Vivi Bene ~ Ama Profondamente

Live well ~ Love deeply

Tuesday's Tastes: A Bottle Full of Happy

One of the most popular wines in our region (Emilia Romagna) is Prosecco, a fizzy white almost like champagne. Unlike champagne though, it is not reserved for special occasions. It is my absolute favorite and I’ll often have a glass while I’m cooking dinner, or in the garden with my husband after the kids are asleep, or just because it is Tuesday. My friend served it at her lovely brunch this morning. In fact, I’ve never been to a party without Prosecco. My husband says it has happy in it. So next time you buy wine, look for Prosecco and enjoy your own bottle full of happy.

One Man's Trash. . .

This gorgeous, huge vase that would have cost over $100 in the US can be found in recycling bins all over Italy. It is a demijohn that the Italian’s use to make homemade wine. I think they are beautiful but the Italians think they are trash. They find it funny that we display them in our homes.

The one in our house holds wine corks that seem to be accumulating at a very rapid rate. They are also lovely with peacock feathers or even just empty. I’d like to have one to hold long fresh branches cut from the garden in spring. You know what they say, “one man’s trash. . .

What They're Wearing

Here most stores are made for window shopping. You generally do not go in unless you intend to buy. Prices are displayed in the window and the outfits are put together from head to toe so you know exactly how it should be worn. I'm wondering if this might be why Italians are so stylish? It certainly makes shopping easier.
Looks I'm seeing now. . . lots of leggings (even leather leggings are big for all ages), lots of layers, tall boots that can be worn slouched down or pulled high like in window above (just take your regular leather or suede boots and push them down), fur vests are everywhere, short skirts (haven't tried this yet), sweater dresses over tights or leggings, and of course skinny jeans.

Beauty Everywhere

I love this door with it's gorgeous ironwork and heavy wood. It is fabulous and probably ancient but it is not the door to a museam or palace. No, it is simply the door of a school. After seven months here, it is still amazing to me that things of such beauty are used in the most common ways.

Lunedi Lovlies

Oh Happy Happy Monday morning! Cappuccino at my regular bar (that's a cafe in Italy), Italian shoe shopping and a two year old who cooperated . . .

To top things off, the boots I've been craving were on sale and are now mine!

Don't people book plane tickets and take vacations to have a morning like this?

Look of the Day

Two random ladies grocery shopping on a weekday afternoon. I just think they look fabulous. Love that effortless Italian style. Everyone here looks like they just stepped out of a magazine.

Lunedi Lovelies

Oh, the end of the Christmas market. A lovely outdoor space in the 13th century piazza filled with yummy things to eat and plenty of pretties. We spent many hours here, bundled up with scarves and gloves, sipping hot mulled wine, and shopping while the bells in the bell tower rang. Already looking forward to next December. (Couldn't resist including the picture of the guy selling sausage with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. So very Italian.)