Valentina’s birthday was on Sunday the 2nd of September, and she organized drinks with the office at Cascina Cuccagna on a perfect early Autumn evening on the 4th of September. about Cascina Cuccagna as our Food Editor in the know, Elisa already featured it on Swide. This Fashion Week relax in the country at Cascina Cuccagna.

I thought it was an interesting concept to have a farmstead in the centre of Milan, but I really didn’t expert this! Wow! When we arrived I was stunned, I had no idea something like this really existed in Milan. Green grass, lovely eco consciously refurbished buildings, so much space and so much genuine concern for the environment. Ecology is Chic now, so the place is full of fashionable young people.

Knowing Valentina, I had no doubt she would organize something which we would have suited each and every one of us, she’s very careful with these things. She even made sure there were vegetarian dishes, as some of our colleagues don’t eat meat.

I had already bought her present in Seoul. I was looking for something useful, which she could carry with her all the time in her handbag. It took me a while to find the right thing, also cause I wanted something that reflected my Asian culture, as I know she’s really interested in it. After much shopping around I found this mother of pearl and enamel mirror compact with butterfly motif. And she liked it a lot!

With some fresh air, good food and excellent company we all celebrated together Valentina’s birthday! Here’s a portion of the Swide team: Hugo, Elisa, Ben and Me!

On the occasion of her birthday I’m gonna tell you how we met, and our relationship as colleagues and friends. I met Valentina in July last year when I went to London for a Mr. Porter event to celebrate the arrival of the Dolce&Gabbana collection onto the luxury ecommerce site.

A Very Personal Diary Entry: Net-a-Porter/Mr Porter Party

Valentina already worked for us as a freelancer while she was organizing her move from London to Milan to join us full time, so she came to the event too! She already looked like one of us, all decked in Dolce&Gabbana! lol

The atmosphere at the party was haute!

After the party I took the opportunity to stay in London for a few days to do some research and well, shop! I discovered Valentina lived on Portobello Road, one of my favourite places in London, so I went over in a flash! I love the market on a Saturday morning. Valentina lead me to lots of cute stalls and very “London” shops. We would shop and then stop over at her house to drop off the bags and then go out again. We also went for a “London” style aperitivo, just drinks no food! This is when I discovered Valentina is a pro when it comes to bubbles. I admit I’m rather lightweight, and a cheap date- two glasses and I’m done! LOL

It was lovely to go shopping with Valentina and be lead around Notting Hill. Thank you! Here is the view from her flat. At one point it started raining, (it is London after all!) so we took refuge in her flat for the afternoon. I just kept looking outside the window, mesmerized and breathing in London while her (massive) cat Rossini was trying to play with me! (I’m not that into cats you know)

It’s been a year that Valentina and I have been working together for Swide, (the luxury lifestyle digital magazine by Dolce&Gabbana) As I said before we have an interesting relationship. We have lots of things in common, while with some things we’re polar opposites. For example our taste in men, and my fear of cats while she melts like an ice-cream in the sun when she sees one! And here is the evidence!

With my work I like to discuss ideas with her and we respect each other a lot. The nice thing about our relationship is that being different and having different talents we support each other and help each other both with Swide and for my blog theStylistMe. We really are complementary.

Sometimes when we’re stressed, have so much to do and so little time she manages to make me smile and take my mind off things with her goofy sense of humour! As well as having a good working relationship I have fun with her outside the office too. We love going shopping, for aperitivo and chat about nonsense together! (And we share a passion for nail polish and shoes).

Again Happy Birthday Valentina!

If you want to find out more about Cascina Cuccagna, where Valentina celebrated her birthday. This Fashion Week relax in the country at Cascina Cuccagna.