Ceridwyn writes: Florence is visual overload! I needed an antidote, and found it on the streets of Oltrano, on the ‘other side’ of the river.
The huge brick workrooms of the Antico Setificio Fiorentino, the ancient Florentine silk factory are just along from the best lunch we ate. Trattoria Sabatini , via Pisana 2/r , is a family run restaurant where the Buccioni family served us with pollo arrosto, patates arrosto, cavolo crude roast chicken, potatoes and coleslaw) and creamy stracchino cheese , and the usual glass of red wine, very cheaply . For once we were the only tourists in amongst local business people and artisans.
Back to the silk. Behind a wrought iron 18th century gate is a fabric lover‘s paradise- walls and walls of silk , damasks, brocades, linens and taffetas, in every shade, with braids, tassles and trims for every possible design scheme. Only an hour before, in the perfect Cappella Brancaccio we had seen two Florentine gentlemen in a 15th century painting wearing flowing garments of heavy velvet and silk, woven in this very factory.
HI, this is my first time on this site, but I just love it. I love all the idea sharing..I can share a new product I was given recently which is awesome for travellers. It is a line of handcreme and perfume that is packaged to put in your purse or bag, and you do not have to worry about it spilling. It is called lifetherapy and it comes in three scents …vacation (which is my favorite) play and escape. There are matching pulse point oils (perfumes) that match. The cool thing about these are that the glass vials are packaged in a strudy, handcrafted paper tube that has the neatest decorations on them…since it is called lifetherapy, it is all these words and doodles symbolizing transient thoughts throughout a day…escape, work, live, love, play (with the word work crossed out) peace, etc…I wish you could see a picture. My friend bought it at this place outside of it has a website with the product on it. I think lifetherapy has a website too. I hope you get to enjoy this new product while on the road, it really is awesome.