Window shopping

On a dull, damp day we took the boat across the lagoon to Murano and did a bit of window shopping.

First stop was the wonderful studio and showroom of the sisters Marina and Susanna Sent, where I was lured inside by the sight of a dress made of glass.

No photography was allowed, so the images are from the current catalogue with photo credits to Francesco Barasciutti.

This year the sisters are celebrating twenty years of creative collaboration. They produce the most tempting things. Congratulations!

Elsewhere on the island glass balloons seemed to be the flavour of the month. In Nasonmoretti

I met Marta Ruz, looking very elegant in muted colours against a backdrop of brightly coloured glass.

We popped outside the shop so that I could get a better picture

and she told me that the belt was an old one of her Mom's. Ah, I know that story well! (Although nowadays it also works the other way about and I inherit things from my daughters.)
Good belt, Momma, and thank you, it was lovely to meet you, Marta.

I was bundled up in woollens and waterproofs, (blending in with the walls in Burano)

but these young Japanese tourists were not going to let a bit of rain dampen their style!
"English?" they asked us. "Ooh, Davi Beckaam!"

The shop windows in Venice were more cosily attired for autumn weather.

And this lady on the water bus was laced into a rather distinctive outfit, with trousers that looked ideal for a ride on a horse.

 I wear glasses and my current pair are utterly boring. The window display in Micromega was very tempting and I went into the shop to try some pairs on.

The only trouble was, without my own glasses on I couldn't see what I looked like with one lens round and the other one square - was it brilliant or merely very odd? The family couldn't decide. (I took that as a 'no'.)

Ah, well, it wouldn't do to look strange!

In Calle Carminati there was a lovely shoe shop, but with prices I couldn't afford. I asked the maker, Giovanna Zanella, if I could buy some of her beautifully coloured laces. Sadly the answer was no. (I asked all over the city but with no success.)

I can remember when Venice was full of small, creative shops like Giovanna's selling their hand made products.

I want them!

Wee One bought me a quirky watch -I could choose the face, any colour I wanedt, choose the strap, ditto. Mix and match. What a lot of fun. It took me ages to decide!

 Himself rather fancied dressing like the gondaliere. 

But he wasn't allowed.

And it was still shopping temptation at the airport

but I didn't succumb!

Willow Manor Ball.

The moon is rising, the autumn apples decorate the trees. It's time to dress up and go to Willow's ball.
Who shall I take for a partner? I had thought of inviting Inspector Montalbano but it would be hard to drag him away from the supper table and when I want to dance he might sulk. And also, his phone is always ringing and he would abandon me in order to solve a case or bed another woman. It requires careful thought because some dance partners can be dreadful show-offs.

I've heard that Stephen Marchant is looking for a partner and can dance.... but there's dancing...and dancing.

Perhaps I'd be better on my own.

Although it's so much more fun with two.

 I'll play safe and take Himself.

Thank you, Willow, for the invitation.