Fall madly in love with the art of living — June 2024 Vol. Nº9
Sometimes making a choice to treat yourself to the little things can be the biggest choice of all. I am often told how inspiring or how courageous it is for me to embark on a beautiful life solo. I cannot tell you how many times I have been questioned as to why I am dressed up to simply snag a dinner table for one, or how brave it is for me to venture to the theater on my own. It’s truly astonishing. And I would be lying if I didn’t admit to feeling a little embarrassed at times. I am not exactly sure why though. I wish that the solo lifestyle was something to aspire to versus something to question. Maybe then it wouldn’t have that twinge of isolation, but rather, wonder and amazement.
Looking at the big picture, it is not about being single or doing things alone, it is about treating yourself to some well deserved me-time (partnered up or not). In reality, sometimes the choice between going out to experience my dream life or staying in because it’s ‘weird’ to go alone has been the difference between a life well lived and a life I long for. These collected experiences and beautiful little moments have led to this unconventional, plucky existence. And though, yes, I daydream of my perfect wedding dress, pinning away when I stubble upon Pinterest perfection, and I definitely experience a glowy thrill when I imagine the aesthetic loveliness that will undoubtedly be my possible one-day wedding, I am rather content with the little life I currently lead. I am madly in love with the endless possibilities in store. Thus, it is from this place, the place with all my collected experiences of the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful, that I strive to inspire those in similar shoes and those who seek a bit of the intentional date-yourself kind of lifestyle. Wishing you an inspired June, lovers. Xx
Get Inspired
No need to save luxury for special occasions, treat yourself like the love of your life.
Avoid big day fashion-faux-pas and dive into the best bridal trends with the lovely and ever classy Laura Steyn.
Treat yourself like you are the love of your own life. Sexy date nights for one, a thoughtful morning routine & delicious snack plates. .
Winding cobblestone streets, an ancient castle and endless side walk cafés… Ibiza, you are the dream I never knew I dreamed of.
“What nicer thing can you do for somebody than make them breakfast?”
“French fries. I love them. Some people are chocolate and sweets people. I love French fries. That and caviar.”
Slices of June
Discover the art of le snack, indulge in a luxurious breakfast in bed and fall in love with dating yourself. Le Supper Club is your go-to place for inspiration, adventure and lifestyle.
Old Town Ibiza & Dalt Vila
I fell in love with Ibiza and no one was more surprised than me. With a club scene reputation, I was pre-convinced that it would not be my ideal island destination. Oh, how wrong I was. I judged the cover of this little island’s book unfairly and was immediately swayed by the delightful charm and ancient history of Ibiza.
Settled into Old Town for the duration of my 36 hour island stint, I found myself in a European haven of siestas and apéro culture where the locals intuitively know how to simply live. Nestled at the base of the Castle of Ibiza, this little pocket left nothing to be desired, quickly filling my heart with wonder and tranquility. Making my way through narrow streets overflowing with quaint shops and idyllic sidewalk cafés, I quickly found myself drawn up to Dalt Vila (upper town), Ibiza’s old quarter. Just a short incline from the front door of my hotel, and situated within an ancient fortress, lives a vibrant labyrinth of renaissance walls and snug alleyways bursting with life and allure.
Waffles in Bed
I would say, with confidence, that I am not a morning person. I prefer to take my time getting out of bed and starting my day quietly and slowly. After a cup of strong English Breakfast Tea, a bit of my current true crime podcast obsession and a few moments of computer life admin at my breakfast nook banquette, I am finally ready to start my day. However, this anti-morning person can be turned upside down by an impeccable breakfast tray.
With the world spinning wildly around us, it is imperative that we take a few minutes each week for ourselves. One perfectly simple example of this is to recreate one of my favorite indulgences. Room service. I adore it. Always have to have it. Food laid out prettily on a tray and enjoyed in a fluffy white bath robe while still in bed. It is pure, simple luxury. But why do we save such a treat for vacations only? Why not bring a bit of vacation life to our everyday life?
All Things Bridal with Laura Steyn
Many of us grow up dreaming of our wedding. We have pretend engagements and weddings on the playground (I had at least two in elementary school on the giant stegosaurus), we pick out our dream dresses, have Pinterest boards and make pacts to marry our best guy friend if we are both single at the age of 35 because 35 seems an impossible lifetime away when you are 16. Weddings are simply a fixation for many from a young age into adulthood and well beyond our own wedding experiences. Weddings are strange and romantic and foreign, and even if we have dreamt of our own for decades, the event, the planning and the dress are something out of an unfamiliar fairytale… something we wish upon a star for, but do not fully understand.
When it comes to bridal and wedding dresses (beyond my own Pinterest board) I have no idea what I am talking about. So I have enlisted the help of my dear, darling friend, Laura Steyn and her expertise as a bridal stylist.
The Simple Moments
Burnout seems to be everywhere these days. I, for one, have struggled with bouts of burnout, exhaustion and a sense of general boredom for what feels like centuries at this point. To put it plainly, I feel as though I am constantly whelmed. Can one in fact be ‘whelmed’? Sure we can all feel overwhelmed but that word brings about a feeling better suited for a moment or perhaps a situation, when in fact, ‘whelmed’ feels a far better word suited for my general sense of existence within this chapter of life. Because, I am in fact, whelmed. I think that we all are in a way.
One has so much to keep up with and a society that has taught us that our value is measured by how hard we work, how well we fit into normalcy, what standardized mile markers we have ticked off our list, what we own and how many followers and ‘likes’ we collect. Le sigh. Non Merci! I feel a shift coming however. I sense that people are craving something more ‘real’. Something more grounded in honesty, simplicity and overall vulnerability. I see this through small intentional shifts. People flirting with the idea of less social media, more nights in, slower mornings and intentional moments. And I, for one, could not love this little glimmer of living more.
“Playing dress-up begins at age 5 and never truly ends.”
Breakfast in Bed
Gluten Free Waffles in Bed
By Odella Bakes
Ingredients
1 cup Odella Bakes waffle mix
3/4 cup milk of your choosing
1 egg - lightly beaten
1 tablespoon melted butter
Farmers market berries
Method
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, milk and melted butter. Add in flour and stir until just combined.
Spoon 1/3 cup of batter onto hot waffle iron and cook until golden and crispy.
Arrange your breakfast tray with a small bouquet, a cup of tea and of course, a pile of waffles and accoutrement. Enjoy a delightful breakfast in bed. Xx
The June edition of Le Supper Club is an absolute delight. Bridal dreams with stylist Laura Steyn, Caviar baked potatoes and waffles in bed, what more could you want? Xx
Estate dell'amore! An escape to the Amalfi Coast where the ingredients are beautifully simple, the dinners last well into the night and the wine is ever-pouring.