Coucou everyone!

In September 1951, 2,000 of the world's richest, most beautiful, and innovative aesthetes flocked to Venice for the "ball of the century," which cost ~$20 million in today's money. Cat tells Kate all about the ball, and the eccentric man who threw it - Count Don Carlos de Beistegui y de Yturbe. Then, Kate tells Cat about a delicious little liqueur - amaro. Andiamo!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

BIG-TIME CHARLIE: THE BEISTEGUI BALL

ALL THAT GLITTERED

When Venice Threw The ‘Ball of the Century’

Venice 1951, when Dior’s legendary elegance was born

Minitopic sources:

Amaro

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - Angeleno Spritz

Cat's recommendation - "The Worst Person In the World" (2021) directed by Joachim Trier

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

We've seen the pictures, and yes she looks incredible on her gondola!  This week we discuss the life of American Peggy Guggenheim in France and Italy. Famous for her extensive and inventive art collecting, she also had the most wild life! It's rumored to be said that she had been with 1,000 lovers! Cat then tells Kate a little bit about Marchesa Luisa Casati! Andiamo to Venezia we go!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Incredible Life of Peggy Guggenheim

Sex and Art by the Grand Canal

NYT: The Collector

Minitopic sources:

MARCHESA CASATI official site

Marchesa Luisa Casati wiki

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - "Under the Riccione/Amalfi Sun" Netflix film series

Cat's recommendation - Alison Roman's Amatriciana

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Described as a "demonic dominatrix," the wife and muse of Salvador Dalí, Gala Dalí, was liked by few and disliked by many. Nevertheless, is she the reason Salvador Dalí is a household name and remembered as one of the most iconic masters of surrealism? We think so!! 

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Gala Dalí’s Life Wasn’t Quite Surreal, but It Was Pretty Strange

When Your Muse Is Also a Demonic Dominatrix

Dali and Gala – The Love Story

The Surreal Romance of Salvador and Gala Dalí

Minitopic sources:

Atlas Obscura

Web Archive

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - "Bad Sisters" AppleTV+

Cat's recommendation - Rebekah Peppler's Roasted Chicken with Prunes

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Every year Chanel does a fashion show around the world to showcase their artisan partners - let's dive into why Chanel does this show and what kinds of artisan partnerships that make sense for the Chanel Metiers d'Art program! Cat then tells us all about the delicious history of the baguette. Vive la France!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Chanel Metiers d'Art Vogue

Chanel Metiers D'Art in Dakar

Minitopic sources:

A Slice of France, the Baguette Is Granted World Heritage Status

Is price of baguettes and other bread fixed by the French government?

French dilemmas: Is your daily bread a normal baguette or the ‘tradition’ version?

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - tortellini en brodo

Cat's recommendation - panetonne french toast

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Who doesn't love a mystery? The Amber Room, called "the 8th wonder of the ancient world," was stolen from Russia and disappeared in the hands of Nazi forces in the early 1940s. Tune in to hear Cat tell Kate all about this room shrouded in mystery and even a curse. Then Kate tells Cat about the evolution of cosmetics in the USSR and it links all the way back to our first episode. Awe!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

The Mystery of the Amber Room

Mysteries of the Amber Room

Amber Room wiki

Minitopic sources:

Soviet Cosmetics

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - "Lady Chatterley's Lover" (2022)

Cat's recommendation - "Detectorists" (2014-2022)

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Let's go to Europe taste the waters! The mineral waters that is! In this episode, Kate tells us all about the history of 'Taking the Waters' once widely prescribed by physicians and we learn why. Getting a little bit technical - we learn why European waters are superior! Cat then tells us about one of the first gay icons of the UK! So pop some Pelligrino (never over ice - this is Europe you heathen) and listen to our newest episode! 

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Taking the Waters

San Pelligrino history

Liquid Death

Evian history

Facts about Water

Martin Riese Tiktok

Minitopic sources:

@Sunderlandempire TikTok

@polyesterzine TikTok

Vesta Tilley wiki

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - Trader Joe's soft pretzels

Cat's recommendation - "Alma's Not Normal" sitcom (2020)

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Potions! Spells! Skeletons! Ghosts! Tune in to this week's ep to to tour Europe and hear all about different Halloween and All Saints Day traditions. Then hear Kate tell a spooky tale of a medieval girl who quite literally disappeared. Eek!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Bizarre, Amazing and Weird Halloween Traditions in Europe

WEIRDEST HALLOWEEN TRADITION IN EUROPE

Queimada (drink)

Halloween Traditions in Europe

Minitopic sources:

Azzurina

Recommendations:

Kate's recommendation - Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

Cat's recommendation - @danwhitlam1 on TT, @danwhitlam on IG

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Join us as we learn about wine from our dear friend Kendal! Hear about her schooling, wine knowledge, and charming wine-making stories from her time spent in Italy and France. We adore you, Kendal!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Recommendations:

Kendal's Recommendation - Try a Sicilian white wine! And read a book by Peter Mayle.

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Sex Work. Let's talk about it. 

Ancient Sex Work to be precise. It was legal back in Ancient Athens and we explore how it worked, how it was taxed and the hierarchies within the sex work system. And we talk about a sex worker so famous, so in her bag that she was immortalized to this very day. Cat then tells us a steamy tale from Homer. Let's go to Greece!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Prostitution in Ancient Athens

Phryne

Ariadesthreads Tiktok

Ancient History Girl

Minitopic sources:

Achilles & Patroclus: Friends or Lovers?

The Best Couples in History — Valentine's Day Special

Recommendations:

Kate's Recommendation - "My Life in Ruins" (2009) directed by Donald Petrie

Catherine's Recommendation - @monalogue on TikTok and Instagram

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!

Coucou everyone!

Sure, you may have been to Versailles and you may know about its kings and Marie Antoinette, but how about its court? Cat tells Kate what it was like to live there, including who was sleeping with who, how foul it smelled, and the pressure that was put on those who lived there. Then Kate tells Cat a cute little Provincial myth. Fun!

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram :)

Main topic sources:

Extreme Stories From The Court Of Versailles

Palace of Versailles wiki

Minitopic sources:

Off Beat France

Recommendations:

Kate's Recommendation - "La Piscine" (1969) directed by Jacques Deray

Catherine's Recommendation - "Versailles" show on Netflix

Cover art and logo by Kate Walker

Mixed and edited by Catherine Roehre

Theme song by Lumehill

Thank you all - ciao!