Somewhere along the way, the Mediterranean lifestyle became a fantasy product. It shows up in travel ads, coffee table books, and social media posts that suggest everyone here wakes up slowly, naps daily, eats three-hour dinners, and spends the rest of the time gazing meaningfully at the sea. I grew up in the Mediterranean. I […]
Why the Mediterranean Shaped the Modern World Growing up near the Mediterranean, the sea never announced itself as something monumental. It didn’t ask for attention. It simply existed alongside daily life, woven into routines so normal they felt unremarkable. It was the backdrop to conversations, meals, and long afternoons, not something I paused to analyze. […]
What Even Is the Mediterranean Sea? I grew up by the Mediterranean Sea, and yet for most of my life, I never stopped to ask what it was. It was just… there. Blue and endless. Familiar in the way something becomes when it’s woven into your daily life. You don’t analyze it. You live alongside […]
“The person you will be in five years depends largely on the information you feed your mind today. Be picky about the books you read, the people you spend time with, and the conversations you engage in.” -Ruben Chavez The books you read, the films you watch, the museums and galleries you visit, and the […]
“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write; may your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white.” Winter Holiday Traditions There are so many festivities and traditions associated with Christmastime, some old and still in practice, while some have sort of gone out of fashion. As […]
Slow Self-care/Slow Living “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” -Jane Austen Let’s face it: sundown at 5 PM can be a difficult adjustment each year, but don’t worry: there are lots of ways to settle into the high fall and upcoming winter season. Go for morning walks to catch some sun. […]
My 10 Top Favorite Albums of All Time Music has always been a guiding force in my life—a constant companion through every high, every low, and everything in between. Narrowing my all-time favorite albums down to just ten was a challenge that required more soul-searching than I initially expected. I have to admit I slipped […]
Skincare guru Dr. Murad proclaims that “Healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness.” The condition of our skin reveals a lot about our health and inner life. Because it’s our largest organ and a natural barrier that protects us, it can take a beating. If you’re dealing with anxiety or stress, you may notice […]
Chagall said that color is everything and likened it to “vibration like music;” only when color is right is form right. We look to the masters to explain the importance of pigments, hues, tones, and colorways and how they build upon each other. Whatever your personal taste, everyone likes color, even if it’s just white […]
When asked what she wore to bed, Marilyn Monroe famously quipped, “Chanel No. 5.” The self-care, beauty, and skincare routines for bed have most definitely gotten more intense over the years. After all, it’s an entire industry! Helena Rubinstein was the first to truly make salon treatments incredibly popular, and the trend has been growing […]