The hard life of a champagne ambassador requires watching a polo match that you had to google before knowing how many players are there in the field, and what the rules are. For me this was a first, and now I get all the excitement of horse sports and events. You get to dress up, have a luxurious picnic on the grass, sip champagne while following the game and understanding that Nacho Figueras is the man of polo.

Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

The polo event is on its 9th year with more than 8000 people in attendance at Liberty State Park with stunning views of Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty as the event's backdrop. Guests lounged on white couches under orange Veuve Cliquot umbrellas and champagne flowed freely with it also some delicious finger food. For me it was an opportunity to meet again with some old friends from last's year long weekend in Reis discovering the house of Veuve Clicquot, and also to make some new ones as in 2016 new countries were added to the ambassadorship program.

[caption id="attachment_12339" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Veuve Clicquot Rich ambassadors[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_12332" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Liberty State Park view of the Statue of Liberty[/caption]

Wearing Dress PAROSH , Hat San Andres Milano

[caption id="attachment_12325" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Nacho Figueras[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12320" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Totally got the hang of self-serving magnum bottles of Clicquot[/caption]

One of the best moments of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is the  time-honored tradition of divot stomping.  During the polo game running horses tear up the ground and during the half-time the crowd is invited to help stomp the pieces of grass and soil back into the ground.  A moment that is celebrated by everyone as you feel like taking an active part in the game itself. It is also a moment of socialization as after the work is done, you stay on the field to chat with the people around you. 

[caption id="attachment_12330" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Veuve Cliquot Rich and the new Veuve Cliquot Rich Rosé champagne[/caption]



 

*I am an ambassador for Veuve Clicquot Rich, and this post is in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot. 

I've grown up celebrating my mom on the 8th of March, on Women's Day, together with the other important women in my life like my grandmother, aunts, and best friends. Since moving to Italy I've discovered that there is a special day dedicated just to mothers on the second Sunday of May. While it makes sense to have a whole day specially dedicated to motherhood, I was curious to know how this day came to be. Asking my Italian friends they told me that given May is the month dedicated to Virgin Mary, the second Sunday of May was chosen to celebrate all mothers. According to my more knowledgeable friend Wikipedia, Mother's Day was some lady's idea back in 1905 who campaigned to have this day as a recognized holiday to honor her own mother and all the mothers of the World whose contributions to society needed recognition. Well done Anna Jarvis!

Back to Mother's Day 2016 and I've been converted to celebrating the day with some special shopping for my mom. She has been the one starting my passion for fragrances from childhood. While I wasn't myself using perfumes when a child, I have specific memories of holidays, family trips, parties that are connected with specific fragrances she used to wear.  Even today if I smell a certain fragrance or note when I close my eyes I can go back to our Greek holidays, my 12 birthday, or to another event. So every year she gets a new fragrance from me and I create new memories directly related to her scent. This year my choice has been My Burberry Eau de Toilette, a fresh interpretation of the original My Burberry EdP. I love how the EdT version is light and airy, perfect for a warmer season and ready for a special event to be associated with. And this year this special event will be my brother's wedding.

My Burberry  Eau de Toilette story

“The idea was to create a contemporary scent which preserved the elegant quality of My Burberry. On top, the citrus freshness of the bergamot was replaced by the lemon flower to give the Eau de Toilette its brightness. At the heart, the geranium was transformed into a fresh bouquet of fluffy peonies and the quince accord replaced with peach flower – a new way to translate the idea of fruitiness. Whereas the Eau de Parfum included patchouli at its base, a lighter, woody accord of musk and white moss brings sensuality and radiance to the Eau de Toilette. The Damask rose remains, retaining the elegance and confidence of My Burberry Eau de Parfum.” states  the nose Francis Kurkdjian that has created the fragrance with Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey.

