Welcome to the slightly delayed first instalment of regular monthly roundups of things I’ve either seen, heard, read, eaten or places I’ve visited. A few other Substacks I subscribe to do something similar and I always enjoy them, they’re a great way to find common ground with each other and of course to discover new things.
I’m also going to use it as a way to (hopefully) source recommendations and advice on things I might be looking for. Not necessarily every month but some months.
Despite the start of the year largely being taken over by endless job applications, I still managed to find some time for fun and relaxing. If you’re currently job hunting, I know it’s a tough market out there right now but keep at it. 💪
What did you do in January? Let me know in the comments.
Currently seeking advice on – Where to get a new swimsuit.
The one I have has been around for a loooong time and I’d really like to get a new one before our second attempt at our honeymoon in a few months’ time. Are there any brands or shops you particularly like for swimwear?
Theatre
The Unfriend (Wyndham’s Theatre, London - closes 9th March)
A funny observation of how painfully polite British people can be sometimes. Not an earth-shattering production but an enjoyable couple of hours at the theatre, and Lee Mack was much better than I’d expected.
The Little Big Things (Soho Place, London – closes 2nd March)
I very much enjoyed the way this show depicts how a person can almost be split in two as they struggle to come to terms with a new way of living. When you want to move on but the old you isn’t quite ready to let go yet.
Music
Teddy Thompson (Cadogan Hall, London)
I remember getting hooked on Teddy a long time ago when he first started releasing music but he fell off my radar over the last few years. His latest album, My Love of Country, is exactly what you’d expect, an ode to his roots and how he came to love music.
Do I wish I could have seen the likes of George Jones, The Everly Brothers and Hank Williams? Of course. But Teddy was a bloody fantastic alternative! I felt like I’d been transported back in time and his voice was made for those classic country songs. Perfect!
Food and drinks
The Rosewood (Holborn, London)
I love a good afternoon tea and my friend and I managed to get in just in time to indulge in the Christmas version, served in the very luxurious Mirror Room. The Christmas-themed sandwich fillings were delicious, the cakes were probably the most impressive I’ve ever seen at an afternoon tea, and the unexpected bonus for me was the Wild Idol alcohol-free champagne. I don’t tend to drink, apart from an occasional espresso martini, so any time I find a good non-alcoholic alternative being offered or an extensive mocktail menu, I’m very happy.
Polpo (Sloane Square, London)
It’s a long time since I visited to original Polpo site in Soho, so this was a welcome return albeit at a different location. The food is still lovely and I’m always a sucker for a small-plates menu where you can enjoy multiple options without over-indulging. The black olive tapenade was particularly note-worthy, piled high on perfectly toasted bread. And of course, no visit to Polpo would be complete with the now famous Nutella pizza to round things off.
TV
Fool Me Once (Netflix) – Another great Harlan Coben adaptation. I never see the twists coming, I’d be a terrible detective.
True Beauty (Netflix) – I’m coming up to the end of this Korean series. I have mixed feelings about it, it tackles some big topics quite well but there are moments of pure cheesy acting that can be a bit jarring.
Surviving Summer (Netflix) – I blitzed this Australian series. It’s not earth-shattering but I always enjoy seeing the Aussie lifestyle – until I can get back there, I live vicariously through these sorts of programmes.
Outer Banks (Netflix) – My husband and I are really enjoying this American series set around a community split by wealth, and with a mysterious treasure hunt bringing out people’s dark sides.
Suits (Netflix) – I’m late the party on this one, I know, but I’m totally sucked in. Only a couple of seasons in at the moment but I’m loving it.
Other bits
Awards season dresses
I’m a sucker for the amazing dresses that get worn at big entertainment industry events, and there were some gorgeous ones at awards season at the start of this year. Personal favourites included Gillian Anderson’s vulva dress (I never even realised what the décor was until I read something about it, I just thought it was a lovely dress) and Emma Stone’s elegant floral gown, both at the Golden Globes. Meghann Fahy’s simple burgundy floor-length gown at the Emmys, and Zawe Ashton’s stunning royal blue number at the Critic’s Choice Awards – she had a cape!
Visit to Richmond
I hadn’t been to Richmond for years, despite it being only a few stops away on the train. My mum and I decided to go for lunch and a browse round the shops, and we got lucky with the weather for a nice stroll along the river. Having watched Ted Lasso last year, it was really nice to see some of the filming spots too.