Taking a Break from Instagram

It’s been a week since I started my 30 day cleanse of no alcohol, no dairy, no gluten, and no refined sugar. And as the days passed, I started thinking about other elements of my life that might need a little cleanse too. Where was I giving time and energy each day that was no longer serving me? How could I free up time to do the things I’m always saying I don’t have time to do? And this brought me to my decision to take a break from Instagram for the month as well.

I joined Instagram in June of 2011. Oh, those were the days. The first filters! Andre and I thought they were hilarious and had so many laughs taking funny pictures of each other, putting ridiculous filters on them, and posting them without thinking about what the outside world would think.

We even have an entire folder from our wedding in Marfa, Texas, of Instagram photos people shared, all of them with those very early Instagram filters.

Then, in the fall of 2012, I posted a picture of a gift box I had made for the cast of Modern Family, and the response was tremendous. Three months later, I had a busy catering and gifting company called Valleybrink Road, a business I still run to this day. I credit so much of what I was able to build in those early years to the exposure Instagram gave me. It helped me organically grow my company without paying for PR or marketing. It allowed me to create a life where I could be an active and present mom while also being ambitious and building a business. It connected me with a community of inspiring women who were also entrepreneurs, building interesting businesses in LA and beyond. And eventually, it gave me opportunities to create another income stream around my life and the things I already loved, like cooking, design, food, and motherhood.

In 2015, I was invited to Instagram headquarters with five other female business owners to meet with Sheryl Sandberg and talk about what was working and what wasn’t for small businesses like ours. Then, in 2017, I spoke on a panel at Instagram’s LA School of Hustle event about growing my brand on the platform. At the time, it was all so exciting. I felt very lucky to have built a following of kind people, strangers who, for the most part, were positive, encouraging, and supportive of whatever I was working on. I also made real friendships there. Instafriends, if you will. Women whose lives seemed to be moving alongside mine in different ways, whether through babies, motherhood, business, marriage, or just life. Some of these women I still have never met in person, and yet we have talked late at night, exchanged messages during hard moments, celebrated each other’s successes, and supported one another through so many different seasons. Especially during those early, stressful years of motherhood, that connection meant a lot to me. And even now, living all the way in Italy, I still DM with them all the time.

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For a long time, Instagram felt like a community I genuinely loved being a part of. And then, slowly, it started to change. The algorithms changed what I saw and how my work was seen. The inspiration, spontaneity, beauty, and discovery I originally loved about the platform started to disappear. Everything became more strategic. More calculated. More about engagement and performance. I’ll never forget the day a social media manager I was working with called and told me that being vulnerable, being “authentic,” and crying in posts was a great way to increase my following and that she wanted me to do more of it. So, the next time I’m having a breakdown, I should remember to turn on my camera and talk into my phone? Needless to say, we parted ways shortly after that conversation.

But even as the platform changed, my habits didn’t really change with it. Sharing on Instagram had become part of my everyday life and part of my income. Posting Stories each day became automatic. I would take a picture of a dish I made, something beautiful I saw, the boys doing something funny, a restaurant we loved, whatever it was, and share it.

I’m very conscious about not sitting on my phone scrolling around my kids, but the phone is still there. I’m still pulling it out to take a quick picture of dinner or capture a little moment from our day. And somewhere along the way, I stopped asking myself why I was sharing any of it. I just shared. But over the past few weeks, especially after being away this summer and watching so many people around us constantly on their phones, scrolling and sometimes seeming completely removed from the experience actually happening in front of them, I started thinking about it a lot.

And even though I actually don’t spend that much time on Instagram every day, usually about an hour to an hour and a half, it’s still time that adds up. A lot of that time is spent responding to people, answering brand inquiries, and posting on Stories rather than just scrolling, but it’s still seven to ten and a half hours every week when you add it up. That’s basically an entire workday I could be investing in one of the many things I’m constantly wishing I had more time to do.

Even since starting my Instagram cleanse on Monday, I can already see the benefit. I feel less preoccupied with needing to know what other people are up to or feeling like I need to share what I’m doing in real time to somehow get some form of validation. I look out the window more. I daydream more. I feel calmer and more rested. I’m already through Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act and have discovered two new Substacks I can’t get enough of, Oana Leonte’s The Architecture of Meaning and Sara Fay’s Going All In. You must read the two articles about her breakup, one from her and one from him. I’ve listened to The Row’s August playlist, which is so good. And even though I’m not a morning person and absolutely hate waking up early, every morning I (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) blast off my ass out of bed at 5:30am, thank you Mel Robbins, sleepwalk into my workout clothes, and do a workout from The Class followed by a meditation before the boys get up. Finding a new way to have more time for myself.

Clearing out my body and my mind and blocking out a lot of the noise is making room for things that make me feel better, and I’m starting to feel the benefit of it. I’m not saying I’m done with Instagram for good, and I know I’ll be back to sharing eventually. But taking a break is creating the space and awareness for me to perhaps come back with a new approach and develop a different habit around it. I think some healthy boundaries are in order.

Because, I keep coming back to this question. What happens when sharing your life becomes so automatic that you stop noticing what it’s taking away from actually living it? And for now, quieting that distraction is offering some much needed insight. x

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This & That

• First week back at school for the boys! 6th, 3rd, and Kindergarten. I can’t believe it!

• As always, this cleanse has me turning to Gwyneth Paltrow’s It’s All Good cookbook. The fantastic Julia Turshen is the co-author of this book and there are a lot of great recipes for healthy, easy dishes that actually taste good too.

• LESET’s end of summer sale is here! Up to 60% off! Yippee!!!!

• The Luxury of Not Telling Everyone Everything. Definitely resonated with me and how I’m feeling right now.

• What is happening over there, America!? The lettuce, the jalapeños, the granola, the cheese, the nuggets, the blueberries, the popsicles, all getting recalled! We’ve Been Playing Biohazard Bingo.