My Burberry Eau de Toilette Notes

Top Notes: Sweet pea, Lemon flower
Heart Notes: Peonies, Peach flower, Freesia
Base Notes: Damask Rose, White Moss, Musk

*This post is in collaboration with Burberry

The best fashion collaborations are done with artists where we are given the opportunity to wear what usually goes on walls or stays on paper. Fortunately, starting from its creation in the 50s pop art has gone hand in hand with the fashion world.

Andy Warhol was the first to make the association with his paper dresses,the most famous being his Souper Dress that you guessed right was done featuring Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans print. Roy Lichtenstein has been for years a big source of inspiration for high-end fashion brands. Some of my favorite collections of Louis Vuitton & Gucci have been those presented as collaborations with Yayoi Kusama for the former and the creation of the Flora Knight print with Kris Knight for the later.

This Spring 2016 a new collaboration has caught my eye and been  my favorite. Ana Strumpf the brazilian illustrator and designer has brought her playful universe to the Italian iBlues brand. For ure you must have seen her artwork covering fashion magazines, and now we can finally have our clothes covered. The collection is called iBloom and decorative motifs and graphics cover dresses, skirts, and t-shirts.

Check out the mini video #iBLUESiBLOOM

🎶It's a beautiful day 🎶 #ItsAPrimaveraPop with @iblues_official #iBLUESiBLOOM by @anastrumpf

Un video pubblicato da ANJA TUFINA (@dollsfactory) in data: 20 Apr 2016 alle ore 02:06 PDT

Wearing//

Shirt iBlues iBloom collection by Ana Strumpf 

Skirt iBlues iBloom collection by Ana Strumpf 

Shoes Isidora Racine Carree

 

 

Lancia Ypsilon Mya is the latest redesign of the most loved car by European women. I can understand the fascination when you have a team dedicated to design innovation while also following trends. The time I visited the design offices of Lancia a few years back I was surprised to find the space arranged the same way you would find a fashion designer's office with mood boards, materials and concept designs all laying around. From this creative space a creative car is born.

It might seem sexist the claim that women don't care about the technical parts but on most things it is true, we are more practical and want something to work great without us knowing how it works. We use cars in more creative ways than men and we have totally different needs. I need it to have parching sensors because I don't want to be bothered, a connectivity system that lets me have all the music, maps, etc at my fingertips and comfort, including some space for my extra shoes and bags in the trunk.

Milan Design Week was the perfect occasion to present one important part of the Italian design we are so proud of, and the new Lancia Ypsilon Mya doesn't disappoint. The interiors feature Alcantara and a denim-like fabrics and the exterior come sin two new shades Ardesia Grey & Lunare Grey. I'll be doing a trip really soon and driving the new Ypsilon in Romagna so stay tuned for more on Instagram: dollsfactory & SnapChat: Anja Tufina

[caption id="attachment_12153" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Actress Kasia Smutniak is the new spokeperson for Lancia Ypsilon Mya. Are we digging that dress?[/caption]





*This post is in collaboration with Lancia 

La passeggiata con il mio cane l'ho sempre immaginata come un momento di relax, dove il cane mi guarda con occhi adoranti, cammina al passo e va fiero verso il parco dove lo aspettano amici e giochi. Io mi siedo in mezzo al verde con il Kindle in mano leggendo Murakami, e il cane è li accanto che si gode anche lui una bella giornata di sole. Beh, questo nelle mie fantasie. Nella vita vera la passeggiata con il cane è un continuo lavoro di educazione e interazione con il cane.

