Things to love, read, wear & inspire - May Edit
The books and series I devoured, wardrobe pieces and beauty products I've loved this month and the body oil I've been lathering on my bump!
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It’s been a while since I last wrote one of these—life has been nothing less of a whirlwind lately as I juggle work projects and prepare for the arrival of a small person in our lives. Last Saturday, while we were in the 6ème to check out a few things at the Zara Home flagship (I’d had my eye on a couple of pieces and wanted replace our daily use drinking glasses that we’ve broken), I suggested to Victor that we pop into Petit Bateau just for fun. There’s nothing like holding up tiny babygrows for the first time to your tummy, to make it suddenly feel very real. And yet, somehow, it still feels strangely abstract. I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that there’s a tiny human growing inside me—and that they’ll be arriving earthside next month! I imagine this is how most first-time pregnant women feel in the final stretch?!
At the same time haven’t had much head space to really process it all. Between work, travel, hospital and midwife appointments, life has been a blur. My mum is amazed I’m still functioning normally in my eighth month of pregnancy (occasional baby brain aside). She always says she was so bovine when pregnant with me—lounging around in the heat of the Emirates without the demands of work (I was born in Sharjah).
Books and TV
Despite the busyness, I’ve managed to consume a fair amount of material recently. I finished two books while we were in Crete. Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, which although outside my usual preferences—modern, raw, very real—I finished it in record time as Mellors is such a brilliant writer. Her insight into relationships and the inner workings of her characters’ minds really stayed with me. I also read Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookshop by Robin Sloan, which I found less erudite but equally enjoyable as an adventurous escape. Plus I picked it up during my trip to San Francisco (where the story is set) from The City Lights bookshop, which has become one of my favourite bookshops for its selection, recommendations and of course Beat history, and which made reading the book all the more meaningful.
Besides reading, a good series is still the main way I unwind and clear my head of my constant do-to list, and I’ve watched a variety this past month. My favourite by far was A Discovery of Witches—a perfect blend of magic, history, sizzling chemistry, and a sexy vampire (hello, Matthew Goode). It ticked all my boxes, and I devoured it. I also raced through Ransom Canyon - who knew watching brooding ranchers wearing cowboy hats could be equally as entralling?
Nesting & Interiors
Part of our baby prep has involved turning our guest room into a nursery and painting the walls (I say “our,” but it’s been mostly Victor doing the heavy lifting!) We used Farrow & Ball’s Cooking Apple Green, a paint that’s been sitting in a cupboard for two years. It was originally intended for what was going to be a guest room/my office, but it works beautifully as a gender-neutral nursery colour.
We do know our baby’s sex, but we still wanted a space that didn’t lean too much one way or the other. Plus, the room will continue to double up as a guest room for visiting family and friends from the UK—so I didn’t want anything too babyish. I’ll be sharing more nursery details soon.
Style Staples
I packed some brilliant pieces for our trip to Crete (you can read about it and everything I brought with me here), but I used and wore a couple of items more than most: the ERES Summer striped cotton voile kaftan, which I wore almost daily - I felt very elegant in it at breakfast every morning - and the By Malene Birger Raffia Tote Bag, which became our carry-all for water, books, cameras, and sunscreen. The Reformation x Jimmy Fairly Jade Sunglasses sadly didn’t arrive in time for the trip, but I’ve worn them constantly since we got back—every time the sun’s been out that is, which hasn’t been enough.
Skincare & Bump Essentials
I’ve also tried a few standout skincare products recently. I’m loving the Merit concealer stick and blush (Cream Flush blush in Lusitano) —both easy to apply and perfect for a low-effort (but looks like you made some) look. And I’ve been lathering the Goop body oil on my watermelon-sized tummy. I’m going to put together a maternity essentials list soon because there are definitely a few things I couldn’t have managed without these past few months.
Thanks as always for reading and leave any questions in the comment section. Marissa xx
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I absolutely devoured Blue Sisters. So well written, and now I'm excited to read Cleopatra and Frankenstein!