We all need a little bit of sunshine – it has been a long, cold winter here in Europe!
Ponte Vecchio: The Jewelry Bridge
The Ponte Vecchio in Florence translates to “Old Bridge” but it should really be called the Jewelry Bridge! It is a beautiful pedestrian bridge that crosses the Arno River. We were thinking maybe the buildings on the bridge used to be apartments. But once we did some research we realized they were always shops. They…
Italian Eye Drops
I rarely need eye drops but for some reason my eyes have been dry lately. I stopped by the farmacia and the best part about European pharmacies is they help you with everything. You don’t have to wander aisles and aisles of stuff and then stare at 237 types of eye drops trying to figure…
Spa Day for James in Florence, Italy
James needed to get groomed while we were here in Florence, Italy. We found a cute little grooming shop called Elisa Toilette just across the Arno River. We hopped on the T1 tram and headed over to get James groomed. Isn’t it funny that the grooming shop is called a Toilette? A dog groomer in…
The Florence Opera House
We love walking around and exploring new areas with James. The Opera House in Florence, also known as the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, is just a few blocks from our apartment in Florence. We have walked around it a few times and one evening we decided to walk up to what we thought was…
Rubbing the Boar’s Nose for Good Luck in Florence
In the heart of Florence, there is a sculpture called Il Porcellino (piglet in Italian). It is a tradition to put a coin into the boar’s mouth and make a wish as the coin falls into the grates below. In addition to being good luck, this also ensures a return to Florence. It is a…
Walking Around Florence, Italy
Join us as we walk around Florence, Italy!
Italian BB Cream
I love shopping for beauty products and makeup in other countries. I found so many fun items in Bipa and Meuller in Austria so I was excited to see what I could find in Italy. I tried a few different Tigotà stores in Treviso and Venice but I didn’t see anything I wanted to try….
La Bottega del Mosaico
One of my favorite artist shops in Florence is La Bottega del Mosaico. I really want to go back to Florence to buy one of these mosaics to hang in our home.
If you were quickly walking past the
Electric Moka Espresso Maker
I used to own a Bialetti Moka stovetop espresso maker.
I had the little one and it made a perfect large cup of espresso. The problem? It was the traditional stovetop model. And one day I walked
Two’s Company – Book by Suzanne Somers
I always enjoy reading biographies and memoirs. I don’t know much about Suzanne Somers because I think she spoke more to the Boomer generation. But this was a fun read. It is interesting to see what
The Streets of Florence
I love the streets of Florence. Some are SO small – I realize the FJ would not fit! I love the random fountains, the triangle shaped buildings where two street meet and the people watching!
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Our Airbnb in Florence has a really nice book with recommendations on what to see, do and eat. One of the recommendations was for the 600 year old perfume shop in an old convent called Santa Maria Novella.
David at The Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy
David of course is the centerpiece at the the Galleria dell’Accademia. But the museum had so many other pieces we enjoyed, too!
The Hall of Prisoners by Michelangelo leads up to the centerpiece statue
James and David
“Hey James, pose like David!”
I thought James was striking a similar pose to David looking slightly over his left shoulder.
This is the original location of Michelangelo’s David and this is a copy
Poodles in the Bottega Veneta Window Display
Since 2018 is the Year of the Dog, Bottega Veneta included dogs in their window display in Florence, Italy! Do you see the Poodles? Well, the Poodles in addition to James?
Piccolo Cesare Pizza in Florence, Italy
Our neighborhood here in Florence, Italy happens to have the BEST pizza in all of Italy. The little restaurant is on a side street and it is called Piccolo Cesare. Like almost all restaurants in Europe,
A Sign of Spring: Crocus Flowers
During our first Spring in Washington, DC, I spotted the Crocus flowers starting to bloom in the park where I walked James and in a lot of flower boxes along the streets of Georgetown. I had never seen
James and the Big Red Couch
James really likes our big red couch in Florence, Italy!
Apartment Tour | Florence, Italy Airbnb
Check out our apartment in Florence, Italy! It even has heated floors and Chris was able to use his Flir iPhone thermal camera attachment to show the heated floor.