{postcards from italy--picture perfect procida}

Well it has been just over a month since I got back from my three weeks in Naples, and I've only just found a little window today to start posting pictures from my trip!
I thought I'd start with picture perfect Procida. An island not too far from Naples, but I would say one of the best kept secrets (shhhhh....) It's delightfully colourful; you can walk around the island in one day, making it a perfect day trip from Naples. In contrast to well-known and tourist-filled Capri, it has less glitz and more real, everyday charm.
A quick walk from the main marina where the hydrofoils come in, you'll find Marina Corricella. Climb down windy staircases leading to the charming harbour, where fishermen mend their nets, while cats sleep dreaming of the catch of the day, local boys fish with rods, and the odd rowboat manned by a single soul, scours the sea floor for his dinner....
the place is simply magical.

{arrival into marina grande, Procida}

{the stunning streets}

{a lovely little chapel behind those curtains, revealing a stunning interior dedicated to the lives of fishermen lost to the sea}

 and then down tiny, winding steps to Marina Corricella:

 

{mending the nets}

{dreaming of the day's catch}

{boys fishing}

{searching for fish}

{steps that feel like you're walking through people's homes}

{stunning view of the island}

 A short walk from the marina, pass the old prison:

& on to the stunning monastery of Saint Michael Archangel:

{with amazing views from the monastery}

{the monastery from the other side of the island}

Simply a lovely place to spend the day, with such magnificent colours, chapels and shrines around every corner and a few beaches to go for a swim, if the heat gets too much!

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

A memento mori, for hallowe'en is almost upon us!

What you are now, we once were. 

What we are now, you shall be.

{danse macabre}

Happy Hallowe'en!!!

xo

L

{quotable thursdays}

I'm getting tired of my broken record scenario of saying i'm so busy. but I just keep thinking things will die down but they are only getting busier. More deadlines, more work to do...and not enough hours in the day.
so sorry blogland, for neglecting you...I have so much I want to blog about. I've only got a couple of seconds to do this post, so I'll keep it simple...and with good vibes:

{good things are coming}

ciao,
L

{quotable thursdays}

hi blogland!

This will be very quick, but I couldn't leave today without a quote. If you're in the UK, you probably heard the news that they're going to pull Art History from the A level curriculum in schools. This is devastating for us Art Historians. I am heading up a new initiative at the Open University on providing new tools and resources for teaching art history in schools, so this is really rather close to my heart.

I firmly believe that Art History isn't simply about looking at images, but teaching people how to look critically at images--Art History opens up a whole new way of looking at life--from politics to economics to gender relations.

So, a quote about the role that art has in our lives--its ability to make us see differently.

{degas}

If you feel strongly about this, like I do, sign the petition to save Art History from being cut from the A level curriculum.

and post a message to twitter on #whyarthistorymatters. spread the word.

xo

L

{quotable thursdays}

{lovely autumn scene from Red}

Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn--that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness--that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.
― Jane Austen, Persuasion

Today's quote reflects the changing of season outside, and Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. It is a busy day here at Chota House so this will be quick (!)
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all!
xo
L