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Continue reading →: Linguistic Relativity: Does the Language You Speak Shape Your Reality?Does the language you speak change the way you see color, navigate space, and experience time? Explore the world of Linguistic Relativity—from the “blue-less” world of Homer to the internal compasses of the Australian Outback. Discover why your dictionary might be the most powerful filter on your reality.
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Continue reading →: Why You’re Going to Comoros This FebruaryLet’s be honest: February often feels like the world’s longest grey pause — too early for spring, too late to pretend winter is novel. You’re scrolling through photos of blue water, squinting at beaches you’ll never visit because everyone else seems to be there. But what if there was a…
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Continue reading →: The Beauty of the Oxygen-Starved Fire: Lessons from the Black Pottery of MargineaDiscover the ancient Dacian tradition of Marginea black pottery. A reflection on the “sealed kiln,” the Magopăț family lineage, and finding beauty in the end of a line.
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Continue reading →: The Terminal Branch: On Being the Last of One’s NameI am the terminal branch of my family tree. Explore a series on family legacy, disappearing traditions, and the holy dignity found in things that are finishing.
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Continue reading →: The Best Country You’ve Never Heard Of: Why You’re Going to São Tomé and Príncipe This JanuarySkip the January crowds and discover São Tomé and Príncipe. From “The Galápagos of Africa” to world-class chocolate and turtle nesting, find out why this rare gem is your 2026 winter escape.
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Continue reading →: Aesthetics That Shelter (Not Stimulate)Beyond the trends: why quiet aesthetics like old linen, candlelight, and worn wood. Discover why beauty isn’t a preference—it’s a form of shelter and memory.
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Continue reading →: The Case for the Scenic Route (and Actually Feeling Your Own Life)Stop ‘teleporting’ through your travels and start arriving intact. A manifesto for retiring from the cult of efficiency and choosing the ‘scenic route’ as a radical act of nervous system regulation. Discover why the longest way home is often the only way to actually feel your own life.
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Continue reading →: The Aesthetics That Will Define 2026A Visual Forecast for Fashion, Travel, Home & the Way We Live As we head into 2026, design is shifting from surface-level moments to things that endure: not just what photographs well but what truly feels right to live with. After years of rapid trend turnover and disposable visuals, a…
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Continue reading →: What I’m Paying Attention To LatelyNotes on wellness tools, research, and the desire for relief There’s this moment, a quiet moment that comes before most wellness decisions. I’m talking about the moment before starting the routine, making the purchase, and before the research spiral. It’s that moment of wanting something to feel easier. That desire…
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Continue reading →: Explore the Best European Christmas MarketsEuropean Christmas markets embody the essence of the holiday season. They were once the heart of community, where artisans sold their wares and neighbors shared warmth. The markets were lit by candlelight, offering a respite from winter’s chill. Visiting a European Christmas market is like stepping into a timeless tradition.…
By; Kellie John Elsa
Hello!
Welcome to Within the Atelier. I’m Kellie John Elsa, a seeker of unique stories, off-the-beaten-path travels, and curated objects that make a house feel like home.
As someone managing chronic illness, I’ve learned that life is an ‘Atelier’—a space where we are constantly working on, refining, and discovering our best selves. Join me as I explore the intersection of culturally rich living, slow travel, and the intentional practices that keep us well. You can find tons of inspiration on my pinterest too. Thank you for being here!
