Wine, Espresso & Flowers In Italy--What Else Do You Need?

***I'm updating this post a tiny bit to share with Kate and all ya'll visiting for her most awesome May Bloggie Festival. This was the first time we really utilized the amazing outdoor dining spaces in our new Italian Villa (for those visiting, we moved in here at the end of March as we are living in Italy this year!) and we had so much fun. With such beautiful outdoor vistas/great Italian architecture, you really only need simple things to be happy, like wine and coffee and flowers from the garden!!!

When in Rome...or anywhere in Italy...it is imperative to absorb the culture and incorporate all of the Vita Bella that you can. And of course that would include the iconic vino and espresso. Slooooooowwwwwly sip the rosso nectar of the Gods and the black bitter greatness that is strong Italian espresso. It's a paradigm-shifting experience to take your time and soak up the
myriad lovely tastes of new types of wine and coffee.




But, for the sake of visual aesthetics, let's not forget the flowers. Especially when they're from your own little garden paradise in your own little yellow villa in Italy only a mile from the Mediterranean.



Part of the reason I chose this villa is because of the garden. My children love playing in it and I love wandering around and seeing the newly blossomed miracles.











And better still, I love sitting up on the terrace and sipping wine or espresso with mio marito bello, Tom. (My handsome husband!)











One of the new wines we've fallen in love with is the soft and luscious on the tongue delight of Taurasi. Even the bottle is divine!






To have almost year round fresh flowers and greenery, due to the delightful Mediterranean climate of Southern Italy, is such a blessing!











Oh--and I want to let you know that I've done some thrifty shopping here, too, including this wonderful porcelain piece I purchased at the thrift store for only $2.00. I'll share this thrifty beauty with Rhoda and friends at Southern Hospitality!




It's German and its curvilinear essence is so appealing--it was missing the lid, but I knew that it would make a wonderful vase for fresh blooms from our garden!!!



We still don't have the shipment of our things from back home. It was supposed to be here in a month, but it's now over two months and we still don't have it, so we have to be creative in our decor and living in general. Of course, even when we get our shipment, we will still basically be living out of a suitcase for the next half a year that we're here because our shipment is mostly the computer/books/school supplies and a few extra spring/summer things.




Living like this (we did the same in England) without our things in a much smaller place has taught me new levels of patience! Living overseas in general requires patience--especially when you have little kids!!!!










Our villa was furnished, but had no dishes/pots & pans, etc. It DID, however, have two sets of espresso cups/saucers and wine glasses. :)





Of course we've purchased new things since this tablescape shot, that I'll be sharing with Susan & the TT crew, but I love the spartan nature of it!!!










Oh, espresso........................enough said!!!!











And to give the grandparents a glimpse of their grandchildren, here's a shot of Kate-Elizabeth & Thomas at the Trevi Fountain from our second trip to Rome last week!















Love, hugs and ESPRESSO/WINE joy,


Lana