JETTSET | Newsletter No°6
This Week: High standards, cocktail hour, and letting love in.
Olá, Meus Amigos! ☀️
Josh and I are back in Portugal after a whirlwind two and a half weeks away.
We kicked off our adventures in Lisbon to see family in town then it was on to New York, Massachusetts (then Florida for me) — and back again to New York.
Our hearts are overflowing with love and gratitude — for the time we got to share with family as well as friends. It was exactly the kind of soul-nourishing trip we needed.
That said, I am so ready to settle back into my usual rhythms — but most of all, return to writing after a long stretch away.
We have absolutely zero plans July-August and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
In other news, many new subscribers have joined our party since the last newsletter.
So, if you’re new, WELCOME ABOARD! 🥳
Twice a month I send out this little love letter, Jettset — named after our sweet pup — where I share reflections across the three areas below (be sure to check out the archives for more).
Here’s what we’re covering today:
New & Noteworthy 💡| Insight into my non-negotiables.
Postcards from Portugal 🇵🇹 | Your favorite new summer drink.
The Love List 🩷 | The eternal quest to know thyself.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
New & Noteworthy💡
LATEST POST
Last month, I turned 41 and found myself reflecting, quite a bit, on life thus far — the triumphs I experienced, the mistakes I made, the lessons I learned — which is exactly what inspired my latest post:
👇🏽
I’m always on the hunt for sage advice so if there are any standards you’ve set for yourself — regardless of the season you may be in — then I’m all ears!
SUMMER DESTINATION INSPO
If you’re still undecided about your summer vacation plans, then look no further.
Lonely Planet released its Best Travel Destinations in 2025.
For any US friends planning to stay States-side, there are a few domestic locales included too — from Chicago to NYC to the most beautiful national parks (under “USA”).
Hopefully, something on the list will inspire your next adventure. ✈️
Postcards from Portugal 🇵🇹
Not only does today mark the official start of summer — it also marks the unofficial start of Port tonic season (at least according to me).
So, what exactly is a Port tonic? 🍹
It’s a delightful Portuguese cocktail typically made with white Port (on occasion, I’ve seen it made with red Port too) and tonic water then garnished with fresh herbs like mint or cinnamon sticks and citrus.
On a hot summer’s day like we’ve been experiencing this week — where temps reached a blistering 101°F / 38°C 🥵 — believe when I say, nothing is more refreshing.
Wondering what Port even is?
It’s a fortified wine from Portugal’s Douro Valley, made by adding brandy mid-fermentation to preserve its natural sweetness. It’s then aged in oak casks, developing a rich, robust flavor.
Styles range from ruby and tawny to the lesser-known — but equally fabulous — white Port. The longer Port ages, the more complex its color and taste.
If you’re feeling a little Aperol’d out this summer (anyone else find it 🤢??), then Port tonic might just be your new go-to.
Cheers! 🍹✨
The Love List 🩷
BOOKS | Reveal
I just finished reading Reveal by Meggan Watterson1, a Harvard-trained feminist theologian whose work explores long-overlooked spiritual texts written by and about women in early antiquity.
These writings invite us to turn inward — to listen to our soul’s voice and trust it deeply enough to let it guide how we live — rather than outsourcing that authority to something (or someone) outside of us.
What I loved about Meggan’s book is its emphasis on her academic perspective but also her personal journey:
“I wanted to know my own worth. I wanted to find stable ground within, so that my sense of self-worth was not dependent on anything or anyone external to me. I wanted to find bedrock. I wanted to touch the foundation of my sense of worth, discover what it was built on.”
If you’ve ever been on your own soulful search, then I think this book will speak to you too.
While Meggan’s work centers on biblical literature (as well as comparative religion), her spiritually-agnostic message of claiming our inherent worth remains universal.
QUOTE | The Treasure Within
On that note, I couldn’t think of a more fitting quote to wrap up this week’s edition of Jettset:
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
With only more love,
Sam
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Disclosure: If you purchase a book using the link above, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. See my Bookshop page here for more books I love.