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Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

Sophia’s Gifts

January 8, 2017 by Melissa Muldoon Leave a Comment

“Dreaming Sophia” is the story of a young American painter named Sophia who is named after La Loren, the legendary movie actress. At the start of the novel, she is a woman blindsided by fate who must come to terms with a devastating tragedy. But, Dreaming Sophia is also a joyful story, at times even funny and whimsical. It ultimately tells how Sophia emerges from a very dark place by tapping into her creative, imaginative powers. In Italian, a person who daydreams is said to sognare ad occhi aperti—to dream with eyes open. And this is what Sophia does. Through her dreams Sophia meets and talks to famous Italian personalities from past eras—Eleonora de’ Medici, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Simonetta Vespucci, Lucrezia Borgia, Garibaldi and even the Prince himself Lorenzo de’ Medici. Sophia becomes stronger and more independent after each encounter with one of her muses and each gift she accepts moves her one step closer to Italy.

Dante’s give to Sophia is La Divina Comedia
He “wakes” Sophia through the Italian language

SophiaGifts2

Elenonora de’ Medici gives Sophia a ring
She reminds Sophia she isn’t alone in the world.

SophiaGifts1
Michelangelo & Leonardo give Sophia a piece of Carrara Marble
They tell Sophia to see the beauty in the world

SophiaGifts3

Marcello & Sophia Loren give Sophia a red silk Versace scarf
They encourage Sophia to take a chance on love

SophiaGifts4
Lucrezia Borgia gives Sophia a necklace of Venetian Beads
She encourages Sophia to follow her own unique path and be true to herself

SophiaGifts5
Garabaldi gives Sophia an antique button
He tells Sophia to re-invent herself and put the puzzle pieces back together

SophiaGifts6
Giulietta gives Sophia a book of sonnets
She tells Sophia something awaits for her in Italy, something she hasn’t yet dreamed of

SophiaGifts7
Simonetta gives Sophia a seashell
She tells Sophia to relax and go the flow but with new freedoms, come  consequences

SophiaGifts8
Brunelleschi gives Sophia a snow globe with a miniature Florence inside
He tells Sophia learn more about where an artist’s inspiration comes from

SophiaGifts9
Lorenzo de Medici gives Sophia ruby earrings
Lorenzo’s gift is a commencement present. Sophia’s journey is almost complete. She in turn gives something back to Lorenzo

SophiaGifts10

Dreaming Sophia is available on Amazon in Print and e-version.

Click here to get your copy!

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Filed Under: Melissa Book News Tagged With: Dreaming Sophia, Florence, Italy, Matta Press, Melissa Muldoon, Novel about Italy

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Giveaway Time! Un regalo per voi per farvi ricorda Giveaway Time! Un regalo per voi per farvi ricordare l'Italia! The Studentessa Matta is collaborating with Life. Lemons. Italy. We have come up with this fun giveaway!  Sit down and relax with a fantastic book, some Lavazza coffee 
and yummy amaretti cookies. What you will receive: WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE😁

Melissa's book Dreaming Sophia - a magical look into Italy, language, art, culture and turning dreams into reality

2 Bormioli Italian espresso cups

Some delicious Lavazza espresso Italiano

A lovely tin of Italian Amaretti cookies

TO ENTER

1. Follow both @life.lemons.italy <https://www.instagram.com/life.lemons.italy/> & @studentessamatta <https://www.instagram.com/studentessamatta/>

2. Like this post

3.Tag a friend in the comments below. 1 tag per comment. Each tag counts as one entry.

4. Extra entry - share this post to your stories and tag both @life.lemons.italy <https://www.instagram.com/life.lemons.italy/> & @studentessamatta <https://www.instagram.com/studentessamatta/>

Contest ends Sunday March 7th at Midnight (west coast time) Shipping in the USA only.

In bocca al lupo! Good luck😉

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Are you ready to travel to and study in Italy? We Are you ready to travel to and study in Italy? 
We are now accepting reservations for 2021!
For more information, please visit: www.studentessamatta.com, link in bio.

#melissamuldoon #travel #traveltoitaly #italian #learnitalian #studyabroad #reservations #italianlanguage #italianlandscape #september #smallgroup #arezzo #lucca
Parliamo dei piedi oggi! It's all about the feet t Parliamo dei piedi oggi! It's all about the feet today! la parola e le espressioni di oggi... anche alcuni idiomi!

in piedi = standing
a piedi = walking by foot
punto di piedi = tiptoe

A piede libero : out of jail

Andarci coi piedi di piombo: to be cautious

Cadere in piedi: to land on one’s feet, to come out of a situation without damage

Fuori dai piedi! : clear out!

Leccapiedi: brownnose

Ragionare coi piedi: to be illogical

Su due piedi: on the spot
New YouTube video on the Studentessa Matta website New YouTube video on the Studentessa Matta website and YouTube channel. In a new Studentessa Matta Video I talk about my home town of Austin, Texas. Learn about this funky Texas city, which is also the state capital. Visit the Studentessa Matta website to view transcripts of this video in English and Italian #learnitalian #studentessamatta #YouTube video #improveitalianathome
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The iRead "Sofonisba Anguissola" book is wrapping The iRead "Sofonisba Anguissola" book is wrapping up. Lot's of great comments regarding the book! Still a chance to win a copy of the novel as well a complimentary copy of one of my Audiobooks.  https://www.ireadbooktours.com/blog---current-tours/book-tour-secret-life-of-sofonisba-anguissola-by-melissa-muldoon
Join Maddie in Tuscany as she learns more about he Join Maddie in Tuscany as she learns more about her connection to Artemisia. Available on Amazon in AUDIO, print and eupb for Kindle and iBook. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PNS364N #artemisiagentileschi #tuscany #historical-novel

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