A July Book Round-Up
I'm really enjoying sharing (and consuming) more bookish content lately; a combination of having more time to read due to lockdown, finding books to really fall in love with and discovering more bookstagram/booktube accounts on my wavelength. So with that in mind, I'm gonna switch up my monthly round-ups to focus solely on what I've been reading and no longer including things I've been watching/listening to/doing. So I hope you're all a bunch of bookworms too! If you are - join me on GoodReads.
I've always enjoyed reading but I've always been a slow reader. That is until lockdown kicked in, I lost my job and had endless days to fill with reading. So it seems like I've read a lot throughout July, and I have, but I start a new job next week so from August my book round-ups will likely be on a much smaller scale.
There's quite the variety of books here, so instead of ordering them in any kind of favourable way, I'm simply gonna stick to the order in which I read them!
Cilkas Journey by Heather Morris
I technically started this at the end of June after I finished the prequel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and after how great I thought that book was, I had high hopes for the sequel, but I'm just not sure I enjoyed it as much? I guess 'enjoyed' isn't really the right word given the subject really is it! I still loved the book, and I don't know whether it's because I know it's more fictional than the former, having some of the backlash from her family in the back of my mind, or maybe simply because it was more harrowing to think this was all in addition to time spent in Auschwitz and therefore proved a harder read, but it's still one I'd recommend if you're into historical fiction and want to understand more about what could've been happening post-Auschwitz. Cilka Klein sounds like a formidable woman.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before, P.S I Still Love You & Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Ever since the first film dropped on Netflix this series has been on my TBR and because I was in such a low mood earlier this month, it seemed like the perfect time to cosy up with some YA romantic fluff. And I absolutely adored them all! So much so that I cried at the end of book 3, but let's not talk about that.. Following the high school romance of Lara-Jean and Peter in the run-up to college, this is simply a heart-warming love story and a very easy read, definitely one to get you out of a reading slump.
The Good Immigrant edited by Nikesh Shukla
A compilation of essays from 21 Black, Asian and minority ethnic voices in Britain, this book looks at "why immigrants come to the UK, why they stay and what it means to be 'other' in a country that doesn't seem to want you or truly accept you, but still needs you for it's diversity monitoring forms". This was not only a really powerful and thought-provoking read, but one that I would recommend to everyone, especially white British people (like myself) to get just an inkling of understanding into how those different from you live their day-to-day lives so differently within the same country.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
A much hyped book at the moment, I picked this up when I was made aware of the fact that it was only £2 at The Works (which then resulted in quite the hefty book order being placed, but I digress..). Set in the fictional suburb of Shaker Heights, where everything is planned, this follows the arrival of artist Mia Warren and her teenage daughter Pearl, their relationship with the Richardson family whom they rent an apartment from, and sees a custody battle over the attempted adoption of a Chinese-American baby by friends of the Richardsons. I absolutely loved this book; I loved the characterisation, the plot, the story-telling, and not only is the newly adapted Amazon Prime series now a must-see for me, but also Ng's first novel, Everything I Never Told You, has shot to the top of my TBR.
The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown
Another book that I bagged for £2 from The Works, I picked this up after seeing comparisons of it to Adam Kays 'This Is Going To Hurt'; a book that I loved. I must say I didn't find it half as compelling! With stories from Browns time as a doctor at a young offenders institution, the notorious Wormwood Scrubs and Europes largest women-only prison in Europe, Bronzefield, there is understandably quite some horrifying and heart-breaking tales. I found it a fascinating read to get a little delve into such a world, and the final quarter of the book was definitely where it picked up, but it seemed a little lacking for me? There seemed to be a lot rushed into a fairly short book and not only was there a lack of personality from the author, but it was just a very simplistic writing style.
How Do We Know We're Doing It Right (Essays on Modern Life) by Pandora Sykes
I pre-ordered this number back in January as I'm a big fan of Pandoras work. I requested delivery to store and little did I know it would arrive in the middle of a pandemic, so picking this book up was my first trip to Waterstones post-lockdown and I'm very proud of myself for managing to only pick up one other book whilst there! Anyway, this collection of essays was such a comforting read, so very relatable, beautifully written and well-researched. I particularly enjoyed the essays on binge-watch culture and fast fashion from such a relatable perspective.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
My final read of July was without a doubt my favourite of the month (if not the year so far??). The Vanishing Half tells the story of mixed race twins Desiree and Stella Vignes, born in a small southern black community, who run away at the age of sixteen. Although they will always be identical, their lives couldn't turn out any different. Spanning decades from the 1950's up to the 1990's we see multiple strands and generations of their family. Dealing with racism, colourism, LGBTQ+ and domestic violence, with a heavy focus on the conflicted sense of identity and the turmoil that comes with it, this was such a compelling read. Brit Bennett is an absolute genius and her debut novel, The Mothers, is absolutely my next purchase.
