A view of one of the gorgeous and most amazing buildings in Florence! I don’t know what it’s called though, do you?
Ok, so I am finally back home after my trip to Florence! I arrived back home yesterday after leaving on Friday. Actually being in Florence was really surreal and crazy, but it’s one of the most prettiest cities I have been in! Italy is so different to England, everyone is friendly, welcoming and just really nice! It’s such a different way of life to what I am used to over here! People just talk to you and are happy because they are, never because they want something from you, I could definitely get used to it! Everything is very laid back and very easy going! The travelling though, that’s a whole different story!
As you know, I was taking a train to London, then the Eurostar to Paris, then a Metro between two Paris stations, then the overnight Thello sleeper train to Florence. It was so much hard work! I really don’t like travelling and this trip was like the mother of all travels so to speak. The underground in Paris though is absolutely awful, I really didn’t like it one bit. The journey on the way back was the worst part. It was like something from a movie where things just go wrong, one after the other. It started out with our Italy train being delayed for an hour, which actually ended up driving slower, so the total delayed time was 2 hours, which meant we missed our Eurostar! I was really really sick on the train though, I barely slept and I was vomiting from travel sickness as well as feeling so dizzy with stomach ache, it was an absolute disaster. I’ve not felt ill like that in ages. It wasn’t helping that I suffer with ear pressure issues and the amount of tunnels the train goes through was making my head swell and ache too.
When we finally got into Paris, 2 hours late, we also got lost in the underground there which was terrible because hardly anyone there is friendly and actually willing to help you out… When we did manage to find the Eurostar section, they wouldn’t exchange our tickets for a later train because apparently the Florence train wasn’t one of their partners, so it’s nothing to do with them that it was delayed, so I ended up having to pay for 2 more tickets which were super expensive! We finally boarded the train and then obviously we were late for our London train, which meant we then had to upgrade those in order to get on the train at that time. After upgrading and having to wait ages for the new tickets, we just about made it on to the train before it left, but there were no seats… We had to stand for ages and then when we finally managed to get a seat after people got off, someone commit suicide under our train! They threw themselves under our carriages wheels (which we felt as it was bumpy and noisy) and that meant the train had to stop for 2 and a half hours while they had to deal with that mess of a situation. After we finally got the all clear from the coroner, we started to move, then 10 minutes later, we had to stop again as something was wrong with the door… We finally were able to go again and managed to get home, really late though and completely exhausted.
The time in Florence was incredible, but the travelling is something I will never ever do again. I’m going to go to the doctors or somewhere similar soon to find out if there is anyway I could fly with tablets or something like that, because it only takes 2 hours to fly! Not 24 hours to train ride it. Anyway, I have all of the photos in here, in order of the time I was there with the text and captions underneath so you can see my journey! Hope you like the photos! I will be posting many many more over the next week or so! What do you think?
The middle of the city has some of the most pretty architecture and details on the buildings, it’s beautiful!
So, the journey began at the local train station with our bags packed!
I didn’t get the chance to photo anything from the Eurostar really as France country looks a lot like England, so this is the view of the French alps when we went through on the sleeper train. It’s absolutely stunning!
We arrived in Florence at about 7am in the morning, we came out of the station into baking hot heat and 1000s of vespas!
We took a taxi to Hotel Lungarno which was where we were staying, it’s such a beautiful place with the river close by!
This was our hotel room with the most beautiful bathroom attached too, it was such a wonderful place! The air con was a life saver!
We took a nap for a while at the hotel as we were exhausted and then got freshened up and changed to head out and look around.
After cleaning up and getting changed, we went for a walk around to see what was there in Firenze!
We were starving so we stopped in a little Italian Pizzaria!
I know he hates his photo taken, but I couldn’t not have any photos of my boyfriend in Florence!
Some of the statues there are incredible! I think Florence is such a beautiful place!
Padlocks of love! I think it’s sweet people place their padlocks here to represent their love!
After walking around for a bit, we went back to the hotel to get changed and ready for the meet and greet at the store. We were greeted by Camilla outside (who is wonderful) and got the chance to meet Andrea, the man who owns the store, he’s also so friendly!
This is the outside of the Luisaviaroma store, it has coloured water running through pipes to make patterns, so creative!
We headed upstairs to the tables and meeting area where we were actually one of the first people to arrive.
