Inexpensive Italy-living well on a small budget

Years ago as a contributor to the popular guidebook  "Designer Bargains in Italy"  I revealed  how Italians were able to dress so well on small incomes: they  found quality clothing and household goods at  factory outlets, discount shops and   bargain basements.

Roberta's open air  boutique

Today with  fixed income  Italians bearing the brunt of another  economic crisi, the thrifty  tightwad in all of us  returns as we  organize  ways to continue living well without throwing away hard-earned euros.

evening and beach wear 

 Many more  people-not just penniless students- are taking pride in  outwitting  the sky rocketing  cost  of living.  

  

made in Italy   at bargain prices

My fashion conscious yet frugal friend Regina  proudly  posed  before her weekly dance class  wearing a couple of the fashionable tops found at  a country  bancarella for  2 euro each.

Along  with once-skeptical friends, she  enjoys choosing  Italian-made  jackets and dresses  that would have prohibitive prices  in  Olgiata or Parioli.

 15 euro for everything

   

April 15^th has been declared “no gas”day   in Italy in protest for the ever-rising prices. 

What to do when the price of excellent local  wine (1,70 per litre)  is less than that of gas for the car? 

just one of the many local wine dealers 

save on bottles, bring your  own 3 or 5 litre jug

Here are  some ideas: 
Drink more wine and drive less 
Take public transport whenever possible
Group errands together on  the same trip
Shop  locally: walk to the weekly  market and nearby shops whenever possible

This weekend  there were three  separate  fairs offering handmade products in our area-other opportunities to save and meet creative artisans. 

 I have selected  a few of the best to share with readers. 

If you live here  or are planning to visit, why not choose hand crafted objects to bring back home.
  If you'd like more information, feel free to ask, leave a comment (its now easy-no fuss)  and share with friends.

seen in San Martino al Cimino

  San Martino al Cimino,  close to Viterbo, is a hilltop town once home to the  Mistress of the Vatican (more about the town on Chestnut Festival post). 

Here  a few tables were set up in the main piazza where local artisans in wood, wool, plastic and leather showed their wares. 

felt bookmarks   to encourage reading 

 Tiny, easy to pack  felt bookmarks, knit cotton and wool caps and scarves by the Coluccia sisters  are perfect as Easter gifts. 

 Domenico Minnocci 's photos celebrate  Etruria and Tuscany

The Coluccia sisters showed their wares in Viterbo ...

..and San Martino 

recycling buttons as jewellery 

Silvia of  San Martino shows her wares 

On the shores of Lake Bolsena at Capodimonte the recently restored Cascina  hosted a larger, higher level gathering of excellent artisans  in wood,  precious stones, mosaic artists, weavers and woodworkers.

Organized  by a resident French-German couple Katherine and   George, of La Porticella association, the fair L’altro Mercatino showcased  biological products as well as  handmade  items. 

outside  the just restored Cascina 

Nonna Natalina from  Tuscania 

the Cascina makes a perfect exhibition space

homemade marmellate 

macrame jewellery 

The array was tempting and my purchases,under  20 euro,  included  a lavender perfumed  pillow in an African textile  and an iridescente   vase by Raku Enaan. 

cushions  with natural fibers and fillings

raku  vases and jewellery 

Roberto begins a new vase

Etruscan style bucchero ware 

Tempting  were the Etruscan-style vases of Roberto Bellucci and  inlaid wood by Barbara Banco along with  jewellery in silver and semi precious stones.   

Da Giggiotto, Ischia di Castro 

old fashioned flavor  in decor and  food 

What better  way  to end the  morning than to discover  a new  trattoria in nearby Ischia di Castro.

Adelina and daughter  in the kitchen 

Rocca Farnese with newly re-opened loggia

Directly across  from the  Rocca Farnese, now undergoing a complete restoration, we enjoyed  a perfect Sunday lunch (30 euro for  two) at this family-run  trattoria that opened two years ago. 

 It  was a  return to the past: huge helpings of  pasta,  excellent meat and contorni, friendly atmosphere and tiramisu from heaven.

the best tiramisu I've had yet