As a daughter and grand-daughter of immigrants, I’ve often felt the pull between the traditions of the past, and the trends of modern life.
I loved my grandmothers and am lucky enough to have known them. They were bold. They were resourceful. They were stylish. And they saw the humour in things; a proven resilience tactic, no doubt.
My Nonna was skilled at many things, but especially in lace-making. In the photo above we’re in her bedroom, holding up a lace bed spread she had made for me,
I started Nonna Life in 2019, shortly after my Nonna Maria passed away, to pay homage to this generation of strong women.
Nonna Life offers a fresh, modern perspective on a traditional way of life; one that is defined by purpose, craftsmanship, community and culture.
For 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants like myself and many others, the traditions of our culture were often kept and passed down by our grandmothers. With much of the older generation passing on, many of these traditions - including recipes, songs, designs, and tried-tested-and-true techniques will unfortunately pass with them.
Looking to the past can help us navigate towards the future, and the lessons we learn from past generations can offer a perspective we may not have considered before. Considering a simpler approach to life, one that is holistic in nature, can allow us to slow down, build resilience, confidence and the fortitude to focus on the things that matter most: family, friends and our connection to the nature surrounding us.
Nonna Life is on a mission to celebrate, honour and catalogue these traditions, and offer ways to incorporate them into a contemporary context, so that they can continue to impact generations to come.