Overseas discoveries: I live here

Before I begin the latest list for overseas discoveries, I wanted to share this caption I recently wrote for my Instagram (and shared with the photo below). It perfectly describes what stage I’m in right now as I live abroad:

I somehow slid right from being gung ho about seeing everything in rome to being absolutely terrified about leaving to living my life here, just like that. I live here. it’s so natural and I love it so much, I can’t think of doing anything else so I won’t.
this wasn’t easy but I’m doing it and all of those moments that I thought and dreamed about, that occupied only parts of my mind, are coming alive before me in the most beautiful ways and I can only exist in a state of pure gratitude.

01

I’m forgetting English words at this point. Also, it’s way easier to say things dramatically in Italian. I love being able to think in Italian fast enough to do this.

02

Never clean the moka pot/caffetteria with dish soap!!!! The espresso tastes best from a well-loved caffetteria.

03

Making pasta con sugo (pasta with sauce) is harder than you’d think, it took me four tries before my little six year old approved.

04

Eggplant is soo good.

05

Never try to dine solo in Pisa, they won’t let you. More on my Instagram highlight called ‘pisa’ on that.

06

I have a “spot” in Piazza Navona that’s magically always open whenever I’m there and want to sit down with my gelato or spritz. I’m not telling you where it is, haha!

07

Romans eat anytime anywhere. My Fat Tire tour guide said something to this effect after I got a croissant randomly halfway through our tour. Now I think about it all the time as I’m out and about in the city (and usually searching for my next snack). I mean that’s what pizza al taglio and supplì was made for! I love it.

08

I feel so lucky to be able to eat so well here, too. Produce is so cheap, and even the other day I went for a snack and got a fresh lemon ginger juice that was so healthy and SO delicious. Don’t worry, I also got a pizzette to balance it out.

09

When designing we always would say that limitations are our best friend because without them designing could be/is a never ending process. I’ve found it’s the same with my wardrobe and shoe selection…having exactly the right number is so great. I have enough options but at the same time it isn’t hard to choose what I will wear each day.