Take 5: Modern Almanacs, RISOTTOPIA, + Candy-Coated Art

2 days ago7 min read4 comments

In a world that often feels overwhelmingly digital and disconnected, there's a quiet but persistent movement back to the tangible, the curated, and the genuinely delightful. This week, my radar—and my heart—have been captured by a trifecta of finds that celebrate this very ethos, each one a little nugget of joy in its own right.First, let's talk about the modern almanac, a concept that has been beautifully reimagined for the urban dweller and the creative soul. Gone are the dusty pages solely dedicated to planting cycles for crops we’ll never grow; today’s versions are lush, artful compendiums that blend lunar phases with mindful living prompts, seasonal recipes that actually make sense for a city apartment, and illustrations that you’d happily frame.It’s the Farmer's Almanac for the aesthetically-inclined generation, a paper-based anchor in a sea of push notifications, and I am utterly here for it. Then, there's the delightful milestone from RISOTTOPIA, a project that has, against all odds, turned the humble risotto into a global canvas for culinary storytelling.Reaching a significant anniversary, this isn't just about rice; it's a testament to community, to the power of a simple, comforting idea executed with passion and consistency. Think of it as that friend who hosts the most incredible dinner parties, where every guest leaves feeling nourished in body and spirit.Their journey, chronicled through different chefs' interpretations and regional ingredients, reads like a love letter to shared tables and the stories we tell over them. And finally, the art.Oh, the art! I stumbled upon a series of works that are, for lack of a better word, irresistible. They’re not brooding or abstract in a way that requires a PhD to decipher; they are explosions of candy-coated color, playful forms that seem to vibrate with a pure, unadulterated happiness.It’s the visual equivalent of finding a forgotten bag of your favorite childhood sweets at the bottom of a purse—a sudden, sweet surprise that instantly lifts your mood. In an art world that can sometimes take itself too seriously, this work is a breath of fresh, sugar-scented air, reminding us that beauty and joy are not mutually exclusive.What ties these three disparate loves together is a shared thread of intentionality and human connection. The almanac asks us to be present with the turning of the seasons, RISOTTOPIA connects us through the universal language of food, and the candy-colored art speaks directly to our inner child, reminding us that wonder is never far away. In curating a life that feels rich and personal, it’s these small, carefully considered touches—a beautiful book on the coffee table, a memorably simple meal, a piece of art that makes you smile every time you pass it—that build the foundation of a life well-lived, one joyful discovery at a time.

#featured

#modern almanac

#risottopia

#candy-colored art

#Vy Yang

#editorial picks

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