The Queen's pearls

Dearest Gentle Reader,

if the royal elegance and rumors of the ton are your cup of tea, you loved The Law according to Lidia Poët and are longing season 3, reading about our very own Margaret of Savoy or Margherita di Savoia, the very first Queen of the United Kingdom of Italy, will definitely bring you much joy.

She was much more than the diamond of the season: she literally built the jewels of the Italian crown! 

Born in the 1850s, Lidia and Margherita are the 2 faces of the same coin and symbols of the genie of Turin and Piedmont of that era, as well as of Italian modernity. Each one in her own very personal way molded different aspects of the Italian customs and history, like very few other women in the world. 

Queen Margaret wasn't as ahead of her times as Lidia Poët yet she did understand what Italy needed and knew how to provide many small meaningful changes on different issues that eventually resulted into a general change of Italian society.

Queen Margaret's portrait in the Queen's Villa, Turin

Chablais Palace

As Turin we are naturally born Bridgerton 😎this post is about Palazzo Chiablese or Chablais Palace where Queen Margarita of Savoy AKA the very first Queen of Italy - the one pizza was dedicated to - was born. 

Savoy historical fun facts

For the next posts, embark with us on a glamorous and fascinating journey of pearls, architecture, fashion and mountain life around Turin and Piedmont. And to better share our bountiful local culture, we are taking a look at some fun facts of our local history and its influence on the rest of Southern Europe. 

chocolate and arcades are 2 symbols of Turin since the 1600s 

Turin Stocking Stuffers

Happy Saint Lucy's Day to all those who celebrate December 13th, including our very own Lucia of Turinepi!!

Besides Scandinavia and St Lucia, St Lucia's is a festive day in many parts of Italy where she brings the Christmas presents, leaving Santa just some small packages to fill up his stockings.

Originally from Syracuse, Sicily, during the Roman times, Lucia was persecuted and martyrized because she wouldn't renounce her faith. Her relics traveled to many places and because her name means light, her story finally merged with the Winter Solstice and this is how she make it up to Northern Europe where she's represented wearing a crown of candles and bringing light in the 'longest dark day of the year'.

If you can read Italian, enjoy our short story here.

Fiat 500 where the T stands for Torino

Whiskey risotto

We officially made it to the fall 🌰 and the Holiday season ✨ and as it is customary, we are sharing one of our risottos!

This one will make many people happy as it checks many boxes: gluten free, vegetarian and possibly vegan too, alcohol free so the kids and people on meds can enjoy it too 😋It can also be easily tweaked to fit your personal taste and the ingredients you have access to wherever you are based! So, feel free to modify accordingly if none of our suggestions work out for you.

in November the artichoke season starts in Piedmont: our risotto 

Italian gifts

Fall is really the new year in Italy as people get back in town, schools resume and with them all the Italian rites: dinners out, Sunday lunches at nonni's or parents', parties and presents.

Halloween's vibes in Turin

Italian (in)tangible identities

 Italians are renowned for being very friendly and welcoming people but are they really? 

at Pepino's enjoying a pinguino!