• I’ve also been listening to this playlist, The Class Classics, when I’m out and about. It’s great.

• And, in case you were wondering, it’s still insanely hot in Rome.

Recipe Series

It’s day six of a thirty day cleanse and boy, can my body feel it right now. The headaches, lightheadedness, major irritability, and just the longing for something satisfying. More to come about the cleanse in Thursday’s newsletter, but today I wanted to unlock a recipe that shows you how to take Andre’s least favorite ingredient in the world, quinoa, and make it really delicious. Even craveable, some might say. The secret is simple. Make it crispy. In this week’s unlocked newsletter, you’ll learn how to make crispy quinoa and then turn it into a yummy dish with fried eggs and chili crisp. The crispy quinoa is also so good for adding crunch and texture to salads, veggie bowls, and pretty much anything else you want to sprinkle it on. And as an extra bonus, there’s a recipe for the most refreshing Yuzu Gin & Tonic. Lucky you! The newsletter is unlocked and free for everyone until next Tuesday. Now get cooking and enjoy! x

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What I did for myself this summer

We finally stepped back into our apartment in Rome yesterday afternoon. While I’m so grateful for all the travel and adventure we’ve had with the boys the past couple months, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely exhausted. With only one week of summer camp in June for Paolo and their other summer camp canceled the Friday before it was supposed to start in Rome, we’ve been entertaining, feeding, cooking, parenting, breaking up arguments, all while working full time since the end of June. It’s been a lot.

But even though it was hard, there are two things I did differently this summer that actually made a difference in my overall mental and physical health. And if I hadn’t done these things, I’m pretty sure I would’ve suffered a massive mental breakdown by now. For the first time in a long time, I prioritized a few things for myself that I had to do each day, or most days anyway.

The first was working out. Whether it was an online workout class, a run to Villa Borghese, or laps in a pool, I made sure I didn’t let the excuse of the kids, travel, the heatwave, summer, work, or chaos get in the way of taking a small window of time for myself. Sometimes it was as little as 15 minutes and other days it was an hour, but I didn’t get hung up on how long I was working out. It was just important that I did something. And, like it has in so many other seasons of my life, The Class really came to my rescue in Puglia, where I truly was at the end of my travel and summer rope, so to speak. It gave me an essential reset, release, and the endorphins I was desperate for each day. I know I’ve said it a million times before, but if you’ve never done The Class, I strongly encourage you to try it. If you’re feeling stuck, depressed, unmotivated, or uninspired, I really think it can help jumpstart you into a new direction. And if you’re lucky enough to be in a city where they offer it in person, start there. But if not, you can still get so much benefit from doing it online. Embrace the music, sound, breath, shouting, and fiery animal instinct of it all and you will reap the true benefits of the practice.

The other was meditating every day. There really is no excuse for not being able to do this one. It’s 10 minutes. You can find 10 minutes. If you use the Waking Up app like I do, it’s guided, calming, and contemplative. It’s changing my life.

Changing my patterns and usual behavior this summer, along with reading Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory, has me thinking a lot about the excuses we make in life. Why we tell ourselves we can’t do this or can’t do that, when really an excuse is just that, an excuse. I’ve been guilty of this for a long time, always telling myself there was too much to do, that everyone else needed to be more of a priority, and somehow feeling a combination of guilt and stress whenever I did carve out a little time for myself. But I’ve let that go and claimed the importance of taking time for me, because I can see how not only I benefit from making myself a priority in our family, but we all benefit. And in the end, we all find a way to do the things we ultimately want to do. You just have to pick the things that make a positive impact on your life and the life you want to create for yourself. I think it’s about reframing and retraining our minds and bodies to want, and work for, the result we actually want. To get ourselves excited and motivated to do the work, even on the days we don’t feel like getting out of bed, working out, or sitting with ourselves in the quiet.

And it’s definitely work. But I’m almost one year into changing how I was feeling about myself, my body, and my emotional state, and I’m clearly seeing the cumulative results and rewards of that work. When you start seeing and feeling that shift, it motivates you to want to do more, to keep going, and to stick with and continue to develop the new, healthier habits you’ve worked so hard to establish.

Starting is the hardest part, but I think ultimately, in the long run, it’s much harder to live a life of excuses, complaining, complacency, and stagnation. Start moving, start doing, start prioritizing, and everything starts to shift. Maybe not immediately, but eventually it will.

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This & That

• Now that we’re back from the longest “vacation” ever, I’m jumping straight into a cleanse. My body is desperate for a reset. No dairy, no gluten, no alcohol, no refined sugar for 30 days. Normally, I would also do no caffeine but the kids go back to school on Tuesday, and I don’t think I will survive back-to-school week without it. Prepped Overnight Oats and Curried Lentils last night. Join me if you need it too! Let’s go!

• Made this smoothie today for an afternoon treat and it was delish. 1 frozen banana, 1 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon maca, 1 tablespoon tahini, a dash of cinnamon, pinch of sea salt, a few ice cubes. Blend it up.

• My BFF, Chelsea just sent me these jeans and the wash on them is absolute perfection.

• First thing I did when I got home was jump in the shower and use this microderm exfoliator. It’s one of my absolute favorite beauty products and I aways bring a few back with me to Rome everytime I go to the US.

• Sezane just got a new logo and dropped a new collection and both are so good. Love everything about this entire outfit, this fall trench, and this cozy sweater.

• Doen’s first fall drop is here, shot in Rome, and the prints and autumn tones are dreamy.

• If you’re in LA and looking for an incredible therapist, my brilliant friend Mari Orkenyi has started seeing patients at The Alamo, with locations in Highland Park and Eagle Rock.

