Things to love, read, wear & inspire - January & February Edit
The book I loved, the series I've been watching, the skincare products I've been using and the accessories that have added much needed colour to my winter wardrobe...
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What a difference the sun streaming in through the window makes to my mental health. I said to Victor this morning that I feel like I’ve woken up from a two month depression. Without the colour, glitz, parties and anticipation of the festive season, the past two months have felt all doom and gloom (except for my quick 24 hour trip to Florence mid February, which was a much-needed respite). And the year didn’t start well - there were the devastating wildfires in LA at the beginning of January. I have friends living there, so it was horrifying to watch the destruction unfold. Precious landmarks threatened (particularly the Eames House, which I love and visited a few years ago, and which gives me endless inspiration for my interiors projects), whole neighbourhoods wiped out, including beautiful Malibu and people’s livelihoods, all from an uncontrollable natural force. For once it wasn’t manmade, which somehow made it (to me) all the more mortifying. I had my eyes glued to the news and social media for days. Luckily none of my immediate friends were affected, but many friends of friends sadly lost their homes.
Then there’s been the recent political events unfolding in the US, I won’t go into them here, as I try to keep this space light and inspiring, and I certainly don’t need to give the man who should not be named, more airwaves, but the effects of recent actions are being keenly felt over here in Paris and it’s been the main topic of conversation in our house. I’ve felt very helpless and despondent at times, and keep replaying scenes from the Handmaid’s Tale over and over in my mind. Couple all that with drab rainy days and with coming down with the flu two weeks ago (the chesty cough is still lingering) and winter had really taken its toll on my wellbeing. But with a whole week of sunshine on the horizon and temperatures hitting 16 degrees celcius (fingers crossed), I feel like I’m waking from a very long, dark dream, and boy does it feel better.
To end on a positive note, your next newsletter will be a round-up of spring things I have on my wishlist. We have a holiday in Crete booked mid-May before a big life-changing event (more on that soon) and I’m already planning outfits. And so I hope you are all doing well and keeping healthy and happy as best you can. Life can feel really hard at times, but let’s find those silver linings and celebrate them any chance we get, and with gusto! Lastly I just started reading The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin and what an uplifting tonic for the soul this book is. I always reach for a good book, or the positive words of others when times get dark, and it’s been really helpful. So I’ll leave you with this quote:
“One indicator of inspiration is awe. We tend to take so much for granted. How can we move past disconnection and desensitization to the incredible wonders of nature and human engineering all around us? Most of what we see in the world holds the potential to inspire astonishment if looked at from a less jaded perspective. Train yourself to see the awe behind the obvious. Look at the world from this vantage point as often as possible. Submerge yourself. The beauty around us enriches our lives in so many ways. It is an end in itself.”
Le C-Bright Ulé Glow Power Serum: I religiously wear a serum morning and night under my moisturizer and I really enjoyed using this one. I liked the smell, texture and the colour - bright orange - that made me feel like I was applying a product packed with juicy, citrusy Vitamin C for my skin.
Le Monde Béryl velvet ballet flats: Wearing these with no socks whilst in Florence so I could take a few snaps, might have contributed to me falling ill with flu, but I’m glad I did it anyway as they are such a fun pair of flats to pair with jeans. I’m trying to add more colour and interest to my rather minimal wardrobe with brighter hues and patterned accessories. Plus I received a lot of compliments from the Hermès team - when that happens you know you’re doing something right.
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak: I bought this book whilst we were staying in Rye over the Christmas break and have loved it. It’s beautifully crafted; intertwined with real historical events (always a bonus for me) that took place on the island of Cyprus during the war. It tells the story of a forbidden love between a Greek boy and a Turkish girl and how their lives unfold together. It’s incredibly touching and sad in places, but delicate and perfectly paced - I raced through it.
Odacité Bioactive Renew Supreme Cream: I’ve just started using this and am loving the silky, thick texture - I’m using it at night as it’s a heavier cream and my skin feels soft and hydrated before I go to bed. I also really like the pump pot it comes in, making it easy to apply. Plus it’s packed with the brand’s Edelweiss Extrême® Complex, which replenishes skin showing signs of lipid deficiency, aging, dehydration, sensitivity & collagen breakdown - now that I’m in my early 40s, I need all the help I can get!
Corali Lago ring: Victor bought this for me for Christmas. It had to be made to measure (I have tiny fingers) and arrived mid-way through January - a very welcome delivery! It’s a really beautiful piece; I’d been looking for a silver ring to pair with the rest of my silver jewellery and it’s perfect, plus interesting enough to wear on its own!
Prime Target: Give me a series or film that follows the protagonist trying to crack some sort of mathematical or historical code (The Man Who Knew Infinity, The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind) and you’ll have my attention. Admittedly the plot has a few holes and the acting isn’t Oscar-worthy - a shame as it stars man (or should I say boy) of the moment, Leo Woodall, but I’ve been enjoying it anyway and have been waiting patiently each week for a new episode to drop on AppleTV.
COS scarf: by far my best buy of the last couple of months. I’ve worn it every day I’ve stepped outside. It’s cosy and warm, and it’s added a much-needed pop of colour to my dark coloured winter coats.
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