florence, my heart

A big piece of my heart will always be in Florence. The city is like a second home. It's where, as a kid, I spent Christmases, summers, a year of my high school career. Despite the miles of distance, some of my closest family members reside there. Every time I return, my soul is washed in happiness. Love for my family, adoration for my grandma, the way of life -- it's all so perfect. Calming. Soothing. Every day spent in Florence is filled with delicious food, interspersed with long walks. The countryside is never far, and a good hour long walk will have you in the hills outside, gazing over cypress trees and centuries of beautiful architecture. What happiness. Florence, until we meet again, my heart will be homesick for you.

florence's officina profumo farmaceutica di santa maria novella

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

On a recent trip to Italy, I visited the world mecca for holistic beauty. Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is the oldest known pharmacy still in operation today. But don’t be fooled when I say, “pharmacy.” This place is so much more than your average CVS or Walgreens. I was so struck and amazed by the institution, that I wanted to share a peek inside its walls. If you ever find yourself in Florence, please, pay the site a visit.

The pharmacy originally belonged to the convent, Santa Maria Novella, which may sound familiar as the name of Florence’s main church located in the city center. Record of an infirmary first appeared in 1284, but it wasn’t until 1609 that we can prove the convent had a friar herbalist. In 1612 the pharmaceutical workshop opened to the public, and in 1667 the pharmacy became famous beyond the city’s borders. The convent’s monks were growing herbs, making distillations, and creating ancient remedies within the renowned apothecary. Because modern medicine did not yet exist, herbs and natural remedies were still being used to cure diseases and to care for the body. The pharmacy was also a sort of social destination where guests would come to be entertained and treated to delicacies. 

In 1871 Cesare Augusto Stefani became tenant of the city, and owner of the property. It was at this time that the pharmacy left control of the convent, and moved into the modern day. The current private management’s objective is to combine the lessons of the past with the needs of the present. They work very hard to continue selling remedies originally invented at the pharmacy and to continue herbal traditions. The space itself is well-preserved; arched ceilings, striking frescoes, marble floors, and small courtyards make wandering it’s maze an entertaining fete.

Today the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella sells everything from ancient preparations, extracts, and essences, to cosmetics, liquors, and fragrances. Products like Acqua di Santa Maria Novella are particularly interesting. The specialty water was developed in 1614 by friar Angiolo Marchissi as an “anti-hysterics” remedy. You dilute one teaspoon in water and drink in small sips to help with anxiety or to soothe digestion. 

Herbal-based beauty products honor traditions past that are again becoming popular today. Intriguing hair rinses in scents like lemon verbena claim to add shine, and they sell cleansing body oils to use in place of skin-drying soap. The smells are all so delicate and alive. It’s like rereading your favorite old-world novel where women would take bathes with rose and orange blossom, pampering their skin with oils and patchouli. Here, you can also have them blend essences to create your very own custom fragrance. 

Myself, I walked away with Acqua di Fior D’Arancio, a face toner with the most beautiful and relaxing of smells, and Aloe Gel Viso Corpo to help sooth razor burn and after sun skin. Next time I go back, I think I’ll need to get a little more adventurous with my purchases.

What product do you think you would want to try?

weekly scenes

It's that time of year! As with everyone else, there have been celebrations all around. For me: holiday pot lucks with various friends, a fun late-night Chinese dinner with the man, and a family visit in Florence. It was our first Christmas without my grandfather. He passed away earlier this month. Although it was clearly his time, he went in his sleep just two weeks shy of his 91st birthday, there was a hole where his commanding presence was once expected. I'm happy because there was nothing over the top. We came together as family, grounded and laid-back with smiles on our faces despite the loss. After all, the simple things - friends, family, and love (with a little food and booze thrown in) - is what the holidays should be about. Now to head home and celebrate with my parents in a couple weeks. Fingers crossed for a smooth trip.

Much love!

florence part two

I kind of love that it's taken me so long to get through these photos. Three weeks later I can be reminded of our morning climb through the fog to Florence's outlaying village, Fiesole. I get to relive the cappucinos and beautiful views at every turn. I miss days spent entirely on foot exploring and experiencing life outside of the norm. Florence was surely full of fun beyond our adventures in the kitchen. Going through these photos was the perfect "hump day" therapy that I needed.

an italian meal

Second Stop: Florence, Italy

The way that meals are prepared in Italy is something I've always tried to replicate here in the states. It starts with gathering the ingredients - not a simple run to the grocery store. You first stop at the latteria, followed by the macelleria, and so on, picking up item by item. You buy freshly baked breads and hand-rolled gnocci, sample cheeses and talk with shop owners. 

Once everything is home it's a long evening spent in the kitchen. You're preparing a gala of at least three courses rather than just one dish. Foods spend hours in the oven, and finally at around 8:30 pm you all sit down to enjoy the feast. Those who weren't in the kitchen, probably sat and munched on appetizers of parmigiana and salami, just waiting to eat.

I don't know if my family wanted to break him in, or they were seriously interested to taste his cooking, but on our visit, Adam was put up to the challenge of creating a full Italian meal. A simple request to cook dinner turned into a meal for twelve. To prepare, I took him to the center market and all of the little shops to get ingredients. We planned as we went, and I sheepishly told him how it was going to go. 

Back in the kitchen, we took our usual teamwork to the big leagues. I played sous chef, chopping and slicing, while he worked his magic: gnocci in a spinach & tomato cream sauce, swordfish with a lemon butter reduction, and a beautiful fall vegetable mash up. 

For me, the whole evening recalled memories of my childhood. I remember looking up at my grandmother, she in her fur coat and me holding my her hand, as the butcher fawned over me and how much I had grown. But this time I was holding his hand instead, and I guess you could say I was little more secure in my size. I remember asking my grandmother, who I adored, what I could help with next as she worked on dinner. Sometimes I was set to grinding the parmigiana and other times I would layer tiramisu. Maybe I got a knife this time, but I fit right back into my old role as the little helper, Adam taking the lead. 

Being in that kitchen, bringing him into that world, was something else. Not only do I love that kitchen and the Italian culture surrounding food, but it's also a big part of me. I was letting him into a magical world. One that before had been my own little secret.