What's new this year is really what's old - Italy!   We had the pleasure of  visiting our source for the delightful raffia umbrellas we import and learned that the umbrella company is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year. As you can see, it's keeping up with the times quite nicely. 

We quickly discovered, too, that all throughout Italy, everywhere we turned,  we were struck by breathtaking examples of what umbrellas actually symbolize on a smaller scale: shelter, security, protection, status and comfort. These fabulous examples - in the forms of towering spires of numerous cathedrals and inviting, curved openings of massive stone archways - were found everywhere , from elegant palazzos to rustic borgos.

We learned that, historically, the vertical handle that supports the dome of the umbrella indicates that the person below is considered the center of the universe...if only for the moment!    We hope our umbrellas offer you a bit of the same.   Look up. Feel safe. Be happy.

Ciao!  Lois & Bart