via del governo vecchio

This street is all about the people. But also home to vintage clothing shops, stylish boutiques, funky bookstores and great food.

via dei coronari

 

This beautiful medieval road–originally named Via Recta–was created as a through way to Ponte Sant'Angelo and then further on, to St. Peter's. Because the street was subsequently crowded with pilgrims headed to the Basilica, its 500 meter length was entirely dotted with stands and shops selling sacred souvenirs and rosary beads.
In Italian a rosary is called rosario or corona, 'crown of beads,' That's why the name of the street became Via dei Coronari. The fascinating medieval feel is still alive today, though the old souvenir shops have been replaced with very exclusive antique stores and boutiques.

salumeria roscioli

Historic Roman gourmet institution, among the most famous deli/restaurants in Rome and one of Italy’s top 5 wine bars. Recently showcased in Anthony Bourdain's black and white Dolce Vita-style Rome episode of "No Reservations" Roscioli's shelves carry 450 different kinds of cheese, more than 100 different types of cured meat, a wine list of 2200 labels, 20 different homemade breads. And the goods are handled by a professional team of expert sommeliers and talented chefs. The Roscioli family–true to perfect Italian tradition–has been working together since 1969.

via di s. elena

{hand written proclamations}

This shoe store is saving on everything, including corrections on the price reduction sign! 

If I were them I'd invest in a graffiti clean-up

via dei pastini

meet me at the bakery

chanel a san pietro

Vintage

The window display in this little antique store in my neighborhood combines a turn of the century painting of Piazza San Pietro–with the familiar St. Peter's dome and basilica–and exquisite vintage Chanel jewellery. I found this juxtaposition very elegant.

spille

Vintage jewellery

Antiques' fairs, flea markets, vintage bijoux, second hand stores... I love to browse them lazily, find that perfect and unique piece, spend time bargaining and enjoying the beautiful displays. Look at these precious brooches, aren't they pretty? Can you guess which one is my favorite?

Thought this would be a good addition to Ruby Tuesday ~ Check it out

manichini in vetrina

Window shopping

How forlorn and dreamy-eyed these two mannequins look. Perhaps they're wishing they could be outside, each doing their own thing in the busy street, instead of standing together in the same sad window.

porta di roma

Clearance sale

I arrived at the mall early this morning. Lots of space and quiet. The shops started lifting thier automated rolling shutters around 9:45 and it was a very unusual feeling to be virtually alone in that big open space. I took advantage of the 20 minutes I had before the store opened and grabbed some photos.
By 10:15 as the barbaric hordes were arriving, I pulled out of the parking lot with my 12 wine glasses and some pictures in my memory card.

presepe al cioccolato

Sweet nativity

This gourmet deli store always lures passers by with its window display. This year the new food specialty is a chocolate cake in the shape of a Christmas tree, decorated with a sugar-sculpted nativity scene, complete with Three Kings. Were it not for its spiritual connotation, it could be labeled as luxuriously self-indulgent.

Happy Epiphany!

promesse

Mobile snacks

Typically overdecorated yet cheerless roadside junk food trucks like this one commonly promise very very cold drinks and hot pizza, but traditionally carry exactly the opposite, and–however uninviting–the goods sell for exorbitant prices. Despite my best intentions, on hot summer days, when the Roman heat is unforgiving, I often fold and buy a bottle of very very lukewarm water.

mandarini e biciclette

No deliveries today

It keeps raining in the Eternal City. It hasn't stopped for days.
These bicycles used for environment-friendly delivery of ordered goods are momentarily on hold. The man in the store entrance is checking the weather, because... he's the biker.

elfi?

Candies

I wouldn't be surprized to find out that the lovely couple that owns this little bonbon shop in my neighborhood, actually works for Santa... I drove by the place on my way home tonight and saw it was open. And serving a customer!
Perhaps the only store in Rome that isn't closed on Christmas day.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

tutti in cucina

Supermercato, 4 pm

Only a few hours left before the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, and grocery shops and supermarkets have been raided. I walked into my local store for a last minute ingredient, and found it virtually empty. Everyone is home already, cooking up their feast and preparing for midnight.

Buon Natale!