with... Brooke Le Poer Trench
GET COSY
Around this time of year, my knitwear obsession returns. In London, I knew exactly where to go: @thisiswhistles has affordable cashmere roll-necks... @toast has the best shades of navy in super soft blends... @americanvintage_officiel has the softest cardigans in every shade of the rainbow. I also like to steal my husbands wool work jumpers which he buys from some man store in all the neutral shades, from dove grey to sky blue. It’s totally worth the marital spat. Closer to home, I’ve been lusting after @ilovemrmittens cable neck crew for the longest time... and the @little_tienda Ruth cardigan too.
STORYTELLING
It’s sometimes hard to connect the news with what is actually happening in the world to people living their lives... and no show tells these stories better than The Daily podcast from the NY Times. When I first started listening, Michael Barbaro’s voice kind of grated on me, but now my day isn’t complete without his soothing voice in my ear. Two interviews that really stayed with me: Reopening, Warily (May 15) and The Story of Two Brothers from Mexico (May 26). I dare you not to cry.
A LITTLE HELP
The last book I inhaled was Normal People by Sally Rooney. I loved it so much that I couldn’t bare to pick up another work of fiction too soon... so I’ve just started @glennondoyle memoir Untamed and I’m hooked. This book is well-timed for me, because the slower pace of lockdown (and reduced hours at work) has given me time to reflect on what I really want… and surprise, surprise, it might not be I’m doing right now. This is a perfectly-timed book that helps you break down some of the underlying assumptions that can hold us back.
FREEZE!
I have the upmost respect for my friends who have been fine-tuning their sourdough-baking skills of late. I really, really do. I’m honestly not triggered by it at all. Promise! As for me, I’m sick of cooking right now, but not eating. So I’ve been subsidizing with incredible home-cooking delivered by @mrsliks. The yellow chicken curry is seriously good... and not just for frozen food. I have been to Vietnam and her curry is up there with the dishes I ate there.
WANNABE SKANDI
When I want an interior timeout, I go down the @dinesen rabbit-hole. If you don’t dig plywood joinery and insanely wide Douglas Fir floorboards, don’t bother. I also like to dream of building an @archiblox house on a plot of land with nothing around us but trees and horizon. For now, to jazz up my inner-city terrace, I’ve been enjoying the gardenia bushes we bought on a recent run to Flower Power. I’m also planning winter tablescapes inspired by @fionaleahydesign... there’s nothing like fairy lights and gum leaves to elevate a dining experience!
YOUNG AT HEART
It’s hard to find TV shows everyone in the family can watch, but Home Before Dark (Apple TV) is one of them. It’s about a 10-year-old, murder-solving journalist and her dad. In terms of grown-up viewing, I watched Normal People (Stan) after reading the book, and it did not disappoint. Also, the leads (@daisyedgarjones and @paul.mescal) are divine. If, like me, you around 26 years old on the inside, you will be obsessed.
COPYCATS
I really had a giggle looking at all the ways people have recreated famous works of art during global lockdowns @tussenkinstenquarantine. I mean, the level of effort some people have gone to is impressive. Is it wrong that I’m going to miss spending all my time at home? Now that the kids are back at school, maybe I’ll try to recreate my own work of art between Zoom meetings and dog walks.
