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 

My So- called Superfoods

I am a believer in many things but I am not a believer in superfoods, and many medical professionals and nutritionists are coming out and debunking the myth of the superfood. These are foods which wellness bloggers tell us come from exotic lands far away, are unbelievably rich in nutrients, and are said to have miracle healing/weight loss/skin clearing powers. You’ll have heard by now that superfoods include kale, papaya, quinoa, chia seeds, tahini, goji berries, acai etc. And while I love these healthy foods, I don’t believe for one second they will turn you into a vision of pure health.

Now there are obviously certain nutrients which we need, and others which will make a big difference to our wellbeing, and particular foods which are especially dense in these nutrients. Just like the humble sweet potato, which contains 400% of your daily Vitamin A needs, along with Vitamin C and more, and happens to grow easily in hot climates; hence why certain programs in sub- Saharan Africa are introducing super orange (and super vitamin rich) sweet potatoes to help solve child malnutrition. Now, I would say this is a bit of a miracle. But calling kale a superfood in the hope your middle class self will be ‘super healthy’ or ‘super human’ is deluded and full of all kinds of unchecked privilege. 

So in defiance of wellness gurus' use of the term ‘superfood’ and in a bid to reclaim its meaning, I give you my very own superfoods.

Clipper’s snore and peace Tea…this beverage gets it’s ‘super’ status from its amazing ability to have you nodding off in a jiffy, even on the most restless, agitated nights. Don’t drink and drive, kids.

Cashew Nuts…picture this: you’ve just got home from work and you know dinner won’t be ready for at least half an hour, but you’re majorly hangry. Meet your super cool new best friends. A handful of nuts will have you feeling yourself again in no time. Almonds are just as super as they have the President’s seal of approval.

Dried Mango…if you’re always on the verge of giving in to offers of snickers left right and centre, look no further. Dried mango has the power to satisfy your sugar cravings, with its super natural sugars. It is the perfect snack for long journeys, and will make you feel superior to everyone else.

Dark chocolate…this super delicious treat makes you feel like a goddess of luxury and even more amazingly is dairy free, vitamin rich and good for concentration.

Canned coconut Milk…this hidden gem’s super power is the ability to make any old soup exciting; if it’s looking lacklustre, coconut milk will thicken it up, if you’ve gone overboard on the spice front, coconut milk will cool it down and refresh your poor senses.

Frozen berries…what is more super than the killer combo of cheap, healthy, and convenient? Frozen berries are perfect to add to a summer lemonade in place of ice cubes, mixed into your morning porridge, or cooked in a homemade crumble. 

Which foods are super to you?

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.

Workwear Wishin'

I’m starting a new job in the next couple of weeks (hooray!) and the office dress code is the most relaxed vibe yet. It’s office wear- which covers all manner of sins- whereas my previous jobs have either had a uniform or a strict business code.

I’m afraid I can’t afford to be let loose in Zara but I have been let loose on Pinterest and the internet in general. So here is a mixture of workwear inspiration and some good ol’ online window shopping. New work, new wardrobe please?

To Tan, or Not To Tan

I’m a pale gal and I have a problem. I’m not sure whether I should embrace my natural albeit ghostly skin for good, or keep getting my trusty fake tan fix; you could say I have commitment issues.

I’ve only been experimenting with tanning for four or five years, so I’m no die hard fan, and I would never dream of going near anything other than ‘light’. But honestly, when Spring time rolls around and summer approaches, something in the back of my head tells me I don’t look right. Pale skin and summer clothes just don’t feel right without some sort of glow.

My first problem is I don’t tan naturally. Between May and September I’m lucky if I gain a few freckles. In Australia I burnt and it eventually turned into a famer’s tan. Score!

I just want to take a second to check my privilege. I’m lucky to get to worry about what shade of white I am.

So in the absence of a natural tan, I have to spend money on it, and let me tell you, trying to find a natural- looking, non- orange fake tan ain’t cheap. My current tan of choice is the St Tropez Express Tan, and although it’s the perfect olive shade, it’s also a whopping £11.

There comes a time in a girl’s life when she has to either embrace the glow for life or choose permanently pale, and the time for me is now. I so want to rock the pale English rose look but it’s a bit of a leap of faith.

What do you think?

Please share your tanning struggles with me!

What I've read on the web this week

1.    This succinct article in The Guardian perfectly sums up my feelings about the current state of British political culture- albeit much more eloquently than me. It makes me wonder which point I will look back on as the point at which I decided to leave England.

2.    “You won’t hear about this in the mainstream media” tackles the barrage of attacks faced by journalists, particularly the uniquely personal and sexual attacks faced by female journalists. It points out the genuine threat this poses to democracy. You truly won’t hear about this in the MSM.

