10 Loves #9

1.     We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Jane Fowler was a smart and surprising book, unlike anything else I’ve read and certainly not what I was expecting. Put it on your list, trust me.

2.    I spent some quality time with myself at the beginning of the month when I house sitted for my sister and her husband while they were away with my niece. I wallowed in the glory that was a long weekend of lie ins, movie days, pastries, and early morning runs. What a way to welcome the month.

3.    Clarins’ Skin Beauty Repair Serum provides some serious SOS.

4.    I’ve begun watching Easy on Netflix after pressing pause on Gilmore Girls for the time being while I accept the fact I don’t live in Stars Hollow or go to Yale. I’m only a few episodes in but I’m enjoying it so far.

5.    Man Repeller’s horoscopes are hilarious; critic converted (but don’t tell)

6.    Shout out to Amy Schumer, whose live show me and my friend saw this month in Manchester. She is hella smart and an all round queen.

7.    I could write a whole post about trailers for movies I’m exciting to see in the coming months but for now I’ll leave you with La La Land and Lion.

8.    It’s beginning to feel like autumn and I’ve been celebrating by making a soup every week. My courgette and carrot soup is already this season’s staple (did you notice how I turned into a fashion blogger there?)

9.    This lovely interview with Bon Iver made wonderful reading.

10. One Song into the first listen of Solange’s new album, A Seat at the Table and I knew it was my new favourite; listening to it is how I imagine world peace would feel. 

Photo courtesy of Man Repeller

Ear- Worms

I’m currently living in what I can only describe as a podcast moment. If I have my headphones in, whether I’m on the bus, falling asleep in bed, or on the way home from work, I will be listening to a podcast. To illustrate, as I type these very words I’m listening to a podcast while my soup is cooking.

Here are some of the podcasts that have turned into ear-worms and which I highly recommend to keep you company when you don’t want to talk to the humans in your immediate vicinity.

First up, The Memory Palace is a piece of magic I discovered over a year ago and have been working my way through at snails pace, even though it’s intense, detailed snippets of forgotten history are something I could devour in a day. To anyone who doesn’t yet love history, one episode of this will change your mind. I learnt a Swedish word recently; hyggae, which translates to feelings of cosiness and comfort, is what this podcast will induce.

A more recent addition to my little collection of podcasts is The Washington Post’s The Presidential, which I am so obsessed with I want every quiet moment to be filled with it. In every episode, Lillian Cunningham introduces and analyses an American President, beginning with George Washington, and will soon end with Barack Obama. Some of the episodes I surprise myself with how much I know, and others are completely new to me. It’s another history lesson, but it’s made very current, particularly by Cunningham’s recurring question she asks of each President , “What would have been like on a first date?” Much lols. So if you’ve ever wondered even for a split second what it would have been like to date Thomas Jefferson, this is your chance ladies.

Next on my list of obsessively listening to total strangers talk at length about things that don’t affect me is The Run Up. Created by the New York Times specifically in honour of the run up (aahh I see whatcha did there) to November’s Presidential election, it explores the deeper meaning behind the week’s events and election coverage. It’s so refreshing to hear academics talk in depth about the current election, allowing you to cut through some of the absolute crap and dwell on some of the more important issues rearing their heads during this election. But heads up, feminist analysis of the patriarchy and the role of gender roles/bias in the election this is not. *eyeroll* 

Another favourite of mine to have in the background to make a super boring activity more interesting is Monocycle, the creation of Man Repeller’s Leandre Medine. If you love hearing people’s meandering thoughts spoken aloud like me, this one is for you. It’s what I imagine my stream of consciousness would sound like if I were a high heeled fashion writer running around Manhattan all day and Brooklyn all night. (Excuse me while I day dream about that for a fair few minutes).

Finally, an oldie but a goldie. Serial, from the makers of This American Life, is essentially a murder mystery. The genius behind both podcasts is Sarah Koenig ad we follow her as she investigates the sketchy conviction of Adnan Sayed for the killing of his girlfriend Hae Min Lee. It’s the original Making of a Murderer if you like. Did I mention it’s a true story, and the case is still developing?

What I've read on the web this week #2

1. Man Repeller never gets old

2. I loved reading this surprisingly quaint and familiar insight into how the leader of the free world works, including the now famous 7 almonds which get him through late nights at the White House. 

3. Yes, I read an in- depth post-colonial critique of Harry Potter in my spare time, just in case you weren't sure how niche my interests were.

4. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Zizek Manoeuvre. This really made me chuckle. Watch your backs, political nerds of Manchester 

5. This situation in LA, reported by the Washington Post, shows how easy it is for inequalities to be reinforced by lazy, ill thought- through, or out of date legislation. Yet, in this case the journalist seems to end up concluding the state is favouring teacher job security over the quality of teaching purposefully. 

6. Here’s some solid career and life advice from Caroline, who also confirms once and for all that it’s not socially acceptable to eat donuts before 11am 

What has tickled your fancy online lately?

Image courtesy of The Pool 

10 Loves #8

1.    Obama’s photographer has captured his most heart-warming and historic moments of his 8 years in office

2.    My talented and hard- working friend produced Shout! The Mod Musical to rave reviews

3.    Margot Price, because it turns out I love country music

4.    The Girl on the Train had me on tenterhooks as I devoured it over 4 days (which is fast for me!)

5.    Fearne Cotton’s Cook Happy Cook Healthy is my food bible for the time being

6.    My fish shaped ice from Ikea have been giving me life

7.    The Tate Modern has opened a brand new extension and I can’t wait to visit and take it all in

8.    I’ve been starting my mornings right with this iced coffee recipe which I talked about here. It was great for the 5 days of summer we enjoyed

9.    This Guardian article summarised my frustrations about British Politics and was featured in this post, while Gordon Brown wrote a great op-ed in the New York Times about why the world needs a Britain influencing and cooperating in Europe.

10. Feast your eyes on the gorgeous new collection by Doen.

Let's Get Real: TV

Gone are the days when TV was all about escaping your boring life and living out your dreams through SJP on Sex in the City, and pretending to be a spoilt rich kid on The O.C. Don’t get me wrong, I love diving back into those box sets once in a while, but mostly I’m all about the here and now; I want to RELATE, people. I don’t love reality TV (unless I’m nursing a hangover and the Kardashians are on, of course) but give me a storyline a tad close to the bone and you’ve got me hooked. Here are some of my down-to-earth TV favourites that will have you shouting, “I hear ya!”.

WARNING: Don’t watch any of these with your parents

Broad City

This show began its life as a web series, so it’s safe to say it had humble beginnings. It follows Abby and Ilana, who are two twenty-something year olds trying to figure their lives out in New York City, but find themselves not getting very far. Definitely watch this if you’re feeling low about your achievements, it will have you whispering YAS KWEEN, in no time. And how can you resist a Hillary Clinton cameo?

Girls

If you haven’t watched Girls yet, you’ve either been living under a rock for 5 years or you’re moving in the wrong circles. Created by the goddess that is Lena Dunham, the show has broken boundaries and brought us stories that are sometimes crazy, but often universal. I have cried, laughed, been repulsed and amazed by Girls, and I would recommend it to any woman or man. Expect plenty of self-realisation storylines and lots of lessons learnt. The most accurate portrayal of what it’s like to be a young woman in my books. The writing is never lazy or predictable. The most recent season left me with shivers after every episode.

Inside Amy Schumer

This is another show which has seemingly insane storylines but actually reveals universal truths that every woman will be able to relate to. Amy Schumer plays a version of herself, in many strange scenarios and with a boat load of cameos .I am in awe of how honest Amy Schumer is, and she never fails to make me howl with laughter. Just trust me and watch it, okay?

Master of None

I didn’t really know what to expect when I added to this to my Netflix list; all I knew was that it starred and was written by Aziz Ansari, so it was bound to be good. Turns out I wasn’t prepared for quite how complex and multi-faceted it would be, not to mention how freakin stylish. It’s safe to say it’s right up my street. You can definitely enjoy this if you just want a laugh, but also if you want to learn something and have a think. One episode focuses on what it’s like to be a second generation ethnic immigrant compared with what their parents went through, and another explores the absurdity of racial stereotyping in Hollywood. It’s safe to say all bases are covered.

Happy Weekend!

Summer Skincare Staples

Now I don’t know about you, but my skin comes into its own during the warmer months. Whether its staying super hydrated with San Pellegrino or the distinct lack of wind and snow blowing in my face, I can’t quite be sure why my skin is at its best in summer. One thing I can be sure of, is that I really like to go all out in making the most of my summer glow, in the hope that someone might mistake it for a sign I’ve spent 3 weeks in Bali. With that in mind, here are my summer skincare staples…

NARS tinted moisturizer in Greonland SPF 15

This beauty is basically on my face from May to September. It’s perfect because I don’t even need to wear moisturizer underneath, and even has SPF 30. It brightens my face and adds a hint of tan, doing exactly what it says on the tin.

