November Air

a very cold air I must add

Welcome back to those who voluntarily signed up for this, and welcome to the newcomers, whom I kindly obliged to give me their email.

I was looking through the different functions of this app and found out that each of my subscribers is automatically assigned a score from 0 to 5 stars ⭐️ based on how he/she interacts with the newsletter. It also somehow knows if you wished me a happy birthday on the 20th and subtracts -100000 points from everyone who didn’t. So (no pressure) but if you want to get a 5-star rating PLUS gain the status of “best reader of the month” (which comes with no cash prize, but only with glory and maybe - if you are lucky or simply will be not far from Torino soon - a pint of gelato Cascina Biraga) you better read this thing from top to bottom (again, no pressure).

My November started in Milano, drinking a beer outside of MOM Cafè with my best friend. That night I also developed a small crush on a tall guy who wants to work in consulting EW, I know but luckily I quickly came to my senses and moved on.

That weekend I left for the Alps for a mum-daughter getaway, which was so needed! The weather was perfect, we got our steps in with our hot girl walks, and the healthy sun rays gave me enough Vitamin D to survive the cold and foggy days that were awaiting me in Torino.

I am scrolling through my camera roll to recall what I did in those first couple of weeks of November, and here is what I thought to be worthy of a picture:

• Saw Lucia and her friends in Torino

• Went out with roommates in the weekends

• Ate pizza (not a great one tbh)

• Sports!! I started running again (just a bit, don’t check my Strava please), I joined the weekly yoga class at work (screams corporate girlie) and returned to the corporate gym for some hot girl treadmill walks (screams stressed corporate girlie).

• Baked pumpkin cookies that - against all odds - were delicious (refer to the appendix to see what I mean).

• Learned that when Christmas is approaching no one has time to help you at Pastiglie Leone, so if you want to ship some extra boxes you have to go to the warehouse and do it yourself (it was fun).

I hope you are still in for the 5-star prize because I am now going to talk about the most important thing in this newsletter: MY BIRTHDAY.

As you may have noticed, I LOOOVE my birthday. My family calls it “Rosa Day” because everything has to be about me. This year I decided to feed my self-centered tendencies even more and planned a themed birthday dinner. What was the theme? ROSA, of course.

(side note for my non-Italian readers: rosa = pink in Italian)

We had pink hummus, pink heart-shaped pasta, red onions tarte tatin, and salsa rosa with bread because who needs shrimp (I know shrimp is pink but I have a vegetarian roommate). Finally, I somehow managed to bake a cake and put pink icing and pink hearts all over it (the cake was heart-shaped as well).

The vibes were immaculate and my ego was more than satisfied and overall it slayed. But - allow me a sentimental bit - what makes birthdays so special (at least for me) is friends and family taking the time to wish their loved one happy birthday. I am so lucky because I have the sweetest friends (you✨) and received the most thoughtful and cutest birthday wishes. So, in the end, YOU made my day, thank you🥹!!!

You thought that the birthday talk was done? You wish.

Last weekend I had special visitors in Torino.

Papà, Mamma, Maddy, and Giacomo, together with a single slice of strudel specially saved for me, left the foggy Cascina Biraga lands to join me and celebrate me in the sunny and picturesque Piemonte. We visited an old monastery perched on a mountain and later went sightseeing around Torino. In between the two, my dad drove the car on a restricted road and the police (aka some very old civil volunteers) detained us for 20 minutes and my dad got very mad after a while because “he didn’t know the road was restricted” (I had told him 2 minutes earlier) and “the sign was not visible” (Maddy had pointed out the sign) and he finally started the car and literally drove off, fleeing from the law with no remorses. It was hilarious and honestly was the best birthday present I could receive.

But the day was not done yet! My family left and their company was replaced by that of the amazing Teo. It was her first time in the city and our Torinese girl’s tapas night was the best way to conclude my birthday celebrations.

Actually, there is one more thing that I want to share. I will be quick because it is waaaay past my bedtime (it is 11 pm). Those who know me well enough are aware of my obsession with Esselunga (the best most amazing coolest Italian grocery chain ever). WELL, look at what they gave me (FOR FREE):

SPOILER: non sono riuscita a togliere l’audio so forgive me for the cringe <3

To know the story of how I got this please text me because I am done with this newsletter. I promise it is a funny one.

We are at the end!!

Once again, thank you so much for putting up with me and my wordiness. I hope this left you like you are all caught up with my life. If not, know that I will never be tired of talking about myself, so please do not hesitate to contact me for further inquiries.

I truly love and appreciate you all SO MUCH.

Goodnight kisses,

Rosa 💖

PS: Thought I’d leave without showing you my infamous pumpkin cookies? Here is the before (where I had lost all hope):

But here is the after (luckily):

Ciao!