3.    I loved this piece by Lin Manuel Miranda about making theatre more affordable so it reaches those who would benefit from it most

4.    I have so much love for this HelloGiggles think piece from Rachel Charlene on bodies, race, class, tribalism, and fat phobia at Universities.

5.    Yes, this one may be in the Sociological Review, but give it a chance! Another one about British political culture and the EU referendum. #PostcolonialMelancholy

6.    This Elle article about the important distinction between failing and being a failure is just lovely.

The Graduate's Guide to Voting

I’ve always been that person who says, “It doesn’t matter who you vote for, as long as you vote”, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the upcoming in/out referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU is too important for just picking a side on the day. I’m fortunate as a politics grad in that I’ve always known which way I would vote if there was ever an in/out referendum, but many friends I’ve spoken to are still undecided. I can’t imagine how overwhelming it must be to have to make your mind up in a matter of weeks. So with that in mind, here is my guide to deciding which way to vote, so you don’t end up voting in the dark.

1.    The newspapers do not equal the truth

Some people seem to think everything they read in newspapers is gospel. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not. On both sides of any debate, newspapers have agendas too, so they’ll rarely report figures that go against their message, and have even become quite skilled at running pretty flawed and skewed research of their own. Either read a variety of newspapers or none at all, and take everything you read with a pinch of salt.

2.    Educate yourself

It’s important to seek out more information than what is hand-picked for you by the media or your friends and family. You decide what’s important to you. You can do your own research simply by googling the institutions and issues involved. The more you know, the more informed your decision will be on polling day.

3.    Get some perspective

You’ll probably feel more confident in your decision if you keep up with what’s going on in the world beyond our shores; how the UK affects the world, and how the world affects the UK. I find it really helpful to read articles written outside the UK to gain some much needed context to any debate. Good starting points are the New York Times, Politico, The Washington Post and Buzzfeed, where you’ll find they all have columns going on European Affairs and the referendum specifically. Try searching ‘Brexit’ in any of these publications and you should find plenty of global perspective.

4.    Talk it out

Don’t be afraid to listen to the opinions of those close to you and tell them your views too. You’ll probably gain some insight into how people could personally be affected by the result, and debating with people can strengthen your arguments or just make you see things clearly. But maybe don’t bring it up at a special occasion like a family wedding. Champagne, family and politics is a lethal cocktail which won’t end well!

5.    Think about what you want

Have a think about what you want out of life- your goals, ambitions and dreams- and whether the referendum result would effect those things based on what you’ve learnt, and if so how. The arguments from campaigners can get a bit abstract, but if you think of the facts and figures in terms of your job ambitions, travelling goals, family dreams etc the debate gets closer to home and a little more real.

Be critical, open- minded, and good luck…

See you on the flip side!!!

Iced Coffee Recipe

I’ve only been a coffee lover for the last 6 months. I’m 22.

When I realised the errors of my ways I was genuinely saddened that I’d missed out on 21 and a half years of morning goodness. That being said, I tend to limit myself to one dose of caffeine a day in a bid to keep anxiety at bay.

Now just because it’s summer and I don’t fancy a hot bevvy in 25 degree heat, why should I deny myself my coffee rights? The good news is this recipe for iced coffee is outrageously simple, costs nothing if you already have coffee grounds, and perfect for a coffee on the go. Can be enjoyed come rain or shine (but best enjoyed on a warm, sunny day because I’m just happier then anyway). Once you have this recipe in your life, you’ll have no excuse to spend all of your pennies on Starbucks…

All you need is:

·         Coffee grounds

·         A sieve or coffee filter paper

·         Ice

1.    Firstly, place your usual amount of coffee into a mason jar (or, if you’re making a batch, double, triple etc as needed) and fill the mason jar about 2/3 full with cold water

2.    Place a lid on and leave for at least 12 hours (though overnight is best) in the fridge

3.    Once it’s out of the fridge you’ll want to give it a stir

4.    To remove any grit that might be undissolved, simply pour the mixture through either coffee filter paper if you’re feeling fancy or a fine sieve- I use a sieve and it works just fine

5.    Then throw in plenty of ice and add the milk of your choice- or go hard-core and enjoy it black.

Soon you’ll be laughing in Starbuck’s faces!

