FAQ

I moved to Rome in 2006 and have been here since.

I’ve always loved the City, since visiting at a young age with my parents.  Around age 19, the desire arose to live here after experiencing the splendor of the City one gorgeous summer night. (There’s nothing like Rome at night!)

The City is known for its ancient, mysterious beauty. The chaos was exhilirating, the culture sensual and beguiling. It all still entrances… despite experiencing challenges and embarrassments along the way. 

Most of all, the people are warm, emotionally aware, loyal – with a profound ability to enjoy life. 

I did not speak Italian when I first came here. After a few months it became apparent that I needed to speak the language. While a lot of Romans can speak some English, to fully enjoy the city and its secrets, I needed to be fluent.

So, I took an immersion language course with Italia Idea, which incorporated an experiential method of learning. I also read Italian every day; and, of course, I conversed with my love only in Italian. My dearest friend, a journalist, corrected me all the time, which was a tremendous gift! Otherwise, I would have gone on making grammatical errors forever! Now, my son does that for me, as he is completely bilingual.

It took about five years for Italian to sink in. I’ve never lost my American accent no matter how hard I try to roll my r’s. I have since been on Italian radio and TV, spoken publicly, taught and spent 12 hour days speaking only my second language.

We met by chance first at a glamorous book launch party on the rooftop terrace on Piazza della Repubblica. A mutual friend decided to match me with Mauro’s friend, and held a dinner party on Isola Tiberina a couple of nights later to put it together. Thankfully, her original plan went awry! 

(We chose that same piazza for our wedding a few years later.)

Decide whether you really want to live in Italy, or just want to have a really long vacation. Sometimes spending three to six weeks is enough to fill you up (a lot of people who travel here don’t spend more than four days!).

If you seriously want to move, give yourself a spending plan and put money aside so you can live abroad without having to work for a period of time. Make sure to check out the visa options and start the application process sooner than later. The rest… is your adventure!

In 2006, I was had been living in NYC, and my circumstances lined up serendipitously to free me up – single, in a flexible job and with some savings. I spontaneously chose a date and booked my flight to Rome: October 16 (my grandmother’s birthday). I intended to stay for one year. I guess I was a bit naive… and determined.

After 9 months, work life was challenging, the Euro was expensive – and I almost abandoned the dream! Amore kept me planted – in that time I had met met my husband-to-be. Determined to “bloom where I was planted”, I committed to my Roman life.

My son, Ludovico, was born in Rome. He’s the living proof that it all worked out perfectly.

Of course! I miss my family and friends all the time, even after all these years. Fortunately, I get to go back to New York at least once or twice each year, which stokes my love for the place and keeps me in contact with dear ones. Technology keeps me close through video chats.

In retrospect, it took me a solid seven years to fully acclimate to the new culture and let go of some of my American way of thinking. Living as an expat (even as an Italian American!) can be full of challenges, embarrassments and setbacks. All of those are normal for any worthwhile adventure, and I regret none of it.

The process of living in a foreign culture opens my mind and heart in ways that I would have never imagined had I stayed put. Now, I am that strange hybrid – neither feeling 100% of either my original culture nor adapted.

I run an art and design studio and founded a design agency. In 2021, my line of art-as-objects came to life through silk scarves, trays and other objects. My luxury scarf designs are sold at The Met Opera.

I sometimes run retreats and workshops for creatives. I helped my husband launch a side gig for photography, too.

The most important thing I do is being a mama, which includes the role of manager for my son‘s acting. 

If I ever moved, at this point it wouldn’t be going back but starting anew. If I were to start anew there would be other places I would consider along with New York.

However, a pied-a-tier in the West Village for all-times is part of my vision!