Let's face it. Working from home has all of it's pluses, but every once in a while you have to get out!  Actually, more than every once in a while, more like daily, is ideal.  Anyone who has ever worked from a home office knows what I mean; more than X amount of hours in front of the computer/sewing machine/etc and your productivity level goes down very quickly.  This entry shares a little bit about my playground, my brainstorming zone, my nap time spot, my place of escape.  And, when you really need some fresh air is there really any better place to go than an old villa once known to Romans as Bel Respiro?  I think not.

I have the great fortune of living next to the largest public park in Rome: Villa Doria Pamphili.  Villa Pamphili is the old property of the Papal Pamphili family as well as the inherited property of the royal Doria family.  If you look at an aerial view of Rome you will see two huge splotches of green interrupting the urban layout- one is the also famous Villa Borghese and the other one is my backyard...

It is a well known fact that exercise does 'ya good.  It's also a well known fact (here in Rome at least) that if you want to get away from the city and go jogging, Villa Pamphili is one of the best places to go.  But, as I only really like running on poorly groomed trails in thick forests with the possibility of running into large, dangerous wildlife (you can take the girl out of Alaska, but you can't take...)- let's just say that I don't come to Villa Pamphili to jog.

I'm more likely to be found plopped down under a tree, face to the sun, thinking up a storm, possibly with my iPod in hand.  I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world for several reasons and one definitely has to do with this place.  I can't think of a better way to "get out of the house", revive creativity, pass the siesta hour, get a tan and dream up new "impossible" plans than basking in the front lawn of one of the most powerful families that made Rome.  

Plus, the statues are big Storia fans.

-Jonathan Swift

Down with our April Hat Sale and up with our May Cuffs & Bracelets Sale.  From today until June 1st all cuffs and bracelets in the online shop will be discounted by 20%.  It's very straightforward: cuffs normally for sale at $20 are currently only $16 and cuffs normally priced at $18 are now $14.40!

If you ever wanted one, but never took the plunge this is the time to get yourself one of these puppies!  Now that Storia is based out of Italy all our leather products are changing so what you see now is what is left. (dun dun dun!)  Check back on the weekends when you may find a select few at an even bigger discount as part of our weekly weekend sale...

"The period of 'not knowing' at the outset of an unfamiliar task or challenge is a window of opportunity.  When you don't know what should be done, or how something is supposed to work, it's a brief pocket of possibility.  You are free to speculate on something unencumbered by the conventional structures." -Warren Berger

"Art has been veritably invaded by life, if life means flux, change, chance, time unpredictability... Sometimes the difference between the two is sheer consciousness, the awareness that what seemed to be a stain on the wall is in fact a work of art."-Michael Kimmelman

Go there, read it, love it.  The sweet Cara from "The Life Of A Coast Guard Wife" has posted up a great review and fun interview of The Storia Project and yours truly (me).  If you ever wanted to know the inside scoop or "behind the scenes" of The Storia Project, or little ole' Naomi it is worth a looksy... plus Cara's blog has other great stuff such as giveaways. (We all love giveaways, don't try to hide it.) 


Here it is: The Storia Project Review on The Life Of A Coast Guard Wife

...which means sewing and leatherwork have to make room for eating, passeggiate, and sunshine!  We are back in Rome and back in business- hopefully also with energy to blog more often too!  A month in Thailand will do many things to you including clear your mind of the daily grind and free up space to see new possibilities, new ideas, new designs, new solutions...

So, it is with all these new things that we are starting "anew" in the Eternal City which is bella Roma.  Some of these new designs simply helped me to get back on track and have some creative time for myself.  Some of these designs you may see on Storia gear later on this year.  They're exciting- that's all I will say for now.

We are also looking for fun boutique and street wear shops here in Rome to sell Storia gear.  Of course, we're always open to wholesaling internationally as well.  If anyone has any ideas I am all ears. :)

A quick post to update everyone on the shipping status of orders placed between today, February 23, and March 25.  The news is that these orders will be sent out between March 26th and April 1st; the reason is because I will be in Thailand for the next month doing some sun-soaking, ocean-swimming and much needed design development.  All orders received between now and March 25th will go out with a small gift, however, to thank y'all for your patience!  

This is probably also a good time to thank all of our wonderful friends and clientele in Alaska for being so good to us over the past few months.  Yes, it is true, The Storia Project is again based out of Rome. So, though our Alaskan adventure was far more brief than anticipated we were overwhelmed with the hospitality and warmth we received while we were there and we will be back soon enough.  THANK YOU ALL, YOU ARE TRULY THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!

Yes, it is truly an amazing time of the year.  We are currently in the midst of some more moving around and vacation planning which strangely coincides with the end of a huge wave of new products.  What is the sum of this equation?  FREE SHIPPING.

Until February 15th you will receive free shipping on every order made through our ETSY SHOP no matter how big (or small) your final check out is.  This offer is extended only to addresses inside the USA, but if you find yourself across the seas just send us an email and we'll work out a similar discount for you, specific to your location.  So take advantage of the love, spread the love, love like crazy, and all other activities involving the "L" word- it is getting close to Valentine's Day anyway!