My Beautiful Fortress in Italy.

Thanks for stopping by. This space is devoted to our life in the Italian countryside. In the furthest northern part of Tuscany. A region known as Lunigiana. I am a photo/prop stylist and author.

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WHATS HAPPENING:

It’s been a fun filled week here at La Fortezza. I managed to help my friend design and set up her retail space at her stunning B&B in the countryside. It is a beautiful place that we love taking our guests to. Podere Conti is written about in both my books Italy is My Boyfriend and My Italian Guestbook. It’s where we take guests for their four course truffle lunch. Cornelia the owner and my dear friend is a visionary woman. She and her husband along with their five sons help run the place, but clearly Cornelia is at the helm. She is a powerhouse with a gravely voice and infectious smile. Plus she’s always on a mission to better her space and the guest experience. We’ve had many friends stay at Podere Conti over the years. They have loved it. You can see me dining here on my YouTube Channel in a series we started called Table for One. Over the years we’ve become great friends. She’s helped me so many times with great advice and her many resources. When she mentioned the retail space, I was in. As many of you may know I started my career as a visual merchandiser and store planner. So I love putting spaces together, especially when they are filled with delicious goods. Cornelia has started a line of artisan food products. Lucky for me I have been one of the taste testers over the last couple of years. Take it from me, the herby trout is to die for. Perfect on summer salads. Their olive oil is a staple here at La Fortezza. Cornelia has managed to create a new product using her olive leaves by drying them and grinding them into a fine powder. Full of antioxidants, she pours it into tea, and dusts over vegetables. This glorious green powder may be the most genius use of olive leaves ever. There’s also a yummy boar and lamb ragu available as well. Poured over pasta an instant bowl of deliciousness. Dried porcini and organic pastas and their house smoked risotto rice is amazing. Herbed oil and sweet basil tomato sauce. Liqueurs and jams are also in the mix. The products can be shipped to the US. Check out her online store here. Check into the B&B if you have a chance and please check out the retail store. It’s divine if I do say so myself. Oh did I mention she does weddings. You’re welcome.

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LA FORTEZZA RETREAT NEWS:

Now taking reservations for 2025 Custom La Fortezza Retreats:

We are excited to welcome guests this year. We get so many emails from you guys, it is so wonderful. We cannot wait to welcome you next year. If you’re interested in planning your own custom retreat in 2025, Please email Gen and she can get you started on your journey. Check the calendar and start planning.

Contact Gen to reserve your place in 2025: Gen is our La Fortezza Guest Service Liaison: genesis.carlina@gmail.com

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MY LATEST YOUTUBE VIDEO:

All About Annette YouTube Move to Italy : Move in ready, house with a spa.

We toured a really cool house with a spa this week. I mean a sauna, hot tub and pool. Yes please. Check it out on my channel this week. If you buy it let me know I am inviting myself to your sauna, I’ll bring the wine.

Thanks so much for watching my YouTube Channel, All About Annette and please share my channel with your friends.

The channel has 3560+ subscribers! I am beyond thrilled! x Please like and subscribe lets keep it going my goal this year is to get 10,000 subscribers

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Book News:

If you have not read it yet, you should. My newest book, it is a fun read about a sexy chef.

The Killer Menu, a delicious murder mystery.

Order : The Killer Menu, By Annette Joseph

Finding love and a family is never easy, but when you’re Henry Miller it’s terrifying. Henry is a deliciously charming chef—talented, handsome, and intensely obsessive. The extreme measures Henry employs to insert himself into the lives of his girlfriends take readers on a chilling journey from the streets of Paris to the chic restaurants of Italy and the vibrant Cuban enclaves of Miami. As we delve into the mind of the reluctant murderer, it becomes clear that his habits of love and loss create a recipe for disaster. Come meet Henry and decide for yourself: Do you like him? Or do you hate him?

*Being a paid subscriber gets you exciting La Fortezza updates you won’t want to miss.

If you’re NOT a paid subscriber… you’re missing all the off the beaten path Italian travel hit lists. Plus Retreat and excursion news and special offers, discounts on some of my favorite products and giveaways. Not to mention new recipes to try every Friday.

Consider subscribing and becoming a La Fortezza insider.