After Florence we took a train to Naples where we rented a car to drive to Positano. On the way we stopped at Pompeii to take in a bit more history. We intended to stop at a pizza place in Naples my aunt recommended on the way but it was only 11am and it was closed so we found a place on Yelp that was close to where we were. Sadly it wasn't very good and I was really looking forward to Naples pizza since it's supposed to be the best. Oh well. (I also didn't really care for Naples in general from the ~30 minutes we were there. It's like a way more sketchy, dirty and smelly New York City. But NYC is awesome. But I can't fully judge after a half hour.)

Top: eight sixty, Shorts: Banana Republic (Clinton Crossing), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' (Moda Operandi),  Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika'


My friend is the master of taking a ton of pictures before the actual picture, so here's an amusing action shot of me jumping up onto the wall.

And here are some photos from Pompeii. Truly spectacular. It's amazing how much survived and is still standing. I was mesmerized by all the frescoes on the remaining walls. Some of the colors were still so vivid!

Most of these didn't fit in with my Florence guide (or I shared too many) so here's a photo diary with some more shots from our three day stay!

We spent 3 nights and 2 days in Florence while on our trip but we definitely could have used more. My first recommendation is to buy a Firenze Card. It gets you in to almost all the museums in Florence for 72 hours (one entry per museum) and you don't have to wait in the regular lines. You can buy it online before your trip or at multiple locations in Florence.

What to Do

Let's start with museums, shall we?

Uffizi Gallery

This museum is home to Botticelli's Primavera and The Birth of Venus as well as da Vinci's Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi (which is an unfinished piece!) Make sure to visit all the rooms, you never know what you'll discover hidden on the walls. Unfortunately we somehow missed The Birth of Venus and Primavera, I assume the rooms were closed because we looked at everything.

Accademia Gallery

This is where you will find Michelangelo's David as well as many other beautiful sculptures and paintings.

Museo Galileo

This is a really cool science museum full of globes, telescopes (some were Galileo's!), chemistry sets and more. I really enjoyed this museum and it was far less crowded than the first two.

Palazzo Pitti

Walk through this beautiful home turned museum and venture out into the gardens. We had already done quite a bit of climbing on this day so we didn't go far up into the gardens, which are supposed to have a lovely view.



Next up, churches!

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Another must-see, this church is free to enter. You will also want to climb the Bell Tower for the view and visit the museum, both require tickets. Climbing the tower is a bit of a trek and is not for those of faint heart. I was VERY out of breath by the time I reached the top, it didn't help that we had climbed the Leaning Tower that morning and done a lot of walking so I was already pooped.

Medici Chapel

The walls and ceiling of this chapel are breathtaking. Definitely stop in!

Basilica di Santa Croce

This church is beautiful inside and out. It has tombs/memorials for some of Italy's most famous people like Galileo and Michelangelo. It also has Donatello's Christ Crucified (I couldn't get close enough for a non-blurry photo.)


And the rest.

Michelangelo Piazza

This piazza involves a bit of a climb (up steps) but the view of Florence is worth it! There is also a copy of David made from bronze.

Morning Trip to Pisa

We spent a few hours taking a trip to Pisa for the sole purpose of climbing the Leaning Tower. You really don't need that much time there at all. On our way from the train station we stopped by Santa Maria della Spina, a very pretty church by the river.

Where to Eat

Trattoria Sostanza

I think it's safe to say this was my favorite meal of the trip. It was recommended by one of my friend's friends and she told us to get the butter chicken. It was 20 euros each so we decided to get 2 and split it between the three of us. Honestly we could have each eaten the full meal and it would have been worth it. The chicken comes to you still sizzling and bubbling. It is so simple, but perfect. The best chicken I've ever eaten. Instead of a photo I'm including a video so you can hear the deliciousness.

Gelateria dei Neri

More tasty gelato! It's hard to find bad gelato, just make sure you don't go somewhere that has the gelato piled up in the containers, that's a sign its not as good.

Ristorante il Boccale

We stopped here for lunch one day since it was down the street from our airbnb. I had just plain spaghetti with garlic and oil and it was so good. Sometimes the simplest meals can be the best.

Trattoria Nella

We had dinner here on our second night in Florence. I wasn't seeing anything particularly tempting on the menu so I asked if they had pesto. The waiter went to ask the chef and said that he could make me pesto with fettuccine. I loved how accommodating they were to my request. We also shared some garlic broccoli. Both were very good. One friend had the gnocchi but said it was a bit too thick.

Cafe Duomo

We ended up here for lunch after visiting the Cattedrale. We all got the same meal and, while it looks like an odd combo, it was delicious. I also got myself a hot chocolate which was more like warm pudding, sooooo good!

This month I aimed to not buy anything outside my trip to Italy. I almost made it the whole way though. At the beginning of the month I bought a pair of earrings that my friend Jamie-Lee designed for Mejuri because they're super pretty and I don't really have any non-stud earrings.

I also got an amazing deal on boots at DSW. They were 80% off $79 and then a further 20% off making them $12...how could I resist?! But now they'll be sitting in my closet until next Fall. They reminded me of a pair of Gianvito Rossi boots (and pumps) which was a nice bonus!

In Italy I wanted to buy a designer bag or shoes but sticker shock got me and I "behaved" and spent about $300 (€290) on Gucci sunglasses. They're listed at $400 on the US site so I did good.

After Italy, disaster struck. I went to Target with a friend and bought a bodysuit, shirt dress and tee. THEN that same day I found out Coach Outlets had the Disney collaboration for sale. I wanted a bag when they originally released at Coach but they were a bit too pricey.  I bought a cute Mickey ear bag in tan (wanted red but they didn't have it.)

To make matters worse, the Net-a-Porter sale started last week. It's my favorite sale of the year and there's only been one time where I haven't bought something. The first day of the sale I spent all morning going through every page adding things to my wish list. I haven't gotten anything yet, but it's only a matter of time.




THE (modified) RULES

1. Be mindful of purchases 
2. Quality over quantity
3. Basics are best

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. She Made Me Essential crocheted cotton swimsuit via Net-a-Porter sale ($45, $150 retail,  Christmas $$)
2. G.H. Bass burgundy cardigan at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $7.5 w/coupon, $99 retail) 
3. G.H. Bass cargo pants at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $21 w/coupon, $69 retail)  
4. *NEW!* Disney Mickey tee ($10 at Target)
5. *NEW!* Who What Wear x Target Sleeveless Floral Dress ($30)

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, Christmas $$)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped mid-rise skinny jeans via Net-a-Porter sale ($98, $245 retail, Christmas $$)
3. *NEW!* Who What Wear x Target bodysuit ($14, $20 retail)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here and here ($146,  $850 retail)
2. New Look Metallic Block Heel sandal via ASOS ($35, advertising $$) 
3. BCBGeneration 'Beverly' black mule via Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $55 @ SoF,  $110 retail)  
4. *NEW!* Impo 'Omega' boot (or Onnie, can't tell) via DSW ($12, $112 retail - in black)

Accessories:

1. Tommy Hilfiger (similar) via Clinton Crossing ($0,  retail $?)  
2. *NEW!* Mejuri Loop Earrings by Jamie! ($55)
3. *NEW!* Gucci aviator sunglasses ($300, bought in Rome) 
4. *NEW!* Disney x Coach 'Patricia' saddle in glove calf leather with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)

Gifted from Brands:

Total spent in May: $600 - $300 not counting the sunglasses
Total spent in 2017:  $746 - $446 not counting the sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $995 - $695 not counting sunglasses

*the money for the sunglasses came out of my vacations savings account rather than "regular" money