We’re back in New England, feeling rejuvenated after our first Platonic Love retreat — the one for which Aja and I made the impulse decision to fly to Miami. Temps were in the low 70s, but we still got to the pool (“to work”) and squeezed in about as many iced coffees and tasty meals as possible in 36 hours.
Speaking of travel — This week’s issue includes several tips and recommendations from a Platonic Love reader, and fellow Substack writer, who is currently based in Italy. Check ‘em out!
This week’s guest links are from Brenna, author of Kiss me on Tulips — a newsletter featuring stories of her experience moving from America to Napoli, Italy.
Brenna’s Links:
Have you tried cold swimming yet? Travel writer and expert
interviewed two authors who traveled 10,000 miles across Scandinavia and the Nordics to find the world’s most beautiful saunas.“You are not a good or more interesting person because you have visited 35 countries before the age of 35, or because you’ve dined at every restaurant on Bon Appetit’s guide to Tokyo’s best izakayas,” Rebecca Jennings writes. There’s a reason slow travel is in.
My diet has completely changed since moving to Italy (yes, I eat pasta every day!) I related to this essay from an Italian-American living in Rome about how Italy has changed her body image.
I love the I Will Teach You To Be Rich podcast. Don’t be fooled by the title — what I like about it is the couples’ therapy Ramit performs.
I have been leaning into this period of my life as “the portal” — the time when I start questioning my purpose and why I’m meant to be here. The results of this astrology guide by
hit home.
Thank you,
!Aliza’s Links:
I bought these pants because
bought these pants and I love them. (I ordered a 6 and they are quite baggy/oversized.) (Aja: LOL, no way… I bought those after being influenced by Becky, too.)Have you watched Jon Batiste and
’s documentary American Symphony yet?? This film — like Jaoud’s remarkable memoir Between Two Kingdoms — had me in my feels. If I’m not convincing enough, they were shortlisted (and then snubbed!) for an Oscar nomination. At least Batiste’s song “It Never Went Away” is nominated.1Another powerful thing I listened to last week: Author
on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast, where she talks about getting sober and the unique wisdom that comes from that experience. I’ve been a fan of Laura’s newsletter for some time. Each topic she explores (including how she shame spiraled after the WCDHT interview) is honest and relatable.The Invisible Work of Mothers in Music (h/t to
) heavily features several badass women, including one of my favorite rising country artists, Margo Price.Sam made this vegetarian soup recipe on a recent snow day, and we both loved it.
Aja’s Links:
I love a good movie/book/show-fueled cry — it’s cathartic (and, apparently, good for both your body and mind!) I will be using this link weekly. H/t to
(and former Links We Sent Our Friends guest poster) for putting me on.
This would be a very cute Valentine’s Day gift for your partner, best friend, and/or parent.
Speaking of romantic: Read about the NYC restaurant you can’t book on OpenTable, with handwritten menus and regulars who have been coming for many years. Pete Wells gave it three stars.
I’ve been obsessively looking for dupes of the viral Khaite Danielle jeans (don’t click that link unless you want to lust over a $500 pair), and so far, these Reformation ones are the closest I’ve found.
Although
’s latest issue of is very convincing. She asks, “Is this the year we all stop dressing like clones of each other?” Maybe I should stop at the Dickies…
Newsletter we sent our friends:
Each Monday, we’re sharing a newsletter that we’ve been loving. This week’s pick is
by . Amelia’s newsletter is full of under-the-radar entertainment recommendations (movies, TV, music, etc.) and reflections on family and 16+ years of parenting. Last November, she shared tips for raising teenagers — which I’m bookmarking! — writing, “The thing that surprises me the most about this is… I don’t hate it!”Platonic Love is an entirely reader-supported, affiliate-free publication — meaning we don’t generate any revenue from the links we share so that you feel 100% confident in our recommendations. If you’re enjoying the newsletter, please consider showing your support by liking, commenting, and/or upgrading to a paid subscription. We appreciate you!
Batiste is going on tour this spring. I’ll be catching him in Boston!
Loved being in Italy for two weeks last year, enjoying slow travel and a different pace of life and YES pasta every day
thanks for including me and Some Happy Scribbles! I'll just pop off for my weekly cry now!