The Curation: Volume 42
Introducing Pen Pal Club, understanding America through special hotels, peace in hotel form throughout the world, 20 hotels in Italy to get married at, and a creative retreat in Provence.
I have an idea
It’s clearer than ever that we need to understand each other more, as humans. Call me silly, but I believe that kindness and empathy really are the key to it all. As people (not just in America) we must have more conversations with strangers for the health of the world – both the collective and our inner realities. Travel is one of the easiest ways to do this, lucky for all of us. But also, I would like to create space for actual human-to-human connection on Happy Hoteling. Not just between me and you!
I’ve always been an idea girl. On Wednesday, I had an idea and I still like it two days later so I’m going to run with it.
When I lived in New York and worked at a small, woman-run agency, I had a special little friendship with the founder’s daughter. We had an easy bond when she’d come into the office, something I still cherish. When they moved to LA, I thought – why don’t we become pen pals?! So we did. It was short-lived but impactful. She was in kindergarten, but I think we should do something similar here.
I want to bring a bit of analogue into this digital world and connect you Good People with Good Taste with one another. Introducing Pen Pal Club by Happy Hoteling: postcard pen pals for like-minded strangers. In your monthly postcard, tell each other about your lives, your communities, what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, what you’re wanting, and naturally…all about your travels. Of course, you can connect online, but the idea is a commitment to physical snail mail. I’m not a lifeguard, you take the reigns, but I’m happy to make the connections.
I created a robust questionnaire to get a good sense for you and what makes you tick to give me a good feel for the type of person you’d most connect with. From there, I’ll play matchmaker of sorts, pairing people with similar interests who live in totally different places.
Because I’m still only one person, this will be limited to paid subscribers. The link to join and submit your questionnaire is at the end of this post.
Maybe you won’t be into this idea and no one will sign up. That’s ok! But, I am excited. I’ll email you your pen pal within 8 days of receiving. To my male readers, I really appreciate you and thank you so much for being here and reading every week– for now, Pen Pal Club is for women and non-binary people.
(It’s ok if you don’t like this idea, promise)
A quick note
While I’m a quite political person privately, that won’t be entering this space. I want this to be a level playing field for all – a place of inspiration, and joy, and interest. I think you probably know how I’m feeling this week just by reading my words every week. In case I’m denser than I thought, I think there’s nothing cooler than being kind, and respect is my main currency for communication.
The Shopping Section
The top eight things that caught my eye this week. Largely, the theme for the top 8 this week is stuff you most definitely don’t need, but it might make you happy. Frivolities, because they’re fun and fun is good for the soul.
I have never wanted a pair of Birkenstocks until now. Shearling, and just the right green. Not a full neutral but not a bright color. Not boring but not too novelty. I’m kind of obsessed?
I’m one for looking a little put together on a plane. But I’m also not going to sacrifice comfort. The Donni kick flares are one favorite, and I’ve shared before, but I’m due for a new pair of Suzie Kondi velour pants and 1. really like their seasonal colors (the bright blue is my favorite) 2. it’s sweatpants but pants and elevated enough.
I’m picky about homeware, but Les-Ottomans is a brand that I’m always oogling. Right now, I really want this classic-but-fun appetizer plate, that I would use for olives. I like playful nautical things like this to use year-round, even in the winter. Also, I’m the pickiest of all about throw pillow prints, and I can’t get this one out of my head, in the best way. I like that it works year-round, too.
I need to see what the Cozyland hype is all about, and I get a pair of new striped pajamas each holiday season, so these are this year’s pick.
I love classic pearls done in a slightly untraditional way, and these made me squeak, they’re perfect and even more so because they’re on sale.
I’ve been dermatologist Dr. Samantha Ellis for years, and had to finally placed an order for her own (very affordable) line, Prequel. I like everything I got, but I’m obsessed with this multi-purpose skin protectant for anything that needs…exactly that. I scratched myself with a hangnail a few days ago, this healed it. My hands are dry and a finger was cracked, and it wasn’t by morning. I’m a fan!
If you, too, find yourself wanting to do something creative with your hands, perhaps a needlepoint ornament kit will do the trick. I picked up needlepoint in lockdown and it was so good for the mind and spirit, and it’s time to pick it up again.
Your big Mary Poppins bag could also be a conversation-starter with this star.
Today’s agenda
First, we’ll start with a curation of five special hotels throughout America, to serve as inspiration to see and understand more of this country. As is the Happy Hoteling way, there are luxury hotels and there are B&Bs, there are splurges and there are very affordable rates. Then, three hotels that are peace in hotel form: in Greece, Umbria, and Japan. Next, something I’ve gotten many requests for and am happy to finally deliver – 20 less-obvious hotels in Italy that are worthy of a wedding. Lastly, a spotlight on a very cool creative retreat (and private rental) that has a once-in-a-lifetime week-long experience with a Pulitzer price-winning author next June.
I’m really proud of this today. It feels like a true marriage and representation of IRL me, hotel me, and strategist me. And it’s very image-heavy. Sadly, it will likely be too long for email. If to, please click on the top to view in browser.
Happy Hoteling and thank you tremendously for being here!
Understanding America Through Hotels
No one wants to feel divided. Everyone wants to feel seen, heard, and recognized. It may seem like a stretch, but I’ve always found that hotels are a really wonderful way to seek that out. First off, one of my favorite things, in all of life, is sitting at a hotel bar and making friends with the bartender. That alone makes an impact. But also, I like to think of a hotel stay as a way to be a guest in someone else’s hometown. We all know that there’s no better way to get to know someone than spending time in their home – hotels do the trick. Cumulatively, it can move mountains for your personal perspective. It does, continually, for me.
I’ve been thinking for the past few weeks what my dream project would be right now. Even before the election, it was to travel throughout America and stay at hotels in each of the 50 states. Would I like to partner with Belmond? Yes, that too, but in terms of what I feel in my heart would make the most impact, it would be the former. If you work at a brand that might be interested in sponsoring this, let me know!
In the meantime, I wanted to shine a spotlight on a range of different hotels throughout America, from the big 900+ hotels included on the map for Happy Hoteling in America. We can go to Italy over and over and see more of our country. Humans contain multitudes! But always, wherever you go, anywhere in the world, please arrive as a respectful guest.