This is my first time posting, but when I saw the question I had to answer. While in Rome (Oct. 2004) I accidentally came across a fabric store on my way to get some gelato. It's called Valli and they have some of the most gorgeous fabric I have ever seen. The sales people wait on you personally pulling bolts of fabric for you to look at. I ended buying a beautiful purple silk wool with a diamond pattern and beautiful embroidered flowers at the hem. As I write my mother is using it to make a dress for me. I have never spent that much for fabric and it totally blew my shopping budget, but I don't regret buying it.

That fabric sounds gorgeous, do you happen to know what street it was on?

My aunt is a dressmaker and that might be a nice place for my mom to buy her a gift.

Thanks for sharing!

This was bought for me as I stood by, but still wonderful. Alinari on Via Alibert sells copies of evocative period photos of Rome and elsewhere in Italy. (They are based in Florence and have huge archives.) I have a picture of two very dressed-up children from the early 20th century, complete with hats and lace-up shoes, standing on wooden stilts for their portrait.

Hi poohgirl, actually I did not start this thread.

Iloveitaly did. I figured there was bound to be some confusion sooner or later regarding the names.

But we both "love Italy"!

I have purchased sterling silver in Rome too. And one of the most fun purchases was one my husband made in a beautiful men's store. PJ's, in the most wonderful colored stripes with short pants. It was a shame he could not have worn them in public they were so beautiful, LOL.

He also liked to buy Italian silk ties. They were so beautiful.

I have purchased dresses in the past. Unfortunatly I don't have any of them anymore but I sure loved them.

Oh to be in Rome shopping!!

Great question! We were there in March and after buying all sorts of food and wine in Florence, ceramics in Umbria and various religious articles in Rome, we bought an antique (antique to us -early 1800s) of the Papal palace at Ex Libris at Via del Umilta. The print was in an 8 X 10 matte, and when we bought it, the shop stamped and signed it, verifying the date and authenticity. The shop has wonderful antique books, print, book marks, etc. The street is kind of a small back street near the Trevi fountain. I think we paid 36 euro for it.

Meant to say "antique print"

Oops, sorry for the mistaken identity. Great idea, ILOVEITALY. Nice to see you LOVEITAY. Have a great weekend everyone.

Leather gloves. Bought a pair for approximately $10.00 in a store near Trevi Fountain. They lasted approximately 10 years. Two years ago I bought leather gloves in Florence and again, are holding up very well. Leather is so soft.

A few things in 3 different years at the Sunday morning flea market in Porta Portese. First, an antique marionette with some pretty gross-looking real hair. Second, some pastel drawings by an unknown artist, finally a silver (with stone inlay) gunpowder container. I love going there and finding odd treasures.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes.
Absolutely wonderful shoes. Two pair of bowling/tennis shoes that should awful but look good and feel like slippers. Can't remember where I bought them - but you can't go wrong with any shoes made in Italy.

We bought limoncello to bring home. Also some pashminas from the street vendors, not sure how genuine they were, but the colours were great.

A fun souvenir is something from the Cardinal Store, near the Piazza Navona. they sell clothing for clergy, including the wonderful cardinal red sox the cardinals wear.

A brass (not shiny) lion's head door knocker from a shop somewhere near the Pantheon.

We had been scooting in and out of the little shops while a snow/rain mix was falling, and I spotted the brass lion's head displayed outside. The shopkeeper took it down for me.

The old lion now guards our front door!

Byrd

A Fornasetti lamp and a Rsoenthal "Do Not Litter" collection crushed can - both of which I still treasure - the shop is a goregous lifestyle store near the Spanish steps.

nytraveler:
I'm jealous about those red shoes! They sound great.

Wonderful walnut liquor from St. Paul Outside the Walls, Fontanini creche figures and Befanas( Christmas witches) from Piazza Navona, dried porcini mushrooms from FCO, beautiful little wooden carved Holy Family from wood carving shop between Piazza Navona and Pantheon, a large wooden Franciscan cross from a church gift shop

A bright red Ferrari rollerball pen from a stationary shop near the Spanish Steps for my high school-age nephew. It came beautifully wrapped in a flat square box with the Ferrari symbol emblazoned on the top of the box.

"Oh, Auntie Maggie," he exclaimed, as he started to unwrap it, "Is this going to be the key to a Ferrari?"

"In your dreams!" said I, giving him a smart rap on the top of the head.

But he loved the pen, anyway!

I have loved reading all these responses. What a wonderful thread, and as illuminating a peek into everyone's psyche as answers to the pseudo-psychological/metaphysical questions sometimes asked.

These responses show travelers as the funny, loving, thoughtful, witty, impulsive and happy people that we all are. Thanks for starting it, iloveitaly.