Wonderful Wednesday # 3

" Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

    I took the one less traveled by,

    And that has made all the difference."

Wonderful Wednesday my lovely ladies!!! Here I am, beginning this post, which I was looking forward to write, with one of the quotes I love the most and make me feel all the autumn vibes! This is my favourite verse of a Frost's poem my father used to repeat  when me and my little sister were little girls and we went walking in the woods together, picking up chestnuts and drinking hot chocolate from a thermos brought from home!It's a gift to have such good memories! 
Happiness comes suddenly, when you least expect it..for me it was on Monday night when, opening my blog, I discovered with joy some of the most adorable comments I've ever received from some of the ladies of this merry gang!!! Kate, Cat and Kerri..if you are reading this..the warmest of the hugs is all for you..you truly made my day!!! 

So, now let's go straight to the point:

1. Cooking dinner with my mum. Last Saturday two of my favourite girls came for dinner for the first time in my new house, so I decided to prepare something special ( we usually go for a pizza) to celebrate the beginning of my independance. After a quick trip to the sumermarket, my mum decided to help me so we planned the menu and started to cook together; we had so much fun preparing a starter of swivels of puff pastry with cheese, ham and grilled zucchini, a pumpkin and potato soup with chopped walnuts and the most fragrant of the apple pies! Living in my own flat means that the moments I spend with the family become unique and precious, away from the small disagreements of the daily life.

2. Jane Eyre. Autumn is Jane Eyre's time of the year, isn't it?! Rainy days, dark clouds, fallen leaves, the early morning frost, steaming cups of tea.. everything reminds me the mysterious atmosphere of Thornfield Hall. 
Having said that, you can imagine my excitement when, during my last trip to the local library, I found out that I could rent the first movie of the book, which I was looking forward to watch! It was such a pleasure to spend a cosy night in, enjoying that passionate and anguished love story, that never fails to move me. 

3. Cuddles with the little boy of a friend. Even though I've always had a sweet nature and a passion for kids, I really need to find a frog to kiss and turn into a prince before being ready to become a mum.. and I suppose it will take some time. However last Friday I went to my friend's house to visit her lovely newborn, a chubby little boy, with deep blue eyes and a soft skin, which smelled of babypowder. It was so nice to cuddle him and make him smile and giggle, but moreover to see my dear friend being such a brilliant mother.

4. Buying tickets for three plays at the theatre ( "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie is among them). One of the things I love the most about living in this new little city is the old theatre, renovated some years ago, which is just four steps from home. Going to the opening of the theater season on Saturday morning and buying tickets for three of the plays in the programme made me feel like a sophisticated lady! I know that is just a little theatre of a tiny provincial town, but the idea to spruce me up for an elegant night with my besties is thrilling!

5. Morning ritual. Since when I moved house, every morning I try to leave the bed at least half an hour earlier than usual in order to eat my large bowl of muesli and soy yougurt ( this week I'm all about the strawberry one) and sip my coffee on the sofa, wrapped up in my woolly blanket, warming my hands around the steaming cup. It's a morning ritual that I'm appreciating every day more, the perfect way to start a new day slowly, enjoying the silence, the pleasure to be alone with my thoughts and the beauty of the town that wakes up.

Despite the fog that wraps the town, I wish you a lovely day my darlings and I'm really curious to know what has made your week a beautiful one! Your comments are gifts that fill my heart with pure joy!!!
Here all the fabulous WW ladies which I must thank fo all the positivity and optimism they gave me in all these months:

Sally, Jo, Helen, Michelle, Sarah, Kate, Cat, Sam, El, Mimmi, Kerri.

Love

Martina

Wonderful Wednesday # 2

"I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date. No time to say " Hello, Goodbye". I'm late. I'm late. I'm late."

