Did you buy something that you still love?
Or something unusual. Something to wear or display in your home that you still love?
I will be going soon and would like some ideas.

I love the silk scarves at the street markets in Florence.

A stylish leather jacket as soft as butter in Florence. And shoes in both Rome and Florence!

I purchased a quite inexpensive watercolor print of the Ponte Vecchio from a street vendor outside the Uffizi. I framed it and it hangs in my den. It makes me happy everytime I look at it.

Gorgeous leather gloves in Rome at a little shop to the right of the Pantheon. Always get lots of compliments on them.

A custom black leather trench I had made 11 years ago and still love for the quality, fit and style.

Products from Farmacia Santa Maria Novella.

Eyeglass frames...I always buy a pair as the selection in Florence is fabulous.

I also have two Armani pieces I purchased on two different trips.

And I am a handbag addict so a visit to Poggi for a Alvero Martini bag is generally a must do.

Approx. what amount are we talking for the silk scarves at market in Florence.
And where would I find this type of market?

In Florence we bought leather jackets that we love. I also got a few purses, which lasted forever! But my all time favorite items were ceramics. I bought a few decorative pieces, but also some dinner dishes that every time I open the cabinets they make me smile.

OK, I'm the one unsophisticate on this board - so get ready! The one item, out of all of our purchases, that everyone remarks about, is....the absolutely adorable teddy bear dressed in a gladiator costume that we got from the Hard Rock on Via Veneto in Rome! Warned you!

But it is true that everyone loves it - go figure. I already have orders for our Nov. trip!

My favorite purchase is the glass Christmas tree ornament we bought in Murano. I know you only asked about Florence & Rome, but I had to redeem myself!

the "odd" gal out, Julie

In the Sunday flea market at Trastevere, we picked up a set of four tiles that together made up a floral scene--around 10 Euros. They are now part of the splash behind the gas range in our kitchen, and they are spectacular!

Julie--That is too funny! Just shows that anything can be a great purchase.

On our first trip to Rome we bought Benedictine liqueur from the gift shop at St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome; it's made by the monks. Once home we'd sit outside in the evening and have a drink remembering our days in Italy. We'd serve it to guests as an after dinner drink and they would rave about it. In fact, we liked it so much, we went back for more when we returned to Rome this year - but a bigger bottle this time!

My favorites were 3 water colors I bought in Florence. One of San Angelo's Castle, the Realto Bridge, and a Ventian canal. I think I pad 5 euro each. (cost more to frame when I got home). They always take me away.

I also bought statue in Rome from one of the vendors outside the Vatican. It is made of pressed marble dust or something like that, but it is a classical statue and I enjoy it. (10 E)

I've been going to Italy for years, and the exchange rate has progressively worsened. The silk scarves started at about 12 euros a piece (when euros and dollars were about the same). Last year were 15 euros a piece. The scarves are available in many market stalls at the open air markets around San Lorenzo and the Mercato Nuovo in Florence. They are not "designer" but do mimic designer styles--Hermes, Pucci, and others.

I love them because they are so cheap yet give such good effect with my black coats. I always get compliments. And the low price means I can buy as many as strike my fancy. And they pack so well too.

When I took a friend there one November, she got so excited. She bought 26 scarves and said, "I just took care of Christmas presents for my entire staff at work, as well as a few cousins, for half what I usually spend."

LCBoniti, I did the same thing! I have mine by the mirror on my dresser. It makes me happy everytime I look at it, too!

Johanna

In 1995 while touring Europe with my daughter I bought 18K earrings & a bracelet in Florence. I really have worn them a lot, especially the earrings, and they still look new. Jewelry is so easy to bring home!

leather sandals from Florence.
earrings and a ring from rome.

I always loved buying gloves, shoes and bags in Italy, but it's not so much fun anymore with the EU/$$ exchange rate being what it is.

My favorite souvenirs are from my very first trip, years ago: etchings of Florence, Venice and Rome. They've been hanging on my wall ever since.

We bought a set of espresso spoons in Florence. It was a memorable experience in a small household goods store, where a grouchy but helpful old man brought all of the spoons out from a drawer for us to peruse.

Now whenever we have espresso, we remember our trip. (Oh yes, and they are much more attractive than any of the espresso spoons we can find here in our hometown!)