So basically, I have somehow revived my absurd fascination with Vespas. It probably heightened even more after I watched Roman Holiday for the first time. It's unbelievable how I can still go hog-wild every time I see one parked on the sidewalks of Manhattan--the shiny mirrors that very much resemble wasp antennae (coincidentally what vespa means in Italian, ha) and the prominent front fairing of its glossy steel unibody structure--my heart melts, and I manage to shout "Ahhh! Vespaaa!" My poor friends must endure this anytime they choose to join me on a city excursion. Though, I think it's contagious. By the end of the day, me and you and everyone we know (thank you, Miranda July) is playing the spot-a-Vespa game, "ooh!'s" and "ahh!'s" very much intact.

It's been a while since my last update, and that is entirely my fault. A lot has happened since July of last summer. This can probably explain why I decided to use, for revamping the joie de vivre blog, a stylish couple riding on a Vespa--Roman Holiday-style. I wanted something fresh. I think my favorite part of the layout is the vintage Vespa font (incidentally called Primavera for the name of the particular model at the time) used to superimpose its name on the wind protection shield of the scooter, but instead of saying "vespa" (lowercase indeed), "oh, what weather!" seemed suitable for a blog that resides on a domain entitled weathered-love.net.

I can't get over how beautiful Audrey Hepburn is. Looking at Hollywood today, it seems that all that natural glamour (I like to think I'm British sometimes, ha) no longer exists, with the exception of a select few (e.g., Catherine Zeta-Jones, Katie Holmes, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, etc.). It's mostly sad, really.

I bought my mom this Audrey Hepburn book a couple years ago for her birthday called Audrey Hepburn Treasures, and I keep flipping through it, amazed in the same way I am with Piaggio Vespas. This will sound cheesy, I know, but it must be said: I hope I'll be able to find someone who'll see me the same way I see an Italian scooter and the same way I admire Audrey Hepburn. Maybe he'll take me to the streets and romantic alleys of Italia (for amore!), and we'll ride around the cobblestone streets, laughing without a care, indulging in freshly churned gelato, and enjoying each other's company. So, someday.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the new look for joie de vivre--looks like some skirt weather ahead! ;D