This Week in the World: Week 7

A snap from this last week that I shot walking through Kensington.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Regardless of your relationship status, I hope you are taking full advantage of this excuse to spread love to the people in your life. While we’re still locked down here in London, we’ve managed to have a really nice little weekend over here (including a virtual wine class, our favorite pizza and watching a few good films). I’ve really felt the lockdown blues a lot this last week, so this weekend has certainly been a nice little antidote to combat some of that. I hope you’re feeling lots of love and micro-doses of joy today… whatever that looks like for you.

If you’re new here, ‘This Week in the World’ is a weekly recap of content ranging from around the globe. My hope is that each week, no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel more connected to it: through news, travel, food & wine… really, anything that appeals to the culturally curious. Let’s dive into the content I sourced for week 6.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• I recently found this "Wine School" section in the New York Times with lots of great articles for all my fellow oenophiles!

• Black Travel is not a monolith.

• Here's How You Can Score an Italian Home for As Little As €1

• A friendly reminder my “So You Want To Move Abroad"?” online course is happening one week from today! Register now to join us.

• I really enjoyed the virtual wine class I did on Friday with Franklin's Wine. They are doing another one on the 26th of Feb. that I just signed up for featuring Burgundy vs. Bordeaux (it's at 7pm GMT so even if you're in the US, feel free to sign up just to listen on your lunch break!)

• Politics aside, this little act of spreading love made me smile.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

• 7 Valentine’s Day travel deals to book now for travel later.

• Spring Break's new look: older and socially distant.

• Starting tomorrow British travellers returning from certain countries will need to pay £1,750 to quarantine in hotels. Here's what you need to know.

• With so many weddings on hold, that means extra time to plan a honeymoon! Here are 30 of the best destinations to consider.

• In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are 10 romantic spots in London and here are the most romantic things to do in London.

• I'm dreaming of these 19 most beautiful villages in France (I've been to number 14… it's a favorite!)

WEEKLY FAVORITES

• FAVORITE LISTEN: I really enjoyed listening to THIS EPISODE of The Daily where they discussed "Laïcité" and how the French government's role regarding religion is adapting.

• FAVORITE READ: The joys of living alone

• FAVORITE PURCHASE: I recently saw my friend Emily, who lives in Paris, wearing such a cute beanie, and it turns out it's merch that "Bisou", the chic (and sustainable) bar in the Marais, is selling! I e-mailed them to order one and they were happy to ship to me (not sure if they will in the US? But worth a shot to ask if you want to support a small business while getting a cute hat!)

• FAVORITE FIND: Since there is still no sign of being able to go to Italy in the near future, I recently signed up for Nonna Tonda, a fresh pasta delivery service here in London. I'm so excited to give it a try!

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney

This Week in the World: Week 6

Hello once again. I hope everyone is hanging in there through these long weeks of winter (not to mention, during a pandemic!) I really enjoyed taking you all for a walking tour of South Kensington on Instagram stories (I’m hoping to do another one this upcoming week to another London neighborhood too!) It has been really challenging at times over the last year to maintain creativity when the travel industry has been almost entirely halted for so long, so it felt good to be able to “share travel content” again… even if it was my own city while we’re locked down. Hopefully I won’t need to keep churning out new ideas for THAT much longer and we can get back out into the world again soon (I read earlier this week that all adults in the UK could have access to the vaccination by the end of May!? I hope that is true!)

If you’re new here, ‘This Week in the World’ is a weekly recap of content ranging from around the globe. My hope is that each week, no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel more connected to it: through news, travel, food & wine… really, anything that appeals to the culturally curious. Let’s dive into the content I sourced for week 6.

MISCELLANEOUS LINKS I THINK YOU’LL LOVE:

• It's Not Just You. A Lot Of Us Are Hitting A Pandemic Wall Right Now. (I felt this on a cellular level!)

• Fellow wine enthusiasts: 2021 appears as though it will bring some challenges to the industry.

