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Melissa Book News

Florence through the eyes of an Artist – Dreaming Sophia 4-Day Author Fan Tour
Feeling Artsy? Carry the Art World in your Pocket
Parrot Time Magazine Praises Dreaming Sophia—A Story of Language, Culture, and Dreams
Inside Scoop Radio Interview with Melissa Muldoon on Dreaming Sophia
Carnival delights in Venice: The Doge’s Ball – artistic dreama comes true!
Reader Views Sheri Hoyte – Book Review of Dreaming Sophia
Sophia’s Gifts: A Journey of Art, Imagination, and Italy
“Dreaming Sophia” a novel about Italy, Artists, Creativity and Imagination
Dreaming Sophia: A Journey Through Art, Literature, and the Italian Language
1966 Flood devastated Florence. City saved by Mud Angels
San Francisco Book Fair Celebrates Italian Culture and the Art of Storytelling
Meeting Sophia Loren a dream comes true for author of Dreaming Sophia
The Art of Loving Italy Blog is Born! A New Journey in Art and Inspiration!

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Follow along on Instagram @studentessamatta

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Mat

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

In Italian, there are so many colorful ways
to talk about how people dress!

HERE ARE SOME FUN EXPRESSIONS WITH “VESTIRSI”:

Vestirsi come una cipolla — To dress like an onion
It means to dress in layers—like an onion—usually because it’s really cold!

Vestirsi a festa — To dress up for a party
To put on your best clothes for a special event or fancy evening out.

Vestirsi bene / male — To dress well / badly
“Mi vesto bene” means you’re stylish; “Si veste male” means—not so much!

Vestirsi alla moda — To dress fashionably
To be up-to-date with the latest trends

Vestirsi alla buona — To dress simply or casually
No fuss—simple, comfy clothes, perfect for a stroll

Vestirsi pesante / leggero — To dress warmly / lightly
Common phrases you’ll hear when the seasons change

Learn more Italian vocabulary and fun Italian expressions on the StudentessaMatta.com website

#ItalianLanguage #LearnItalian #StudentessaMatta #ItalianStyle #ItalianFashion #Vestirsi #LanguageLearning #NightOut #ProseccoVibes #LaDolceVita

Dalla “sera di gala” ai “piedi doloranti”

Dalla “sera di gala” ai “piedi doloranti” — come vestirsi bene

From gala nights to sore feet — how to dress well and speak like a true Italian!

Essere in tiro!Dressed to the nines!

In Italia, quando qualcuno è in tiro, significa che è vestito di tutto punto, pronto per una serata elegante o una festa speciale.
#ItalianFashion #Italianlanguage #ItalianStyle #LaDolceVita #LanguageLearning #LearnItalian #NightOut #ProseccoVibes #studentessamatta #vestirsi

https://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-dressing-vocabulary-italy-vestirsi-bene-italian-style/

Ready for Italy in 2026? Join a Matta Italian Imme

Ready for Italy in 2026? Join a Matta Italian Immersion in Arezzo, Tuscany, or Florence!

Ciao amici,

Make 2026 the year of Italian adventure! The Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs are now open for enrollment — and we have four unforgettable experiences waiting for you.

Arezzo – June 14 - 26, 2026 Spend two wonderful weeks in the heart of Tuscany in Arezzo’s historic city center. Study Italian in the mornings, explore art, food, and culture in the afternoons, and live like a true local.

Tuscany Villa – Mid-September 12 - 21, 2026 Relax and learn Italian in a countryside villa just outside Arezzo — with a pool! Bringing a partner? Wonderful! Even if they’re not taking Italian lessons, they’re welcome to join in all the fun activities and group meals.

Florence – Late September 26 - Oct 5th Experience the magic of Florence — art, history, and vibrant city life — while taking your Italian skills to new heights. Practice in real-life situations at markets, cafés, and museums.  Arezzo – Giostra del Saracino Weekend Program Early September 5 - 7, 2026 Join me for a long 3-Day weekend in Arezzo during one of Italy’s most exciting historical jousting festivals!

Each Matta Immersion combines: • Small-group Italian lessons (all levels welcome) • Cultural excursions and hands-on activities • Comfortable accommodations • A friendly space to practice and grow your Italian

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced speaker, you’ll return home more confident, inspired, and speaking Italian like never before.

Matta students and Book Club members receive a $100 discount on any 2026 program plus two complimentary private Italian lessons with Melissa!

