Posts Tagged ‘Italy’

Happy.

September 4th, 2010 by Ruth

As I walked down the romantic cobblestone streets of Florence, Italy six years ago, I wandered into a small boutique and laid eyes on this white tank. Tissue soft, delicate and finished with a ruched flower, impulsively, I purchased the 60 euro shirt. I have to say, after all these years, the shirt has held up and it is still one of my favorite pieces.

Purchased for no more than $20 at the J.Crew outlet, I adore the yellow and white pattern and the short crop of the pant’s hemline.

While on a business trip four years ago in Florida, I discovered Dillard’s. A well-kept southern secret, Dillard’s has stylish, well-known and obscure brands at affordable prices. The shoes, exclusive to Dillard’s were a mere $40 and have stood the test of time.

Thanks to Casey Carter of Casey Culture for taking these pictures and for lending me the cruiser.  The splashes of yellow, green and teal make me feel happy and content in my life on Lafayette.

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Frugal Firenze – Day 2.

October 17th, 2009 by Ruth

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Currently working and studying in Florence, Italy, graphic designer and photographer, Rachel Graham (www.rbgarts.com) from New York, New York tells us how to be frugal in Firenze.

In a historic city such as Florence, you’d be surprised at how many mediocre meals you can eat if you’re not in the know.  As an artist and student in this city, it’s always nice to save a buck (or with the current euro/dollar exchange, €0.60) on a nice meal. So, want to paint Firenze red like a true Fiorentini?  Below her suggestions for a great stay.

Day 2:

If you have yet to see the David, it is quite a sight and in one of the two museums that are a “must see”: Galleria dell’Accademia (where you’ll find Mr. David) and Galleria degli Uffizi. which houses several paintings by many of the great Renaissance artists. Just be aware, none of the museums are open on Mondays.  Located right past the Galleria degli Uffizi is the notorious Ponte Vecchio.  Built first by the Romans in 996 AD and used Medici family in the 1500′s, this footbridge has been a huge business center for hundreds of years. The bridge is even mentioned in on of the most famous arias, “Oh mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

For lunch on day 2, I suggest true italian pizza.  This is not like your pizza in Brooklyn from Joe’s (although that’s good too!).  Buca Niccolini makes the best pizza I’ve had yet here in Florence.  Located right next to the Duomo on a little side street you can get a great pizza for around 7 euros. They also have an outdoor terrace that looks at the side of the Duomo, which is an incredible site.

One of the newest bar/restaurants in Florence is The Clubhouse.  A larger space than most other florentine eateries, this restaurant serves great food for a great price (pastas for 7 euros, meat for around 10 euro). Also, be sure to try a Dirty Martini or German Chocolate Cake shot from bartender, Ivka.

Now, if you are ready to party late night, and I do mean late, check out one of two private after hours clubs in Florence:  Teatro or Blob.  With a one time membership fee of 10 euros (or going with someone who has one) you can party until the wee hours of the morning.

Check back next week for day 3.

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Frugal Firenze – Day 1.

October 15th, 2009 by Ruth

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Currently working and studying in Florence, Italy, graphic designer and photographer, Rachel Graham (www.rbgarts.com) from New York, New York tells us how to be frugal in Firenze.

In a historic city such as Florence, you’d be surprised at how many mediocre meals you can eat if you’re not in the know.  As an artist and student in this city, it’s always nice to save a buck (or with the current euro/dollar exchange, €0.60) on a nice meal. So, want to paint Firenze red like a true Fiorentini?  Below are my suggestions for an unforgettable stay.

Day 1:

Ahh, day one.  You wake up refreshed and ready to explore.  Grab a pane cioccolata (chocolate croissant) and un cappuccino from a nearby pasticceria (pastry shop) and head to the Mercato Centrale.  This incredible market is where locals and visitors alike buy the freshest ingredients.  A building that covers an entire block houses booths run by local farms and wineries.  Many of the shops also ship their products internationally, so it’s a nice place to buy gifts or to stock up for your own kitchen!

After the market, it’s lunchtime.  Trattoria Mario has been open since 1957 and is the place to go for a truly authentic Tuscan experience.  Only open for lunch, their specialty is the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak).  The pasta dishes range from 6 to 10 euro and the steak is about 35 euro a kilo (to share only! It is really big). The minimal décor and communal seating arrangement give this place a very homey feel.  You’ll want to go back on Day 2, but I’ll give you another option, I promise.

For dinner, I suggest an amazing Zagat rated place called Acqua al 2. Be sure to make a reservation because it fills up quickly.  They have a chef sampler platter that is a nice taste of all the best dishes, and also a Nobile di Montepulciano red that is amazing, and only 20 euro.  Give yourself a little time to find this restaurant gem though, because unless you have an iPhone with GPS it can be a little tricky, but totally worth it.

For an after dinner drink, head down to the Santa Croce area and take your pick.  There is a lounge called Moyo that makes great cocktails.  Or if you’re in the mood for a perfect Guinness head over to the lively Lion’s Fountain or The Old Stove, which is a little more laid back and has a great terrace.

Check back tomorrow for day 2!

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