Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts

Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Lemon Sicilian





The ceramic pot above was purchased on a spring jaunt to the beautiful island of Sicily, Italy. The ceramic shops of Ortigia in Syracuse, are filled with the bright colours of Majolica, adorning every kind of household object or ornament you can think of. As you can imagine, this makes choosing one piece exceptionally difficult.
The lemon pot, was in a row of pots on top of a wardrobe. Each as different in size and decoration as can be, which meant although my eye was drawn to it, it didn't grab my attention. On the second visit, the pot was brought down for me to take a closer look. I admired the light flowing lines of the painted lemons and leaves, coupled with jade, ultramarine and a rosy glaze—I was sold!

This and more foody illustrations can be found on my Instagram as part of the #100dayproject. Tag: #100daysfoodanddrink


Instagram




Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Chocolate Bowties




Day 2/100 - Chocolate bowtie pasta, tag: #100daysfoodanddrink
This packet looks so pretty, it seems a shame to open it. As the owner of the shop in Sicily packed it, along with the olive oil from Etna, Limoncello, dark chocolate with orange and sun dried tomatoes into a bag, he suggested a creamy sauce as accompaniment—yum!




© Alison Day 


Sunday, 1 May 2016

100 Day Project




Day 1/100 - Cannoli, tag#100daysfoodanddrinkHaving recently enjoyed an inspiring Spring jaunt to Sicily, I decided that I'd start off the #the100dayproject with food and drink and an Italian goody.





© Alison Day 




Sunday, 10 May 2015

Fountain of Shame


The Fountain of Shame by Alison Day


The Fontana Pretoria, or 'Fountain of Shame', as it is commonly known, can be found on the Piazza Pretoria in Palermo, Sicily.
The fountain was designed by Francesco Camilliani, a Tuscan sculptor of the Renaissance period. Originally commissioned for a private villa in Florence, it was eventually moved to Palermo. In its day, it was considered a risqué affair, due to its opulence. The balustraded staircases, nude statues of gods and goddesses striking a pose, animal heads, monsters and nymphs spouting water, led the Palermitans to name it: Fontana della Vergogna, or 'Fountain of Shame.






© Alison Day 


Sunday, 3 May 2015

Weekend Wonder



Work in progress, by by Alison Day


After my recent visit to Sicily and an inspirational visit to an artist's studio-shop in the little town of Monreale, I decided to have a go at a mosaic technique I saw being used there.



© Alison Day 


Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Marble Marvellous



A peep into an annex of the Cattedrale Monreale, in Sicily, opened out into a curvaceous romp of Baroque figures, pillars and motifs—what a feast!







Photos by Alison Day


© Alison Day 


Monday, 27 April 2015

Gotta Go


Sign on the door to the ladies in a restaurant in Monreale, Sicily.
—When you've gotta go...




© Alison Day 



Sunday, 26 April 2015

Primavera Prosecco



Lunch on a balcony, in the little restaurant: Dietro L'Angolo. Overlooking the town of Monreale (Sicily), with its lemon groves and the hazy blue of the sea.





Glorious! — Sun, Prosecco aperitif, wine, fresh fish and olives.









© Alison Day 


Saturday, 25 April 2015

Silk Floss



Walking through the cloisters of the Cattedrale di Monreale (Sicily), I came across this unusual looking tree. At first glance its huge fruit could be mistaken for avocados, but a look at its comical, baobab-shaped and prickly trunk told me otherwise.




The Silk floss tree (Ceiba speciosa), originates in the tropical forests of South America. Belonging to the same family as the baobab, it can grow up to 25 metres in height. The young tree has a green trunk, which turns grey as it matures and is covered with thick conical thorns, which store water for use in dryer times.

The fruit are woody, oval pods containing black, bean-sized seeds from which vegetable oil can be obtained, whilst the soft, fluffy, cotton-wool substance has many uses: stuffing, packaging, paper ropes etc.

© Alison Day 
 

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Spring Delight




Cannoli, topped with candied orange peel, accompanied by cappuccino by Alison Day



Below our favourite coffee place: Spinnato, in Palermo, which dates back to 1860. A lovely place to sit for morning coffee, an aperitif or to while away an afternoon.
Alongside the news stand, with its giant yo-yo-like planters.










© Alison Day 

Saturday, 18 April 2015