VIVERE LA DOLCE VITA

Living the sweet life, one day at a time.

ABOUT
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WHAT IS LA DOLCE VITA?

Italian for “the sweet life,” the phrase “la dolce vita” encapsulates the idea of living mindfully, slowing down, and spending time intentionally. For me, living the sweet life means embracing your loved ones, savoring delicious food, expanding your worldview, admiring our good earth, and reading amazing literature.

TOP 10 WAYS TO PREPARE TO STUDY ABROAD

Physically and mentally preparing to study abroad can be overwhelming. Here’s my top 10 ways that I prepared that have helped me get travel essentials ahead of time, become more familiar with Italy, and reduce my anxiety over moving to a new country.

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Portrait of a Wedding Guest

MY INSPIRATION FOR ITALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

My mom visited Italy once and came back with enough photos to fill a book. Even though her photos of beautiful architecture, stunning views, and delicious food captivated me, it was her candid shots of Italian locals that fascinated me the most. 

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POEMS TO MAKE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH LIFE

Years ago I started a playlist called “in love with life.” A year or so after that, I began a Pinterest board of the same name. Recently, “in love with life” has become a theme for my favorite poems. Here’s a few that I simply must share.

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Self-Portrait

By Mary Oliver

I wish I was twenty and in love with life
and still full of beans.
Onward, old legs!
There are the long, pale dunes; on the other side
the roses are blooming and finding their labor
no adversity to the spirit.
Upward, old legs! There are the roses, and there is the sea
shining like a song, like a body
I want to touch
though I’m not twenty
and won’t be again but ah! seventy. And still
in love with life. And still
full of beans.

Recent Posts

  • My Mom’s Pretzels

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    Gabby

    My mom is famous. Well, her pretzel recipe is. Growing up, the oily, still-warm, garlicky pretzels only emerged from the oven on special occasions: birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, etc. And, of course, school parties.  Since gluten allergies only recently became a thing people actually worried about (at least in northwest Louisiana),…

  • Pickle Girl

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    Gabby

    Of all the embarrassing nicknames that kids pick up in elementary school, mine certainly is one of the least creative but most descriptive: pickle girl. I can’t say I didn’t deserve it though. Every day, without fail, I would bring pickles to school with my lunch. I crunched on them…

  • Via Pericolosa

    Via Pericolosa

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    Gabby

    I’m no stranger to graffiti. Their moving galleries speed by at break-neck speeds back home, each on its way to block morning traffic in some unlucky part of town. Bathroom walls sing of woe, victory, and hatred. Downtown Shreveport might as well be the Uffizi Gallery with the amount of…