing through our wool coat cover. After stuffing ourselves with a good old fashioned Chinese-German meal...it was the only thing opened...we poured ourselves a glass of wine and soaked in the kitschy apartment complete with a "Psycho" shower curtain, orange zebra statue, and astro-turf covered oven. The next day we set out to see some sights stopping at a Christmas market along the way. The city was covered in Christmas markets featuring artisan creations, music, candy, LOTS of delicious German food, rides, toys, and of course, Gluhwein. Gluhwein is the German's version of mulled wine and is spiced to perfection. You can even opt for a shot of rum or amaretto to top it off--and trust me, this is the only thing that will keep you from freezing. Touring through the snow covered city was a dream. The Brandenburg Gate and numerous other architectural wonderlands lined the city and kept us wandering for hours with no nod to our ice covered toes. Hearing how epic the nightlife of Berlin was we defrosted and headed to Icon. The club looked like an electro cave with a great DJ's and even better drinks (and SO cheap) unfortunately it was empty...we took some advice from some of the employees and headed to the club Cookies. It was an epic call as it was filled just right...not packed. With 2 rooms and 3 bars you could opt for hip hop or techno and the lights were phenom. The energy and the crowd were also fabulous so we danced the night away before crashing out again on our air mattress. The next day we woke up a little too late to do much sight seeing so we went back to the christmas markets and ate instead. A good choice I'd say. Then onto a pub with Anine's cousins before checking out another bar. We strolled over to the Absinthe bar and tried a few firey drinks...yep we lit the sugar on fire and the whole she-bang ha ha but don't worry, that absinthe's legal ;) After trading cabs with some other drunk tourists we were on to another club. This time we went to Watergate. The setting was amazing as it was over a river with ice floating on top and a huge "Universal" light up sign on the other side. Not to mention the gorgeous bridge over the river. The panoramic windows made the perfect space for an electro club and we finally stumbled back to Anine's when her cousin was headed to work...oops;) Our last day and Berlin was completed with a trip to Hakersham Markt (I'm sure that's spelled wrong) for some more sightseeing and Christmas marketing. We finished off our day with an amazing dinner of German sausage, homemade potatoe salad and of course wine:) After our bellies were full we headed to an Irish pub and Anine had the Swimming Pool...a highly recommended teal drink made with cream...you must try. Even though our flight was semi-early the next day we just had to go out again. We trekked on to Weekend this time which had been recommended in an article by Paul Van Dyke. It was on top of a 15th story building and you could look out the window while on the couches that lined the walls and see the whole city. Apparently when the weather's nice they even open the roof top. The music was good but the crowd just didn't have the same energy and we were over the tourists so headed back to Cookies. It was a choice well made and we winded up heading back around 6 again...yikes. After two hours of sleep on our air mattress (which would leave one person on the floor when the other got up) we leapt out of bed and headed to the airport. Hungover and dragging our suitcases through the snow, we had to sit through a 45 minute train ride to the airport before realizing that our flight was delayed. Fortunately only by fifteen minutes...or so we thought. After waiting almost 45 minutes to scan our bags through we were stuck in limbo and weren't allowed to go through security until our plane was ready to board. Everyone looked like refugees lying in this "limbo" area and we were trapped for an hour with no bathroom or food. I left our "zone" and snagged some sandwiches learning when i returned that i would have to wait in line again to get through to Anine. NOT...when the security card wasn't looking I scaled under the tape and nestled back into our spot on the floor. After what seemed like forever I asked security when we could board and guess what CANCELLED. Deciding we were too hungover to wait in line we took the train back and napped. In order to leave the next day we took a bus to Lubeck for 3 1/2 hours where Anine's family lived. The most amazing German family made me food, food, and more food before my flight back to Milan the next day. I'd say the trip was a success after a million pounds of sausage and gluhwein...I'll definitely be heading back in the Spring to see what this ALL night partying is all about. I mean I missed Berghain which is the best club in the WORLD...thank you New York Times. I will just have to see for myself :)

Couture per favore ;)

Runway Show

My coat:)