Me & White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
I almost forgot to include this when I started planning this post, simply because it wasn't a conventional book which I 'read' but more of a workbook. But that's not to say there isn't a lot of reading involved! Me & White Supremacy is a 28-day-workbook which breaks down the systemics of white supremacy, white privilege, white silence and so much more, in order to get those who hold white privilege to look within themselves, see how we are part of the problem and address how we can do better going forward. I've been working through this since the start of July and although it certainly isn't an easy book, it is absolutely an essential book if you want to make actual progress in becoming an anti-racist.
So, have you read any of these? What do you think? And what's been your favourite July read?
Loves. Emma.
Lockdown Has Made Me Reevaluate My Wardrobe
Well, I say 'lockdown' has made me reevaluate my wardrobe, but really that is one of a few factors. And I've simply come to the realisation that I don't need the vast quantities that are spilling out of my wardrobe; I don't need shoes and boots in every colour and style imaginable; I don't need leather jackets, denim jackets and trench coats galore; and I certainly don't need items that don't fit me anymore which I have been simply unwilling to let go of. I don't work in fashion and each item in my wardrobe doesn't get worn as much as it should, so I simply can not justify the excess to myself anymore. I used to see bloggers sharing wardrobe tours and think 'well mine's only a fraction of that so it can't be bad!' but honestly, it still is. Just because you're not buying into fast fashion doesn't mean your shopping habits are good, over-consumption is still bad. Nobody needs 80+ pairs of shoes and boots Emma!!
So what are the factors that brought this reevaluation about?
Lockdown, as I said. The fact I've been at home 90% of the time wearing the same 20% of my wardrobe on repeat. Obviously this was due to the fact that nobody outside of my house was seeing what I looked like, unless I decided to post on Instagram, so it didn't matter if I wore exclusively baggy t-shirts and leggings. But it just kind of brought home the extent of how many clothes in my wardrobe I don't really wear, and could they have a better life somewhere else, y'know?
Instagram. Sounds odd, I know, because we're all used to this having the opposite effect. But following the right people, seeing an influx of chatter about Slow Fashion Season and more of a focus on shopping your own wardrobes, I've been really looking at what I own, what's missing from my wardrobe (not a lot) and what's not being worn. The wardrobe challenges that have been occurring throughout lockdown have definitely been a big factor in this; actively looking through the clothes I own and finding new ways to style them.
Seeing everything laid bare. We've spent the past 2 weeks decorating my bedroom, which meant removing everything from said bedroom first. In that process of moving the clothing rail, chest of drawers, wardrobe and under-bed shoe storage, it brought home just how much I have. And just how unnecessary it all is. I've since left multiple bin liners full of items in another room which I am (slowly) listing on Depop as I'm trying not to add to the overload which charity shops are facing right now. So please have a nosey!
I'm never gonna be a capsule wardrobe kind of girl, I simply love clothes and styling too much for that. But it doesn't need to be as excessive as it has been the past few years. I love having an array of prints and colours to choose from, rotating from minimalist outfits one day to loud and lairy the next. The thing I need to cut back on is getting carried away with buying things in charity shops just because they're a bargain, and spending so much time searching and bidding for things on eBay when I'm bored. I want to really make the most of the pieces I have in my wardrobe because, to be honest, there are some GEMS.
So what are some of my favourite never-letting-go-of pieces in my wardrobe?
Vintage shirts, like this one, that brighten up any outfit and make you look (and feel) more put together than you actually are.
Dungarees. Whether it's this denim pair which were from Monki about 5 years ago, or my colourful Lucy & Yak pair, I just bloody love a good pair of dungas!
Converse and Vans. A lot of people say you're either a Converse or Vans type of person, but I don't agree because I have multiple pairs of each and love them equally. The comfiest everyday kind of shoes that go with any outfit.
Leather Jackets. I have a few different leather jackets which I can't part with including a vintage St Michael one and a tasselled number. They're not just a jacket to keep you warm, but to add another layer to your outfit and styling. As much as I love a denim jacket, leather wins.
Band Tees. Some of my most-loved and most-worn pieces are definitely band tees; whether vintage ones that have been lucky finds or ones bought at live shows, they all have a special meaning to me.
Straight Leg Jeans. I spent far too many years wearing exclusively skinny jeans, but last year I saw the light and wouldn't trade my vintage Levis for anything.
A-Line Skirts. I'm firmly a trousers over skirts/dresses person, but when I do fancy wearing something more girly 9 times out of 10 it's an a-line skirt. They're the most flattering fit and just a favourite for my body.
Ankle Boots. Doc Martens, chelsea boots or cowboy boots, I just bloody love an ankle boot of any style. They go with anything in my wardrobe and work any time of year. A hero.
