Shopping

20
Giugno
2018

Quick guide to choosing the perfect wallet

Like a mobile phone, the wallet is one of those objects that we always have with us. For this reason, it should be a practical accessory, rather elegant and in tune with our style.

Let’s see together some advice to choose the most suitable wallet, the one that best suits our daily use and that can make us look good when we take it out from the bag or from the pocket.

Identify the ideal model

It is not easy to find the perfect model, but the basic advice is to privilege three things: capacity (based on the necessary content), simplicity and practicality.

Be aware of your style

Having clear ideas always helps, this is certain. Even for the choice of the wallet, it is good to follow your own style, wondering if a more sporty and casual model or a more classic and elegant one is better.

Quality materials

The most classic and qualitatively good is certainly the leather wallet, although synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, denim or aluminum are increasingly common. Other more sought-after materials, such as crocodile and python, are more in vogue for men, while silk and velvet are decidedly for women. The leather wallet, however, always wins: suitable for both work and professional situations, an evergreen that never goes out of fashion.

Having clear what to put in the wallet and what not

Four things must surely come into the wallet: documents, money and credit / debit cards and photos of the dearest people. The rest, such as fidelity cards, and receipts can be put in a clutch or in a separate container. Super slim wallets, for example, are comfortable if we travel with few documents.

Better an easily accessible model, with a practical closure

The safest in women’s wallets is undoubtedly the zipper: it guarantees a comfortable and protected closure, a defense against distracted hands. The “bi-fold” model is instead the most widespread, classic and practical for men.

Choose a color that you really like and do not get tired of

Those looking for something more classic and natural are usually more oriented towards a black or brown bovine leather wallet. However, the color is a very subjective detail and, if excessive, is likely to make us stew. The colorful or fancy wallets on the market are not lacking, they are very youthful and lend themselves to a more frequent change.

13
Giugno
2018

The history of leather tanning

With the term tanning, we mean those operations to which the skins of animals are subjected in order to make them imputrescible and transform them into leather, in practice, in order to preserve them and work them.

Tanning is one of the oldest activities, which dates back to prehistory, when men realized they could use the skins of the hunted animals to cover themselves and protect themselves from the cold and rain.

The only problem was that the material tended to decompose after a few days…

The origins of tanning

Perhaps by chance, the man realized that if the skin had been exposed to the smoke of the fire or immersed in water, then it lasted longer. This was the discovery of “aldehyde tanning” (of which the smoke of fresh woods is rich) and “vegetable tanning” (contained in wood and in all plants).

Aldehydes, tannins and lime (the limescale of the stones due to the effect of heat is transformed into lime, which with water forms lime off) are substances that still today, even if with different methods, are part of modern tanning processes.

From artisan practice to industrial activity

For many centuries the tanning technology had remained substantially unchanged, until the second half of the 19th century, when the drum was introduced, a machine consisting of a cylinder rotating around its axis, which marked the transition from craft to industrial activity. Water, skins and chemicals were introduced into the drum.

The mechanical action of rotation greatly favors the penetration of the products inside the skin; therefore the tanning process, which previously lasted many months, turned out to be quite accelerated.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the real turning point took place with the introduction of chrome tanning, – thanks to the tanning capacity of the trivalent chromium compounds – which is able to bind permanently to the skin making it imputrescible.

Various types of tanning processing

Before going on to the actual tanning operations, which tend to give the leather the greatest resistance, the maximum impermeability to water and the maximum porosity to air and water vapor (sweat), there are some preliminary steps for the preparation of leather, the so-called “beamhouse” operations: soaking, liming, unhairing and scudding, deliming and bating, pickling.

To get even more in detail and know what are the various types of tanning, we mention a few:

Chrome tanning, this mineral makes the leather particularly soft.
Aniline tanning, a type of tanning based on the use of aniline that gives the products a particular luster and color transparency.
Vegetable tanning, a process consisting in transforming skin into leather with the use of peel of plants that produce natural tannic juices in water; this treatment is carried out in pits and serves to obtain sole leather.
Mineral tanning, made with chromium or aluminum salts, which produces light, soft and tough leather.
Mixed tanning, a vegetable tanning in pits, tanks or vats and then drums, with the use of tannic extracts more concentrated than the juices derived from the peels.

16
Maggio
2018

The beauties of the San Lorenzo market

It is difficult to think of describing the many beauties of the San Lorenzo market in an article of a few lines but we try, because this exhibition space deserves at least one visit, if you are in Florence, and is one of the most particular and typical places where you can meet flavors and genuinely Tuscan perfumes, shopping and having an exceptional setting for your last selfie!

