This Week I'm Loving
I wasn’t sure how to start this blog post. I started and deleted a paragraph that talked about how I have been feeling recently, the war in Ukraine and the effect it is having on all of us, and closer to home my recent (family-wide) Covid and recovery. Why did I delete it? Because I feel totally stuck on these topics - I don’t think any of us are feeling particularly fun or frivolous at the moment but I also sense that everyone is needing a little pick me up and you don’t come to me for political commentary, world events or doom and gloom relating to Covid.
I have been laying quite low on social media in the past two weeks for the same reasons. Partly, as mentioned, I have been unwell with Covid and trying to manage other family members who have been unwell and partly because the war in Ukraine has loomed over everything in my mind. How do you post a pretty photo with a caption at a time like this? It feels wholly wrong. But one of my followers reached out to me a week ago to ask me to get back to posting some beautiful content. She explained that she wanted something lovely in her feed, a nice moment in her day, a tiny spark of joy at a time when there is a lot of heavy content to wrap our heads around.
So…with this in mind, I am back with a “This Week I’m Loving” blog post. Just some small things that I’ve enjoyed or liked recently.
This is by no means a new show but it’s been new to me recently and I have just finished the first season and absolutely loved it. I am ashamed to say that when I had originally seen it advertised I had dismissed it as something frivolous - perhaps a romcom type tv show that I wouldn’t really be into. How wrong could I have been. This is a thought provoking drama and I have been so impressed with how the central subject, namely sexual misconduct, has been authentically and sensitively dealt with through exceptional script writing and stellar performances from the whole cast. My husband and I have watched this together and at the end of each episode we end up with so much to talk about and digest. I highly recommend it.
For some journalistic podcast listening, I love The Ezra Klein Show. Last week I listened to his episode with Fiona Hill on “the War Putin Is Really Fighting”. Fiona Hill is an articulate and straightforward guest who’s point of view is based on years of experience - she served as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council under Donald Trump and as a national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasian affairs under Barack Obama and George W. Bush. She is also the co-author of the influential Putin biography “Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin.” Despite all of her exceptional and detailed knowledge of the historical and current politics at play, she is able to articulate the situation in a very accessible way that left me understanding Putin and the conflict in a much more thorough way. listen to the podcast
I stumbled across ‘tubing’ mascara about five years ago when I tried a new Bobbi Brown mascara. I loved the fact that the mascara came off with water but was somehow smudge (and seemingly water) proof at the same time. There was no turning back - no more eye makeup remover. I loved it. Since then I bought the same Bobbi Brown mascara…that is until they decided to discontinue it just recently. Why? Why do makeup companies do that? They develop a great product and you become a loyal fan for years and then in a puff of smoke they decide to just get rid of the product?! So, I have recently been on the hunt for a new ‘tubing’ mascara and last week I bought this Hourglass one. It’s very good. It makes your lashes look very long and I like the size of the wand tip. And, it has all the benefits of tubing mascara that I have come to rely on and love. buy the mascara
I am a massive fan of sleepwear that I can wear around the house without causing offence - something comfy and stylish that works whether I’m standing in the kitchen making a ginger, lemon, honey tea or sleeping on the sofa. During Covid, staying comfy was a top priority and this was my pick from the Wanderluxe Sleepwear brand that I recently started stocking. I sleep in the cami and shorts - but for my week of Covid - hanging around the house all day feeling rubbish, taking Panadol, napping and gargling with salt water, this pj set was the perfect accompaniment. Super comfy, good top and bottom coverage so there are no accidental peek-a-boo moments and lovely and cool to wear. buy the pjs
Staying with all things Covid, this electrolyte drink mix was a lifesaver for the whole family. Litres and litres of this electrolyte were consumed and it seemed to help. We always have boxes of this in the cupboard for sport and fitness outings but it really came into it’s own during Covid. The kids and I dilute it more than they suggest - just half of one of these sachets in about a litre of icy water. The kids and I agree that the raspberry flavour is the nicest followed by the Citrus (husbands favourite). But the orange is also nice. I have sent these out across Singapore to friends who have also come down with Covid and to one whose little girl had gastro. (husband does the purchasing of this product and I think he buys it through Amazon but here is the link to the brands website) buy the electrolyte drink mix
And finally I am leaving you with this…Bruno Mars hosting SNL from many years ago. Sometimes we all need a backing crew to tell us we’ve got this - that we can do it. I have recently been feeling like I’m at a bit of a crossroads, and you my lovely community have been like my backing crew - sending me DM’s or comments on ig that encourage me to keep going. Thanks for all the support. x
