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Urban Jungle Bloggers: EASTER

Hello and Happy Easter to all! Over here in Italy it’s bright and early(ish) on Easter Sunday morning and we’ve already eaten lots of chocolate eggs (rolled into crepes!). Soon we’ll be making the dough for our traditional Hot Cross Buns and while that rises we’ll go for a little stroll in the local woods. It’s going to be a lovely day.

As you can probably tell this month’s Urban Jungle Blogger’s theme is Easter. It’s one of my favourite themes because it involves lovely spring colours and the birth of the new season, the blooming of beautiful flowers and, this year, the hatching of seven of the cutest little chicks. I had been waiting on their arrival to do my UJB post this month and they arrived perfectly on time for Easter.

Who could ask for better props for an Easter styling image? Even if they are incredibly uncooperative and poop on set.

One of the plants I used is called Canterbury Bells (please correct me if I’m wrong). My daughter picked it out at an amazing garden centre that we visited the other day and it has really brightened our home with the pink bell blooms and lovely greenery.

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The other plant is my beloved fresh cilantro. Every year I buy so many cilantro plants and they all go directly to seed. I’ve tried planting them in the sun, in the shade, in full ground and even in pots. Nothing works. I have a feeling it’s due to the extreme heat that we have in the summer (and NOT my bad gardening skills of course). This year I’ll try growing it inside and see how it goes. I love to cook with it so much (although I can’t even think about my favourite Chicken with Cilantro Sauce recipe due to those sweet chicks in the photo).

These sage green eggs above were lovingly produced and delivered by our one and only adult chicken Dahlia. After a long egg-less winter she started laying last week and we’ve all been enjoying omelettes made with eggs that are minutes fresh. The lovely embroidered silk “nest” is actually used by women in India to help them carry large baskets on their heads. An old man at a market in Jodhpur gave it to my girls as a present and we love it.Enjoy your Easter everyone!
Last year’s origami inspired Easter UJB post here.
(ps…washi tape is the perfect egg holder!)

*Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month they share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on their Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date on our website and Facebook page. Want to join? Use #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram. Or let them know and they’ll share the badge and upcoming topics with you. Let’s bring some green into our homes and blogs!

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Tags: easter, green home, photography, plants, urban jungle bloggers

Comments 5 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography, urban jungle bloggers

Gratefully Grateful 28

19 Mar

A few weeks ago my family and I witnessed a horrible motorcycle accident. It was a Sunday afternoon and we were on our way home after seeing a beautiful Steve McCurry photo exhibit in the nearby city of Monza. The motorcyclist was behind us in a long line of traffic before he decided to pass. We saw his face in the rearview mirror seconds before he died. Unfortunately the woman who was in the passenger seat of the car that crashed into him died as well.

None of us slept that night. We kept playing back the horrific scene in our heads. Besides feeling extreme sadness for the families of the people who died we were left feeling so grateful that it wasn’t us or anyone we knew.

So here’s to a safe spring season full of beautiful colourful blooms, warmer and longer days, visiting family, planting and planning our garden and so much more.

This is Birdie. He loves to tip things off window sills (iphones are his favourite) and he refuses to put on his specially made party hat (while awake) He’s a walking nightmare but for some reason we love him to death. At least 4 of the 5 family members do.

A little unexpected family trip to Milan to visit the Cimitero Monumentale. Who would have thought visiting grave sites could be so much fun. Proof to be found here as well.

An accidental shot found on my camera that I actually love.

Some images of a flower crown workshops that my daughters organised for their grandmother and cousin. They definitely have a future in event planning. The small details of the workshop made my heart burst with pride (fancy snack table, little goody bags, appropriate music and even matching outfits).
Statue seen at the Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) in Milan. Is there anything more beautiful than a mother breast-feeding her baby?

