Oh, a friend just told you they’re moving to Italy? Go ahead, hate them. I know you’re not a bad person. Italy? That’s the jealousy beast you just can’t slay. I get it. Almost two decades ago, I was that friend dropping the "we're moving to Italy" bomb. Thankfully, most forgave us, especially when they realized that having pals with a Tuscan postal code is, as Martha Stewart would say, "a good thing." There are plenty of reasons to envy Italy: the weather, the food, the breathtaking scenery, the impeccably dressed locals. But not everyone can move. So, can you still live la dolce vita (the sweet life) wherever you are? Absolutely. I’ll break down Italian living into digestible categories. And since Italy has left such a lasting mark on me, Chapter 1 naturally kicks off with Food, followed by Family, Fashion, Money, and more. Having lived almost equal halves of my life on both sides of the Atlantic, I compare the best and not-so-best aspects of each, offering an honest look at what makes Italy irresistible—and what might surprise you. From food to family dynamics, I’ll show you how to embrace la dolce vita no matter where you are. Discover the extraordinary in your ordinary, Learn how to live like the Italians! Yes, sacrifices will have to be made (have you seen the size of Italian kitchens? Get ready for more family time!), but it’s doable. And if you don’t quite master it? At least your jealousy will fade, and you’ll be in your spacious kitchen, whipping up a hearty American meal (on a gas BBQ) with the AC blasting. You might even feel a little smug, knowing that somewhere in Italy, there’s someone envying your way of life. This book can be read as a stand-alone, or feel free to tag along for more laugh-out-loud adventures in Italy by reading the complete Simply Italian! series: A Slice of Italy , A Slice of Tuscany , Tuscan Dreams , Paying It Forward , Fa' l'italiano! (Be Italian!) , and the prequel, My Zany Life . Follow us on Instagram: zanyitaly