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A Salad for Fig Season

Figs are everywhere in Puglia right now, and from what I’ve been seeing on Instagram, they’re all over the Hollywood and Santa Monica farmers markets in LA too. Here, you see them throughout the region on seasonal menus at trattorias, osterias, and enoteche, sliced and paired with soft local cheeses, cooked down into sweet reductions to drizzle over salty charcuterie, folded into creamy gelato, and baked into simple crostate for dessert. Driving along the bumpy dirt roads around town, giant fig trees lean out toward the street, close enough that you can reach up and pick the fruit straight from the branches. We even had family bring us giant flats of beautiful thin skinned, light green figs with deep red, juicy flesh. The figs we ate this year were some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

For lunch several times during our two week stay in Putignano, I made this salad with arugula, radicchio, fennel, figs, and whatever cheese we happened to have around, usually Caciocavallo or Pecorino Sardo. I added some toasted chopped almonds, lots of ripe figs, and a simple apple cider vinaigrette. It’s crunchy, sweet, salty, and bitter, and just hits all the flavors I’m looking for in a really delicious salad. And if you can’t find figs, I think stone fruit like nectarines, plums, peaches, or apricots would be delicious here too.

ARUGULA AND RADICCHIO SALAD WITH FIGS AND TOASTED ALMONDS

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This & That

• As you can probably tell, we’ve been outside and in the sun a lot this summer. And even though I’m really good about wearing SPF and reapplying it on my face throughout the day, all that time outside has definitely left my skin needing some serious hydration. I’ve been using this hyaluronic acid along with the Restorative Night Cream, and the combination has been doing wonders for my skin.

• I know it’s still summer and still very hot outside, but I’m already daydreaming about wearing jeans again. And if you’re like me and have a hard time finding a pair you really love, check out AYR. Their denim fits are so good, and they have the best washes. I just ordered The Yaya (in Let Go), The Secret Sauce (in Stoked), and The Culture (in Beep Beep).

• Pickles, pickles, pickles everywhere. Do you love pickles as much as my boys do? And are you into all of these pickle-flavored products popping up everywhere? Pickle Flavor is Taking Over the Snack Aisle.

• With the heartbreaking news of Hayden Panettiere’s passing, I’ve been thinking a lot about life and loss. I recently read this article about grief and the importance of trying to be present for what’s right in front of us, especially the ordinary, everyday moments.

• Have you eaten any of these dishes? From Condé Nast Traveler, The Best Dishes Around the World Our Editors Ate In July. I’m pretty sure Andre and I had that pesto many years ago.

• I am so obsessed with this jewelry brand. They make the most playful, produce-inspired necklaces and bracelets, with every little charm hand-painted. I mean, a tomato cucumber salad necklace! A fig party necklace!

• And this caftan has been one of the best things I brought on this trip. The print is beautiful, the fabric is light and airy, and it’s incredibly easy to throw on when it’s hot out. Such a perfect beach cover-up.

• My friend Carly, who is a wonderful writer, just relaunched her newsletter, Tutto Passa, and I’m so happy she did.

• Just in case you missed it, this week’s unlocked recipe from the archive is my Crunchy Olive Oil Granola with Cinnamon, Turmeric, and Goji Berries. It’s so good. Free for all subscribers until next Tuesday!

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A simple pasta is all you need

We finally landed in Putignano, where we’re staying in a house for a couple of weeks, and it’s been so nice to get back into the kitchen and cook again. As much as I love discovering new restaurants and eating out while we travel, I always reach a point where I really just need to eat something I’ve made for myself. And one of the best parts about being in Putignano is the incredible quality of the ingredients we can get in the town, so cooking is something I always look forward to whenever we’re here. For lunch the other day, I looked around the kitchen and saw that we had some zucchini and a bunch of tiny, sweet, ripe tomatoes that needed to be used up, so I made a simple pasta with zucchini and tomato sauce. It was light and fresh, but still comforting. Exactly the kind of thing I want to eat on a lazy afternoon.

GNOCCHETTI SARDI WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO

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Recipe Series

I know a lot of you had kids head back to school this past week, so I figured it was the perfect time to unlock this homemade granola for an easy, healthy breakfast for both you and the kids. It’s delicious with homemade almond milk, a scoop of your favorite creamy Greek yogurt, or simply on its own as a quick afternoon snack. I make a big batch and store it in an airtight container to enjoy throughout the week. If you (or your kids) don’t like goji berries, you can always substitute another dried fruit like cherries or blueberries, or skip the dried fruit altogether and add fresh berries when you’re ready to eat it. The recipe is free for all subscribers until next Tuesday! Sending good vibes to all the parents and kids out there as you ease into the new school year. x

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Exploring Puglia

Since moving to Italy three years ago, we’ve always spent part of our summer in and around the town of Putignano, about 45 minutes from Bari in Puglia, where Andre’s father was born and spent the early years of his childhood before moving to New York City. We still have a lot of extended family who live in town, so it’s been such a wonderful way for our family, and especially our boys, to connect with their Italian relatives and spend time in the place where their grandfather grew up.

This year, because it was so hot in Rome, we decided to turn our annual trip to Putignano into a longer road trip, heading farther south to explore the Salento region for a week before making our way north to Fasano to stay at our friends’ masseria, and then finally landing in Putignano to meet the family. We’ve been wanting to explore this wilder part of Puglia, with its beautiful rocky coastline and beaches, for a while now, so it felt like the perfect opportunity. We found a small, very reasonably priced hotel called Est Hotel in the coastal town of Santa Cesarea Terme, which had just opened a brand new pool the week we arrived. They also gave us a large family room, which is so hard to come by in Italy, allowing all five of us to stay together in one hotel room. The hotel was simple and clean, with a great breakfast each morning. Definitely an easy place for a family to stay.

