[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] We’re nearing the end of the longest month in history – I’m very glad to see the back of this month which has felt a bit like moving slowly under water. But, brighter days, a dash of snow and new shoots peeping through the soil is just starting to give a glimmer of better days. I’m surprised at how long it takes me to do anything now – I used to be so speedy at everything and now I’m at a snail’s pace for some reason… it takes me all morning to get two posts out and it’s not so long ago that I could knock out three or four. I also find it incredibly hard to concentrate for very long (unless I’m glued to Netflix) so end up making silly mistakes all the time. However, I’m not sad or overly stressed and able to count my blessings because in the bigger picture, I have nothing to complain about. I just thought I could flag the things that have been making me smile, whether they’re beauty related or not.
This is a turn of events for M&S who have clearly had some new input on their output. Retro band t-shirts include The Ramones, The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac (in main picture) and if that doesn’t put a little spring in your step, I don’t know what will. There’s a great size selection of 6 to 22 (mostly still in stock but I notice less availability for Fleetwood Mac which has confused my Rolling Stones decision because is Fleetwood Mac cooler?) and they’re £19.50 each HERE, the Ramones HERE and Rolling Stones HERE.
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It might seem onerous to consider changing your life during lockdown but this is a little gem of a book that gives practical tips to actually get you through the day. There are so many things I was nodding in agreement with or making notes of or thinking, that’s a good idea! Examples include turning notifications off your phone if you have a particular assignment to get through (so true – I am distracted every single time), taking time to stretch in the morning and evening (it works, I already do it) and clear out a corner… decluttering is too hard if you look at it as whole, but a corner? I can do that. I think you would say it’s a motivational mix of practicalities and mindfulness that don’t ask much of you but will make differences both big and small. There are quotes from all kinds of people from Jung to Marie Kondo – ‘tidying your physical space allows you to tend to your psychological space’ and never a truer word! Written by Joanne Mallon, it’s a snip at £6.99 HERE.
I have loads of bud vases – you can put a twig in one and it still somehow looks lovely but I’ve noticed that there are a few springs of Forsythia emerging in the garden so I’ll be snipping away. Even just some leaves look pretty and its an easy way to bring some joy into the room. You can just use an old jam jar with a ribbon tied around it. These are £4.95 each HERE.
The Covent Garden store of French jewellery brand, Les Nereides, always makes me stop and look in wonder. Everything is so whimsical and bright – and just a bit too expensive for an impulse buy. However, I’ve spotted these gold plate ballerina necklaces on TKMaxx reduced from £90 to £19.99 HERE. There are a couple of colour options, and ear-rings too but a bit too dangly for me :-).
I almost wish I hadn’t looked at the Hush website – this is a very ‘me’ sweater – I love the band of pink that gives it a happy colour blast. It’s exactly the kind of sweater that you can wear out-out (eventually) AND for watching Netflix on the sofa and everything in between. I love loose knits – in the same way I can’t imagine myself slipping my feet into stilettos ever again in my life, I can’t imagine wearing a skinny rib sweater. Sizes are XS to XL and it’s £85 HERE.
Finally, because a bit of animal print never goes amiss and Hush does the best joggers (I have several pairs) these also come in a blue animal print and a lightening bolt print. I don’t say they’ll get you out on that run you’ve been promising yourself, but you can enjoy your legs while you think about it some more. They’re £49 HERE.
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