B is for Bologna. And Bata. And Bags. And Blouses.

First things first. Shopping. In which Snow White and yours truly indulged quite a bit. To be honest, I think that Snow White actually outdoes me on the shopping front. Then again, I probably more than make-up for her "offline buys" by all the online shopping I do.

I had hoped that there would be a Bata in Bologna and indeed there was. In Venice I had fallen in love with a gorgeous pair of supersoft sued flats with tiny studs that I really wanted, but unfortunately my usual size 38 felt much too big and 37 was on the tight side. I could not get those shoes out of my head and miraculously, I not only found a Bata store in Bologna, but size 38 fit. I suspect the last "display pair" in Venice had been tried on too many times. Here they are:

I've always loved Bata - sadly not available in Austria apart from faraway Vorarlberg - and even visited the Bata Shoe Museum in Zlín, CZ, with the Mermaid, some years ago.

While I was there, I also bought The Perfect Carry-On Bag. I know, I know, some of you might have a bit of a "déjà-read" feeling here...

In any case, it's a super light-weight material and the bronze-y colour fits a lot of my jackets and shoes.

Other purches include two blouses bought at an inexpensive store called Camaíeu, one with a belt of the same striped fabric, the other with a bolder print and interesting detailing at the neckline.

I also discovered Italy's cheap, but nonetheless stylish answer to MAC: KIKO Milano, where both of us bought quite a bit of really nice and apparently good quality make-up. I finally found the right shade of warm purple eyeshadow there.

Coming up: town pics and culinary delights