R-Rated | February Favourites
Getting out of a sartorial rut, a true crime podcast, the best burger in London and favourite follows
I’ve been in a bit of a funk the past couple of weeks. I have zero right to be in a funk being one of the lucky ones to run away to the sun in January; the vitamin D is topped up as are the trusty SSRI’s. Maybe my daily dose of news podcasts might have something to do with it. I normally have a pretty strong stomach for existential politics but recent oval office interactions made me feel quite desperate really (hence the recommendations for owl Tok and making soup). On the more joyful side, as I’m finishing off this newsletter the sun is pouring in through the windows, my daffodil’s in the garden are starting to bloom and London officially feels like it’s defrosted, mentally and physically.
Even amidst some lacklustre feelings, there’s a lot to recommend and a lot to love so let’s get into it.
Wearing
The aforementioned funk really came through in getting dressed. I feel like I’ve been in a real rut, probably because I’ve had a little too much time at home recently which always makes me feel like I don’t know how to get dressed anymore when I do need to go out. I always find adjusting from freezing to warm, Spring days tricky. I’m much better in the full throes of a season as it takes me a minute to get my bearings. That’s why I love getting dressed on holiday; I’m just in the zone. This video from the brilliant Allison Bornstein really reminded me of the power in taking risks when getting dressed and not playing it too safe which I always fall back on when I’m feeling a bit lacklustre.
In the spirit of getting back to myself sartorially, I’ve done a big wardrobe cleanse recently. Not so much getting rid of things, more taking everything out and starting afresh in terms of storage. I need to be able to see my clothes more so I’m not grabbing the same things every day. I’m someone who if I can’t see something, it doesn’t exist. I bought some of these storage boxes for storing smaller evenings bags so I can see what I have and have these open boxes inside the bottom of each cupboard to store jeans or knits that aren’t on constant rotation but you don’t want to store away.
The things I have been reaching for on repeat are speckled knits; my moss green Navy Grey hoodie and Guest in Residence oversized nutty cashmere. Both feel like exactly what I want to wear over a glimpse of white t-shirt or under a leather jacket on colder days. They have that hardy, Cornish fisherman feel to them which I love. I can imagine wearing them with denim shorts come summer too.
This made-to-order basket I ordered from Entrudo arrived this week too just to cement this Yvess Klein blue as my current colour of choice. I love the mix of wicker and leather for that one step into Spring feeling. Switching up bags like this always helps me feel instantly more interesting.
Sometimes having a more formal event can jumpstart a lack of wardrobe creativity. I had a family church event recently and while not my usual habitat or favourite way to dress, it’s a good way to dig into parts of your wardrobe you might not wear that much and challenge yourself to get dressed a bit differently. I got to wear this Donni cocktail/car coat and Cordera bag, two pieces I’ve been looking at longingly in my wardrobe while it’s been grey and chilly. I topped it with a Toteme furry collar which was actually way too warm in the sun but I like the extra layer of Grey Gardens it added to the eclectic grandma vibe. Not pictured but I always think useful to know what’s underneath, I was wearing this short-sleeved knit from Doen - that blue again!
Last but not least, I’m suddenly really into all-black trainers. I’ve been wearing these Salomon Alpinway Advanced daily recently for walks in the park, running between errands and jobs and meeting friends during the day. They’re kind of nerdy but I way prefer them to the normal Salomon’s everyone now has - they just feel more subtle and less zeitgeisty which I’m craving right now. I think it says a lot about where we’re at in life that this dog lead got so many questions when I posted a pic on Instagram recently so I’ve linked that too. It’s bougie but it’s our favourite and we have it in two colours.
Watch List
I still haven’t seen Bridget Jones!! But I’ve watched lots of other things.
Speak No Evil - An English-speaking remake of a Danish horror of the same name, I watched this on the plane recently and have been urging all fellow dark thriller fans to watch since. I feel like it slightly flew under the radar a bit but it’s one of the better, more original edge-of-your-seat thrillers I’ve seen in a while. James McAvoy is exceptional as the central charismatic narcissist and there are so many ‘where would you draw the line/when would you say something’ moments. Even more creepy when you consider it was ‘inspired’ by an experience the director had after meeting another couple on holiday….
