leopard print leggings

If you want to help to save the Italian economy this summer without breaking your own bank, what about a short break in Verona? Students of Shakespeare will know it as the setting for Romeo And Juliet, but it also turns out to be the fourth most visited city in Italy, and it's within easy reach of Venice, Milan and the Italian Lakes.

Some friends were spending a week there and heading to its Opera Festival so we thought we would tag along. Due to my husband John's great love for Manchester City (he had tickets for a match), it was possible for us to visit for only three days - but what a three days.We still managed to see most of the sights in this romantic and beautifully preserved medieval gem, including Juliet's balcony built 400 years after Shakespeare wrote his play. Surprisingly, it's the most popular attraction in a city stuffed with genuine antiquities.We watched world-class opera in the Roman Arena di Verona, spent three nights in the sexiest hotel we've ever seen, took a trip to Lake Garda, and marvelled at Mantua, the glorious old city where Shakespeare banished Romeo and where, in the play, he committed suicide.

So when it is best time to visit Verona? I would say between June and September when the Opera Festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. The pink marble Arena was built by the Romans in about 30 AD. It's a World Heritage site with such brilliant acoustics that 14,000 people flock to the opera every night and there's not a microphone in sight.

Even if you don't think opera is for you, it's a must for the sense of occasion. Seats cost from  for the unreserved stone steps on the top tier - so take padding - to almost for the stalls. On the night we were there, we spotted TV presenter Gok Wan heading for the expensive seats.

This year there is a huge hockey theme with bras signed by Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, “the Sedin Twins, Trevor Linden, a stick and bra signed by Wayne Gretzky and the Chilliwack Chiefs who not only created a pretty amazing display of a hockey coat rack and bra called “The Chest Protector,” but are donating one game night in the owner’s box for 14 guests.A Canuck practice for 12 is thrown in with the Sedin bra.

This year, Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Pawn Stars and Arctic Air’s Adam Beach are among of the celebrities who signed bras. Each bra is matched up with a related gift.Bras for a Cause’ bras are decorated by individuals and businesses and submitted with a minimum $100 donation.

In past years, they have had submissions from Michael Bublé, Bill Clinton, Pierce Brosnan, the Vancouver Canucks and the BC Lions.They also have many loyal corporate sponsors who donate cash and products showcased and auctioned off at the gala.Co-chair Caroline Parker said it is always surprising how creative people are each year.From the Museum of Flight submitting a ‘Twin Props’ bra, to the Court Chesters, Over the Shoulder Boulder Holders, Angry Bra to Breast in Show, the designs and creativity Langley residents come up with is nothing but inspiring, says Soropotomist Diane Summers.But behind all the fun, there is a serious reason for doing all of this and that is to help see an end to cancer.This year a bra is being donated by the Cloverdale parents of Cassidy Briggs who died of liver cancer at nine years old in 2010. On the bra is Cassidy’s signature art of a frog, an animal she loved.

Her parents started a foundation cassidybriggsfoundation.com this month in her honour, with many in the Langley community donating.It's time for Mardi Bra

It could be said Langley is bra town. When you walk into a business in Langley, take a look at the art on the walls and you’re likely to see a bra displayed as part of the decor.It’s all because of Langley’s “support” of Bras For a Cause, a cancer fundraising idea Langley Soroptomist Donna Van Beek came up with seven years ago.

It was then she heard about a breast cancer fundraiser in California where people decorated bras and judged them in support of breast cancer research. Putting her own spin on the idea, Bras for a Cause was born.From the beginning, Vancouver’s Sarah McLaughlin was on board with her signature art decorated on donated bras, and celebrities have been flocking to the event’s cause ever since.

We actually own the name Bras for a Cause now,” said Van Beek, who is becoming known as notary by day, “Bra Lady” by night. The event name is used across Canada and in the States now but it is Langley where it got its start.The first year we raised $26,000,” said Van Beek. “Now it has a life of its own.This year is another sell out, with more than 70 bras being created and donated along with high-end gifts for the soiree.

Since the event was first “developed” in 2005 it has become Langley’s premiere ‘fun’ draiser.Our cups have spilled over and we have raised substantial ‘support,’ donating more than $312,000 to help fight women’s cancers,” said the organizers.