Author: the italiagal

Photo Credit I loved the book Bonjour, Happiness! Secrets to Finding Your Joie de Vivre by Jamie Cat Callan. In addition to sharing her own experiences, this American woman who idolized her French grandmother interviewed many French women on the topic of what makes them happy and elaborated on their thoughts in this really good book. Once you live in…

*fresh flowers on my nightstand* …hopefully the first of many! …even though this vase and particular bouquet is too big for my small nightstand and its lamp; now I know! I may also try more fragrant flowers in the future. (The book is Bonjour, Happiness: Secrets to Finding Your Joie de Vivre by Jamie Cat…

Photo Credit I had a very successful day at work today! Cheers to me! My Italian penpal is arriving in America today! Welcome to her! I am approaching my 100th post! I plan to do a fabulous 100-themed giveaway. Yay for you! 

I am looking forward to upgrading to my first smartphone sometime before August. As this thought sinks in more and more recently, I am increasingly embarassed by my little red Nokia flip phone that I’ve had for the past 18 months. I would love to become even more independent, break free from my family plan and have…

fotos taken at Fiesta I just attended a memorial service for my former co-worker Ann. Her ashes were spread off the pier at her longtime beautiful waterfront residence she shared with a few roommates. The pastor encouraged those in attendance to share personal memories, as a way to heal, and a few people did. However, since I’m not big…

Grazie to Kristi at La Bella Figura whose most recent blog recommendation led me to The Simply Luxurious Life and more specifically to the author Shannon’s post entitled “26 Things I Know For Sure.” I credit them both for the inspiration to create my own list. I love her list, and wholeheartedly agree with every single item! In fact,…

*an ultimate margarita* Cheers to Cinco de Mayo!

The Hard Rock Cafe and Barnes & Noble share this building. It was a rainy day, just like in this photo. Photo Credit I visited Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with my two longtime friends today. We were celebrating my birthday together. I chose to have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, which was fun. Even though…

I am excited to visit Baltimore, Charm City, tomorrow with two of my girlfriends!   the Inner Harbor Photo Credit Harborplace site of dining, shopping and entertainment Photo Credit  More details soon! …plus personal photos. Even though I’ve lived in a suburb of Baltimore most of my life, I just don’t know the city…

As you know I adore Princess Catherine and her sense of style. I got up at 5:15 Friday to watch as much of the royal wedding as I could before having to leave for work. I was waiting to see her wedding gown! the Prince and Princess so happy Photo Credit I can’t imagine a more…