Boyzone: No Matter What - I wasn’t really even a boyzone fan apart from a mandatory Stephen Gately crush aged ten but this documentary was truly fascinating and brilliantly put together. It felt really honest and authentic in terms of the highs, the lows and the motivations of the different members and really shined a light on the manufactured pop of the 1990s and the truly awful era of press and media of the day. And boy does Louis Walsh shows his true colours… Yikes.
White Lotus - Obsessed with the latest season already. The characters as per usual are pitch perfect, from the truly hateful (Patrick Schwarzenegger’s sex-obsessed Bro) to the so-far, so-loved (Natsaha Rothwell’s joy-filled Hawaiian resort transplant and Aimee Lou Wood’s unwaveringly positive professional girlfriend). And that scene between the three girlfriends discussing politics…. perfection.
Awards Season - I’ve caught up on lots of award-season nominees lately. We watched Conclave last weekend which blew me away in terms of cinematography and felt very hopeful in the world-news landscape of late, and I saw A Real Pain at the cinema too which left me feeling a wobbly blend of joy and sadness. Poignant, very funny and quietly moving all at once, it follows two very different cousins as they chart their late grandmother’s Jewish history in Poland.
Amandaland - I’ve watched it twice already and it’s rapidly becoming my comfort watch just like Motherland. I was sceptical if it could be as good as Motherland but two episodes in and it was clear it 100% matched it. Love all the new characters and cast and Amanda being on the back foot is exactly where she needs to be to be just about bearable. I just wish it was twice as long and the next season was due to land next week.
Good Read
It doesn’t surprise me at all that Yael van der Wouden’s debut novel ignited a nine-way bidding war for the U.S and U.K. The Safe Keep captured me from the very first chapter thanks to it’s frosty, uptight protagonist Isabel whose simple, safe life in her family’s elegant country home in the Dutch countryside is thrown into disarray when her rogueish brother’s girlfriend comes to stay for an extended period of time. Set fifteen years after the end of world war II in the height of summer, it has that simmering feeling throughout that you can’t help but be enthralled by as the whole thing boils over. It’s so cinematic in it’s prose I’m already imagining this as a movie and the entire cast and location and if done right, it will be incredible. It really shed light on some aspects of early 20th century history that passed me by too and the generational impact of those acts (I don’t want to say anything else not to spoil anything). A must-read.
Wellbeing
Two great things I’ve treated my outer self too lately include a beautiful, sculpting, hydrating facial at the hands of Katherine of KMP skin. The only person I entrust my skin to ahead of a photo shoot or a big event. Always nurturing and bespoke but never abrasive or stripping, I always leave feeling nourished and lifted with zero downtime.
I agree that my brows look GREAT here and that’s because they were freshly done by Anu at 180 Health Club. Anu shapes them, tints them to just match my natural colour and we don’t do any lamination. Never had anyone else do my brows and now I wouldn’t trust anyone else to touch them.
The second thing was a semi-permanent keratin hair treatment at Josh Wood with Kat. I’ve been toying with having some kind of de-frizzing hair treatment for a while and finally took the plunge before going to Caribbean. It’s honestly been game-changing for my naturally textured, frizzy hair, especially in the Caribbean humidity but also back home. I really can wash and air dry without the fluff. Apparently it lasts 3 months and it’s been about 8 weeks now but I already know I’ll be having another one in time for summer. Zero regrets.
Eating
I totally fell for the Dubai chocolate hype this month, so far in that I actually asked for a bar from my husband as part of my birthday present. I’ll concede it’s actually criminally expensive for chocolate and thus far from a regular indulgence, but honestly…. it’s worth the hype. (you can get it on Deliveroo in London and I’m sorry in advance for letting you know this).
More sophisticated eating was had at Dove, Jackson Boxer’s re-imagined neighbourhood bistro at the same location as his much-loved Notting Hill staple Orasay. More designed to share than it’s predecessor, with a focus on relaxed eating but with the same dedication to amazing ingredients it also boast one of the most phenomenal burgers you can eat in London. So much so, there’s only 10 up for grabs a day. Don’t skip the soft serve with olive oil to finish either.
