In The Powder Room

Back in June I went on something of a pilgrimage to Italy.

It was an assignment for a national newspaper, and I was despatched to a quaint, rural region of Central Italy to check out an innovative new idea for ladies who love to shop. The Shopaholics Tour is the brainchild of Brit Sally Hamilton, who moved to Italy four years ago and now runs an exclusive online boutique selling exquisite hand-picked Italian-made clothing and accessories. With a gift for discovering designer outlets and traditional artisans at work in hidden corners of the Italian countryside, Sally's latest innovation is the Shopaholics Tour of Central Italy's best-kept shopping secrets. It's basically a tailor-made Italian holiday for women with a serious passion for fashion. 

I can't tell you too much about the experience because I'm still hoping to see the article in print sometime next Spring, but suffice it to say that among the highlights were sipping tea in the penthouse apartment of a converted monastery and gazing out the window at rustic rooftops, not to mention a beach-side lunch of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, and several cups of the best cappuccino in the world. The whole experience was phenomenal and Sally is the consummate hostess with the mostest. She pulled out all the stops to ensure I was treated to an authentic, unforgettable Italian experience, and was determined to transform me into a true Italian Bella Donna by the end of my stay.

As part of that quest, Sally took it upon herself to transform everything from my look to my language. Sally was intent that I would be oozing glamour and effortlessly littering my conversation with Italian phrases and the authentic corresponding hand gestures in no time. So while I was fawning over impractical but cut-price tea dresses in Prada, she was scouting for signature pieces that would make up my new Italian look. And so it was that she took me to the Manas outlet which is nothing short of shoe heaven. Manas make their samples in a size 5 and sell them off for between 25 and 40 Euros, and Sally soon spied an incredible pair of leather knee-length Gladiator sandals for 25 Euros that would ordinarily be way out of my league in any boutique on Bond Street. I only had hand luggage with me so was afraid of buying anything because of the overly officious airline baggage checkers, but Sally felt it was practically a karmic case of 'If the shoe fits' and before I could protest she had purchased them, convinced that they'd play an important part in transforming my look.

We had lots of fun experimenting with my Italian alter ego but when it was time to leave I left the boots behind - their bargain status would soon be compromised if they got me slapped with an excess baggage fine - so Sally kindly offered to post them to me.

On Monday morning the postman rang the doorbell but had disappeared by the time I opened the door. Glancing around, I spotted a box on the doormat and brought it inside, wondering what new piece of bike kit my husband had bought on ebay. Realising it was addressed to me, I opened it up to find the most gorgeous sleek, chic black shoe box inside, tied with gold ribbon and adorned with a quirky business card and a flier for Sally's unmistakable boutique. My boots!

They were nestled in luxurious tissue paper, and the smell of Italian leather as I unwrapped them brought memories of my trip flooding back. It has rained all week in ireland, so I haven't yet ventured out of the house in my gorgeous new shoes. That hasn't stopped me wearing them round the house, though.

Who knew that stunning leather boots beautifully wrapped in a box all the way from Italy is all it takes to brighten up a dull Monday morning and start your week with a swing? I highly recommend a little Italian online retail therapy or better still, book a Spring-time Shopaholics Tour to get you through the wintery months to come. 

As for me, I'm counting down the days until the weather warms up enough for sandals and in the meantime, my new shoes give my pyjamas a definite touch of Italian glamour. Time for another cappuccino...