World Nutella Day: On the Town in Florence

I have no shame in admitting I did not eat Nutella before I came to Italy.  I would see it in the vicinity of peanut butter, existing alongside the genius that is "Goober Grape" and I would never give it a second look. 

I heard Giada DeLaurentis mention it during one of her chocolate indulgence episodes, but continued to write off Nutella; I saw no practical need for it in my household.

When I moved to Italy, a lot of things became new again for me.  Simple pleasures.  Pork.  Pecorino.  Learning how to lighten up.  Wine and panino for lunch, God BLESS these people!  Eating the occasional pastry with warm chocolate filling that the shop owners kept referring to as Nutella.  They had me.

My first trip to the grocery store I noticed, next to the 5 Euro jars of peanut butter, little 2 Euro jars of Nutella.  I had to see what this was about. That was 5 months and 5 jars ago.  Since then I have been absolutely shameless in my love for Nutella, and apparently outed quite a few friends from what appears to be a Nutella closet, as well as facilitating addictions for others.  Well I'm not in the closet, people - I'm here, and I'm hooked.  I also now understand where all these silly drinking glasses came from in my tiny little Tuscan flat.

Today my friend posted a link to "World Nutella Day" on my facebook page, again, since it's become a much-discussed topic, and asked, "How will you be celebrating?"  I responded, thusly, "I'm celebrating with a spoon right now."

NOTE 1:  Don't think for one minute that Stracchino, another recent addiction of mine during morning bread slathering ceremonies, was not involved.  You would be wrong.  I should also note that if Italy, the land of "We don't do cappuccino after 10AM" knew the things I do with Stracchino, they would probably make me leave ... as I'm sure it is some form of wrong.

I also had plans with my neighbor to go out for lunch and do a little shopping, as the end of season sales right now are, quite possibly, more wrong than anything I've ever done with Stracchino, in terms of discounts.  As in, "It's nearly free, but OK, I'll give you an obscenely low amount of money for these boots at 110 Euro below the price they were before Christmas."  I asked her if she'd mind if I brought a long a friend.  Then I explained ... World Nutella Day.

All of a sudden, paying homage with a spoon seemed hardly adequate.  So as I sipped my cappuccino, wiped Nutella, Stracchino, and marmalade off my chin, I was being introduced to two fun ladies in the 'blogosphere,' also living in Italy.  As soon as I read Michelle (Bleeding Espresso) Fabio's "Top 10 Reasons Nutella is Better than a Boyfriend" I knew I would heart her.  I had to read more.  I had to link her to my little blog as well.  I also had to post a link to her "Top 10" to my facebook page.

The other fun lady I was introduced to is Sara Rosso of Ms. Adventures In Italy.  I knew from the name of the blog I would love her too, and her recipes and pictures on the blog site?  Divine.  More wicked than these sales, which are more wicked than my Stracchino crack habit.  It is, indeed, Sara's blog that caused me to drag 4 chocolate chip Ciambelline (cookies) through more Nutella while I waited for my neighbor to finish getting ready.

NOTE 2:  Didn't I say we were on our way out to lunch? Ergo, how was eating 4 cookies between breakfast and lunch a good plan? Check out Sara's blog, also linked below - and tell me I'm wrong. TELL ME I'M WRONG, people!

Back to World Nutella Day.  I took my currently 'active' jar out for a day on the town in Florence.

First out to one of my favorite wine bars for a little drink and some great food.  A nice light lunch (yes, there are still cookie crumbs in this jar) before shopping.




We liked the hedgehog.  I couldn't say no.  (I also couldn't say no to the sweet little printed leather wallet inside this store either...)

It was only fair we stopped by Santa Croce and pay our respects to the chocolate festival.  Otherwise known as Mecca.

We then dragged my jar along for a little vintage shopping - nice people who were more than happy to entertain my photo shoot in their shop, after I explained in my shabby Italian what I was up to.  Also scored a great belt and my neighbor wore her spiffy new hat out of the store.




A little more window shopping...










and a little whisky and hot chocolate for our friend...

...before heading home in the rain...

Back home, a toast ... to all of our Nutella-loving friends ...












And of course, we had to put the camera away before things got too crazy...

Happy World Nutella Day!    Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the party before someone calls the cops...