chestnut honey, mountain views, secrets things and places, and other sweet...
As most of you know, Frank and I have lived in Italy now for over 15 years, enjoying our summers here with family and friends. You have also heard me say that Italy is like an onion. Most tourists only...
View ArticleOh, and we have a vineyard…Lunigiana, Italy
I’ve been known to bury the lede as they say…when we bought La Fortezza, I was so enamored with the house/fortress that I forgot about the property itself. So, here it is: we have a vineyard. It’s 5...
View ArticleAnnouncing our First Italian Fall Workshop: All About Olives
I am super excited to tell you about our first ever fall workshop in Italy. As always, it will focus on food photography, styling and all things Italian. We’ve had an amazing summer here at our new...
View ArticleMy Life in Photos, July
What can I say? July has been a whirlwind. We hosted not one, but two style+photo workshops at The Fortress. We drank wine from our vineyard. We learned invaluable cooking tips from Sif. Needless to...
View ArticleStrictly Styling Workshop
Ciao tutti, as you know, it’s been a whirlwind here in Italy. I have held 3 workshops back to back from June – July with a mini break in between. The first workshop (you can read all about it here) was...
View ArticleHouse Updates, an Olive Centric Workshop, and More: It’s the Top 4
As you’ve probably noticed, July in Italy has been full. Whether we’ve been hosting workshops in the studio, enjoying wine from the vineyard, or gearing up for fall workshops, this has been an awesome...
View ArticleCooking Healthy and Local Workshop with Sif Orellana
Sif Orellana is a force of nature. I have followed her on Instagram for years, and you should too. She’s creative, and oh so talented. We have been IG friends for a while, and when I finally met her in...
View ArticleThe Testament of Testaroli
During our 3rd workshop here in Italy at La Fortezza, the emphasis of the workshop was on cooking local. I was thrilled to be able to introduce our attendees and our instructor Sif to one of the most...
View ArticleThe Italian Style + Photo Workshops Summer Signature Cocktail- The Paper Plane
For those of you that have been following along, we often… well almost always, have a cocktail at the start of each workshop for our welcome Aperitvo. This season has been the season of the Paper Plane...
View ArticleSarzana Antique Fair
Every year in August I wait for it…in Sarzana there’s the most wonderful event, the Sarzana Antiques Fair. Sarzana is about a 40 minute drive from our house in the Lunigiana. Sarazana is a quaint...
View ArticleMelissa’s Tearoom and Cakes Sarzana, Italy
Ciao! As you know from my last post, I am in love with the little town right down the road from us town, Sarzana, Italy. My sweet friend from Berlin, Heike, told me that I needed to check out this...
View ArticleCooking Local, the Paper Plane and More: It’s the top 4
It’s the top 4 for August, and what a busy month it has been. I’ve enjoyed sharing some of my favorite Italian secrets with you this month. I recapped our final summer workshop with Sif, we discussed...
View ArticleAmericasmart Style + Photo Workshop
As you know, I teach workshops all over the world. My day job being producer and stylist sort of morphed into a teaching gig. I am excited about new opportunities that have presented themselves since I...
View ArticleItaly renovation update
As you all know by now, we worked at our new workshop location in Italy all summer long, La Fortezza. Some of our attendees witnessed the renovation first hand, and those brave soles that signed up for...
View ArticleItaly Summer Style + Photo Workshops Recap
Well it’s fall. Summer went by so quickly. Our first ever summer Style + Photo Workshops here at La Fortezza were a big success and lots of fun. We met so many wonderful people, and we cooked, we ate,...
View ArticleAnnouncing Summer 2018 Workshop Roster
As many of you know, this year was the first year of workshops here at La Fortezza. What can I say? It was incredible. We had so many amazing dinners on the terrace, drank lots of chilled white wine...
View ArticlePumpkin cake, new 2018 workshops, & more: it’s the top 4
Now that we’ve officially dipped into October, I’m reflecting back on September. As you now, September marked my last month in Italy. I am here for a few weeks before heading back in early November for...
View ArticlePhase 2 Our Italian Renovation begins
This summer, I took a mini break from our Italian renovation. Now it’s time to rev it up again for phase 2. Sometimes I think it’s a good idea to take some time and think. I know for me that better...
View ArticleAnnouncement: Fall 2018 Workshops in the Italian Countryside
It is with great pleasure I announce the Fall 2018 workshop roster. In September: We have some amazing workshops to offer next fall. Join us for Preserving Workshop with author of the book, Preserving...
View Article7 things I learned about truffle hunting in Italy
First of all, I thought I have the best job in the world…I thought that until a few weeks ago that is… I had an opportunity to go truffle hunting with a certified guide and his wonder truffle dog,...
View Article