After meeting a few people and making a couple of friends, we were all driven to our first dinner of the trip. We went to Vila Le Corti and the view was stunning as you can see! Truly amazing scenery and sunsets!
I don’t have many more Instagram snaps from the dinner because I was quite busy, but I do have official photos from the camera and all of these will be uploaded to the blog over the next week or so! We were invited to a party at Roberto Cavalli’s house after the dinner, but we were so tired, we couldn’t make it unfortunately.
I’m not a huge breakfast person, so I just had fruit to start the next day off!
My styling lab wasn’t until the next day, so we had time to wander around the city again and see some more things!
Another really pretty shot of the buildings with the super hot sun!
One of the Italian cars! I think these are so funky ha ha!
After wandering around for a while, we headed to the store to have some lunch and take a look at some of the clothes.
We made good friends with Declan Chan, a fashion stylist. He was actually staying in the same hotel as us so we spent quite a bit of time together, including sharing taxis and things like that.
Some of the most amazing Gienchi shoes in the world! I fell in love with these so much! The pair on the right especially!
A very pretty necklace I also really loved! A little too expensive for me though unfortunately!
Some amazing shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti! Aren’t they gorgeous?
On the way back to the hotel there were some beautiful boats in the river!
After getting changed and done up at the hotel, it was time to head out to the next dinner. We ate at Museo Del Costume which is a costume museum with some of the most incredible views!
The outfit that I wore and some of the prettiest scenery there! Just to the right of me, but not in shot, was Michelangelo’s house!
Having my photo taken on the press board before the dinner!
Outside with Declan Chan again!
The ceiling was so pretty inside! There was also an amazing sunset outside the window!
What the dinner tables looked like! So pretty and so white!
We made quite a few friends so we were sat on a table with them, which was next to Chiara Ferragni’s table!
The view by the hotel at night time, it looks just as pretty as the day time!
The next day on the Monday was my day for the styling lab where I had to create 3 different looks from the clothes from the store. It took from 10am until 2am, but I had my make up done and we had to find 3 different locations for the outfits as well. The temperature was 38C degrees (or 100F) so I was literally melting and dying in the winter clothes, it’s an experience I will never forget for sure.
Filming an interview and doing some photos at the press board in one of my outfits I created!
Glamour magazine Italia put me on their Instagram as they liked the look too! Thank you to them!
On the rooftop location, shooting the first look. The views from up there were incredible, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open very well because of the sun, so some of the photos didn’t come out as good as I hoped!
Shooting my second look in the street with my photographer Lorenzo!
At the press board for my second look from the style lab!
I do also have a 3rd look, but as I was getting too hot and stressed from all of the shooting and changing etc, I don’t have any Instagram snaps of it. You will see it later though with the other photos I publish! After all of the styling, we had some lunch and headed back to the hotel to rest and get changed for the final dinner and party!
The location was Giardini di Boboi and it was breathtaking! The landscaping and scenery was amazing!
My last look for the party, I know I am repeating the dress, but the theme was grunge glam and it was as close as I could get!
One of my friends Joe, from the London based men’s blog called 000o000!
I love this guy! He’s hilarious! His name is Ko from the blog Wimiry. He’s South Korean.
The dinner setting was also another breathtaking moment, in front of the lake.
The view from my table! What do you think?
As it got darker, the bushes lit up bright pink!
With Camilla, who I owe a big thank you to for making me comfortable and welcome there!
After the dinner, we stayed for a little while and we ended up meeting Giuseppe Zanotti actually, and Riccardo Pozzoli as well as a few other people. I have official photos of those to come, but not really any decent Instagram snaps. We left the dinner shortly after the rock band started playing as it’s not really our scene, but it was a wonderful evening!
The next day we had to check out at 12pm but our train back wasn’t until 9pm at night, so we filled the day with some sight seeing, sweating, going to designer Patricia Al’Kary’s studio (who we met at the store) and more sweating. I was honestly struggling in the temperature. Usually I am ok with heat, but I guess English heat when it happens is nothing compared to the 38C of Florence!
Patricia was actually so nice, she gave me this wonderful bag from her collection which I can’t wait to share with you all!
On the day of leaving we went to eat at Hard Rock Cafe as we have never been in one before.
