Venerdi in Venice: Romance

pigment ink pen & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

While I believe it's lovely to make every day Valentine's Day in simple and unassuming ways {a note with sweet nothings tucked in his pocket ... the outline of a heart magically appearing in the steam on the bathroom mirror ... remembering not to call him 'Hugh'}, I'm happy to have a formal excuse to stroll upon the romantic side of life.  When I saw this old photo shoot in Venice by Mario Testino {with styling by Grace Coddington} for Vogue US 2005 not long ago, it was easy to slip into the picture and start dreaming ahead of time ... of Bellinis at Harry's Bar {where perhaps we can arrange something like this, but not indulge in too many of their signature champagne cocktails lest we end up looking like this}.  And for dessert, dark chocolate gelato and moonlight lapping on the canals.  And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!

25 comments

  1. Such a romantic post! The lovely dress, candles, dark chocolate gelato (and Hugh, of course)
    Wishing you a sweet Valentine's Day :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. L♥vely illo and post Shell! Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ella sends a nose rub to you-know-who. I think she likes him, Favourite Vintage Finds.

      Delete
  3. Very feminine and romantic, indeed!

    "Remembering not to call him Hugh." Haha! But huge would be perfectly acceptable, right? ;-)

    Happy Valentine's Day to you. And Hugh. Wherever he might be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heh! No comment, Cali. Aside from this comment, of course. ;) I'm guessing Hugh has something very romantic planned for Deborra-Lee. What a man.

      Delete
  4. I wouldn't mind so much losing my decorum after too many cocktails if I had those shoes to wave in the air.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I say you start calling your fella "you" and convince him it's a term of endearment. Then when you slip, he won't know the difference. And speaking of slipping, as gorgeously romantic as that lavender gown is, I'd opt to end up "looking like this"—especially if the cause actually was our Hugh!
    Happy Valentine's Day, ma chére!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the way you think, Alexa. An excellent tip for all of us!

      Delete
  6. Bonjour, I just found your blog when I saw your comment on Virginia's last night. Glad I have found you. You are one talented lady! I have browsed your site and was immediately won over by your last post about a favorite Parisian place of mine, Le Bon Marché. Well done. I will start "following" your blog as of today. I need more creative people in my life ;-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's lovely to officially meet you, Veronique! I've seen you at Virginia's {amongst others} and thoroughly enjoy your comments. I'm popping over to see you shortly. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts!

      Delete
  7. Hugh--er, John knows when I'm reading your blog because I'm giggling at my laptop.

    Hugh is in LA right now, or he was a few days ago, having lunch at some swanky joint according to the Hollywood Reporter. I thought of all of you when I read it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Petrea, of all of us, you and Pop Culture Nerd have the best odds of bumping into Hugh. Wouldn't that be pretty amazing.

      Delete
  8. Imagine what could be concealed in those sleeves. Exam notes, chocolate, half bottles of liquor! One's entire carry-on luggage! A full make-up set lest one should unexpectedly meet Hugh and need to touch up the eye-liner!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, there's an innovative idea, Mise. Sleeves with hidden compartments for make-up touch-ups. You could patent that...

      Delete
  9. That dress is lovely. I love the colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those colours would suit your complexion wonderfully, Margaret.

      Delete
  10. I can't imagine what I'd say if I ran into him. Perhaps simply "shellsherree.com!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always on the ball, Petrea! Perhaps I should send you one of those dresses so you can keep some of my business cards up your sleeve.

      Delete
  11. I got excited by the prospect of Hugh being in town so I did a little research. Sadly, it seems he is now across the pond in London. I'll marvel at this lovely illo to assuage my disappointment and toss back a few Bellinis while I dream of his return.

    Happy Valentine's Day to you, sweet Shell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that Hugh ~ such a jetsetter. I'll have a Bellini with you, Susan. And Happy Valentine's Day to you and your beautiful bunch of furr-kids.

      Delete
  12. I'm trying to read her expression -- did someone just leave, or arrive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe the vaporetto is about to drift into view... and it's tardy.

      Delete

Merci, grazie, thank you for joining our conversation lounge. Your smile lights up the room. Even more beautifully than our crystal chandelier. x

© Shell Sherree • Theme by Maira G.