The fabled Trevi fountain, Rome
I spent a few glorious days in Rome last week for my birthday! There were romantic walks along the Tiber river with the dusk setting. There was taking in of the sites punctuated by tiny magical espressos. Afternoons were spent leisurely sampling wines in piazzas overlooking century old works of art. It was a total disconnect from everyday life and a complete immersion in "La Dolce Vita." The few days Vito and I spent in Rome seemed like a full two weeks.
I got inspired to break down the whole concept of "La Dolce Vita." Clearly living la dolce vita is not only for the Romans, though of course the architecture, cozy piazzas to canoodle over a glass of wine, and the moonlight basking in the cool surfaces of smooth naked marble forms...do help to put you in the mood. So, what what can we learn from the Italian way of living life sweetly and how can we recreate it right where we are?
Mid-afternoon espresso and tiramisu in Trastevere, Rome
Firstly, the translation of "La Dolce Vita," from Italian is "The Sweet Life." It is a way of living that is opulent, full of pleasures... physical and otherwise, full of romance, indulgence and luxury. That's right! I said romance, indulgence, opulence, and luxury! It's OK, I promise. In real terms it means to take time to enjoy life for no other reason but to receive pleasure... oh-oh.
Shockingly vulgar...don't you love it!?
So how are we going to be a bit more like Marcello and Anita? By taking a few regular every day things and dolce-vitafying* them:
Dolce-vita-fy, verb
(according to the OTSP dictionary)
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To up the glamour quotient, to make more sexy, to make something enjoyable for no reason other then to luxuriate in the moment. To take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Synonyms: glamorize, sexify, romanticize, elevate
Regular: Drinking water
Dolce Vita! Drinking water out of a crystal wine glass with an ice cube and a lemon slice!
Regular: Sleeping
Dolce Vita! Sleeping on 500 thread count sheets wearing naughty little silk something!
Regular: Dinner (in the company of baby spitting peas and 3 yr old re-enacting fire rescue operation on the table)
Dolce Vita!-ish Dinner with a glass of wine, candle light and a bud vase bouquet on the table (+ baby & 3 yr. old)
Regular: Manicure
Dolce Vita! Manicure in bright red, magenta, orange, neon or any other color that makes you feel like the type of woman who kisses men in dark alleys and jumps into fountains!
Now that we've extensively defined what La Dolce Vita means we can introduce the challenge for April...
Create Your Dolce Vita Challenge
Reflecting lights in the Tiber river, Rome (More pics from my birthday getaway.)
La Dolce Vita moments regardless of the myth, don't "just happen" and they are not only reserved for Rome and Romans. I in fact clearly saw said Romans in their cars yawning and looking not amused stuck in after work rush hour traffic along the Tibor river completely oblivious to the beautiful scenery. This just proves the point that these moments need to be CREATED and furthermore you have to put yourself in the MOOD for them.
Thus in order to successfully create dolce vita moments you need to have these 2 elements:
1. Ease of execution - so that when inspiration strikes you it's not a whole big production to set-up a certain atmosphere, situation or experience. Also if it's easy and accessible then you will want to have more and more of these moments!
2. Mood - yes if you yourself don't feel like the star of a sexy Italian movie then you won't really want dolce vita moments. And notice that you have to PUT yourself in the mood, not 'wait' to be in the mood.
The Approach
Plan ahead for spontaneity:
Think about what kind of dolce vita moments you'd like to enjoy, visualize them, think about where they're happening and the kind of mood you're in... Is it a prosecco lunch al fresco? A candle lit evening at home? A rowdy family brunch with freshly baked bread and adorable kids wearing cute outfits?
Figure out what "props" and "gear" you need to execute the setting. A picnic basket for an impromptu dinner fuori (outside)? Beautiful candles for a romantic dinner per due? Having a clean and organized house to lounge around in or spontaneously invite friends for a cocktail?
- Get your home ready room by room for dolce vita moments
- Take 'inventory' of what you have and what you need to the dolce vita moments you wnat
Always be in the mood:
What puts you in a good mood? What makes you 'ready' for an adventure? (And how you define "adventure" is absolutely non of my business...) Does it take a good hair day? Mani/pedi? Working out? Statement necklace? High heels? Latin music? Then make it happen - everyday. What gives you energy and inspiration? Do more of it - daily!
Aspetta! (wait), you say, you mean "spontaneous" and "effortless" dolce vita moments actually require PREPARATION!? Si si, correct! Feel free to call me a soul sucking killer of romance, but you'll be thanking me when you're lounging around in over-sized sunglasses on your sexy lawn furniture sipping Ferrarelle water from long stemmed champagne glass with a strawberry perched on the rim.
Now let's go prepare for La Dolce Vita!
Doesn't spring cleaning now seem like making love to Adonis in the afternoon on the black sands of a secluded Mediterranean volcanic island!? (Stromboli btw.)
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