I started this blog in 2012 to post about expat life when I moved to Rome for three years. But it’s been twelve years since I returned from Italy and I’ve found it hard to keep it up (ooh err). But I’m feeling motivated and plan to write a set of Christmas stories during December 2025 to get me back in the flow. I’d also love to get going on the many novels I’ve started and not finished. If anyone would like to pay for me to attend a lovely writing retreat to give me a huge kick up the backside, please do get in touch…
BARBED WORDS 
I have nominated you for the Liebster award 🙂
And if you’d prefer not to respond, please don’t worry!
http://andnowforthesecondhalf.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/guilty/
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Thanks for this award, I’m very chuffed! I will respond but it may take some time to complete all the tasks!
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You’re welcome. Yes it took me a while too…. I think that’s why not everyone likes these award things 🙂
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[…] Italy. And quite a bit of cooking…Â How can someone move to Italy and not enjoy the food, or speak the language? Well, this Brit did it and shares all the fabulous exploits in this entertaining […]
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Finally, someone else who doesn’t really like Italian food!
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Yay, a kindred spirit! We can share a nice shepherd’s pie, followed by a (Bird’s!) trifle. Yummy 😉
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Delish!
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Ciao Barbedwords! I found your blog through the Expat Blog Awards site. I really enjoyed reading your Top 10 post. I definitely can relate to the effects of increased caffeine intake! I live and teach in Bologna and also have a blog (http://italyproject365.com). I’m looking forward to reading more of your barbedwords 🙂
Best,
Sarah
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Hi Sarah, nice to meet you! We spent a week in Bologna last February and loved it – it was pretty, full of snow and the food was amazing! Will check out your blog when the Christmas mayhem is over 😉 Merry Christmas!
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how do i contact you barb?
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You can leave me a message on here 🙂
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I can sooo relate! I too bought a cheap(er) pot of wax for my arms and bikini line, and like you ended up with a strip stuck like concrete sticking out from under one armpit and me red in the face muttering like fury as tears run down my cheeks in hellish pain as I tried to pull it off.
The experience was so horrific that I was happy to immediately go and do damage to my savings account and invest in lazer treatment… best investment I ever made, ok the fees were eye watering but at least the physical pain doesn’t have to be repeated every six weeks.
My only regret is that I didn’t have the lazer treatment done years earlier, goodness knows it would have saved me a lot of grief and nervous sweat, not only of the actual waxing but also the awful anticipation that (sigh) yes it was soon going to be time to face the music because waxing time was due again.
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I’m glad to hear there are so many of us who are failed waxers 😉 Laser treatment sounds like a great idea, wish I thought of that…too late now, I think I’ll just stick to a Nigella style burkini instead!
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