this is the time of year when i finally take a break. i’ve not had an extended holiday away this year, which is not the norm for me, so it’s time to recharge my weakening creative batteries. and even though i will not physically be here, i will be posting over the holidays — some ‘best of’ posts to bring you good cheer. but i hope you all have an inspired and restful holiday; get off the computer and into nature, see some amazing things, pay attention, and love the ones you’re with. and as i leave you for my prolonged rest, i thought i’d ramble on a bit about what truly inspired me this year and leave you with a few things you, too, might like to explore next year. happiest of holidays, and thank you all so much for being here and your kind support! x, v.
it’s usually quite a bit of travel that inspires me, but since that didn’t happen, i’m going armchair traveling while lounging in my instead. there are quite a few places i’d like to go — i’m dying to ride orient express from paris to portofino. these glamourous and reinvented train excursions have got my attention. i’m also determined to check into , if just for one night, as the prices are a tad steep. watch the documentary, and i think you’ll get a good sense of why i simply must have a manhattan at their charming before i spend the night. the same goes for the . i’ve been there for work as a photo assistant, but a weekend at the chateau sounds most amusing. who will we see? check out by sophia coppola to get a glimpse into this notorious hollywood enclave.
speaking of , i loved this article in the about her films and their ‘sad girls’. i’d love to run into her, and then i like to fantasize she invites me for tea and we discuss the article and her latest film . i’m dear friends with someone who’s related to someone who is quite good friends with her, so who knows — six degrees of separation? her this year blew me away. also, i’m oddly fascinated by actress, filmmaker, singer, elvis-heir , which comes full circle, since she’s elvis and priscilla’s granddaughter. i think she’s quite the talent. besides the rollicking good watch , i recently binged (2016, season 1 on amazon), and holy moly, is she ever riveting. it’s a dark tale to be sure, but man, does she shine — not to mention her wardrobe. a couple of must-watch documentaries i loved were featuring taylor swift, which i thought was quite an honest and outspoken (politically) look into miss swift’s life; about one of my personal favorite essayists, joan didion; and lastly fran liebowitz’s hilarious presented by martin scorsese — loved.
in regards to the other watchables, i’m into a few shows lately that maybe you’d like to binge over the holidays. i’m a huge fan, and it’s there or through amazon that you can watch a ton of and television series. i have a thing for british tv (especially mysteries) because, for one, not everyone looks perfectly made up (no false eyelashes first thing in the morning), and two, they don’t always wrap up their stories into neat little finished packages, and they tend to leave you wondering a little bit. a few shows i love are the , , c.b. strike, , , , and .
while i’m definitely a francophile, i’ve indeed got a thing for brits, and it may have something to do with the fact my grandmother lucy was from leicestershire, england, and my dna is like 70% northwestern europe (70% english and irish — and 30% italian, which explains the pasta). i’m fascinated by their colorful sense of style (think , ), so it’s no stretch that i’m recently enamored with of and british fashion director, designer, and stylist of , who worked at vogue for 36 years. both do a genius job combining good style, wit, and a cheeky sense of humor while curating delicious homewares and fashion must-haves. i’m also thrilled that have a out, thanks to digital magic. is just beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.
and lastly, i’ll leave you with some reading material. i’m seriously trying to get myself to check out books from the library, because lord knows i own too many books, and although i pass them on a lot through the down the street or to friends, i really should save for the aforementioned trip or a fancy pants hotel stay! a few favorites i might suggest checking out are by john boyne (i love all his ) jonathan franzen’s (it’s part of a trilogy with two more books on the way); by anne berest, and by barbara kingsolver — the last two of which i found very eye-opening! and for something a little more creative, i highly recommend rick rubin’s . i am still buying print magazines, and among them is — about crafting a creative life; , a luxurious hybrid of an art book and a magazine with a focus on florals founded, curated, and designed so beautifully by camille gressier and isabelle laydier kristensen. you can follow them on , too. is always a go-to for the best in interiors, and i contributed to leanne ford’s latest issue, so that was indeed an honor. for more of my reading recommendations, follow me on .
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