Gratefully Grateful
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Tags: family, flower crowns, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 12 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, Living in Italia, Living in Italy

Urban Jungle Bloggers: Hanging Plants

27 Feb

Time for another Urban Jungle Bloggers post! Unbelievable that a month has already passed since the Plants and Tea theme in January. Is it just me or does February always fly by? Here in Italy we’re already heading into spring and experiencing beautiful sunny warm days. Everyone is walking around with a smile on their face and a spring in their step. My favourite time of year despite the itchy watery eyes.

When I first heard this month’s UJB topic was Hanging Plants images of polyester, multi-toned orange and brown macramé monstrosities from the 70s came to mind. But after browsing through some shops in Milan and Copenhagen and doing some research on Pinterest I came to realise that there are so many beautiful and contemporary ways to hang plants in your home nowadays.

2015UJBhangingplants2 After thinking about it for a few days and looking for the perfect spot in my house for a hanging planter I decided I was going to go the DIY route for this month’s post. I thought it would be a perfect little creative project to do with my kids while they were on February break and my daughters were happy that their room was going to finally get some greenery. First we made some little pots with air-dry clay that I found in a local craft shop. It was really easy to work with and was dry the next day. Plus, I love the milky white colour and texture of the dried clay so there was no need to paint them. Since my daughters are experts at decorating sticks with coloured yarn we decided to get some bamboo from the garden and deck it out a little. The result is so cheery and colourful and perfect for my twin daughters’ bedroom.They’re pretty wonky and crooked but I love them. And more importantly, so do my girls.

Tags: gardening, greenery, home garden, photography, plants, succulents, urban jungle bloggers

Comments 12 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, diy, Family/Kids, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography, urban jungle bloggers

Urban Jungle Bloggers: Plants and TEA

29 Jan

It’s time for the first Urban Jungle Bloggers Post of 2015!

As I’ve mentioned in my past UJB posts I don’t have what you’d call a green thumb. I think I might have even referred to it once as a sooty black toxic thumb.

But I’m happy to say that after my new re-found love of having lots of greenery in my home (thanks to Judith and Igor) my thumb is turning an ever so slight shade of the lightest mint green possible. And I hope that with every month that passes the greenness will get brighter and more vivacious. And that I’ll be able to keep more and more plants alive and happy.

But really, look how that sweet little succulent above is so healthy and, I like to think, very content looking.

At the moment I have a few that are thriving. And a few that are…not. But I’m keeping positive and learning a lot from all of the great links that the UJB team post and share. It’s become such a fantastic and supportive green community of people around the world.

This month’s theme is Plants and Coffee (or Tea like I chose).Since my twin daughters are laden down with (way too much) homework we rarely have time to sit down to a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate anymore. So a few Sundays ago I decided to hide their books and persuade them to take a study break with me. That’s right, they’re so studious that I have to HIDE their books for them to agree to take a break. I’m a proud mama. And at times like this a bad influence. I used my new teacups from Dutch designer Esther Horchner. I love these so much. I had them on my Wishlist board on Pinterest for years so when I saw them in a local shop on sale I knew I had to get them. I just hadn’t expected them to be so shocking for some of my guests (seriously, some of them have to close their eyes when they sip their tea).I decorated the table with some of my favourite miniature succulents and cacti. I found the little copper container at a second hand shop for 2 euro and it’s perfect for these miniature plants I picked up at my local plant shop (I make a concerted effort to buy all my plants locally from small family businesses). 2015urbanjunglebloggersjan2 And because I’m a fabric and textile lover I decided to use my coveted piece of Japanese double gauze designed by Nani Iro that has been sitting in my fabric cupboard for over a year waiting for the perfect sewing project. Turns out it makes a perfect cloth to adorn an afternoon tea party with the two coolest almost thirteen year olds around. And their equally cool mama (right?). 2015urbanjunglebloggersjanwithlogo *Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by 2 bloggers: Igor (Happy Interior Blog) and Judith (JOELIX.com). Every month they share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs and green tips & tricks. You can find additional inspiration on their Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest board and keep up-to-date on our website and Facebook page. Want to join? Use #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram. Or let them know and they’ll share the badge and upcoming topics with you. Let’s bring some green into our homes and blogs!

