The Italian Essence

To wear, or not to wear make-up – that is the question! I have seen a number of posts recently obliquely referring to this.  People posting for some other reason and then apologising for not having any make-up on, with people commenting on this, either for or against.  Then there was a post I did – something about looking your best, putting your make-up on, etc – when a lady came back to me saying that she agreed with everything I said, except the make-up part, as she had mad

Style, ease and a little dolce vita magic for women over 40 Christmas is a season of contrasts, isn’t it? We’re pulled between work socials and school concerts, family dynamics and last-minute errands, festive chaos and the quiet longing for a moment to breathe. December becomes a month where women — especially those of us 40+ — are expected to be everywhere, for everyone, with a smile and a plate of mince pies . But Italian women approach the holidays differently. They creat

This morning was one of those mornings. You know the kind — everything that could catch, does. Everything that could fall off a shelf, or out of your bag, finds a way to do so. You leave the house only to realise you’ve brought half of what you need. And then, of course, the universe adds a touch of drama with a dose of road rage. But one of the things I’ve learnt whilst living in Italy is the art of bella figura . This isn’t just about looking good or being your best — altho