When I first assembled my bags and luggage for my year abroad in Italy, I already had a subtle idea on what absolutely not to wear in an ancient European city with 90% of its streets covered in cobblestones. Plus, I had to deal with the fact that I would have to walk to University at last 3-4 days a week (finally, I managed to cut it to only 3 days of lessons in my weekly schedule), and be real about coming to Firenze not only to shoot cool fashion pictures and eat delicious food, but also attend to lectures and comply with my academical duties.

I must say, I'm not a very sneaker-kind-of-girl, except for those times where I'm in my most sporty mood so, I loaded my bags with tons of flats and comfy ballerina shoes to walk in. What I never counted on is that those lovely cobblestoned streets would be of super poor maintenance, and that even my most comfortable flat shoes would get stuck at those huge holes between stones. I suddenly started missing my sneakers.

So, when Zaful asked me to assemble a post with a Fall outfit a la italiana and share with you some Fall essentials to bring to the city of Renaissance, I knew for sure that these sparkly, jeweled sneakers would be the perfect choice to put on a cobblestoned-friendly but still fashionable look. I must confess I'm no big fan of wearing fancy fabrics or jewelry near the floor -I'm just too clumsy and I always end up ruining beautiful shoes-  but these sneakers with rhinestones looked so lovely and so versatile I couldn't just miss them. Plus, I am surprised and very pleased not only about the design of the shoes, but also about the overall quality of the black suede fabric and the soles, which are quite thick and able to protect my feet amazingly.

If I were asked about how helpful and how attentive Zaful's team was, I couldn't ask for a better client support which answered all my annoying questions and doubts. Although the delivery took a little more than I expected, it paid off to stay home a couple of mornings waiting for the postman, as now I can finally pair my dresses and dressy skirts on a more casual, but still fashionable and super comfortable way to do endless walks through the Arno riverside.

It cost my flatmate and I three different attempts to enter the Galleria degli Uffizi. The main reason were the long lines and crowds of people we always encountered once passing through the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio to reach the Piazza degli Uffizi. Such a nightmare, and such a pity, because nothing's the same when you are trying to enjoy art and history in a crowded, tiny room inside the gallery, while other 3 billions of people are trying to do the same as you are, while taking pictures with thousand of arms up, children crying around and so. I feel like it's amazing and wonderful that we've arrived to such a point in history that culture can be enjoyed and noticed by so much people, and that museums have had such a leading role in democratizing art and architecture. But that comes with a price, of course (and, of course, this isn't just happening here in Firenze and super touristy cities. I don't even want to remember the last time I visited the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid and entered the room with Picasso's Guernica).

But, anyway! I'm not here to complain and ruin your day nor mine. I'm here to brighten up your day by giving you ideas and insight on cool places to visit through this post, without leaving your desk! :) The Galleria degli Uffizi is for sure one of the most iconic places in Firenze next to the Duomo, and maybe the Ponte Vecchio or Santa Croce church. But there are many other places to see and live while here that might be a little less crowded, but not less beautiful and interesting! The other day I stumbled upon the National Museum of Bargello, which is a beautiful palace full of sculptures and sumptuary arts like pots, pans, ceramic plates, religious jewelry and many more. There is also the Biblioteca delle Oblate, which is a public library right behind the Cupola of the Duomo, where you can enjoy the views at its cafeteria while having a delicious cappuccino. I've already spent there some evenings working with the flatmates in our architecture projects.

And, if you like to stroll the city calmly and enjoy the italian lifestyle and its Dolce Vita, nothing better to sit for an aperitivo or apericena in one of the terraces near Santo Spirito (which is at the Oltrarno, the other part of the river. Much, much less crowded by difference. There's where the locals gather!) or near San Lorenzo Market around 6-7pm. I never expected so many things to see and do in a city which is the size of Valencia, or even smaller!

It's been a while since the last time I did a "BEHIND THE DESIGN" feature here in Something Fashion but, since my homework and architecture duties seem to have calmed down for a bit here in Firenze, I wanted you to meet another fashion entrepreneur whose brand Ibaza I met during the last Barreira A+D students catwalk. My friend and I left the catwalk mesmerized by those headpieces with snakes full of colorful scales and finally, I could sit down and write some questions for its creative director for all of you to meet her and know a bit more behind her philosophy and workflow.

Accessories are one of the main foundations when it comes to a successful outfit, but sometimes we totally forget about them and give more importance to other fashion pieces in our attires. What would you say to people who only pays attention to the tag in what they're wearing?
Everybody has a different rhythm in their lives: there are some people who doesn't care at all in the tag because they're just used to wear something everyday, and other people who wearing something from a high end brand is big effort which may ultimately end in some personal satisfaction. I am one of those who has always thought that wearing a bag because some kind of celebrity has worn it previously is just a flamboyance. I like to wear things which claim a message, something which has lived some sort of battle in history in which I feel identified or I'm in favor of. Therefore, a piece of clothing is not just a thing which an expensive name behind, but it is something that represent my ideals and the ashes of a battle to get a place at the closet of other people. That's what satisfies me.

#1 Enjoy #DomenicalMuseo

#2 Get to know the covered food markets
#3 Wander around Parco delle Cascine
#4 Enjoy Firenze at night
#5 Eat like a fiorentine
#6 Biblioteca delle Oblate and its cultural programme
#7 Climb to San Miniato al Monte and the cemetery

#1 Get inspired

Come on guys, we live in the digital era, where access to information is not only easy but also quick! Nowadays there're plenty of sources of inspiration full of imagery, graphics, professional artworks and albums in just a click! Before your next photo shoot for fashion blogging, I recommend you to look for some inspiration, may it be in others' blogs or on Pinterest! Pinterest boards are a great source to look for street style and outfit inspiration, poses, lighting, background, edition tools... All that in a very organized place due to this social network's structure. There are even bloggers who post about their personal tips to get the perfect fashion picture and explode your blog content, as Kotryna Bass.

