Make Mine A Double...

I'm a serious coffee hound, and found this informative and amusing. Enjoy!
~

Office Space

Summer Business Casual 1 by une femme featuring 14k bangles

I've been trying to write a post for weeks now on Business Casual for summer, and it keeps devolving into a rant about some of the more egregious clothing choices I've been seeing in my office. The ensuing gripe-fest ultimately comes across as sanctimonious, judgemental and well, very Grumpy Old Woman, and I really don't want to be that person.

So instead, I'll share the guidelines I've devised for myself for putting together Business Casual ensembles for the office, which work for all seasons.

Summer Business Casual 2 by une femme featuring a grey blazer

1.  Dress for your audience and venue. If I know I'll be attending meetings at "headquarters," I'll generally dial it up a notch. A lightweight blazer instead of a cardigan, closed toe shoes instead of sandals.

2. For a normal day in the office, mix casual/soft pieces with more tailored pieces. If I wear jeans, I'll add a blazer or jacket, even if a knit version. Trousers or pencil skirt can be paired with a fitted tee and a cardigan.

3. Layers. One never knows whether the a/c will be on strike or on overdrive.

4. When it comes to showing skin, err on the side of caution.

5. Avoid anything that looks like a mis-matched suit.

6. Even though I don't match my bag and shoes, I at least try to keep them at the same level of formality. For example, I don't wear patent leather shoes with a distressed leather bag.

Business Casual 3 by une femme featuring sling back shoes

Thanks to Lisa from ~Privilege, whose Polyvore sets have been an inspiration, especially for work wear ensembles.

Have you developed your own set of guidelines for workplace attire?  Please do share.
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Back in Business - Ann Taylor

Business Wear, that is.


For many years, Ann Taylor was my go-to source for work wear separates in petite sizes. Even after I stopped wearing suits to the office, I still loved their modern classic aesthetic, the "Margo" fit pants and variety of jackets and sweaters offered. There were two stores nearby; my favorite was quite large, with a deep and well-stocked Petites section. But over the years, the Petites area gradually shrank until it occupied a small dark corner of the store like a child on time-out, and then that store closed entirely.


In the last few seasons, AT seemed to shift their focus away from work clothing, veering into an aesthetic I referred to as "Debutante Aspirational," apparently chasing a younger and more leisure-oriented demographic. Ruffles and embellishments, splashier prints, satiny fabrics, frilly party type clothes and skin-baring styles squeezed out the more classic and ageless separates. So they dropped off my radar for work wear, even though at times an item in the window would catch my eye. 

I don't know what propelled me past the doorway of the remaining, much smaller local Ann Taylor store last Friday while I was out running lunchtime errands at the mall, but having come to the realization that I needed to shore up my summer work wardrobe, it seemed worth a quick perusal. No stone unturned, and all that. I was pleasantly surprised.

While there are still plenty of more casual and "party" type clothes, it did seem that the selection of suiting and work separates was occupying a larger percentage of rack space than in recent seasons. Right away I found a nice pair of beige linen trouser pants on the sale rack (Signature fit, the updated Margo, this particular pant not shown online, though they have others).  Encouraged, I grabbed a few more items to try, including this skirt...

Pencil skirt in cotton/lycra, $98. 

which looked fabulous on.

I remembered that earlier I'd received an e-mail from Vogue and Ann Taylor announcing an event Saturday afternoon at their South Coast Plaza store, and that all full-priced items would be 30% off, so decided to wait on the skirt and take a trip to The OC the next day. Definitely worth the fifty-minute drive and dealing with the crowds! In addition to the skirt above, I also found these lightweight pinstripe pants,

Chocolate brown pinstripe trousers, $138

and another pair of tropical weight wool pants in a light grey (not available online).

The event, it turned out, was the grand opening of the first Southern California Ann Taylor Concept Store, which I assume means they'll be getting the newest and best selection of styles. They were having quite a party at the store!

Cute guys passing out champagne, what's not to like?

Fun jewelry, all at 40% off.

The store was mobbed with customers and lines were long, but the Sales Associates were incredibly helpful and appeared unflappable in the face of mass shopper frenzy. It seemed that every customer in a fitting room had someone helping them individually, going back and forth from the floor to pull more items and sizes. Even though there was a line for the fitting rooms, it moved quickly thanks to all of the assistance.

Swanky decor, and a sizable Petites section!

