There are reaped benefits to be had from Corona from the excess time we have found which can be used to make new discoveries about a gamut of subjects.
Loved reading my new book, Grand Tour: The Worldly Projects of Studio Peregalli. (Photo: Roberto Peregalli)
Kitchen and entry of the same Capri house by Studio Peregalli. (Photo: Roberto Peregallli)
One of the best reaped benefits from these strange days is expanding the brain . Taking time off each week to recharge and seek inspiration is essential. Yet with projects underway it is easy to neglect blocking out time for this very important activity. One of my hopes for post-corona life is that we won’t return to the habit of rushing through life without really seeing its beauty. There is so much beauty out there.
Some of my reaped benefits for the week involved health.
Christina Cuomo’s website the Purist is a new discovery. She has numerous articles about the health of one’s self as well as the planet.
I learned about this juicer that sounds amazing.
My daughters and I search for products that are healthy and cruelty-free. Finding a deodorant without chemicals that actually works is an on-going challenge. Cuomo featured these deodorant pads which I bought and gave one to some of my friends to try.
Some discoveries involved making the world more beautiful as well as sustainable.
Kjaer Weis is a great brand for chemical-free beauty products. Additionally, they are conscientious about their packaging. Their beautiful silver metal compacts are made to keep rather than discard. They sell tins of the product that can simply pop in and out of the compacts. Just launched is the red edition. These red packages are made of paper so are recyclable and compostable. I love to support businesses to take this kind of initiative.
Pasti and Janson sitting in their Milanese living room. (Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo)
This week Indagare featured a conversation with two of my design inspirations, Umberto Pasti and Stephan Janson. One question asked of them was what change would they like to see happen as a result of Corona. This question is being pondered by many these days. Stephen, being a fashion designer, hoped that clothes would be made locally. No more cheap clothing made far away. He hoped that people would buy clothes that last, re-wearing items over and over. Better quality, less waste.
A few reaped benefits were thought provoking.
Maria Shriver has an amazing weekly email called The Sunday Paper. It features smart articles opening with one written by her. Yesterday her focus was for wishes for the world post-Corona. Her friend Simon had these lovely wishes:
“One, that we become better listeners in business, in politics, and in our homes,” he said. “Two, that we commit to service, and that people start to do more for others, with no expectation of anything in return. Three, that we commit to human relationships, that family dinners become important again, and that we spend more time with our friends—without our phones present. I hope the balance of how we communicate tips away from typing and back in favor of talking.”
It is difficult to know what will stick after life returns to some normalcy. Personally my wishes are that we slow down, curb our ambitions a bit, travel less frequently but for longer durations, walk more, drive less, make salaries more equitable, buy better and more compassionately, and be more compassionate. And obviously, hire an interior designer to make your home special and beautiful – a place that you enjoy living.
Other discoveries were purely pleasurable.
An earlier post mentioned Nicky Haslam’s reading suggestion of Sybille Bedford. Coincidentally, my friend gave me a copy of her A Visit to Don Otavio for my recent birthday having no idea that I had written about this book. I love a good book about México.
Watermelon feta salad is a favorite summer food. Ina Garten makes a delicious version that I found and tried last week. Recipe here.
The last discovery of my week was a sad one.
Since the early 80’s I have been listening to alternative music from that era. I especially enjoyed a station in Tijuana called 91x. We listened to it daily while spending our summers in Southern California. There was one dj in particular who stood out. Steve West. He had the most amazing voice with his British accent.
The creation of apps allowed me to hear his Sunday morning show even when not in California. I have been listening to that wonderful voice for forty years transporting me back in time to those blissful days. Frequently I have thought about life after his death and not being able to hear that voice any longer. Sadly that time has come. But it is one more thing to look forward to in heaven where I envision him dj’ing all of the old favorites.
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