Savouring the slow & simple things

It doesn't happen very often that I'm without a mobile phone. Last night, however, I forgot the battery charger at the old apartment. After a deep cleaning session where I, more than anything else, needed a good shower (torrid and humid weather is a classic between July and August for the Venetian lagoon) I simply left without it.

This meant that this morning, I couldn't accompany my coffee time with some good old Instagram scrolling. It felt slightly irritating, I admit. But, truth be told, it was also liberating.

A precious summer morning

The last week or so it's been pure madness. Finalizing a home move in this weather is an agony. So, being forced to slow down, unplug, and savour the new home without a screen in the way was, in the end, very much appreciated.

We woke up to the sound of crickets flowing in from the communal garden, through the open windows... coffee was quickly made and, for the first time since we moved in two weeks ago, we had breakfast in the family room, together. 

A quiet word here and there, black coffee, no sugar please, and a battered silver tray with newspapers lazily piled on it. 

Women, food, photography and the aesthetic of a time that's gone

Amidst all the newspapers, I picked one that I've been wanting to devour for a good month now. Cook, as it's called, is a special monthly issue of the Corriere della Sera, an iconic national newspaper in Italy. As you can guess from the name, Cook is all about food and the culture and people behind it. 

Back in May, a very special issue was published, completely dedicated to the 50 women of food dominating the Italian culinary landscape at the moment. Aside from the gorgeous design of the issue (I loved how they portrayed each of the 50 women), and the informative articles about how historical female emancipation also passed through the kitchen (quite counter-intuitively, perhaps) - I was able to discover some seriously talented and inspiring muses here. 

As a very visual person, I responded particularly well to those with captivating Instagram accounts - here are the three that completely stole my heart, plus a fourth one that is not in the list, but I recommend checking out anyway:

1// Mimi Thorisson (@mimithor)

 Influences from Hong Kong, France, and now Italy - a new recipe book "Old World Italian" is coming out this September if I'm not wrong, and she and her photographer husband run amazing workshops in Venice, too. Her style and aesthetic are over the top with flair and charm... an absolute must-have for your feed (and kitchen)!

2// Skye McAlpine (@skyemcalpine) 

 My current crush, British blue-blood Skye has been living in Venice since her childhood - authentic a food and intimate, understated photography make her my go-to for calming and fascinating inspiration - she's just published a new book " A Table for Friends," but the one I'm most excited about is "A Table in Venice," where she takes you through traditional, old, and forgotten Venetian recipes (first on my wish list).

3// Allegra Pomilio (@allipomilio)

 Talented and entrepreneurial Allegra has learnt the ropes while working for Mimi Thorisson and Co. in her French house. Now she runs a boutique hotel and culinary workshops in Greece while often travelling back to Italy. I love her fresh and convivial style, plus she does great travel photography that makes me long for a trip to Greece as soon as possible. 

4// Giuseppina Mabilia (@venise_en_provence)

 A Venetian living in Provence, this sweet lady teaches cooking classes in her fantastic country kitchen while posting on Instagram romantic and dreamy snippets of her life in France. She's genuine and tells personal stories that, as human beings, we can all relate to. A lucky presence for my feed. Recommended! 

I hope I was able to inspire you to look for what sparks the joy of creativity, be it in the form of home decor, vintage shopping, painting, writing, or a battered vintage tray... cultivate your creativity, we all need it to feel alive.

This morning, it was sweet. I enjoyed my time and couldn't resist from writing this post, an ode to savouring the little things, slowly... one of the many ways to take care of your creative side, indeed.

Who are your muses? Where do you turn to when you need inspiration? Let me know down in the comment section, or text me on Instagram at @the_venetian_apartment if you prefer!

Have a lovely day

Sinù xx