The store itself has a bright, clean and updated look (which I'm afraid my iphone photos don't capture to best advantage), and seems to be laid out nicely though the number of people crowding the aisles made it more difficult to assess. They were well stocked with sizes. I'll definitely go back on a non-event day when the crowds are thinner and spend more time just browsing, as I'm seeing more of the previous Ann Taylor aesthetic that I knew and loved.

I tried on this jacket above, and while I appreciated the fit and the 3/4 sleeves, I ultimately decided that the bows on the back of the sleeves were a bit too precious for me, so passed this one by. (They're ribbons run through a casing around the sleeve which has faced openings, so not easily removed.)

But it's a *really* cute jacket, and there's a matching skirt. I'm encouraged and hope there will be more jackets along this line (sans ribbons) in future collections.

This dress isn't my style, but saw a couple of women try it on and it looked great.

I also found the sizing to be consistent among all of the pieces I tried on, and the quality of fabrics seemed to be as good as I'd remembered. The linens and lightweight wools are fluid and drape nicely, but still have some heft. The "Signature"style pants fit like they were made for me, and I'm encouraged that many of the skirts in the current collection are knee-length, and feel much more suitable for the office than the thigh-grazers that seem to dominate the retail landscape right now.

I'm thrilled with all of these pieces, as they mix well with items already in my closet, and will help me to look polished at the office even during the warmest months.

Is your work wardrobe ready for summer?  What are your favorite summer pieces for work?

(This post was not solicited or compensated in any way by Ann Taylor, Vogue or anyone else.)
~

Dodger Dog With a Side of Digression

Work Outing At Baseball Game by une femme featuring tote handbags  Yes, I know that's Wrigley Field.

Above, a close approximation of what I eventually chose to wear to our day at the Dodgers, an event my boss' boss organizes annually for the upper-level management folks from the various divisions he oversees. The day started off cool and cloudy, and I did remember that we'd be in the shade the whole time in this particular skybox, so heat wasn't an issue. The lightweight jacket (silk/cotton, same one I took to Italy) stayed on all day, and I felt brought an otherwise very casual ensemble into the bottom range of the Business Casual spectrum. The guys from Finance always show up in their black slacks and neat blue button-front shirts, and the women in skirts or light slacks and a lightweight jacket or cardigan, perhaps signaling to the Division Head that they will be returning to the office afterward to grind out a few more productive hours.

Because our department is located offsite from the "main campus" and because our building also houses Production groups, the dress code in our department/building is quite a bit less corporate and more, well,  "anything goes" (especially with the Production folks).  It's been difficult at times to suss out what constitutes appropriate Business Casual wear in that kind of environment, especially as a woman in management who wants to look current, stylish, approachable, competent, and in charge. It's a minefield, I tell you! I felt that I'd worked out some good options for cooler months, but now that summer's here I'm floundering again. The more Corporate version of BC (tailored jackets, skirts and slacks) feels too stiff and stodgy now, even on those rare occasions when I can find flattering pieces of good quality, but the warm weather equivalents of my winter knit separates feel just TOO laid back. Browsing retailers' racks and websites, one almost gets the impression that they are still equating Summer with Vacation, and forgetting that many of us continue to trudge off to work between June and September, rather than spending our days at seaside clambakes or bucolic music festivals.

I keep thinking that if I could just find some flattering, somewhat tailored, lightweight pants, and maybe a jacket or two, I could cobble together a summer work wardrobe with those and the tees and cardigans already in my closet. I can hear some of you hollering "Dresses! Dresses!" at the monitor, but I never seem to be able to find any that fit me AND feel work-appropriate.

Have you wrestled with the parameters of Business Casual in your workplace? Do you find that dressing for work is more difficult in one season than another?
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Random, Florence

Right before I snapped this shot, someone filled up a bottle of drinking water from this fountain. 

This is one of those weeks where the Irresistible Force (ideas/intentions) is meeting the Immovable Object (number of hours in a day), and unlike the theoretical perpetual stalemate, the Immovable Object is winning. In other words, work and family obligations are taking precedence over writing blog posts. So here are some pretty pictures of Florence, Italy.

Il Duomo

We never made it inside, as standing in a long line in the hot sun had little appeal. The exterior was pretty darn spectacular, though. In Rome, we had seen lots of red marble in buildings and sculptures. In Florence, green stone was predominant. Below, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella also utilizes plenty of green stone for the facade.