This evening I feel like the White Rabbit of Alice in Wonderland but, despite the complete lack of time of the past few days, I really really wanted to write this happy post, so here I am, wishing you the most wonderful of the Wednesday evenings!
How was your week so far? Mine has been full of new beginnings.. I finally left "the nest" last Saturday to move in my new tiny, lovely, cosy apartment which, I must say, looks exactly as I've always dreamt of. 
So this evening, for the first time in my life, I'm curled up on the sofa, under the woolly blanket I used when I was a little girl in the nursery school, sipping a chai tea latte and writing this list of happiness:

1. Pumpkin. Is there anything in the world more autumnal than pumpkin??!! Just thinking about all the yummy things that you can made by it makes me drool: spiced muffins with pumpkin and chocolate chips, pumpkin and potatoes soup with a sprinkle of cinnamon,  pumpkin's potato dumplings flavored with butter and sage, risotto with pumpkin and mushrooms or pumpkin and rosmary... I could go on forever! Maybe it's just because I'm waiting for my dinner to be ready and all that I can think is about something delicious to fill my belly with, but I swear I do love pumpkin so much!

2.  Going to the cinema. After months and months, I went to the cinema for two Mondays in a row and it was really the perfect way to fight the Monday blues!
I had forgotten how nice was to sink into a confortable seat, with popcorn and some of my favourite ladies to laugh or cry with!

3. Crispy leaves. Walking on a carpet of leaves, surrounded by the trees of the wood which are turning into yellow, orange and red, cheered by the squeak of the squirrels and the humming of the little birds is something that fills my hearth with joy. 
Last Sunday I decided to go for a walk with my dad, along a path  I discovered in my new town; we spent two hours in complete bliss, rejoicing of each other's company, telling stories, laughing and collecting the most beautiful crispy leaves, as it were lucky charms for my new little house.

4. Afternoon tea. To be precise, my new favourite pastel pink mug full of lady grey tea, with a sip of milk and a slice of the yummiest, scented and easy to bake lemon cake just came out from the oven..paradise! Coming home from work yesterday, after a busy,rainy day, and giving myself this little treat was one of the best idea ever..we deserve a goody like this sometimes, don't we?!?

I wish you a lovely night my darlings and, please, let me know what made your week a wonderful one...your comments always made my day!!!
Here all the fabulous WW ladies which I must thank for all the positivity and optimism they gave me in all these months: Sally, Jo, Helen, Michelle, Sarah, Kate, Cat, Sam, El and Kerri.

                                                        Love
                                                       Martina

Wonderful Wednesday # 1

It's a late September Tuesday evening, I'm curled up in bed, with the window open, the sweet  scent of vanilla of my favourite candle is in the air, and the first cup of hot chocolate is in my hands. I'm bloody excited my lovely ladies, because, after months and months of hesitation, I'm finally entering on tiptoe in this faboulous world of Wonderful Wednesday!

Since when I discovered the gorgeous blog of Sally, a couple of years ago, these weekly dates full of happiness and positivity have become an essential part of my routine, and I'm always waiting for them with trepidation.

So, what a joy that this merry community is getting bigger and bigger!

It's amazing how discovering the little daily joys, considering them as a gift and greeting them can help you living in happiness.

Being in a crucial moment of my life, when I'm finally " leaving the nest" and days are full of packing and unpacking, I feel it's the right time to start a new chapter also in this little place of mine, that is so dear to my hearth.

So, withouth any further procastinations, let's talk happy things...

1. Moving house. Oh my goodness! I'm very excited!!! I still can't believe it, but last Friday I signed my first contract for the renting of an house of my own and I received the bunch of keys!Hooray!!!It's a cute little flat on the top of an historic building in the centre of a lovely town. When I saw it for the first time it was love at the first sight..I think the feeling was pretty similar to the one the brides say they have felt when they've found the right wedding dress! I'm looking forward to start my new life within those walls, which seem already so familiar!

2. Figs & almonds jam. I received a jar of this jummy jam some weeks ago when I went to Florence for the weekend to visit my grandma, and I must admit I have become completely addicted to it! It's the perfect treat after an healty dinner, just to full your mouth with a spoon of delight, or to spread it on a slice of warm bread..it's enough to feel in paradise!

3. A new book: "Harry Potter and the cursed child". I grew up with Harry Potter! When I started reading the first book of the series I was eleven and, year after year, my excitation for the coming out of the sequels has been stronger and stronger! I received this book some days ago but, instead of throwing myself headlong into reading, I decided to save it for the fìrst nights alone in my new flat..I think there couldn't be a better way to kick off my new house!

