The handmade paper here in Florence is beautiful. I suggest it as a nice little gift to bring back home. I always get a stack of the notepads and paper to give as hostess gifts with a bottle of wine. A big plus for travelers as it is easy to pack!

The 7 ladies from Houston, who were shopping with me, fell in love with the chunky 18k gold jewelry- good prices and stunning workmanship!

Have old jewelry that you don’t wear, or don’t like? Look at what the goldsmith made recycling some gold and diamonds supplied by a darling shopper from Austin. The people at the workshop are calling it, “La Croce del Papa,” which means the Pope’s Cross. This is an absolute show stopper!!!