Stuffed boar outside of a butcher shop in the village of Greve. Le monsieur was on another Gelato Quest™ during our short visit, so we didn't stop to look inside.

Meanwhile, back in Florence...

Scooters as far as they eye can see....

This morning as I gaze into my closet, I must again answer the question, "what does one wear to a work outing in a skybox at a baseball game?" (On a hot day, with senior level executives in attendance, just to keep things interesting.)  I think this calls for a Polyvore...
~

Temptation, On Sale

While some of us may not live in Paris, (sob!) thankfully we have access to Eric Bompard through the modern miracle of online shopping. Et les soldes, aussi!


The sale starts Wednesday. Here are some pieces worth watching...

Short sleeve silk tee in "Goyave."  Bompard isn't just for cashmere.  I purchased a similar tee during last year's online sale in a pewter silk charmeuse, and wore it like crazy during the warmer months. Love this color above!

Fitted v-neck sweater in 70% cashmere, 30% silk. I have this sweater in grey and navy, and it's a winner for fit and style. Alas, they don't seem to have navy available currently (for those who are inspired by Ines dl F's style picks) but this "Freesia Pink" is a lovely option if your cool weather wardrobe needs a shot of  color.

If your style leans toward the classic, this cotton/cashmere jacket in navy is just the thing. Also available in that lovely "Goyave" (guava) color for those who dare. (Black and light grey too.)

It's hard to go wrong with a classic cardigan, especially one like this in a gorgeous turquoise. Cotton 70%, Cashmere 30%, available in several colors.

I'm very picky about my leopard prints, but this looks like a good one. Cashmere mini leopard stole.

And here's one of my personal favorites, the lightweight cashmere lace scarf. It's available in several gorgeous colors. The yarn on these is incredibly soft and light; they provide warmth with negligible weight or bulk.

Sizing for Eric Bompard pieces can vary, but I find they tend to run true to the measurements given. My suggestion is to find a sweater that fits to your liking, lay on a flat surface and measure across the bust, then compare to the measurements listed by item for each size. Be aware that not all garments are cut the same. In the fitted sweater I need a larger size than for the more roomy silk tee. Check measurements on *each* style to determine your size.

Also, be aware that it can take up to a few weeks after placing an order to receive your items, especially in the US.  Everything is shipped from France, and especially during sales, items ordered may not ship for a few days.

So what's on your wishlist?
~

Laws of the Universe

"Frakking dryer's on the blink again!"

#89. Multiple critical household appliances will all fail and require major repairs within the same week.
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Happy Feet - Travel Edition

For those interested in the Mephisto sandals I purchased in Venice, they're available online here.

The ECCO Mary Janes that worked so well and carried me through days and evenings are those above. (On sale, too!)

While both are, admittedly, on the Sturdy Gal side of the style spectrum (perhaps with a nod toward Artsy Cousin?), both are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, perfect for those days that include hours of wandering through art museums, Roman ruins, wineries, cathedrals or just in circles trying to find Harry's Bar.

~

Near Misses

Stay classy, ladies!

We found out while on our way home that we'd dodged a bullet in Florence: just a few days after we left, the cast and crew of the reality show "Jersey Shore" had shown up (in a big way) for a few weeks of shooting for the next season.  Pre-scripted drinking, brawling and scrapes with the police were the order of the day.

I know for some it's a guilty (or not) pleasure, but I've never been able to watch most reality TV shows, other than the HGTV yard makeover type, for more than a few minutes before I start to squirm with discomfort and empathetic embarrassment and have to change the channel. I seem to be in the minority; there's a substantial audience out there who just can't get enough of flamboyant people behaving badly (or at least with a level of drama out of all proportion to the situation). I have to wonder about young women today who have grown up consuming this kind of programming which may have the effect of normalizing what once was considered outrageous behavior (and not just on the part of women, men too). Andy Warhol, it seems, was right, and I wonder about these shifting norms as people continue to up the ante just to be noticed. Sometimes it seems that a toddler-like mindset of saying, grabbing or doing whatever we want in the moment is not only exhibited, but endorsed in entertainment media and spills over into our culture in general.

But, without alleging any sort of carefully crafted conspiracy between media and advertisers, I think one effect of the conditioning on our brains to escalating stimuli is that we begin to crave more new and shiny things, more excitement, and this dovetails with an increasingly materialistic yet throw-away consumer culture. We want more, brighter, bigger, the next new thing, and we want it NOW. We're a population of instant gratification junkies. And a plethora of options for cheap, trendy, disposable clothing have sprung up to cater to this mentality.

