#mahlin-russo

[sydette]

Dambele, Italy | April 14, '26 🕊🌼🎨

"my hands are stained with ochre and the terracotta floorboards smell of linseed oil. this apartment is small - tiny, really - but the light at 4pm hits my canvas just right. It’s hard to believe I’m finishing my degree here. I have two semesters to soak up the culture, paint to my heart's content, and find my own way in a place so abundant and close-knit."

~ xx lou

[sydette]

Verdemar, Italy | April 18, 2026 ⛵

"I (Gianni) met Lou perched by the docks in Verdemar. This foreign girl in the middle of my hometown, looking like she’d been carved out of the scenery, reading The Muse (for the 10th time, I'd later learn). ‎ ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ Without thought, I sat down next to her, as if I had something worthwhile to say (I did not). She immediately retreated behind her book, peeking at me with the exact expression of, why is this man in my space and why is he acting like it’s normal? Totally fair, in hindsight. ‎‎‎‎ Still, she didn’t leave. Which I think says more about her curiosity (or lack of escape route options) than my charm. ‎‎‎‎ We spoke about life until the sun went down."‎

‎‎‎‎‎

[sydette]

first date ; passeggiata a cavallo 🤎🪻🍑

[sydette]

🌛🌹🌿