by @thebeaustudio via instagram
There is nothing quite like the first week of the year. Everyone seems to be motivated to clear things out - literally and metaphorically - old clothes no longer worn are cast aside, pantry items that have sat on the shelf and collected dust for the last year (or two or three) are disposed of with vigour, Despite perhaps still being exhausted from the Christmas/New Years overhang (or just generally exhausted always because you might have young kids) the light seems to shine brighter through the trees, things sparkle, you bounce out of bed. And somehow, more than ever I feel there is promise in the air. Something exciting coming. My skin tingles with the anticipation.
Resolutions I can take or leave, I feel we all put enough pressure on ourselves without tormenting our conscious with things we may not get around to achieving. But I have decided to write down a sentence or two each day of something that made me smile. No pressure, just joy. This morning it was watching ripples on my birdbath. I peered closer to find it was caused by my favourite little fairy wrens that flit in out of our garden, hopping through the rose bushes and across to the great Oak that stands sentry at the front of our house. I watched them bathe for quite sometime, listening to their little delighted chatter.
Here is a little collection of fun, sparkly or enjoyable things I’ve come across that have made me smile this month…
Business first, this Oscar de la Renta gown is all things mermaid swoon-worthy and deserves a call-up here.
(you don’t even want to know how much though.)
Substack loves
Anyone who knows me knows I love a garden. One filled with roses is the best kind.
is so generous in sharing her gardening knowledge. A couple of winters ago I bought a whole new garden bed of bare-root roses simply because of her list of favourites. Pip and her family are in the midst of establishing a new garden after moving from their Country Style famous Tassie cottage and it’s lovely to follow along their journey. It helps that she takes the most beautiful photos and is just generally lovely to connect with.If you’re looking for your next book (and you’ve finished the 2024 ones I’ve recommended) the British
recently wrote about her top reads of 2024 on her substack. She was the first I signed up to on here and I just generally enjoy following along anything Natasha does. Her instagram aesthetic is heavenly, she’s managed to turn reading books into an incredible career this last year and is just witty and funny and notices beauty in things so at the risk of sounding stalkerish I feel like we’re kindred spirits. She has a velvet pink lounge and a library and her love for pretty dresses is one I share so what’s not to love?Instagram loves
And speaking of fashion and beautiful aesthetics
is just heavenly to follow along with. She has young kids but still manages to always make life look glamorous (even though we know it’s not) and reminds me to up my style game despite being in the trenches. She’s an Aussie recently returned from England and her joy at re-finding her Aussie home is just lovely to watch.The lovely
of @ booksbymybed is a great follow for honest, helpful book reviews. She reads widely which I love so there is always something to add to the TBR pile from her suggestions.@rileysheehey has become one of my favourite instagram account handles to follow. She has recently started painting classic book covers which are just so beautiful and prior to that did decks of cards, painting the numbers into scenes - watch her process for this, its just magical.
@locallovely’s recent instagram post about her her roving dinner party, her birthday forage, or borage as she aptly named it, left me salivating (anything with betel leaf and I’m there) and wishing I’d been in on the action. Fear not, she has promised a write-up of the recipes on
which I will await with glee and in the meantime soak up this drool-inducing image from the fun…
I loved this little recent post by @thebeaustudio. I feel it embodies the gentle excitement I’m starting the year with. I want to make dreams come true this year, but I’m also going to go about it peacefully.
Summer book stack
I’ve been reading All the Bees in the Hollow, Lauren Keegan’s debut, over Christmas and I’m really enjoying it. The rest of these in my January stack I’ve been looking forward to reading. Vanessa McCauseland’s writing is always flawless and Emma Grey’s Pictures of You is getting rave reviews. The Outside had me intrigued because of the crime family element and its surfing and the ocean so it’s ticking a lot of boxes for me. Will report back on IG with reviews once done.
Poetry loves
Last year I decided I wanted to read more poetry and so, thinking I should start from the beginning, I bought ‘A poet for every day of the year’. Some of them I can take or leave but some are gems. The below is for January first and, again, while there is always pressure at the start of a new year to have all your ducks in a row (or at least have a plan to) I love this poem’s reminder that really we have the shot to start fresh and invigorated every day of the year, its just all about mindset.
I love this Skye! *subscribes right away*
Happy New Year and I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts 🌱🥰
Fabulous del a Renta dress! What a lovely read xx