August 2026 | Issue 8
The Edit
We’re exploring our roots in this month’s edit, following them across the globe to Italia! My sister recently took a trip to the motherland and I’ve loved looking through her photos + reflecting on my own time there. The last time I was there, it was summer and the days were drenched in sun. “Madonna mia,” it was hot! We walked the piazzas and took in the sights - the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps - all with gelato melting in hand.
Though I was young, I could feel the magic of the culture all around me - the passionate Italian voices, musicians playing on the streets, the smell of fresh basil + pasta wafting through the air. Everyone was doing their own things but somehow we were all connected and a part of one big, vibrant Italian tapestry. I really hope to travel back there someday soon, but for now let’s indulge in a little Italian summer from wherever you are right now.
Design Inspiration
There is nothing quite like the color palette of Italy. The deep reds and terracotta of the brick + clay that hold the stories of centuries past, the rich greens of the vineyards and olive farms, the creamy colored architecture that frames the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Everywhere you turn is living color with so much to say. We especially love the colors you’d find in Cinque Terre - reds, mustards and peaches like this one from Sherwin Williams. Coral Clay - SW 9005 - effortlessly emulates that classic Italian Riviera vibe.
No one knows it better than Italians; the kitchen is the heart of the home. The main thing you will notice in rustic Italian kitchens is the warmth that comes from the natural materials used throughout - stone, terracotta tile floors, exposed brick + aged wood. An earthy color palette emerges when these elements are paired with copper or ceramic pots and pans, wooden spoons and tools and fresh herbs easily accessible and ready for the next meal. An open layout is a must to allow for everyone in the family to gather, eat and prepare together. And don’t forget plenty of olive oil and special heirlooms that have been passed down from the nonnas of the past.
Tunes in the Office
Mind
You may have heard of this Italian saying before, “il dolce far niente,” the sweetness of doing nothing. It is described as the pleasure and contentment of enjoying a moment of pure relaxation without guilt or the pressure of productivity. Rather than this being seen as lazy, it is an intentional choice to slow down and appreciate the present moment to sip your espresso, feel the sun warm your face or people watch in the piazza - to simply enjoy your time without rushing on to the next thing, helping to restore balance throughout your day as you navigate modern life + work. This is deeply woven into Italian culture with habits like long lunches in the afternoon and evening strolls without a specific destination or “passeggiata” that help you to unwind.
This is an idea that I have been adapting to fit my own unique daily schedule for some time now, as a way to add more joy + moments of just simply being into my routine. Doing this helps me not get caught up in all the things that I need to complete in what can feel like such a small 24-hour time frame. Learning to prioritize sheer contentment and relaxation in my day is something that has helped my mental health immensely and allows me to wake up excited for each day, no matter what is on my calendar. I know it will be a good day as long as I can apply this practice. I can be productive without feeling like I am being emotionally dragged through the day or getting lost in the drudgery of my to-do list.
Currently Reading
Our pick this month is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Andrew Sean Greer and is set in the enchanting region of Tuscany. A young American archivist is hired to assist a baroness + owner of a mansion in the hills, Lisabetta, also known as Coco. When he arrives, he finds his duties will be much different than what he had imagined. The villa is in need of repair, and that’s just the beginning. He must manage eccentric visitors, carry out strange tasks requested by Coco and even ends up helping her find a love she thought she had lost. This novel is described as a charming coming of age story filled with friendship, love, humor + a little of its own kind of magic.
Good Eats
Gather some tomatoes from your local farmer’s market and join us in the late summer ritual of making and jarring tomato sauce. “Sugo” (meaning sauce) or “passata” days usually take place in late August and early September when Roma + San Marzano tomatoes are in peak season. These tomatoes are deemed the best for sauce due to their low water content and meaty texture. Years ago, tomatoes were only available for part of the year so this was the way to guarantee you would have enough until next summer. Families gather together and everyone has a job in the process - washing, crushing, cooking or preserving.
“Thanks for traveling across the globe with us!
Hope you can find some sweet moments of simply doing nothing this August.”
-Cass ♡