I don’t want to be too optimistic, but this weather is making me feel that it is going to be a cracking summer. Everything feels possible when there is sunshine.
I’m a true brit who constantly talks about the weather, and, when you have children the weather seems so much more important. Have I packed the right clothes, suncream, layers. Which inevitably just means I walk around carrying my daughters hat and coat which she won’t wear but I feel that I need them on display to avoid judgment from all the nana’s at the park.
Being outside brings me a lot of joy. It’s actually quite a recent feeling. Previously being a city girl I would much prefer museums and galleries, pubs and brunches. But with living in more of a countryside setting with two young kids outdoors has become our go too.
As I return to work i’m shifting a little bit on my posting schedule. I’m deciding to combine a few of my posts and go back to more of a monthly round up with some additional solo book reviews. I plan to be a little go with the flow, but if you enjoy something then PLEASE let me know! This is a long one so please view in app/browser if you get cut off from on email…
I’m trying to lean into reading a little less, despite writing on here feels like I should be reading 10x more!
Divine Might by Natalie Hayes - This book I want to read back to back because it was so good and packed with so much information I know I’ve not absorbed half as much as what I want to. Ever since being a young child I’ve gravitated towards learning about greek myths and this is one of the first books I’ve read that does a great job of linking ancient stories with modern books and films. Hayes also has an effortless sense of humour. S
I previously read a Substack that spoke about how much they hated audiobooks, which funnily a few years back I would have agreed with, although the post agreed it was still reading, just in a different context, they spoke about how audio format meant that they didn’t absorb and savour the story. I’ve experienced this before, but after a bit of work and practise I do find myself totally engaged (when it’s a good book).
Listening when breastfeeding an ideal time, a dark room doesn’t really provide many distractions. But I’ve also got a post lined up on my top tips in choosing the right audiobook!
Meet me at the Surface by Jodie Matthews
Set in Cornwall Meet me at the Surface follows Merryn and her return to her hometown after the death of her best friend/exgirlfriend Claud. Making her way back from Manchester to Cornwall for the wake we explore Merryn’s past, her relationship with Claud, her mother and her childhood. Sandwiched between Cornish folklore and modern day Merryn senses something isn’t quite right. What though, just feels out of reach. Surrounded by superstition and any answer leads to more questions I loved the exploration and the journey Merryn goes on.
I love how the guardian describe the book as unapologetically queer, as it does such a great job of exploring identity, sexuality whilst being met with a constant frostiness from town folk that Merryn just can’t seem to figure out why.
As soon as this book finished I’ve been googling and reading on Cornish folklore. I love folklore and this has definitely inspired me to read more of it. I’m yet to understand whether the story of the Pedri (the main story focused on in the book) is actually a folklore or a fictional one created for the story.
The narrator has also narrated the story Cleopatra and Frankenstein and I think this is a great example of picking a book by a narrator that you know and enjoy. I find her voice very therapeutic and get easily swept away with the story.
If you’ve read and liked Meet me at the Surface then you might like -
Snowflake by Louise Nealon - which also focuses on female friendship and complex familial relationships.
Saltwater by Jessica Andrews - which also explores returning to a hometown after previously leaving
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Lisa Schneidau - which features lots of short and interesting folklore.
Real Pain, Disney - I’ve been really impressed with my Disney membership which I get free with my bank account. Lots of the movies that I missed out on at the cinema have so quickly come on demand. Real Pain was such a great movie. I loved both the subtle and overt humour as well as the array of characters bought together on the journey.
Bad Influence, Netflix - As someone who isn’t a huge fan of influencing culture, or should I say idolising influencers this docuseries baffled me. Like most people I know there has been a lot of criticism around the laws and guidance there is around children influencing online. But for me, my biggest issue is with the parents. Multiple children were let down by their guardians and I feel that not one parent admitted that they put money over their child’s mental health and personal safety. Most of the mothers were very quick to defend their choices and explained that it escalated beyond their control. Like the “crushes” element where they let/encouraged their child to have an online relationship as it is what got more views. These are 12-13yo children that they are letting have a fake relationship online, kissing and in general develop a relationship that is purely online.
MobLand, Paramount - love love love the casting in MobLand, although the series isn’t yet finished I’ve enjoyed each episode so far (fingers crossed it doesn’t go down hill from here). It’s not revolutionary and actually follows the same path as all of these mob war things do but its quality acting. I’m also really enjoying that you can only catch up weekly and not binge.
I’ve always been someone who gets very invested in Refinary29s money diaries when I found Double Shift I’ve found myself just as interested. How working families make it work and afford childcare is something I can’t help but speculate. What has shocked me is reading about a working mum (USA) who wfh with her toddler there. I read about 3 mothers in the same week all working 40 hours with no additional support. I can not imagine how difficult that must be as well as how frustrated I would feel not being able to give either job 100%.
I’ve also been really busy enjoying these posts decoding stylish mothers, here if you live in NYC (Brooklyn & Manhattan) and here if you’re an East London girl. I’ve also been keeping stock of what constitutes a cool mum in Oxfordshire, when you move out of a city the array of outfits are wild. I might join in and do much own version, because, you know, I’ve been making notes.
I booked a family day at our local arboretum where we did nature arts and crafts. It was really well suited to a range of age groups and we had such lovely weather that we joined in with crafting along with a lovely walk around looking at the beautiful flowers and peacocks!
We requested one of our Christmas presents to be delayed, which was the National Trust membership as we thought we would get more use out of it when the weather got better. We had a great day visiting Waddeson Manor. With the subscription we were sent a national trust book which I’ve tabbed lots of places I’d like to go.
I had my first get away from my kids since having my son just over a year ago. A handful of friends and I went to Baghurst in Hampshire. It was a much needed night away. The first night I’ve slept 6 hours in a over a year!
My parents really kindly had both children and my partner and I managed to go on a hike. The weather was in our favour and we had the best time doing a walk that I hadn't done since being a teenager. I can not get over how much I’ve missed being able to just go on a 3 hour walk.
I FINALLY signed up to the gym. Despite not being able to find any of my old gym kit, I’ve not let it stop me. Instead I’ve worn an old t-shirt and some lulus that are a little stretched out from my pregnancies. I’m not someone that really enjoys working out but in the last week I’ve gone a handful of times and feel like I’m over the hump of nerves the gym brings me! My biggest battle is the fact that I am the worst in each class by far, and I can’t help but not feel empowered but a little silly. My aim is to turn up as much as possible and see how I feel after a month.
Rather than buying this month I’ve spent this month really trying hard to spring clean, pass on any old kids clothes, remove anything that doesn’t fit along with packing away all the thick knits that hopefully are no longer needed this year.
I am someone who clutter and just stuff in general bothers me. So I feel good about the sheer amount of things I’ve managed to find a home for. I would love for more bits to sell on Vinted, but the time it takes to upload and go to the post office etc isn’t worth the £2.50 return!
I have been on a journey with buying clothes, and although I love designing them and am obsessed about finding fashion inspiration. When it comes to dressing myself I’ve been at a bit of a loss. I find it hard to hone in a particular style or trend and have found myself building a wardrobe that fights each other rather than complement.
What’s the Weather? is now officially live. I have some really exciting scheduled posts highlighting some amazing exhibitions on around the UK as well as an introduction into the 1920s and a look at the Spring Summer catwalk and how this has translated into the highstreet, as well as detailed comp shops!
I love reading Refinary29’s money diaries too! mostly because I’m curious how other people spend their money haha