Category: Culture

July 30, 2025 Call me monkey bread because I have been pulled in fifty different directions this summer.  Finding balance in studying for class, working my dream job 9-5, cooking up Hotel Earth business, and having a social life has waxed and waned. While I have been enjoying most of the process, I am relieved…

July 21st, 2025 My marriage with Florence took a break this weekend as I embarked on my first-ever journey to the land of superstition, tradition, salt, and water: Napoli.  My sister is visiting me here in Italy with a friend for a couple weeks, and the trio decided that while Florence is plenty entertaining, we…

Weekly Catalogue: July 15th Thinking about a last-minute summer trip? Consider making it an eco-stay: a getaway that’s a little more environmentally conscious. Having environmentally-responsible fun has never been easier with the resources we have at our fingertips, so keep reading for our tips on making small adjustments to your travel planning! First up: Check…

July 7th, 2025 What a weekend. I had a great girls night, stocked up on fresh summer produce, danced around at a villa in the Tuscan hills, saw the most spectacular wedding of my life, and then wrapped it up with a non-verbal rainy Sunday – complete with a good book, my thoughts, and… unicorns? Summer…

Weekly Catalogue: July 1st Summer is in full swing in Florence, and along with a cold gelato and a gleaming tan, a good book by the pool / ocean is a must. I have a rather ambitious reading goal for 2025 that I’m already slightly behind on, but I’m eager to share what I’m reading…

June 30th 2025 Six months into 2025. Can you believe it? Summer is one of my favorite seasons. The stone fruit is ripe, the green beans and snap peas are bountiful, and the sun in San Francisco is just how I like it: mild.  This past weekend, I spent time doing things I LOVE. I…

by Morgan Vonder Haar Spring is here and I found myself celebrating my best friend at a beautiful winery, La Creme in Santa Rosa, California. We sat outside on a wooden picnic table, enjoying the sun. It was warm enough for tank tops and sandals. I could take off my sweater for the first time…