Tamu's Cafe #1, Viviana Volpicella

I can't believe that one month has already passed since the end of Paris fashion week. You know the saying, "time flies when you are having fun. " As much as I enjoy fashion month, I really enjoy easing back into my everyday life here in Milan. Driving my son to school and spending super-lazy weekends with him and my husband are some of my favorite pastimes. I also really enjoy organizing dinner parties. So, to follow up on where I left off with my fashion week style videos, I filmed a new video to show you just how much I love planning dinners for my best friends. Have you noticed that I use the words organizing and planning in relation to dinner parties? Well, it's because I'm not really good at cooking. But, I don't ever let that detail ever impede my love of entertaining. Plus, I always find amazing ways to fill my guests' plates with delicious food.

Like my latest obsession, Riccardo and Stefano and their amazing social foodie project, Gnam Box. Launched January 2012, I thought that a Gnam Box collaboration was an absolutely must after the wonderfully fun "In the Kitchen" feature that we did for Grazia.it. In their “In the Kitchen” features, Riccardo and Stefano invite friends over to cook special dishes. My feature for Grazia.it was a super positive experience as I found their approach to cooking fresh, and I really enjoyed being in their company as they are just lovely. I also thought that it would be the most relaxing and enjoyable way to get involved and finally learn how to cook.
 
And this brings me to my guest of honor of the evening. The gorgeous Viviana Volpicella. Viviana and I have been good friends ever since I to took my first picture of her in 2009. She is brilliant, determined, thoughtful and a huge inspiration to me. We have so much in common. For instance, we’re both Leos and we both come from non-fashion backgrounds (Vivi was an architect before becoming a stylist), we both love a good glass of wine, we love music and lip-synching, and we absolutely adore food.

Finally, as I was completing my grocery list for the dinner video, the idea of entitling the series Tamu's cafe came to mind as I remembered inspiring images from some of my favorite cafe experiences: fresh flowers, great wine, gorgeous people, inspiring fashion and wonderful conversation. I guess if I ever had the crazy idea to open a cafe this would be its spirit. Enjoy.

Cafe Specials
Food Suggested by Gnam Box
- Rye bread topped with a homemade rosemary ricotta spread and figs
- Pumpkin soup
- Mini-carrot cakes with white chocolate chips

Wine
-Ća dei Frati, Brolettino Lugana
- Terre di Sofia, Maurigi

Style
- Viviana wears a Miu Miu FW12 suit and shoes, Tory Burch resort necklace and Valentino handbag. 

- My look 1 -- J.Crew military jacket, denim button down and crystal necklace, Alexander Wang Resort 12 jeans, Stefanel Cashmere sweater, Jil Sander boots, vintage earrings, Balenciaga anchor ring.
- My look 2 -- Proenza Schouler FW12 Dress and Gucci booties 

Flowers
- Lisianthus
- Erica
- Capsicum
-Waxflower
- Avelanche roses
- Trachelium

Music 
- Foster the People, Don't Stop (Color on the Walls) 
- The Do, Too Insistent (Trentemoller Remix)

Cameo Appearance  
- Elena Braghieri

Video
- Andrea Barosi

Production (last but not least ;-))
- Annina Piana