Since my job is the main cause that kept me away from this place for months now, it's only fair that the first post after a long break is dedicted to workwear. Today, I'm proving once again something we all allready know, but it can't harm anyone if I mention it again - having a basic waredrobe will take you places!

In the past couple of years I transformed from a maniacal hoarder of colorful, eyecatching clothes and accessories with a bunch of details, to a cautious shopper of basic, simple pieces. Why? Because I was constantly stuck under a pile of clotes that occupied my life space, and still - I had nothing to wear. And if that's not indicator that change is urgently needed, I don't know what is.

Remember that rule - if you like something you should buy it only if you can come up with at least 3 outfit ideas that include that particular piece? Well, I don't even have to use it anymore, cause I've built basic wardrobe that provides me with endless possibilities when it comes to combining pieces. Because everything matches everything (well... almost!). Today, I will share with you 6 possible combinations, using limitted number of items, but the thing is - the list of opitions is not even nearly exausted with these 6. Feel free to comment which one do you prefer or to suggest a different combo - something you would wear.

That day our main focus was Vatican which we visited for the first time but, when I refer to Rome as sacred ground, I do not have Vatican on my mind, at least not for the obvious reason.  I refer to all the artists and geniuses who lived here and walked these streets, to all the paintings and sculptures, frescoes and monuments, architecture and museums, to history and endurance of the eternal city.

But before getting to Vatican, let me return a few millennia earlier in the past and begin today's story with the Etruscans, ancient Italian civilizations whose origins still remain a mystery but whose influence on the development of Roman culture is quite clear and manifest. It is known that Etruscan society was quite progressive, with their rectangular urban planning with cardo and decumanus, the way that they built roads and bridges and used arch and vault in architecture. Women were independent, educated and could own property, they could go out in public, attend banquets and participate in public life in general, which was unimaginable and shocking to other cultures of the ancient world.

The imprint Etruscans left on the Roman civilization, in form of government structure, religion, architecture and entertainment (gladiator fights), inspired us to visit Villa Giulia, or National Etruscan Museum, in Rome and take a closer look at the Etruscan art and artifacts preserved to this day. Permanent exhibition in this museum includes the magnificent Sarcophagus of the Spouses, a twin sarcophagus of the one in Louvre, which depicts married couple at a banquet together and represents another testimony of the way Etruscan society was organized and how, I would say, modern it was.

We took a walk towards Vatican passing by the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo and finally visiting Chigi chapel, designed by Raphael. Continuing our walk along Tiber river, we passed the Ponte Sant'Angelo, and soon found ourselves at Saint Peter's Square surrounded by impressive colonnade by Bernini.


Visit of the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel,  Saint Peter's Basilica and climb to the top of the Michelangelo's dome squeezed the last ounce of strength out of us. Especially the last mentioned activity! After this, I'll say venture, it became painful to stand or walk. I'm lying -  it became painful to even lie, breathe or live! It was not the first time we brought ourselves in that position (nor the last time), but everything we saw and experienced - it was definitely worth the pain! Someone once told me that, if you wan't to explore Vatican museums in much detail, you need at least two weeks. But, we didn't have that much. We only had a few hours and we were forced to race against time, to run, observe, listen and absorb everything we can. Richness, perfection and beauty. Richness in  spirit and history. The feeling after encounter with works of the greatest  Raphael, tenacious Michelangelo, baroque Bernini or unique and mystical Botticelli - priceless. Impressions on what is stored and protected behind the walls of  Vatican museums can hardly be put into words. Put on the simplest possible way - the place is a sacred ground.




Untill the next post,
Marija