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Why you should visit the Toulouse Christmas markets

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • Leave a comment

I am no stranger to the south-west French city of ‘pink brick’ otherwise known as Toulouse. I visited a few years ago for the first time with my then friend Nico (and now boyfriend-partner in crime otherwise known as ‘Frenchy’. he is from a smaller town called Castelnaudary that not many know about other than … Continue reading →

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Where the Locals go – my excerpt in National Geographic

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 16 Comments

Practically before I could read, I used to flip pages of books and magazines forever curious about the stories that lied beneath. Anyone who knows me well, remembers me constantly with a book by my side, whether it be a friend’s house, the supermarket, at school – probably I annoyed many people by the amount … Continue reading →

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A night at Palazzo Borghese

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 4 Comments

The amazing thing about Florence is that you really never know what is hiding behind the gray facade of any building. It could be a dusty interior, a crabby old lady who mumbles at you or perhaps the most opulent palace your eyes have ever laid on. Which is what I think when describing Palazzo … Continue reading →

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Locals I Love – Elena Angeli

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • Leave a comment

Despite slacking a bit on my ‘locals i love’ series, interviewing cool people I meet around Florence (and Italy) – I am happy to introduce you to my latest interview – Elena Angeli whom I met via the Yelp community in Florence. A sweeter person you could not meet, she always has a smile on … Continue reading →

christmas / culture / events / expat / food / italy / life / tips / travel / tuscany / Uncategorized

One week in Florence, photo diary in December

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 9 Comments

I know things have been a bit quiet of here but I call it the fault of colder weather. While yes, technically I should be holed up at home tapping away my computer while sipping mug after mug of hot tea. Ps. Hot tea & coffee is my Florentine version of a ‘heater’. Houses are … Continue reading →

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December events in Florence, Italy

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 4 Comments

You know what time it is.. basically its the time when I put on my writing hat and find the coolest events around Florence & Tuscany for the month of December, a beautiful time to be in town. I have been snapping photos of the Christmas lights set up around the city and Florence definitely … Continue reading →

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Happy Thanksgiving from Girl in Florence

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 13 Comments

While I honestly can’t remember the last time I actually spent Thanksgiving with my family, tis the life of a maybe-forever expat, I do however still value the holiday – or rather any day that prompts you to reflect on the things you should be grateful for. Personally, I truly feel thankful to have so … Continue reading →

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Sweet escapes at the Dolce Lab in Florence

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 10 Comments

While I wouldn’t consider myself a person that constantly craves sweets, when I do – it’s an itch that pretty much is mandatory to scratch. Luckily, living in Italy has provided a plethora of ‘sweet escapes’ to indulge in like tiramisu, panna cotta, various torte and much more. Thank god I live on the third … Continue reading →

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Zuppa di Cavolo Nero – Black Kale soup

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 8 Comments

A Florentine winter – while this year the cold has creeped in a lot slower than normal, personally I officially class the first day of ‘inverno’ as the day I finally turn on the riscaldamento (heater) in my house. If you don’t already know, gas & electricity are very pricey in Italy and this is … Continue reading →

American in Italy / food / italy / life / restaurant / tips / travel / tuscany / Uncategorized

A bit of Bavaria in Florence, Birreria HB Firenze

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 12 Comments

You might be wondering why I am talking about Bavarian food living in the gastronomic heaven that is Florence, Italy. Of course, when you live here and enjoy the fruits of the mediterranean diet on a daily basis – and trust me, you know I do, you sometimes crave a little something else. While I … Continue reading →

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5 ways to sightsee with a vintage Fiat 500

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 16 Comments

Have you ever dreamed about zipping around in a vintage car in the hills of Tuscany pretending to be in a cheesy yet romantic movie based in the 1950′s where everyone clothes stayed crisp in the hottest temperatures (makes you sort of imagine that everyone must have had some serious body odor) with Frank Sinatra’s Moon … Continue reading →

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Overdosing on truffles in Marche

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 6 Comments

“Truffles – anyone who does not declare himself ready to leave Paradise or Hell for such a treat is not worthy to be born again.” - Maurice Goudeket, ‘Close to Colette’ (1955) Some people hate them, some people are so obsessed they pay 1,000′s of euros for them. Of course I am talking about truffles. While, I … Continue reading →