Santa Cesarea Terme is a small seaside town on Puglia’s Adriatic coast, known for its dramatic rocky coastline, crystal clear water, and natural thermal springs. It was filled mostly with locals and Italian tourists, and we saw very few Americans, if any. We spent most of our days swimming in the hotel pool after a great day at Bagno Marino Archi, a beach club just a five minute walk away. We hadn’t planned ahead and didn’t have a reservation, which next time we definitely will, so every morning we arrived at the bagno at 8:45 a.m., fifteen minutes before they opened, to be first in line to get chairs and an umbrella for the day. If you don’t have a reservation, it’s essential to get there early, as the chairs fill up quickly and there are very few available for walk-ins, especially in August. This bagno is really special, built directly into the rocky coastline and tucked into a small cove surrounded by dramatic cliffs. There isn’t really a beach, but rather platforms lined with chairs and umbrellas and little ladders that take you straight into the gorgeous sea. They also have a bar, restaurant, and pizzeria with really great pizza, so you can easily settle in and spend the entire day swimming, sunbathing, eating, and doing very little else, which is exactly what we did.

There aren’t many other places to eat in town outside of a few casual spots selling piadine and puccia sandwiches, so we ate most of our meals at the bagno. We did venture to the seaside town of Tricase, about a 25 minute drive from Santa Cesarea, for dinner one night at a small seafood restaurant with a seasonal menu called Anime Sante. A few days later, we went back to Tricase, starting off the morning with some fantastic artisanal gelato from Gelateria G. & Co., followed by a delicious seafood lunch at Taverna del Porto. After a lunch of raw oysters and seafood pasta, we walked down the road to a bar in Tricase Porto called Menamé, where they play great music and serve coffee, cocktails, panzerotti, pastries, and easy snacks to grab before walking across the street to the port for a dip in the sea to cool off. I highly recommend spending some time in this town or staying nearby, as it has such a lively, fun energy.

After almost a week in Santa Cesarea Terme, we drove north to the Selva di Fasano to stay at our friends’ masseria for a week. Selva di Fasano sits in the hills, between the Adriatic Sea and the rolling countryside of the Valle d’Itria, surrounded by ancient olive groves and whitewashed masserie.

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Recipe Series

One day late, but worth the wait! We had to make our way up to Putignano from Fasano yesterday and get settled into the trulli where we’ll be staying with Andre’s parents for the next couple of weeks. I finally had a moment today and wanted to send along this week’s unlocked recipe, one that so many paid subscribers have made and loved over the past few weeks, my Easy Miso Baked Chicken Breasts. If you’re feeling anything like me, all the summer indulging is starting to catch up with you, and I’ve been craving simple, nourishing meals at home, like this chicken with a big side of veggies. So, here you go! The recipe is unlocked for all subscribers to enjoy for the next week. Let me know what you think! x

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A Roadtrip through Puglia

Rome had become unbearably hot, so we decided to head to Puglia a little earlier than planned and spend some time exploring the deep southern part of the region, before meeting Andre's family in the middle of the month. We found a really simple and great hotel, Est Hotel, in the small coastal town of Santa Cesarea Terme. It even had a family room where all five of us could stay together, something that's surprisingly hard to find in Italy these days. Located in the province of Lecce on the Adriatic coast near the Strait of Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme is best known for its thermal springs and beautiful rocky coastline. The town is small, and we've spent most of our days at an awesome beach club just a five-minute walk from the hotel called Bagno Marino Archi. It feels like stepping back in time in the best possible way, filled with local Italians spending long days sunbathing on the rocks and floating in the clearest blue sea. We also took a few short drives to the seaside town of Tricase for lunch and a swim. Today, we’re making our way north, stopping in Fasano to spend a few days at our friend’s masseria, and then on to meet Andre's parents at a villa in Putignano for two weeks. I'll be sharing all of our favorite spots and recommendations from Santa Cesarea Terme, Tricase, and Fasano with you next week! x

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This & That

• Can’t believe Clinique’s Black Honey (and Pink Honey and Nude Honey) are back baby! Between this and the Gap scents, I'm becoming my teen self all over again and I’m loving it!

• The Rise of Million-Dollar Companies With Just One Employee.

• Some good news! Turns Out, Traveling More Might Be One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health, Longevity Research Says.

• “Nonna-maxxing” is trending! Everyone Is Dressing Like An Italian Nonna This Summer.

• Vegetable fragrances are on the rise…apparently everyone now wants to smell like a tomato.

• Have We Reached Peak Pickle?

This & That

• A few more LA friends came through Rome this week so we got to play tourist again for a few days, going on a tour of the Parco Archeologico Del Colosseo Domus Aurea, drinking Campari Spritz at Sacripante in Monti, margherita pizza and porcini pasta at Emma, iced tea with lemon granita at Bar San Calisto, and park hangs at Piazza di Siena. Adding all our new favorites to our Rome Guide.

• Packing for Puglia this week and I’m bringing so much Natalie Martin. It’s my absolute favorite for effortless summer outfits. Beyond excited to wear my new caftan, this beautiful sarong over my bathing suit, and of course, the Fiori Maxi in Scallop Blush.

• To all my 90’s kids out there, Gap Scents are coming back!!!! Grass! Dream! Heaven! OMG!

• The Rosie Assoulin x Target collab is here and I love these towels and this cute bucket bag.

• My favorite haircare brand just launched a new product! Roz’s Milk Styling Foam is a hydrating styling mousse to create body and texture without the crunch. Really love it for creating those Cali summer beach waves.

• This week’s unlocked recipe is another great one to make right now, Summer Melon with Mozzarella and Tomato. Free to all subscribers until Tuesday!

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Miso Chicken

On Monday, while trying to figure out what to make for dinner once again, I opened the fridge and was greeted by a tub of miso paste and a pack of chicken breasts. Immediately, a miso baked chicken came to mind. Something easy where I could whisk together the sauce in one bowl, bake everything in the oven so cleanup was minimal, and serve it with some steamed rice and a roasted vegetable the kids would actually eat, like broccoli or zucchini. As I made my way through the kitchen cabinets, I realized I already had everything I needed: soy sauce, brown rice vinegar for a little tang, maple syrup to mellow out the saltiness of the miso, plus garlic and ginger for some extra depth. I whisked it all together, popped it in the oven, and less than 30 minutes later we were all sitting around the table scarfing it down. I’m not exaggerating when I say Paolo declared it a 10/10 and told me I should open a restaurant that only serves this chicken. What a compliment! Costa immediately requested we have it again the next night, and even Bruno went back for seconds, which definitely tells me this recipe is a winner with kids (especially since he’s very much in a picky phase right now). So here you go. A new recipe that’s easy, nourishing, and absolutely delicious.

