My life was built around ambition: school, work, the next big step.
But one summer, I went back to my roots in southern Spain. Just a short escape. Or so I thought.
That summer turned into every summer. And slowly, I started to understand:
I didn’t need to choose between beach days and big dreams, one fueled the other.
When my media career started to bloom, I should’ve felt proud, and I did,
but I also couldn’t escape my own voice:
did you think about… did you hire… did you do…
It followed me everywhere, in the shower, in the car, even during dinner.
Until one random Saturday, I took a surf class.
And for the first time in forever… it stopped.
Years later came the chance to manage a surf camp in Northern Spain.
It looked like the dream on paper, but the reality felt different.
Crowded, rushed, commercial, not what the ocean was ever meant to be.
That’s when the real idea began to grow:
create something slower, smaller, softer.
A retreat that actually feels like a reset.
That’s exactly what these weeks have become.
For anyone who needs a breath.
Whether it’s in Spain, Portugal, the Philippines or the Maldives,
as long as the ocean’s close, you’ll leave sun-kissed, grounded, and ready to own the city again.
One day in another lifetime me and Ivy were Brandy Melville girls. Two 14/15 year olds working in a clothing store just for girls in the middle of the busy streets of Amsterdam. 10 years later Ivy is still in fashion. Getting the career she dreamed of. But besides that she makes me food, makes me laugh 24/7 and approves any irresponsible purchases I can think of (unless she thinks it’s ugly). Fun fact Ivy is fluent in Spanish. Here talk to her instead:
Hi! I’m Ivy, 24 years old and based in Amsterdam. I work full-time as a production manager for a clothing brand, a job I really enjoy. Besides that, I love to cook and try out new recipes and flavors, especially when I get to cook for others. I may not be the best surfer (yet!), but I absolutely love the ocean, beach vibes, and meeting new people from all over. This edition I’ll be your camp cook, and I can’t wait to serve up some delicious veggie food after a day in the waves. See you soon!
Josie and I met about 3 years ago when I was hungover on her couch, we were strangers but spoke for 6 hours straight that afternoon.
Ever since Josie has inspired me, motivated me and supported me. Josie is a real girls girls she beams this energy to everyone around her.
Besides being a lovely and ambitious woman she’s also the best host and chef ever. There’s never been a day her dishes don’t slap. Even if she whips up random vegan pancakes from scratch one morning, best. pancakes. Ever.I hope you love her food as much as I do. Ps if you know any fun facts about AI tell her.