Listening
In between a lot of political podcasts, there have been some new true crime additions to my library recently. Sounds kind of crass to say I enjoyed it but I raced through Lucky Boy from Tortoise media. It investigates how a schoolboy’s life is derailed by a ‘relationship’ with his 27 year old female teacher and how quickly society dismisses sexual abuse by a female perpetrator both then (the abuse happened in the 1980s) and now.
Equal parts depply troubling and fascinating, The Pitcairn Trials explores the dark history of these little-known islands in the Pacific, known for being home to the descendents of the mutineers of the 18th century explorer ship Bounty. It’s a tough listen (*child abuse and sexual violence) but an amazingly compiled insight into an incredibily insular, unknowable society and the troubled journey for justice in one of the remotest places in the world. The photo below was taken by a contemporary artist and photo journalist Rhiannon Adams who went to stay on Pitcairn island for 18 months. She also features on the podcast and her time on the island is pretty damning in itself.
Making
One of my New Year’s ‘tries’ (me and resolutions don’t get along) is to try and batch cook more. I’ve made the below soup so many times already this year and it’s the perfect working from home lunch that last 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. I’ll have some as an afternoon snack too if I only manage to grab a small lunch on the go.
Roast 200g of tomatoes with half an onion, garlic cloves, olive oil, sea salt and some thyme.
When soft and slightly charred, transfer thr tomatoes to a pot on the hob and add a tablespoon of tomato puree or some pasatta (whatever you have), bone broth/chicken stock, a 400g jar of butter beans (I love Bold Bean Co ones) and plenty of seasoning. I add a tsp of smoked paprika or chilli flakes if I want some spice. Let it all simmer down for 2-3 minutes.
Blitz until smooth with a hand held blender (add more water if needed), stir in a whole pot of cottage cheese and blend that in too and you’re done. Season to taste and stir to warm through thoroughly. It’s packed with protein and fibre, the beans make it really creamy and filling and the tomatoes and bone broth are amazing for your skin too. I’ll have some rye bread with avocado, cheese or houmous on the side too. So good.
Following
My new favourite Tiktok account is my new way to self-soothe. Every time one of these amazing birds pops up on my feed with a gentle explanation of who and what they are my nervous system takes a few deep breaths. I couldn’t love this falconry centre in Yorkshire more right now. I mean look at Shadow!
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I also adore Meet Cutes NYC for a little mini social media take on the famous NY Time’s Modern Love column. I swoon everytime and these two were particularly adorable.
Like just about everyone else, I’m in love with Akilah Cohen and her renovation lols. Just wish I’d found her in the midst of ours. Hilarious and original, it’s no wonder she’s already been tapped by the Modern House for their video content. Plus her weekly wishlist’s always throw something new onto my radar I love, case in point this blueberry bowl.
I feel nourished and wholesome just looking at Dr Natazia’s instagram. Specialising in women’s health and digestion, she posts simple wellness tips rooted in Chinese medicine including wholesome gut-friendly recipes (think bolognese, banana bread and warming soups and teas rather than salads and smoothies), tips and advice.
Everything Else
I’m very into what I like to call ‘no makeup but a bit of help’. You’re not bare-faced but you haven’t really done anything.
You know I love Ilia and their Super Skin tinted SPF 30 serum is like a really light, sheer tinted moisturiser but it has proper coverage. This plus some blusher and I feel good to go. I’ve also been loving the Vieve Super Skin Nova which is like if a moisturiser, a primer and a highlighter had a baby. It looks like it’s tinted but it more just adds a little glow and life to my skin without weighing it down. It’s like a wearable filter almost and great on it’s own or as a base for proper makeup.
I wish I was too cool to be a Stanley girl but I shamelessly love mine and it truly helps me keep on top of drinking water (sounds ridiciulous but I genuinely find it hard to drink from a regular glass without spilling it down myself - if you ever have a drink with me in a bar you’ll see). But a Stanley-esque water bottle you can throw in a bag? I was instantly sold and it works.
Let me know if I’ve missed any links! Until next time, Lxxx
Goes immediately to buy Entrudo basket
Always the best recs and finds without a doubt. Thrilled to see you have been reunited with the boat shoes too!