8/1/23

pronounced:  sprets-za-tu-ra  

In layman's terms, It's the art of looking and acting great - effortlessly - without fussiness. Its embracing imperfection (ie. I just threw this on) and pulling it off. 

(click Find Out More below).

I first heard this word described a bit differently. While watching season 7 of The Bachelorette, Ames, down to the final four and on his hometown date with Ashley, discusses his outlook on life and romance - under the bows of an apple tree - and says, "its best when the ordinary is extraordinary". He goes on to say that there is an Italian renaissance way of being romantic and it's called, Sprezzatura. Which is where you try and be as romantic as possible but through your ordinary life. There is magic in the ordinary. 

I had always felt the same way but didn't have the words to state it so succinctly. He nailed it! (He doesn't, however, go on to nail Ashley, as she sent him packing at the end of that episode. I guess she wanted less sprezzatura and more bodice ripping passion. Her loss IMO). 

There is magic in the ordinary! I have always told my husband....don't worry about Valentine's Day. That is a pre-packaged, over commercialized, cringeworthy day that lasts a month (at least) on the store shelves. Nothing about that screams romantic to me. The TV has been warning my husband for weeks he better show me the roses and wine and dine me or...he just doesn't love me! Seriously? Ugh! Making me a cup of coffee in the morning, grocery shopping with me, sharing the perfect fall day are so more romantic. It's these ordinary things that matter most - to me anyway. I definitely have sprezzatura in my veins! 

So true did Ames' description of sprezzatura hit me, that after all these years, I've never forgotten it! I'm even thinking of getting it tattooed on my body. For now, however, I'll pay homage to the word here, my friends. I hope you have learned not only a new word but a new outlook on life!