Inauguration Day and Birthday Wishes
Just two quick notes today:
Be sure to go to My Bella Vita and wish Cherrye a happy, happy birthday!
And to everyone excited for a new administration in America:
It’s finally here! Wheeeeeeeee!
Are you going? Will you be watching?
New Zealand Nature Company: In Praise of Excellent Customer Service
We all like to spread the word when a company does us wrong, as well we should so we can warn others, but today, I’m sharing some good news about New Zealand Nature Company because they done good–real good–and they deserve huge props, especially one customer service representative named Bettina.
Back at the end of October, I decided to treat myself to a warm, snuggly pair of boots for the winter since I generally have to wear two to three pair of socks *while inside the house* from November to March or so. These old houses in southern Italy get *cooooold*!
The previous winter, when I was lamenting that I had freezing feetsies, a friend from New Zealand recommended the New Zealand Nature Company, and since I was still in love with these Supertread Sheepskin Boots a year later, I went for it.
I normally don’t spend even half this much on shoes, but I knew these would last for years, they were something I sorely needed, and they would also serve as my birthday and Christmas presents to myself.
The order went smoothly, other than my indecision regarding what color to get (I settled on chocolate), and I loved that I could even pay via PayPal as I don’t use credit cards.
But their delivery estimate of 10-14 days to Italy came and went. I was patient since I’ve been around the Poste Italiane block, but when the end of November came and went with no boots, I got in touch with the company.
Bettina was also convinced that the boots weren’t coming, so she immediately claimed insurance on the first pair and send off a new pair as soon as the ones I had chosen were back in stock.
How awesome is that?
A few weeks later, I got my new boots in the mail, and I swear to you, I’ve only taken them off to sleep ever since. They are *so* warm and comfy, and I don’t know how I survived a Calabrian winter without them.
New Zealand Nature Company, established in 1996, sells boots, clothes, beauty and personal care items, bedware, jewelry, stationery, and more, so if you want great products at great prices with *excellent* customer service, do give New Zealand Nature Company a try.
I’m not getting anything in return for this glowing recommendation–just the satisfaction of passing along the word about a fabulous company.
AND they are running a sale now until January 31–
20% off Supertread Sheepskin Boots
and
40% off Selected Silk and Other Clearance Items!
Prices include airmail insured shipping (choose your currency), and if you’re getting boots, do pay special attention to their charts as they use NZ sizes.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, I am kind of considering getting another pair of boots now that they’re on sale, but I will be sure to warn Bettina first.
Please share your positive online shopping experiences
in the comments or on your own blog!
Americans to Surpass Italians in Wine Purchases
When economic times are tough, apparently Americans turn to the bottle. The wine bottle, that is.
According to a report released by Vinexpo, which is based in Bordeaux, France and runs international wine exhibitions, the United States is poised to overtake Italy as the world’s number one non-sparkling wine consumer by 2012.
USA! USA!
Italy has held the title since 2007 when it surpassed France; that year the Bel Paese bought 299 million cases of wine. Vinexpo predicts US wine drinkers will buy 313 million cases in 2012.
So should Italy, the country of Barolo, Brunello, and Chianti, be ashamed at this showing?
Hardly.
Remember, we only have 58 million people over here while the United States has a population of about 300 million. That means we’re buying about five cases of wine for every man, woman, and child in Italia–and that doesn’t count all the homemade wine stashed away in cantine from Piemonte to Calabria.
Not too shabby, Italy. Not too shabby at all.
Forza Italia!
Salute and buon weekend!
What’s your favorite vino?
Love Thursday: Hearting Coffee
A reader sent me a link to Abstract City Blog, written by Christoph Niemann on the New York Times network, in which he illustrates his love for coffee, starting with this:
Under which he writes:
I like coffee so much that I have tea for breakfast: The first cup of the day in particular is so good that I’m afraid I won’t be able to properly appreciate it when I am half-asleep. Therefore, I celebrate it two hours later when I am fully conscious.
The post goes on to chronicle his love affair with my favorite caffeinated beverage through drawings made with coffee-stained napkins and truly delightful prose.
Do check it out here!
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
How much do *you* love coffee?
World Nutella Day 2009 & Italian-Style Hot Chocolate with Nutella
It’s that time of year again…time to celebrate the wonder that is Nutella with World Nutella Day!
For those who don’t know, Nutella is more than just a “chocolaty hazelnut spread,” it is a way of life.
From childhood memories to oozing hot crepes, from breakfasts on vacation to free-spooning sessions on the couch, Nutella is prominent in the memories of many children and grown-up children in the world.
Two years ago we gave it its own holiday, and this year we’re continuing the tradition.
Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso (and Shelley from At Home in Rome, in spirit) solemnly declare Thursday, February 5th “World Nutella Day 2009″ – a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella.
How to participate:
(Please read carefully because the rules are a bit different from previous years)
- Do something, anything with Nutella. Make a recipe, take a picture of yourself eating it with a BIG spoon, make art, wax poetic, re-live your first experience eating Nutella. Have a Nutella-eating contest or even a Nutella party!
- Take pictures and/or upload a video then blog about it ON February 5th, 2009. In your blog post, include links to Ms. Adventures in Italy, Bleeding Espresso, and World Nutella Day as well as the World Nutella Day 2009 badge/button (below). Please try to post ON FEBRUARY 5 so that we can create a true chocolaty hazelnut wave across the blogosphere on World Nutella Day!
- Email nutelladay [at] nutelladay [dot] com with the subject “Nutella Day Entry” and include:
- Your Name
- Your Blog’s Name
- Your Blog’s URL
- Your Post URL/Permalink
- One 100×100 pixel photo
We will post the round-up of all submission on Monday, February 9, 2009, but in the meantime, please feel free to post this announcement on your blog to spread the word!
And if you want to use an organic or other type of Nutella substitute, go for it! It’s all about the chocolate and hazelnut love!
Be sure to also add your photos to the Nutella Day Flickr Pool and your videos to the YouTube Nutella Day Station. You can also join the World Nutella Day Facebook group and follow @NutellaDay on Twitter!
Check out the last two years of World Nutella Days for inspiration:
And now to kick things off, I’m going to share my latest Nutella creation, Italian-style Hot Chocolate with Nutella.
I’ve written about Cioccolata Calda over at Italy Magazine, so do have a look if you don’t know what I mean by “Italian-style hot chocolate” (and see a great instructional video on how to make your own at home).
Let’s just say Italian hot chocolate isn’t watery, more syrupy, even pudding-y if you like it that way. Ilva of Lucullian Delights also has a great recipe for dense hot chocolate.
The recipe below is something simple that I whipped up the other day. You can add cocoa and/or espresso powder, a cinnamon stick, some vanilla, even peanut butter, but this is the basic recipe and technique. And it’s *so* good.
Italian-Style Hot Chocolate with Nutella
– 1 cup of milk
– 3 tablespoons flour or cornstarch
– 3 tablespoons Nutella
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together flour and milk and heat through, being sure to get out any lumps.
2. Add Nutella and bring to a boil, stirring to get the consistency you like. If you want it thicker, add more flour or cornstarch; if you want it thinner, add milk and use less thickener next time.
3. Pour into your favorite mug (yes, mine is a Nutella mug!), and enjoy with a spoon. Be careful as it’s very hot!
Buon appetito!
Now don’t forget to spread the word about World Nutella Day and get your recipes ready! And check out the rest of the What’s Cooking Wednesday recipes too!
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
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