36 hours Archives - Girl in Florence

Girl in Florence

A Tuscan Texan immersed in Florentine life

Florence, Italy Where To Go

19.04.2019

11 Interesting Places to Visit When in Milan

06.09.2017

Where To Go in Liguria Instead Of Cinque Terre

08.05.2017

Discovering Rome’s Trastevere Neighborhood: A Few Finds

02.01.2017

Two Nights In Monti, Rome’s Perfect Central Neighborhood

08.11.2016

Assisi: Exploring One Of Umbria’s Crown Jewels

29.04.2016

3 Favorite Spring Destinations Outside Of Florence

03.03.2016

Positive Stories This Week Around The World

17.01.2016

Behind the Lens: My Year Of Travel On Instagram

07.01.2016

36 Hours In Tuscany’s Monte Argentario

12.10.2015

36 Hours in Matera, A Town That Italy Now Remembers

25.08.2015

36 Hours in Puglia

10.08.2014

“Prima e dopo” — before and after. This seri

“Prima e dopo” — before and after. This series of side-by-side shots are by photographer @alessiochao who has strolled the city of #yourflorence since 2018 capturing intricate details with his camera(s).

Personally, I never get over seeing such a contrast in realities, that is seeing the city during a “normal” year to how it was during the lockdown.. and well beyond, as the pandemic certainly isn’t over yet. Both realities come with issues in their own ways, they certainly spark a conversation of what will the future be like, and when?

I asked Chao Li aka “Alessio” (to his Italian friends) a few questions about how he views the city, taking photos and frankly just trying to live life during a mentally-taxing time. Head on over to the link in my bio to read the interview and be sure to check out his IG. For sure you will be just as intrigued as I was.

Midweek meals can often be a headache for me but w

Midweek meals can often be a headache for me but with home office/smart working being our reality (mine forever and Nico’s since the pandemic began) I’ve had an excuse to procrastinate on work assignments and make “hot lunch” more often than before. Because why not. Sometimes we also just eat cheese and crackers.

Lately, I’ve been craving this velvety roasted cauliflower soup with a bit of fennel, bacon and chopped cashews and super easy to make at home croissants made with store bought puff pastry filled with whatever the heck you please.

In fact, the theme of “hot lunch” was one of the topics @arttrav and I spoke about with fellow Italy lovers in a recent #clubhouseapp chat this past Sunday. It was simply an open forum to talk about things that have changed since we’ve moved to Italy and what we might have taken back to our home countries (if not from there) or adopted new ones. I’m still very very tow-in-water new on the app but I have to say it was super cool to chat with people that I’ve only ever seen on DMs previously. Have you tried it, thoughts?

Regarding midweek meals, I’m always apt to hear what else you’ve been making and loving. I regularly stalk @rachelaliceroddy @emikodavies @curiousappetite @cuisinehelvetica @halfbakedharvest @minimalistbaker @helvetickitchen @annmahnet for inspiration.
#whatscooking

One thing I always appreciate about #yourflorence

One thing I always appreciate about #yourflorence is the ability to simple have something to do... when having really nothing to do — ie: just simply getting to wander aimlessly around the city without a plan. There is always something to see, architecture to admire and various details to note (like street signs tuned into modern symbology a la @cletabraham’s signs) 💕

“I don’t think I consciously aspired to be a w

“I don’t think I consciously aspired to be a writer or journalist until I started doing it in my early twenties. Yet I’d always harbored hopes to be some kind of artist, a title that feels claimable when other people assign it to you, but oddly embarrassing to use for yourself. My family moved to a new house when I was seven, and my parents stayed friendly with the young couple that bought our old one. Within a few weeks of settling in, this couple had turned the kitchen walls an electric lime green, and had set up a studio for the painter-illustrator of the pair.

I remember thinking, I’m going to be an artist when I grow up so I can do ANYTHING I WANT, like painting my kitchen lime green! Sounds ridiculous, but it was a revelation. So thank you, Sarah Frances and John Hardy! I still feel squeamish calling myself an “artist,” but your bold choice of kitchen paint changed my life.”

My friend @verymarygray is an extraordinary person whose writing never fails to make me smile. Like many freelancers affected during this pandemic in #yourflorence she’s had to come up with new ways to work, one of which is offering her finely-tuned skills into helping other writers (beginner’s welcome!) craft personal essays and embrace their creative side!

She also offers one-on-one zoom sessions, paired with written feedback, for all sorts of writing-related needs (she also has a wonderful podcast hosted with @tuckedawaytravels #spritzandgrits which o highly recommend subscribing to. You’ll also find her debut novel #rentaldiaries in the online shop on @theflorentine.

Learn more about Mary in a soulful interview for the blog in the link in my bio. Photo credit: Carlotta Nucci. #communityfirst

All you need is love 💕 (and chocolate hearts fr

All you need is love 💕 (and chocolate hearts from @rivoirefirenze) in #yourflorence

Even when describing a tragedy like the one of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta punished together in hell for their adultery, ‘la bella lingua’ in the hands of poet Dante Alighieri is simply beautiful!

So what about the language common people use today to express love and romance?

The first interesting point is that Italians distinguish clearly between romantic passionate love and love for friends and families. Amore is a word exclusively dedicated to your lover and Ti Amo leaves no space for doubts or questions about one’s feelings. In a country where love and passion usually go hand in hand, the possessive Amore MIO (my love) is very common.

Ti voglio bene (which we could translate with “I am fond of you”) is the appropriate expression to use with children, parents, friends and pets. But it is not unusual for lovers to say both as a way to express passion and care for each other. I remember seeing TVB written in many places around Firenze and having no idea what it meant or where it came from.

Besides Amore, the most common expression to say 'Honey' are:

Caro/Cara
Tesoro or Tesoro mio
Gioia or Gioia mia
Vita mia

You can also say:

“Sei l’amore della mia vita.” You are the love of my life
“Ti amo con tutta me stessa/tutto me stesso.” I Love you with my whole being
“Ti amo con tutto il cuore.” I Love you with all my heart.

Or

“Sei stupenda:” You're Fantastic

“Ti adoro” I adore you

“Ti penso sempre” I always think about you

“Sono pazzo/a di te” I am crazy about you

For more fun language lesson - check out our #learnitalian section at @italymagazine and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

Today was bitterly cold with the kind of wind that

Today was bitterly cold with the kind of wind that goes straight to your bones. Low temperatures are predicted for tomorrow night which might be the weather’s way of reacting to the mood of the upcoming implementation of a stricter #zonaarancione looming over Tuscany to come this Sunday.

Again, the museums will close as will the restaurants and bars, food of course will still be available for takeaway (actually very excited to receive my @beehivebagels today which will immediately find their way to our freezer for delicious days ahead). Head on over to my “home delivery” highlights for ideas on where to support local restaurants etc.

The orange zone is rumored to be in place for at least two weeks, with a few comune (Chiusi and likely Sansepolcro) turning into red zones. Another factor is the fear of the spread of coronavirus variants throughout the country and how best to combat infections.

While not the most positive update for tired Tuscans there is more positive news on the horizon, namely that vaccinations have begun (even for under 55’s - namely teachers and some police force. The region has opened 15 vaccination points and more are to open by this Sunday (source @repubblica_firenze) to get the ball rolling towards a hopefully less chaotic future.

Hoping for brighter days ahead for everyone (btw happy Lunar new year!) and of being able to hug my friends. In the meantime, hope you’re all staying warm this freezing Friday 💕. #yourflorence

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