Casa di Giulietta (Romeo and Juliet)

I guess when we were teenagers, Romeo and Juliet was the most romantic story we have ever heard. Although it ended tragically, the story inspired us how powerful love can be.

In spite of the many movie versions; the 1968 Romeo and Juliet, the 1996 Romeo + Juliet and the newest film 2013 Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy was written by William Shakespeare. The love story happened hundreds of years ago in an Italian city of Verona. Two families who are sworn enemies, the Montague and the Capulet, but didn't stop Romeo and Juliet from falling in love and having a relationship.

When I visited the city of Verona, I was really inspired on how the people of Verona made the tragic story like a real-life story, the city is like dedicated to Romeo and Juliet. Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit the lovely city of Verona to see Juliet's Balcony (Casa di Giulietta) which was also featured in the movie Letters to Juliet.

Most of the things found in Casa di Giulietta is from 1968 Romeo and Juliet film. Most of the clothes in the movie are displayed in the small museum. You can also send letters to Juliet just like Amanda Seyfried's movie Letters to Juliet.

Casa di Giulietta
Address: Via Capello, 23, 37121 Verona Province of Verona, Italy
Opening Times: Mon 1330H- 1930H; Tue- Sun  0830H-1930H
Admission: €3

Hundreds of tourists visit to see the famous balcony where Romeo declared his love to Juliet.

A closer view of the balcony...

Lucky me, I'm standing in the balcony! ;)

Juliet's bed...

Clothes from the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet.

Letters to Juliet sent! ;)

Paintings of naked Juliet.

A painting of Romeo and Juliet making love.

Statue of Juliet in the courtyard.

My Costume Jewelry Collection

A few months ago, I posted an article about Fabulous Costume Jewelry. After reading the Fabulous Fakes by Carole Tanembaum, I got really inspired by her collection so I started collecting my own costume jewelry. When I checked online shops like Malleries, e-bay, etc. for signature costume jewelry, the prices were just too much.
Well, the older (vintage) they get, the more expensive they become!

Since I love earrings, I am concentrating of collecting only vintage costume earrings.

So I was researching for an affordable online shop until I found Etsy. There are so many luxury brands- vintage costume jewelry that you can find on Etsy. Brands like Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Kenneth Jay Lane, Karl Lagerfeld, Elsa Schiaperelli, etc.
The prices are also affordable compared to other online shops.

Bought at Etsy's. Black Onyx and Pearl dangling gold earrings by Givenchy. Signed Givenchy Circa 1970's.

My first costume jewelry by Liz Claiborne. It was a gift from my cousin when I became a Flight Attendant. Dangling gold Liz Claiborne Earrings. Signed Liz Claiborne Circa 1990's.

Also bought at Etsy's. Christian Dior Pearl Earrings. Singed Christian Dior Circa 1970's- 1980's.

Although this earrings is not really vintage but its still costume jewelry. Bought it at a Chanel shop in Singapore last year.

So happy that my costume jewelry collection is slowly growing. :)

Filipino Rice Muffin (Puto)

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful dad and to all the dads out there. Since I won't be able to celebrate this special day with my parents, I'm making myself one of my favorite Filipino desserts, Puto (rice muffin).
Hope you enjoy this really yummy rice muffin recipe from my mother... :)

Rice Muffin (Puto)


Ingredients:
1/4 Cup of Butter (softened)
1 Cup Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking  Powder
5 Tablespoon Sugar
3/4 Cup Milk
4 Egg Whites
Margarine (optional)
Cheese (grated)

Method:
1) Grease Puto molds (cup cake molds) with butter or margarine, set aside.
2) Mix flour, baking powder and sugar in a large deep bowl.
3) Add softened butter, milk and egg whites then whisk the batter for 10 minutes.
4) Pour the mixture in the Puto molds (cup cake molds) and put grated cheese on top.
5) Steam for 30 minutes until the Puto (rice muffin) is firm,
     also try to insert a toothpick in the center of the Puto (rice muffin),
     if it comes out clean then its ready.
6) Let it cool before removing from the molds.
7) Serve and enjoy!

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th century Romanesque Revival Palace built by Ludwig II of Bavaria dubbed also as ''the Fairytale King''. Until his death in 1886, only one-third of the palace interior was constructed and it was never completed. The castle was also then opened to public.

Located on the hills of the cozy village Hohenschwangau in Bavaria, Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular and most visited castles in Europe.

Neuschwanstein Castle also inspired Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Address:
Neuschwanstein Castle 
Neuschwasteinstrasse 20
87645 Germany

Coordinates:
47° 33′ 27″ N, 10° 45′ 0″ E

Outfit
Blazer: Mötivi
Top: Victoria's Secret
Jeans: Guess?
Shoes: Pedro Garcia
Bag: Mulberry

Venezia

VENICE- An Italian city on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and connected by bridges. A World Heritage Site and also called the City of Love, Venice is the capital of the Veneto Region. Known for its unique art and architecture, Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

A perfect place for almost all occasions! Whether it's honeymoon or family vacation,Venice is such a gorgeous city where everything is just walking distance. You can also rent water taxis or the romantic gondolas with the singing gondoliers.

The city provides a bewildering array of cozy hotels and international restaurants. But if you're on a budget, it's better to stay outside the city for Venice is also dubbed as one of Europe's most expensive city. Luxury shops cluster along San Marco and local souvenir shops like Venetian Masks and Murano glass are found everywhere around the city.

Venice Travel Guide

Lago di Como

Dubbed as one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, where aristocrats and famous people have homes on the gorgeous banks of Lago di Como or Lake Como. 
Located in the northern part of Italy in the region of Lombardy. Lake Como, shaped like a letter Y, is the third largest lake in Italy and one of the deepest lakes in Europe. It is a famous tourist destination for its landscapes, scenery, lakeside villas, luxury hotels, cozy restaurants and a lot of other things.

Mentioned by different novelists/writers on their novels/works, Lake Como is also a favorite video/movie location. Movies like A month by Lake wherein it was filmed in different locations around the lake; Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and James Bond Movie: Casino Royale were shot at the lakeside Villa del Balbianello ; Ocean's Twelve and Gwen Stefani's music video Cool were both filmed at Villa Erba.

view from the entrance of Villa del Balbianello

Lakeside of Argegno

cozy town of Argegno, a dazzling array of Pizzerias and Trattorias.

waiting for my real Italian Pizza at La Piazzetta...:)

Delish!!! Best Italian Pizza I ever had!!!

what the chief waiter recommended, with some melted chocolate inside...

view from the restaurant, La Piazetta.

:)

on the other side of Argegno...

Small island with chapel.

:)

with this view, I can stay in Lake Como forever!

Villa Carlotta

on the other side.

gardens of Villa Carlotta

old villa!