Book the 2026 Tuscan Villa Program by December 1 and enjoy a free massage at the villa — a little extra dolce vita from Matta!

#learnitalian🇮🇹 #italianlanguageimmersion

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matt

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

Learn Art and Language in Florence!

When you’re in Florence with Melissa next September, get ready to expand your artistic vocabulary! During lessons and visits to artisan studios, you’ll learn words like pennello (paintbrush), sfumatura (shade), intreccio (pattern), and lucentezza (shine). Bring a small notebook and jot down the new words you hear from Florentine artisans—then use them to describe your own creations and the art around you!

Florentine Art Vocabulary Mini-Guide: Do you know what these words mean?

il pennello 
la tavolozza 
la sfumatura
la luce 
l’ombra 
la composizione 
l’artigiano / l’artigiana 
la bottega 
il capolavoro

Learn more about studying in Italy and join a 2026 Matta Italian Immersion Program!

Spaces fill quickly — reserve your spot early!

A presto, Melissa
(la Studentessa Matta) 
Learn Italian. Live Italian. Love Italy.

#MattaItalianImmersion #FlorentineTraditions #StudyItalianInItaly #HandmadeInItaly #MattaInFirenze #ItalianLanguageLearning

Dove l’arte, la storia e la lingua italiana si i

Dove l’arte, la storia e la lingua italiana si incontrano!

Where art, history, and the Italian language meet!

Cos’è la Carta Marmorizzata?What is Marbled Paper?

La carta marmorizzata è una delle più raffinate e riconoscibili arti artigianali fiorentine. Si tratta di una tecnica antichissima che crea motivi ondeggianti e colorati sulla superficie della carta, simili al marmo.
#CartaMarmorizzata #Florence #FlorentineTraditions #HandmadeinItaly #ItalianArtisans #MattainFirenze #MattaItalianImmersion #StudyItalianinItaly

http://www.studentessamatta.com/florentine-marbled-paper-carta-marmorizzata-italian-immersion/

Andiamo, Ragazzi! The 2026 Studentessa Matta Itali

Andiamo, Ragazzi! The 2026 Studentessa Matta Italian Adventures await!

Hop on the Vespa with la Studentessa Matta and get ready for three unforgettable Italian immersion programs!

June 14–26 → Arezzo: Study Italian in this historic city, live and converse like an Italian and experience the lively Giostra del Saracino — medieval Joust festival!
 Sept 12–21 → Tuscan Villa in Rigutino: Learn Italian surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and sunsets straight out of a dream.
 Sept 26–Oct 5 → Florence: Live like a local among art, gelato, and morning cappuccinos on Via Tornabuoni!

Small groups, endless Italian conversations!
 Classes in the morning + cultural adventures in the afternoon = un’esperienza indimenticabile!

Join Melissa (La Studentessa Matta) and let’s make 2026 il tuo anno italiano!

#StudentessaMatta #LearnItalianInItaly #ItalianLanguageTrip #ArezzoItaly #FlorenceItaly #TuscanVilla #ItalianImmersion #StudyAbroadItaly #SpeakItalian #MattaTravels #LaDolceVita #VivaItalia #TravelWithMelissa #ItalianAdventure #Matta2026

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹 Matt

🇮🇹 Un consiglio dalla Matta 🇮🇹
Matta Italian Language Tip!

Parla come Caravaggio!

Want to bring some drama to your Italian? Take a cue from Caravaggio, the master of chiaroscuro — light and shadow. Just as his paintings contrast brilliance and darkness, Italian too plays with contrast and intensity.  

Try using expressive adverbs and phrases that add depth and emotion — words like “davvero” (truly), “assolutamente” (absolutely), or “proprio” (really/indeed). They act like linguistic brushstrokes, emphasizing meaning just as Caravaggio’s light illuminates his subjects.  

Also the expression: “Annamo!” — it’s the local way of saying Andiamo! (Let’s go!). Romans love shortening words and adding a bit of flair — it’s part of their charm!

* "Annamo al mare" (We're going to the beach).

* "Annamo a pijà il gelato?" (Shall we go get some ice cream?).

* The word can also be used sarcastically in the phrase "Annamo bene..." to mean "We're in trouble" or "That's just great," often when a situation is going wrong

 “Parla con luce e ombra… e la tua lingua italiana brillerà come un capolavoro!”

#StudentessaMatta #ItalianHomestay #LearnItalianInItaly #RomeHomestay #Garbatella #ItalianLanguageLearning #RomanHoliday #StudyItalianAbroad #MattaHomestay

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