Inspired by ✨ May 2026
A backlist book, my latest sweets fix, a nostalgic podcast, a hidden gem movie, and the perfect summer cocktail
Hi Friends,
One of my favorite things about spending time with friends or family is coming home with a Notes app full of random recommendations like:
Sneaker wipes
A recipe for corn salad with dill
Salt & Stone deodorant
And one mysterious entry from January:
“Silent Hill 2 Game”
I have absolutely no memory of who recommended this to me or why. When I finally Googled it, I was even more confused.
But speaking of things that end up in my Notes app, it’s currently brimming over with ideas, references, recipes, movies, books, and little bits of inspiration for a project I’ve been working on behind the scenes: the Italian Girl Summer Companion, coming next week as an exclusive download for paid subscribers.
If you’ve been reading + enjoying this newsletter, today is the perfect time to upgrade your subscription so you’ll receive the guide as soon as it is released!
Until then, here are a few other things that have been inspiring me lately:
📚 Reading
I’m thrilled that my reading slump from the beginning of the year has finally come to an end and that so many great books have come my way, including One and Only, Yesteryear, and Into the Blue.
But the one I’ve delighted in most is a reread of Delicious! by Ruth Reichl, about a young woman who works at a fictional food magazine.
The book I’m working on also revolves around old letters that help my main character navigate her life, so I may have picked this one up again for “research,” but I forgot just how much I loved the story.
If you’re looking for a backlist book that harkens back to an earlier internet era and you appreciate food descriptions, I think you’d enjoy it!
🍉 Eating
You know how people say your tastes change as you get older? I always assumed that only applied to kids, but there are two sweet treats I could have happily lived without that I’ve grown addicted to: marshmallows and chewy sour candy.
If you’ve been around for a while, you may remember my peanut butter oven s’mores obsession from last summer. Enter my latest candy crush, SmartSweets Sourmelon bites. It only took one packet before I started ordering them in bulk.
I highly recommend pairing them with a big bowl of popcorn and a movie rewatch.
🎧 Listening
The only thing better than discovering a new-to-you podcast is discovering one with a deep catalog. That has absolutely been the case with Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers.
I’ve spent most of the last month listening to Seth and Josh Meyers chat with guests about the family vacations they took as kids, and it’s exactly the kind of comfort listening I adore.
If you’re a nostalgia nut like I am and love obscure family stories, I think the summer is a perfect time to have a listen!
🎬 Watching
My sister's friend Matt is one of my trusted movie recommenders, especially when it comes to old films, and his latest was 84 Charing Cross Road. Based on a true story, it follows the decades-long correspondence between a writer in New York and a bookseller in London, spanning the late 1940s through the early 1970s.
Everything about this movie was special: the premise, the performances, and the era (where I’m positive I must have lived in another lifetime).
If you loved the book The Correspondent and enjoy cozy stories about books, writing, and human connection, I know you’ll love this one as much as I did.
🍹 Enjoying
This recommendation from my sister Lisa, whom I consider my personal influencer, is officially my cocktail of the summer.
Here’s the recipe:
Club soda
Coconut rum (Rumhaven is the brand Li swears by!)
Two lime wedges, one for juicing, one for garnishing
It tastes like vacation! Light, refreshing, not too sweet, and perfectly citrusy.
✨ Coming Soon: The Italian Girl Summer Companion
A beautifully designed seasonal guide filled with inspiration, rituals, prompts, recommendations, and ideas for romanticizing your summer (whether you’re actually going to Italy or just pretending your local farmers market is in Florence).
Upgrade now to receive it as soon as it drops!
☀️ Five good things
When we recognize what brings us the most joy, we invite more of it into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
We saw Weird Al in concert, and it was such a treat. He is incredibly talented, and the show was packed with creativity, costume changes, and the most enthusiastic backing band. Talk about inspiring. I so admire how fully Al leans into his uniqueness and how much joy it brings other people!
In our first real “we’re empty nesters now” move, we drove down to Orlando and bought last-minute tickets to see a screening of Psycho accompanied by a live orchestra, and it was fantastic.
We tried a new-to-us spot at Epcot called Geo-82, located inside Spaceship Earth. What I assumed would be a hokey experience completely exceeded my expectations. The drinks were delicious, the service was exceptional, and we’ve already booked a return visit when my sister-in-law comes to town later this month.
Film to Table’s Sports Season is in full swing, and it has been so fun to have conversations about the movies we grew up with. I hope you’ll tune in and join us!
We’ve really been enjoying weaving Season 2 of Pop Culture Jeopardy into our nightly routine. During this difficult transition to life without Rory, it’s brought me an odd sense of comfort!
💬 Set or share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others, we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
🫶 Paid subscribers keep this newsletter going! Thank you for supporting this creative community.
If you’d like to keep hanging out, you can also find me:
🍿 Talking movies, food, and nostalgia on Film to Table
📼 Getting playful with memory and pop culture on Play Me a Memory
📷 Sharing bits of everyday inspiration on Instagram
And if this newsletter made you smile, think, or feel a little more like yourself, passing it along is always appreciated!