Penpal update

So I must admit, I am yet to write to my penpal :( But I swear my handwritten letter is coming.


Joelle from A Charming Occasion and Megan from Freckled Italian have set up this great idea to get back to a life without high-technology taking over, and simply connect via a hnadwritten letter.


I remember when I was younger I used to write letters to my family and I would so carefully choose which paper I would use and how I would use it etc. I would be creative and eager to think of everything I wanted to say and everything I wanted to know in return - it was a true and proper conversation, with just the slight time delay of when the postman would turn up :) The excitememnt would build up to see if the letter had been received and then of course the eager awaiting of a reply to make its way to your own letterbox.


I love letters - especially hanwritten ones, so I'll keep you posted for when I finally get my time together (look out for future blogs on this thought) to write my penpal a letter.

Thought of the day...

So Spring has arrived into London. FINALLY! I finally got to sit in the park at lunchtime, and relax without worrying the rain would hit, or the wind would pick up etc. It was perfection in its finest. I will indeed be writing more on this later, but London in the sunshine, is one of the world's greatest cities, and today I was well and truly reminded of that fact. Utter bliss...for the lunch break at least :)


So my thought for the day was triggered last night during my homesick little melt down. Am well and truly over it now, but in the brief 'break-down' moment, I felt really a world apart from my 'people'. For any avid Grey's Anatomy fans (me being the biggest one), they have 'people' who utterly can understand what they're going through without words, or any mere form of communication. It's an understanding that resonates within the atmosphere of their existence, and I have that with many of my family and friends who are based in the absolute form of overseas lands you can get. They really couldn't get further if they tried....or more like I couldn't further from them considering I was the one who left my beautiful country to explore elsewhere.


Isolation can be a terrifying feeling to experience, and especially when vulnerability is already running wild on you as it is. So my thought for today, is to remember people - not just 'your people' but all people. I know that I'm often looked at as being highly responsible, well organised and structured and as a result a strong and independent woman, and whilst that can be an accurate description and view point, I still have moments and most importantly need to feel loved and remembered, as I try and do in my relationships also. It's important to just pick up the phone, write a quick text or send a brief email to say rather simply.
'I'm just thinking of you today, and I hope all is well wherever you are.' It will make someone’s day, so keep it in mind, and don't lose site of the fact that sometimes our assumptions can be apt and correct and sometimes they can be oh so wrong, and that person you view as being strong and independent, may just need you in their life...even if only for a virtual second.

I ♥ Florence

To begin with...

Fantabulous literature

...So this is my 6^th time I think to Italy (I always feel compelled to tell how many times I’ve been to a place, so you can understand the depth of my adoration) Filip has never been to Florence, and I’ve been dying to get back there, to explore more, and kind of go over the things I already know and love about this magical little city. We flew into Pisa and stayed for one night, to explore the Leaning Tower…(I think that’s the absolute on what you can explore in Pisa) and then caught the train to Florence for the second day and evening.

So Pisa in images.....

Stunningly beautiful streets

The iconic Leaning Tower

Market time on a Saturday morning

I love that in Italy passion exudes from the sidewalk literally – store owners, are hanging out and yelling sweet Italian phrases (even when aggressive it still sounds amazing), and carrying on with their daily business, which really just makes me smile. From the language to the style, to the AMAZING food – this place just lives and breathes passion. I know many can be annoyed and find the whole country overwhelming – I so never feel that. I just long for more time here. 

Bardeni and Boboli Gardens was perfect on the most amazing sunny day, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi were all on my ‘To do’ list and to share with Filip. The Duomo was the very first one I saw here, and seeing again for a second time, was no less stunning than the first time. I find this city very easy to stroll and explore – it’s just so nice being out and about here, and watching the world keep moving as you take a coffee break or get some amazing gelato, is always a must do. Just enjoy and lap up every minute. There’s never a need to worry here – it just feels relaxed and joyous the whole time. 

Just cos he's so darn cute! In Bardeni Garden :)

Boboli Garden

The Boboli Gardens (Italian: Giardini di Boboli) is a park in Florence, that is home to a collection of sculptures dating from the 16th through the 18th centuries, with some Roman antiquities.

The view from Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge") is a Medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence, noted for still having shops built along it, as was once common. 

The famous jewellery stores in Ponte Vecchio

Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

The oh so amazing site to see Ponte Vecchio

Eating is just the best joy in this country – they get it so right – they fill the time with passion over family, food, vino, conversation and decadent coffee and dessert. They do it in true style, and I really didn’t want to leave…even though the entire weekend I felt completely full and stuffed! The fact they get it perfect with simple ingredients, will always amaze me – a simple bruschetta made with fresh and delicious tomatoes, onions, garlic and of course Olive Oil. Done so right by having the fresh and amazing Italian produce. We were fortunate enough to eat at two of the city’s best – both Dinner and Lunch were an event of food and generous discussions shared with waitresses/waiters and the guests next to us. We literally stumbled across them, and are so grateful we did.


Lunch:                                                                                                    
Il Latini

Dinner:

Il Francescano

And of course for dessert:

Gelato!

Some other amazing and beautiful pics purely for my own memory and pleasure.....

The beautiful night sky and sunset from Il Francescano
:)

The view from San Miniato al Monte

 
San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, standing atop one of the highest points in the city. It has been described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. There is an adjoining Olivetan monastery, seen to the right of the basilica when ascending the stairs.

The Duomo

Shoppers side note: – Literally the first thing I spotted upon our Pisa stroll on Saturday morning was Dixie – fell in love, and though superb for different little items at a low-ish (By Italian Standards) cost – affordable either way and oh so worth it!Shopping in this country is fab fab fab. The last time I was in Rome I purchased these great and handy and stylish welly’s – a fave, considering how popular Hunters are. I like that these are different and do the amazing trick they do. I managed to pick up a new pair of shoes on this visit and fell in love with this little chain all over again. Check out Primadonna on any visit.

Could they be any cuter!

Ciao for now!