If you are looking for quality gifts to give this holiday season, you can't go wrong with the craftsmanship of Italy. I've created this Italian-inspired gift guide for early-bird shoppers so that you can find unique gifts for your family and friends. Sometimes we need...
Here is your guide to how to host the perfect Italian aperitivo. In Italy, the traditional aperitivo is a natural part of life. It’s a beautiful custom that we can adopt anywhere no matter where in the world we live. The Italian aperitivo is a pre-dinner cocktail with...
Looking for a cocktail to enjoy on Halloween? A Corpse Reviver may be just the thing. The playful name comes from the fact that you would sip this cocktail in the morning after a night of heavy drinking to revive your spirits. Hair of the dog, as they say. Despite its...
One of the principles of the Mediterranean diet is eating with the seasons. Let's embrace the autumn with its chilly weather and take a look at what fruits and vegetables are available at this time of year. And we'll also take a look at other ways you can celebrate...
An icy gimlet is the perfect cocktail for summer. It's cold, it's sweet, it's refreshing, and looks pretty too. I had my first gimlet at Trader Vic's in Beverly Hills. Not only was Trader Vic's a delightful restaurant, it was also known for its cocktails. It had many...
I love shortcuts for cooking. Instead of using five different bottles of dried herbs in a dish, I like to premix my herbs so I can grab one and be done. You can buy them in the supermarket already blended, but this will save you a lot of money, and you can mix them...
As with everything in life, Italians do summer with style, creativity, and glamour. Here are 10 ways to add La Dolce Vita to your summer. 1. Watch the show Riviera for style inspiration, mainly the clothes worn by Julia Stiles and Lena Olin. In the U.S. you can watch...
My brother had a milestone birthday this month, and asked me to make him a Manhattan cocktail. You may not know this about me, but I’m a master cocktail mixer, if I do say so myself - LOL. I have no formal training but I have a fascination with vintage cocktails, and...
The Italian word for summer is estate (pronounced eh-stah-tay). Summer officially begins June 20th, although most people in the U.S. unofficially start with Memorial Day weekend. To make 2021 the sweetest estate of your life, let's jazz up the sunny season with these...
What do you think of when you hear the phrase la dolce vita? Do you think of the Fellini movie with Marcello Mastroianni fishing the luscious Anita Ekberg from the Trevi Fountain? Or perhaps you think of enjoying a beautiful plate of pasta with an Aperol Spritz while...
Isn't it wonderful to see green again. The flowers are blooming. The birds are singing. Our Mother Earth is coming back to life. It’s a time for renewal and optimism. To help get you into the spirit of la primavera, I made you a list of 30 things to do this...
Elegance is not just about style, manners, and design. True elegance starts with your thoughts. Here are some tips on how to create an elegant mindset. All of the lovely, elegant things you want to create will start to fall into place for you when you start by sorting...
It's self-care week. Yay!!! Below you will find five days of self-care practices to help you navigate this thing called life. Enjoy! Day 1 - Controlled Breathing Whether you listen to a meditation, relaxation music, or breathe in silence, take time to rest and...
I've written before about la bella figura, the Italian idea of casting a beautiful figure. It’s about the way you look and dress, but it's also about the way you behave as well. It's about manners, etiquette, and how to be elegant in social situations. In modern...