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Who needs meat! Vegetarian restaurants in Florence

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 12 Comments

Normally, you would never think of Italy as a place for vegetarians. This is a land known for bistecca, cured meats and all sorts of delicious goodness. That being said, the traditional Mediterranean diet is very vegetable based and healthy to boot. Personally, I tend to eat very little meat – just out of habit … Continue reading →

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Meet Mario, a Florentine Institution

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 20 Comments

“Please take a look at my business card, I find it the best way to meet ladies.” chuckles Mario as he cheekily slid a card across the table with the words ‘are you free’ and ‘I am single’ written among the typed details of his work. I had to give him a bit of credit, at … Continue reading →

American in Italy / art / events / expat / food / italy / life / tips / travel / tuscany / Uncategorized

November events in Florence, Italy

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 16 Comments

Yep, we have finally arrived at the month of November when tourists start to dwindle and the air (might) just get a little chill to it. Actually I don’t want to say a word because this past week was so gorgeous in Florence, that I just want to pretend that the real winter won’t ever … Continue reading →

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Autumn flavors – Easy Minestrone recipe

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 10 Comments

Minestrone soup Minestrone in Italian literally means ‘big soup’ and is considered a true staple in the Mediterranean diet. The cuisine that is best well-known in this country are normally the ones with humble beginnings which is fabulous because I am pretty poor myself {take a look at average salaries in Italy} yet I like … Continue reading →

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Marvelous Marche part one

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 4 Comments

To be honest, if you asked me about the Italian region of Le Marche a few months ago, I would have likely sported a blank stare and admitted that I absolutely knew nothing of this area of il bel paese. And what a shame that was! While I am slowly but surely trying to visit … Continue reading →

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Do-it-yourself wine tour in Florence, Italy

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 22 Comments

Sometimes you just need to take the bull by the horns and make Florence your own personal tourist destination. With the recent news of my good friend Katie’s approval from the US embassy for her and husband to move to the states, a few of my friends decided to celebrate with a Saturday funday with … Continue reading →

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Angles of Anghiari

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 7 Comments

I’m slightly ticked at myself for taking so long to write about my adventures in beautiful Anghiari, in the province of Arezzo. I was there during my whirlwind in Sansepolcro for the Palio della Balestra earlier this month. This small town is best known for the date of June 29, 1440 when Filippo Maria Visconti {Duke of … Continue reading →

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Making friends in Florence, Italy

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Georgette Jupe • 15 Comments

I often get asked ‘Where do you meet people’ in Florence, Italy?’ It’s a subject I have touched on before but I really thought it worthy of its own post. It is true that The Florentines as people have a reputation for being very closed and I really don’t have a ton of Florentine girlfriends, more acquaintances. Instead … Continue reading →

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April events in Florence, Italy

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Georgette Jupe • 9 Comments

While I may at this exact moment be sitting on my mom’s plush beige couch in San Antonio,Texas, Florence is never far from my mind. Especially this month of April which surely will be an exciting month for us all with Easter and more vacation coming up {because we can never have enough, right?}. The … Continue reading →

American in Italy / culture / events / expat / food / italy / life / tips / tuscany / Uncategorized

March events in Florence, Italy

Posted on March 1, 2014 by GirlinFlorence • 18 Comments

March is slated to be such a fun, exciting month in Florence. We all hope that the rain will be less, and the sun will come visit us more. Picnics, food fairs, musical concerts and much more. Don’t forget that ‘feste delle donne’ aka. women’s day is on the 8th [not that anyone cares] but … Continue reading →

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Locals I Love – Dario Trovato

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Georgette Jupe • 2 Comments

Meet Dario Trovato, Italian, a videomaker/sound designer, loves beer Locals I love is back,  and this week we are getting to know Dario, a guy I met while working at Nana Bianca in Florence. A talented videomaker who is part of Balzo, a 4-person team making video game apps and doing a pretty great job … Continue reading →

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February events in Florence, Italy

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Georgette Jupe • Leave a comment

I’m taking a break from obsessively gazing at pictures and video of our rising arno river with the rest of Italy to finally get cracking on my February events’ post. This month has surprised me with just how much cool things there are to do including classical music aperitivos, chocolate fair, karaoke night, free film … Continue reading →