Bella Figura

How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way

By: Kamin Mohammadi

Narrated by: Kamin Mohammadi

“My ideal type of armchair travel: immersive, insightful, seductive. In Bella Figura, Kamin Mohammadi takes us to the year in Florence that changed her life, and gives us the tools to bring the grace of the Italian lifestyle to our own lives.” —National Bestselling Author Stephanie Danler

“She walks down the street with a swing in her step and a lift to her head. She radiates allure as if followed by a personal spotlight. She may be tall or short, slim or pneumatically curvaceous, dressed discreetly or ostentatiously—it matters not. Her gait, her composure, the very tilt of her head is an ode to grace and self-possession that makes her beautiful whatever her actual features reveal.”

This is the bella figura, the Italian concept of making every aspect of life as beautiful as it can be, that Kamin Mohammadi discovered when she escaped the London corporate media world for a year in Italy. Following the lead of her new neighbors, she soon found a happier, healthier, and more beautiful way of living.

The bella figura knows:
• That the food that you eat should give you pleasure while eating it. Pause for meals, and set a place, even if you are eating alone.
• To seize any opportunity to get moving—be it taking the stairs, doing a coffee run at work, or dancing with abandon.
• To drink a spoonful of excellent-quality extra-virgin olive oil four times a day.
• To seek out nature, be it a city park, a tree on your street, or some wild place.
• And to love yourself. The bella figura—occupies her space, emotionally and physically, with style and entitlement.

Critic reviews

“This book is my ideal type of armchair travel: immersive, insightful, seductive. In Bella Figura, Kamin Mohammadi takes us to the year in Florence that changed her life, and gives us the tools to bring the grace of the Italian lifestyle to our own lives. It’s a reminder to slow down, look around, taste, listen, and to open ourselves to new possibilities.” —Stephanie Danler, author of Sweetbitter

"Uprooting her life, London-based Kamin Mohammadi relocated to bucolic Florence. Her glorious memoir Bella Figura is witty, intelligent and heartfelt in equal measure and will delight anyone dreaming of a summer holiday—or a brand new life—in Italy." —Taiye Selasi, The Guardian

"If you’ve ever thought about quitting your job, moving to Italy, wearing incredible clothes and eating unbelievable food, here’s your bible." —Fodors

“Mohammadi’s sparkling, month-by-month account of a year in Italy is a less exotic (and perhaps less self-absorbed), more outwardly observant version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, but without the praying.” —Booklist

“In this charming hybrid of self-help and memoir, journalist Mohammadi relates a journey that began 10 years ago when she left her frazzled and unfulfilling life in London for a year’s sabbatical in Florence. . . . [She] conveys life lessons learned in Italy (from the health benefits of olive oil to the importance of slowing down and observing one’s surroundings), alongside her progression toward self-acceptance. . . . Mohammadi captures myriad aspects of the charming Italian lifestyle, and her story’s happy ending is a testament to its benefits.” —Publishers Weekly

"You’ll fall in love with Kamin Mohammadi’s Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way, her memoir on moving to Florence and finding love (and self-love) in one of the most beautiful cities in the world." —Hello Giggles

“A charming, delightful memoir of self-transformation. . . . Interspersed throughout with delicious recipes and bella figura–inspired lifestyle tips, the book is a down-to-earth modern-day fairy tale for the world-weary that celebrates personal transformation and all things delectably Italian.” —Kirkus Reviews

Wonderful

Wonderful storyline and a enlightening tale of gaining back what you've lost with many challenges are coming at you. I don't drink alcohol, nor eat pork, or date outside of marriage, but I could relate and understand the many obstacles that was presented to the author.

Interesting Italian Things

I really enjoyed this compilation of Italian recipes and mix culture, I spent so much nice time! Recommended for people that want to go deep in italian culture! Thanks

Absolutely lovely way to travel back to Florence ❤

This book transported me back to a place I love and still hold near & dear to my heart...Florence, Italy. From the glorious depiction of it's people & places to the sumptuous description of the amazing food that literally left my mouth watering, this book was such a pure pleasure that kept me smiling throughout the entire story. Thank you Ms Mohammadi for sharing your alluring story about living life ❤

Loved it!!!

I picked this because as a former travel agent I love travel memoirs. But as a current nutritionist I also loved that she learned the wisdom and benefits of pleasurable living and eating and chose to highlight that in her memoir as well. Something western culture (& healthcare) has completely overlooked.

Love this!

This book took me right back to Florence. Thank you! 💛 highly recommended before or after your trip