Tags: cacti, greenery, indoor gardening, photography, plants, plants and tea, succulents, ujb, urban jungle bloggers

Comments 14 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, italia, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography, urban jungle bloggers

Gratefully Grateful 27

12 Jan

Here I am, sitting at my computer and wondering how I can start the new year off here in this little space of mine. A space that was pretty much neglected for a lot of 2014. But a space that meant a lot to me just the same.

The last few days I’ve been looking back at old posts and photos and enjoying reliving some beautiful moments of last year. And in the end that’s the reason I keep coming back and sharing here on Jillian In Italy. I love wandering back and taking peeks into my life and the lives of my family.

Last year offered some lovely times and some not so lovely times. Just like any other year.

In 2014 I learned a lot about relationships. I really realised how important and invaluable my friends are in my life. Living away from family can be really hard and having good loyal friends to rely on is essential. My friends are my family. We support each other and step in when family usually would. So 2015 is the year to really cherish, appreciate and have fun with all those people I love so much.

I’ll be continuing this Gratefully Grateful series this year and sharing images that make me smile and remind me how fortunate I am to have the life that I do. Seriously, even though there are rough times, sad times and aggravating times these little moments poke through it all and shine.

A day snowshoeing in the local mountains. It was 20 degrees, the sun was shining and there was a huge plate of polenta waiting at our destination. Oh and I learned that bending over to put on snowshoes after a 2 hour polenta lunch (with dessert) is not an easy task. mercatinodinataleangera14-4

Came across these images of my Christmas market stand with the infamous Patamaga. We may not have sold out of our wares but we had a great day drinking tea, chatting, eating her Mama’s delicious food and trying to stay warm for the 12 hours we were outside. And those yarn-bomb trees that my daughters made were our top sellers of the day. Obviously. On our recent trip to India (more on that soon) we made a Days For Girls kit delivery to the Delhi Council for Child Welfare. Seeing those kits that we’ve been making and assembling for the last year in the hands of happy girls was definitely a highlight of 2014 for every member of my family.

And even though we’re experiencing spring like weather here in Italy I know a lot of you out in the world are suffering through snowy cold winter days. So these Ligurian seaside photos from last summer are for you. May they warm your thoughts a tad and show you there is light (and sun) at the end of the (winter) tunnel.

Have a great week!

Gratefully Grateful
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Tags: colour, daily life, days for girls, family, friends, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 6 Comments
Categories daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, italia, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography

Coroncine Floreali

10 Dec

Hello.

I’m still here!

I’m just popping in to share about a lovely fresh flower crown workshop that my twin daughters and I did a few week-ends ago in Milan.

The workshop’s venue was the most charming little café that doubles as a cultural centre called Spazio Culturale My G where they offer all sorts of creative courses for kids and adults. It’s a bright and colourful space filled with charming old couches, mismatched wooden chairs and an amazing book corner (where they even sell my favourite FLOW magazine!).

When we arrived at the workshop we were warmly welcomed by our flower-crown teacher Jessica from the blog Uhlalà. Such a vibrant and happy lady and so talented with flowers.

The flowers that we worked with were Ranunculus, Anemone and Chrysanthemum. There were also branches of a special type of Mimosa that I had never seen before, Eucalyptus branches and some berry branches as well. A beautiful mix of colours and textures. About 15 of us worked around a big wooden table covered in buckets of flowers, berries, special florist tapes and tools and different coloured ribbons. Jessica explained everything perfectly and we dove in and started creating our crowns.
I was amazed at how quickly the girls caught on and unlike me didn’t have to think and re-think about how to put it all together. I had a serious creative block for the first half hour while my daughter Chloe worked like a busy bee non-stop and without any doubt or indecisiveness.

