It’s been a while since I wrote one of these but today, I feel like writing to you and sharing some of the things I’ve been loving lately. Also, how are you? I’ve been feeling a bit down for the last few days, unmotivated at work, overwhelmed with wedding planning (less than 4 months to go now!), and the last addition to the list…neck pain and migraines! Last week I was in bed like a diseased Victorian child thinking my body had finally given up on me and that I was about to die. Don’t you just love getting old sometimes? 33 is the new 85, my guys. Or at least it will keep being so if I don’t make sure I’m taking the time and space to take better care of myself. Stress can get physical and it’s no fun!
And hey…take a look at what my horoscope says:
🔮 And now, for the stress-inducing news you've been waiting for. Mark Monday, March 25 down in your calendar, as it brings a full moon and lunar eclipse in your sign, Libra. Eclipses are known to bring drama and sudden change. They also leave everyone on edge, but especially you since this one falls in your sign. Now, that's a lot of seemingly negative information, but here's the good news: The secret to surviving an eclipse is self-care. On, and a few days before and after the eclipse, opt for rest over ragers, and use it as an excuse to cater to your inner introvert. Get cozy with pyjamas, your favorite TV show or book, and a calming glass of wine or tea. You've had a big month, and you deserve to take it easy. 🔮
AND April 1st marks the start of Mercury retrograde so at least is good to know that I’ll have something to blame for if something goes wrong in the next three weeks! Ah, astrology. Are any other Libras in the room with us right now?
But enough stars and let’s get on to the true stars ✨ of my life lately (see what I did here??? Jesus Substack where is my feature)
🎀 My Kindle
After a passionate affair with physical books for the last year and a half, I find myself in love with my Kindle again. So, I did a massive clear out of all my books following this system: only keeping the physical copies of those that are signed/have images/have sentimental value. The rest I donated to a free library on Leith Walk and got their ebook version. And it felt amazing! I also keep a secret Pinterest board with all the books on my wishlist since I can’t be bothered with a Goodreads account. For those asking (absolutely anyone) my Kindle is the 8th Generation one in white. And apparently, they don’t make them in white anymore, so it feels kind of cool to have this sort of tech relic. Despite having been released in 2016 it works perfectly, and it’s updated to the latest version so my cute wee white e-reader will be enjoyed and loved until its last breath! More pros I’m finding along the way:
I bought it around 2019 but still can’t over how cute and compact it is. I always carry it with me.
Sometimes a gurl doesn’t want to be judged by the book she is reading, ya know? What if today I feel like reading The Life and Works of mid-century toilet cleaners or worse, Prince Harry’s biography? Now you’ll never know.
Their integrated dictionary feature helps a lot when I read in English (which is 85% of the time) - I just have to highlight the word and voilà!
Pretty cool also that I can highlight sentences or passages and they are kept in a separate document within the device.
It prevents me from buying tons of books anytime I set foot in a charity shop or library…
📚 Books
Glossy (Marisa Meltzer, 2023) is about Emily Weiss, founder of Glossier, probably the beauty brand I’ve ever spent more money on. The author writes an addictive tell-all that doesn’t try to be flattering or polemic. It balances perfectly in the middle and that’s what makes it so good. I’m halfway through it at the moment - and I’m not the only one loving this book: Amazon Studios has bought the rights to turn it into a series. Colour me interested!
Tokyo fiancé by (Amélie Nothomb, 2009) was recommended to me by none other than my fiancé (love a guy who reads 🔥) The novel is the story of a young Belgian woman born in Japan who returns to her childhood home in Tokyo while trying to start a new life there. She believes that the most effective way to learn Japanese is to teach French, so she meets Rinri, a sophomore studying French. The two become friends and lovers and of course, they experience all kinds of situations related to their cultural backgrounds. It’s originally written in French (Ni d'Ève ni d'Adam) so I am reading the Spanish translation instead of the English because I believe it will be closer to the original? I don’t know man. There was a movie adaptation made in 2014 that I can’t wait to see.
🎬 Watching
Monster (Kore-eda Hirokazu, 2023) I don’t even know how to describe this film because it’s seriously a masterpiece that takes you by the hand to places while you are blindfolded, and when you take your blindfold off you are in a place that didn’t even crossed your mind. Watch it!!! Now!!!
Society of the Snow (J. A. Bayona, 2023) La Sociedad de la Nieve is based on a 2008 book by the same name written by Uruguayan journalist Pablo Vierci, with accounts from the 16 survivors of the 1972 insane plane crash in the Andes mountains. This story has been turned into a movie before, like Alive (1993), but this is the first time where the cast is actually Uruguayan, filmed in Spanish and in the same locations where it happened. It’s filmed with exquisite delicacy, a beautiful score, and touching themes of cannibalism (!!!), faith, and friendship - and I seriously think it´s one of the best films I’ve seen lately. (And I’m not saying it only because I am a plane crash nerd.)
Succession (HBO, 2018-2023): We just finished it and now I get what all the fuss is about. This show was fucking good and it makes you feel A LOT. Also, in the words of cousing Gregg: Nice memes, good memeage…
Samurai Matcha (Youtube channel) Hervé and I are a bit obsessed with this Japanese guy at the moment. He talks about minimalism, Japan´s culture, and personal development and he is just sooooo soothing and bullshit free.
👀 Taking time to be private on social media
I recently decided to turn my Instagram private and I’ve been enjoying it. I created my IG account on 29th December 2010 (seems like it was during a boring Christmas time family gathering) and for +13 years I’ve kept it open to everyone. Recently I decided to switch to private - lately, I feel that my only two platforms, Instagram and Substack, should be like a mini club of people I know and strangers that I’d love to be friends with. I’m currently in the process of removing followers who are bots or random guys and I’ve already lost a potential collaboration with a sustainability publication “because the only thing we can see is your newsletter and that’s not enough”. So on the other side, I wonder if doing this is a mistake? Am I missing the opportunity “to be discovered”? Am I missing the chance for one of my posts to “make it”? Perhaps, but I’m entering a new era in my life in which I really want to feel in control of who I share my moments with, who deserves to know, who I want to let in into my lil world. And it feels good. And in a world where absolutely everyone is trying to be an influencer, it also feels kind of cool not to care about that. I am making my own rules. Join if you fancy.
✨ Cute things I’ve seen around
This collapsible travel cup that I saw at the gift shop of the National Gallery of Scotland that I’m trying hard to convince myself I don’t need and this cute set of salt and pepper shakers I saw in a window shop on North Berwick.
👏🏻 Creative things are happening around us all the time
I spent last weekend in Glasgow with Hervé and the film crew of Lithuanian director Monika Navickaite´s film Flowers, So Many Flowers at the Glasgow Short Film Festival, where her beautiful short film was nominated for the Young Scottish Filmmaker prize. Hervé composed the music for the film and our friend Arthur did the sound design. Last weekend reminded me how comfortable I feel around film people and how exciting things are happening around us all the time…I just need to keep looking until I find my place.
And I think that’s it for this letter! I will write to you next week for the monthly recap of my #NoBuyYear, which is reaching its half-year! (Spoiler alert: it’s not been easy). I hope you are having a good end of March and if no one has told you today: you are loved and super cool. 👋🏻
I’m really into YouTube and Japan, so I’m definitely checking Samurai Matcha!
I also love my Kindle and I’ve been adding notes to my highlights lately. Because I just can’t stop being opinionated 😅
Another pro on my list: Kindle is the best option to read when you share your bed with a baby, I don’t know what’s with the sound of pages turning but it’s almost imposible to read a physical book without waking him up…🤷♀️