The pre-show dancers

This semester has been such a worldwind...yesterday our Fashion Product Development Strategies(a mouthful...I know) teacher invited us to the Federico Sangalli showroom at San Babila. It was a much needed break as we've been working on four marketing analysis projects for that class alone. San Babila is the metro stop that begins the designer shops. Positioned near Via della Spiga and Montenapoleone (where any designer must be seen in Milan) we knew this would be an exceptional visit. As we all squeezed into a tiny lift...can't really consider this an elevator...we awaited what we would find in the 7th floor showroom. Two employees greeted us as we reached the showroom and immediately began showing us the handmade designs that the company is famous for. Every piece of clothing is handmade...all they have to assist them in the clothing construction is two pedal machines. This gives the clothing a personalized fit that their customers love. As we examined the plisses and embroidery of the couture clothing we "oohed" and "awed" at the beauty, intricacy, and time that was apparent in every item of clothing. After seeing the vintage clothing and the new collection for Spring/Summer 2011, we met the "ladies," a group of six women carefully sewing and embroidering what would be a wedding dress. Most of them were over 70 and were masters of the trade. When they fit a customer for an outfit they create a personalized mannequin so they will have their exact measurements. They showed us examples of the details they use for their couture line and during the entire visit I was so taken aback by all of the time that went into the creation of their lines. I mean, after being inundated by fast fashion and Zara clothing that thousands of other girls have that are mass-produced...Federico Sangalli was like a breath of fresh air. It was real fashion. We saw the sketches, the clothing construction, and the finished product. No one piece was alike. Customers call to make appointments from all over the world for the Opera, weddings, premiers, and clothing for every day life. If they like something from one of the collections, they are fitted and a new personalized piece is created for them. The line began in 1972 with Federico Sangalli's grandmother. He even came in to greet us and showed us his latest fashion show. Before every fashion show he has a famous choreographer or dancer entertain the audience giving an even more personalized touch to his line. Toward the end of the visit the employees invited us to try on the clothes from the past lines and then informed us that they were all for sale! We jumped at the chance to own such a piece of artwork and tried on everything in the showroom. Larra and I purchased some beautiful coats from last years winter collection that had only ever been worn by the models of the shows and are so grateful and honored to be able to own such unique pieces of couture. The experience was wonderful and amazing and whenever I wear my coat I can remember the designers, the "ladies" and my trip to the Federico Sangalli showroom:) http://www.federicosangalli.com/

Project Runway

The Spring/Summer 2011 Show

The Corneliani Showroom

http://www.corneliani.it/it/index.jsp?goto=negozi#/negozi 

Well...finally started my fashion classes in Italian on Monday. Technically it's just an intensive workshop and my classes start on Nov. 8 but we'll just go ahead and pretend. Damnnnnn it's hard listening to lecture in a different language. The teachers expect me to understand everything they're saying but I don't know all the vocabulary they're using...YET he he. On the other hand, the students are super helpful and encouraging and a few of them can speak a little English; but, for the most part it's all Italian...it's nice finally having to force myself to speak Italian because I've been hanging out with International students who all speak perfect English and are struggling with Italian in the same way. Right when we got to class the teacher immediately started explaining the project we'll be working on for the next two weeks. We're doing this project where we makeup our own fashion house and then create outfits out of materials like paper, plastic, and tape--accordingly! ha feels so project runway-esque it's glorious. Welcome to the House of Toyland. I'm sure I'll have some great pics to follow:) Also took a lil field trip to another showroom today. It was the Corneliani showroom and it was absolutely breathtaking. It's two-stories with 4 or 5 different rooms of clothes, shoes, and accessories for men. Their suits are beautiful and their sartorial collection is entirely handmade. They are super innovative with their fabrics and used special fibers to give their jackets gorgeous effects. This one jacket in particular had this gorgeous sheen to it almost like a sparkle but more subtle. When I asked the showroom manager what they used she said Jersey! Ha a jersey knit...who would've thought;) After the tour and explanation of the companies history (It started in the 50's and now there's 100 mono-brand stores and 17 stores they sell to--the founder has 2 sons that both had 2 sons that work for the company now! ha all boys) we watched the Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show which was held in this amazing garden at the Technology Museum in Milan. The models were effing gorgeous ah ha love those men's collections. After the showroom visit Larra and I took a trek around the city...first looking for a hair salon (passing by the most beautiful buildings from the 1600's and stores upon stores of gorgeous designer furniture--including Fendi Casa) After that, we had written directions from the public transportation website that told us to go to Porta Genova and then walk to our next destination which was Pisotti(where we could purchase materials for our project.) The directions had us walk all the way up one street and then down the canal(until we had reached where we had jus come from) and then continue walking down the canal for 15 more minutes. All and all the trek took us around 45 minutes...then we figured out we could walk to our house in about ten minutes! ha ha ohhhhh well...u think u know ur way around a city and then BAM kicked back into reality. At least we found the Italian version of Michaels and got started on our clothes:) When we got home from it all we got some GREAT news...time to start looking for a new place to live...the guy we rent from who also lives here wants to move in with his gf. ahhhhh i do not wanna haveta go through this again but ohhh well. hopefully we find some place cheaper so i can travel more. time to go to the post office and try to get them to send my package back to my grandma so i don't have to pay 100 euro to receive her gift...ha ha yeah plz nobody send me any xmas presents...it may not cost too much for ur shipping but my taxes are INSANE. well baci e abbracci <3 next post to come after i find out what a milanese halloween is like;)

Oktoberfest!!!

