🍋 Ciao, Bella! Embracing La Dolce Vibe in Southern Italy this Fall - La Rella

🍋 Ciao, Bella! Embracing La Dolce Vibe in Southern Italy this Fall

Welcome to La Dolce Vibe, a blog highlighting some of the things I love about my birth country and how it has shaped me to be who I am today.  I hope to share a little bit of culture, a lot of fashion and as many of my beautiful Mother's recipes.  You see, technically, I have no recipes.  This is an exercise in re-creating everything she taught me and share it with all of you.  Let's dig in. 

.....Please let me know your thoughts; reach out to me through the contact menu and let me know what you want to hear about.  Baci, Lina


☀️ Climate & Happenings: The Southern Autumn Glow

Forget the heavy frost of Northern Europe! The lower half of the Italian peninsula—think the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, and Sicily—experiences a beautiful, extended mild season.

  • The Climate: Right now, early November, Southern Italy is enjoying what locals call Ottobrata Romana (though it applies regionally!)—a lovely period of mild weather. Average high temperatures are still wonderfully comfortable, often hovering around 64 to 75 degrees, especially during the day. The evenings, however, bring a crisp chill, making a beautiful jacket or, yes, a gorgeous sweater, an absolute necessity. Rain showers are becoming more frequent, so be prepared for those transitional, unpredictable days!

  • Current Happenings: This is the season of the harvest festivals! Olives are being pressed for new, vibrant oil, and grapes are having their last celebrations. It’s also a calmer time for travel. The summer crowds have vanished, leaving the cobblestone streets, ancient ruins, and seaside towns feeling authentically Italian and serene—perfect for a leisurely afternoon passeggiata (stroll).

  • Chic Denim & Trousers: High-waisted, tailored trousers or chic, dark-wash denim are the base of most outfits. The look is polished, never overly casual. A silk scarf or a leather belt with subtle gold hardware instantly elevates the look.

 

👗 Fashion Focus: Layers and Luxe Textures

 

Italian fashion is all about timeless elegance and quality pieces—not fleeting trends. In the South, this means a chic approach to layering, keeping practicality in mind for warm afternoons and cool nights.

  1. Rich, Earthy Tones: The color palette for the season is a glorious mix of nature's hues: deep terracotta, warm rust brown, elegant olive green, and rich burgundy. These are often paired with a neutral base of cream, black, or camel. 

  2. Chic Denim & Trousers: High-waisted, tailored trousers or chic, dark-wash denim are the base of most outfits. The look is polished, never overly casual. A silk scarf or a leather belt with subtle gold hardware instantly elevates the look.

🍽️ Recipe: Comforting Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Beans)

Nothing says cozy autumn in Southern Italy (and in Upstate NY where I live) quite like a hearty, comforting bowl of cucina povera (peasant cooking). This dish is simple, delicious, and will make your home smell like a Southern Italian nonna's kitchen! This is my mother's recipe (the namesake of this boutique, Raffaella).  Well, it's the way she made it.  If you know Italians, recipes are in their heads.  I have tried to recreate it here for you!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil (or your favorite high-quality oil)

  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 cans (about 400g each) cannellini or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1/2 can  crushed tomatoes

  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth or water. If using water, be sure to let this simmer for a few hours.

  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano & 1/2 tsp  parsley

  • 1 cup small pasta (Ditalini or Tubetti are traditional)

  • Salt and black pepper to taste and add more garlic

  • Fresh or dried parsley

Instructions:

  1. SautĂŠ: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and sautĂŠ until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for another minute until fragrant.

  2. Simmer: Stir in the beans, tomatoes, broth(or water), and oregano. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour.  More if you have time.  The water will reduce; 

  3. Cook Pasta: This is the tricky part; add more water so you have enough to boil the pasta (the pasta is cooked with the beans).  Add more salt, garlic, pepper to compensate for the extra water. Bring the soup back to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook according to the package directions (usually 8-10 minutes), or until al dente. 

  4. Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish generously with fresh parsley; serve with lots of Italian bread.

Buon Appetito!

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