It’s been a ‘hot minute’ as the kids say, but I’m back from holiday and to my regularly scheduled content.
I’ve missed writing this weekly column and, in truth, I’m not quite sure where to begin regarding this bumper instalment as I try to catch you up on three weeks of what I’ve been up to.
The reason for my absence was a 10-day break to Mallorca, which was booked so last minute as to create a frenzy and a panic - mostly about packing - because no sooner had the flights been booked, we were being emailed about checking in online.
I’ve talked about this at length on my podcast but I struggle to switch off, let alone take time off so this was my first proper holiday in years where all that was on the agenda was ‘relax and unwind’. However, I managed a couple of hours by the pool on day one before feeling a bit bored and so began 10 days of day trips, excursions, hikes, boat trips and adventures that were as exhausting as they were invigorating.
I plan to write a Substack on the places I’d recommend you visit if you’re planning a trip to Mallorca but for this column, I’d say my highlights were discovering the beautiful town of Fornalutz on a hike from Sóller, having dinner at the majestic Aga Panto restaurant in Port de Sóller under the brightest light of the Harvest Moon and watching the sunset from the Infinity Pool at the Jumeirah Hotel where I stayed.
Going away was a refresh and a reset that I needed because by putting a bit of distance between me and ‘reality’ I was able to see a few things with a kind of clarity you simply cannot when your nose is pressed up against your own life every single day.
First was the sense of panic that’s ever present; you know the kind of rumbling in your solar plexis that you aren’t doing enough with your day, you’re behind on your to-do list and that horrible feeling that everyone else is gliding through life with far greater ease than you are. Being away from everything ‘familiar’ made it much easier to realise I don’t need to feel panicked all the time to feel as though I’m achieving or to feel as though I care about what I do. The lesson learned here is go a little bit easier on myself and enjoy the ride (of life?) rather than be constantly stressed out by it.
If you’re listening to the podcast at the moment and my attempts to incorporate mobility exercises into my daily routine, you’ll know that I’ve been bothered by tightness and discomfort in my hips for a while. Going away, and not touching a dumbbell or even entering a gym for 10 days highlighted how my strength training is a trigger for this because I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort while I was away.
My first strength training session - a leg day - after my holiday brought back a lot of what had been bothering me so I was sure to get back on the mat for some mobility work. However, I also booked my first proper pilates class, as inspired by the excellent Polly Vernon in this Substack, to try to strengthen my lower core but also train all the smaller muscles that my current sessions don’t necessarily support.
I had been put off Pilates a little bit by one class I did a few summers ago, which was reformer pilates in the dark with the door closed and pumping dance music. It was hateful and with no instruction or guidance I left furious that I had subjected myself to something so awful and with a dull back ache that got worse over the next few days.
What I’ve signed up for seems to be completely different with much more emphasis on targeting your weaknesses, going slowly and focusing on goals and objectives, which for me are to tighten up my lower core muscles. I’ll be keeping you updated on here and on the podcast with my progress and (hopefully) improvements.
There’s no denying the weather has gone from summer to autumn almost overnight here in the. September has been wet, dull and the temperatures have dropped enough for me to be boning up on all my hearty food recipes. My favourite being Ian Haste’s mushroom and lentil bolognese from his book The 7 Day Basket.
As well as culinary shifts, I’ve been taking a look at my makeup and on a recent visit to the Pure PR offices in London, picked up the E.L.F. Cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation in 31, £8, and the E.L.F. Cosmetics Halo glow Setting Powder, £8. I filmed a video for Instagram where I demo’d them here but the finish they give, a sort of demi-matte, soft filtered effect, is perfectly paired with the cosy knits and heavier fabrics I’m currently wearing, versus the glowy bases I’ve been using all summer.
I may film a video this week on the shifts I’ll be making to my makeup, what I’ll be retiring and what will be used daily from now if you’d be interested to see…
One of my favourite beauty brands, Naturium, brought sunshine to an otherwise wet and dreary day in the Capital with a Glow Getter Smoothie van and Glow All Out smoothies, designed by my friend Emily English, to celebrate the release of their Glow Getter Body Oil, £26, and Body Butter, £22.
I’ve been using the products over the last few days and they are light yet cosy and absorb so quickly and easily into skin that they’ve become my post-shower go-to. Both these formulas are packed with oils and butters to lock in hydration, which is why they are great on damp post-shower skin, and squalane for firmer skin. They do make skin look plumped and hydrated but they also feel amazing too.
On the podcast this week and over my Instagram stories, I talked about my fascination with what could potentially be the unravelling of Hollywood given the arrest of P Diddy and revelations in the 14-page indictment that almost certainly mean he’ll spend the rest of his natural life in prison. The question is, who else will he bring down? I’ve been trying to find a good source to explain exactly what’s going on and so far these seem to to be the best. Please note though, this isn’t entertainment, this is really quite unpleasant and harrowing so please proceed with caution…
I’ve been recommended Emily D Baker’s Youtube channel, @newsbyhil on Instagram and this podcast with Annie Elise goes through all 14 pages of the court documents.
I could go on for several hundred more paragraphs but in the interests of not clogging up your inbox on a Sunday with something too lengthy, I’ll cap my update here and be back next week with more shenanigans. In the meantime, if you have any questions about anything in this column, please ask away in the comments below.
Loved this! It's so obvious you deep dive the news! Glad you had a wonderful holiday