I'm not immune to this pull either. Long time readers of this blog may recall that I've declared my intention many times to quit buying "junk food clothing" and upgrade my wardrobe with fewer, but better quality pieces. This hasn't been easy. I've realized to what extent my buying habits are fueled not only by the high of something new and shiny, but also by fear of deprivation. "I'll never find another pair of jeans that fit." "I'd better buy a backup in case this one wears out and I can't find another like it." It's fun, but it's also reassuring to buy the same cardigan in three different colors. (OK, so maybe it's just a question of degree between me and the folks on "Hoarders"...)

Training myself out of the habit of over-consumption and overriding the magpie part of my brain has required constant vigilance, and application of the "do I love it?" and "does it add the the quality of my life?" criteria to any potential wardrobe purchase. It's harder to hold out for those few things that meet the higher standards, but slowly, the mindset does seem to be taking hold. Lately I've found myself walking away from Near Misses far more often than making regretted purchases. (You wondered where I was going with this, didn't you?)  And while there's some disappointment each time I don't skip out of the store with buyer's high, the feeling of satisfaction of sticking to my guns outweighs the gratification of something new.

Intentions are good, but changing beliefs and behaviors takes practice, and yes, discipline, a word that sometimes seems old-fashioned in our world of instant fame and instant gratification. Discipline isn't flashy and sometimes isn't fun. But while intentions may be the fuel, discipline is the engine that takes us where we want to go.

Have you made a decision to change your consumption habits? How is it going? What strategies are working for you?
~

Travel Recap: Le shopping!

Baby ballerines in a shop window in Rome

I hope this news will not shock or disappoint, but I actually did not do a lot of shopping on this trip. A number of factors contributed: our tightly scheduled itinerary in Italy, the dollar's weakness against the Euro, the ever increasing availability of goods in the US formerly only available in Europe (hello, Balenciaga!). But mostly, I've been feeling an aversion lately to accumulating more Stuff, preferring to hold out for the special, the unique. Le monsieur actually outpaced me this trip, picking up several lightweight shirts and some cotton twill pants in Italy to help him deal with the heat. He'll get plenty of wear from his purchases at home too, as our warm season extends from July-November. We also did buy wines (which we had shipped from Italy) and little gifts for those back home.

Non, didn't buy these, unique and special as they are. From same shop as ballerines, above.

I did not return home entirely empty-handed, however.

As mentioned before, the sandals I'd brought with me were not equal to the amount of walking we were doing on a daily basis, and didn't fit snugly enough so I kept tripping in them.  These are the Mephisto sandals I bought in Venice. They are 11/10 comfortable.

Polish on toes is OPI "Vodka & Caviar"

I especially like the strap color, a taupe grey (slightly darker IRL than it looks under the flash).  It Goes With Everything™.

In Venice we kept passing shops with good looking linen pieces in the window, but when I'd go in to see up close or try on they turned out to be far too voluminous for me. Finally in one little boutique where the linen top in the window had again turned out to be more of a tent than a garment, (I think they pin them deceptively in the window displays), the shopkeeper kept bringing more stuff for me to try before I could get out of the dressing room. Those sales ladies can be relentless! There were a few "maybes" in the growing stack, but then she brought in this asymmetrical tunic and it was love at first sight.

This piece is a bounty of slimming diagonal lines, and the fabric drapes beautifully, as you can see above. Again, it's a marvelous IGWE™ taupe grey. The volume is Just Right. The simplicity of the neckline and 3/4 length sleeves just call out to be paired with some great jewelry. And there was this one design detail, a petit rien adjustment tie, in the back.

These are the kind of fun, "off" details that always nail it for me. I'll wear this over leggings or slim pants.

Wandering on our last day in Venice, slightly lost and rather mellow after an alcohol-enhanced lunch, we passed a small shop with some interesting scarves in the window. The store was Barbieri Arabesque, and they stock some very pretty scarves, shawls, ties and pocket squares for men, and umbrellas. According to the sales woman, Barbieri owns the factory that produces the fabrics for their own brand as well as some other well-known Italian brands such as Moschino. I selected these two longer lightweight scarves, the one in left in soft modal knit, and the one in right in a sheer silk.