This was the view of the sunrise over the French Alps on the way back home!
After styling one of the outfits, I fell in love with a pair of shoes so much that I had to go back to the store and buy them. Can any of you guess which pair I make have picked up?
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Wow looks like you have got lot of fun in this beautiful city ! !Gorgeous pictures Lorna !
XX Luba
Meet Etrala London : the most Optimistic fashion brand today on
http://www.well-living-blog.com
Author
Glad you like them Luba!
Looks like you had a great experience!
You&your BF look wonderful on that picture together! 🙂
http://thewardrobeisnotenough.blogspot.com/
Author
Thank you kisenaya 🙂
Wow Lorna!! I think that sums it up!!! SO glad you had a great time there (let’s forget about the events coming home 🙁 poor you). The outfits are fab, the settings are fab, the venues are fab and all in all it’s just fab!! Looking forward to seeing the other photos 🙂
Sx
Author
Thanks Saba 🙂 Yeah I would like to forget them, can’t wait to share more photos with you 🙂
Wow Lorna, lucky you, what amazing pictures, what an amazing place to be go to, you look so pretty, and happy xx
Author
Thanks ali!
woohoo…in no time u even made ur trip bk home!..through ur pics i can imagine wat a beautiful experience u had in florence…so sorry to hear about the sad part of the trip…if u can manage the flight next time..it will definitely save you the trouble..look forward to see the official pictures!!!
http://kiyaraartyspace.com/
Author
Thanks Kiyara! Yeah it would definitely save trouble if I could fly!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Sorry for all the stress coming back, I hope your tummy feels better now sweetie =)
I loved the black heeled shoes with stars…so cute!!!! And your dress at the dinner, specially the picture of you with the gardens surrounding you – AMAZING!! I’m so happy you had an amazing time, you deserve it! =D
xoRosie
The Austrian Rose
Author
That’s really kind of you, thanks so much Rosie!
Love the black and gold sandals! And your suitcases 😉
Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
xx
http://comounaprincesasintonterias.blogspot.com.es
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Thank you Tamara!
Thanks for visiting my blog! 🙂
It looks like you had really an amazing time in Florence! My ‘italian’ advice is absolutely to take the plane next time!
I LOVE Florence, I had great time there, I’ve ‘studied’ softball there a few years ago!
I really can’t wait to see the official pictures of your style lab!
Kisses
http://justsem.wordpress.com/
Author
Thanks 🙂 I am definitely going to look into it! Styling lab images will come soon!
im so happy reading your tour…i also love this city of love 🙂 im glad you had a blast time there lorna…not bad outfits especially ur red dress. so love it 🙂
Author
Thanks kristine! I will have the proper photos of that dress soon, they turned out really pretty!
Love all this *___* and you’re so beautiful 🙂
http://www.fashioncandiesblog.wordpress.com
Author
That’s kind, thank you so much 🙂
oh man, I hoped the traintrip would be more romantic for you. Paris has some snobby people over there (something they do not show in those pretty movies) and the train-illness wasn’t something you anticipated for :(. I am glad you had the time of your life in Florence and you couldn’t have looked more radiant as in the images I saw: Try a good cure and go flying next time 🙂
Author
Oh my gosh I know, it was a total disaster 🙁 It was just one thing after the other with the travel. The time in Florence was amazing though and I am hoping there will be something I can do to fly 🙂
great pics!
last week i’ve been in Italy too 🙂 haha, check out my blog
letjeti.blogspot.com
Author
Oh cool 🙂
Oh my goodness, that’s so, so sad about the person who threw them self under the train 🙁 Hope their families are okay.
And sorry to hear about your terrible travel experience. I know how you feel about traveling- I’m the same way, which is tough because I really want to see the world. These days, travel is just so stressful (Especially with airport security, ugh!)
You look beautiful in these photos and I’m glad the rest of your trip went well! xx
Author
Thanks Victoria 🙂 travelling is always stressful to me, no matter where it is lol, but I definitely need to get used to it!
I don’t want to sound like a smart-ass but the car is not Italian… it’s French. It’s a Renault Twizy and it’s electric…
Cars are more my scene, but I’m still going backwards in time through your posts… 😉 lol
Author
Well, ya learn something new everyday lol! I’d never seen one before, so assumed it was Italian since it was in Italy 😀