A whole new reality!

My family -- aka my husband Alessandro, our two year old daughter Elly and I -- arrived in Italy at the end of August (2012) to begin our year abroad.  Or as we refer to it, our "family adventure".  Maggie, our beloved chocolate labrodoodle is spending her year in the rockie mountains and from the looks of things so far, not missing us a bit.

Maggie, swimming in a mountain lake

Home base for us is Firenze, Italia.  Sandro speaks the language...I'm embarking on an intenesive immersion program....and Elly is newly enrolled in an Italian pre-school.  She'll be fluent before I am - that's certain.

We've spent the past two weeks getting the lay of the land.  Sandro knows where to get the best produce and prosciutto.  Elly has been introduced to gelato (there's no going back now!).  

...nothing better

I on the other hand, have been amassing a camera full of amazing doors - beautiful tiled floors - aesthetic compositions - inspiring structures...and the list goes on.  As a designer, Florence is a wonderland!  This blog will share my observations, thoughts and inspiration from my wanderings throughout this beautiful city.  And of course, plenty of pictures!

As this is just an introduction, I'll leave off with a few pictures of a newfound pleasure.  Elly chasing birds in Piazza Santo Spirito.  She truly believes she'll catch one if she just keeps at it....

On the hunt...

"That was fun mamma!"

Contemplating her attack strategy