I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting this: I’ve really struggled through January. There were some quite dark days in the middle, with this interminable lockdown stretching out, no reprieve in sight. Staying motivated - arguably just sane - was a tough old slog. Short, muddy days aren’t the most inviting scenarios for a daily stroll, even with the knowledge that exercise is good for me. I finished dry January, driven not by virtue nor health, but by the simple fact that I didn’t need an actual depressant to trigger depression. It’s been hard to uncover the joy.
But with the longest January on record having finally come to an end, I wanted to let you in on some of the things that have brought me a little comfort over the past month.
Colour is a great joy-giver for me. I love a splash of anything bright (especially neon), whether that be burning ombré ribbed candles from The Tangerine Collective to accompany my weekday dinner (£6 and due to be re-stocked on Saturday, etsy.com), wrapping myself in a cheering orange cashmere stole from Johnstons of Elgin, (£399, johnstonsofelgin.com), or donning a pair of pastel coloured knickers from Dora Larsen (alas their beautiful bras don’t come larger than a DD, so not suitable for my gargantuan bust), (£38, doralarsen.com). These colourful little gems have provided me with a haven of joy in this otherwise grim time, helped by the fact that none of them require actually getting out of leggings.
Tangerine Collective dinner candles, £6 each, etsy.com
Johnstons of Elgin stole, £399, johnstonsofelgin.com
Dora Larsen knickers, £38, doralarsen.com
I adore cooking for others in normal times and have been really missing the joy that feeding people brings me. But I’m trying to harness the feeling that I get when I’m cooking. I’ve never mastered sitting still, so meditation is not my bag, but finely chopping onions I find akin to mindfulness. I’ve been making litres of chicken stock to use in home-made, lean, ever-so-slightly anglicised ramen with a strong chilli kick: delicious, nourishing and warming. I love Melissa Hemsley’s Mum’s Filipino Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.
Melissa Hemsley’s Mum’s Filipino Chicken Noodle Soup, melissahemsley.com
Finally, I’ve been lusting after these Gore-Tex trainers from Nike. Wellington boots have never complimented me – the short ones cut across my lower leg at precisely the most unflattering point (i.e. the widest part) and the long ones are often a nightmare to get over my disproportionately muscular calves. These Gore-Tex trainers, (£129.95, nike.com) as well as keeping my feet dry and being cheery in colour, are cut low enough not to shorten my already short legs, and may just be the encouragement I need to go for my daily sojourn even when the weather is uninviting.
Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX, £129.99, nike.com
Talking of miserable weather, if you’ve missed any of the last few week’s blogs, where I’ve been discussing all the ways to stay warm, dry and (crucially!) stylish, you can click through to them below. There is a new post every Tuesday lunchtime so look out for them here, and I’ll continue to post a reminder in my Instagram Stories (@pruewhitestylist) each week.
Don’t Buy Another Pair of Leggings Until You’ve Read This
Your Complete Guide to the Best Leggings to Buy Now
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather
Everything you need to stay warm and stylish on your daily constitutional
The Art of the Duvet
All my tips for how to avoid being swamped by the Puffer
I’ve been loving receiving your feedback on the posts. It’s so great to hear things are resonating with you, so I hope you continue to enjoy them. I want Notes on a Wardrobe to be a really helpful resource for you all, so if there is something in the style stakes that you’re struggling with, let me know and I’ll do my best to unravel it in a future post.
And the little bit of admin – I have started using affiliate links on the blog. My credibility is a crucial part of my business and is not worth compromising for a small kickback from any purchase you may make on here. I want you to be confident that what I am recommending is something I really rate. In turn, I think it’s useful for you to know exactly how I put together my post. The first thing I do each week is to decide on a subject (obviously). I then research it thoroughly using a lot of honest, personal experience rather than PR-speak, write it and lay it out. It’s only then, when it’s all done that I even look into what may be available as an affiliate. This is all so that you can be sure that what’s included here, is included because I really value it. And as a crucial aside, I don’t use affiliates at all in my styling consultations with individual clients.
I hope you all have a great week. May February, along with slightly longer days, bring a little more light and joy for us all.
Prue x