My Burberry trench coat. The most expensive piece of clothing I own and one I saved up a long time for, admiring longingly. My trench coat isn't the most-worn because I am not wearing a jacket that expensive to work everyday on an industrial site, sorry. But it is the most-loved!
Hats! Bucket hats, fedoras, baker boy caps, whatever the style I just love wearing hats. I love the statement they can add and the way they immediately transform your look. Also great for good hair days too!
Loves. Emma.
May & June: What I've Read & Watched
Like most people, I've been making use of this extra time at home to fly through my TBR pile so let's talk books first. Because boy have I been reading fast.
What I've Read:
- Jog On by Bella Mackie - This one's been sat on my shelf since last year and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it because not only did it resonate so much with me, but it was the push I needed to get out running. My mental health has been a rollercoaster in lockdown but running has been quite the saviour!
- Normal People by Sally Rooney - This has been scrawled on the Notes app in my phone to buy for months and I finally ordered it in May so I could read it before watching the newly released Series. Oh my God, I don't think I've loved a book this much in a long long time. It follows the story of Connel and Marianne, two seemingly mismatched teenagers who keep coming together. The writing style, the characters, just everything!
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo - Another book that I absolutely adored. This was such a different style in telling the stories of 12 different women across the UK and how they interlink, covering such real and raw topics around race, gender and class. Evaristos writing is delightful and I've already added her other work to my list.
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid - Telling the fictional story of a 70's rock band, this was the fun, light-hearted read that lockdown needed. I loved the interview style and the twist in revealing the interviewer at the end. It's a book that really transports you to the era in which it's set.
- Validate Me by Charly Cox - Besides the dreaded Anthology at school, I've not read all that much poetry before. But I've been following Charly on Instagram for a couple of years now and love her work. After I read 'She Must Be Mad' last year and loved it, I knew 'Validate Me' would be the same. It's a nice break from the fiction/non-fiction cycle!
- Us by David Nicholls - As a big fan of One Day, I've been meaning to read more of Nicholls work for a while now, so finding Us for 99p in a Charity shop back in February seemed like fate. After Douglas' wife Connie announces she plans to leave him and the family home after their son leaves for University, this book follows their final summer as they go all out on a long-anticipated roadtrip across Europe. It was kind of heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time and just a really wonderful read.
- Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams - One you've probably seen all over social media recently! Queenie is a 20-something Black woman navigating life after taking a break from her relationship. It covers mental health, race, class and consent while remaining to be a laugh out loud read. I rated this 5 stars on GoodReads and, I don't regret that because I did enjoy it, but it was also a very basic writing-style and some of the issues I don't think were dealt with as deeply as they could've been. A nice quick read!
- Emma by Jane Austen - I mentioned in my last round-up post that I'm trying to read more classics this year and Emma was number 2 on that list. I love the story, but it's in parts quite lengthy where it doesn't need to be and with the old language, I sometimes had to read sentences twice through. It's still one I'd recommend as I do love the characterisation and the plot.
- Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Renni Eddo-Lodge - Embarassingly, this was on my list to buy when it first came out but I never got around to picking it up because I wanted to read fiction more. So with the latest BLM movement this was always going to be the first book I picked up. And there's a reason it is so highly recommended. Covering history of race issues in the UK, whitewashed feminism and the link between race and class this is an absolute essential read for everyone about what it's like to be Black in the UK today.
- Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney - After how much I loved Normal People, I knew I had to read this ASAP. It's the tale of a complex menage-a-quatre with 21-year-old Frances at the centre and initially, I wasn't all that sold from the blurb. I absolutely loved it though because Sally Rooney is a genius.
- I Will Not Be Erased by gal-dem - A book that was brought to mention in the wave of resources being shared alongside the BLM movement. Gal-dem is an online and print publication by women of colour and non-binary people of colour. The book shares stories of different members often in the style of diary entries to their younger selves. It was a great eye-opening read that I'm strongly recommending.
- The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris - I am very late to the party with this I know, but it's been falling to the bottom of my TBR pile for the past year until I decided it was time to pull it out. Based on a true story, I found this such a harrowing read but also an essential read. I'm now reading the sequel, Cilka's journey...
In terms of what I've been watching lately, I've made a conscious effort to watch a wider variety of things, whether that be documentaries/films/TV series. A mixture of topics to educate and enjoy!
What I've Watched:
- Manifest Season 2 - It's such a bizarre yet gripping series about the return of a missing plane. At times it seems very predictable but I still love to get lost in it.
- Moonlight - A film I've been wanting to see for a long time, but if I can't add it to my list on Netflix and I don't catch it whilst it's on SkyMovies, then things slip under the radar. I paid to rent it on Prime a few weeks back and it was a really powerful watch.
