I'm currently holed up in my bedroom, sat with my laptop on my bed, surrounded by furniture as decorators sand the floors and paint the walls in the other rooms. We moved into this flat last December with a five week old baby (would not recommend!) and it's taken a while to make this place feel like ours. I had dozens of interiors choices to make, from kitchens to curtains, paints to planters, and I lacked the motivation after putting the baby to bed and cooking dinner to research options and make a bunch of decisions. I've slowly been ticking things off the list, but now Raphael's settled in at nursery, I've had the time and bandwidth to pick up the pace.
We plan on hanging a few pieces of Japanese art on our freshly painted walls, to remind us of our travels and the special place where we got engaged. Here's my current shortlist of Japanese botanical/ landscape/ vintage prints from Etsy - one of which will be added to my Christmas wishlist shortly...
Last year I was kindly sent some gold hoop earrings from British fashion jewellery brand Ottoman Hands. I've worn them a lot, as pictured here ready to pop at 39 weeks pregnant last October, and then last month, taking Raphael to his first day of nursery. I took this photo on the walk there, before I dropped him off and the tears came (but more on all the motherhood feels later). A year of change, but the beautiful gold hoops remain!
Founded by Deniz Gurdal in 2010 and inspired by the traditions and craftsmanship of the Ottoman Empire, each piece is handcrafted by artisans in their Istanbul workshop. Uniting eastern and western heritage, the designs are gold-plated recycled brass and feature semi-precious gemstones.
I love the unusual design of these front-facing hoops, which are handmade in 21 carat gold-plated brass. Both pairs of earrings are lightweight so really comfortable, and come with matching pieces if you want to complete the look.
Handcrafted in recycled brass plated with yellow gold, these eye hoops radiate artisanal character and playfully nod to the ancient evil eye symbol, thought to offer protection against evil forces. The matte finish of the gold gives a well-loved, well-worn patina and vintage feel, as if they're old treasured jewellery box favourites. And I'm sure they will be!
Here are a few skincare favourites I'm currently loving. After having limited time for self-care since a certain little someone came along, I'm enjoying having a (quick) morning and evening routine again. These are all now empties, and are all recommended.
For daytime, I'm using the 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serumfrom vegan, eco-conscious brand Youth to the People.Packed with vitamin C and caffeine derived from yerba mate and guayusa plants, this serum brightens, moisturises and reduces morning puffiness.
At night I'm using theAqualuronic Serumfrom the #1 Korean skincare brand AHC. It's a lightweight, moisturising serum formulated with ceramides and mineral-rich seawater clinically proven to boost hydration, which glides on the skin leaving it feeling smooth and refreshed.
For a night moisturiser, I love the Midnight Radiance Maskfrom luxurious Hungarian brand Omorovicza. Packed with salicylic acid, it's an unusual, cooling gel consistency, which melts into the skin and works overnight to brighten, tone and reduce pigmentation.
These new parent dark circles just won't quit, so I'm relying on the new Awaken Peptide Depuffing Eye Gel from my favourite skincare brand, Dermalogica. It firms, hydrates, helps minimise the appearance of fine lines, and works well under makeup so I've been using it morning and night. I apply it with my little finger or Dermalogica's refreshing Ultimate Eye Wand, which I kept in the fridge over the summer to make it even more cooling on tired eyes.
Last but not least, before bed I apply a few drops of the Cell Repair Oilfrom all-natural, British brand Aurelia London. This award-winning, nightly treatment uses botanicals and essential fatty acids to firm, tone and regenerate the epidermis, whilst antioxidants fight free radicals to reduce oxidative stress and ageing.
There you have it, my quick and efficient daily skincare routine. I'm using the occasional face mask/ body scrub/ haircare treatment when I can, but I make time for these six products every day. Let me know if you have any speedy big-hitters you recommend!
It's your last chance to see the excellent Milton Avery exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, which runs until Sunday. The London gallery has brought together a selection of around 70 paintings for the first comprehensive exhibition of the American artist's work in Europe.
Milton Avery, Sails in Sunset Sea, 1960
Featuring paintings spanning Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism from the 1910s-1960s, American Colourist is a celebration of harmonious colour and simplified form. Quiet scenes of daily life and portraits of loved ones sit alongside serene landscapes and bold, colourful canvases depicted in Avery's unique style.
Milton Avery, Blossoming, 1918
Considered one of America’s greatest 20th-century painters, Milton Avery (1885–1965) was admired by abstract expressionists Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, and a major influence on the next generation of artists. Hot foot it to Burlington Gardens this week to see for yourself why.
Milton Avery: American Colourist, runs until 16 October 2022 at The Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries at the Royal Academy
I'm starting the new year, as feels right after the cosy clutter of Christmas, with a bit of a spring clean. We moved last month into a new flat (side note: I would not recommend moving with a newborn), and are slowly but surely getting through the unpacking and arranging. I'm decluttering as I go, taking dozens of items to the charity shops and recycling banks, then will do a proper wardrobe spring clean in the coming months when I can use naptimes to try on clothes rather than rummage through the final boxes trying to find a place for everything. You can expect a lot more interiors content coming your way this year, as I research everything from bedroom and nursery furniture to kitchens and flooring - we were supposed to move in before the baby was born, but better late than never: let nesting commence.
I mentioned Christmas 2021 came and went in a bit of a blur - one of the things I hastily added to my last minute wishlist my family chased me for throughout December was this glazed fruit bowl from Anthropologie, and I'm happy I did. If you're in the market for a beautiful bowl, here are a few others I shortlisted too.
Designed by Danish artist Nicholai Wiig-Hansen, this geometric piece is inspired by early 20th century Cubism. Made by hand, with a raised conical base and a deep vessel, this fruit bowl is equally striking as a sculpture by itself.
Crafted from terracotta and hand-painted, this bowl sits atop a wide base that lifts it from tabletops - perfect for displaying baked creations, fresh fruit, or dried arrangements.
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