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    Mini guide: 5 Christmas gifts for romantics

    Time is running so here’s the new mini guide: “5 Christmas gifts for romantics”. These little presents will be the joy of your female friends, especially those who have delicate tastes in everything. I’ve chosen them with a typology in mind: a solar soul with great enthusiasm for life, a girl who wears comfortably but always with a light, elegant touch. If you know someone who fits this description, no panic: all these ideas can be found in regular boutiques. I think Christmas gifts should be cute but useful, in this way they have a sense and low chances to be forgotten in drawers! A piece of clothing is always…

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    My custom nail polish for Julep: Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)

    I’ve never wondered how the nail polish of my dream would look like, I usually pick up and buy what I like the most without further imagination exercise (is that laziness?). When I got asked to develop my own idea of nail polish for Julep, I forced my mind to start working on a brand new concept for me. I had a bare idea: my nail polish had to recall pleasant memories and sensations, so what’s better than a dreamlike destination for these holidays? This summer is going to be freaking hot and for all those people who can’t enjoy a real break, I imagined a refreshing shade: blue, that’s…

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    Last-minute Christmas gifts… 2013

    Do you need some last-minute idea for your Christmas gifts? Christmas is really near and you don’t have to worry about it, because I’m late as a lot of other people and I’ve collected some digital presents to show you. Before buying, think first of those who will receive your gifts and take a look at your wallet. You don’t need to spend a fortune to make people happy and, thankfully, this stressful period will pass quite quikly. There are always your female friends who like everything beauty, right? How about creating a little package with some customizable essentials (mascara, lip balm or lip tint, etc…) or something ready to…

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    Les Cinq Amandes: dragées, sweet presents and a good cause

    There are loads of occasions to celebrate together and the most traditional way to delight guests is giving dragées. Les Cinq Amandes or “The 5 almonds” is what I’ve spotted recently and it has quickly captured my interest, why? Elegant packages and a huge selection of coloured sugared almonds and chocolate pralines, should I say more? The name chosen by the shop mother-daughter duo sounds particular, why just five almonds? Have you ever noticed how many almonds are inside a wedding dragées bag? Five, because five are the elements for a good marriage: happiness, health, wealth, longevity and fertility. That’s what “Les Cinq Amandes” wishes everyone. Giving dragées, as little…

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    A little Kiko haul

    Last time I went to the university and I did, as all diligent students, my duties, I’ve done some small purchases at Kiko in Naples. I took the chance to go there because there’s a relatively new Kiko shop in Corso Umberto, a main street I take every time I’m there and that tourists may know. It was one of those rare occasion I go into a shop with clear ideas about what to buy, indeed I wanted with all my strengths a Sugar Mat nail polish. I really don’t know why.   My haul is quite small, I’ve simply bought a packet of make-up remover wipes I was in…

Italian Memories, Italian culture and lifestyle, semi-serious travel guide, Valentina Chirico