EASY MISO BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Serves 4

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp miso paste (use white miso for a more mellow flavor and red for a bolder flavor)

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

• 1 tbsp brown rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, finely grated

• 2 tsps freshly grated ginger

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• Sea salt

• Freshly cracked black pepper

Options for serving:

• Steamed white rice

• Oven roasted veggies like broccoli or zucchini

• Thinly sliced chives or scallions

• Toasted sesame seeds or furikake

• Chili crisp

• Lime wedges

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking dish with parchment and pat the chicken breasts dry. Place the chicken breasts side by side on a baking sheet. Season with a little sea salt and black pepper. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the miso, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, garlic, ginger, Dijon, and several cracks of black pepper until smooth. Spoon about two-thirds of the glaze over the chicken, turning to coat well. Reserve the remaining glaze.

Bake the chicken for around 22 minutes, depending on thickness, until the thickest part reaches 155°F. Remove the chicken, pour the reserved glaze all over the chicken breasts and place the baking sheet back in the oven for 2-3 more minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

I like to serve the chicken over white rice with a roasted veggie, some chives, sesame seeds, a little chili crisp, and a few spoonfuls of the miso sauce leftover from baking. Enjoy!

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A Heart Goes A Long Way

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Recipe Series

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I’m unlocking this summer-in-a-bowl recipe for your next big farmers market haul, when you come home with more ripe produce than you know what to do with. Melon of choice, nectarines (or peaches), tomatoes (Sungolds if you can find them), and fresh mozzarella come together in minutes. This dish is sweet from the fruit, creamy from the cheese, and bright and tangy from the fresh lime juice. Exactly what I want to be eating with friends on a summer day. The recipe is unlocked and free for all subscribers through next Tuesday. Enjoy!

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This & That

• We’re back in Rome and trying to survive the oppressive heat once again. After early mornings at a pool, the boys and I have been coming home and making these frozen pops to stay cool. They really hit the spot.

• Lots of fun nights out this week with friends visiting from the states. We had delicious Sardinian seafood at Trattoria da Lucia and wood-fired pizzas at Emma, finished with fantastic gelato and granitas at Gelateria del Teatro and Fatamorgana.

• Has anyone been to this new grocery store in West Hollywood? And, are we really now at the point in LA where we’re paying $12 for “sacred water?”

• Paolo was very excited to hear that there is a possibility I might live until 156. Let’s go!

• Getting all the life lessons from Ina! Tell me everything you goddess.

• Is it just me or did we all feel good as hell during the world cup? I miss watching the games with the boys so much already.

• I’ve been using my Ulla Johnson fabric totes a lot as a pool and beach bag this year and love how the fun prints really make an outfit pop.

• All the ladies I know in Europe are wearing these sunnies this summer. Lots of great styles and a really good price point.

• I know I told you about Prequel’s lip visor sunscreen last week, but I also started using their Sun Barrier sunscreen and love how lightweight it feels.

• Andre and I’ve been living on this refreshing Tangy Cabbage Slaw since we got back to town. It’s crunchy and bright, and if you add some shredded rotisserie chicken, it’s an easy and refreshing lunch.

• This week’s unlocked recipe is one of my absolute summer favorites, Sungold Tomato Sauce. Free to all subscribers until Tuesday!

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A week in Capalbio

Last Monday, we woke up early, packed the car, and headed about two hours north of Rome to the small Tuscan town of Capalbio to stay with our friends, who are renting a wonderful house there for the summer. Capalbio is one of those places where you get the best of both worlds with easy access to the beach, along with the rolling hills, sunflower fields, and picturesque countryside you think of when you dream of Tuscany. This region has become one of our favorite escapes from Rome, and over the past few years we've loved exploring nearby towns like Ansedonia, Orbetello, and Porto Ercole. This trip, we spent most of our time relaxing and cooking at the house, with a few days at Ultima Spiaggia, the beach club our friends joined for the summer. I even ran into my friend Carly from LA, who happened to be staying at the fantastic boutique hotel across the street from us, Locanda Rossa. If you're planning a family trip to Italy and want to experience both the Tuscan countryside and the beach without venturing too far from Rome, I highly recommend adding this area to your itinerary. Here are a few of our favorite spots in and around Capalbio:

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Recipe Series

’Tis the season for Sungold tomatoes, one of the sweetest and most delicious varieties, with their vibrant tangerine color that makes every dish look like a 10/10. Today, I’m unlocking a paid subscriber favorite, my unbelievably simple Sungold Tomato Sauce. It turns out perfectly every time and is one of the best ways to celebrate these little gems. Toss it with the pasta shape of your choice, pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy it outside on a sunny day. And don’t worry if you can’t get your hands on Sungolds right now, sweet cherry or grape tomatoes work beautifully too. The recipe is free for all subscribers through next Tuesday. Happy eating!

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This & That

• We arrived in Capalbio, Tuscany, on Monday morning, and it’s been a whirlwind of kids, beach days, pool hangs, cooking, and keeping everyone entertained. Amidst all the fun, I completely forgot to unlock an archived recipe this week, so my apologies! But better late than never, so here’s a new unlocked recipe for all subscribers to enjoy through next Tuesday, Watermelon and Tomato Summer Salad.

• Some very good news for all the coffee lovers out there.

• An article by Katie Parla with some good suggestions for families visiting Rome, How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days in Rome.

• I’ve never been a fan but my kids sure do love Heinz ketchup!

• Just discovered the skincare line called Prequel and have been using their lip visor product in the rosedust color the past few weeks. It’s very hydrating and great for long days in the sun.