- For Sama - A documentary available on 4 On Demand in which Waad Al-Kateab films across 5 years of her life during the uprising in Aleppo. It's a harrowing look into the female experience of war, but one I would recommend everyone watch immediately.
- Afterlife Season 2 - This show perfectly balances the line between heartbreakingly sad and laugh-out-loud funny. It's widely popular for a reason and a great watch whether you've dealt with grief or not.
- Normal People - After loving the book as much as I did I was kinda scared this wouldn't live up to it. But OMG! It was everything I could've dreamt of and more, it's clear that Sally Rooney had a hand in the writing of the show because it resembles the book so closely.
- Booksmart - I wanted to see this at the cinema when it was first released but it wasn't at all locations and there were few showings near me. It's then taken me far too long to get round to watching it, and I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it. There were too many toe-curling moments and too many lucky coincidences that I couldn't see past but it was still a heart-warming coming of age.
- BlacKKKlansman - An old work colleague recommended this to me a few months back so when I saw it was on SkyMovies I set it to record immediately. It was quite a shocking watch, especially knowing that the racism, the police brutality and the presence of the KKK are still rife in 2020.
- Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - I'd seen a lot of hype around this last year and after watching it, I don't really get it?? The end especially was pretty horrific, but the whole film didn't seem to have much of a plot?
- American Son - Based on a Broadway play of the same name, this sees an enstranged couple reunite at a Chicago police station when their son goes missing. It shows the intrinsic racism within the police force and is a must-see for all.
- 13th - A Netflix Original Documentary that looks at the history of race and the criminal justice system in America. There are some pretty shocking statistics that I wasn't previously aware of, so is quite the essential viewing the educate yourselves on mass incarceration and how it is deemed an extension of slavery.
- The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson - As I write this post, I've just watched this today and it was a very emotional look at such a leading force in the Stonewall uprising and how trans women are failed so often.
What's your favourite thing you've read/watched recently?
Loves. Emma.
Always Learning
I've always loved to learn. I would do extra homework at school and fill in additional workbooks simply for fun, because I hated the idea of not having more to learn. Whether it's coding techniques to better improve this website, how to embroider the best patterns or all the financial knowledge nobody teaches you, I'm constantly learning more everyday. And in the past 2 weeks I've learnt SO much more about oppression and race issues across the globe, the history of colonialism and slavery in the United Kingdom and how being non-racist is simply not enough. Things that I knew of, but didn't know enough about, simply because my white privilege allowed for such ignorance. Learning should never finish when you leave formal education and this latest wave in the BLM movement has been a prime example of why.
Simply logging onto Facebook and seeing people posting vitriol about what Anthony Joshua has (rightly) said and proceeding it with 'I just hate racism' is exactly why we all must continue learning. Because newsflash! Reverse racism is not a thing. It has never been a thing. And if you still can't acknowledge that at 27 years old, PLEASE pick up a book.
Some things to acknowledge!
- Social Media truly is one of the most powerful tools we have access to right now. Without it, we wouldn't be seeing the truth in the #BlackLivesMatter protests (because we all know traditional media only shows an edited fraction), heck these protests wouldn't even be happening on such a large scale without it. Without the ability to share videos around the world instantly, get petitions pushed to reach millions and have a simple and direct way to donate to the cause. It gives us the ability to educate both each other and ourselves, to share resources and organise protests in solidarity from various other countries.
- Resources are there are if you just take the time to look. Fiction and non-fiction books will teach you a lot, but there are podcasts we need to be listening to and movies/TV shows that make for hard-hitting learning too. They've always been there, we just haven't always made the effort to look. Everyone and their mum has been compiling lists of where you can start and I'll share some at the end of this post.
- It's not just the educational resources we need to be paying attention to. It might be unconscious, but the majority of the shows you watch, the books you read and the businesses you support will have white people at the centre. Be aware of this! Support Black-owned businesses, read the work of Black authors simply because the story sounds interesting, watch TV shows with Black actors/writers/directors because they look damn good. Don't only seek out the work of Black people when you want educating on race. That isn't on them, it's on us.
- Diversifying your social media feeds is essential. This not only stands for Black people, but all POC, plus-size people, trans and non-binary people, disabled people and those simply from different backgrounds. I like to think my following list has been diverse for a long while but there's always more we can be doing, to listen to their voices and uplift them. If you only follow people who look like you, you'll be existing in a bubble unaware of what others are facing.
- There's always something you can do to help. Even if you think you can't make a difference, even if you're not able to go to protests or donate financially, you can still help. You can sign and share petitions, you can educate yourself further and challenge those around you, you can support and uplift Black voices. Because together we're stronger.
- There is no excuse for ignorance. This is a lifetime commitment for me to not only make sure I'm as fully educated as I can be, but to use that knowledge and my white privilege to make a difference where possible. To speak up, to show up, to stand up. If you're not making the same commitment, why?
And some resources for further education?
