In The Powder Room

If someone were to have told me 10 years ago that I would be what I am today (a MUM), where I would be living and with whom, I am not sure I would have believed them.

Back then I pictured myself living in a city that never sleeps, with no countryside for miles, enjoying the night life whilst shopping till I dropped and focusing on one thingME.

Now, when I look at my life, it couldnt be further away from that (other than the shopping till I dropsomething I am still trying to control, or so I keep telling my fianc!)

What you think you want growing up isnt always what happens.

The first big change to my plans is that I now live in a gorgeous mediaeval town called Petritoli on the East Coast of Italy, about half way down the boot, in a beautiful region called Le Marche. We are 20 minutes from our favourite beach and surrounded by beautiful hilly countryside. Further inland we have the mountains where at this time of year its great for skiing and snowboarding I do prefer the beach aspect to the skiing or snow boarding though.

The second amazing aspect to my life is that I am engaged to be married this July 27th to a Mr. Charles Mauger. Charlie and I met at school 10 years ago and were great friends- with secret crushes to begin with - then 6 years ago I made him realize he couldnt live without me. Then comes the third major or should I say main part of my life:  Our son Lucas, who was a lovely surprise, born here in Italy in July 08, he is now practically bilingual at 2 and a half (and no matter what country you are in, boys of this age are definitely as hard work as you have heard..)!

So, how did we end up in Italy?? Well My parents have owned property here since about 2004 and their plan was always to spend more and more time here. Charlie left the UK in 2003 to live in the Loire Valley and I spent a lot of time over there. We both decided pretty soon into our relationship that we didnt want to spend our lives in the UK or in France, so the next opportunity was Italy. So we came and visited and fell in love with it immediately.

Charlie and I now both work for my parents company Appassionata, another thing I never thought I would be doing, working for my family business. Appassionata is a boutique Fractional Ownership company selling shares in luxury properties that we buy restore and sell ourselves. Well I dont do much (or any) of the restoring just the selling Im the girl who mows the lawn in a sundress and Versace sunglasses!!

The great thing is the more time we spend here the more we fall in love with it all. There are of course things that drive us mad about the Italian way of doing things.in fact many things, but its what makes Italy, Italy.

Escaping the UK has brought about so many variables and experiences, excitement, adventure and sometimes tumbles, but now I know, from all those schoolgirl dreaming days years ago, that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
A Presto..

If you'd like more info on India's business go to Appassionata.com