May Newsletter from Elizabeth MInchilli!

may 2016 newsletter

Last week I read an article that quoted a friend of mine as saying that blogs don’t matter anymore. She said it in an interview with another friend and colleague of mine and I think that the title was a bit misleading. But I do understand where she was coming from. Certainly blogs have changed in the time since she first started hers over 11 years ago. But…everything changes at a rapid pace these days, and I think to say that blogs don’t matter is missing the point a bit.

My feeling is, and always has been, that what matters is content. The first challenge is creating content that people want to read or watch or see or use. The second challenge is getting that content to those people. Whether it is a blog, a video, snapchat, instagram or an ancient roll of parchment , it’s all about telling stories that people want to hear. And that has been the case forever. In other words, it's not the 'platform' ,it's the message that matters.

And that is why I started this newsletter. For me it’s been a great way to get in touch with people directly. And that directness changes the way I express myself and, I hope, helps me to create new and better content. There is something about letter writing (and this is what a newsletter is at heart, at least in my opinion) that frees me up to talk about and share things I normally wouldn’t on my blog or on social media.

And yes, I realize that this is not a direct and personal letter I’m writing to you. Because, of course, ‘you’ is a mailing list of over 5000 people. Still, when I sit down to write this monthly letter I actually feel as if I’m talking to one single person. And it must feel that way to you too, since so many of you write me back directly. (which I LOVE) which in turn leads to better content on my part.

While I know a lot of people bemoan change, I embrace it. When I tell people how much I am loving snapchat, they ask ‘really? something else to worry about?’ But for me it’s not about worrying that I have to provide content to yet another format. It’s that I have the opportunity to create something completely new in a fun and inspiring way. It’s the format that pushes me to places I’ve never been before, creatively.

What do you think about all this change? Have you been encouraged to be creative thanks to new platforms and outlets? I hope so! Because I’m having an awful lot of fun and hope you are too.

what's new

After all the traveling I did in March, to the States and then to Bari I was kind of happy to stick close to home in April. Also? It’s high season for me tour wise. Which means that there sure are a lot of people in Rome these days. Like more than I’ve ever seen.

If you’re one of those people planning your own trip to Rome it’s always best to be prepared. People write me quite often asking if it's necessary to make restaurant reservations ahead of time. YES. Not months and months, but at least a week ahead, especially for dinner. If you need help choosing where to eat, there are a lot of restaurant reviews on my blog, as well as my app, Eat Italy. And here are a few of my past posts that should help you plan your trip this summer:

Eating Outside in Rome
Gelato in Rome
Monti Home: Two Apartments to Rent
And of course, don’t forget to buy my book, Eating Rome

About planning ahead: I am always amazed by how far ahead people plan their trips. I'm just now starting to figure out my own summer travel plans (Greece maybe, Sperlonga? A weekend in Positano perhaps?) . But I am beginning to get emails from people who are not only signing up for our Week in Rome tour in November 2016, but also November 2017!!! In fact, Sophie and I are getting so many emails that I am starting to think I may add more weeks on. For now, you can find the dates here, and I'd love it if you could join us.

videos

Ok I get it. You guys REALLY like chicken. I actually knew that already, since one of my all time most popular posts is a chicken recipe I used to make as a child. But since we don’t eat that much chicken, I’ve been a bit slack in the chicken recipe department. Last week I decided not only was I in the mood for chicken, I was also in the mood to make a video about it, and also talk about it. As in how much chicken Americans eat. I guess you guys really wanted to talk about it too, since the post got over 70 comments!! And the video over a 1000 views in the first few days.

I’m sure you’ve been following the whole Carbonara-gate thing. That Barilla-sponsored French abomination? For your amusement, and in case you didn’t see it, here it is. (scroll down and it's the second video in that article and try not to vomit) And just to set the record straight? Here is my own video from a while ago.

Obama can go straight from the White House to stand up as far as I'm concerned.

And I’m continuing to make fun videos all day long, every day on Snapchat. Have you signed up yet? If you are confused about what it is, here is a great introductory explanation. Are you watching me? I hope so. I am eminchilli. Also, if you are looking for new people to follow, download the app Ghostcodes, which will help you find lots of fun people to follow. And while you are there? Please ‘like’ my profile, since it will help more people to find me.

In my last newsletter I suggested some of my friends to follow on Snapchat. But since I can’t spell in at least 5 different languages, I made some mistakes. Here are 2 of my favorites, which I’ve now corrected:
gmcguireinrome (Gillan is Rome based, but always on the road everywhere)
nikinpos (follow Nicki for your daily dose of Positano and Amalfi Coast beauty)

what I'm reading

The whole carbonara gate thing continues in print. I really did NOT agree with this New Yorker piece at all.

Your brain on podcasts. Fascinating, and a bit scary.

Cab driver in Rome for 50 years kind of sounds like the wisest man on the planet.

Queen Elizabeth’s Party Planner has the perfect plan to deal with boring guests. And other tips.

The gap between Foodie culture and how Americans are really eating is HUGE.

Girl in Florence tells you what to do in Florence on a Monday/

Gillian tells you how to do Capri in 36 hours

and finally....

Yay!!! It’s spring!!! And I’ve been cooking up everything possible with peas and asparagus.
Here are some of my favorites:
Asparagus Salad
Pea Risotto
Asparagus Bruschetta
Wild Asparagus Pasta
Pasta with Artichokes, Fave and Peas
Asparagus Lasagna

Hope you're cooking up delicious things too!
x,elizabeth

Please download my app Eat Italy. Eat Italy is a free app, with guides to Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Umbria available as in-app purchases.

RENT A CUTE APARTMENT IN ROME RENT A LOVELY VILLA IN UMBRIA

My previous 2 books, Italian Rustic: How to Bring Tuscan Charm into your Home and Restoring a Home in Italy are available on Amazon .