- Books: (FYI these aren't all anti-racism books, some are simply fiction books by Black and POC authors which cover the subject of race)
- Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Renni Eddo-Lodge
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
- Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch
- The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
- White Teeth by Zadie Smith
- The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- I Will Not Be Erased by gal-dem
- TV Shows/Movies:
- 13th (Netflix)
- When They See Us (Netflix)
- Dear White People (Netflix)
- Moonlight
- Get Out
- American Son (Netflix)
- The Color Purple
- I Am Not Your Negro
- Who Killed Macolm X? (Netflix)
- The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson (Netflix)
- Podcasts:
- 1619 by New York Times
- About Race with Renni Eddo-Lodge
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
- Yikes with Mikaela Loach & Jo Becker
- Other resources:
- Gal-dem magazine - a platform committed to telling the stories of women and non-binary people of colour.
- A running list of anti-racism resources via Dazed
- Why You Need To Stop Saying "All Lives Matter" by Rachel Cargle for Harpers Bazaar
- Racism, Police Violence and The Climate Are Not Seperate Issues via The New Yorker
- Dear White Women, written and curated by Rachel Cargle
- 43 of the Best Books by Black Authors You Should Read In Your Lifetime by Oprah Magazine
Loves. Emma.
Why You Should Get Involved In Slow Fashion Season
So if you're starting to take similar steps or just need a push in the right direction, then let me point you in the direction of Slow Fashion Season. Running from June 21st to September 21st, it's the perfect 3 month period to vow not to buy any new clothes.
Of course, you can still buy if you want/need certain pieces but there are 4 key rules:
- You can trade clothes! Swap pieces with your friends or participate in a wardrobe swap with like-minded people on the internet (I've seen a few people on Instagram doing this just lately since vintage/charity shops have been closed)
- Upcycle or DIY your own clothing. So get creative! The other week I bleached some old jeans (yes, I was influenced by TikTok) and it's given them a new lease of life. I also love a good DIY tie-dye and who doesn't love some unique embroidery on their tee?
- Buy second-hand or vintage. One thing I'm really missing right now is being able to rummage around charity shops and vintage stores. there are some real gems to be found and it's so much more rewarding than going into Topshop and buying the very same top you've seen all over Instagram.
- Support sustainable, local, small fashion labels. A new rule added for this year because independents are suffering hard right now!
What are the benefits, you ask?
Well, I've written previously about how my wardrobe and my style as a whole is much more adventurous and truly ~me since I stopped buying fast fashion. I've become more creative in styling what I've got in a variety of ways; and picking up vintage pieces in unique prints and styles has got me piecing things together that I would never have thought to previously. So you might find a revitalised love for your wardrobe and give a fresh lease of life to your personal style.
You'll save money! You don't always realise how much money you're spending on clothes when it's a couple of t-shirts here and a pair of jeans there, but it all adds up. Second-hand pieces are much more purse-friendly and even better still if you do a like-for-like swap with friends! So going 3 months without buying new will give you some nice little savings; unless, like me, you switch to spending all your money on books!
But most importantly, you will be helping the planet. The fashion industry is one of the worst polluters. As Slow Fashion Season sum it up "The fashion industry is responsible for enormous amounts of water consumption (32 million Olympic sized swimming pools per year) and CO2 emissions (8% of global greenhouse emissions - and growing fast." Not only that, there is the sheer amount of clothing thats end up in landfill every single day. Whether it be old stock from fast fashion companies that gets dumped, or the clothes that get donated to charity shops with good intentions and they're unable to sell (because sadly they can only sell a small portion of what they receive!).
So who's joining me?
Loves. Emma.
The Positives I've Found In Lockdown
So taking note of that venn diagram that keeps doing the rounds of 'things you can control' and 'things you can't control' thinking about what to give your energy to, I thought I'd share just a few of the little pockets of happiness I've found in this time at home:
- Having the time to dedicate to my bullet journal
I've seen so many people online joking about how they regret buying a journal/diary for this year now, but mine has been keeping me going. Whether it's spending time getting creative and doodling in it, making daily to-do-lists to give me a focus, or reflecting every evening as I fill in my gratitude lists, I don't know what I'd be doing without it. It's also a place to document this scary time and have something tangible to look back on.
- Baking!
I've always enjoyed baking but it wasn't really until last year that I started to push myself past a basic box mix. So with this extra time at home and the abundance of new recipes being shared online (thank the LORD for Pret releasing that cookie recipe, am I right?!) I've been getting a little more creative and just this morning made some Jammie Dodger Blondies to a roaring success. Also v grateful that my local shop finally had flour in again this week, hurrah!
