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The Italian leather caught the rearview light as I pulled into Indian Springs.
Passenger seat, structured and ready. The weekend bag looked more prepared than I felt. [Floto Venezia Grande Duffle – $336.75]
I hadn’t answered a text in two hours.
Which, lately, felt radical.
That was the point of this trip.
Too many notifications. Too many days that began and ended with someone else’s urgency.
I’d answered everything.
Except myself.
It was the first solo morning I’d taken in months.
No itinerary. No plan.
Just steam, linen, and the slow unraveling of urgency.
Nine a.m.
The mineral pools still whispered heat into the air.
No lines. No laughter yet. Just the quiet clink of staff setting tables for brunch that hadn't started.
The bag had been to Paris. To Paso Robles.
It held its shape better than I had lately.
Changed in the stone bathhouse. White linen shirt. Matching jean-cut pants.
The kind of set that lives in a tote and comes out looking intentional.
[Frescobol Carioca Antonio Linen Shirt– $245]
Walked the path toward the bocce courts. Sandals on warm stone.
No slip. No pinch. Just the grounded rhythm of a body slowly relaxing.
[OLUKAI Hiapo Men's Beach Sandals – $139.95]
The café courtyard was just opening.
I took the shaded table. Ordered the ginger-turmeric tonic.
Dropped my sunhat on the chair beside me. The brim still held from last August.
The barista said, “Love that brim.”
I said thanks.
[American Hat Makers Outback Hat – $159]
An older couple at the next table ordered rosé.
It was 10:45 a.m. No one blinked.
A flock of starlings flew low behind the palms. I didn’t reach for my phone.
I stayed through two tonics.
Read nothing.
Planned nothing.
The bag stayed unzipped beside me.
And Indian Springs answered questions I hadn’t thought to ask.
The Essentials:
- [Floto Venezia Grande Duffle – $336.75]
- [Frescobol Carioca Antonio Linen Shirt– $245]
- [OLUKAI Hiapo Men's Beach Sandals – $139.95]
- [American Hat Makers Outback Hat – $159]
Why These Work:
-
The Duffle — Holds form and space. From spa water to sidewalk espresso.
-
The Linen Shirt — Travels easy. Lands elegant. No steam necessary.
-
The Sandals — Grip where you need it. Give where you don’t.
- The Sunhat — Earns compliments. Blocks judgment. Wears again tomorrow.
The Close:
This morning had nothing to prove.
And that was the point.
