In a relatively small town that’s home to both the Gucci and Ferragamo fashion houses, as well as their namesake museums, it’s no wonder that shopping is an important part of anyone’s visit to Florence.

Located in the middle of the “Centro Storico” is the main shopping zone for international luxury brands, from the Piazza degli Strozzi towards the river along Via de’ Tornabuoni, as well as the other streets leading into this tiny plaza.   You’re sure not to miss this area as you’ll pass by at least a few times during your stay in town, just due to the location being convenient to most of the major tourist stops.

For me, living in the world of the American dollar, this type of shopping makes more sense to do Stateside where I don’t have to worry about exchange rates.  However, if you’re looking to blow out your budget or if money is no concern, then this tiny mecca of shopping is ideal, as no matter how much you buy, you’ll only be within a few blocks walk back to your luxury hotel, a huge plus on the convenience factor.  For those of you who are slaves to fashion, the muesums are worth a visit.

Finding treasures that you can’t necessarily acquire in the States, or rather can’t acquire them for such a steal, well, that makes the shopping worthwhile, even with a bad exchange rate.

Here in Florence, the type of shopping that can be the most rewarding are the fine jewelry and the leather goods manufactured locally.  Typically you’ll see these two industries in the most touristy locations around town including the jewelry central, The Ponte Vecchio and leather goods at the San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale Flea Market.

Although the prices at first glance resemble more of a robbery, these areas are all fair game for negotiation.  Offer what you feel is a fair value for the product, whether a custom fit leather jacket or handmade leather shoes, or a really unique piece of estate jewelry, you’ll find it all.

Just remember, many of the vendors carry similar merchandise, so it doesn’t hurt to walk away initially.  You can always go back, and hopefully to a better price.

Happy shopping!

Ahh, freshly tanned just off of a winter escape to Miami for a little work and a lot of fun!

Always one of my favorite places to go for a visit, with a ton of great friends there after having lived in the 305 for so many years, there’s never a dull night.  Although this time around, there was a slight deviation from the 24/7 friends get togethers.

Quite unexpectedly, I found myself crossing paths with my old “Florentine Love Interest,” who also happened to be in town on a bit of business.  When faced with the opportunity of seeing him one night, after finishing an amazing dinner and drinks at The Dutch, with some girlfriends, I found myself thinking, do I want to rekindle these flames, or just let them be part of the past? Maybe the few drinks in me helped the decision making process seem ever so much clearer, as I decided to meet up after all.  My justification, well, there was still a solid amount of attraction there and he, being a red blooded Italian had already made it clear that he was eager for a reunion.

So we met up, and of course I made sure that it was the night I was wearing one of my favorite party dresses paired with my highest platform stilettoes, just to make a good impression.  We caught up over drinks in the intimate rooftop lounge, Spire Bar at The Hotel of South Beach, and between reminiscing and kissing, things seemed to be back on track from where they were left so many months before.

Later, joining his friends at the ever chic bay setting of the Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian South Beach , my rose colored glasses had officially been set in place, and maybe it was a bit of the tropical paradise ambience, but the relationship no longer felt like a fizzled out thing of the past.  Overlooking some of the awkward gaps in conversation due to the evident chemistry that still existed, and choosing to focus on what was there in the present, the excitement off making out under the stars, with a backdrop of lights sparkling off of the Biscayne Bay and amazing house music soundtrack.

Our time spent together was romantic, fun and exotic, but when it came to an end unlike past departures, I wasn’t so heart broken.  While I packed up my bags and prepared for the airport, I felt a bit uneasy, but knew it was more due to the over drinking and lack of sleeping from the past few days, and not so much the anxiety of what was to come in the future of this relationship.

I knew at this point that the relationship had truly arrived at it’s expiration date.  Of course I was a bit saddened by this realization, I am human after all, but in all practicality, had to remind myself that “One doesn’t drink milk after it’s expiration date without getting sick, so why would one expect a positive outcome from revisiting the flames of an expired relationship.”

For future reference, I’ve created a new rule of thumb for myself.  When faced with these opportunities to revive expired relationships, no matter how exotic the locale, just imagine myself really thirsty and drinking a tall glass of spoiled milk.  I think that should do the job quite well!

My trips back to New York often mirror my lifestyle when I lived there, non stop, on the go, hectic and fun!

Having just departed from my most recent visit, the idea for this article came to me as a no brainer.  While drunkenly reminiscing with a group of friends of one of my best nights out in the city, or shall I say afternoons to nights in New York City.

Perhaps my friends efforts at trying to strategically start conversations with the cute, single guys in the room, while quite obviously stepping away at just the time that I joined in, or their caring ways of nagging me for not paying more attention to guys who were “so into me” that night, spurred my mind to wander back to this one, Bryan (yes that’s actually his real name,) “The One That Got Away.”

With the most interesting guy met this time around being the crazy bartender at Walter Foods in Williamsburg, and even the rarity of not one exchange of numbers   throughout the week, I was relatively unphased by this slight lull.  Honestly, I think my friends took more note of it than myself.  I mean really, do I have to be on my game when trying to catch up with close friends, or divert my attention from good conversation to someone who I deem no greater than mediocre, some cute player type just wanting to hook up?  No Way!!!