Neither scarf was particularly pricey, however I think I may have paid too much for the scarf on the left, as the ends are unfinished and have already begun to unravel. (SUI - let this be an object lesson!) But I love it otherwise and will probably just have it hemmed/finished. I also love the slightly subversive polka dots on the silk scarf. Close up:

And then there was Paris.

I'm not over my marinière enchantment yet; look at the cute silver button detail!

May I just add my voice to the chorus singing the unabashed praises of Monoprix?  But to avoid being overwhelmed, you either need to go with someone who knows the merchandise (thank you chère Tish!) or plan to spend a lot of time looking. Above, this adorable cotton dress, great for casual summer days, was less than 15€! I'd also wear as a cover up for beach and pool. OK, maybe not special or unique but a great piece at a great price, and for those of us whose lives require some knock-around casual wear, a cute option.

And below this cotton "Marcel" (tank top) came in somewhere around 4€. It looks great under a little blazer or cardigan.

I had to go to a second Monoprix the next day to find the color and size I wanted, thanks to a mysterious disappearance within a five minute period of an entire pile of these marcels from the display table at the first store, but that's one of those "you had to be there" stories.

And of course, after finding all these great warm weather pieces (which are always a challenge pour moi), we returned home to mostly cloudy skies and temperatures that have barely made it out of the 60's in two weeks and show little sign of breaking much beyond the 70F mark in the next two weeks. When I can bear to be out of my sweaters, I'll post some modeling shots of these.

I also picked up some skincare items at Monoprix and a couple of pharmacies, which I'll cover in separate posts.

When in Paris we usually visit the Maille boutique on rue Madeleine to pick up some of the on-tap and fancy mustards and vinegars, but never made it to that part of town on this trip. But I did find some of my favorite Vinaigre de Vin Xèrés (great for salad dressings and marinades) at the Bon Marché Grand Épicerie so I grabbed two bottles which, if used with discretion, will hopefully last until our next visit!

And who could pass up this organic cotton shopping bag?? Pas moi!

~

Une femme recommends: Never Short on Style

If you're less than 5'4" tall, you're considered a Petite in fashion industry parlance, regardless of what size you wear. At 5'1" moi-même, I've struggled at times to figure out why something that looked so good on a taller friend looked *terrible* on me, even though we were the same size theoretically.

I've purchased many, many style books over the years, but very few specifically addressed those of use who are Vertically Challenged™, beyond mentioning that a) we may need to shorten sleeves and pant legs, and b) that we should stay away from large prints. But in my own experience, finding styles that flatter a shorter frame is far more complicated that just saying no to oversized florals and lopping a few inches off a hem. Not all Petite women are shaped the same or have the same proportions. What applies to dressing for shape on a taller person also applies to us, but with some additional caveats.

That's why when I learned image consultant Imogen Lamport (of Bespoke Image and the blog Inside Out Style) had written a style book specifically for Petites, I was thrilled. Having been fortunate enough to work with Imogen in person, I know first hand that she really knows this stuff Inside Out and in amazing detail. When I received the book, I was even more delighted; I've never seen a style guide this comprehensive!

For those who are looking for nuts-and-bolts style advice for Petites, this is the guide for you. From the broadest concepts such as which styles will flatter your body shape, body proportions (which I learned during our workshop are just as important as body shape for selecting clothing styles) and coloring down to details such as which jewelry or sunglasses will best suit your features, Imogen leaves no style stone unturned.  The book is illustrated throughtout with Polyvore-type images that clearly demonstrate the concepts Imogen describes.

I learn something new every time I pick up this book. For example, something as simple as where a brooch is placed can draw the eye upward and give the impression of more height.

You can purchase the e-book Never Short on Style here. But if you're of average or tall height, or want some great tips for travel wardrobes, check out Imogen's other available e-books, Your Essential Style Guide, and Travelling Light. If you're fortunate enough to live in Australia, Imogen also teaches workshops and works with individual clients.

Bespoke Image (Imogen's Home Page)
Inside Out Style Blog
Imogen on Facebook

Disclosure: Imogen provided a complimentary copy of this e-book for me to review.
~

Cette semaine, j'adore...

Pivoines!  They're in season right now, and you can find at Trader Joe's here in LA for $6 per bunch!

Kale in salads! How did I not know about this until now??  Kale is a delicious addition to green salads, bringing a nutty flavor and tons of minerals, including calcium, and anti-oxidants. (Just be sure and wash well to remove all grit.)


