Letter # 6

When I first arrived in Tuscany, I kept seeing these dreamy postcards with golden fields of sunflowers. At the time, I thought, “Do these even exist? Or is this just Italian marketing magic?” Fast forward to this week—just outside Grosseto—I saw them in real life for the first time. Endless fields of sunflowers swaying under the sun, and let me tell you, they are stunning. Apparently, come fall, they’ll be harvested for oil and seeds, but until September, it’s pure sunflower heaven!

This week I also got crafty with a few upcycling projects. We’ve got a never-ending supply of corks and wine bottles (when in Italy, right?), so I’ve been finding fun ways to repurpose them. I’ve made candles from bottles, cups out of the bases, and even a quirky little planter using corks and bottle tops. There’s something so satisfying about giving these items a second life—plus, they’re cute! We’re going to start selling the candles and cups in the shop soon, and I’m really excited to see how they do.

I also ventured out of the countryside to visit a mall—and what I can only describe as the Italian version of Costco. Both were fun little culture trips! The nearest mall is in Grosseto, close to the western coast, and every time I pop into the city, it feels like a mini adventure. As much as I adore the peacefulness of rural life here, there’s still a big part of me that loves the buzz of a bigger town. I guess I’m a country soul with a city spark.

One of the highlights of the week was seeing a new idea come to life: Wine & Watercolors! Inspired by the classic paint-and-sip night, we put a Tuscan twist on it. Our amazing receptionist, Giulia, is a talented watercolor artist, and she was thrilled at the chance to lead a class for guests. This Thursday was our first session and it was a hit! Guests were smiling, Giulia was glowing, and honestly, it felt magical. Our location is perfect for things like this, so it was incredibly rewarding to see it all come together. We’ve got more ideas in the works to enhance the guest experience, and I can’t wait to bring those to life too.

On a totally different note, I also pitched in on housekeeping this week. One of our team members has been out sick, so I grabbed the vacuum and got to work. There’s something really refreshing about doing a task where the results are immediate—you walk into a messy room, and 40 minutes later, voilà, transformation complete. That said… let’s talk duvets. Why do hotels use them?! Changing those things is like wrestling a stubborn cloud. I think I’m getting better at it, but I’m still perfecting my “no lumps” technique.

Oh, and one of the best parts? Blasting 60s Italian pop while we work. My housekeeping buddy Elenora loves to sing along, and I love hearing her belt out the classics. It’s little moments like that that make even the most mundane tasks feel joyful.

With Love,

Holly