Sociologist, Biologist, Introvert, Foodie, History Buff, Italophile, Herbalist, Ethnographer, Traveler, Thinker, Dreamer...
A group of POC (people of color), who also happen to be historical costumers, have assembled and are planning a virtual symposium for early 2023. The theme, Silk Routes, is tentative and will be finalized after consultation with costumers who will be teaching for the event. Bookmark this page and also the Instagram account @costumersofcolor … More Silk Routes Symposium 2023
This coming weekend of An Tir September Crown I will hold a vigil. For those not able to attend this one or the one I will hold at 12th Night I have developed a virtual vigil! I sent out “letters” to those who have helped me along the path to this offer. The basic text, … More Virtual Vigil of Gianna Maddalena Alberti
Being on vigil for the Order of the Pelican for the past month has given me a chance to reflect on the path that led me to this point. In the late Middle Ages it was customary for those in askance or thanksgiving to embark upon what we now call a pilgrimage. I’ll include a … More Pelican Pilgrimage of Gianna Maddalena Alberti
by Magnifica Gianna Madalena Alberti/ Giata Magdalena Alberti (Gigi Coulson) These names are taken from the 1401 Registro della bollatura delle veste from the Comune of Bologna. This was list of clothing items that were declared to the record-keeper at a Parish location so that the item could be grandfathered in and not fined by … More Feminine Names from 15th Century Bologna
Just a few reasons I prefer Ferrara… Read more on events and sites in Ferrara here https://www.ferraraterraeacqua.it/en/#null –From The Guardian “An hour and a half later, hopping on a bus from Ferrara station, which is situated outside the massive, crumbling medieval walls, I found myself in a well-nigh perfectly preserved medieval and Renaissance city, with … More Ferrara Massima
A small group of friends have decided to accompany me to Venice, Padua, and Ferrara in February 2022! I put together a custom, elegant, boutique experience for them based on the places I’ve discovered during the past 10 years of solo Italian travel to historical sites both on and off the beaten path. I’m not … More Italia con Gigi 2022
Here are my tips on planning a trip to Italy. When I start planning my own trip I think of it in steps each time and I want to share that process for any who might be thinking of planning their own. In fact, I may host a bespoke trip in 2022 for a small … More Italy Travel Planning
Ciao Tutti! Welcome to the first workshop I’m hosting for translating the recipes of Caterina Sforza’s Gli Experimenti. First, let’s learn who she was, what the book is, and talk about the foundations laid by other researchers who have studied her work. The Author Caterina Sforza led a controversial and dramatic life, leaving us with … More Caterina Sforza Gli Experimenti Workshop I
Known World Italian Symposium: Salons of the Italies II is happening across the Known World April 23-24, 2021. Visit our KWIS: Salons of the Italies II event website for a full list of class descriptions, the schedule, and the zoom links for April 23-24! https://sites.google.com/westking…/salonsoftheitalies/home The schedule for the event will be posted on the … More Salons of the Italies II 2021
Dipping my toe into the waters of 18th-century beauty manuals and to no surprise books of secrets are still being printed. One book that I find in many of my research digs is the English translation of Toilette de Flore by Pierre-Joseph Buc’hoz. When I searched for information on Buc’hoz there was very little information … More 18th-century Beauty: Toilet of Flora
La Bella Donna 