Tag: handmade

Adopt a Tuscan olive tree and enjoy your own organic extra virgin olive oil!

29 April 2021

Are you passionate about nature, environment, agriculture, history, traditions, organic food, Italian goodies , Tuscany and all about Italy ? Yes? So, this is your call! Now with https://www.ageroliva.it/ you can have the chance to adopt a Tuscan olive tree on Pistoia’s hills and so in this way you could : 1. save a tree … More Adopt a Tuscan olive tree and enjoy your own organic extra virgin olive oil!

Berberè in Florence : an authentic Italian pizza in the heart of Florence

15 January 2019

If you are in Florence you can’t miss the Basilica of Santa Croce , the Pazzi chapel and of course all the nice shops in the nearby, especially http://www.aquaflorfirenze.com in Borgo Santa Croce no.6 a lovely shop where you could find the best room fragrances, parfums and luxury soaps to bring home as gifts for … More Berberè in Florence : an authentic Italian pizza in the heart of Florence

An amazing studio in the heart of Florence : a jump in the Renaissance

28 March 2018

http://www.imosaicidilastrucci.it What a coincidence : about a month ago a gemmologist from Pistoia , Lucia Gori , told me about this place in Firenze . Two days ago a friend of mine Carmen , native from Canarie island but living in Florence since long time, brought me here and I immediately recognized the name engraved … More An amazing studio in the heart of Florence : a jump in the Renaissance

Easter time : it’s Colomba sweet time in Italy!

19 March 2018

Have you ever tasted Colomba Pasquale ( Easter dove in English )? Not yet? Here follows some photos I took on the ‘backstage’ of Fratelli Lunardi bakery in Quarrata – Pistoia – http://www.fratellilunardi.it This special kind of soft pastry needs many rising hours to be ready for the oven in this case the Lunardi brothers … More Easter time : it’s Colomba sweet time in Italy!

Made in Pistoia :  embroidery museum  & the precious Tuscan stitch 

10 March 2017

Pistoia & its territory , especially  in Casale & Casalguidi area, have been considered since the 17th century a centre of excellence and top quality handmade embroidery  first made by convents & enclosed orders for the ecclesiastic pomp and later for noble families . The “Whitework” it is how they call this kind of embroidery … More Made in Pistoia :  embroidery museum  & the precious Tuscan stitch 

Pistoia : Vinicio Polidori an artist with a special touch 

6 February 2017

Vinicio Polidori : born in Pistoia same year as me ( so, a young man indeed !) met him first through its drawings explosed by Bar Nazionale in the library room & then met him personally through my friend Alessandra Vannetti who is the owner ‘s bar. Vinicio ‘s life is made of success & … More Pistoia : Vinicio Polidori an artist with a special touch 

MadeInPistoia: EllEmme ,   since 1968 Italian quality knitwear factory  

24 October 2016

Have been invited to visit this Pistoia’s beautiful reality from a French client I met in my husband restaurant . So funny to get in touch with a Pistoia’s factory through a foreign !Mr  Jacques du  Mulin is ELLEMME ‘s agent for France since more than 20 years so he knows very well this factory … More MadeInPistoia: EllEmme ,   since 1968 Italian quality knitwear factory  

Pistoia : a private collection of old dolls & Pinocchio

15 June 2016

Titled : “Le sentinelle della memoria : giocattoli di un’altra epoca” A private toys collection  a free open to public in occasion of “Dialoghi sull’uomo 2016 festival” in Pistoia , just in her own palace – Palazzo dè Rossi – belonged to this  young collector’s family  : Paola dè Rossi, that was one of the … More Pistoia : a private collection of old dolls & Pinocchio

Tour,lunch &  shopping  with Texan  ladies  in Chianti 

9 June 2016

What a wonderful  idea  travelling all women together in the Chianti countryside enjoying  food,wine & lovely landscapes!  This is one of my fav tour :  ladies only …..💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 A stop in Greve in Chianti, for  a beautiful & yummy cappuccino , a tour among hanging hams & salami by Falorni historical butchery, lunch by  “Il … More Tour,lunch &  shopping  with Texan  ladies  in Chianti 

Prato & PastaMadreDay  : sourdough for homemade bread & focaccia

16 May 2016

What a great Sunday yesterday ! Some months ago I had  the pleasure to meet  a foodblogger from Prato – Stefania Storai  www.minaelesuericette.ifood.it  & she invited me to this event in Prato  called : Pastamadre day , litteraly in English could be “mother dough “: the name is easly understanding , because it is from … More Prato & PastaMadreDay  : sourdough for homemade bread & focaccia

How to eat a fresh pork sausage for a tasty aperitivo!

