5 Ways to Experience la dolce vita at Home during Quarantine
By Mary Jane Cuyler
Just because we aren’t traveling to Italy this spring, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy la dolce vita in our own homes and maybe even support some Italian businesses in the process. (La Dolce Vita is not only a famous Fellini film, it’s also a way of life in Italy — the “sweet life” to be precise!)
1. Mangia, mangia!
Mangia means “eat!” in Italian. In Rome, this means crispy thin pizzas with simple toppings, and pastas with just a few ingredients, so that each individual element shines. In Florence and Tuscany, white beans made fragrant with sage, thick juicy steaks of the prized Chianina cow, or aromatic truffles might adorn your plate.
Last autumn in Rome, my colleague and I shared a plate of cacio e pepe pasta that was out of this world. We can’t wait to return. But in the meantime, why not try making it at home? It only has three ingredients, plus salted water. The best recipe I’ve found is in Italian, so now’s a good time to learn a new language! Or, just use Google Translate.
2. La bella figura
The phrase fare la bella figura (“making a beautiful figure”) encompasses a variety of meanings. For example, attention to physical appearance. One thing you’ll notice in Italy is that Italians tend to dress up, and it’s not unusual to see women in full hair and makeup running daily errands.
So, to apply this theory to your current situation (that is, if you are working from home), you might want to keep the pajama party to a minimum. I’m not saying you need to dress specifically for your workplace, but you will feel much more civilized if you’re showered and wearing daytime clothing. Extra points for the full hair and makeup.
3. Andiamo!
One word you’ll hear again and again in Italy is andiamo, “let’s go!”. We do a lot of walking in Italy. When I lived there, I averaged between 5 and 10 miles a day.
If you can these days, absolutely get outside and go for a walk or run!
But if you’re looking for something extra, online workouts designed for the home are the perfect solution. I love Tracy Campoli’s workouts because they are fun, aimed at a variety of fitness levels, and super effective. You can try out her ah-mazing subscription program or check out her YouTube channel. Bonus: she’s Italian-American.
4. Fare spese
One of my favorite cities in Italy for shopping is Florence. Florence is famous for its leather markets, but a lot of the stuff that is sold at these markets is not of the best quality. I adore the handbags and jewelry sold by Digerolamo, who ship globally. The founder, Clara Soto, is a third-generation artisan and her mother designs the jewelry. Everything is handmade in Florence. Are you a perfume lover? Florence is studded with exquisite local perfumeries. One of the oldest is the profumeria of Santa Maria Novella, which was founded in 1612! Some of their products are available online.
5. Parliamo italiano!
Learning a language is a long and rewarding journey. Duolingo is a good place to pick up some basic vocabulary and learn the pronunciation.
Movies and music are a great way to pick up a language. One film that has really stuck with me is Perfetti Sconosciuti or Perfect Strangers. (Here’s a link to the trailer.) The premise is a group of friends who meet for dinner and end up playing a game where everyone places their phone on the table. Any and every message, call or notification that is received during dinner is shared with the entire table. What could go wrong? We have no secrets among friends, do we?
I hope that some of these ideas inspired you or at least brought a smile to your face. Tonight I plan to listen to Italian opera, maybe Verdi’s La Traviata. I can pour a glass of Italian wine and hum along to the “Brindisi” (aka “The Drinking Song”) while perusing my favorite Italian cookbook for my next great culinary inspiration.