4. Apples. One of the things I love the most about Autumn! Small, red, sweet and succulent little joys, delicious to taste at any time you're craving for something sugary and fragrant. I love them cooked in the oven, with a sprinkle of cinnamon and icing sugar..but also with the crumble and a spoon of vanilla ice-cream..Glorious! I'm a gready girl, I know, I know;)!

Last Saturday I went with my mum to a farm-house which sells organic products and I filled my basket with a new quality of apples called " crimson crisp"..you must try them..they're the perfect combination of sweetness and crunchiness and the yummiest I've ever tasted!

I wish you the Happiest of the Wednesdays my darlings and, please, do let me know what made your week a wonderful one..your comments always make my day!!!

Here all the fabulous WW ladies which I must thank for all the positivity and optimism they gave me in all these months: Sally, Jo, Helen, Michelle, Sarah, Kate, Cat, Sam, El and Kerri.

Lots of love

Martina

Just A Little Touch Of Blush...

Goodevening my lovely ladies!!!

Clearance sales are a real blessing! I've just come back from an afternoon of shopping with a little haul of makeup products and I can't wait to try them all!

During my everyday life, I'm used  to put on a very natural and fresh make up: just a little touch of blush on my cheeks, a coat of black mascara on my lashes, which unfortunately tend to be short and thin, and a lipstick that enhances the natural color of my lips and that can keep them moisturized and soft.

However, I can't deny that I'm very passionate about lipsticks, so I often experiment with brighter colors, bolder and eye-catching! 

Actually, this overstated shopping was absolutely not planned, but once I was in the Kiko's  store of my town, a famous Italian brand whose prices are perfect for people who like to experiment with makeup and don't want to spend a fortune, I was literally dazzled and spellbound, and  I couldn't  resist to fill my basket !

So, here what I bought:

• Kiko nail laquers, number 48 and 58;
• Kiko outdoor bronzer, "Technical honey", number 01;
• Kiko matte lipstick " Velvet Passion", number 315;
• Kiko lipstick "Mirage", number 05;
• Kiko lipstick "Endless love", number 05;
• Kiko lip laquer " Shining Star", number 02 and 04;
• Kiko "bright duo" baked eyeshadow, "Infinity", number 239;
• Kiko 3d light & glow highlighter " Conquer Coral", number 01.

Have an amazing weekend!

Love

Martina

A Little Talk...

The last day in the library!

Wonderful Sunday my lovely folks!

I know that I owe you an explanation for having been so negligent so far, so here it is, plain and simple, the reason why I've been so silent in this little place of mine has been the terrible, stressful and feared national exam to be a professional social worker I've been preparing during the last six months.

Working full time, it hasn't been easy to focus on studying, so getting ready for this text has taken all of my free time, especially the weekends and the evenings after work, that are supposed to be used to chill out and regenerate.

But, you know what?!?! IT WAS WORTH IT, BECAUSE I PASSED IT, in spite of all my worries and insecurities!

When I saw the results on the net, I couldn't believe my eyes and I was, and I'm still, so proud, happy and relieved!

Pass this exam was extremely important for my career infact, not even a week after the results, I started a new job, which allows me to put into practice what I've studied and I'm passionate about and, despite the fears, I can only be in the seventh heaven!

To be forgiven for my long absence, here some of the lovely things that made me happy in the last couple of months:

1. Pancakes with strawberries and maple syrup. Also my last post on the blog started with something sweet that involved strawberries, but to be a greedy girl means exactly this: to be excited and delighted in front of a plate of freshly made pancakes, to be tasted on Saturday morning in a comfortable pajamas.
2. "Wild". I've been reading this story of adventure and rebirth, written by Cheryl Strayed, for a while and I've been totally captivated by it. In its pages you can feel the fire of the desert, the icy cold of the Sierra and the hypnotic power of a remarkable woman who, one step after the other, finds herself and her path
3. Sisterhood. I love spending quality time with my little sister Linda; She is my partener in crime and my midnight companion, the one I can sing out loud in the car with, the one that always motivate me to do my best, the one I can eat tons of icecream with, without feeling guilty because she always fights for the last spoon. Despite the difference of age, the relationship we have is special and she always knows how to cheer me up and make me smile! After being an only child for ten long years, she is definitely the best gift my parents could have given to me. 
4. Amsterdam. There's always something exciting about planning a trip in a city that you've never explored before. People say Amsterdam is the Venice of the north, so I couldn't think of a better place to spend a few days off next month! Moreover, it will be the first holiday together for me and Linda, so I really can't wait to start packing!

