Recent blog love from Georgette of Girl in Florence fame, who writes my go-to blog for tips on hip new happenings in the Tuscan capital, inspired me to share my own list of favourite Italy blogs in English, all of which happen to be authored by eloquent, witty women. Get these nerdy-wordy gems into your blog reader if you want smart commentary on various marvelous and infuriating aspects of this bellissimo paese. 1. The Bittersweet Gourmet by Amy Gulick. Full disclosure: Amy is a friend, as is wont to occur in this socially-incestuous little city, but I would never stop devouring every word she wrote no matter who she was. I was already an avid fan of Platform 17, her ongoing blog about life and history in small-town Tuscany, and I learned about this smashing new venture when it was still just an idea. It has everything I hoped it would: fantastic recipes accompanied by finely crafted ruminations on life and food.

2. La Vita è Bella by Kate Hash. Once again, you guessed it, Kate and I are friends. In fact, she is responsible for the gorgeous design of this here site. In addition to web design, Kate also writes her own absolutely delightful blog detailing her enviable life in Florence with her little family. Even from up close she seems to have it all, and makes the dream seem totally do-able.

3. Married to Italy by "M". I love this "big city Texan girl"s dry and hilarious take from inside the Italian marital home (in Emilia-Romagna). She has an wonderful way of encapsulating the tear-your-hair-out moments of adapting to Italy as a foreigner. For those of us in her boat, it's at once entertaining and cathartic.

4. Mozzarella Mamma by Patricia Thomas. This woman lives my dream. She has worked as a TV journalist for several years in Rome and has been writing a book about motherhood in Italy. Someone told her she can't get a book deal without a blog, so MM was born. I turn to Trisha for thoughtful takes on some of the biggest news stories in Italy, and especially appreciate her first-person accounts of what it's like to be a successful journalist and working mom of three in this country.

5. Florence for Free by Hannah and Meg. These two young women have a place in my heart not only because they both have MAs in art history (like me) but also because they are writing the blog I would have killed to write when I was their age (mid 20s?). Their styles meld together so well the co-authoring never jars. Setting these fab femmes apart from your run-of-the-mill what-to-do-in-Florence blogs are beautifully edited writing, a quirky sense of humour, and terrific ideas for enjoying la dolce vita on a tight budget.

What are your favourites? I'm always on the look-out for more!