Let’s get this part out of the way first: I think the Strega Nona Fall trend that’s taken over TikTok and, therefore, the rest of the internet is a little odd. That said, I’m down for any reason to make the world feel like a cozier, more magical place. Plus, I love a themed trend. If you’re looking for ways to bring a touch of her whimsical warmth to your autumn in Indianapolis, read on—I did a little scouring to see where you could get the vibes.
Imagine a season filled with hearty meals, simple joys, and a little bit of enchantment woven into everyday moments. Whether you’re swapping stories around the dinner table with friends or giving your living room a refresh, here’s how to embrace the spirit of Strega Nona and create a fall season that feels straight out of an Italian village. Who needs a better reason than that?
1. Stir Up Magic in the Kitchen (or not) with Homemade Pasta and Comfort Food
Strega Nona’s talent is whipping up enormous pots of pasta. While you may not have a magic pasta pot, you can still channel that cozy culinary magic.
Head to Nicole Taylor’s in Broad Ripple to pick up fresh pasta-making ingredients and supplies for a homemade pasta night. Try making your own tagliatelle or gnocchi, and let the aroma of garlic, tomatoes, and fresh basil fill your kitchen. Massive amounts of pasta call for giant pots. For this, one needs to look no further than ZESCO. Their stockpots range in size from 8 quarts to a whopping 100 quarts.
Not so much the DIY type? Head to Iozzo’s Garden of Italy for an authentic taste of Italian comfort food or Iria’s for the family-style eats.
2. Bring in the Old World Charm
Chatham Home has a wonderful collection of homegoods and kitchen accessories from beautiful wood cutting boards and serving utensils to lovely stoneware oil lamps and servingware, along with some pretty cute birds (which play heavily in the book’s illustrations by the author and illustrator Tomie de Paola).
3. Share Stories Around the Table
There’s something magical about sitting around a table filled with friends, stories, and loads of aforementioned pasta. Host an intimate fall dinner with a focus on sharing personal stories, memories, or even family traditions. Pair the evening with a hearty Italian feast and plenty of wine from Mass Ave Wine Shoppe or Goose the Market. Hit up Orangily (formerly Loren’s AF) for a little something for your AF friends.
4. Explore Indy’s Village Charm
You don’t have to go to Italy to find a quaint village. Indianapolis has its own pockets of charm.
Take a Stroll Through Fountain Square or Fletcher Place. With its colorful murals, unique shops, and cozy cafés, this area feels like a quirky village within the city. Stop by Amelia’s for fresh-baked bread or Turchetti’s for artisanal meats, and enjoy a slow-paced afternoon of browsing and wandering.
5. Shop Local at the Fall Farmer’s Markets
In the book, the villagers must come together to stop the pasta from taking over their town. Embrace the community spirit by visiting local farmers’ markets like the Indy Winter Farmers Market (starting in November) to stock up on fresh produce, homemade jams, and handmade goods. Bring home local apples, pumpkins, and squashes galore.
6. Dress the Part
If you’ve made it this far I suppose you’re willing to consider going all in and dressing the part. Satellite Vintage is my go-to for second-hand finds—their recent round up of not Halloween ‘fits is proof of their resourcefulness. Their brand may be disco cowgirl but the team is great at putting together any kind of look you seek with their huge collection of vintage clothing and accessories.
7. Slow Down and Savor the Season
It could be my nostalgia talking, but I think the moral of the story here (pun intended) is a reminder to slow down and be happy with what we have. Instead of rushing through the season, savor the small pleasures. Surround yourself with good food, magical moments, and a little bit of whimsy. As the leaves turn and the air gets cooler, you’ll feel the warmth and charm of this season all around you.
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