11 May 2016

In Tuscany we love pork meat , in every possible way! Even raw pork sausages are delicious just spreading them on a Tuscan unsalted slice of bread….ever tried? if not yet ,you SHOULD ! Just  buy FRESH  ones handmade by one of our  ‘norcino’ ( a particular butcher who deals with pork meat only ) … More How to eat a fresh pork sausage for a tasty aperitivo!

Fresh pasta made in Genoa ~ Ligurian style !

19 April 2016

My interesting walking tour  in Genova stopped not only by a bakery to taste focaccia genovese  but also here : by a fresh handmade pasta maker  : PASTA FRESCA  FABIO & ALESSIA run by two brothers that run this family business  in the historical center (have a look to the  ceilings :old  afrescoes  overlooking the … More Fresh pasta made in Genoa ~ Ligurian style !

Not only  wedding dresses  by Sidoti Moda in Genoa …

18 April 2016

…even prêt à porter clothes  created by Tiziana, stylist & designer , with great beautiful colours  with light materials for the up coming spring  & summertime! Run by two sisters , Tiziana & Carmen , this atelier was opened about 40 years ago by their mother Grazia , producing top quality handmade dresses “alta moda … More Not only  wedding dresses  by Sidoti Moda in Genoa …

Cooking class in Liguria :  how to make Pesto alla genovese

23 March 2016

           One of my best tour ever is made in Liguria with American & Australian clients! First thing we learned to make was ….PESTO!!! and I still can feel the pressed basil’s scent in the air…amazing experience indeed you can forget faces,people,places but not smells! Everybody was so excited to start a new … More Cooking class in Liguria :  how to make Pesto alla genovese

Where to stay in Rome?

22 March 2016

Not just a modern & original  4 star hotel designed by an architect who loves modern art  but the people….amazing!! so welcoming ,such a great stay   by www.abitarthotel.com & its restaurant too. Art is the main ingredient in this place : everywhere you could see masterpieces & the atmophere is very relaxing , not too modern … More Where to stay in Rome?

Tuscany : Greve in Chianti & the Tuscan navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano

17 March 2016

Another time in Greve for me but the first one for my American group : to see the triangular shaped square, this time with no tourists  – except us – as  at the beginning of March is still low season and just  because of this , more  lovely as a typical Tuscan hamlet where to … More Tuscany : Greve in Chianti & the Tuscan navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano

Pistoia : Forteguerriana library dated 1473 it’s one of the oldest in Italy.

29 January 2016

When I was a student this was my library & it was the only one in Pistoia .forteguerriana.comune.pistoia.it All the past generations have studied here surronded by these old shelves full of handmade old books & some of them also written by hands! Founded in 1473 after the Cardinal Niccoló Forteguerri ‘s death who decided … More Pistoia : Forteguerriana library dated 1473 it’s one of the oldest in Italy.

Nomination : a shining lady  behind an Italian leader  jewels brand     

7 January 2016

http://www.nomination.it I have had the great pleasure to meet Monica Tiozzo  – the Nomination president – during an happy hour in Pistoia planned by TO BE DONNA  -an entrepeneurs’ women association of Confcommercio –  to present her new book titled : ”How  to be  a mother, a wife and yourself as well as a president … More Nomination : a shining lady  behind an Italian leader  jewels brand     

MadeinPistoia : an amazing eco-friendly Presepe (Nativity)

16 December 2015

     I couldn’t believe it was possible to create such an amazing, original  Nativity  with just common things as expired food , dried leaves,tea bags,seeds,eggs’ shells ,wahnuts ,garlic flowers used as small trees, old jumpers used as mountains , expired white flour as snow , pistaches’shells, plastic pins, orange zeist ? It has been a … More MadeinPistoia : an amazing eco-friendly Presepe (Nativity)

MadeinPistoia : it’s Nativities time , the most original handmade ones!

