Sh*t That's Giving Me Life | Volume 1
Christmas in Italy, best in books & Sh*t that's giving me life
Think of this new series as a catch all of travel (ish) info, if you will, where you’ll find a mixed bag of what I’m reading, where I’m going, probably a recipe and sh*t that’s giving me life. Let me know if you’re into it below!
JUST BACK FROM…
If you follow me on instagram, you know my year ended with a whirlwind trip to visit family in Italy. We spent most of our time in the countryside feasting on farm fresh food and celebrating the holidays with just a couple of quick day trips here and there. One of my favorite days was spent at Reggia di Caserta - Italy’s swansong to the baroque. This former royal residence (the largest in the world) came to life in 1752 after Charles VII ordered a palace to rival Versailles. Not one to disappoint, Neapolitan architect Luigi Vanvitelli delivered a palace bigger than its French rival. You may recognize this beauty from small films such as Mission Impossible III and Queen Amidala's palace in Star Wars Episode I & II.
I absolutely adore a house museum (can we call this a house a museum?) because it really gets my creative juices flowing. My friends kept making fun of me for sending tile and molding inspiration from various churches and castles throughout the country, but alas, I am who I am. I mean COME ON! THAT WINDOW NOOK!? I’m already brainstorming how I can incorporate some of these details into my own space.
Marco and I are heading back to Italy in September to spend some time in the Dolomites and then heading South for a few days. So I’ll be sharing a deep dive into Italy later this year.
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
One of my goals this year is to read 40 books. I know, she’s a lofty goal, but so far I am averaging 1 a week so I think I can do it. Inspired by
sharing what she’s had stacked on her bedside table, I thought I’d offer a few of my favorite reads from last year and what’s on my list for 2024. Let me know if you have anything to add!My favs of 2023…
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow | Gabrielle Zevin | Unless you have been living under a rock (and maybe you have) someone has probably recommended this book to you and let me say…it lives up to the hype. In this exhilarating novel, two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality.
To Paradise | Hanya Yanagihara | This was a divisive one for my book club, but I absolutely adored it. From the author of the classic 'A Little Life’, comes a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the American experiment, about lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia. NPR has a great interview with Hanya Yanagihara that I would recommend checking out if you read the book. She’s quick at only 7 minutes.
Tom Lake | Ann Patchett |Ann Patchett can do no wrong in my book. I think she writes the most beautifully nuanced characters that feels like a warm hug. This book was no exception. Also, as an actor who has been to many of her own versions of ‘Tom Lake’ this booked touched my heart. Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart.
Demon Copperhead | Barbara Kingsolver | Here’s the thing…it’s devastating, but I really believe it’s one of the most important books I’ve ever read (not to be dramatic). Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours.
On my 2024 list…
Bright Young Women | Jessica Knoll | This was my first book of 2024 and it was WONDERFUL. Inspired by the real-life sorority targeted by America's first celebrity serial killer in his final murderous spree, this book focuses on the brilliant women whose lives were cut too short and brings up the question…why are we still celebrating this horrible man (who we shall not name).
The Bee Sting | Paul Murray | I need someone else to read this book so I can talk about the ending. I finished it last week and I am still not over it. A thought-provoking tour de force about family, fortune, and the struggle to be a good person when the world is falling apart.
Come and Get It | Kiley Reid | This is on SO MANY ‘most anticipated’ lists for 2024 so I can’t wait to dive in. From the celebrated New York Times bestselling author of ‘Such a Fun Age’ comes a fresh and provocative story about a residential assistant and her messy entanglement with a professor and three unruly students.
The Sweetness of Water | Nathan Harris | Here’s the thing…when my mother tells me to read a book, I do. And she has mentioned this one many times over the past month. Described as a heartbreaking, but hopeful novel about the unlikely bond between two freedmen who are brothers and the Georgia farmer whose alliance will alter their lives, and his, forever.
The Book of Love | Kelly Link | When I am in a reading rut, I turn to fantasy. It is one of the genre’s that brings me great joy. So when I read about this book I immediately added it to my list. Four formerly deceased characters are forced to compete in a series of high-stakes magical challenges. The winners get to stay alive—and the losers will be sent back to the realm of the dead.
Currently Reading: Circe by Madeline Miller
SH*T THAT’S GIVING ME LIFE…
A glimpse into what’s inspiring me lately
Earlier this year we bought a 100 year old cottage outside of NYC. One of my favorite architectural features is our staircase. I knew I wanted an impactful gallery wall moment leading up them, but was worried it would give a “90’s family portrait” vibe. While scouring the internet for inspiration, my friend Katie sent me this image from Better Things and I CANNOT GET OVER IT. Now to collect the art…send me your favorite thrift stores in the NY/NJ area because I am on the hunt.
My recent time in Italy has me wanting to paint all of my interiors in a limewash (and also maybe pink?). Adding this home project to our 2024 to do list.
Perhaps my favorite artist of our generation is
. It feels like “slow” everything is all the rage right now, but Ronni is actually walking the walk. In order to be more present throughout her process she is switching out her iphone for a film camera to document her process (what could I love more?!). Her newsletter (where you see so many of her beautiful images) is truly the highlight of my inbox.Okay, I am clearly late to the game, but I am (dare I say) obsessed with
. I had heard her discuss this lamb dish on her podcast and knew I wanted to make it for friends. Y’all…It is quite literally the easiest and most delicious meal. Sidebar: some folks in the comments had issues with cooking this (which almost scared me off)…..I don’t truly don’t know how. If you follow the instructions you literally can’t fuck it up. It’s going to be a new staple in my monthly rotation.2024 will forever be the year the Greta’s were snubbed. Past Lives was truly one of the most beautiful, honest, heartwarming love stories I have seen in a long time. If you haven’t seen it, you must.
One of my favorite fashion writers on the internet atm is
. So when she posted these cocktails napkins inspired by her 2024 ins/outs (gifted by fellow travel writer ) I couldn’t get enough. Will be purchasing a version of these for all my entertaining needs stat.
That’s all for this week! Thank you so much for subscribing to Wandering. If you enjoy this content I’d be so grateful if you took the time to leave a comment or share with a friend. Thanks!
Last week: Beach Camping at Hole in the Wall
Ahh thanks for the mention! Happy to share the link to the napkins. Also, we have the exact same taste—tomorrow x3 is my fav book of all time and past lives was my favorite movie of '23 ❤️
Thanks for the mention! Tomorrow x3 and Demon Copperhead are two of my favourite reads from recent years ☺️
Also - the Better Things reference! One of my all-time favourite tv shows!