Dangerous, dangerous job this shopping tour! I see all of the gorgeous leather: jackets, boots, shoes, bags, gloves, belts. And the Italian fashion is so beautiful. I love the small shops with the local designers clothing. Hey, you can buy Gucci, Pucci, Prada, etc. anywhere, and for less money than in Italy!

Chia loves to shop in Florence with me.

Yesterday, after having done three tours this week, I broke down and took myself shopping. My husband actually suggested this, as an alternative to my going alone through Napoli to the Amalfi Coast to see my bff, Katherine! What a guy! I bought a beautiful boucle dress, a green silk top, and a casual pants outfit (crisp polished cotton pants and a floaty top with matching camisole) for the Friday evening soirees at Chez Wells. Oh yes, and a pashmina to wear with the pants outfit. This season there is lots of coral and green to choose from, as well as the neutrals and black. I love green, as you can see from the photos below….

As I sit here in yet another green dress, I am thinking that I might need to revisit some shops and consider some coral color…..

Incredible storms with the loudest thunder I have ever heard!

Chia and my shopping clients and I got soaked! Nice salesman in one of the stores dried Chia off while we shopped for leather jackets.

Things have settled down today, but there are predictions of more storms to come….At least next week the sun is supposed to be out again.

Although it was pouring rain this morning, my new Australian friends and I went shopping. They bought beautiful reversible leather coats, and a Persian lamb jacket among other things:

Jacket is being measured and will be tailored to fit perfectly.

The salesman was very cute, too! And now the Australian couple are off to the Uffizi for an art tour this afternoon, then aperitivo at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Arno River and maybe browse in a few more shops….

Just back from the San Ambrogio Market, where I bought beautiful tomatoes, cherries, prosciutto, peaches and pecorino piccante cheese. Not pictured is the cantaloupe, zucchini and bread!

I am starting to weaken my resolve to put off shopping until right before I go to the States! I did purchase some great navy blue crop pants and matching top yesterday, and a cream summer weight cardigan in a fabulous Italian design….I justify this because I am eating so much, I need bigger pants!

 

This photo is taken from mid point of the aisle. Someday I am going to actually count how many different kinds of pasta are available here! My favorite is still the San Ambrogio Market, however. I love the colors of all the vegetables and fruits. And right now, the heirloom tomatoes are so sweet and delicious that I sometimes just eat three or four of them for dinner! La dolce vita for sure!

My daily language class at Scuola Parola continues to be a lesson in humility, but I am actually able to understand most everything that is said to me. This does not mean I am fluent, or capable of carrying on a philosophical discussion, however. Now that we are studying the ninth verb conjugation and all of the irregular verbs in it, my brain feels like an alphabet soup….provo sempre!

The weather has heated up, and everywhere women are in their summer dresses and sandals. Coming originally from Seattle, this thrills me, as Seattle weather does not warm up well into July. Had lunch atop the Rinascente last weekend with a friend. What a view! The food was just okay, and the sparrows kept landing on our plates and stealing food though…

Having the shopping tour business now, I feel completely justified in spending most of my free time browsing through the shops. Have restrained myself in making purchases, however. Well, that might be a little strong…couldn’t pass up this boucle jacket from a newer Italian designer, at a really good price!

And then, of course, there was the darling green sheath dress with a square neck and patch pockets that matched perfectly! Shoes? Needed some cream suede wedges to complete the outfit. Fortunately, I had bought some the week before! And yes, the outfit is just fabulous…

It was too warm to wear the jacket for my shopping tour yesterday, but I did wear the dress and shoes. I lasted about an hour on the cobblestones in the heels before I pulled out my comfy flat sandals (I always carry a spare pair in my bag!) My client yesterday was a charming man from Manhattan who needed some help find appropriate stores here and a bit of help with selections. He bought a gorgeous gold charm bracelet for a friend, and several bottles of wine that can’t be found anywhere but here. There are only 1.000 bottles produced each year, and 800 of the bottles are grabbed right away by a man in Japan.

Last week, I had several families who bought beautiful leather jackets, shoes and bags. A couple from Texas found just what they wanted in ceramics, gold and shoes. A good time was had by all, especially me! What a dream job: getting paid to take people shopping and making them happy!