My god, we’re at the middle point. This newsletter is, nowadays, the only way I witness the rapid passing of time.
You have 6 months left of this year. Whatever you were hoping to accomplish, now is the time to get it going.
I saw something somewhere that asked me what I would do if I wasn’t afraid of being considered cringe. I’d probably write more, I thought in response, and share it with the world without second guessing it. That’s how I want to spend my life.
Some gifts for June whilst you consider the answer for yourself.
Visit | Tbilisi recommendations.
My last newsletter was about my trip to Tbilisi back in May. Here are some good places to visit, sleep and eat if you find yourself in the city:
Wonderful Georgian food at the institution, Mapshalia, as well as Shavi Lomi and Craft.
Drinks and dancing at newly opened Brød. Their listening room beneath the restaurant is dark and sexy and only sports vinyls. I could spend many a late night in there.
Fabulous art at the National Gallery in Tbilisi. I fell in love with this piece - “Youth” by Gelovani Guram :
Endless restaurant inspiration at Stamba, Honore, Fabrika and Tamtaki Zeche.
Good night’s rest Communal Hotel Sololaki, Rooms Tblisi, and Blueberry Nights.
Lush gardens at Lolita.
Dreamy evenings in the garden of Littera, once a former literary salon and intellectual gathering space for writers and poets in the city.
Watch | Tucci in Italy
The show has moved to Disney Plus and I have just got around to watching it. It holds surprisingly good journalism from what I expected to be a glossy travel show. Nuanced, empathetic and poetically narrated, it reflects the Italy I have come to know and love from many trips and friends who call the country home. I devoured all episodes in practically one sitting.
Eat | literally anything by Kitty Coles.
Enjoying her endless summer cooking inspiration here and also here, if you have a subscription. Also, here!
Shop | summer treasures.
Sea-ready jewels
Fabulous hats
Good swimmers
Excellent summer shirts
The best sunscreen (does anyone know how to get it in the UK!?)
27+ degree pyjamas
Poetry | ‘Friendship’ by Loren Goodman.
We rode our bikes up the mountains Along the beach and as the sun Set into downtown Santa Barbara Weaving through the cars and shoppers I really liked that, it was like The end of a life
Read | The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
An ultimate summer read, suitable for sunny beaches and shady parks alike. And now a film!