- That feeling when you don't want to go to bed because the book you're reading is SO good and it's the first thing you think about when you wake up
I read very regularly but I've always thought of myself as a slow reader (I only got through 28 books in 2019 despite making a determined effort to read a lot) but I finally (I know I'm very late to the party) picked up Sally Rooneys 'Normal People' and oh my god, I devoured it in a day. I've not felt this way about a book in a long time; I laughed, I cried, I feel in love with both Connell and Marianne, with Rooneys writing and simply with everything about their story. Exquisite. I can't wait to binge the BBC series now and cry some more!
- I've really gotten into running and that isn't something I ever thought I'd say
Yes I was a regular gym go-er until the middle of March, but I only went on the running machines as a chore. To get some cardio out of the way and boost my fitness. I never enjoyed it and it was my least favourite part of being at the gym. But I finally read Bella Mackies 'Jog On' which has been sat on my shelf for the past year and it just instantly made me want to get out down the lanes. I resonated with so much of what she shared, I instantly re-downloaded the CouchTo5K app which I've only ever used in the gym before, along with RunKeeper, and now my favourite way to start the day is getting a nice 30 minute run in.
- The house has never been so clean! Everything sparkles!
Because like a lot of us I've had a lot of free time on my hands, I've seemingly spent it wandering from room to room going 'what can I tackle next?'. I've cleaned the oven, aka the worst job in the house ever, I've scrubbed all of the doors (even the big garage door!), rearranged book shelves and my wardrobe, and I've taken every picture frame down to clean and re-hang. I feel like Mrs Hinch, but far less glam and with a more colourful home!
- The joy of rediscovering old hobbies
When I tidied the bookshelves (because everything has been tidied and rearranged), I found my old cross-stitch patterns from years ago. There were many complete designs, one part done and one yet to be started, so of course I had to finish the incomplete one and enjoyed it so much I moved straight onto the next and have since ordered some threads and hoops to get into embroidery! I've also dug out some of my 1000 piece jigsaws to fill the time and consequently ordered more and have even had the water-colour paints out getting creative. It's all been wonderful in getting my brain to switch off and have some offline time.
- I've been able to reassess my spending habits
I'd been getting a lot better with my spending over the past 2 years anyway, since I cut down on fast fashion, but that doesn't mean to say that I'm the most money savvy. I'd still get carried away with bargains in the charity shops, popping to Costa on my lunch hour or splurging on yet more books to add to my (slightly out of control) TBR pile. So whilst we're not going anywhere except the supermarket I've not a big difference in my spending. Yes I've placed a few online orders, don't get me wrong (books from my favourite independent book store; a new print for the bedroom from an Etsy store I fell in love with and some skincare necessities) it's still made me realise how much gets frittered away day-to-day.
- And finally, of course, the closeness it's brought in my family
Outside of immediate family, we're not very close with anyone else. But everyone calling and video-calling to check in on each other is just wonderful. Dropping shopping off on my Grandmas doorstep is like the highlight of her week and it makes me so happy to do. I might be at capacity and failing to keep in touch with friends, but I'm still keeping some social aspects, so small steps!
What have you found to be good in this strange, strange time?
Loves. Emma.
A Midi Dress Love Affair
I've always been a mini dress/skirt girl, always thinking that midi and maxi dresses simply weren't my style and at 5ft3 just wouldn't suit me. But after months and months of seeing them incessantly on Instagram, I finally decided in January to take the plunge and push myself out of my style comfort zone. I scoured eBay and Depop but just couldn't find one in the style/pattern/colour that I wanted. So I relented and treat myself to 3 brand new dresses from Nobodys Child. They're a brand that (for me) are doing enough in an effort to be sustainable that I don't feel bad for buying new. In addition to supporting ethical practices and not releasing hundreds of micro-collections each year, they only produce small amounts of each collection to minimise waste and donate any spare fabric to fashion colleges. So they're no Boohoo or Pretty Little Thing!! I didn't intend to splurge on 3 dresses, I ordered 3 different styles to see how they suited me and ended up falling in love and keeping them all. Typical! I have, however, only got photos of 2 of them to share with you because when I went to take photos of the third it started raining and I simply never got around to doing so again!
And yes these photos are from January because that's when I intended to write this post and share it with you, but better late than never, right?
Dress, Nobodys Child - Jacket, Zara (old) - Hat, gift from mum - Shoes, Converse via Kilo Sale - Bag, Topshop (old)
Dress, Nobodys Child - Jumper, Nobodys Child - Bag, Kurt Geiger - Boots, ASOS via Depop
Loves. Emma.
Things I've Learnt During Lockdown So Far
The world is in a scary place right now. A place that no person alive has ever been in before; a place that will leave lasting effects on every single one of us. And there is simply no right or wrong way to be dealing with this apart from staying at home, unless absolutely essential. So whether you want to use your time at home to invest in a side hustle, learn a new skill or simply make it through each day in one piece, that's ok. You're not on a sabbatical, we're in the middle of a worldwide pandemic!
