Ciao Italia

The day has come; we are leaving Italy in less than 24hrs. I am sad and happy at the same time. Sad because my love for Italy is dear and happy because I have done so much research and packaging in the last days that I just want it to be over. Italy I will love you forever and see you soonJ

Don't forget to read our new blog http://2heartsinaustralia.blogspot.com/

Stay FAB!

No, really....

Can I say ONLY IN ITALY?















Stay FAB!

blue salty water

Since my love of Italy began I always wanted to travel to south Italy. Well, we did just that for our summer vacay, like all Italians do. We went just before the crowds arrived and I still had the feeling like the entire country was down south....lol. We decided on Praia a mare, region of Calabria to spend our vacay as E wanted to fly and I wanted to swim and relax on the beach. Overall the trip was good, we stayed at a beach front hotel called hotel garden http://www.gardenpraia.it/ got it for a decent price due to E's discount through his flying club. After leaving Praia a mare we decided to stay a night in San Benedetto del Tronto region of Marche. This was a nice area as well however I preferred the beach in Praia a mare

I leave you with some pictures.

No, really....

So my OH was driving on the highway in Padova today and he saw this sign. Please note that Pechino is in China....lol Click on the link for a better view. My question is who would drive to China from Padova?

Stay WELL!

No, really

I came across this newspaper article in the Toronto Star a few days ago and I thought I would share it with all of you. For some reason I am not surprised that this happened in Italy. What are your thoughts?

http://www.thestar.com/article/459861

Stay WELL

SAGRA....SAGRA....SAGRA

Sagra is an annual thing here in north Italy where every summer the small villages cook for the masses. If you love food and you're in Italy you need to find a sagra. They are usually held in small towns so you will need a car to attend. When they advertise a sagra the signs are big, colourful and very detailed listing the time and date of the sagra. The sagra I attend had games, a few rides, and a stage with music and many small booths selling stuff. Here are some pics from Sagra di valle san Giorgio. Stay FAB!

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

Yes it is. Italian Vogue, July issue is on newsstands now. Buy a copy and celebrate history as no other magazine has used so many black models in one issue, other than magazines like Essence and Ebony. I picked up my copy week or so ago after hearing the buzz months back

My thoughts:
I wasn't really expecting a lot. When I heard it was an "all black issue" I thought to myself there is no way a high fashion magazine will be able to pull this off. An "all black issue" to me means, black woman from front to back of the magazine. Well not quite. Valentino, Prada, Gucci ads in the magazine sadly did not feature black models. It's okay though because
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL. I love the stories which speak about some of the influential black people in America.

If you haven't got it yet, GO AND GET IT.

Stay FAB!

La Notte dei saldi

All you shoppers out there, now is the time to be shopping in Italy. Everything has gone on sale and it seems to be a good one. The night the sales began the stores in Padova were open until 12am. I honestly have not seen so many people like I saw that night it was like the entire city woke up from the dead...lol. Happy shopping!

Stay WELL

Turn it UP

The good old summer heat is here in Italy. When I say it's hot in this city, its hot. Not only is it hot it's also humid. A kind of humidity that I am so not use to but realize that I better get used to it because it's here to stay. I have experienced some bad conditions in Toronto but have always been saved by the AC. Everywhere you go in Toronto during the summer months the AC is in full swing. I often brought a sweater with me as I knew every building would be kickin with AC. Here in Italy, its a different story. When I enter a building, for example the mall or a shop I am expecting to feel the difference in temperature from outside. But, no I continue to sweat....uuuggghh. Where I work there is AC but it's never in use. Those who are in Italy know what the weather has been like the last few days, HOTTTTTTT. So it would be nice if after riding my bike through the smog, traffic and humidity I get a little cool feeling if I was to enter a building. I am not saying that all inside places are like this but most of them are.
My OH's mom's house also has no AC and sleeping at night is just out right uncomfortable.
At least I know that in Australia the AC is kickin':) which is something to look forward to.

Stay FRESH
2heartsinaustralia.blogspot.com

Small World

While enjoying my first spritz since arriving back in Italy, I was recognized. Sitting in piazza dei signori sipping on a spritz al campari, enjoying the lovely weather and scenery, a woman came by the table where E and I were sitting. I have had people come up to me a few times since my stay here in Italy and asked me weird things but this time I was asked "do you have a blog". I responded, with hesitation, "yes". After she told me how she came across my blog we exchanged names. As this city is too small, I am sure we will run into one another again. If your out there, send me a message and we can meet up for a drink. If you have a blog someone will notice you:)

Stay FRESH!

Two one way ticktes, please

So now for the exciting news. The big news of the year, well not the biggest but its close. Back in December Enrico and I spoke about moving...sniff...sniff...As he has always lived in Italy he wants to experience living in another country. And we can't blame him after all I left Toronto to have a similar experience. I told him I did not want at this moment to return to Canada but would be open to any other country like Dubai....lol. Well his ideal country besides Canada is not Dubai, guess where it is my friends? Starts with an A and ends with an A. That's right AUSTRALIA. Yup we are moving to Australia in September and plan to stay there for a least one year. My profession is high demand in Australia so working should not be problem for me. Enrico also has the possibility to transfer with his company as they have offices in Australia.
As much as I support new experiences I am really sad to leave Italy. I love it here besides all the bureaucracy BS, for me life is easy. I tried to convince him to stay another year but he ain't budging. His mother is blaming me....WHATEVER. As much as Enrico and I have tried to convince her that its all his plan she still blames me....jokes. We started a new blog a few months back which we are dedicated to keep in up to date once we arrive in Australia, check it out http://2heartsinaustralia.blogspot.com/

Stay FAB!

My BABY!

I had to come back from Toronto with something new and guess what it is? a new computer...Toshiba Protege R500. you likey?

After all that

After all that running around to make sure I had my PDis prior to departure from Italy, it was never asked for. I came back to Italy on a one way ticket and was never asked if I had permission to stay in Italy. When I arrived in Belgium the customs guy only asked if I was travelling for business or pleasure. Sometimes I wonder if its because I am carrying a Canadian passport. Thankfully there was no troubles for me coming back into Italy.

Stay FAB!

Greasy and Fried:(

So as many of you know I travelled to Toronto recently for what seemed to be a long trip. I went solo and left the hubby behind as he had to work. My time in Toronto was spent eating, literally, all things greasy and fried. It was hummy at the time but later I paid for it:( I hadn't had greasy food in so long so my stomach had to adjust....I met up with my ex-colleagues, my close friends and my lovely family. I am thinking now the time spent in Toronto might have been a little too short. I was rushed to handle the business stuff, renew drivers license, visit my doctor and dentist etc. And spending time with my friends and family seemed rushed as well and I often found myself wanting to sleep. Anyway, I am happy to be back home. Now that I have visited Toronto I must say I don't think I would live there again. After being in Italy for 9months I much prefer Padova over Toronto. There was something about Toronto that turned me off and I haven't quite put my finger on it. Weird eh? Stay FAB!

My hair "GOD"