[caption id="attachment_12112" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Come penso di passeggiare con il cane // Come è la realta del passeggio con il cane[/caption]

Il primo giorno, appena presa Fuji dall'allevamento andammo subito al parco vicino a casa a farle conoscere quelli che sarebbero diventati i suoi BFF. Lì il sogno della passeggiata di relax si interrompe. Il mio cucciolo di alano di 3 mesi sprizza entusiasmo da tutte le parti. Non risponde al richiamo, espolora il territorio ignara dei pericoli, gioca a fare la lotta con altri 5 cuccioli di Weimaraner che pesano poco più di 2 chili mentre lei è già grande e forte quanto un Beagle adulto. Nei primi mesi ti tira come una matta cercando di andare di principio nella direzione opposta dove stai andando tu, vuole entrare in qualsiasi porta aperta, salta per "abbracciare" le persone con la coda scondinzolante, aspira da terra tutto quello che trova come fosse un aspirapolvere, bruca l'erba come una mucca, mangia legnetti come un castoro, e si scopre che gli piace l'acqua cosi tanto che tenta di buttarsi sul Naviglio per farsi il bagnetto. In questi momenti il sogno della passeggiata di relax sembra una luce lontana in un tunnel molto lungo. Ma tu sai che la luce è lì percio ti metti al lavoro per correggere con calma un problema alla volta.

E' LUCE FU...

Dopo 12 mesi di lavoro sono uscita finalmente dal tunnel e posso riprendere il mio sogno. Non si può dire che è stato facile, ma è una grande soddisfazione. Una volta che ho capito le dinamiche di come deve funzionare la passeggiata con il cane, la costanza ha fatto il resto. E le regole sono abbastanza semplici

• portare il cane fuori spesso e con qualsiasi tempo cercando di mantenere degli orari costanti. Fuji inizialmente odiava la pioggia, e io ero tentata ad assecondarla ma poi ho preso forza e dopo qualche uscita bagnata la pioggia non la sente più, e farsi asciugare dopo è una gran coccola.


• avere sempre con se bocconcini appettitosi come premio da dare al cane durante l'addestramento in passeggiata. Sui bocconcini da addestramento io ne ho dovuti provare tanti prima di trovare i Delibakie e i Purina Adventuros Nuggets al Cinghiale per i quali Fuji farebbe acrobazie da circo.


• non permettere mai che il cane salti addosso alle persone, questo vale anche per i conoscenti, cosi da non favorire le cattive abitudini. Questa parte è stata dura perchè a Fuji tante volte sono proprio le persone che le chiedono di saltare sulle loro spalle perche vogliono provare la sensazione di essere abbracciate da un cane alto come loro. Sarà passata per una brutta persona per quanti no decisi avro detto.

• non permettere al cane di prendere cibo da chiunque, sia per la sua sicurezza, sia perchè il padrone deve essere l'unica fonte di cibo e per avere il cibo il cane deve meritarlo rispondendo ai comandi.


• fagli fare più esperienze possibili da quando è cucciolo e presentagliele positivamente cosi da grande non avrà paura di niente. Questo vuol dire portarlo in vari parchi sempre con diversi cani, farlo giocare in modo sereno con i bambini, farlo camminare in anche in aree affollate o se sei in città anche in zone con traffico e rumori. Portalo a fare trekking in montagna, passeggiate al mare e al lago e a giocare con la neve. Nessuna situazione deve essere preclusa al cane cosi da avere un cane che passeggia tranquillo qualsiasi cosa succeda in torno.


• non lasciare mai libero il cane se non sei sicuro che rispondi al richiamo. Sul richiamo si lavora fin da subito per avere il controllo di ogni situazione.

• non permettere al cane di decidere dove andare e tirarti al guinzaglio. Chi sta portando a spasso chi? Guidalo rinforzando con il cane il principio che i capo branco siamo noi e decidiamo noi la direzione e l'andamento della passeggiata. Una cosa che mi ha aiutato molto è fare sempre strade nuove che il cane non conosce.


• prima di farlo interagire con altri cani chiedi sempre ai padroni se i loro cani sono socievoli. Non credere mai troppo a quello che ti dicono gli altri padroni e teni sempre sott'occhio l'interazione tra i cani. Con il tempo si imparano i segnali di disagio e/o paura che sono fonte delle zuffe.  Se noti un crescendo nella loro eccitazione è tempo di interrompere i giochi prima che il rapporto possa degenerare. Ma permetti sempre la socializzazione.

