All year I count down the days until I get to go back.

If New York is where I feel most alive and the place where I've built a life for myself, London is where I feel at peace and where my feet know where to go without thinking. The one constant during a life spent moving around.

This year I took the scenic route to London and tagged along to my dad's business trip to Madrid first. The benefit of being able to work from anywhere means that all I really need is a good wifi connection, a strong cup of coffee, and a best friend in need of a place to stay in New York so Gatsby is taken care of…and then I get to have screen-induced meltdowns from airports, hotel lobbies, and overpriced cafes all over the world (why not mix things up a bit?).

@justsoiree

WFH is more fun…en español #spain #digitalnomad #wfh #remotework #madrid #españa

Madrid also holds a lot of nostalgia for me because I spent a few months living with a host family there when I was 15 and my tastes haven't changed much since then, so of course, I returned with a suitcase full of snacks that definitely triggered some sort of flagged suitcase customs alert.

justsoiree

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We’ll return to our regularly scheduled food history and science programming soon, but in the meantime, I just wanted to pop in to share some of my favorites of the past few weeks—

But! First! Some NEWS!

In addition to the usual cooking, food history, and Around the World in 180 Groceries videos that I share on Instagram and TikTok, I’m launching two new series this month!

The UN-Supposed to City Guides with Saan

@justsoiree

It’s my birthday so figured it’s time for something NEW! Introducingggg The Un-Supposed to City Guides coming soon to a TikTok near you! #... See more

My motto since age 6 has always been I “just want to go every place and meet every person,” but I think travel has become too optimized, algorithmic, and easy these days, so, in an effort to bring back the art of the Anthony Bourdain stumble upon, sit down and chat with a stranger—the mess up, misorder, and get lost of it all—I’m starting a series called, The UN-Supposed to City Guides.

These videos will accompany the full length guides that I share in this newsletter and will cover everything except for the things that you're "supposed to do."

Finding the "right" sights and museums to tick off your list is easy enough—Google exists—but finding the actual best cardamom bun in Copenhagen? The cheapest place to stock up on tinned fish in Porto? Where to work from on a rainy day in London when every café is packed? The legal loophole for international ingredient importing in Mexico City? That's what I love, so stay tuned!

First Day on Earth

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I'm going to be 30 next year and still there are so many situations where I feel unfit to be a person in the world and end up calling my mom to ask the most basic questions. Like how do I pick meat at the butcher? What about fish at the fishmonger? How do I keep herbs from going bad or know when chicken is done?

So, the second series I'm starting is called "First Day on Earth" for those moments when you feel like you were literally born yesterday.

These two series will accompany the regularly scheduled food, fashion, hosting, and culture programming that I share on my Instagram and TikTok and the Around the World in 180 Groceries series that keeps going strong. Let me know what you want to see on all three!

Outfits

1. I'm not a jeans person but I've found my two favorite pairs recently: the Levi's Low Loose (sized up) and the Massimo Dutti Mid Waist Wide Leg. I've been wearing them nonstop and I've learned that for a short torso, high rise just doesn't suit.

2. My big Elton John sunglasses that make any lowercase outfit a capital O outfit. I overpaid for them on the street in Williamsburg on the way to McCarren once but they've become a staple and I love them—these are similar.

3. Red Alohas. I got got by the Instagram ad but I'm in love with them now. I'm also not a sneaker person, but I needed something comfy for walking after being injured so many times and that plus cobblestones never boding well, so I bought them in Madrid (since they're from Spain). I also love that they’re Saan Red!

4. On the train of things that are Saan Red, I love red socks. They make any outfit just that little bit more elevated—with these loafers that I have cobbled to the ends of the earth especially.

5. I was never a town crier for barrel pant party, but when I saw these vegetable Free People jeans, I ordered them immediately, full price which I don't think I've ever done before. Nothing could have been more me. There was one size left and they're a bit big, but I think that adds to the drama of it all. My mom and brother met up with my dad and I in London on my birthday so they were the perfect birthday present to myself for 29!

6. Mesh shoes are another trend dot com, but they are so delicate on the feet and easily packable when you want to chuck something in your purse to change into or to take an outfit from day to night especially for commuting cities. Do they offer any support? Not one single bit. But that's okay sometimes.

7. My best friend works for Kith and I got to see her pull off an amazing Kith Wilson activation and fell in love with absolutely all of it. This jacket will never leave my body ever though.

Skincare Edit

8. The Ordinary duo that has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide has been my saving grace because it uncomplicates skincare, is cheap, and is perfect for travel.

9. The Supergoop Glow Screen is my forever go to sunscreen (until it gets in my eyes and I cry forever) but that mixed with a drop of the Fenty Eaze Drops with a swipe of Merit blush and Bare Minerals bronzer has been my summer makeup routine.

10. And as for hair, I am usually a Revlon blow out loyalist, just to keep things tame, but recently I've been embracing the curl with the Odele air dry gel that is honestly life changing.

Eating

1. Tinned fish, obviously—I brought back a bunch of fun clams and anchovies from Doña Tomasa in Madrid, forever get gifted tinned fish so got some more for my birthday, and also found some local British tins at the Victoria Park farmers market so got some whelks in kimchi, smoked rainbow trout, and cuttlefish from this incredible company called Sea Sisters.

2. Tapas—I love tapas for many reasons but also because I get bored of one thing and often want to try many also because they contain some of my favorite textures from pan con tomate to sardines to octopus to egg and potato tortilla.

3. Cheeses—I've spent a lot of time at cheesemongers recently (more than usual). I loved going to Mantequería Brava in Madrid and learning about the Iberian cheeses and then talking to Florence at Neal's Yard Dairy about the caves and other cheeses from the UK.

4. Strawberries—'tis the goddamn season finally so strawberries and extra thick M&S double cream on Primrose Hill was true perfection.

Going

1. I finally went to River Café for my birthday and it was as good as people say. I do fear that I am ruined for life because every ingredient was Ivy educated.

2. We went to Benares for my dad's birthday and that was also unreal and the flavor pairings and combinations were so interesting and unique.

3. Roll Boys. The cinnamon rolls are truly worth the queue I loved the cookie butter one and the Marmite and cheese.

4. Paul Rothe & Son is my favourite sandwich shop in London and I’ve been going (and sitting on the broken stool in the corner by the window) for nearly a decade at this point. I love getting the egg and anchovy sandwich or the salt beef or coronation chicken to mix it up. It will always feel like home.

Reading & Listening To

1. Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain

2. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

3. No Such Thing as a Fish podcast

4. The Food Chain BBC's food history culture and science podcast

Come back next week for a whole food podcast deep dive!