Did you know the original recipe for Bolognese was … sans tomato? That’s right, in the 1891 Italian cook book by Pellegrino Artusi, the pasta’s sauce consisted of just onions, carrots, and celery. Turns out tomatoes were not introduced to Italy until the 16th century, but it remains understandable that the original recipe may spark rage in modern Nonnas everywhere.

🥳 THIS WEEK IN AWA AWESOMENESS

💐 A Garden Party to Remember
📲 Exploring New Horizons
📸 Documenting Your Surroundings
🍕 There’s Something in the Pizza
🇫🇷 A Movie Star Who Loved the Riviera

💐 LAST DAY TO ENTER

If you haven’t heard, we’re giving away a Fantastic Floral Escape to London! One lucky adventurer and their curious companion will be flown in for four-nights in an AWA inspired room at One Hundred Shoreditch, a visit to the largest botanical garden in the world, and some Curious Cocktail experiences from Hendrick’s Gin. Already in London? Doesn’t a staycation and some walking-around-money sound nice? Get signed up here!

🍕 A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN

Back in 1979 some innovative thinkers at Domino’s decreed that their pizzas would take no more than 30 minutes to reach your doorstep, or that pie was free. After a few too many orders and reckless rides the grand idea ended in one big ol’ lawsuit… Want to dive further into the history of pizza? Snag a copy of The Pizza Issue from Whalebone featuring, as always, yours truly.

Did you know AWA actively shares fun things on Threads, TikTok and Twitter (we refuse to call it X 🤷‍♀️) We try to keep things interesting and may share special giveaways that you can’t find anywhere else. Have a few ideas on how we can do better? Tell us what you want to see!

🧵 Felt this button deserved a Thread
💡 The most south-westerly point in Europe
🎒 Who wants a limited edition backpack?
🧩 A special unboxing of our puzzle
🕰️ Some of the best art deco in LA

TINY INTERVIEW SERIES: ALEX GALMEANU

Have you ever heard of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series? Well, we have always wondered what was happening behind the lens with many of the talented AWA Ambassadors in the Community, so we decided to start a “Tiny Interview Series” where we get to know them a little better.

Since he was young, Alex knew he wanted to be behind a camera. Probably most well known for his portrait photography, he’s followed in his father’s documentarian footsteps, and has captured some tranquil time capsules that we’re sharing with you today along with a few burning questions we had for the man behind the lens….

Apparently this town was in a movie? Can't quite put our finger on it, but we think it had something to do with Julia Roberts bussing tables. Anywho… the tiny town of Mystic may have seen a rise in fanny pack-sporting dads and disposable camera-wielding moms after the release of this cult classic, but the dedication to historic preservation is the real secret ingredient to this tiny town’s charm. Julia, eat your heart out.

A short scooter ride from the large seaside city of Marseille, the quiet village of Carry-le-Rouet holds all keys to leisurely French Riviera living— including a seasonal Ferris wheel sitting in its harbor. But it also holds a secret. Nestled just above the rocky shore featuring this pierhead light sits an old mansion, once home to one of the greatest French comic actors of the 20th Century…

Calling all seekers! This week we’re giving away a super cool and compact Paper Shoot Camera as our grand prize, and of course some stickers for those runner ups.

Happy hunting!