Out of Office: Italy Edition (Issue #8)
This week’s theme is vacation, rest, and the things that pull us home.
Hi friends!
Greetings from Italy! When this edition of Sincerely, Celisia arrives in your inbox, I will already be five days into my honeymoon! Andrew and I are taking two weeks to explore Italy, starting in Venice then hitting Florence, and finally, Rome. I’m really thankful Andrew and I get this intentional, international time together as a newly married couple. Also, as a teacher's (now) wife, we try to make the most of our summers together! Although I am technically out of the office until the first week of July, you’ll still receive Sincerely, Celisia while I’m away! And if you want to keep up with my adventures abroad, I’ll try to post highlights to my Instagram stories, so make sure to check that out!
Travel has always been so important to me I love taking in new sights and cultures, eating allll the food, and just the everyday novelty that comes with waking up in a new place. So given that I’m on vacation, I wanted to focus today’s newsletter on all things travel! And for my Minneapolis readers (and/or anyone planning to visit Minneapolis soon), I’ve pulled together a veeeerrrryyyy special P.S. section for my paid subscribers: a list of some of my favorite, must-visit restaurants in Minneapolis, so be sure to check that out!
Okay now grab your shades, kick up your feet, and take a mental plane/train/automobile ride with me for today’s travel roundup!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
*Indicates a gift link. I know how frustrating paywalls are! When possible, I’ll try to offer gift links through my subscriptions to support access to high-quality journalism.
Washington Post: To boost happiness, treat your weekend like a vacation* by Tara Parker-Pope
Treating your weekend like a vacation can increase your enjoyment of the time off! Or so the research says. Study participants who were instructed to treat their weekends like a vacation reported feeling more positively about their time away. It’s an interesting concept and I’m excited to give this mindset shift a try when I’m back to work!
Washington Post: The mystery of the disappearing vacation day* by Andrew Van Dam
According to Van Dam, “Americans are about half as likely to [take] a vacation in any given week as they were 40 years ago.” So why the change? Backed by decades of employment and vacation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the article explores the trend, and the complicated reasons behind it. Check it out!
The Atlantic: Why We Speak More Weirdly At Home by Kathryn Hymes
This article explores “familect,” a term for the language that develops when folks share space and experiences. Often, this language can be weirder and sillier than what we’d use in other environments, and it’s fascinating to examine how this shared language develops.
New York Times: The Romance Novels We’re Loving in 2023* by Olivia Waite
Are we all in agreement that romance novels make the best vacation reads? This list from The New York Times will help you tune up your to-read pile.
Show: Manifest
They’ve added the newest season of Manifest to Netflix recently, and I can’t wait to see how it all ends! If you’re new to the show, the premise is this: “When Montego Air Flight 828 landed safely after a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers were relieved. But in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years” – and no one knows how it happened. It’s a show full of twists and turns, a great watch for mystery and supernatural enthusiasts.
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya!
Truth - What does home mean to you? Has your concept of home changed from when you were younger? When you’re traveling, what’s the thing you miss most about being home?
Dare - Go on a “color walk” for a mini adventure! I’ve seen this concept a few times on TikTok (check out examples here and here), and the premise is simple: choose a color to follow, allowing its discovery to lead your path. Ideally, the color will lead you to a restaurant or activity you’re interested in! BONUS: If you have access to a car/skateboard/bike/etc., travel even further on your color-following adventure!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise that I’ll only ever share items I truly love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
I wanted to find a pair of simple black heels to match virtually any outfit, and *these ones fit the bill. Truthfully, I was a little skeptical about the quality of Amazon Essential brand shoes, but they were both affordable and super comfy. If you’d looking for a basic, low-heeled shoe to pack for multiple outfits, these are a great addition to any wardrobe.
Speaking of shoes, I bought *these flatform sandals ahead of my trip to Italy! To say I’m obsessed would be an understatement. They’re super cute and dare I say the most comfortable and supportive sandals I’ve ever owned. I got the lion/cashmere color, but all the colors are adorable and versatile for any walking-heavy summer trip! A lot of the sizes in the style I ordered are hard to find now because they discontinued this exact design, but you can also order the new version of the shoe here.
One of my most prized travel hacks is Free Tours by Foot. Offering free walking tours throughout U.S. and European cities, Free Tours by Foot is a great hands-on way to explore a new city while traveling. I went on my first tour while in London, and have since taken tours in Chicago, DC, NYC, Copenhagen, and Ireland! All of the tours are free, and you only pay the guide a tip at the end depending on your experience. Some cities also offer food tours, where you pay one to two dollars per stop, which is another great way to get to know the city you’re visiting. Andrew and I plan to take a tour in Rome, and I just love how much the walking tours help me feel connected to the city I’m in.
I first discovered this *airplane-friendly Bluetooth headphone adapter through one of my fave podcasts, Gee Thanks, Just Bought It. The adapter plugs into a standard audio jack, making your Bluetooth headphones compatible. I always forget to bring wired headphones to work with the airplane tv, and this transmitter is the perfect solution!!
I know I recommended this in my previous quarterly newsletter a while back, but I ~swear by~ *this travel toiletry bag. The bag unzips and hangs so you can see and access everything! It’s been a game-changer to keep all of my toiletries and jewelry organized while traveling.
As the mother to three cats, traveling would be impossible without Rover. Through the app, you can hire folks for pet sitting, drop-ins, walks, or boarding! It’s perfect for vacations when you need someone to check in on your pet, but also great if you just need someone to come walk your pup during a busy work day. Andrew and I always rebook with the same people, and we get write-ups with photos every time they drop in! It’s always a fun part of our trip to see what the cats are up to while we’re away, and we always read the updates aloud like an urgent press release. Also, if you use my code, you’ll get $20 off your first booking!
I always miss my cats so much while I’m away (and, let’s be honest, get paranoid that something terrible has happened), so I decided to find a way to spy on them while I’m gone, hehe. I bought *this pet camera and it’s perfect!!! It’s super affordable, and really helps calm my anxiety about what they’re up to. The camera has great night vision, can turn almost 360°, moves up and down, and you can even talk through the speaker. I’m truly obsessed and I can’t wait to use it while across the ocean! :)
*These packing cubes were the key to prepping for my two-week trip!! They help you fit more in your luggage, and come in various fun colors. Definitely a worthwhile investment.
I bought *this rain jacket back in 2017 for a trip I was taking to Costa Rica. It’s super packable, lightweight, and has held up well throughout the years. A great, versatile piece!
That’s all from me for now (unless you’re a super special paid subscriber and can scroll past the signature line to this week’s PS, which honestly you really don’t want to miss if you’re in Minneapolis)! I’m off to explore all Italy has to offer, and I hope this weekend gives you all the adventure and rest you crave, whether you’re on a real vacation or just adopting the mindset. <3
P.S. - A Minneapolis Food Guide: It’s in the name! (The Minneapolis restaurants that kill it at their specialties)
My father-in-law has a rule he follows when visiting new restaurants: always order what they’re known for. Seems simple enough, although it’s a concept that has completely changed how I approach new-to-me menus. In honor of this week’s travel theme, I wanted to take the perspective of a tourist in my city and compile some of my fave must-visit restaurants in and around Minneapolis. To narrow my choices, I stuck with a theme in honor of my new father-in-law: “It’s in the Name.” Below you’ll find my top seven Minneapolis restaurants, where knowing what to order is as simple as checking the front of the menu.