• It’s no secret that climate change is a serious issue… so how does the new administration plan to tackle it?

• I have been lusting over this chic, sustainable sweater from OYUN, an ethical brand that I love (I also just got a sneak peek of their Spring/Summer collection and it is gorgeous!) If you’re not already familiar with them, definitely check them out for some great sustainable items you will love and wear forever!

TRAVEL NEWS + UPDATES:

• It's time to start nurturing your travel imagination!

• Yet another update about Vaccine Passports…prepare accordingly!

• JetBlue to Launch London Flights This Summer from NY + Boston, including a new "Mint class" (private suites with a sliding door, a seat cushion by Tuft & Needle, a tilting 17-inch seatback screen, and wireless charging capabilities).

• Thinking of Traveling in the U.S.? Check Which States Have Travel Restrictions

CELEBRATING BLACK LIVES

• I loved this interview of ‘Unity With Purpose.’ where Amanda Gorman and Michelle Obama Discuss Art, Identity and Optimism.

• 18 Movies by Black Directors to Watch This Black History Month (and another list of 91 movies and TV shows to stream for Black History Month).

• 12 books by black women to read this year.

• A powerful new Black travel movement has emerged over the past decade — one centered on giving travelers of color the advice, inspiration, and sense of community we need to explore the world.

WEEKLY FAVORITES:

• FAVORITE LISTEN: I loved THIS EPISODE of Brené Brown’s podcast with John & Julie Gottman titled “What Makes Love Last.” In the spirit of Valentine’s Day next weekend, I think they did a great job tackling the nuances of relationship.

• FAVORITE FIND: My friend Natalie and I were catching up recently and she really inspired me with her knowledge around stocks and investing (perhaps you've also felt curious to learn more after all the GameStop conversations lately?) While I feel pretty up to speed about my emergency fund, maxing out my Roth IRA and a general strategy for retirement, I'm really excited to read "That thing rich people do" (which she recommended as a great starting point to learn the basics around investing.)

• FAVORITE READ: I am long overdue, but I’m finally reading “All the Light We Cannot See” (I know, I’m very late to the party) but I already can’t put it down. If you enjoy historical fiction and haven’t read this book, join me in reading!

UPCOMING EVENTS (NO MATTER YOUR LOCATION!)

• On Sunday, February 21st I'm teaching a new online course called "So you want to move abroad?"… read the course description and details here!

• This upcoming Friday, I'm signed up for virtual wine class (featuring Italian Reds) that I'm taking through one of my local wine shops (while they only ship wines locally, you can still pay a reduced rate of only £10 if you want to just join to listen!

• Later this month, the girls coming on my Atlas Adventures trip to Paris are joining me for an online cooking class with La Cuisine… a wonderful culinary school where we'll be taking in-person classes on our trip! La cuisine also offers a wide variety of virtual cooking classes that are open to the general public… check out their list of offerings here if you're missing France!

WANT ALL OF THIS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX?

BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER!

That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney

This Week in the World: Week 5

We made it to the last day of January! To me, this month always seems to be one of the more difficult ones of the year, especially during a pandemic (and especially if you’re in a lockdown). Nevertheless, tomorrow it’s time to welcome February… a month dedicated to Black History, Valentine’s Day, and the fact that we are inching closer to spring.

If you’re new here, ‘This Week in the World’ is a weekly recap of content ranging from around the globe. My hope is that each week, no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel more connected to it: through news, travel, food & wine… really, anything that appeals to the culturally curious. Let’s dive into the content I sourced for week 5.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Tomorrow kicks off Black History Month. While our efforts for racial equality should continue year round, this month serves as a reminder to continue to prioritize those leanings and actions. I'll continue to share some resources throughout the month, but here are a few suggestions I’ve found helpful to get started:

• Last year I really enjoyed THIS LIST from the NAACP that shares 28 ways to celebrate Black History Month (it shares one item for each day, making it really easy to hold yourself accountable and follow along with these promptings).

