Florence part 1 - shopping paradise

Amirah and Paula - on the way to the Barberino Outlet Stores

Amirah and Papa at the Barberino

One tired little girl after some shopping spree

Mama in front of Prada Store - Mamma Mia!

After shopping in Polo Ralph Lauren Store

Amirah at home - trying on her Papa's swimming goggles

Preparing Amirah for cold weather outside

We never thought of having this opportunity to stay in Florence for a few months... the best thing was that the location was really superb... it was not in any of the middle east countries that Petronas could send Papa to.... or else Mama would really need to think about bringing Amirah along... having to spend about 2 months in Florence was really fantastic... how we wished we could come here again someday...

One of the best activities that Mama and Amirah loved to do when we were in Florence were definitely shopping! shopping in Florence during sales period was considered relatively cheaper compared to some branded items which were also available in Malaysia during sales time...

Our everyday routine when Papa was not around was to enjoyed ourselves playing around in the room and watching Amirah's favorite cartoons (Little Einstein, Upin & Ipin, Madagascar 2, etc). Mama would feed her for lunch everyday before we went out to the Florence city which was just a few blocks away from Palazzo Ricasoli, where we were staying...

In order to bring Amirah out, Mama had set a rule that Amirah had to stay in her stroller during the walk or else, we would just stay in the room and never go out... at first she was quite reluctant to sit inside her stroller but later on, she began to understand the concept and how Mama would be very tired if Mama need to hold her while pushing the stroller all at once....

One of our favorite stores when we go out to the centre of Florence was the Ilcentro, where most of our groceries were made there. We were lucky enough that we were given Buon Chef coupons for about 700 Euro to spend each month in some groceries stores, restaurant, etc which could accept the coupons. Ilcentro was one of them... almost everyday we would stop by the Ilcentro to buy some groceries items or some other personal things... they also sold some everyday toys that Amirah could play in the room so that Mama did not have to spend any cents to buy...

Other favorite stores that Amirah and Mama loved to visit when we were in Florence was definitely the Disney Store!!! the best thing we loved about the Disney Stores was that they frequently change their items especially their sales items... the sales or clearance items were really cheap and affordable to buy... most of the toys that we brought home to Malaysia were bought from here... Amirah's Cinderalla dress, High School Musical Ball, Princess tumblers, Disney handphones, Nemo's bath figures, princess stationaries/colors sets, Mickey's drinking glasses, pillow, Princess handbag and hairband set, etc.... those were some of the items that Mama can think of....

Another worth to buy items could be find in the Zara Stores... we happened to be in Florence during the sales time... so we did get good bargains for some of the items... We managed to buy a Zara t-shirt as cheap as 2.99 Euro each... Definitely you could get that cheap from Zara store in Malaysia... Mama also bought a pair of Zara boots to wear in one of Papa's formal dinner....

United Color of Benetton was also a good store to be visited during sales time.. Mama bought a small handbag and a few t-shirts at 1.99 Euro each.

Papa also enjoyed shopping in Florence. One of the best bargain that he got was from Massimo Dutti.... jeles mama... hehehe...

There were also bazaars which we could go everyday in Florence to buy souveniers.... items such as local t-shirts, leather items (eg: handbags, purse, wallets, jackets), fridge magnets, scarfs, etc could be find at affordable prices if one knows how to bargain with these Italians.

Mama also shopped a lot of tapestry kat florence... sangat laa mata rambang... hehe

The first weekend in Florence, we went to Barberino Outlet located about 20-30 km from Florence.. the place was quite cold as it was located at a highland... We took a bus there together with some other Papa's friends... Amirah met her new friends from Venezuela; Santi (3 years old) and Paula (1 + yrs old - same as Amirah)... Mama also met some shopping friends; Aimara (Santi n Paula's Mom @ Alejandro's wife) and Irene (Vinky's wife)...we really went crazy in the Outlet... For the first time in Mama's life, Mama managed to grab some Prada's stuffs from the store... no kidding... these were original Prada that we were talking about.... we also grabbed some other things in Polo Ralph Lauren, Adidas, etc which were available at the Barberino Outlet… The stuffs that we got were really cheap compared to Malaysia… We also managed to get an Adidas swimming suit for Amirah which as soon as we got home from the Outlet, she took out and tried it on her.... and also a nice Burberry dress for her...

Okay... will be right back ... i think that will be enough on the shopping part in Florence...