The Weekly Edit

Hello friends, it’s been a while. This is the first time in over a year that I’ve felt like writing here. I very much hope to make it a regular thing again. Everything else has changed, so surely blogging is also due a renaissance of sorts? Here’s a casual list of my thoughts and a few things to try this week.

Eat marmalade on toast 

Last week, on a particularly grey January day, I spotted a crate of Seville oranges while I walked through the market. They were like a little beacon of joy, all zesty and bright. It reminded me that it had been a whole year since I’d eaten any marmalade. Immediately a craving developed: toast, thickly buttered, with just a scraping of tangy marmalade to be eaten with my morning tea.  Keen to rectify this gap in my life, I promptly bought a jar. It was every bit as good as I remembered.

Read In Defence of Witches by Mona Chollet

My first non-fiction read of the year. Mona Chollet takes three of the classic ‘crimes’ levelled against victims of historic witch trials (childlessness, independence and ageing without fear) and applies them to modern women. Why is society still judging women on these charges? And what can we learn from the modern day ‘witches’ who break the mould? I loved this study of women past and present. It challenged some of my ingrained beliefs and had me nodding although in agreement. Find it here.

Listen to a podcast in the bath

I like listening to podcasts in the bath where nothing and no one will disturb me. There’s a lot to chose from on the BBC Sounds app. After enjoying last year’s series The Battersea Poltergeist, I was delighted to discover that Danny Robbins has a new series of paranormal investigations, Uncanny. The first episode was very intriguing and more than a little creepy!

Wear the perfect jumper with your midi dresses.

After much searching I have found the perfect jumper for wearing with a midi dress. It’s been a very Goldilocks-style affair: a jumper must not be too baggy or too long, the neck has to be right and the sleeves have to be just so. To save you the bother of searching, I present the &OtherStories mock neck jumper. It’s affordable, yet reassuringly luxurious. It’s soft, thick and has the right level of stretch to look smart. Extra points awarded as it also washes well. I own it in beige and green – and I’m also seriously considering the pink.

Frock of the week

It’s still winter, but next time you buy a dress try to choose something with a hint of spring-like colour. You’ll be glad to wear it with bare legs and a little jacket when the weather warms up. This green floral dress from Marks and Spencer has just the right level of spring-like charm. Wear it now with cream, grey and navy… then try with pink, lilac and khaki in the spring. I think it would be glorious for Easter.

Have a great week. Hopefully it’s not another year until I write again.

In the meantime, here are a few old posts from the archives you might enjoy:

Finding comfort in Winter

A Marmalade Day

January Bookshelf

Things to do in January: a magical picnic at dusk

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