All the ladies in the workshop made beautifully dainty feminine crowns. It was a beautiful sight to see everyone at the end proudly walking around wearing them. As you can see from the two photos above, my daughters’ crowns ended up being completely different. Their unique personalities really showed through in the finished product.

Since the workshop we’ve already had one big flower crown making session. We tried out different blooms and branches that we bought and collected from our garden. They came out beautifully and we can’t wait to make some more. Many thanks to Jessica for such a lovely Sunday morning. And thanks to Yael from Spazio Cultural My G for organising such fun workshops. We can’t wait to come back.

Tags: coroncine floreali, flower, flower crowns, milan, spazio culturale My G, uhlalà, workshop

Comments 9 Comments
Categories Creative, Family/Kids, italia, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography

Gratefully Grateful 26

13 Oct

I’m sitting here recovering from a whirlwind 48 hour trip to Belgium. It’s actually amazing how much my daughters and I squeezed into our short trip: passport renewal appointment, visit to the charming city of Brugge, eating waffles and french fries, shopping in HEMA, visit to the girls’ great grandmother and a fun family birthday party with cousins. Exhausting but so much fun.

Here are a few images that are making me smile on this rainy, chilly, grey day here in Northern Italy.

I’m a sucker for colourful garlands. They just make me happy.

My daughters and their friends made this little breakfast for themselves using vegetables from our garden. They have inherited my love of making food beautiful as well as delicious.

Sharing her french fries. I’m not sure if she has a frown or a smile behind there though.My kids are currently obsessed with archery (thanks to Hunger Games of course). We visited a local farm that offers courses and I fell in love with their arrows.

Have a great week!

Gratefully Grateful
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Tags: family, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography

Comments 9 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography

Gratefully Grateful 25

23 Sep

Despite the sadness of losing my children’s only great-grandfather this past week I can’t help but feel so grateful for the time we all had together. We have been so fortunate to know and spend time with this amazingly dynamic man who put family in the centre of his life. His enthusiasm for everything from art to travel to the goings-on of his very large immediate family was contagious (as well as his famous giggle). We’ll miss him dearly but have many lovely memories to remember him by.

Some images that made me smile despite the sad news this week:

The best reading corner in the house on a sunny day. Also perfect or a sun-spot nap.
Last days of summer hats and dresses.

Trying to paint a kitchen with a large clumsy cat in the middle of it all actually makes it much more fun. For me at least.

I run into Idyllic little scenes such as this every single day. I love living in Italia.

Have a great week!

Gratefully Grateful
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Tags: daily life, grateful, gratefully grateful, italia, italy, living in italy, photography

Comments 15 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, italia, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography

Gratefully Grateful 23

18 Aug

Here I am sitting in my living room and catching my breath after a whirlwind summer road trip with my family. Emphasis being on road. We did A LOT of driving. 4000km in two weeks type of a lot.

*Italy-Switzerland-Germany-Luxembourg-Belgium-Holland-Belgium-France-England-France-Belgium-Holland-Belgium-Luxembourg-Germany-Switzerland-Italy*

Many many beautiful family memories were made but I can’t tell you how happy I was to drive up our driveway a few days ago and be greeted by the famous Birdie The Cat. Coming home is always like a sigh of relief.

So in the last 5 days we haven’t gone near our car, not even to go to the grocery store. In times like this I’m happy I keep a well stocked kitchen.

Now off to enjoy the last weeks of summer vacation with my three favourite little people (who aren’t so little anymore).

Here are a few images that bring back summer memories and a heart full of gratefulness.

