Dear friends,

We are now on Day 4. If you have been following along, then you know how I got bike grease on my white pants, met a genius and saw David, ate my face off and walked for miles around Firenze.

Conclusions thus far :

1. The Florentine women stay in shape because of the massive amount of walking they do and their avoidance of pasta.

2. Only Americans ask for a cappuccino in the afternoons and evenings.

3. If you and your girlfriends want to go on a trip, a true getaway, there is nobody who does it better than Bianca with the Italian Fix.

Onto Day 4.  Day 4 was so beyond amazing, that I have to break it up into two blog posts.. this is Part One. In the morning we learned about photographing interiors. There could be no place better to learn than the hotel Palazzo Guadagni, a restored 15th century palace. If you have not visited Leela Cyd’s portfolio yet, you must. She makes photographing food and interiors look effortless. ach of us took turns styling the room the way we liked it. When you open up Dwell or Elle Decor, don’t for a second think that the home was exactly like that when the photographer came inside. There is lots of moving around involved, sometimes furniture, sometimes just the props. It is like arranging a still life. Often times a photographer will hire a stylist to do this for them.. there is a reason for that… it is not easy!

After our photographing interiors learning session, it was time to head out and photograph a store. We took a brisk walk by the river. For lunch Bianca took us to this amazing little sandwich shop called I Fratellini (two brothers). For 2.5 euros you get the best sandwich you have ever had in your life. We people watched and enjoyed our sandwiches.. and then it was time to walk back to the hotel because there was a taxi waiting for us. A taxi you say? Where are we going next. Stay tuned for Part 2.

xx

Rashmi