February News
A gentle-hearted longer guide to February, dedicated to Freedom, Fashion, Food and Cupid’s work.
February always a dreary month in my city. Grey skies and dirty snow or sad looking skeletons of plants are a reminder that winter is still here. It is movie watching weather IMO. With a side of hot chocolate or popcorn.
It is also Black History month. I want to open myself to diverse perspectives and ensure I am not getting all my views in echo chambers of groupthink. Think about freedom. Beyond the events I am attending, this month I will be watching movies from this list.
Why not find one black female-owned business to support this month. Small actions do make a difference. And a movement.
While I was in London I purchased Trinny Woodall’s book Fear Less. I wasn’t a fan of Trinny back in the days of her show with Susannah. She’s a brilliant business woman, and now she has thoughtfully shared her life lessons about fearing less in her book (which also talks about fashion and make-up). I’m a fan now and I love the way her social media daily snippets and stories have the same quality as me bantering with my gal pals.
Getting to grips with anxiety, tuning out the noise of critics, defying all the cultural programming we face, now that is freedom. Even if you don’t by the book (check your local Amazon) her closet confessions are fabulous to watch.
I don’t follow fashion. I am my own muse.
Mother, aged 85
Focus on pleasure. What delights and brings you joy? This is a question I ask every woman who chooses to work with me. And now I am asking myself because I have been having some closet issues. What is my Fashion pleasure…
Here is the story in 10 points:
I went minimalist, following Project 333 for two whole years
I am committed to quality clothing, ME + EM is a current favourite
I avoid buying anything that won’t have a long and happy life in my closet
I try to buy vintage and second-hand, TRR and Poshmark, as much as I can
I shop my wardrobe and set aside regular play time to discover new looks (and I snap photos to remind me)
I interpret trends
I am not a coastal grandmother or into quiet luxury (if it is not truly luxe)
I don’t care about brands
I do care about clothing that loves my body (no unkind squeezing, pinching shit) download Dear Body for FREE here for more
and
I am not a minimalist in my closet! Clothing is all about inside out congruence for me. I need more variety than 333 can give me. I need colour (definitely the chakras) and I need a variety of shapes (ancient GAP slouchy boyfriend jeans, an old pair of Levi’s Wedgie that are straight and utility, my Brancusi barrel jeans by Tibi that have been replaced by the gorgeous and eye wateringly expensive Sid jeans). I own just one dress from COS that I have yet to style because I am experimenting with over-size Japanese looks; a is a stretch for me that has some allure.
What this two-year minimalist experiment taught me about myself is that I very clear about some things (not rigid, just clear) like the colour I will wear on my nails. I have gone off-piste occasionally but I always find my way right back to inky shades, pure red or the iconic Bubble Bath. Also stripes – horizontal on tees, preferably Play by Commes des Garcons, and blue and white in button downs just make weekend dressing perfect.
The simplest formula is this – “it is in style if you love it and it loves you”
Food - A taste of Spring for the dullest of days
While in London, I discovered the most enchanting green salad in the prepared section at Marks and Spencer. It is such an adventure to try new foods and new combinations of the regulars, in a dish that causes surprise.
In a moment of inspired satiety, I photographed the label so that I could share the recipe with you. Amounts are sketchy because I had a single serving.
Supergreen Salad – a great name indeed
English Cucumber – chopped
Endamames – out of pod
Green Apple like Granny Smith – cut into matchsticks
Sugar Peas – sliced on the diagonal
Zuccini – cut into matchsticks
Peas – sweetlets, lightly steamed, add when cool
Green Onions – sliced
Cilantro (coriander) – chopped
Make an apple and ginger vinaigrette
I found this similar dressing and modified it just a little.
· Med to large Gala apple, cored, peeled, chopped
· 1 Tablespoon water
· 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar (+/-)
· 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
· 1 teaspoon organic maple syrup or argave syrup (+/-)
· 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (+/-) optional
· 2 teaspoons tahini
· ¼ teaspoon minced ginger (+/-)
· Sea salt to taste
‘Tis the season of Cupid aka Eros, the Roman god of love. Shooting arrows into hearts so that we would literally be struck down by love. Rather predatory for a cherub, if you ask me. It is also the season, I recall way back in the recess of my memory, of totally uncomfortable and scratchy underwear. Usually purchased in a rush. Often accompanied by a side of butterflies.
Enough. If the idea of “scandalous” lingerie appeals, then invest. Go for the fitted to you, sumptuous numbers that you can wear beyond the wild moments of February 14th. Wear those beautiful lingerie numbers under your boilersuit when you are taking your kids on an outing or under your relaxed sweats for weekend errands. You make the rules. Never forget that!
I hope you are blessed by freedom. Keep on loving YOU
Gucci xx