• Absolutely loving the new 90’s inspired Gap campaign with Hailey Bieber. It’s so good!

• I’ve been cooking a lot this week, making basil pesto with basil from the garden here in Tuscany, and this caprese salad with crispy sage using sage and tomatoes picked straight from the garden, too!

• Just signed up for this newsletter from The Atlantic: The Wonder of Everyday Life: Welcome to the Ordinary Extraordinary, our new eight-week newsletter series.

• An interesting article on ozempic from a food writer who is now taking it.

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Take me back to London

On July 3rd, Andre and I said arrivederci to the kids and hopped on a plane to London for a long weekend to see our friend’s band, The War on Drugs, play Hyde Park with Mumford & Sons. It was only my second time in London, so I was excited to have more than the 24 hours we spent there for the Oasis concert to explore a few neighborhoods, try some restaurants, and catch up with friends. I can’t believe how massive London is, and we quickly realized you really need to stay near the area where you plan to spend most of your time. We decided to stay at The Hoxton in Shepherd’s Bush because it was close to Hyde Park, but next time I think we’ll stay in Notting Hill, which is a neighborhood I absolutely loved. Probably not a surprise! I even got to see the famous bookshop and blue door from Notting Hill, a movie that, somehow, Andre has never seen. Outside of the touristy spots, the neighborhood is incredibly charming, with wonderful restaurants and shops, street markets selling everything from antiques to fresh produce, and beautiful streets that are perfect for wandering. After exploring until the early afternoon, we headed to Hyde Park and spent the rest of the day dancing and singing our hearts out, topped off by an unforgettable surprise appearance from Shania Twain. It was one of those nights I’ll remember forever.

Here are a few of our favorite discoveries from the trip:

Firebird: We popped into this spot for a glass of wine before dinner on Friday day. Very cute with a friendly staff. We enjoyed a nice white and some olives before heading out to meet up with friends.

Acre: We tried to get dinner here on Friday night but they were completely booked, so we came back for breakfast instead. A beautiful little corner restaurant on Golborne Road with a great interior and relaxed vibe. We tucked into a cozy corner and had cortados, a zucchini omelet, and pan con tomate. All fantastic.

Golborne Deli & Wine Store: A side-by-side deli and wine shop with a wonderful selection of bottles. The deli counters are piled high with organic produce, freshly baked pastries, and prepared foods, and there’s outdoor seating if you want to stay for breakfast or lunch.

Notting Hill Fish & Meat: This reminded me so much of McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. in Los Angeles, with an incredible selection of seafood, meat, produce, and specialty pantry items. Definitely on the expensive side, but very well curated if you’re planning a special meal.

Dorian: We weren’t able to get a reservation, but we stopped in for a glass of wine with our friend Charlie, who lives in London. The place was buzzing with people sipping ice-cold martinis at the bar and eating perfectly cooked steaks. Their wine list also looked fantastic. This is definitely at the top of my list for next time, but be sure to book well in advance.

Eel Sushi Bar: Owned by the same restaurateur as Dorian and located directly across the street, Eel is where we had lunch before the concert. This spot came highly recommended by multiple foodies we know and it did not disappoint. God was it good! The tuna tasting was one of the best things I’ve eaten in a long time. If you love sushi, this is a must-visit on your next trip to London. And Andre says the wine list is excellent.

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Ibiza, You Are Magic

For years, we’d been hearing about Ibiza from friends in LA who always seemed to make their way there for the world-famous DJs, all-night raves, and dance parties. And Andre has been wanting to go there forever as someone who loves dance and electronic music. So it’s probably not surprising that I had a certain idea in my mind about what the island would be like. But our first trip there last week revealed an entirely different side of this magical place.

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From London to Ibiza

On Monday, we arrived in Ibiza after a long weekend in London, where we saw The War on Drugs and Mumford & Sons play at Hyde Park, with a surprise appearance by Shania Twain! I have so many London recommendations to share with you all, but first, Ibiza. It’s our first time here, and somehow it’s so much more than I ever imagined. The wild, lush landscape, the blue and green sea, and all of the delicious seafood and produce we have eaten has been incredible. Thanks to our wonderful friends, who we’re visiting here, we’ve spent the week exploring hidden coves, floating in the Mediterranean, paddleboarding to secluded beaches, diving off a boat into the crystal clear water, eating grilled fish and giant prawns, and watching the boys spend endless hours swimming in the sea and the pool. We come home every evening with salty, sun-kissed skin, already excited to wake up the next day and do it all over again. The days have flown by so quickly, and tomorrow we hop on an early flight back to Rome, where I’ll start putting together all of our favorite spots and recommendations from both London and Ibiza to share with you next week. So many special places I know you all will love. xo

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Recipe Series

Yesterday we landed in Ibiza, Spain, for a week-long stay at our friends’ beautiful home, so it felt like the perfect time to unlock one of my favorite Spanish recipes, Pan con Tomate. This simple dish of toasted bread with tomato, olive oil, sea salt, and sometimes garlic is most closely associated with Catalan cooking, though you’ll find it all over Spain and now on menus around the world. We just had a delicious version at Acre in London this past weekend. For me, it’s all about starting with a great rustic loaf and using the best ingredients you can find, a perfectly ripe tomato, flaky sea salt, and a bright, peppery olive oil. Some like to rub the tomato directly on the bread, but I like to grate the tomato and then use it as a topping. In just a few minutes, you’ll have something so satisfying and delicious. And, as part of this unlocked newsletter, you can also read our five main reasons for moving from LA to Italy three years ago. Free for all subscribers for the next week! Enjoy!

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This & That

• Living on watermelon and this Watermelon Lime juice. If you can’t get your hands on seedless watermelon (I really miss them from the states), just strain the juice after you blend it.