So whilst I've been doing jigsaw after jigsaw, making my way through my TBR pile and cleaning the house from top to bottom, there are a few things I've come to realise. And no, they're not all brand new information that I've only just learnt, but more so things that have been reinforced in this time of reflection. (Like how selfish people can be, going to sunbathe in parks and have BBQs with their friends!!)
1. Appreciate the small things in life
Being able to go for a walk in the fresh air, having a new book and the time to read it, or being able to call your grandparents and tell them how much you love them. This time of isolation is really enforcing the everyday things that we've all been taking for granted. And I just hope we all remember that moving forwards!
2. Routine is key
Everyone's different in this one, but we all have certain things that makes us feel ourselves, and for me that's having A) a daily routine and B) a nice outfit. I've always liked routine to some extent and this lockdown is no different, I'm still getting up, showered and dressed first thing, before reading whilst eating breakfast and then getting on with whatever tasks are to be done and going for an afternoon walk. And unlike most, I've not been living in loungewear (only the odd day here and there) because I need to get properly dressed in order to feel put together.
3. Setting tasks and goals for each day will get you through
I guess this is a bit similar to liking a routine, but if every night when you go to bed, instead of reading more news and getting upset or in a state of panic, turn your phone off and instead make a list for what you want to achieve the next day. Focus on the things you can control! Whether it's simply to water the plants or make your bed, or something more complex, it's something to tick off! Set the goal and you'll feel better when you can tick it complete!
4. Exercise is essential
I've always known that going to the gym, for a swim or a big long walk was good for my mental health. But now not being able to just pop to the gym for an hour, it's hitting home just how good it was. So instead I've been trying to get back into yoga (Yoga with Adrienne of course) and have been trying Joe Wicks daily workouts too. Everyone always says 'you never regret a workout' and it couldn't be more true right now. It doesn't have to be everyday and it doesn't have to push you to the limits, but making the effort will change your mindset.
5. It's ok to do nothing!
As I mentioned before, you don't have to be using this extra time at home to be productive. Great if you are, but not everybody can and that's ok. If you're able to volunteer for the NHS right now, fantastic! If you're studying an online course, great! If your new business is ready to flourish, go you! Not all of us are able to do these things, whether due to health conditions/tearing your hair out home-schooling/grieving/whatever else it might be, and that is perfectly fine. As long as you're not out and about socialising, you're doing good.
6. A sense of community is important
Whether it be checking in on relatives/neighbours who can't get out or simply keeping in touch with friends, now is the time for people coming together and it is something that none of us will forget. Personally I've not been on Facetime/Zoom/HouseParty to anyone except family because I couldn't think of anything worse, but if it's helping you right now then that's great. I'll stick to WhatsApp messages!! But also social media; I participated in the #isolatedwardrobechallenge on Instagram last week and as well as giving me a little task each day, it provided a sense of community with others who have similar interests and it was just lovely and much-needed.
7. It's never been more important to use the unfollow/mute buttons
There's many points I could make about this, and I've said before how important it is not to follow people on social media who make you feel bad about anything and that really is essential right now. Whether it's people pushing everyone to use their time wisely and be their most productive or someone sharing negative opinions that affect you, just get rid of them. Unfollow them, mute them, block them, whatever! And limit your intake of news everyday whilst you're at it. It's not healthy to be taking it all in 24/7.
8. Everything is political right now
I had to come off Facebook 2 weeks ago and I've since had to limit my time on Twitter too because everyone has an opinion, and yes that's valid and fair, but some of them are just uneducated, ill-judged and plain wrong. When hundreds of people are losing their lives everyday? It's political! When NHS workers are losing their lives through a lack of protective equipment? It's political!
And to every single key worker out there doing their best right now, thank you.
Loves. Emma.
Life Lately
Hi, Hello, Hey... it's been a hot minute hasn't it! 2020 is proving to be A LOT already and I've really not been in the headspace to sit and write anything. I've had big ~life things going on and my mental health has been crumbling under the strain (as it has been for the past year or 2 tbh) so taking a step back and making time to just sit and read or draw or do a jigsaw has been far more essential than putting pressure on myself to create content that I'm not in the headspace for. But after (half) of the heavy weight sitting on my chest has been lifted, I'm feeling a little lighter and a lot more motivated. I've had next to no inspiration to be creative since January, but suddenly have had a flurry of ideas that I need to work on immediately and I'm feeling somewhat happy!
Great timing that my flurry of inspiration hits at the same time as a global pandemic, as I now don't feel like I should be out and about shooting photos but we can always get creative at home! And I think we could all do with some light-hearted relief in the form of jovial blog content.
