Welcome to the second part of my holiday gift guide for Italy Lovers. I’ve drawn up a list packed with creative ideas for presents that will certainly help you make “una bella figura" - a good impression! The best part? You won't have to break the bank to do so — everything is priced between $5 to $20! So, without further ado, here is my selection of books and films about Italy — look closely, there might be JUST what you're looking for. … [Read more...] about ❄️ The perfect Christmas gift guide for Italy Lovers – Films & Books Edition
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🎅 The perfect Christmas gift guide for Italy Lovers – Home & Food Edition
Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, I’ve put together the best Italian-inspired gift ideas to create a list that will make your Christmas merrier and brighter. This list includes some of my favorite things, items that I personally own and items that I'd buy for someone who is crazy about Italy and all things Italian. I hope it will help you find the perfect gift for the special people in your life or even for yourself. *wink wink* [Tweet "Stuck for gift ideas? Check out this wonderful gift guide for Italy lovers!"] … [Read more...] about 🎅 The perfect Christmas gift guide for Italy Lovers – Home & Food Edition
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How do you talk about summer in Italian?
Let’s start with the basics. The word for summer in Italian is “estate”. Now, I know what you may be thinking - “That’s an English word!” Well, estate is actually a falso amico - false friend - meaning that it looks and sounds the same as in English but has a different meaning. Rather than a patch of private land with a property, in Italy the word estate indicates “la stagione estiva”, the summer season. Summer is the season of colori vivaci (bright colors) and attività all’aria aperta (outdoor activities). “Le vacanze” are the holidays. The word is plural and feminine and you need it to wish someone happy holidays: “Buone vacanze”! Where do Italians go for the holidays? … [Read more...] about How do you talk about summer in Italian?
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French Summer Vocabulary – Vocabulaire de l’été
Today we are going to talk about summer… en français. I’ve been to France over the summer season two times thus far and there’s no way I would’ve survived without memorizing these vocabulary words first! Well, okay, that might be a tad bit extreme, but the list of words and phrases that I’m about to share with you definitely came in handy during my summer trips. When we think of summer, we inevitably think of holidays - “les vacances”. Traditionally, families and friends take advantage of sunny days (les journées ensoleillées) to travel (voyager) or simply go to the beach (aller à la plage). “Je suis en vacances!” (I’m on holiday) This is what you can excitedly exclaim once you’re off your study or work duties. French people have a specific term to indicate the summer … [Read more...] about French Summer Vocabulary – Vocabulaire de l’été
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How I created my ideal language learning routine with the Language Habit Toolkit
If someone were to ask me “How did you become fluent in English?”, I would simply answer “I started learning it one day and I never quit. I just kept going”. Persistence. That’s how it happened. I was persistent and I never gave up. I genuinely believe that motivation and persistence are the most important things when learning a language. Giving up is the only thing that will prevent you from speaking a language fluently or speaking a language at all. If you stick with the language and put in the hours, you’ll get there. Sometimes, though, life makes it hard to focus on language learning. You’re pumped at first and you’re going steady for a while, and then something gets in the way, be it university, work, family, you name it. I struggle with this problem all the … [Read more...] about How I created my ideal language learning routine with the Language Habit Toolkit
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Do you know all about Mother’s Day in Italy?
'Mamma' is often the first word babies utter in Italian. It’s a simple, two-syllable word, with such a huge meaning. In fact, “la mamma” is probably the most important figure in the life of Italians, so much so that Italian men are famous all over the world for being “mammoni” - “mama’s boys”. “La mamma è sempre la mamma.” That’s our motto: “The Mom is always the Mom”. Le mamme italiane - Italian mothers - are quite dedicated and are widely known for being nurturing and caring. In Italian we’d also say that “di mamma, ce n’è una sola” - “there’s just one mother” - meaning that we should be grateful for our one and only mother because she will always be there for us. In Italy, Mother’s Day - La Festa della Mamma - falls on the second Sunday of May, like in the … [Read more...] about Do you know all about Mother’s Day in Italy?
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Art in Rome: Via Margutta and its 100 Painters
“I Cento Pittori di Via Margutta” (One hundred Painters of Via Margutta) is an unmissable open-air art exhibition that takes place twice a year in Rome. It features artists from all walks of life and it’s free of charge for everyone. First, a little throwback for those of you who are not familiar with this event: the tradition began in 1953 when a group of local painters decided to revitalize the street with bright colors in the aftermath of world war two. Via Margutta has been home to every kind of painter, sculptor, and craftsman ever since. The beauty of the Cento Pittori exhibit lies in its rich variety: you can gaze on vividly colored watercolors, then turn a corner to see sketches and drawings of all types. More than 3,000 artworks are usually showcased, making this … [Read more...] about Art in Rome: Via Margutta and its 100 Painters
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Fun Easter Activities to Review Grammar + Vocabulary in Italian
One thing you may have noticed about me is that I get ridiculously excited about holidays. I love holidays and traditions. Traditions are one of the reasons why foreign cultures intrigue me so much. I always ask myself: “What is it like to spend New Year’s Eve in Spain?” or “I eat Pandoro for Christmas, what do they eat in Croatia?”. Since holidays are the best time to take a break, relax, and enjoy time with the family, some people find it harder to keep practicing their target language. You too? Well, fear not! I’ve prepared some fun Easter-themed activities so you can get your Italian language practice even when your mouth is full of chocolate and you’re surrounded by eccentric Easter eggs. … [Read more...] about Fun Easter Activities to Review Grammar + Vocabulary in Italian
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Introducing… the new Runaway Daydreamer!
Let’s pop open the champagne because it’s a fiesta today. "Wait, what are we celebrating?", I hear you asking from miles away. The launch of our new community, of course! *Confetti explosions!* It’s a brand-new era for Runaway Daydreamer and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come. You might have noticed the new design and some of its cool features... However, I thought it would be nice to take you on a tour of the website so you can explore what it will offer from now on. … [Read more...] about Introducing… the new Runaway Daydreamer!
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Specialità di Carnevale: Carnival Specialities from Different Regions of Italy
What do Italians eat during Carnevale? This article made me realize just how varied Italian food is even during the Carnival season and inspired me to put together a collection of traditional sweets cooked all around Italy. Do you want to have an Italian-inspired Carnival meal? Come with me on a tour through Italy's most delicious Carnival desserts. … [Read more...] about Specialità di Carnevale: Carnival Specialities from Different Regions of Italy
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