Monthly catch up - October
Recent things I’ve been up to
October kind of just disappeared, from the myriad of illnesses swept across the house it felt like a challenge to keep our heads above water. I’m writing this just in pure disblief that October is over.
Here is a round up of my month.
What I watched on TV -
Vogue in the 90s - Disney I really loved this as casual viewing. It was interesting to see celebrities and how they spoke about defining cultural moments. Some of which I vaguely remember from a child. It did get a bit tedious to constantly hearing how “nothing was planned” there were no “stylists or makeup artists”. But I loved it none the less.
Nobody wants this - Netflix I’ve seen there has been a lot of chatter over this and I have a lot to say too. Firstly I really enjoyed the humour in this. I liked that the love interest played their own ages rather than trying to make 40 year old actors pretend to be in their late 20’s. I wholeheartedly agree that the depiction of Jewish women in this was problematic. What I am actually finding in a lot of TV is, that if the roles were reversed, and the husband was talking to his wife in the way Esther (Sasha’s wife) does. OR if the father was controlling and toxic like the mother is OR if the woman gave up her career ambitions for love there would be more of an outrage.
Social Studies - Disney The idea of giving my children access to social media or smart phones terrifies me. This documentary which is being released weekly on Disney has been really confirming to me to stay firm on my beliefs. I really empathise with some of the young adults on how covid and smartphones have shaped their teenage years. There are elements of the documentary that feel slightly exploitive, as if they are cajoling some of the teenagers to be certain “personalities” interesting watch so far none the less.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - Disney trash tv at it’s finest. It’s so bad and full of such childish drama but I could not look away! I don’t think it is selling/promoting the Mormon way of life very well. However the mom tok personalities seem a little less curated, I think due to it being an early season. I loved seeing what Pandora wrote about the series here.
I watched a lot of TV this month, even for me! But I am currently exhausted with an eye infection and low level cold that has taken me weeks to be able to breath out of one nostril.
This months audible - The God of The Woods -
The God of the Woods is a subtle thriller focusing on the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl at a summer camp in 1975. The story flits between present day (1975) and the past (1950’s) told by multiple characters all with their own flaws and complexities.
I downloaded this after multiple recommendations to read. I have very mixed feelings on this and keep going back and forth to whether I really liked this. I think what I enjoyed was that it was a slow burn. I really do think I’m in the serious minority as nearly everyone I’ve spoken to truly loved it.
What I liked… For a thriller I liked that there wasn’t any extreme violence, or the disappearances didn’t sensationalise abuse. Other than one domestic scene that I can recall. It might sound odd to comment on this but it is a bug bare of mine how violence against women is such a trope in fiction, especially in the thriller genre.
Yes, it is a very “readable/listenable story” the author writes well, it was narrated well. But I don’t know why I could not get into it more than surface level. I just failed to care enough about the characters, which is strange as there was nothing overtly offensive or annoying about any of them. Maybe the multiple perspectives we followed, or the sheer amount of characters it felt much of a muchness and made me loose my momentum a little.
The main characters were well thought out and I enjoyed that they seemed multi faceted with flaws and own personal issues and agendas but maybe the author was trying to achieve too much. Or make a very similar and effective story into something much bigger which it didn’t need to be.
I really enjoyed the essence of the story, who went missing in the past and how this related to the current disappearance. I liked how it flitted from the past to the presence. I really enjoyed the solving of both disappearance, but and this is a big but! There was too much of a barrier for me for those who went missing, to those grieving the missing, those who were trying to solve the case. That I didn’t even have any feelings on those who might have done it. Or whether or not I thought the characters should be found dead or alive.
When the story came to an end I nodded along enjoying how the author wrapped it all up. I loved that there were so many subtle storylines and character quirks but somehow it just didn’t manage to leave any lasting impression.
Ultimately like her previous novel Long Bright River (which I’ve also read) I think that whilst in it I thought it was good but next year if you ask me to tell you anything about the book I might not remember. Personally for me it didn’t have the wow impact I was expecting after so many people recommended it. Maybe I had my hopes up too high?
Favourite articles I read -
I’ve been reading a lot around children and social media. I feel it is a really important topic and I’m glad it is being spoken about more and more in the media and between parents/non parents. This New Yorker piece I found equally interesting and heart breaking.
This Substack piece which managed to express much more eloquently than I ever could in regards to careful consumption and a more sustainable wardrobe. “I’ve been struggling to openly endorse this new movement in fashion, which is all about careful consumption, slow fashion, Pieces Made To Last, because such content is being advertised to me by women with quadruple or quintuple my disposable income, or promotional brand relationships that render payment moot”
Keeping to the same “fashion” theme I found this post equally as interesting
Where I visited -
Whilst the weather remains dry I’m trying to get outside as much as possible. It makes such a difference to my day. The leaves changing colour is such a beautiful time of year. Blenheim Palace is my local “go to” for long walks with a *hopefully* napping baby.
Cliveden - we managed to secure a free family pass to a national trust location. for my family Cliveden is a the perfect middle point for us to view. despite the house being shut we spent all the time outdoors. It was a perfect autumnal day and my nieces and nephews had fun running around the play area and maze. we decided we were not over it being ice cream season and stopped for coffee’s and magnums!
Stoke on Trent Races - We’ve been lucky to have weekends filled with sunshine and made the most of being outdoors. As a family we went to see the racing. I loved that there was a lovely buzz of people but not too busy and overwhelming. with plenty of area to run around and of course an ice cream van.
What I ate
When I know we have a busy week or two ahead I’ve been ordering food boxes. People aren’t joking when they say planning meals, buying groceries, cooking meals, cleaning up from said meals is relentless.
I’m just too tired to be creative in meal planning, my ability to be super organised with online grocery shopping has meant that my weekly Grubby box has been a MUCH welcomed weekly parcel.
It’s been fun trying new recipes and meals are also really easily replicable, so if we enjoy something we keep the recipe card and remake again.
Some of our favourites include Cauliflower and chickpea traybake, lentil dhal, miso mushroom gnocchi….
If anyone does fancy using my discount code then we both get a lovely discount!
GRUBBY-EA72AEL
What I bought
I’ve been starting to think about Christmas (already) and what gifts I can buy my children that they will need and enjoy. They’re both so young they don’t really ask for anything so I try and go by the concept… Need/Want/Read
Vinted has been the perfect source to find pieces here and there, alongside popping into second hand stores.
Something they Need - This year I’ve picked up vests, pjs, slipper socks all things essential and cosy.
Something they Want - this will be determined much closer to the time. Right now my 2yo is asking for roller skates! are we asking for trouble?
Something to Read - for my daughter who wears glasses I’ve focused on books featuring characters also wearing glasses. I think I’ll do a whole post on this separately.
Something to Play - I want to find some dynamic doing toys! As we have some lovely imaginative play toys already!
That is the last month neatly rounded up! I can’t get over that we are going into November!