9 December 2015

Just started in Pistoia an exibition of Nativities : handmade by students of the primary schools and by adults with a great passion for using different materials to create special settings. From stones to a terracotta’s pot , even  an old style bike as a special place where to born! Fantasy is a must here👍👏👏👏 … More MadeinPistoia : it’s Nativities time , the most original handmade ones!

MadeinPistoia : cialde di Montecatini Terme ( Pistoia’s district thermal city)

17 November 2015

Ever seen before? ever tried? A typical product from this thermal city in Tuscany that is Montecatini Terme, just 15km from Pistoia. Loved them since I was a child : simply as they are or together with ice cream, vin santo dessert wine or an espresso coffee or hot chocolate ….😋😋😋 They are made of … More MadeinPistoia : cialde di Montecatini Terme ( Pistoia’s district thermal city)

MadeinPistoia : multicolour cachemire made in Tuscany 

15 November 2015

Pistoia is not only art & architecture , greenhouses & stunning landscapes but you can also find …fashion ! http://www.icashmerissimi.com produces beautiful & soft jumpers , gilets ,capes & scarfs, gloves , socks hats all made of cachemire, or silk & cachemire in fashionable multicolours both for women & men. Visited the outlet  in the Pistoia’s … More MadeinPistoia : multicolour cachemire made in Tuscany 

Su Gologone : a fantastic experience hotel with a unique charming atmosphere & a real Sardinian style!

5 November 2015

As you know Sardinia is my second home in summer time since more than 40 years  but   I hadn’t ever been in this special hotel  before : just in the heart of Sardinia & surrounding by a gorgeous wild nature that fascinated me soooo much! Words can’t describe as beautiful it is & neither photos … More Su Gologone : a fantastic experience hotel with a unique charming atmosphere & a real Sardinian style!

Portrait of a pastry : ever seen how to make a “pain aux raisins”in a patisserie?

24 September 2015

Ever been inside a laboratory & see how they make your tasty breakfast pastries? that’s what I did in my town,Pistoia, last morning : visited one of my fav patisserie but ,this time , on the “backstage”as I used to call it 😉the other side of the moon 🌝🌚maybe I  should say ,where you can … More Portrait of a pastry : ever seen how to make a “pain aux raisins”in a patisserie?

Pistoia: Ristorante Rafanelli a must for traditional Tuscan specialities & great wines🍷🍷🍸🍸

20 September 2015

If you need an elegant , classy location but at the same time a warm, welcoming place where to eat with your family or friends , for a business luncheon or dinner to sign  an agreement  or to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary , this is the best place in town , since 1926 … More Pistoia: Ristorante Rafanelli a must for traditional Tuscan specialities & great wines🍷🍷🍸🍸

Sardinia : shopping & fun ( for ladies only !)at the seaside market

26 August 2015

What a better way to start a summer day than leaving our men on the beach & go to the market for some shopping & chats ? Nothing! So many original things on these stalls just in the small heart of , San Pantaleo , a village on the Emerald coast . During the summer … More Sardinia : shopping & fun ( for ladies only !)at the seaside market

Firenze : “House of excellences” top quality temporary mall  

8 July 2015

In an historical beautiful  palace that was the Florence Court , now hosts an exibition related to the Expo 2015 with Florentine excellent handcrafted products. Free entrance for a stunning location with different kind of items , from necklaces in leather  to chocolate , shoes & much more, enjoy 😍😍😍😍                          … More Firenze : “House of excellences” top quality temporary mall  

Pistoia :il Pollo d’Oro since 1963 a family run Pizzeria ,same location, same top quality!

28 June 2015

A perfect restaurant  pizzeria  for pizza lovers (wood fire ) and every kind of Tuscan food, from pasta to seafood and homemade desserts , big mix salads and Tuscan beer made in a small brewery , tagliata meat steak , original starters with Parmigiano mousse and creamy buffalo mozzarella  and many more options ! Just … More Pistoia :il Pollo d’Oro since 1963 a family run Pizzeria ,same location, same top quality!