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14/11/24 - A juicy little list of good things to click on. Feat: a book review, bows, bamboo, Boden, boeuf (this will make sense), tartan times, winter warmers, home and happy things ❤

Bonjour!

I’m back with another brain dump, ahem, magical brain dump.

This week we’re starting to feel a tad Christmasy (don’t worry, not another gift guide, I’m sick of them already if I’m honest. If you don’t know what to buy someone don’t buy them some kind of ‘stocking filler’ designed for this season that will never see the light of day).

Sorry, I’ve turned Scrooge already 😂 … I’ll continue as I meant to. So! This week I’ve got for you:

Top tartan, a gingerbread surprise, the cutlery that’s so good I’d even want it for Christmas, bows for any season, a surprise scarf (I would take it in every colour), a new home purchase, a book everyone has got to read at some point in life, AND I’ve finally found the perfect paint colour.

Voila! Let us begin…

— Bow jeans! Pilcro at Anthropologie | The Kenna High-Rise Heritage Tapered Barrel Jeans Bow Edition | £148 - bow season may be upon us, again! Now, I’m not usually one for a seasonal fad, but I feel these are an any season wonder…

… and they rather remind me of this Sea New York Lucienne Leather Bow Jacket I’ve been coveting, but it’s £££ pricey, think £550+. I’d wait for full Black Friday or Christmas sales (which now always happen pre-Christmas anyway).

Image @poppyalmond. Linked the SEA jacket here at ShopBop, even with tax added (they’re a big US site) and shipping they always seem to be a tad lower priced. And they do good discounts… like I said wait for impending sales.

— All Fours by Miranda July, has anyone read this? I’ve just finished and loved it, in it’s weirdly wonderful way. It is weird, very weird, but brilliant. I just feel the need to tell everyone to read it… it’s so unlike other books I’ve read, but again, I’ll say it, in a brilliant way.

I’m still thinking about it a couple of weeks later. I wish that redesigned motel room was a real place (if you’ve read it you’ll know - just to clarify, not that I want to do all the things that happened in that room! But, so what if I did?).

“I could always be how I was in the room. Imperfect, ungendered, game, unashamed. I had everything I needed in my pockets, a full soul.”

And I kind of want a sequel please. I’ve linked a Guardian review here for you as I can’t sum it up successfully in a few lines.

— Christmas comes early, well buy now to ensure it does, I’d put money on these selling out as fast as those little gingerbread legs can carry them! Dunelm | Handpainted Gingerbread Glass Tumbler | £3.50 (each).

I never know when is the appropriate time to start smattering in some Christmas joy, I’d say end of November is when we’ll get our tree (earliest), but that’s too late for grabbing a festive buy like these! And I’ve already seen various people / stores publishing multiple gift guides. So, I’m the Christmas sloth it seems (cosy, cute, goes at their own pace. Amen to that!).

— Since we’re starting to feel a tad Christmasy can I say… it’s TARTAN TIME! One of the most wonderful times of the year. Remember a tartan something something is for life, not just for Christmas, so make it a goodun you’ll want to whip out every year.

This kilt is killing me, it’s everything I’ve been after in a proper full length, pleated midi skirt, and would you look at that two tone tartan - Boden | Josephine Midi Kilt Navy Green Check | £180 (15% off when you sign up).

*Naturally, it’s almost sold out already (good Boden bits do go quick!) but I’d say KEEP CHECKING for returns (or a swift restock) - literally, within an hour of checking as I type, three different sizes have popped up back in stock.

— Whilst on the tartan theme, some of you may remember this BEAUTY I showed you in here last December. I had her made bespoke but she’s just launched last week as part of this maker’s new collection (I knew I should have been a dress maker! Well, designer… but I lack artistic skills… hmm).

Yes that is me, and yes, if you go online to buy this you may see more of me (in no way affiliated with the brand, I just bought this as a bespoke order last year and shared some pics on my Instagram). And you can find my phone case here for anyone who wants it.