Happy Friday everyone! I hope you’re all having a wonderful 2019 so far? This week I had dinner with some of my favourite ladies in digital (Alex, Ella, Erica and Naomi) which was so much fun and reminded me how grateful I am for this wonderful community of like-minded women. On Tuesday I hosted an event in Cambridge for my fellow blogger The Anna Edit to launch her new book, An Edited Life; it’s such a great read for all my fellow organisation-enthusiasts or those wanted to streamline their life. I’ve been sleeping terribly this week (mostly due to worrying about Coco, who has an infection and has been having to go to the vet hospital every couple of weeks for scans), so I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home with lots of love and playtime with her, a massage and Australia Day date night with my husband tomorrow, and spending Sunday lighting all the candles, putting on a Nancy Meyers movie or two, and working through the glorious stack of books I got for Christmas. I love that January is the perfect excuse for some indulgent hibernation.
Here’s what else I’m loving right now:
1. Indulge in a favourite small pleasure // January is looong. We’re all trying to ‘be good’ and stick to our new year’s resolutions, drink less + spend less after the holidays, it’s too cold and dark to spend long outside so we’re probably all Vitamin D deficient too. Chase away the winter blues with a couple of your favourite small pleasures that won’t derail your January budget/resolutions: visit an art gallery or museum for some inspiration, buy yourself a big bunch of eucalyptus (inexpensive + looks good for weeks), put on your a favourite outfit + bright lipstick and meet a friend for coffee at a favourite spot.
2. Perk up your winter wardrobe // I find January to be the least inspiring month, fashion-wise. I just find myself wearing lots of black jeans or dresses with a bright coat and some cute shoes and calling it a day. Normally I take it as an excuse to stop shopping for my wardrobe for a month or two, but I like to buy one or two accessories to freshen up my winter wardrobe. I just ordered these blush suede boots which will look so cute with black tights now, and with jeans or a white midi dress come spring (+ this pair is the perfect budget-friendly alternative if you’re on a post-holidays spending freeze).
3. Get bedroom eyes // Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Charlotte Tilbury makeup, and my all-time favourite eyeshadow quad in ‘Pillow Talk’ (which was a limited edition that sold out in about 2 hours last year) has just come back. It is universally flattering, but is especially gorgeous if – like me – you have green eyes.
4. Read something inspiring // I got Michelle Obama’s book for Christmas and have loved getting stuck into it before bed this month. Now that politics is no longer my day job, I need to get my political fix from books and TV shows, but I will honestly say this one of the best and most uplifting books I’ve ever read (it has political references but definitely isn’t a political book if that’s not what you’re into).
5. Wear the fancy pants // I bought these lace trousers (seen in this post) at the start of winter and every single time I wear them someone stops me in the street to ask where they’re from, which can only be a good sign. The lace makes them look really smart, but they have a secret elastic waist so they’re the most comfortable pair of pants I’ve ever owned. They look just as cute dressed down with trainers for day as they do dressed up with heels for evening, so they’ll take you anywhere. The best part: they’re now on sale for under £50 (plus they come in 4 colours and 14 sizes as well as petite + tall).
6. Refresh your knitwear // This might just be the least sexy thing I’ve ever mentioned on this blog, but I ordered this electric fabric shaver a couple of weeks ago and it is the best £14 I’ve spent all year. After washing all my cashmere and knitwear last weekend, I spent a happy hour in front of Netflix shaving the bobbles off all my sweaters and coats and now they all look nearly brand new again. It was so satisfying I even did our sofa cushions too. Don’t say I don’t know how to party…
7. Do a winter wardrobe audit // If you’re anything like me, you’re pretty sick of wearing the same winter clothes by now (I cannot wait for spring and the chance to be able to leave the house in a breezy dress and bare legs). Instead of skipping ahead and buying spring clothes you won’t be able to wear for another three months, take this weekend as an opportunity to do an audit of your entire seasonal wardrobe. Which pieces have you worn repeatedly and still love? Which pieces have you not worn? Make a note of all the pieces you’ll need to replace for next winter, and challenge yourself to wear all the pieces you haven’t yet worn this season. If they no longer make you feel great when you do, you’ll know which pieces to part with.
In case you missed it:
How to Reset Stressed-Out Skin (in case your skin is also out of balance after the holidays)
7 Goals for a Better 2019 (consider these your mantras for a happier year)
10 Things to do When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed (for when your schedule is threatening to swallow you whole)
Casual Fridays (how to get away with wearing jeans to work and still look professional)
However you’re spending it, I hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Love, Briony xx
