Happy New Year!

2014 is here, already. I don't know if it is a general feeling, but I personally don't know what happened to the last couple of years. Perhaps, it is normal that time starts to shrink when you get older; when I was younger, I thought I was going to be young and strong for the rest of my life and the rest of my life seemed so far away. You just don't think about those things that adults/old people are concerned about when you are young and time doesn't concern you at all! Things are different now, I guess I am just, simply, getting old. In reality, a lot of things have happened and a lot of things have changed but still, it feels like yesterday when Rob and I got engaged. 

At the end of every year and consequently at the beginning of every new year I think about my life, my achievements and my goals. As I mentioned above, a lot of things have happened in the last couple of years, the biggest event of all being Emilia's birth, of course. Needless to say, as I am sure every parent would confirm, Emilia has radically changed my life. She is the number one priority at the moment, and, I don't mind saying it, she is quite challenging and demanding. But I love the challenge and cannot think of a better gift to give yourself than a child. She discovers something new every day and is so eager to learn. She is a very curious and active baby and it is absolutely inspiring to look at her as she makes her way into the world. And to me, the world looks better and more interesting through her eyes.

This year we welcomed the new year in a very low key way. Rob and I had dinner at home with my parents, grandmum and uncle Luciano. Emilia was in bed at her usual time and the rest of us enjoyed a lovely fresh fish dinner and simply opened a bottle of champagne at midnight, while admiring the fireworks. We were all in bed by 00.30! Again, one of the many changes a kid brings to your life! 

The first day of 2014, however, was a very packed day. We cooked and played together. Lots of activities and colouring-in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Emilia even had her first go at making pizza. She loves playing (and eating!) the dough! A true Italian in the making :) Happy 2014 everyone! Have a good one.

 

La Porchetta

A Pizzeria in London I would definitely recommend. La Porchetta is a quite cool restaurant with five locations in London (we tried the Upper Street one) and is authentic Italian, but in a modern way, and not like a trattoria that you'd find in Little Italy. I love the chairs, the wallpaper and the artwork but more than anything else I loved the pizza! It was so very good, perhaps the best pizza I have had so far in London!

I'll go back!

Story Deli London

If I didn't live in London, I don't know what I would write about on this blog...

London gives me new material to write, and dream about every day. I don't make a note of everything I am attracted to as otherwise this blog would become a London tour guide, but sometimes I really cannot avoid to write a couple of lines about my old and new favourite spots in this amazing city.

Today I have finally been able to try Story Deli. I had seen this little beauty before but only today I had the chance to wander around Brick Lane and stop by to try one of their delicious pizzas. Story Deli is much more than just a pizzeria, it's also a lovely bakery and a wonderful shop where you can buy both organic products, such as oils and candles, and jewelry as well as home decorations.

I am sure it comes as no surprise to you that I absolutely loved this place! A place where you can eat and shop at the same time?! Who wouldn't love it? I was tempted to buy all sorts of things but one silver flower surely got my attention: a dry hydrangea covered with silver glitter, just amazing! Every table was adorned with a glass, milk bottle with one of these flowers inside; if only we had a nicer and bigger place to decorate, I would have totally bought a few!

And now to the pizza: I am Italian and I like my pizza to be good! And I can say, I truly enjoyed this pizza. I opted for a roast vegetables pizza, which turned out to be a very good choice. The pizza here is very (VERY!) thin and the toppings are somehow *different*. When I saw the menu I was a bit sceptical but I absolutely loved it! I would definitely recommend a visit!

Until my next discovery...

Today I am happy because...

I have found this Italian pizzeria *al taglio*. Adagio pizza is just a few minutes away from my office and the pizza is lovely. I can go there aythime I need a slice, for lunch or an afternoon snack.
It's like being in Italy, except it's in the bustling and amazing area of Soho, London.

I {heart} you London!

Pizza East

Following my previous post...if you, like me, live in London and can't really justify to spend a night in the Rough Luxe Hotel, that perhaps is just a couple of tube stops from your own flat, then here is a suggestion for something you can definitely do in London, in fact, you should do it!

I had lunch at Pizza East today and simply loved it! The atmosphere is fantastic, the industrial interiors simply amazing and the food just delicious! Go there for a Sunday brunch or lunch after a quick shopping at the nearby Spitafields Market.

Must try it soon! You' ll love it, I promise!