In an effort to somewhat appease my friends and of course, entertain myself, I’ve decided to conduct a social experiment of sorts.   Years have passed since I’ve organized one of these on such a grand scale, my last being in early 2002, appropriately while living in New York and creating a fake Match.com profile, having every physical and personality trait that I deemed non desirable, yet, oddly there were many who desired this woman.

This time around, there will be no softly letting down hopeful guys who have begun to exchange messages with this potential but non-existent online match, as Operation “The One That GotAway” is the real deal.  Not so fast though…before you start helping me search for Bryan, you have to know the story of one of my best days in New York City…

So it all happened this bright sunny day in late August of 2010.  My great friend Adriana and I embarked across the river into Long Island City, Queens, for my first outing into this relatively unknown land.   First there was trendy boutique shopping, followed by the true reason we were heading to this borough, the MoMA PS1 Museum’s summer Saturday Warm Up.

This event was as eclectic as it was fabulous, with the most amazing crowd of people packed in the sculpture garden mingling, dancing and drinking while the entertainment ranged from live Indie Pop acts to DJ acts spinning old skool hip hop and house.  As the crowd got drunker, more people ended up jumping into the inflatable kiddie pools, which I managed to stay dry, but I do admit to forgetting the contents of my whole conversation with Aziz Ansari.  Honestly, I can’t even remember if he was funny in person, but am pretty sure he was, as he was hanging out with a guy dressed as a lit up moon man.

The Rooftop Bar and Pool Deck at The Empire Hotel

As the sun went down and our sobriety slowly started to regain, we decided to grab dinner at Tournesol, a great French bistro in the neighborhood, where all of the waiters are authentic…aka French and flirtatious with the ladies and the food is excellent.

On our way, we needed to stop off at a bodega for some reason…too intoxicated to remember why of course, but right around the corner from the restaurant, so needless to say it must have been Karma.

While exiting, we bumped into a tall, handsome resident of Long Island City, with curly dark hair, a friendly smile and interesting eyes.  He stood on the stoop of the bodega and chatted with us for what seemed to be a half an hour, sharing neighborhood tips, asking where we’d be going out later and sharing where he’d be, even jokingly referring to himself as the “Ambassador of the Neighborhood.”  At times when he looked away, Adriana shot me over the look as to say “Do it, invite him to join us,” and I wanted to, really…but I didn’t.

Well, the conversation eventually ended, we went on our way to dinner at Tournesol enjoyed the wine, food and flirtatious waiters.  Passing by the bar where we thought we recalled he was heading, I glanced in and it was pretty empty, so we stuck with the original plan and hit up my favorite summertime nightspot, the Rooftop Bar and Lounge at The Empire Hotel.  Throughout all of the dancing and good looking distractions, there was one topic that kept resurfacing in our conversations, Bryan, and how I should have said something, acted more interested, etc…

Always being a believer that if a guy is interested, he’ll make the move, I justified my relative nonchalance, but deep down wished I had said something as well.  After all, as I was falling asleep, if I’m being honest, passing out, that night, the only thing that could have made that day better would have been a kiss from Bryan.

W Hotel Barcelona

What can I say…it’s a W hotel and quite possibly it’s my favorite.  Chic, hip, amazing views and sexy rooms, with one of the best hotel gyms the world over.  This hotel also features two of my top nightlife spots right on property, and a great selection of independent cafes and restaurants downstairs.

Address:  Plaça de la Rosa del Vents 1 – Final Passeig de Joan de Borbó

Phone:  34 93 295 28 00

www.w-barcelona.com

Grand Hotel Central

Located in my favorite neighborhood of Barcelona, The Born, many of the cities top restaurants, nightlife and shopping are right at your doorstep.  The central location of this chic hotel makes sightseeing convenient, yet you’ll want to allow for some down time to take in the view at the rooftop pool, while sipping a cocktail.

Address:  Via Laietana, 30   Phone: 93 295 7900

www.grandhotelcentral.com

Hotel Arts Barcelona

unique, modern buildings in the city featuring a bold,  white barred shell exterior, yet showcases an interior quite the opposite as a tower of absolute luxury tranquility inside.  Spacious rooms and some of the most magnificent floral arrangements in the common areas are also some of the standout qualities of this property, not to mention hosting the top spa in Barcelona,

The Spa by Six Senses Spas.

Address:  Marina 19 – 21  Phone:  93 221 1000

www.hotelartsbarcelona.com

Le Meridien Barcelona

More traditional Barcelona style architecture, with excellent service and conveniently located in the center of the city, making this a great choice for easy sight seeing on foot, or wanting to be closer to the inland action in the colder months.

Address:  La Rambla 111   Phone:  (34)(93) 318 6200

www.lemeridienbarcelona.com

Lucas Fox International Properties

If you’re looking to do more of an extended stay, this luxury real estate brokerage can help you find anything from a 1 month to a full year apartment or home rental.  Rafael Rosendo will take care of all of your needs with his expertise in the Barcelona market as well as his New York business sensibility.

Address: C/ Pau Claris, 108, Pral 2A   Phone:  34 933 562 989

Email:  Rafael@lucasfox.com

www.lucasfox.com