If someone had told me a year ago that I would have left the UK, sold my house, moved into 3 different apartments and be returning to Rome, I would never believe them.
Last February, I came to Rome for 2 weeks to have a trial of living in Italy, and more importantly, Rome. I rented an apartment in Monti for two weeks from 2nd February, and within a week I had decided that I wanted to make Italy my permanant home.
I've made no secret of how hard it is to leave your home country and become an ex-pat in another. People that haven't experienced that have no idea of the difficulties and tough emotional times you go through. I found myself missing the strangest things about the UK...BBC London News at 6pm. Sainsburys. Hollyoaks. The talks/rants I would have with my best friend in his kitchen after a night out. Relocating is HARD, no matter how amazing the pull to your new country might be, it's emotionally and physically hard to leave your past one.
It's been a tough 12 months. It's also been an amazing 12 months.
So, as I find myself 6 days away from moving back to Monti, and looking how things have gone full circle for me, I think back to something my Mum asked me a few days ago. She asked me where I find my strength from, to manage to go through these things and still remain positive. I really thought hard about this, because it was something I realised I needed the answer to myself. I came to the conclusion that I get through the tough times because life is always a lesson. Learning constantly about yourself and other people is great knowledge to have and it feels good to always learn something new. I'm also a big fan of fresh starts, and that is what I see my new life in Rome as. I am excited to return to vibrancy of the city. To wake and sleep in the presence of such history and architecture. I adore Rome, ever since I did a school project on it when I was 6, I was fascinated by the Eternal City. So, I am happy to close the door on the last 12 months, and open a new one.
My new apartment is fantastic and I can't wait to live there. It's back in the heart of Monti and will be a great base for the start of this new phase of my new life. I'm excited to create some wonderful memories with my good friends here, and I'm curious about the new friends I will meet along the way.
Ciao for now
Nina x
One of the many things I love about Italy is the quality of the products you can buy in the pharmacies (farmacia) here.
I'm a big fan of a many French beauty companies but their favourite products of mine were never that readily available in the UK. Some were becoming available in stores like Boots when I was leaving last year, but I still haven't seen much of the others.
So, I thought I'd give you a run down of my favourite finds since moving to Italy.
(Reviews below from L-R)
Vichy Idealia Life Serum
I first saw this advertised on TV here and the claim that it can totally change your skin in 8 days got me tempted...the first serum of its kind, it is targeted at normal, everday women, who's skin may be under the influence of
daily excesses such as stress, late nights, pollution, UV exposure and
an a poor diet. Unlike others I have tried, it has more of a light moisturiser feel to it, and gives the skin a wonder sheen without being shiny or glitterly. I took the 8 day challenge and was so impressed! Highly recommended!!!
Ponds Hydronourishing Cream
Ok, so not French or Italian, but an oldie but a goodie from the UK! I started using this before I moved to Italy and was really impressed with the effects. After I ran out in Rome and couldn't find it here so switched to an alternative. I noticed my skin wasn't looking great, so asked my Mum to send it out to me as part of a care package, and since using it again, my skin shows such a great improvement. I am currently using it under my Vichy Idealia Serum and my make up stays in place all day and my skin has a lovely velvety appearance.
La Roche Posay Physiological Foaming Water
I have used other cleansers in this range, but this one caught my eye when I was out in Rome one day. Soap and paraben free, it is great for sensitive skin but also has super make up removing power! I sometimes use this alongside my Sephora Exfoliating Disk for a real deep clean.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
A super-cult product in the beauty world, I turn to this whenever I get a breakout (always stress or TOTM induced) and within a day or two this super-dooper product has wiped out all traces of nasty spotties! I always keep this on standby as I know it works every single time.
Bioderma Sensibio H20
A great, fragrance-free make up remover water, this product is by far the best for my skin as it never irritates my skin or eyes. Even after a heavy night out when I may have very dark eyemakeup and eyelash glue remnants to remove, this gets rid od every trace. I try and use it always before I wash my face, so that all make up is removed and my cleanser works on cleansing and not removing make up.
So, that's the low-down on the skincare products that I use every day here in Italy!
Ciao for now,
Nina x
