Ciao! My name is Meryem & this blog is the intersection of my favorite recipes, restaurant reviews, and love for Tapa, our chocolate lab! I started dating my boyfriend, Luca, two years ago and when we first got together we did a lot of traveling. I would frequently tell him that I was snacky after spending long days sightseeing and walking. As an Italian, he’d never heard someone say they were snacky and thought it was hilarious. It became something of an inside joke and he Italian-ified the word and gave me the nickname Snackina, which has since stuck.

Luca is from Positano and in 2023 we had the opportunity to live there together for most of the year. I had the opportunity to try amazing restaurants and cook using the freshest local produce. At the end of our time in Positano, we decided to get a chocolate lab puppy together and our little family has been complete ever since. Tapa is the center of our lives in many ways and I want to share some of the puppy recipes, tips, and tricks we’ve learned so far.

Cooking has been a huge part of my life since I can remember. My mother has many talents but her entering the kitchen seldom resulted in anything other than disaster. To steer clear of lean cuisine frozen dinners ( I’ve tried every type) I started researching recipes, calling my grandmother, and learning to cook basic meals. Growing up in NYC gave me access to a variety of cuisines and ingredients to explore.

I’ve spent the past few years defining what living a balanced lifestyle means to me and how it looks in practice. I’ve found it means prioritizing moving my body, fueling it with fresh local products, and living my life freely. The meal that best describes me at the moment would be a Caesar salad with a side of roasted potatoes and an extra orange Aperol spritz.

We just settled down in Rome and have the next year to set some roots and explore the eternal city. I can’t wait to share everything from my past & new experiences food related!