Holiday game night with Carte Napoletane.

Spanish-suited cards of the Napoletane deck, which is widely used across central and southern Italy.

The Negroni: my favorite cocktail and symbol of the Italian aperitif.

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I'm preparing to celebrate the end of the year with a relaxing and enjoyable night at home...

The origin of this iconic drink is said to date back to Florence in 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender Fosco Scarselli at the iconic Caffè Giocosa, to strengthen his favorite drink, the Americano, with a shot of gin in place of the usual soda water.

Ingredients
1 ounce (30 ml) gin
1 ounce (30 ml) Campari
1 ounce (30 ml) red, semi-sweet Vermouth (aka Vermouth Rosso)
Ice
Slice of orange or a sliver of orange peel for garnish

Preparation
1. Fill a low tumbler with ice until it is ¾ full.
2. Add the gin, Campari, and Vermouth to the tumbler.
3. Stir until combined and well-chilled.
4. Garnish with a slice of orange (as it is served in Italy), or with a sliver of orange peel (as it is served outside of Italy).

Christmas in NYC, 1988.

New York, 1988. Photographed by Hiroji Kubota.

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Gloria 'n cielo e pace 'n terra!

The Mystical Nativity or Adoration in the Forest, painted by Fra Filippo Lippi, c.1459.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 1:1,14, 3:16)

Christmas Eve, 2020.

The Neapolitan Baroque Crèche and Christmas tree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Simple outfit + dainty bracelet.

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Vintage Chanel bag + some items.

1. Unknown. 2. Photo by Henrik Purienne for La Bouche Rouge Paris.

Corno di corallo.

Berceuse (Le coucher)/Lullaby (Bedtime): a young Roman mother holds a naked infant and is gently moving him into his cradle.
William Adolphe Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905).

Sherpa coat.

Catherine Deneuve during a smoke break. Photographed by Paul Popper, 1963.

Christmas shopping in snowy NYC, 1984.

Christmas shopping in New York City. Photo by Frank Horvat, 1984.

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In honor of the winter storm headed our way to give us a white Christmas this year.

Petite hoops.

Photo by Jose Clavijo.

Plaid on plaid.

Michelle Pfeiffer, photographed by Barry King, 1986.

Perfect sitting room.

Todd Yoggy Interior Design.

Princess Diana's red puffer.

Princess Diana on holiday in Austria, 1994.

There's supposed to be a snowdump here in NYC toward the end of the week, and I'm getting in the mood.

Details: Céline blazer and vintage Hermès Kelly.

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Turtleneck and delicate hoops.

Sharon Tate at her home in Summitridge Drive. Photo by Peter Brüchmann, 1968.

Sade's pearl earrings.

Sade Adu.

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Casual blazer.

Madewell Houndstooth Larsen Blazer.

Striped oversized blouse, nº2.

Cindy Crawford, 1989.

Sharp.

Charlotte Rampling, London in 1976.

Warm lights.

1. The New Yorker Hotel sign and the Chrysler Building. 2. The New Yorker Hotel sign and the Empire State Building, photographed by Jay B. Wilson.

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This is a cozy sight to me. For some reason, it reminds me of this time of year in particular, like heading out on a blustery December night for dinner reservations with some friends. The holidays and lots of lights: two things that make this city so viscerally memorable.

Casuale, nº8.

Aimé Leon Dore ashtray.

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B32 "Cesca" Chair.

B32 "Cesca" Chair, designed by Marcel Breuer for German-Austrian cabinet maker Thonet in 1927.