Glow rating: 8.5/10

Clarins Hydra Quench Day Cream SPF 30

There are no two ways about it, my skin LOVES this stuff. It’s my perfect moisturizer and I frankly live in fear of the day it’s discontinued *God forbid*. It’s soothing and creamy and sinks into the skin perfectly so your summer glow doesn’t turn into an oily mess.

Glow rating: 9/10

Clarins facial sun cream

This is ideal for those super sunny days, or if you’re actually spending 3 weeks in Bali (lucky you) as it provides high protection against UVA and UVB rays. You can wear it either under makeup or on its own, as it doesn’t feel thick and gross like most facial sun creams

Glow rating: 8/10

LaRoche-Posay Serozinc Spray

I’m pretty sure this is meant to be a toner, but I use this as a cooling/soothing spray after a good ol’ exfoliation. I spray it generously on my face, pretending I’m a model, then leave it to sink in. It’s one of those products that I can’t put my finger on what it does exactly, but wouldn’t quite feel the same without it.

Glow rating: 7/10

StTropez Express tan

I am pale as hell and it’s never more obvious than in summer, so I need all the help I can get. This fake tan is like my skin but better, and is that perfect olive shade meaning you don’t need to worry about looking like an orange disaster. You can leave it on for up to 3 hours depending on your desired shade. I like to leave it on for just over an hour, and voila, my skin is perfectly sun- kissed!

Glow rating: 9/10

10 Loves #7

1.    It’s been a bit of a month for music hasn’t it? Honourable mentions include the indisputable work of art that is Beyoncé’s LEMONADE, and Chance the Rapper’s amazing new album. I can’t wait to find the time to give James Blake’s latest masterpiece a listen too.

2.    My pin collection…Be jealous. 

 

3.    Obama’s final White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech. Did I mention I’m gonna miss this guy? You can watch him slay here. #NerdProm

4.    Journaling…There’s something about keeping a journal I find so romantic, yet I have never been able to keep one going for a substantial amount of time. Having recently gone through some of my Grandma’s diary, which she’s written in every single day since she was about 7 she reckons, I’ve been inspired to give it another go. 

5.    Shakespeare…this month saw me watch King Lear at the Royal Exchange on the 400^th anniversary of this dude’s death as well as book tickets to see Macbeth at the Globe in July. I’ve been very lucky to have seen loads of different Shakespeare productions, including Hamlet twice, and haven’t seen a bad one yet. You really can’t beat the Bard.

6.    Movies I watched this month included Midnight Special which I highly recommend (I have weird crush on Michael Shannon now) and Lost In Translation for the faffilionth time. 

7.    Ruby Tandoh’s article (which I mentioned in my last post) about what lies beneath the ‘Wellness’ industry.

8.    Donald Trump pretended to be his own publicist and you can listen to it here.

9.    Rudy’s Pizza…I treated myself to some Neapolitan Pizza and loved every second. Me and my friend got a margarita each and shared a garlic bread. It induced some MAJOR flashbacks to the time me and my sister went on a day trip to Naples just to eat at the ‘world’s greatest’ pizza place. No regrets. 

10. Hamilton is coming to London next year and me and my friend didn’t freak out on twitter at all.

10 Loves #6

1.    Country runs…not loving the shin splints I now have though.

2.    Girl’s season 5 spotify playlist…I have been absolutely loving this fifth and penultimate season of Girls so far, in particular The Panic in Central Park which was a beautiful and touching episode centred around Marnie. Every episode surprises me. It’s worth catching up if you’re behind. The soundtrack to the season will get you in the mood!

3.    My dad’s record player & collection…he’s been hiding some absolute gems for years (along with some questionable musical choices).

4.    Raw. Vegan. Not gross…I’m neither vegan nor a raw- only eater, but there’s some healthy and delicious inspiration here for everyone.

5.    Garden Centres…I went to 3 in one week and decided middle aged people know how to live. They are great places to hang out; Rummaging through the plants could almost double as a jungle experience, and every garden centre seems to sell the tastiest cakes in the world. Get down to your local.

6.    Jonathan Groff's rooftop duet…New York. Spring. Rooftop. Love song...so much romance!

7.   Mindfulness: Plain and Simple…mindfulness is something I always seem to come back to albeit in many different forms. But after reading this book, this time I think I finally understand it. The only trouble is remembering to do a little every day.

8.    Bowls full of fruit for breakfast…pretending it’s summer since ’93.

9.    I didn’t include this in #5 because it was getting a bit Hamil- centric. But come on. Come. On.

10. Plant nanny…an app to monitor your hydration. Every time you drink a glass of water, you water the plant. It could be in my head but I feel like I’ve been reaping the rewards of drinking plenty of water; my skin is aglow! Just sayin’.

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