Another week in August in Florence. Yes it is blistering hot and humid and walking up the hill where this pretty above photo was taking in the middle of the day makes me want to slightly die at times. But as you can see,  the view is more than worth it. What have I been doing so far this month in a deserted “zombie apocalypse” like city?

Always working, on the house hunt {that deserves a few posts for themselves}, dogsitting-housesitting, occasional trips to the pool, cooking, drinks with friends. All in all, my life doesn’t change much except for the increased numbers of showers I take daily {right now lingering from 2-3} and hating everyone who is instagramming their month in Greece.

Thursday I leave with Frenchy for a four-day excursion to Alghero, Sardinia. I-really-can’t-wait-this-is-me-super-excited :-). We will only be there for four days and during the dreaded ferragosto holiday. But who cares as long as I have somewhat of an escape this month. The first day we will be there we are staying at an awesome hotel – Villa Los Tronas on the waterfront as a special treat and I am already picturing myself sipping a glass of rose watching the sunset with my partner-in-crime. Is it Thursday yet? 

You better believe I will be blogging about Alghero and all of the crazy adventures we can cram in our short time there. Until then let’s concentrate on Florence. Since we all know how much I love to take photos, and … I just got a new camera. Let’s explore a week in the best city in the universe – Firenze Florenz Florence.

You would think that it being summer and the lack of air-conditioning would curb my appetite. Um, no not really unfortunately. I am a girl who loves food and food loves her, so early this week after seeing an Ikea advert – I knew swedish meatballs with a curry sauce, mashed potatoes in spinach needed to happen at my house faster than you can pronounce hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia.

Of course this heat meant any excuse to go out for a drink – especially for the frozen or fresh variety was an absolute must. Happy hour at Tijuana mexican restaurant {6-8pm} means that I got this enormous margarita for 4 euros. I could live on these during August { I wish}.

Move over margaritas – what about my other fave, the cool as a cucumber Moscow Mule. Me and my Nana Bianca colleagues stopped by one of my new favorite places, Aurora bar in Piazza Tasso {hipster paradise – beards were quite numerous} for a round or two of Mojitos and Moscow mules. They make great ones with plenty of ginger without using a ton of sugar. AWESOME.

Since I pretty much live like a vampire during the week when its super hot – ie: I go out only in the morning and evening to avoid being scorched into the cobblestone. During twilight, I try to take the dogs I’m dog-sitting for on a daily walk in the field next to the house where they happily sniff anything in sight and I take pictures of cool twigs and ripe fruit.

While checking out some potential rooms/apartments in Piazza Beccaria, one of my favorite areas in town – I spotted this detail on a palazzo on via orcagna and had to snap a photo. You really never know what interesting architectural details await you at any given corner in this city.

At one point this week, something happened to me that never really does. I actually felt the need to bake. While, I do consider myself to be a good cook, I suck at baking. I burn everything, mess up the measurements or just make anything sweet inedible (unless its carrot cake & cheesecake). I suddenly had to have peanut butter – white chocolate chip cookies. And for once, they actually came out pretty great! Take THAT Betty Crocker..

Needless to say, my week wasn’t too shabby even if most of my friends are leaving or have left for the month. September is going to be a very busy month for me and I plan on soaking up each lazy moment as I can – and maybe even finish a few of the books I’ve been neglecting on my kindle.

In fact, if you guys have any cool summer reads for my trip this weekend – I am all ears!

Related articles

• Florence food photo diary: sushi, veggies burgers, brunch and ‘Cacciucco’ (girlinflorence.com)
• Georgette’s guide to surviving Florence this August (girlinflorence.com)
• Aperitivo at Hotel Minerva – cocktails & sunsets (girlinflorence.com)
• Locals I Love – meet Gina Baxter (girlinflorence.com)