Instagram Recap: November

Didn't I just post this for October? November came and went in the blink of an eye. Maybe it went so quickly because I wasn't counting down the days of class left until Thanksgiving break, or half-heartedly studying really hard for midterms. Either way, somewhere in the beginning of November I made the shift from feeling like I was visiting Italy to feeling like I was really living in Italy. Now that it's December, the countdown to my family's arrival has begun, and I can't wait to show them around!

"Dear Father Christmas, for Christmas I would please like: XBOX, but can you please bring me two because I have a sister. Thank you! A roll of paper for drawing. Oh and I forgot, can you bring me also a game for the XBOX? For example, FIFA 13? THANK YOU! Merry Christmas, Tobia Pizzoli." Tobia had a hard time coming up with things he wanted for Christmas this year - he just really wants an XBOX! He also made sure to write "a roll of paper for drawing" because he didn't want Santa to think he meant a roll of toilet paper.

I firmly believe this cat I found wandering around at Pitti Palace is the reincarnation of Cosimo de'Medici. Can't you see it in his eyes? He just has the look of a Renaissance banking lord.

This beautiful cappucino is from....McDonalds!! Have you ever seen anything so classy from a McDonalds in the States? Not that I frequent them regularly (this cappucino is probably the first McDonalds purchase I've made in 5 years) but I did notice the ones here are just nicer overall than those back home. And, understandably, they offer a vast array of coffee/espresso/cappucino drinks.

The Duomo in Milan is exquisite on sunny days! The brighter the day, the brighter the church. I don't think I'll ever get sick of walking past it on a gorgeous day, or popping inside to admire the architecture on a rainy day.

Street music in Palazzo della Repubblica in Florence

This photo already appeared in my post about Brunelleschi's dome, but I love it so... here it is again.

My friend Becky knows my love of Harry Potter, so she sent me this photo of a hand-knitted Dobby. I think it's the greatest thing ever! Don't worry, she gave it a sock, so he's a free elf.

Tobia's basketball coach pulled out all the stops for team pictures with an all-out photo shoot, which Tobia really got into. He loves football and basketball and wants to be a professional football player, but with his charisma, I think he needs to start auditioning for musicals and plays!

Not the most appealing photo, but words cannot illustrate how vicious the mosquitoes here are! Somehow, they get in the apartment and they literally eat me alive in my sleep. I've been cursed with perpetually dramatic reactions to mosquito bites and bee stings, so you can imagine my horror upon discovering Italian mosquitoes are freakishly large and aggressive.

I've been really excited to see the enormous tree I was told appears in Piazza del Duomo for Christmas, and I wasn't disappointed! This thing is massive! I have no idea how they transported it through the narrow streets and alleys of Milan, but who cares? I can't wait to see it decorated.

Speaking of Christmas trees, the apartment has been decked out as well!

The green thing on the top is from United Colors of Benneton. It used to be a comfy, cozy sweater as big as the pink one underneath. Then I washed it... hung it up to dry... and learned the hard way that wool has to be washed by hand with extra care to avoid creating a 90's crop top catastrophe.

My obsession with Christmas, as well as a few years of working at Bath and Body Works over the holidays means that I have a love and appreciation for holiday packaging. I became ridiculously excited when I saw a snowflake on the Nutella jar and biscuits in festive shapes.

St. Anthony's Basilica boasted one of the most lavishly decorated interiors I've ever seen. I got this photo before my phone died. Padua clearly wasn't my best trip, photography wise, but I might return another day to remedy that.

I took a day trip to Padua to see the Scrovegni Chapel (famously frescoed by Giotto). That took up most of my time, but I managed to hunt down the beautiful Basilica of St. Anthony. It's a gorgeous, multi-domed church, which you can't really tell from this over-filtered Instagram photo. Sadly, I forgot my real camera, so this is the best I have for now!

More Christmas decorations from around Milan!

Finally, a massive stained glass window from inside the Duomo. This photo was taken on a cloudy day, so you can just imagine what it looks like when the sun is shining. Bellissima!