The two sections of the market

The San Lorenzo Market is exactly divided into two parts: one inside, known as the Central Market and dedicated mainly to food, shops, restaurants and fast food, and the other outdoor section, organized around to the Central Market building, a glass and cast-iron structure built towards the end of the 19th century by Giuseppe Mengoni, the architect of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan.

A taste experience

Fruits and vegetables, bread and pastry, chocolate and honey, fresh fish, fried meatballs, meat and sausages, cheese, pizza and fresh pasta, wine shop, lampredotto, sorbets and ice creams … All the activities of the Central Market are conducted by artisanal traders that have in common the passion for their profession. Going from here is a real dip in tradition, in good Tuscan and Italian cuisine, with its quality ingredients, a place for gourmets who want to experience a unique, tasteful experience.

It can be a good idea, between a museum and a church, to put on your march the visit to the San Lorenzo Market, perhaps at lunchtime or even for dinner, so as to taste the delicacies of Tuscan cuisine (they are about 500 seats available inside) and let yourself be tempted by the various tastes.

The paradise of the skin

Outside, among the streets that wind around the covered market, you can indulge in admiring leather objects, mostly ceramic artifacts and other local products, clothes, scarves, small ornaments, stationery objects, magnets and all kinds of cadeau to take home as a souvenir of your tour in Florence. But do not forget that at the San Lorenzo Market you can find many leather goods to complete your favorite look: bags, clutch bags, belts, wallets, jackets and jackets. The local craftsmanship here is really on display, it does not seem a gamble to call it “the leather’s paradise”.

You just have to choose

Allow us a tip: if you are willing to make serious purchases, first make a list of what you are looking for, if you need to give gifts, and allow yourself enough time to take a look at the various stalls before deciding what to buy, and plan a “extra budget” for a last deal, just for you!

There are so many options to choose from and without spending too much money, you will certainly find very tasty souvenirs for you and your friends. This part of the San Lorenzo Market is open every day, from Tuesday to Saturday. Enjoy your visit!

9
Maggio
2018

New: Mattia bag

His name is “Mattia”, is decisive, lively and vocated to work. In the iconic aged leather, the “Mattia” bag is a mix of practicality and femininity (it seems almost a paradox, given the name!). In fact, it combines the elegant exterior structured design with perfect organization and internal capacity.

It is a generous and capable bag, with many internal and external pockets, soft and versatile for the busy woman who can not and does not want to give up anything.

It is a bag that does not set limits

This bag has no limits: it is equipped with a long detachable shoulder strap, can be carried by hand, arm or shoulder strap for a stylish and exclusive look, or for a more casual outfit, in jeans and sneakers. It is available in various colors: dark blue, brown, leather, red, black, dark brown and dark green. The vintage effect of leather and buckles makes it even more interesting.

What kind of woman is wearing the Mattia bag?

The woman who chooses “Mattia” is a stubborn worker, a very busy woman, who juggles many appointments and must always have everything she needs: the cosmetic bag to make up her makeup, the agenda to update the commitments of the week, the smartphone and its charger, the tablet, the bottle of water, a snack and all you need to face an intense day of life and work. Being always in a rush, it is congenial a loyal and spacious bag, which certainly will not disappoint, because “Mattia“ always finds a space for a new addition!

2
Maggio
2018

Unmissable accessory: women’s leather belt

If your strong point is the waist, why not highlight it with the right accessory?

The women’s leather belt is that touch of fancy, let’s say unfailing, that completes, enriches and gives femininity to the outfit. It is pure elegance, elegance in style and in details.

Just choose the right model among the endless possibilities: if you want to emphasize your waist, you can focus on a high belt, bust effect, which adds grit to the most essential and is perfect in combination with leather jackets, jeans or leggings and high heels . The more minimal and thin belt, perhaps with a metal buckle, is less decorative and more functional, while giving a touch of refinement to the look. You can indulge in trying the various models, the important thing is that it is leather, strictly craft.

Hand made

In the selection of accessories that enrich your wardrobe, a sophisticated and attentive woman can not deprive herself of a hand-crafted belt, cared for in every detail, such as to be unique and special, and able to transmit class and uniqueness who is wearing it. Because quality is beauty, and beauty makes you feel good!

Rich in qualities

A leather belt has multiple qualities, which make it an inevitable accessory for every woman:

– it is resistant to wear

– it is versatile

– it is soft and comfortable

– and adapts to all seasons

In short, the importance of a leather belt in life can not be denied, it can only be linked to one’s style!