LaRoche Posay Anthelios XL 50+ Tinted Fluid. When Tish (A Femme) and I were tearing through the Monoprix in Paris (good times!!!), I'd grabbed this inadvertently and tossed into my shopping basket, not realizing it was the tinted version. I decided to try it anyway and LOVE it. Just enough teint to even out the skin tone, and a higher level of SPF than the Clinique I've been using (summer's here after all...). Just this and a little Diorskin Forever powder are all I need for a smooth, glowing complexion.



What are you loving this week?
~

Images and Impressions: Rome, Day Two

Vatican museum

I may or may not have mentioned this in yesterday's post, but there were a LOT of tourists in Rome!

We'd scheduled some tours for days two and three, starting with the Vatican Museum. If you're planning to visit the Vatican Museum, I strongly suggest you make reservations.  After seeing the non-reserved line which wound down to the end of the block and around the corner, I was glad we'd heeded that bit of advice. Another bit of advice I wish we'd heeded: skip most of the Vatican Museum and head straight to the Sistine Chapel. There's lots and lot of stuff in the VM: Egyptian artifacts, busts of Popes, tapestries of Popes, portraits of Popes, Virgin Mary's, saints, crucifixion scenes. Pretty much what you'd expect, with some strategically placed sales points for souvenirs which helped to create some effective clog points due to all of the TOURISTS.  I hope those of you who are religious will not be offended, but after about an hour of portraits of Popes and shuffling through various halls packed cheek-to-jowl with fellow tourists, we were on sensory overload and ready to get the heck out of Dodge.

There was one gallery full of animal sculptures that was kind of fun.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photographs in the Sistine Chapel (and the guards were relentlessly barking at any sign of a cell phone or camera "NO PHOTO NO PHOTO!") so we appreciated the results of Michelangelo's labors for a few minutes then moved on. The Sistine Chapel is where the Cardinals meet to elect the Pope. But I didn't see the chimney where they send up the black or white smoke.

The last attraction on the tour was Saint Peter's Basilica, which was awe inspiring.

This is just one of the side chapels.

Pictures really can't effectively convey the size and scope of this cathedral. Afterward we followed the herd out into Saint Mark's Square where we spotted this Swiss Guard.

We'd moved with the flow of traffic out of Saint Peter's into Saint Mark's square, only to realize that we'd been misdirected and weren't being allowed by security to re-enter the museum to be able to return our audio guides (and retrieve le monsieur's drivers license!). After asking at three different "information" (I use that term loosely) stations, we finally learned that we'd have to walk all the way back around to the museum entrance, basically on the opposite end of Vatican City to return them. By the time we finished up with that, we were darn ready for lunch, but decided to hop the subway over to the area near the Coliseum to find someplace to eat, as we had an afternoon tour scheduled in that direction.

Lunch was one of those amazing serendipitous finds, but that's a subject for another post. After lunch we still had an hour to kill before our scheduled tour time, so we wandered up the Via di Fori Imperiali where we took in some more impressive ruins...

Love the wildflowers

We climbed to the top of Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, (which we nicknamed Caesar's Palace, as it reminded us of the structure of the same name in Vegas)

See what I mean?

not sure at that point what it was, took in the view of more ruins from the terrace...

then discovered another beautiful church immediately behind it, the Basilica Santa Maria in Ara Coeli.

Look at that ceiling!

Some of the stained glass windows appeared more modern than the rest of the church.

Finally, it was time to head back to the Coliseum for our scheduled "underground" tour.

We got to see the "working" area underneath where the gladiators, animals and workers lived (and died).  There was a complex elevator and pulley system for bringing animals, people and stage sets up to the arena floor.

Keystone (above) and partial arena floor (recently added)

Finally, our guide took us up, up, up, past some locked gates to the very top of what remained of the upper tier.

You can see the partial floor added recently. In Roman Empire days, this would have covered the entire arena (and the word "arena" comes from the sand that was brought in to cover the wooden floor).

From up here we also had a great view of the Palantine Hill.

Whew! That was one full day. We had one more half day in Rome, which I'll share in the next post.

As you may have surmised, we had NO time to shop at all on this part of the trip. I'd also love to tell you more about style in Rome, but probably 90% of people we saw at any given time were other tourists, and another 5% were priests or nuns.

Next up, Borghese Museum!
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