Nostalgia: My Italian Food Part 2

Today, once again, I found myself looking over photos from my study abroad time in Italy. I know that at the end of the day it's just pure torture to me, because it makes me miss Italy more and more everyday, but I couldn't resist showing off some more photos of great food I had while over there. (I know, most of these photos aren't the best, I only took a small digital camera because I was more concerned about it being lost/stolen while living over there, so I did my best with what a I could.)

A dish (EDIT: it is called Torta Salata di Zucchine - Zucchini pie!) made by my best Italian friend's friend's mother. Was DE-LISH-OUS!

Tiramisu a Roma

A Roma

A Firenze

Caffè a Ravenna

Caffè a Ravenna - L'amore vero risplende senza ombre - True love shines without shadow 

A Ravenna 

Caramella a Ravenna

Più caramelle a Ravenna

Zuppa di verdure a Firenze. Best soup I've ever had.

Chianti

A Firenze

A Firenze

Quite a few of the photos here are from the day I took a train from Florence to Ravenna. It's a beautiful town and has AHH-MAZING mosaic artwork. You should defiantly check out the Wikipedia page on Ravenna for more information about this wonderful little town on italia's East coast.
Buon appetito!

Music Suggestion: Cary Ann Hearst - "Hell's Bells"

One of my current favorite TV shows is True Blood. Yes, it's one of those vampire-craze type shows, but it's what I like to call the adult version of all the other vampire things out there (Vampire Diaries, Twilight, etc.). One great thing about True Blood is that at the ending credits they always play really great music (which they always include in their soundtrack albums) and this song is one of those songs. The video for the song is pretty good too, I like the old timey look of it all and the Day of the Dead aspect of it. Perfect for upcoming Halloween. 

Inspiration: Ravelry Free Patterns

If you're a knitter then chances are you know about Ravelry and the amazing postings you can find on their site, plus everyone loves free patterns, right? Here are a few of my favorite patterns that I hope to sometime in the future (at some point in time and space hypothetically) I would love to make. (If you don't have a Ravelry account, I would suggest getting one because it's always interesting to see all the different things that people can make, plus all the patterns I've put here are free as long as you have a Ravelry account.) 

Norwegian pattern 

Nansen by Berroco.com

San Antonio Tunic by Margret Willson

Princess Fair Isle Neck Ring by Pam Allen

Triangle Loop by Erica-knits

Woodland Turtle Cowl by Meg Myers

Sausalito Stirrup Socks by Lion Brand Yarn (tons of other free patterns can be found on that site, just sign up as a member)

Oslo Legwarmers by Martha Merzig

Stranded Legwarmers by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd)

Shifting Sands Scarf by Grumperina 

Herringbone Mittens with Poms by Elli Stubenrauch

Summer Flies by Donna Griffin 

Vanamo by Lilia Mankki 

Top 5 Reasons Why I Wish I Was Iron (Wo)Man

Obviously there is Iron Woman comic book character out there, but who really thinks about that, it's all about Iron MAN, isn't it? Well I'm not a man, but I'd love to fill the suit of Iron Man, just as Toni did for her older brother Tony. Obviously a lot of the male attributions will have to be changed, because in reality I have no desire whatsoever to be a man, I want to be a superhero woman! So here are the top 5 reasons why it would be totally kick-ass to be Iron Man (WOMAN). 

Me after a long day at work.

1. BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOYGIRL: Money makes the world go round, ca$h homie, yeah, dolla dolla bill y'all, etc. etc. You know what I'm talking about. Total financial freedom? Cash at your finger tips at all hours of the day? More money to buy books, and build yourself a sweet superhero costume? SIGN ME UP! Besides the obviously technology costs I would spend I would also spend my billions of dollars on: (1) Kittens (2) Clothes (3) Books - as already mentioned (4) And anything else I could get my billionaire hands on. As for the whole playboygirl part, I would say, let's get me a private jet and instead of pretty men dancing around for me, give me some Disney movies and a bunch of kittens to hug and play with. 
2. REPLUSOR RAYS: You know what I'm talkin' about. Those shiny rays that shoot out from Iron Man's plams, totally awesome, right? I mean, the possibilities for that kind of technology are endless, but I know one thing for sure, it would make shaking hands very interesting indeed. 
3. MAGNETIC CHEST PLATE: I know, it may be a little creepy to have this sunken hole in the middle of your chest (reminds me a LOT of this, horrible, I know), but if it's keeping you alive from shrapnel reaching your heart, then I'm all for it. Make the best of a bad situation, that is what Tony did, so if I were him (her) I would be all for it. After the iron suit is made, then it just acts as complete power/a real fashion statement, am I right? Or am I right?
4. SMARTYPANTS: Obviously to be able to make your own body suit of superhero proportions, you gotta have the brains to do it, and that's an ideal reason as to why anyone would want to be Iron (Wo)Man. You can amaze everyone with your witty snarky-Stark remarks easy peasy. Why, you ask? Because you're the smartest smartypants out there, and you're kicking ass as Iron (Wo)Man!
5. AVENGERS: Finally you get to be a part of this crew, and who wouldn't want to be a part of the cool gang?
   
   
   
   Remember, Mondays are Top 5 Reasons days, so stay tuned for more.

Nostalgia: My Italian Food

Today I woke up feeling very nostalgic for my study abroad time (I can't believe that this time last year I was there, meaning it's already been over a year!) and one thing I miss a lot about living in Florence was (obviously) THE FOOD. You have not had true Italian food until you've had it in the heart of Italy, and I'm a little biased on the subject because I prefer the Tuscan, Florentine food to be specific. 

So while I'm yearning for days gone, I thought I'd share with you some photos of the food in italia. 

Espresso

Outdoor food market, down the street from my apartment on Via de' Cerchi. 

Pizza in Fiesole, a small town outside of Florence.

In my opinion, this was the best pizza in Italy, from Sienna. 

Second pizza in Sienna.

Candies in a half candy shop, half wedding shop in Piazza del Duomo.

Well there you have some (I took thousands of photos over my 3 month stay) photos of the great food you can find in italia.
Buon appetito!

Inspiration: VOGUEknitting Fall 2011 Fashion

Looking at the new knitting on the VOGUEknitting Fall 2011 fashion preview page makes me get some serious knitting inspiration. 

(All images from VOGUEknitting's Fall 2011 Fashion Preview page)

Now if only it the weather felt like Fall for once! (It was in the 80's-90's° F this week!)

Hope you're having a true Fall unlike me here in southern California!