My recommendations
A little blog about my new discoveries and old favourites
Caffeine en rose
When my old espresso machine broke, I decided to steer clear of black and magnolia, and replace it with this candy pink gem from Smeg. It uses ground coffee (rather than those annoying pods) and has worked like a dream for several years.
Summer sweetspot
Someone has really got these right. I often genuinely prefer dairy-free alternatives anyway, but these are particularly awesome. If you spot them, I definitely recommend.
Let your canine take control
You are going to need a dog (hence the link to Dogs Trust), and you’re going to need some basic rules too (DO NOT WALK IN THE ROAD). However, once you have those things sorted, this was really fun! Like this woman who inspired me, I needed lots of patience (my dog wanted to stand at a crossroad for a full 10 minutes), but he also took me to some lovely local parks (using routes we had never taken before), and it was genuinely very interesting!
Dairy-free Ben and Jerry’s
For a variety of reasons, including tummy aches, I don’t eat much dairy. So, when I heard that Ben and Jerry’s was launching vegan ice cream I was excited. It took me ages to try it (I think it launched first in the US), but now it seems to be available from all the big UK supermarkets. Chocolate chip cookie dough is my favourite. I’ve tried quite a few non-dairy ice creams, but for me this one is the closest experience to the real deal. Give it a whirl.
Cheery, charitable, cherry brandy
When it comes to alcohol, I normally stick to wine. However, once in a while, I do love a cherry brandy, and this one is particularly tasty. I love the cute little bottle, which looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland (use it later as a mini vase). This is a great time to support English Heritage, which cares for over 400 historic places. Their online shop also has lots of other lovely things if you are considering Christmas shopping with a conscience.
Windows worth waiting for
Here’s me banging on about The Body Shop again, but I’m very excited to have ordered something guaranteed to brighten my December… These windows offer something so much more than a square of chocolate, and we all definitely deserve one this year, so get shopping before they sell out (enter your email if they do, and they let you know when they have restocked). There’s three to choose from at £50, £70 and £130.
‘Homeless Tartan’ face coverings
You might have seen Nicola Sturgeon (First Minister of Scotland) wearing a beautiful tartan face covering, and now I have one too! The reusable masks by Slanj Kilts are really comfortable and raise money for Shelter Scotland. Check out their other products featuring ‘Homeless Tartan‘.
Wait, there are new Poirot novels?
Mais oui! I have now listened to four of Sophie Hannah’s new Poirot novels on Audible, and I can confirm they are all fantastic. Having read/watched ALL of Agatha Christie’s work, it is wonderful to enjoy new novels featuring Hercule and his “little grey cells”. The illusion is so “magnifique”, that you’d really need some sort of genius detective to work out the ruse!
Exploring black lives in Tudor times
Well… I DO love it when lovely friends thank me at the end of their books (!), but even if Miranda Kaufmann hadn’t done this… I’d still be massively recommending Black Tudors: The Untold Story, especially during Black History Month. Instead of focusing on psycho Henry VIII or his poor wives again (bleurgh), Miranda delves into the experiences of musicians, divers, sailors and other fascinating figures whose stories deserve more attention.
Janet Wang’s online talks
It’s actually quite hard to describe how cool my friend Janet is, but I will try! Janet (who studied computer science at Cambridge and originally worked in finance) published a wonderful book about Chinese wine in 2019. This year, she’s been running fortnightly online wine events, where you can also learn a little Mandarin. The sessions are free, but you’ll want drinks!
Irresistible Irish knitwear
The Aran Sweater Market is my new favourite online shop, and I am already planning to buy most of my Christmas presents from there! I am particularly loving their beautiful blankets and cosy cardigans. I’m not going to lie, it is going to be hard to “gift” some of these things… Reader, I need all of them!
A film that lives up to its name
This Beautiful Fantastic is the kind of film that I could watch over and over (and I probably will). I had never heard of it, and found it by chance, but it left me feeling calm and enchanted. It has a very Amelie-like feel, so if you enjoyed that French classic, I think you are almost guaranteed to like it. Give it a try, especially if you are feeling a bit down. It’s highly likely to lift your mood.
Explore introversion and extroversion
My mother recommended Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking to me several years ago, but it has taken me ages to read it. Susan Cain’s fascinating book explores possible differences in the human brain between introverts and extroverts, and argues that Western society tends to undervalue and misunderstand introverted people.
Flowers through your letterbox
I’ve been using Bloom and Wild for years, and I particularly like their bouquets that fit through your letterbox. Their arrangements always seem to last an incredibly long time, and during COVID-19, when many of us are spending more time than ever at home, maybe it is time to treat yourself or show some extra kindness to someone you love?
Can we be more true to ourselves?
I decided to buy Untamed by Glennon Doyle after reading a recommendation by Adele. It didn’t disappoint. My favourite quote from the book is: “We can do hard things.” Positive thinking has it’s place, but this is a book about really embracing reality. It emphasises the importance of getting quiet to really listen to yourself. It’s a book about embracing what your really want rather than denying what you truly feel or numbing yourself.
Favourite self care treat
I have a real soft spot for The Body Shop, partly because they cared about the ethical treatment of animals before it was mainstream… and partly because I worked in one of their shops as a student. I have combination skin, and this Vitamin C peel is absolutely perfect for me. The summery smell will put a spring in your step and, honestly, my skin has never felt so clean or soft.
Quirky fruit and veg boxes
I have asthma and have been taking social distancing particularly seriously, but since signing up to Oddbox one thing I have never had to worry about is going to the shops for fruit or veg. Oddbox has been an amazing lockdown discovery and has been incredibly reliable. I get the mixed box recommended for 1-2 people. Sometimes I add on extra cherries and gobble them up almost instantly.
August 2020
Work out for free from home!
I can hardly believe I am writing this (as I am fairly exercise-phobic), but during COVID-19, I have been consistently working out online for free with Patrick Hutchinson on Instagram. His workouts are intense, but I cannot recommend them enough. I also cannot wait to read his book, which is coming out soon and can be ordered in advance.
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