While I was studying I decided to write a list of things I would have done after the exam and, one of my resolutions, is to post more, at least once every couple of weeks! Having said that, I really hope that you will hear my news more often from now on...fingers crossed!!!

Love

Martina

A Spring-like Update

Happy Sunday my loveliest!

I'm writing this post with the windows opened, letting the fresh air of this glorious sunny day to come in and shake the curtains of my bedroom.

On the bedside table there is a burning candle, "Midnight Jasmine" of Yankee Candle, a very relaxing scent of water jasmine, sweet honeysuckle, neroli and mandarin blossom, which is perfect to celebrate this little moment of my own.

The last couple of months have really flown and my job has practically swallowed me, but there were some lovely things that are really worth being remembered...

1. Strawberries and chocolate on toast. There's nothing that can put me in a good mood like having a yummy breakfast! Last week I was craving for something sweet and tasty, so I went for a combination that really amazed me: the most creamy and delicious dark chocolate spread on toast with fresh organic strawberries: PARADISIAC!

2. Stripes. I simply adore them! I've been wearing this black t-shirt with white stripes in every occasion and I think it goes perfectly with every kind of outfit (a pair of skinny jeans, my favourite dungarees, my black leather jacket) and it makes me feel a little bit " glamour", expecially if I'm wearing a veil of red lipstick, which is something I thought I would have never been able to do!

3. Blue skies and windy walks. Spring is for the most stunning strolls in the countryside, where the meadows are showing all their glory, with their bright green grass, the colorful flowers and the lapping of the creek. Fingers crossed for more and more of these gorgeous days, for these running clouds which seem whipped cream and make me feel like I was in Ireland again, reducing a little the nostalgy for this isle of emerald!

4. Northanger Abbey. During the month of April I've been reading this classic, which is my first Jane Austen's book, and I throughly enjoyed it! It's a very quick and fun read and I would reccomend it to any lover of classics or to anyone who hasn't delved into this peerless writer yet!

5. Venice. How could I end up this post without mentioning Venice?!? You know how much I love this charming city and the feeling of happiness, peace and well-being I feel when I'm scampering around and about its tiny streets. 

April and May gave me some idyllic moments there with my friends and family, of whom I savoured every single moment hoping for more to come!

Love

xxx

Martina

Scented Vibrations...

Happy Monday my lovely ladies!!!

After a glorious sunny week, today the weather is grey and rainy, so I've thought it was the right moment to visit this little place of mine that I've neglected for so much time!!! So, here I am, ready to write an ode to spring with some flowering pictures, to suggest you a new recipe and a book that I'm loving right now.

As you can see, I truly love daffodils: their yellow and white blooms, swaying in the breeze, announce with joy the arrival of spring, bringing a lively note on the banks of the rivers and in the green grass of the meadows.

Everytime I see them, during my little daily walks in the countryside, the poem of William Wordsworth comes in my mind, and brings with itself  the same emotion that I felt the first time I heard these verses in my last year of High School.

Yesterday we celebrated Easter, so I tried a new recipe of a dairy-free "colomba", a traditional Easter cake in form of a dove... it's very easy to do, but the outcome is amazing! Fluffy and tasty, with a note of almond, lemon and orange zest... try it and you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients: 3 eggs, 350g of flour, 90g of sunflower oil, 170g of milk, 150 g of sugar, the zest of an orange and of a lemon, 1 vial of almond flavoring, 1 tablespoon  of yeast for pies, almonds and granulated sugar to decorate.

And, last but not the least, the book I'm currently reading: " The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair", by Joel Dicker, a gripping story about love, sadness, books and hidden pasts.

Love

xxx

Martina