I don't really feel like I want to (or am able to) write anything heavy/personal nor do I feel like that's anything that anyone is remotely interesting in reading right now, so instead I thought I'd share what I've been up to since the start of the year; some book, film and TV recommendations, etc. along with images of my favourite outfits of 2020 so far, ofc...
What I've Read
Little Women! After seeing (and loving) the film at the cinema in December, I immediately invested in a copy of Louisa May Alcotts bestseller and sprung it to the top of my TBR list. If, like me, you've seen the film first, it gives a lot more detail and story filler and it makes Amy much more likeable (I hated not liking Florence Pugh tbh). But yeah, this is a must-read and I don't know why I've never picked it up before, but it is now the start of my quest to read more classics.
I kicked off March by reading The Insecure Girls Handbook by Liv Purvis. I love everything that she does, her content is next level and I knew this was a must-read for me. It didn't disappoint - such an uplifting book when I needed it most and one I will refer back to regularly.
I've also read Me by Elton John recently which was a wonderful read because, my GOD, what a life! And Swing Time by Zadie Smith which was actually my first venture into her work. (I know, I'm sorry.) It was a great read, a book to really get lost in and I actually really like when stories flick between past and present so not everything ties up immediately. I've already picked up a couple of her other books to add to my ever-growing TBR list!
What I've Watched
I feel like I've watched so much in the past 3 months that I could talk about so I'll try to keep it brief! Sex Education season 2 was just as amazing if not better than the first season, it's great uplifting escapism which everyone could do with right now. Of course like the rest of the internet, I've watched Love Is Blind too which is wonderfully mad and another great piece of escapism from the real world. I finally watched Miss Americana last week after it had been on my list for a while and I just fell more in love with Taylor Swift, she's brilliant isn't she? I've also just finished The Stranger which was bizarre and completely bonkers, we guessed all of the ending but still a great watch. And how can I forget Next In Fashion! Alexa Chung and Tan France are both wonderful so I knew it was gonna be good, but I got so hooked and really got attached to so many of the contestants I never wanted anyone to go.
A couple I loved at the cinemas! Emma (which is now top of my 'classic books to read' list) was a great watch and I believe it's actually due for early release on Sky now the cinemas have had to close? Definitely worth a watch; lovely, wholesome and uplifting! I never knew Cher Horowitz was basically 90's Emma? Also, Parasite! I didn't really know all that much about the plot before going to see it, just that it had a lot of nominations and talk around it. I was HOOKED. It was amazing and one I'd recommend to everyone.
What I've Listened To
I've not kept up with any of my podcasts really this year. Whenever I've had the time where I'd usually pop one on (in the car or at the gym, mainly) I've just wanted the light relief of some good music. And I've actually been very boring in not finding much new music but I have been enjoying some Sam Fender, Gerry Cinnamon, Jerry Williams and Red Rum Club!
Also, musicals are my ultimate guilty pleasure (in fact it's not even that guilty, I just bloody love a good musical) so discovering the Magic at the Musicals radio station has been amazing for a good car sing-a-long!
I'm starting to invest more in vinyls too so I've had The 1975, Harry Styles and Swim Deep on loop at home as they're the only ones I currently own...
Some Highlights
I went to see The 1975! I'm a big big fan and went to see them back in 2014(!) at Manchester Academy when I was a student (and the tickets were much more affordable). But with my social anxiety and not enjoying crowds I haven't seen them since.
I kind of surprised myself when I booked tickets last year after getting a presale code from Spotify, it was very much a spur of the moment decision when I opened the email, but it was the best night of 2020 so far and I'm SO glad I went.
It was my brothers birthday in February and we all went Axe Throwing which, I'm saying was a highlight, but I was actually terrible at it and gave up. It was good fun and a great day out though!
I've seen a couple of different shows at the theatre so far this year including We Will Rock You, which was a Christmas present for my dad and although it was completely bonkers was wonderful; and Sound Of Music which was for my mums birthday. It's just a classic isn't it and the cast were incredible. I've also been to a few new vintage kilo sales run by different companies and picked up some GEMS. I'm looking forward to hopefully going to some more towards the end of the year when things calm down.
At the start of last month I set up a new Instagram page to share my journey to a vegan diet! You can follow along at emmsvegandiary and although visits to vegan restaurants are now on hold, I'll try to keep up with at-home meals.
Not really a highlight but also definitely a highlight, is that my local Caffe Nero joined the TooGoodToGo app (which, if you don't know, is a great place to get food that's near its use-by date and save it from being wasted) and the bags from them are Next Level Good! So many pastries, cakes and treats to share with your loved ones (or savour yourself if it's been one of those days!) and I even scored a winner with a vegan meatball panini in one...
(Obviously you can't dictate vegan or even vegetarian options, but as I'm not strictly vegan [though I am trying] it's ok. Especially when I have family to share everything with!)
Anyway share your favourite books/TV shows/movies etc. down below!
Loves. Emma.