My Beautiful Fortress in Italy.
Thanks for stopping by. This space is devoted to our life in the Italian countryside. In the furthest northern part of Tuscany. A region known as Lunigiana. I am a photo/prop stylist and author.
What’s happening around here: All-Access Pass.
Our little town hosts an Antiques Fair every third Sunday of the month. Obviously, I attend when I can. This time, I had what I like to call a very Italian experience. It is one of those experiences that happens only when living here. It started off when I ran into my friends Paolo and Antonella; they own my favorite vintage store in Sarzana, Alt Means Old. I found them shopping in a new stall in a storefront on the square. You may remember my friend Karina from her video on my YouTube channel; she’s doing a massive renovation to a stone farmhouse in Fivizzano. Well she was there as well, and she spotted me and flagged me down to go inside the store.
Once inside, I found Antonella rummaging through boxes and Paolo in the back of the store in the dark, foraging as well. Beautiful linens from the 30s and 40s. Some of the price tags were in Lire. Stylish trenchcoats, brightly colored smocks, and cool shirts and dresses from the 60s. Antonella nabbed the smocks and will tailor them into cute summer dresses; she’s so clever. Bolts of vivid 60s fabric. The lovely woman running the sale offered to take us upstairs to the store owner's abandoned apartment to see more. She told us on the way up the stairs that the woman was her Aunt. Her Aunt was the former proprietor of the store. She and her siblings were trying to sell off as much as possible that day. Her aunt was no longer living, and she had owned the retail store below and was a collector. That was apparent when we entered her apartment. Mostly abandoned and in need of loads of repairs. It was a bit sad to see everything stacked up. But my oh my, what treasures.
It was a virtual treasure trove of furniture, clothing, artwork, linens, and kitchenware. As she led us around the flat, giggling, she explained that her Aunt had been a bit of a hoarder. Looking around, I got that sense, although I would categorize her as a chic hoarder. There are tons of them all over Italy. At one point, I had thought about writing a book about them. The title would be “ The Chic Hoarders.”
I have found that in Italy, access is the key to everything. It’s who you know. Since we were a friendly bunch, buying lots of treasures. She decided to show us more. They are very smart business people, the Italians. People are always asking me to take them flea-ing to my secret places. But the truth is most of the really good flea shopping happens in instances like this. It’s happenstance and spontaneous. It’s why living here makes all the difference. These types of all-access passes only happen if you’re present at the right moment, and we were. We spent an hour walking around collecting items.
Antonella ended up with bags full of vintage clothing and bolts of fabric. I also found some great heavy vintage glasses for grappa or espresso and beautiful handmade hand towels. When my friend Lizz is here, I will be back for some of the furniture pieces in a few months. She’s closing on her cottage in Fivizzano and will certainly find something for her new home. She and her wife, Jenny, will be here in July. You can watch Lizz’s house-hunting journey on my YouTube channel.
Access! It’s all about who you know here. Italy is like an onion; it takes time and patience to reap the benefits of living here. But it’s so worth it. You can’t beat the Italian experience of discovering treasures right under your nose.
ARE YOU BOOKING A LA FORTEZZA RETREAT IN 2025?
PICK YOUR DATES!
Now taking reservations for 2025 Custom La Fortezza Retreats: If you’re interested in planning your own custom retreat in 2025, please email Gen, and she will get you started on your journey. Check the calendar and start planning. Every retreat comes with a pasta cooking lesson! *Keep in mind the earlier, the better to get the exact dates you desire next year.
Contact Gen to reserve your place in 2025: Gen is our La Fortezza Guest Service Liaison: genesis.carlina@gmail.com
MY LATEST YOUTUBE VIDEO:
All About Annette YouTube, This week on Move to Italy: This week on my channel, I am rounding up my Top Ten Favorite Home Features. The channel has been running Home Tours for the past; here’s what knocked my socks off! Check it out.
Thanks so much for watching my YouTube Channel, All About Annette. Please share my channel with your friends.
The channel has 6600+ subscribers! I am beyond thrilled! Now, let’s get to 10,000 by the end of this year…Please like and subscribe, and ring the bell to be notified when new videos are released.
Book News: “Great Summer Read”…I’ve sold thousands of copies thanks to YOU!
If you love The Talented Mr. Ripley, you’ll love my latest novel. I have taken a big detour from my memoirs to write my first book of fiction. You won’t be able to put it down. I promise. My first self-published book!
IT’S FLYING OFF THE AMAZON SHELVES!
The Killer Menu is a delicious murder mystery.
Order: The Killer Menu, By Annette Joseph
Finding love and a family is never easy, but it's terrifying when you’re Henry Miller. Henry is a deliciously charming chef—talented, handsome, and intensely obsessive. Henry's extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of his girlfriends take readers on a chilling journey from the streets of Paris to the chic restaurants of Italy and the vibrant Cuban enclaves of Miami. As we delve into the mind of the reluctant murderer, it becomes clear that his habits of love and loss create a recipe for disaster. Come meet Henry and decide for yourself: Do you like him Or hate him?
*Being a paid subscriber gets you exciting La Fortezza updates you won’t want to miss.
If you’re not a paid subscriber… you’re missing all my off-the-beaten-path Italian travel hit lists. Plus, Retreat and excursion news and special offers, discounts on some of my favorite products, and giveaways—not to mention new recipes to try every Friday.
Consider subscribing and becoming a La Fortezza insider.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to My Beautiful Fortress in Italy to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.