(This ace recipe is courtesy of the New York Times)

The Fitness Diaries

It was roughly a year ago when I took up running. I had no expensive trainers, no fancy gear; I just decided to run, so I ran. Before that day I did the odd home workout here and there, following youtube videos in my living room like a crazy woman, and I also dabbled with pilates and yoga, but I had no regular routine. That meant I really struggled to keep up with workouts, and ultimately hated exercise and hated myself for being so bad at exercise. Add to the mix a mild chocolate addiction, plus my pre- vegetarian self’s love of burgers, and I was pretty unfit. Now I’m not saying my life was all doom and gloom, but looking back I definitely wasn’t happy or confident in my body and I saw no end in sight.

Fast forward to a year later, when I run 4 times a week and work out on top of that, I truly care about myself and what I put into my body, because I have seen the effect it has. But even more importantly, I’m steadily learning how to love myself.

There have been many hurdles (pun intended) along the way; like the time I was bed bound by illness for 3 months and couldn’t exercise, or the time I decided to extend Christmas to February and had a very lazy few weeks, but on the whole, I’m really proud of myself for keeping up the running habit, and even more proud for bouncing back when it would have been easier to give up. And I’ve never felt better.

I think the body confidence we get from exercise comes from the challenges you overcome when you start and carry on running. There are no two ways about it, the first week of running- or any fitness journey-is going to be really hard (hellish, actually), and that 1 mile you can barely reach the end of is a real killer. But the fact that you reach the end of the killer mile, and keep coming back to go through it again every day, until eventually the mile doesn’t feel so hellish; then you can even run a little further so that before you know it you’re running 2 miles and beyond, is a huge achievement. You didn’t give up and that’s something to be proud of. It teaches you how good it feels to challenge yourself.

When I used to hear people saying how good exercise was for your mental health I genuinely thought they were lying; like a trick health freaks play on the rest of us so they can watch us suffer as we sweat, and they sit feeling very smug about themselves. I definitely didn’t think it would be something I preached myself, but here goes: running is amazing for your mental health. When I get to the top of a hill I feel amazing about myself, especially if I’ve sprinted past people in their houses eating takeaways on the sofa. No matter how slow I am, I’m faster than everybody sat on their bums.

Along the way I’ve gradually noticed that I actually want to take care of my body, now I have more to lose. Isn’t it funny how being healthy in one area of your life seems to act like a domino effect? I really want to be kind to myself by feeding my body the right balance of fuel and treats, a balance which has definitely been a bit ‘scew whiff’ in the past, as my Grandad used to say. These days, no amount of pizza of brownies comes remotely close to the feelings of pride when I think about how far I’ve come. It’s this pride which drives me to keep on going, because boy do I have a long way to go.

I am no Karlie Kloss, but I not even lying when I say that it’s knowing I’m doing my very best to be healthy that makes me feel most confident. And it’s really important to bear in mind that there is almost no correlation between health and size. Obviously, there are some exceptions, as I’m pretty sure a morbidly obese person can’t be healthy as long as they’re that big. But in general, women of all shapes and sizes exercise regularly and that’s the important thing; not whether or not you can fit into size 6 jeans. Running makes me feel good, and the icing on top of the delicious cake is it makes me look good too.

Of all the lessons I’ve learnt on this journey so far, the most important is that most things in life are mind over matter. If you can motivate yourself to work through the pain to reach the top of that hill, you can achieve anything as long as you believe you can. 

Weekend Treat

Banana bread is my favourite sweet treat to bake because I can convince myself it’s healthy. This one has 3 bananas in and no refined sugars, so it’s about as healthy as a cake is going to get. I use Jamie Oliver’s recipe because it’s the simplest I’ve come across; I could probably make it with my eyes closed at this point. If you want a little more indulgence I highly recommend smothering a slice with peanut butter or Nutella and thank me later…

All you need to make this light treat is

·         3 overripe bananas

·         2 tbspn apple juice

·         125g unsalted butter

·         2 large eggs

·         ½ tspn ground cinnamon

·         2 tbspn runny honey

1.    First you’ll need to preheat your oven to 180C and grease a loaf tin using either olive oil or butter, then lightly dust with flour.

2.    Peel the bananas and mash them with a fork in a mixing bowl until they’re an unsightly mix of smooth and lumpy. Then add apple juice and stir.

3.    In a separate bowl, cream the butter. (This is the trick bit which I think counts as a workout). The crack in and beat the eggs one at a time.

4.    Fold in the rest of the ingredients, being careful not to over mix

5.    Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin and cook for around 40 minutes. Lick the bowl and spoon.

6.    Leave it to cool for 10 minutes then dive in!

Remember not to feel guilty after eating this weekend treat; each slice (probably) contains one of your five a day. For best results, enjoy with a cup of tea. 

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 #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’.

Do follow me on Instagram, where you can see the loves that didn't make it!