• Chances are you already follow Rachel Cargle, but in case you don't already know, she leads a free "Do the work" challenge every February that helps you learn, unlearn, remember and celebrate the black experience. I've followed along for the last couple of years and found it to be highly informative and really inspiring. I recommend you start this new journey with Rachel tomorrow… I know I will be!

• I loved this Brené Brown podcast episode with Emmanuel Acho from "uncomfortable conversations with a black man.”

• Some Recommended Reading:

  • "I'm still here" - Austin Channing Brown

  • "Me and White Supremacy" - Layla F Saad

  • "How to be Anti-Racist" - Ibram X. Kendi

TRAVEL NEWS + UPDATES

• Will travelers need a negative COVID-19 test to board flights within the US? The CDC says it's under consideration.

• Canada to enforce hotel quarantine for arrivals, ban travel to Mexico and Caribbean.

• What Airlines Are Doing to Make Flying Better, Safer, and More Fun in 2021.

• 10 Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling Abroad During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• Why you should think about booking a holiday now. (And remember, I offer travel planning!)

TWO THINGS HAPPENING/ENDING TODAY:

1. The CBD I swear by is currently on sale (an additional 50% off subscriptions… which are already 20% off!) There is no commitment to a subscription, meaning you can cancel at any time… but I take these drops every night before bed and the soft gels every morning when I wake up to help manage my stress. Use code "BLONDEATLAS50" at checkout for the full discount.

2. This afternoon at 4pm CST, I'm teaching an online course about "Tips for Solo Travel" — register to join us!

WEEKLY FAVORITES:

• FAVORITE PURCHASE: This sunrise alarm clock has made waking up so much more enjoyable (a light turns on and slowly becomes brighter before any noise occurs, so you're likely to wake up more gently and not during a deep REM cycle).

• FAVORITE LISTEN: After seeing protests outside the Russian embassy on my walk last week left me curious, I appreciated this dialogue from Vox on “Why Putin wants Alexei Navalny dead.”

• FAVORITE READ: I was a bit lazy with my reading for a while, but suddenly I can't put down City of Girls… it is wonderful!

• FAVORITE REMINDER: I’ve re-watched this video from Amanda Kloots several times this week whenever I am lacking motivation. Lockdown can make it tempting to get a bit lazy or let yourself complain… but sometimes a little perspective is all you need to shift your mindset.

CURRENTLY ON MY WISH LIST:

• I have been listening to a lot of Billie Holiday lately and am keen to add her greatest hits vinyl to my repertoire.

• Considering I only leave my flat for my daily walk, I'm home pretty much all the time. To brighten these dreary lockdown days, I have a candle lit more often than not, and I've almost burned through all my current ones. Next on the list is this Diptyque scent, which is classic and chic.

• I'm dreaming of the day that it's nice enough to have picnics in the park again. I got a picnic basket I love last year, so now I'm eyeing THIS QUILT from a store I love in Paris (my napkins in my flat are from here as well!)

A FEW RANDOM LINKS I LOVE:

• Will 2021 be the year to align globally on sustainability reporting?

• Someone shares why "I walked off a fully loaded plane to avoid another UK lockdown."

• The Metropolitan Opera is offering free nightly streams of their concerts.

LONDON HAPPENINGS:

• You Can Now Take A Video Tour Of The V&A’s Beautiful Kimono Exhibition.

• My Aunt (who was an English professor for many years, including countless summers in Oxford) recently introduced me to the London Bookshop Review newsletter, which is a fun resource for any literary enthusiast (especially those who love London!)

• Since Londoners will still be in lockdown (sigh) here are some Valentine's Day restaurant meal kits to order now.

WANT ALL OF THIS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX?

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney

*Friendly Disclaimer: some of the links above are affiliate, which means if you make a purchase, I get a small kickback (at no cost to you!)