Today for my Five Faves I want to share a fun summer travel outfit (a dress, hat and underwear that packs well), what to read on vacation, and a recipe for an Italian Bay Leaf Liqueur that I am definitely making when I get home.
We are still in Italy traveling with friends and Dorothy and Mercedes have been helpful with their faves for this post. Be sure to check out what Annie and Cindy have us too!
1. Packable Cotton Dress: Fun Summer Travel Outfit
This blue block print dress by J. Crew has been easy to slip on and go sightseeing! The wrinkles came out quickly by hanging it in the bathroom while I showered. It’s loose and cool for the summer.
I bought the packable straw hat last year and wear it a lot along with my Ray Ban sunglasses. These Tory Burch sandals are also cool.
2. Invisi-Wear Mid-Rise Underwear
Both of my friends swear by this comfortable, invisible panty line underwear by Lululemon. So much so, that I am going to order some immediately when I get home. Even though they wear a size 6 in dresses, they size up to order a Large in the panties so I probably will too. They say that they are great for travel as they are easy to hand wash and they dry quickly.
3. Italian Bay Leaf Liqueur Digestivo–” Liquore al Lauro”
In Cortona, after a big dinner at Trattoria Dordano with lots of wine, this green liqueur was served. I felt great the next day. Everyone said “It’s the Medcina !” This is a combination of Dorothy, Mercedes and the owner, Dardano’s recommended method of making it.
The idea is similar to limoncello (on the right) except it is herby with all the bay leaves (on the left).
Serve the digestivo after dinner in a shot glass.
Ingredients
- About 99 FRESH, not dried, young bay leaves (they are soft. Mercedes says Whole Foods has them)
- 2 cups 90 proof vodka
- 3 cups water
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- Large jar with rubber seal
- Flip-top bottles to store and freeze the liqueur
- Macerate the bay leaves and place in a large jar with the vodka. Seal and store in a dark closet for 40 days. Shake occasionally. You know the infusion is ready when the bay leaves have turned crispy yellow.
- Dissolve the sugar into the water over medium heat. Let cool.
- Drain the infused alcohol through a mesh strainer and return to the large jar. Discard the yellow and crispy bay leaves.
- Add the simple syrup to the infused alcohol in the large jar. Seal and let meld for a week.
- Distribute the liquor to serving bottles and place in the freezer until ready to serve
4. What To Read
Here’s what my friend and daughter are reading on the trip and recommend. (I’ve just basically been reading the European home magazines that I have been picking up).
Merecedes recommends Daisy Jones And The Six. So I placed a hold on it with the Libby app. Alexandra: The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo I liked it, too. Carlos: A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith “A great read especially for Floridians.”
5. Simple But Elegant Appetizer and Lemon Mint Mocktail
In the hotel bar here, they serve this simple trio of appetizers…almonds, potato chips and olives with every cocktail. You really just need three small bowls to do this at home.
Alexandra ordered the refreshing mocktail made with equal parts lemonade, sparking water and fresh mint.
I will write more about our stay in Puglia on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy soon! Hopefully, for your trip planning purposes.
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If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Mary Ann, you look so stylish! Love the dress and have loved following along on your adventures.
I make a cocktail very similar to the lemonade mint, but I use lime juice instead with the mint and it is delicious and refreshing.
Loved the 7 husbands of Eveyln Hugo.
Welcome home!
Loved following along on your trip& living vicariously!❤️ Any chance you will be posting your daily itinerary with driving, flying, hotel suggestions?🙏🏻
Thanks, Nancy. I’m planing to do a post on Puglia but not exactly a daily itinerary. Look for it next week and for my Travel Pinterest boards!
MA, your travel wardrobe is brilliant. Almost as good as your travel photos. Almost. Love the dress. But you have good knees. I try to hide mine. Oof. Love the Lululemon undies … will check them out ASAP. This digestif is just just what the doctor ordered. Italians know things. Also love Alexandra’s cocktail. I’m going to make that. I read The Seven Husbands et al and enjoyed it very much. Safe travels home. Can’t wait to hear more about your travels. xo
I ordered the undies in a Large. YOU have great knees and I like the shorter (not TOO short tho) dresses when it’s hot. It’s starting to get steamy here in Florida now.
Puglia is a scenically beautiful and not yet very touristy area, which I really liked. Be sure to visit Matera, about 1 hour from Apulia. As for travel underwear, I can only say that I’m very unchic here, with disposable pants…light luggage and no washing. Enjoy your vacation.
Can’t wait to hear about your impressions of Puglia. My husband and I lived there 30 years ago when he was in the Air Force. I miss those simpler times, the markets and the food frequently.
Wow…nice place to be stationed! We loved it. I would have like to stay longer and done more exploring.
Hi Mary Ann, Thanks for sharing so much great information! I feel like I was there. Love reading all of your posts!
Thanks so much, Dee!!
Everything so inspiring Mary Ann! Love that dress, hat, and sandals on you, so cute and a perfect summer look.
Thanks for the book recommendations and the drink recipes, too!
Xo Heidi
Mary Ann I have that dress in my cart! So cute on you. I love the routine of digestifs in Italy and they always are so good. I didn’t know they had regional ones. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip. xx
Thanks for telling us about this regional bay leaf digestivo, which I’ve never heard of! My father in law, who would be 103 this year (and lived to 99+), was a native of Puglia. I looked up ‘Pugliese bay leaf liquor’ and came back with Alloro or Allorino, which is simply the name of Bay Laurel in Italian. I look forward to making it, and to visiting Puglia at my earliest opportunity. I hope you had a pleasant and easy time returning stateside!
That’s it, Joan! You should go to Puglia…I’m going to post some highlights about it soon.
The adult beverage sounds great. Can’t wait to try. “Land Remembered ” is one of my all time favs for Florida books! Good background reading for the state,etc.I always used to ask about those cattle(used to be alot more around) when we would drive from Miami to Ga. to see the grand parents. Hope your flight is uneventful and safe. Welcome back to sand in your shoes.
Thanks Susan…just landed at JFK!
What kind of mint do you recommend in the lemon mint mocktail? There are so many varieties at the garden center!
I am not sure, Kathleen…what do you think? I was just going to use whatever the grocery store has.
‘I was excited about the recommendation for travelling (under)pants until I read the reviews on the LLL site. 2.3 rating is not a positive at 18.00CDN/pair. I love the sandals and bag! Looks like you had an amazing trip and now a new grand baby to look forward too. Life always holds something to look forward too doesn’t it?
Well, both my friends recommend the panties but size up…so I will do that too. You may get a cheaper price if you buy three or more in the store.
Thank you for taking us along on your family/friend vacation. The photographs are beautiful, and I can just imagine the fun and memories you have made.
Karen B.
Yes, Karen…back to reality now!
Thank you so much for the bay leaf recipe! I never in a million years would have thought of something like this. I have a bay tree so it’s happening soon. Do you think the flavor would make a good simple syrup? We make hard cider and often infuse them with basil or habanero and I’m hoping this might be a good mix as well.
Enjoy your trip Mary Ann.
That sounds interesting, Suzanne…how lucky you are to already have the leaves. It’s an unusual but I think good taste. They call it “medicine” 🙂
Mary Ann, what a fun post and as usual I love all of your favorites! That dress and hat look so perfect for your travels and when you get back home too! I just read the Amazon description of the book Alie was reading and downloaded it on Audible immediately! xx
I liked that book too, Annie.