On Friday night I got on a tour bus with a couple hundred other Erasmus students and shoved off to Munich for Oktoberfest. It took about eight hours to get there and when we arrived there was no time to waste. We got in line to get a table and the drinking commenced at 9am! The steins contain a liter of beer and after a couple of liters our group grew to contain some local Germans. "Prost!" Everyone would cheer as we gulped down another liter of beer. Only one problem with drinking liters of beer...gotta go to the bathroom a lot (everyone did) it was like fighting to get a picture of Lady Gaga trying to enter into those four walls. On the way back the delicious scent of bratwurst and sausages lingered in the air. I may have eaten the best hamburger of my life, dressed with grilled onions and so delectable...a bag of warm mixed candied nuts finished it right off for dessert. Oktoberfest wasn't just beer houses. There was also carnival rides, games, and spectacles of watching really drunk men and women walk around in their traditional German dress. One of the fellow students tried to win me a Hello Kitty through a shooting game with fail...it's hard to shoot a gun straight after 4 liters of beer. When we were supposed to go on a tour of Munich everyone got lost and wandered their separate ways. I found my way back to the house of Lowenbrau after grabbing another bratwurst and some fries--i mean ya gotta eat when you're drinking that much--ha. I thought it would be more difficult to get back into the beer house with all of the security guards standing around it but I was wrong. As I dipped under the chain no one seemed to notice my presence because they were wheeling someone else on a hospital gurney...too much beer? Found some other Erasmus students and decided it was safest to stay inside where there weren't four people bent over puking into one trashcan at the same time or just people generally past out among this festival of thousands. The beer house became livelier at night as everyone was singing and on their 6th or 7th liter of beer. After about 5 or 6 attempts of marriage (drunk Germans and Italians really like Americans--especially from California) back to the bathroom again. By this time the wood outside was unbelievably slippery due to all of the spilt beer and woops! out from under me my boot flew up into the air as i landed flat on my back...good thing i couldn't rly feel it at the time but i'm telling you...took almost 3 weeks for my tailbone to stop hurting! ha ha ohhh well a sacrifice to the beer Gods. As the night dragged on the memory became less and less and I trekked back to the tour bus with another student. Unfortunately I thought I wasn't supposed to be at the bus until 9:30 and surprise surprise everyone else was there at 9. woops...add to that another 15 minutes as I waited for a friend to leave the bathroom and the bus almost left without us 45 minutes late! he he needless to say the ride back to Milan was not nearly as fun as the ride to Munich. Everyone passed out and woke up with some of the worst hangovers in history. Oh well...how often do you go to Oktoberfest? {in Munich anyway;)}

Les Hommes

http://www.leshommesfashion.com/

On Monday, my Fashion Marketing Communication teacher asked the class who would be interested in an internship at a Milan showroom. Of course I jumped for the opportunity. However, I did not realize the interview would be at 9:30 the next morning. Unfortunately, I discovered the appointment time at 2:30am after returning from a Bocconi party completely intoxicated...thank you limoncello, vino bianco, and spumante;) After around 5 hours of drunk sleep I put on a sharp outfit and worked it through the Milano public transportation system for an hour. When I arrived at Les Hommes I was expecting another plain white showroom with a few racks of clothing-per usual. Much to my delight, this showroom is spectacular. It was designed by the current number one Belgian architect and is oh-so-chic. The collection this season consists of women's and menswear and is centered around a lot of military inspiration in a very sophisticated way using tailored pieces and sheen in the fabric. After a quick interview I was put right to work on photographing each and every piece of the collection, covering the old collection for shipment, dressing the model when the buyers came, and of course...cleaning, making coffee, and running to the store like every good intern;) I am so eager to learn and excited to work with a seller to see more aspects of the industry. It may be a bit of bitch work but hey...at least I can drink nespresso anytime of day. what do you think of that george clooney?  http://www.leshommesfashion.com/

La la la la la la Land

Last Thursday was simply a glorious day. Granted, I did wake up with a blinding headache (hard not too when you've been sipping champagne all night and flirting with models). he he. After a caffe and my newly acquired vintage Valentino occhiali di sole...how great does that sound compared to sunglasses? I was ready to venture out to MILANO UNICA aka the textiles trade show. My fabulous Fashion Product development teacher and her gorgeous assistant Alessia snagged us passes to the show. Of course we had to have passes and what did they say? Buyer...yep dream come true BUYER Larisa McBride:) Most of the trade rooms were closed off because everyone was busy doing business with the buyers from all over the world and entrance was only permitted by appointment. On the bright side there was a trend room with the trends for Fall/Winter 2010-11. Cocooning, Military Looks and hardware, soft flannels, mesmerizing patterns, texture, and chunky knits were everywhere. It was so hands on and fun feeling all of the different fabrics and seeing what was in store:) Many of the fabrics had been utilized in the runway show the night before and there was LOTS of fur. Yay for fall! When my feet couldn't stand in my thigh high Guess? boots any longer Larra and I returned to the humble abode to get ready for Vogue's fashion night out! We met the other international students for apertivo at the columns(complete with a painting of a giant Elvis head) for cocktails and conversation. Everyone was dressed to impress and ALL of the fabulous stores were open until 11 with cocktails and even some of the designers were there for a lil PR. There were some local celebs from TV that everyone went crazy for and then I DIED in Alexander McQueen. The new clutches are RIDICK awww only 1.500 Euro:) heh heh. so glorious tho I recommend you get one. ASAP. Milano comes alive at night and if only you could see all the fab fashionistas workin in their 5in. heels on the cobblestone streets...at least they look good;)