Adesso ogni volta che usciamo insieme o arriviamo al parco è tempo di festa e giochi. Fuji nel tempo ha creato un suo branco di amici sia cani che umani con i quali c'è già un rapporto consolidato perciò spesso posso finalmente aprire Murakami e continuare a leggere.








I diari di Fuji sono in collaborazione con Purina Pro Plan. Per saperne di più leggi Il Mese del Cucciolo 2016

The Renewal Oil by La Mer

I still remember the day I got my first Crème de la Mer moisturising cream 7 years ago. It was a winter day after having finished the exam season and my face needed lots of help after days of not sleeping and several Red Bulls to keep me going. After every exam season, I used to make resolutions for the new semester which I used to follow the same way we all follow New Year's resolutions, meaning they were forgotten after the first week of making them. That year one of my resolutions was to start a skin regimen that would keep my skin hydrated. I was getting old, think of it as the drama of a 23-year-old that has seen the first imaginary wrinkle and it was time to take action. And action I took by entering La Rinascente in Milan and coming out with the cream that was going to be my go-to beauty secret ever since.

In the more recent years, I've starting exploring also the new range of products that have originated from the original  formula, first trying the La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream a lighter texture with the same concentration of Miracle Broth and the La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion that makes for a complete skin treatment head to toe.

Out in October, the new addition to my beauty regimen is the La Mer The Renewal Oil, an anti-aging product that can be applied everywhere from the face to soften fine lines, used on the body for extra moisturizing effect, applied to nails for nourishing and also on the hair as an anti-frizz. I love myself an oil formula, especially this one that is so lightweight that can be easily added to every face cream for a boost of hydration. The versatility of The Renewal Oil hasn't made me feel like it is an extra step to my skincare routine, so much that it has been in my bag for months used as a secret weapon to a revitalized and glowy skin.

[caption id="attachment_11608" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] La Mer The Renewal Oil mixed with Creme de La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream[/caption]

The Renewal Oil: Mixing

La Mer Renewal oil turned out to work great while mixing it with other La Mer products. In the morning, I’ve been mixing La Mer Moisturizing Cream with The Renewal Oil for more skin moisture while adding radiance to the skin before applying makeup.

I have a really active day at work, going through different appointments while also riding a bicycle from one place to the other. I’m in much need of extra moisture and don’t have time to apply products throughout the day. In this The Renewal oil helped a lot, as I didn’t need to re-apply it during the day, the extra moisture while mixing it with the Moisturizing cream kept the skin perfect all day.

[caption id="attachment_11612" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] La Mer The Renewal Oil used as to prepare the skin before the make up[/caption]

Surviving Fashion Week 

Milan Fashion Week started today and The Renewal Oil is the perfect little secret helper, it is, after all, one of the most stressful times when working in the industry. Going from one show to the other 7 days straight, partying a lot, and sleeping a few hours per night while also trying to look flawless takes a strain on the skin. Using The Renewal Oil in the morning instantly replenishes the skin with essential moisture while working to repair the appearance of fine lines and the tired overall skin. For a picture perfect look, the multi-use Renewal Oil can be applied also on hair, neck, hands and legs.

[caption id="attachment_11613" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Mixing Te Renewal Oil with La Mer The Reparative SkinTint SPF 30[/caption]

The Holiday Effect

The Renewal Oil is fast absorbing and non-greasy, visibly restoring elasticity leaving the skin firmer and absolutely radiant. It gives such a relaxed look that I usually get only after long holidays. To achieve the most of The Renewal Oil, I use it as an overnight boosting treatment that works perfectly with my skin’s night repair mode. While I was treating my skin every night during a normal working week, it actually gave that Holiday Effect of nourished & radiant skin.

[caption id="attachment_11609" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Boosting hydration while used with La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion[/caption]







*In collaboration with La Mer