My girls have been bitten by the ever present loom bug. And I am the proud owner of about 250 plastic bracelets now.
I’ve fallen in love with Brighton and it’s abundance of buntings and beach carousels.

salisburtkids Traveling as a family of four for a week was such a change (one daughter was in Holland attending a Film Camp). The family dynamic was so different to what we’re used to and getting a hotel room was so much easier (and cheaper!). jumpseaford Look how happy I was to hike the Seven Sister Cliffs in Seaford, England. And just behind us they were shooting a new Sherlock Holmes film. Surprisingly enough they did not approach me to do a cameo jump shot in the movie.

Wishing you a great week!

Gratefully Grateful
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Tags: colour, family, grateful, gratefully grateful, photography, travel

Comments 17 Comments
Categories Creative, daily life, Family/Kids, grateful, gratefully grateful, Living in Italia, Living in Italy, photography, Travel

Family Travel in Italy

8 Aug

*Not long ago Inghams Italy Travel Site and Tours contacted me about sharing some of my experiences about living and traveling in Italy as a family. Inghams Italy compensated me for writing this post but all experiences, thoughts and ideas are my own.

Over the last 13 years my husband and I have lived  and raised our 3 children in Italy and done our fair share of exploring this beautiful country as a family. When considering travelling to Italy, one traditionally thinks of the wealth of historical sites, the breathtaking art and architecture, and one of the best loved cuisines, all within the stunning natural beauty  from the Alps to the Aegean – a perfect tourist destination.

But, one of the things I love most about Italy, is that it is a family centric culture.  Here, in Italy, family has the highest priority and this shows in how they treat travellers to their country, especially families.

Inevitably, you will encounter kind and generous people who will go out of their way to make your small travellers happy and comfortable.  Italians love the little ones and aren’t shy to show it – usually by squeezing cheeks and loudly proclaiming “che bel bambino!”.  No worries, your kids will get used to it and will most likely return home with an amazing sense of self-confidence.

Living in Italy has given us the inside scoop on the best places to visit, most comfortable accommodations, favourite places to eat out and just about anything else you would need to know about traveling through Italy in famiglia.

Food: 

Italy is world renown for its delectable cuisine and luckily it’s also one that most kids absolutely adore.  On just about any menu your kids will find something they’ll love to eat (and recognise).  Some favourites of local Italian kids are Pasta Rossa (pasta with tomato sauce), Riso Giallo (saffron risotto), Milanese con Patatine (breaded pork cutlet with french fries) and of course Pizza Margherita (pizza with tomato sauce and mozzarella).  And if you don’t see something your child likes on the menu don’t be afraid to ask – they are usually more than willing to whip up a simple pasta for the little ones. My kid’s favourite thing to order in a restaurant is a variety or antipasto plates. You can’t go wrong with sliced meats, cheeses, olives and fresh Italian bread.

Gelato: 

Of course one of the main gastronomic attractions for kids in Italy (and adults actually) is the iconic Italian gelato.  Gelaterias are found on just about every street corner and are usually made with fresh, high quality ingredients.  A promised gelato will help kids get through the museum visits, the long hours of pavement pounding, the intense summer heat and the over exhaustion of traveling that can sometimes get too much for them.  Look for signs that say Gelato Artigianale for the highest quality and home-made ice cream.  And remember in the hot summer months it’s quite normal to visit a gelateria more than once a day!

Beaches: 

When traveling with kids you can never go wrong with a beach visit.  And Italy boasts both a myriad of coastlines and beautiful lakes to choose from.  The world famous Costa Amalfitana (Unesco World Heritage Site), the Ligurian coast with it’s famous Cinque Terre villages, the Northern Lakes including Lago Como and Lago Maggiore and the pristine aquamarine waters of Sardinia will be appreciated by the whole family.

Italian beaches are very family friendly with chairs and umbrellas for rent, small beach playgrounds and restaurants just metres from the water’s edge. From here, parents can enjoy a plate of fresh Fritto Misto while watching the kids frolic in the warm waters.  Warning: since one has to pay for a space,  these beaches can end up being quite pricey but well worth it for a few days of relaxing family time.

Read on for more tips for traveling in Italy as a family…

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