I start the day with a cornetto - vouto - and a macchiato in the campo. I am happy. Sono felice. Sono contenta. It’s May 6 and the weather feels like October. I’m wearing a pair of furlane, my holey jeans, a white shirt with a black wool turtleneck poncho. My friend and I sit at Le Cafe and fight off pigeons. We discuss whether I should get a yellow or orange canary to put inside the bird cage in my kitchen. The one with the Art Deco statue in the center. A friends canary is sitting on eggs. My mom had a canary when I was a child. She sang all day in the kitchen. It would drive the cats nuts if I get one but yet I grew up in a household with cats and and dogs and birds and fish. It feels like home. We even once had a pet Skunk. I remember when my sister used to milk the goats before school. The cattle in the fields. Riding horses. Don’t forget you know me as a Venetian, but I was raised a country girl. You can’t take the Oklahoma out of the girl.

I think perhaps Fiorella my cat is pregnant again. Kittens. This is happiest thing in earth. Fortuny is going to be a Father again. More friends have reserved kittens than Fia could possibly have in one litter. She’s been on birth control 2 years and the injection has worn off. It’s springtime in Venice and love is in the air. Long walks hand in hand. I have a routine. Cardio at the gym Tuesday and Thursday. Weights with my trainer Monday and Wednesday. Saturday Cardio when I have time. Italian lessons twice a week. Work Emails. Sales Calls. Bringing in new clients. Business Consulting / Coaching appointments helping antique dealers fast track their business to success. Buying services. Selling antiques virtually. Flowers always on the kitchen table. Dinner with my neighbors. Learning to drive a boat. Reading in the sun. A stack of books. My house feels like a home. Life is remarkably Normal. I’ve lived many lives. I’ve been called many things. But “Normal” isn’t one of them. I’ve always ran from normal fearing I’d be bored. There are two things I abhor. Being bored and unattractive decor. And yet in these days - life is normal and I am not bored at all. I’m embracing this new normal.

Normal days at home in Venice.

OUR SPONSOR:

Republic of Toma offers one-of-a-kind, hand-made semi-precious jewelry. Subjects and motifs chosen for designs come from an imagination and vision that could be defined as a Cabinet of Curiosities in which each piece is inspired by art history, architecture, decorative arts and antiques; and where glamour, elegance, timeless beauty and uniqueness are translated into sculptural, wearable art.

Toma began traveling the world, studying in London and eventually moving overseas and launching her first global business – The Antiques Diva® & Co – the world’s largest antiques touring company offering antique sourcing in 15 countries.  She lived 5 years in each Paris and  Amsterdam before moving to Berlin for 7 years and then to Venice in 2017.

Influenced by her travels and global design inspiration, what makes Republic of Toma different from other jewelry brands is the connection between Toma’s creations and the world of antiques and design.

A self-professed jewelry addict, Toma says:

“Rings are my favorite accessory. They are the thing I wear for myself. When I wear a ring I see it all day long, typing on my computer, driving my car or enjoying a cocktail." 

WEBSITE: www.republicoftoma.fashion

INSTAGRAM: @republicoftoma.fashion