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...
How you eat is just as important as what you eat. If you want to lose weight and elevate your overall lifestyle, start at the table. The foods you choose, the portion sizes, the table settings, and how you eat, all contribute to an overall elegant lifestyle. In this...
It is the tradition in Italy to eat lentils for prosperity in the New Year. Round little lentils, or lenticchie, represent Roman coins. If you eat lentils on New Year's Day, wealth and good fortune will be on their way to you. Lentils are usually served as midnight is...
Sometimes I think the best part of holiday meals are the leftovers. I love to snack on leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. If you're looking for something to do with your turkey meat, try making a Leftover Turkey Pot Pie. It makes a hot comforting meal on...
Affogato is an Italian dessert of gelato “drowned” in espresso. The word affogato in Italian means “drowned.” It comes from the root affogare which means “to drown.” Whenever I’ve had this dessert in Italian restaurants, they usually crumble almond cookies on top to...
Panettone is a sweet bread that originated in Milan. It is a standard treat enjoyed by Italians during the Christmas season. It’s wonderful on its own, with perhaps a little butter. I like to use it for a breakfast treat. If you have any leftover panettone from...
Hello, beautiful, Congratulations for making it through this complicated and sometimes terrifying year. You made some tough adjustments along the way, and kept stepping forward despite all the obstacles put in your path this year. You managed to hold it all together,...
This mulled wine recipe from Italy is easy and fun to make, and a great hot celebratory beverage to share with family and friends. It tastes delicious, but making it might be the best part. It’s a real crowd pleaser as you set it aflame before consuming. You can make...
Here is a fun party drink for the holiday season. I love champagne and all forms of bubbly. This is a colorful way to enjoy a holiday version of a champagne cocktail. You can also make this a non-alcoholic drink and still enjoy the sparkling spirit of the season. Here...
Winter solstice marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the shortest day of the year with the longest period of darkness. Celebrate with a winter solstice recipe. At this time of year many cultures celebrate with a holiday, whether it be...
My hair is so long right now. I haven’t had it cut since the end of January. At the start of the pandemic lockdown, I wasn’t ready for a cut. But then all of the salons in my area closed for a long time. They are open now in a limited capacity, but I’m still not...
I love to explore different Christmas traditions from around the world and different time periods. I’m fascinated with Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, and all of his six wives. I’ve been exploring the traditions of a Tudor Christmas. This was an important time in...