F is for Florence and FABULOUS

Even though we can't ever seem to find what we are looking for on the first try, it's ok here in Florence because it gives us another chance to see more of this incredible city. We are loving the views, the streets, the piazzas, and the people. (the food and wine are a given). But today's blog will focus our recent shopping experience... one we can only describe as amazing!! (We'll get back to food a little later)

We shopped all day long... well, really just browsed... We spent hours not really finding anything we liked, until we happened into a tiny shop called Sistè. Max, the designer, was working inside and we had a blast modeling his one size fits all sweater that can be worn in 20 plus different ways.  It took him 3 years to perfect it.

Max's designs are all very creative and he has a lot of asymetrical styles. His Sistè line is sold around the World in high end stores, like Bloomingdales. In the store we went to, in addition to that line, he has items with no labels that he sells for much cheaper... like the sweaters which we each HAD to have... just £45. He is going to email us when he has samples in other fabrics (a lighter weight sweater and in linen) and colors, so we can purchase more if we want. I could totally see these things on an infomercial and he would sell millions... so if anyone is interested in buying, let us know so we can include in the next order. :) We told him he needs to create a YouTube video showing all the different ways to wear it bc there are so many it will make your head spin & we are wayyy to tired to remember them all!!

We were in the store so long and having so much fun, we didn't realize it had started pouring outside. So, we ducked into a jewelry shop and browsed the really cool, locally designed bracelets and rings... thankfully we resisted the temptation to buy anything there so we could head back to a leather shop we had stopped in earlier in the day. As we ran through the rain to get there, we were so cold, we popped into a sweatshirt-tshirt shop and were seriously contemplating buying the cheesy Italia sweatshirts until we realized... 'wait a second we just bought sweaters!!!' So we threw those on, (in different styles so we didn't look like twins) and ran to the leather shop. The American woman who was there this morning was gone and her husband, the guy who actually makes all the BEAUTIFUL shoes and bags by hand was there. Stefano, who had been hunting wild boar in the morning (got 8 of 'em) has lived in Florence all his life and after working as a musician, and helping his father, a jeweler, he started making shoes. He has been in the same shop in for 38 years and he sells A LOT of shoes. Just yesterday, he said a French couple bought 12 pairs of shoes, 3 bags, and ordered 2 pairs of sandals!!!  He told us not to worry if he didn't have our size, he'd just make it and ship it to us. Fortunately (or unfortunately for the wallet)... everything fit!!!
Forget Louis Vuitton... Check out handmade leather loot:

Ummm Hello??!! Could these boots be any more fabulous??!!

We spent at least an hour with him and this great couple Fran and David who were also shopping. She an Ohio State Alum (O-H) from Warren, now living in New Jersey.... He sounded like he was probably Australian, but we didn't ask. They travel the World and come to Florence every summer.
It'll be interesting to see if the trends we're seeing here will take off back home... the most popular are... ankle & calf boots with shorts... often with cutouts on the heel, toes or top of the foot... gladiator sandals and boots... funky pants that I would describe as harem pants or an updated version of MC Hammer pants... thin material and the crotch is dropped to the knees or lower... the tops are either tunic style with embroidery or an updated version of a shawl but with sleeves it'sAn upside down triangle that hugs the body at the hips.... all their shirts, except the tunics, hug the body at the hips.
After shopping and a rest back at the hotel room... we checked out a great dinner spot, recommended by Vancouver Vern from yesterday's blog. Our waitress at Osteria Dè Benci wasn't remotely interested in serving us, but the food was great.
We split the Pappa al Pomodoro... a traditional Tuscan bread soup in tomato sauce... crazy good!

And... how about this wild dish?!... which smelled a little funny but tasted amazing...

It's called Spaghetti dell ùbriacone... drunken spaghetti in red wine with garlic, parsley and hot pepper. Yum!!
It's so fun making new friends and seeing so many great things and eating so much amazing food!
Now we are off to Cinque Terre which the locals have all told us is very beautiful. We aren't sure what the internet situation will be like there so we may not be able to update until Venice.
Until then... Ciao!!
Jill and Jaime
p.s. We're both on the verge of colds but plan to push on thru, so keep your fingers crossed!