Barbara Conelli's Blog, page 22

Chique Secrets of Italian Women: Courage

Every Tuesday I share with you delightful secrets of Italian women

and the magic of la dolce vita I have discovered in Italy.

Let's be feminine, sensual and Chique together!

It's been a long time but I still remember that moment. I was having dinner with my Milanese friend Carla. (You've met her in Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita, and you know she's such a character!) I was in Milan, writing the aforementioned book, and in the middle of our fabulous summer dinner, I got an anxiety attack. "What i...

Chique Writer's Life: Three Tips To Turn Your Home Office Into The Writing Sanctuary You Desire And Deserve

Every Monday I share with you tips and thoughts

on expanding your creativity

and finding joy in your Chique Writer's Life.

Let's be bold, brilliant and fearless together!

One of my intentions for the magical year of 2012 is to surround myself with beauty. Especially with ordinary things that have an extraordinary design or boldly creative style. You'd be surprised how many ordinary things can be extraordinary!

As I'm sitting at my desk writing this, I look at my mouse and I smile. I've always c...

Free Italian Gift For You: Sophia Loren's Chique Wisdom

Click on the player to listen to Italian music while you read this

I've decided to spread some authentic Italian Dolce Vita love in 2012 and give you a Chique gift every week!

We're starting with Sophia Loren's New Year's inspiration. You can download the e-book, Sophia Loren's Chique Wisdom, and the lovely  surprise bonus gift for free by clicking on the link and entering your e-mail address. You will immediately receive an e-mail with a secret link to download your gift and the gifts...

Chique Writer's Life: The One Thing You Need To Know To Handle The Dream Poopers In Your Life

In my earlier post, "Three Tips To Help Your Loved Ones Understand And Support Your Writing Career", I promised to follow up and give you tips to help you deal with the Dream Poopers in your life. Although I planned to give you many useful insights, when I started to write this post I realized it all boils down to one, very simple, thing.

But first, let's have a look at Dream Pooper's profile:

Dream Pooper is a double-faced creature who often sounds concerned and tries to convince you she acts ...

Chique Writer's Life: 10 Things Working Writers Don't Do

Yesterday we talked about what working writers do. Today, let's have a look at what we don't do!

1. Complain and play victim.

Occasional pity parties are healthy, and we all experience slumps, but it's important to get your ass back on track as soon as you can!

2. Compare and envy.
You are you, and you are beautifully unique. Wanting to be like someone else would mean denying your wondrous gifts. Claim who you are and be proud of it. No one can take your success away from you. Follow your own...

Chique Writer's Life: 10 Things Working Writers Do

Just a little piece of inspiration from my writer's desk to yours

1. Write. Think about writing. Dream about writing. Breathe writing. And write some more.

2. Trust your inspiration is endless. There's something bigger working through you.

3. Your talent is divine. Your using it is sacred.

4. You get to define your own success. (Even if your definitions means your book is a bestseller only in your dog-walkers eyes and not according to the New York Times bestseller list.)

5. Be willing to work...

Chique Writer's Life: Three Tips To Help Your Loved Ones Understand And Support Your Writing Career

First of all, let me tell you I hope you had a fabulous Christmas full of peace, joy and spirit of la dolce vita.

My Christmas was fantastic, very Italian and absolutely surprising in very unexpected ways. I realized my loved ones had finally gotten the message and accepted there was a writer in the family.

How I know this? It's easy. First, all our Christmas conversations largely involved my books, my writing plans, my book promotion, my writing career. There were curious questions, wise...

Happy (And Chique) Holidays!

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days;

that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth;

that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away,

back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!"

(Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836)

Dear friends, readers and fans,

I've always been proud to be a globetrotter with many homes away from home. I've seen the world, and although travel still is, and always will be, one of my...

Wordless (And Breathtaking) Day In Italy #19: The Magic Of The Lake Of Como – Part 4

Welcome to beautiful Bellagio! One of my favorite places in Italy and in the world. You can visit Bellagio a hundred times and you will always love it. You can stroll through its streets for hours and it will keep surprising you. If you've read my book Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita you already know many of its magical secrets…

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Secrets of Italy Tagged: Barbara Conelli, Bellagio Italy Photographs, Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore, Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita, Como Photographs, Ital...

Wordless (And Breathtaking) Day In Italy #18: The Magic Of The Lake Of Como – Part 3

Today I would like to show you the colors of the lake of Como. Can you see how many colors and how many different shades of green there are? Can you imagine living in one of the houses? What would it be like? How would it feel? Tell me about it, I look forward to your comments!

Filed under: Secrets of Italy Tagged: Barbara Conelli, Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore, Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita, Como Photographs, Italy Photographs, postaday2011, travel essays, Travel to Italy