#2 Use props

I can't believe it's been almost 2 months already since I shot this pictures! My experience as a granted student with an scholarship to work for the whole Summer period passed at the speed of a races motorbike, and although brief, I can't believe how many things I learnt from the experience which will be of great use in this year abroad in Italy (all thanks to my super-boss. You rock!).

Today's post goes along the outfit pictures, as this dress I bought in Primark + the yellow sandals were something I wore non-stop to the office, so I wanted to write something accordingly to the look and not going too off-topic with more overwhelming Stendhal Syndrome experiences' in Firenze. In this post, I'm looking to use a little throwback as an excuse to encourage all of you who aren't very confident on taking any kind of internship or not. I don't know about any other College degrees or what is happening concerning this topic in other countries but, as things are in Spain, where not all university degrees have compulsory internships for their students, my advice is: get your guts, stand up of your chair and go out look for a place to do your internship right away!

At first, I was very low in self esteem and doubtful about my skills or knowledge in my field to be even taken into account. I thought I was a total mess, and that nobody would've wanted me in their office because I didn't know how to do anything. But some day, I decided to try and send my pathetic, short student CV to an office. That's when I got hired for the first time two Summers ago. Then, last Oct-Nov I applied for a scholarship to be granted by a private bank to promote young students to join the labor market for their first times, and that's how I got the internship at the last office, which was one of the best experiences I could've ever asked for. So, my first advice on this is: self confidence UP everyone! You are worth of whatever you wish for if you work hard and put every piece of your soul into that.

#1 Don't be shy and ask a lot of questions

I was very worried about being a pain in the arse at the beginning, asking so much questions EVERY-SINGLE-DAY. But, the boss told me about it being a natural thing due to my youth and inexperience, and that if it depended on her, she would've asked many more questions in her intern days. An internship is meant for you to learn, to expand the knowledge you acquire at University and put into practice a lot of things you can't test in class. Don't let your curiosity be flinched, and for God's sake, ask as many questions and express out loud as many doubts as you have.

#2 Getting up early in Summer isn't actually THAT bad

I must confess I didn't actually got up so early; as my bus to office literally stopped by our door. I got up at that precise time when if you've had a nice sleep night, you don't feel tired at all, and so, I acquired the habit of getting up early on weekends too. It felt great, because this way I forced myself to have at least 8 hours of sleep, and I could have all mornings for me to blog, go to the beach or for a walk every single Summer weekend. Being an early bird on Summer weekends wasn't my thing before!

#3 Be a sponge and go on with a good attitude

Curiosity is your best weapon when doing any kind of internship. You'll have the priceless opportunity of learning TONS of things you didn't know even existed. That happened to me in my first internship, and happened on my second period this Summer as well. No matter if it's regarding technical skills according to your field, human resources or creative problem solving, among many other things. Be willingly to learn from your coworkers and bosses, and be always grateful and thankful for all those things you will be learning everyday.

#4 Be prepared to face last-minute schedule changes

Especially in creative professions, last-minute changes are inevitable. Deal with them, and try to re-schedule all your tasks the best way possible.

#5 Be yourself!

Last, but not least, put the best of yourself on your job and the tasks you're required to do. Stay true to yourself, and explode the best qualities you have. Are you a perfectionist, and a bit workaholic as I am? Try to apply your knowledge and get the best of your time to do the job not only in the best way possible, but also be efficient managing office hours.

#BONUS: Making cool architecture models. Which means, PATIENCE!

Buongiorno a tutti! After a non-stop week attending to the firsts classes in italian, dealing with the language (seriously guys, I never thought it would be SO difficult, even with Spanish being quite similar to it...) and meeting so much new people I'm literally exhausted. In addition, Firenze has so much to do, so much to see and experience that even strolling to university every morning feels like a massive walk through history, which leaves you asking for more but also for a place to rest and eat a portion of fluffy stuffed focaccia. Stendhal syndrome, they call it *laugh*.

We've been strolling through the city during this week while trying to find less touristy places and still taking great blogging pictures, which is truly easy, as everywhere you put your eye on around here is either beautiful, classy or has good lighting. I call it "the photogenic city". We shot this pictures in the Piazza del Duomo while on our firsts days here, and I find truly amazing the double reality this place lives: while on daylight it is crowded to no end, we stopped by the other night just by casuality and almost no soul was there. It felt as magical as eerie, the Piazza del Duomo just for the two of my flatmates and I. It made me realize how a city can change through the day, and how some places can only be enjoyed while taking your time to really experience them. Almost no-one stays the night in Firenze for tourism. This classy, elegant and huge buildings were made to be looked at and venerated (everything in this city is, actually) but only a few people take into account that to experience any place, to really become part of it, you must add the factor called time. You must take your time to savour it, to feel it, or you are not really traveling. You are just adding a place to your sitemap.

In the meanwhile, I'll be getting ready for Winter season. I never thought it could be so damn cold in end September here: I'm already wearing my shawls, blazer, sweaters and almost coat. It's surreal. By this time, in sunny Valencia they're still going for a beach day on weekends! Remind me to find a great pair of classy, functional and cute sneakers: I've tripped so much already I feel I won't be getting home in Christmas without a walking stick.

What about you? Any recommendation to enjoy Italy and its less touristy places? Do tell me, I'm excited to know!