Joie de Vivre #5

Wise words, the queen of perseverance, and a bowl of soup.

Dear Reader,

I know a lot of us are feeling pretty bleh this week. It’s a tough pill to swallow, and I so wish to see a woman as president, but in a democracy, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. We just need to keep on pushing towards progress. I heard some wise words from none other than Andy Cohen here. And also Jessica Yellin here. Hopefully they bring you a little perspective as they have for me. Everyone is processing this news in their own way and I am giving grace to myself and others for however that may show up. The only thing we can do is move forward.

This week, I wanted to send out a few things that are bringing joy to my life with the hope they may bring you some joy too. After all, the pursuit of happiness is what it’s all about. 

WATCH

I know I mentioned this last week, but the Martha doc is fantastic. (Even if she doesn’t think so) I thought it was very raw and real and she seemed authentic when speaking to the camera. Martha is a woman of contradictions, like we all are. Her media savvy and creativity is unmatched and she has obviously accomplished so much. But what I think is the most inspiring about her is that she never let “the worst thing in the world happening” keep her down. Martha’s perseverance and commitment to being nothing but herself has given her a whole new chapter of life and made her the global icon she is today. I really love that message. And if you really need some comfort, there’s always the new season of The Great British Baking Show.

EAT

Soup - I’m in an ‘eat as many vegetables as possible’ phase and soup is my favorite way to do it. Now, this is not going to sound very sexy, but this cabbage soup is beyond delicious and so easy to make. Modify as you like: Sautée onions and garlic, then add half a head of chopped cabbage, then add chopped parsley and a dash of curry powder, then pour in some broth of your choice and a can of rinsed chickpeas. Bring it all to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cook for about 15-20 mins. At the end, add a dash or two of champagne vinegar, trust! Serve topped with dill, lemon, olive oil and a dollop of Sunny’s tahini and with a side of toasted crusty bread. Health in a spoon. This will cure what ails ya!

GO

I just got back from a photo shoot in Palm Springs and even though I was there for work, I left feeling restored and rejuvenated! We stayed at Korakia Pensione and it was FAB! There is a Moroccan side and a Mediterranean side, both have beautiful rooms. I stayed in the Marrakech suite and it was soooo nice! Giant bed, private balcony, beautiful view over the pool and the cutest kitchen and bathroom. FYI, the service is pretty minimal here, there are no TV’s and it’s adults only. A perfect place to unplug for a couple nights. The moment you decide you’re going to Palm Springs, book a table at Bar Cecil. Something I didn’t know is that it’s very hard to get a reservation in this town! At 5pm this place was packed with an hours long waitlist for the night. We loved our meal at Bar Cecil and the food, service, and room felt very elevated and fun! No wonder you can’t get in! Also, Palm Springs is known for its vintage shops, and if you can only stop at one, make it Mitchell’s.

WEAR

This Buck Mason sweatshirt is bringing me much comfort. Soo soft, perfect vintage cut and material. I got the sweatpants too and feel really good about it, sorry Stanley Tucci. Highly recommended for the cozy nights ahead.

LISTEN

Do y’all know about

Dinner Music

Weekly? It’s the best. I subscribe to Jacqui’s Spotify playlist that updates every week with the coolest tunes that are perfect for cooking dinner or hosting a chill hang. She describes it as “Just like the esoteric grooves your favorite wine bar plays.” Say no more! No more panicking when someone hands you the aux cord. And a nice way to start the evening along with your beverage of choice.

CHILL

Dog therapy. When I’m having a freak out, the best thing I can think about is my dog, Roma. Especially her as a puppy. Especially her belly as a puppy. Too cute! I find her presence so soothing except when she barks like mad at the UPS guy. No groundbreaking news here, but they really are emotional support animals. I never had a dog as an adult because I lived in NY and traveled a lot. My husband has always had dogs, so now we have dogs and wow it is a game changer! Obviously getting a pet is a huge commitment and I always recommend adopting of course. These lil angels really do save you! And putting a photo of Roma on my lock screen is a serotonin booster. If you don’t have a pet of your own, becoming an aunt or uncle to a friends pet (like our friend Jesse has been to our dogs for years) is a good way to test the waters and help out your friend!

DRINK

Cuz we all need a lil something to sip on right now. I am non-ironically very into cosmos right now. I genuinely like them. Is it a little embarrassing to order? Maybe, but that’s not going to stop me. Made well, from quality ingredients, they are just so BOMB. And you get to feel like you’re in Sex and the City. Make sure to order from a proper bar with proper ingredients, otherwise you’ll get something not so great. If you want to make at home, all you need is 2 oz of vodka (or gin would also be great), 1 oz of cranberry juice cocktail, 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice and 3/4 oz of triple sec. Combine all ingredients in an ice shaker and shake, shake, shake til very effing cold. Pour into a martini glass (duh) and serve with a twist.

ATMOSPHERE

Lighting candles is one of the only good things about daylight savings time. Come 5pm, it’s time to light some beeswax tapers and pretend we’re in Copenhagen. I like the super thin ones. Get some cute candlesticks (the ones above by Leo Costelloe are a dream) and collect some nice matchbooks to light them with. Stock up and make a ritual of it while the days are shorter. If you want to really commit, you could do a candle wall sconce. It warms up any space, sets a cozy mood, and candlelight makes everything look good.

I hope we all have a restful weekend full of good food, some brisk fall air, watching something comforting, and hopefully petting a dog (or pet of your choice). Also, we have just launched our Gift Shop for Lorenza and it’s pretty cute! Sending lots of love to you all and I’ll be back next week hopefully with some more pep in my step!

xx

Michèle

P.S. If you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a commission at no cost to you! Thanks!

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