Supernatural Botanicals

Teresa Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey) has just written an incredible book on the art of Italian cooking.  More than just a cookbook, this is more like a great book with recipes, because there’s lots of dialogue and pictures to go along with the amazing recipes.  I especially love the pictures she shares of her house and family (four darling little girls and her juicy husband, Joe.) 

I was so impressed with Teresa’s book.  I mean, who doesn’t want to have access to a girlfriend whose parents are straight from the old country and taught her everything they know about old-school Italian cooking?

I adore that she believes so strongly in her heritage.  I adore people of any culture that maintain their roots and are deeply proud of being Italian, Swedish, German, etc.  I love tradition.  It’s something I wish I had in my own family.  Truth be told, I really have no idea where I came from.  I’m blonde, blue eyed, and not exactly what you’d call dark complected.  I know that originally my family came from France.  Beyond that,  it’s a bit unclear.  I’ve always found it to be so interesting to listen to people who have deep heritage.  I need to visit Ancestry.com. 

Teresa shares recipes in her new book, Skinny Italian, that have gone back many generations.  She shares all of her bag of tricks…all the while doing it with her Jersey-Girl attitude and sass! 

I have literally not been able to put this book down for two weeks.  Teresa has even inspired me to try my hand at canning this summer (there’s a whole section on this in her book along with step by step instructions.) 

Admittedly, the Real Housewives franchises have tried to market almost every one of their ladies into a brand…(think Vicki Gunvalson with her new book or LuAnn the Countess with her singing.)  With all the personal branding  promotion, I admit I looked at Teresa’s book with a side-eye, ala Tardy For the Party. 

But Skinny Italian is the real deal.  Real authentic recipes taught by real authentic Italians.  Teresa, I love, love love your new book.  Super-impressive work, Jersey-Girl!

     And from the drop-dead-gorgeous files, we have the Tuscany Bramasole bed.  (think Bramasole villa in Under The Tuscan Sun.)  This is luxury bedding at its finest (a favorite indulgence of mine.)    How could you leave this room?  Ever?  Gorgeousness!  A total sanctuary. 

I mean, it’s completely unattainable to recreate.  Unless you are sharing your room with a really great carpenter, you are probably not going to achieve ceilings this high or columns and wall architecture this intricate.  I think I could do my best DIY project and recreate this room somewhat, but that ceiling height is untouchable.   I’m loving those argyle columns at the top.  Very chic.

It’s a great look to steal.  Rich, buttery hues of golds and yellows against the deep dark finish of the bed…perfection.  The khaki bedding works well with the overall hues, as opposed to fighting them with patterns or opposing color combinations.  I’m against the rug, however.  Upon first glance, I see Santa Fe.  I need something more Italian and less New Mexico.  The colors work, the pattern does not, in my opinion.  I’d like to see a longer fibered, softer, more luxurious rug.  Bedrooms need a soft place for your feet, espeically if you have hardwood or tile as the main flooring.  A rug is also a great way to update a room and make it feel completely different in one step.   

If you adore interior design and houses, you’ll love my friend, Julia’s, blog, Hooked on Houses.  Such a great blog.  Check out her Dali Wall Decals today.