Shopping in Florence

Today was set aside for shopping. On our other excursions into Florence we just gave the stores and the markets a quick glance but today was shopping day. Matthew had it planned out, we were to have lunch together then he was going to wander by himself maybe have a coffee and or a nap in the car there was no way he was shopping. Well best laid plans don't always work. Yes we had lunch together after a quick trip into the Mercato markets to buy pasta and sauces for dinner, then it was time for lunch - pizza and pasta today. Then we all headed towards the stores well we didn't make it very far - we very soon found ourselves in a leather store in the hands of a quick talking Italian leather goods salesman. We heard how his daughters had the jackets that our girls wanted (what a coincidence), how he had relations in Sydney (what a surprise), how when his brother/cousin/uncle came to Italy from Australia they too came through Hong Kong, just like us and yes shopping in Hong Kong is expensive and not good quality. (no surprises there) all in all he was a great salesman - we even had our photo taken with him and all our goods - yes we bought a few jackets from him, but they are the best in Florence and he gave us such good prices! If one was a cynical person you could say we were conned by a very smooth talking Italian but I would prefer to think we met one of the good guys of Italian leather shops who just wanted to be of assistance and gave us an really great deal.
After spending way too much Matthew quickly abandoned us with promises to meet back up later. Well we wandered in and out of stores made a few purchases, got lost in the sales of a clothing store and eventually met Matthew just a little bit late for gelato. Josh quickly decided that sitting in the car seemed a far better way to while away our shopping expedition so he left with Matthew to head to the car for a nap.
We headed to the shoe store where Bella bought gold high heeled sandals, (Zander has already made numerous jokes about them), Kaela refused to buy shoes that had a 2cm platform at the toe, Zander found that size 45 is a hard size even in Italy and I bought sandals similar to what I broke (with Josh's help) in Rome.
With enthusiasm starting to lag - the 32 degree heat wasn't helping - we started towards the car. Along the way we found ourselves once again drawn into the leather spell - spending 40 minutes choosing and buying leather book covers, they are really gorgeous, probably impractical but gorgeous nonetheless. Off we head again to the car but alas I succumbed again. It was a really great overnight bag but kaela and Zander did ask me where I was planning to use it and Bella asked how many overnight trips I do by myself!! so the bag stayed in the store but after an hour of bartering we left with not one but three bags, Matthew will probably suggest that the kids should have let me have the one useless bag but kaela found the perfect messenger bag, Zander found the satchel he has been looking for and I found a bag to take to work thanks to Bella (I think she wanted it but I was happy to help out). Ok we quickly headed for the car before I found anymore leather goods.