• Nothing is making me happier right now than watching the World Cup each day with Costa and Paolo. I can’t believe how much they know about soccer, the players, the teams, even the managers, and how much passion and enthusiasm they bring to every match we can squeeze into our evenings (with the time difference in Rome, the games are on very late). Each morning we race to the living room to check who won, watch the highlights from each match, and either celebrate or sink into crushing defeat. Paolo is rooting for Portugal, while Costa has his heart set on France. Andre and I were heartbroken watching Japan get knocked out by Brazil. Whatever happens, though, I already know this will become one of my favorite memories of parenthood: sitting side by side on the couch, cheering, debating every call, and watching them fall even more in love with the game. And, loved reading Mary McNamara’s recent article, Thank you, World Cup, for providing the connection and inspiration Americans so desperately need.

• This really made me miss home: The Best Burgers in Los Angeles.

• A great reel on how to use salt to make your food taste better. Don’t be scared to add salt!

• I’m ready for this to be the summer of thin, effortless dresses, the kind you just throw on and feel fabulous in. Loving this one.

• I’m not the biggest makeup girl, always opting for a less-is-more approach, but I still wear a little something every day: tinted moisturizer, a light dusting of powder, and a touch of blush. In this heat, though, this lightweight setting spray has been a total game changer. What a product!

• Love this new polaroid ad campaign.

• It’s all about the meals we share together, Research Shows the Happiest People Do This at Least Once a week.

• This week’s unlocked recipe is this Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Citrus and Feta, free for all subscribers until Tuesday!

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Marinated Summer Tomatoes

I’ve been seeing so many mouthwatering photos of no-cook summer dishes on Instagram lately as I try not to melt inside our apartment in Rome. Crisp watermelon topped with ricotta salata and fresh herbs. Ripe cherries piled next to crushed hazelnuts and a giant ball of burrata. Sweet summer melon with feta and mint swimming in a sea of fruity olive oil. Goddamn they look refreshing and they all remind me that the best summer meals require almost no cooking at all. Which brings me to today’s recipe: sweet, juicy summer tomatoes marinated in tangy red wine vinegar, bright olive oil, garlic, shallots, briny capers, and fresh herbs. The best part is you can prep the tomatoes ahead of time and let them marinate on the counter until you’re ready to serve them with creamy burrata or fresh mozzarella and plenty of toasted, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of those delicious tomato juices. Serve it on a big platter for your next long summer lunch and enjoy.

MARINATED SUMMER TOMATOES WITH BURRATA

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Recipe Series

A day late (lets blame the heat wave), but delicious as ever. This is an LA salad, the kind I would make on a Sunday after Andre had spent the morning at the Hollywood Farmers Market, coming home with an overflowing bounty of beautiful fruits and vegetables. If you can’t find good citrus right now, substitute the oranges with nectarines, which add just the right touch of sweetness to complement the peppery arugula and creamy avocado. A squeeze of Meyer lemon (or regular lemon) and a generous drizzle of bright, peppery olive oil are all you need for the dressing. It’s the kind of salad that brings your body back to life in the sweltering summer heat. The recipe is free for all subscribers for the next week. Enjoy!

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It’s a heat wave

If you’re planning a trip to Rome, I’m going to say something that might make some of my American friends who have already planned their vacations very upset: June, July, and August are not the months to come to Rome. I know this is often the only time many families can travel because of school schedules, summer vacations, and work commitments, but I can tell you from living here that the heat here right now makes it nearly impossible to enjoy the things you came to Rome to do. All those dreamy visions of strolling through cobblestone streets in your new Doen dress, lingering in beautiful piazzas, and eating gelato while admiring ancient ruins quickly become a sweaty reality of sticky skin, frizzy hair, and the constant feeling that you might pass out from heat exhaustion at any moment. I literally saw an American woman on a bike tour through Villa Borghese this morning at 10:00 a.m., dress soaked through, red lipstick melting down her face, collapsed on a bench telling the guide she simply could not go on and to leave her behind. It’s that kind of heat.

When we first moved here, I thought people were exaggerating when they said Rome was unbearable in the summer and that everyone leaves the city. I mean, I’m a Valley girl from Los Angeles. I was raised on backyard sprinklers and Thrifty ice cream. How bad could it really be? But after living through a few Roman summers, I can confidently say that once the real heat arrives, and this year it came in like a freight train, this beautiful, walkable ancient city becomes an unbearable place to be. Right now, our boys are out of school, my mom is visiting from Oregon, and I’ve been trying to do all the things you imagine doing when someone comes to visit Rome. And while we’ve managed to do some early morning walks through Villa Borghese and scooter rides through Villa Ada, by 10:30am, everyone is already dripping with sweat, exhausted, and desperately searching for shade or a gelato shop that has opened its doors.

And the reality is, each year it’s only getting hotter. Climate researchers have found that Rome’s average temperatures have risen significantly over the past few decades, with more frequent heatwaves, warmer nights, and longer periods of extreme heat. Temperatures above 104°F, once considered unusual in this city, are becoming increasingly common. This week we’re creeping toward 100°F, but it feels much hotter than this because of the humidity. The hardest part isn’t even the midday heat. It’s that the city never really cools down. The stone buildings, cobblestone streets, asphalt sidewalks, and centuries-old architecture absorb the sun all day long and then radiate it back into the evening. Everything around you feels like it’s pulsing with heat, and with the lack of air conditioning most places, it often feels like there is nowhere to escape to. By the time it finally feels pleasant enough to sit outside for dinner, it’s 8:00pm or later. You begin to understand why so many Romans leave the city the second school gets out. As they head for the coast, the tourists arrive in droves.

And I know for many people this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. A long flight, a major investment, and a dream destination. You deserve to experience Rome when she is at her best because when Rome is at her best, she is magic. If you can, come in the spring before the heat waves arrive or in December when the city glows with holiday lights and festive charm. And, if you do find yourself in Italy during the summer, head straight for the sea.

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This & That

• Europe has a major heat problem and it’s only getting worse.

• And with that, Europeans should learn to love the air-conditioner: Green electricity means never having to say sorry for lowering the thermostat.

