Just a stone’s throw from my office is the famous Via della Spiga where you find all the renowned fashion houses. I took a stroll through there this afternoon after work on my way home, but carefully avoided stepping inside any of the shops. Even with the Saldi on (post-Christmas sales) the prices are still out of my reach. The most extravagant I’ve been this week is buying a cashmere sweater on sale from Benetton (it is magnificent), but Dolce & Gabbana would be a bridge too far (in more ways than one).

Instead, I got my thrills buying a kitchen knife and cutting board on my way home today. Yesterday the daily thrill involved finding burrata in the corner supermarket. Burrata is a type of super-gooey mozzarella cheese. The outer shell is solid mozzarella and once you cut through that you get to the soft texture on the inside. Burrata with crusty bread and glass of Valpolicella – heaven on a stick. Completely inappropriate for dinner of course, but who cares when it tastes this good?!