Welcome to My Sicilian Love Affair where i will be sharing all the juicy details about my (not so secret) “love affair” with Sicily from what to eat and where to visit, to how to dress the part and traditions to follow. Both of my parents were born and raised in Sicily and came over when they were teenagers and my siblings and I are first generation born in the US.
Growing up, my family and I spent 3-4 weeks each summer in Sicily and our time was split between Castellammare Del Golfo (my moms town) and Porto Empedocle (my dads town). My grandparents immigrated to Brooklyn, NY in the 1970’s and since then have spent the winters in NY and summers in Sicily. After almost 50 years in the US, my grandparents learned the English language pretty well, in fact the extent of their English was “me no speak English” and “hello” which also meant goodbye at times LOL!
We are a very tight knit family and my grandparents are basically my second set of parents, in fact if it weren’t for their age I would forget the fact that there’s a generation in between! Any and all holidays are a must to be together whether its Christmas or a name day like San Giuseppe, I always look forward to big dinners ( which is usually a battle of whose recipe is better moms or dads), nonna and nonno bringing one of their classics like cassata, bianco mangiare, an old heirloom or even $20, and most importantly carrying on the traditions and memories to last a lifetime.
Fast forward to my twenties when I met my husband fell in love and decided to plan a wedding in Taormina, Sicily and started my own business. I always dreamt of getting married in Sicily and never thought it would become my reality but I’m so thankful it did. Aside from our extended family from all four of our parents, we met so many people throughout the planning process that have become like family and have strengthened our ties to Taormina and Sicily in general. My husband and I have been fortunate enough to vacation in Sicily every summer since our wedding and each time, leaving becomes harder and harder.
In a nut shell this is how “My Sicilian Love Affair” started, with the love of my family, my passion for fashion and travel and a mission to bring the best that Sicily has to offer at your fingertips.
So make yourself an espresso, relax and enjoy!
And if you’re as “in love” with Sicily as I am, get my “My Sicilian Love Affair” t shirt here!
Baci,
XX
Oriana