• Summer splurges I’m coveting right now: raffia tote, red sandals, pink cotton coverup, and this straw bucket hat.

• The queen of Rome, Katie Parla, shares the best bakeries where Romans eat pizza for breakfast.

• Why Adventure Matters: Adventure may have less to do with where you go than with your willingness to leave the familiar behind.

• I’ve been watching the World Cup for the first time with Costa and Paolo and I’m absolutely loving it. Neuroscience Says Watching The World Cup Is Good For Your Brain.

• Next time you go to someone’s house for dinner, I highly recommend bringing over a bouquet of fresh flowers as a thank you. Such a nice gift both to give and receive.

• Here’s what I’ve been cooking this week: Basil Pesto, Chicken Katsu and Tangy Cabbage Slaw, and One Bowl Banana Bread.

• This week’s unlocked recipes are Ricotta Toast with Figs and a Peanut Miso Dressing, free for all subscribers until Tuesday!

Couscous and lentils

This week we walked to one of our favorite local spots, a family-run restaurant called Fiaschetteria Marini. Alongside a great selection of natural wines, you’ll find Roman classics like amatriciana and gricia made with fresh pasta, as well as a menu of seasonal dishes that is constantly changing. That alone is a nice discovery in Rome, where so many restaurants focus exclusively on the classics and rarely rotate their menu. As one of the starters, we ordered a couscous and lentil dish with oven-roasted vegetables. Served at room temperature, it was exactly the kind of meal I crave on a hot day, something nourishing and satisfying without feeling too heavy. This is the kind of recipe that is easy to throw together and perfect for summer entertaining. Serve it at a dinner party, bring it to a picnic, or keep a batch in the refrigerator for easy lunches throughout the week.

COUSCOUS WITH LENTILS, HERBS, AND TOASTED PINE NUTS

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Recipe Series

I’m melting. I’m melting. It’s officially too hot to do anything in Rome right now. The kind of sweltering, heavy heat that makes you want to sit perfectly still in front of a fan or, if you’re one of the lucky ones, in an air conditioned apartment. Our daily diet has quickly shifted to meals that require little to no cooking and frequent outings for almond granitas and lemon-mint gelato. So this week, I’m sharing an insanely delicious toast that comes together in just a few minutes but will keep you full (and happy) for hours. And since figs are starting to pop up again at markets in both Rome and LA, it feels like the perfect time to put them to work and enjoy every sweet bite they have to offer. As an added bonus, this unlocked post also includes my Peanut Miso Dressing, which is delicious on salads, grain bowls, and just about any vegetable you have hanging out in the fridge. Free for all subscribers for the next week. Enjoy!

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7 Lessons Learned

When things get hard here in Italy, they can get really hard, and sometimes you just have a hell of a day that leaves you feeling like a crumbling shell of yourself, ready to crawl into a hole and sleep forever. I’ll spare you most of the details, but from morning until night on Tuesday, it was one catastrophe after another. An Italian bureaucratic nightmare followed by a logistical nightmare, all culminating in an absolute disaster inside our apartment. A plumber was trying to fix a clogged sink drain and brought over a powerful air-compressor drain cleaner to blast the blockage loose. His assistant was instructed to hold a bag over the open end of the pipe in a small hallway cupboard while he turned it on. Unfortunately, the assistant did not understand the assignment. One quick blast of air sent everything inside that pipe, sewage, drywall dust, dirt, food particles, and God knows what else, exploding into our apartment. It covered the assistant from head to toe and sprayed all over our hallway. Floor to ceiling. The rugs, the walls, the windows, bags, shoes, every nook and cranny imaginable. What followed were hours of cleaning, disinfecting, and wondering if we should just give up and move back to the US. To make matters worse, after the plumber left, we discovered that while the drain was now working, the pipe under the sink had been broken during the repair and was now leaking everywhere, a problem that ultimately took until Thursday morning to fix. By the time I crawled into bed that night, I felt completely defeated, especially because my mom had just arrived in Rome and all I want to do is spend time with her, show her around the city, and enjoy our two weeks together. All of that is to say, I’m sorry this week’s newsletter is a little shorter than usual. It’s been a hell of a week, the drama has continued into today, and I’m hanging on by a thread. But on the brighter side, today is my mom’s 70th birthday , and she is finally here in Rome with all of us. So rather than dwell on the chaos, I decided to turn to her for a little inspiration and asked her to share the seven biggest lessons she has learned in her 70 years. Here is what she had to say:

1. Transcendental meditation saved my life.

2. Family and friends are a primary factor in living a happy life filled with connection and love.

3. Material possessions are not necessary for a life full of joy.

4. Nature has always helped me to relax and reconnect with myself and my purpose in life.

5. Never stop challenging yourself intellectually.

6. Trust your own instincts first, above all else.

7. Finding happiness in little moments each day is food for the soul.

Happy Birthday, Mom. Love you to the moon and back. x

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This & That

• Costa graduated from elementary school this week! I can’t believe he is off to middle school next year, feels like he was at Camelot preschool in Silverlake just yesterday.

• For all the foodies coming to Rome, Katie Parla has launched a new culinary trip offering called Deep Dives, exploring the history, culture, and cuisine of Italy.

• One of my favorite’s, Pamela Salzman, is hosting a retreat in Puglia this September and it looks like it’s going to be incredible.

• If you happen to be around Ansedonia in Tuscany this summer, check out the beach club La Capanuccia for a relaxing day by the sea where you can enjoy a great bowl of spaghetti vongole and delicious fried calamari.

• The Beauty of Doing Nothing Together. Yes to this kind of friendship.

• Wow, even grocery stores now have elite membership programs.

• If you need any last minute Father’s Day inspo, check out last week’s gift ideas from Andre.

• If you love tomatoes, you won’t want to miss this week’s unlocked recipe from the archive, Heirloom Tomatoes with Capers, Toasted Pistachios, and Oregano.