#22 Mid-week Quickie
The best TV show I've watched in years, jeans I can't stop wearing, the coolest sunglasses, an essay on wanting less and a mini life update
Hi Friends,
April is disappearing at rapid speed. It’s been quite a relentless month. I didn’t have a Mid-week Quickie for you last week (I did publish my March fits and favourites though which you can read here) as Angus (my husband) had a bad cycling accident which was scary.
Thankfully, he’ll be ok and it could have been much worse but it’ll be a little while until he’s fully healed. All I’ll say is if you’re ever on a bicycle - wear a helmet. Angus always wears a helmet and this truly saved him.
Spending time in hospital reinforced my great appreciation for medical professionals and our health system in Australia. Doctors/nurses/paramedics are truly superheroes. It also made it clear how fragile we are and that health and wellbeing is the most important thing.
I’ve been in major caretaker mode and everything other than urgent work deadlines has been cancelled. I’ve relished late afternoon walks when I could fit them in, so much home cooking, early nights and restorative sleep.
During this time I read Sydney Engelhart’s latest substack, ‘I Want Less’. It perfectly summed up similar thoughts I’ve been having for a long time, mainly since I left my office job to embark on self-employment.
A statement I often say to my loved ones when they’re debating big or even small decisions about their life/career/free time - whatever it is - is ‘who are you living your life for?’ Sometimes we don’t want what those around us are chasing.
Read Sydney’s piece and then have a think about what’s actually important to you vs what you’ve been trained to think is important and move in that direction. The feeling of wanting less, going at my own pace and focusing on the things that light me up is very much at the forefront of my mind after a period of great stress.
Which leads me to this: a few weekends ago I did a weekend Gem and Gemology course. I absolutely love jewellery and gems and have wanted to study in this space for the longest time. I have another weekend of study coming up soon - this time focusing on Antique jewellery as this is another area of interest for me. Exploring this realm is all part of a bigger idea/plan for me so I’ll share further information soon.
On that note of returning to study, it’s been a decade since I was university and it’s so fun to get back into that kind of learning. It feels really good. It’s ignited a hunger in me to push myself further and chase more opportunities like this. It was also really nice to be around people that have similar interests as me with all varying degrees of knowledge. It was the perfect balance where I was learning from them, enjoying their questions/musings but not feeling out of my depth. I think we can quickly get uncomfortable when we don’t understand something but learning in my 30s, I know that while I may not get things immediately, with time and effort that will come and that’s ok!
I hope you don’t mind my waffling - I enjoy checking in at the start of these substacks!
Fashion/style bits
Paloceras
A very cool and quirky eyewear and sunglasses brand to put on your radar is Paloceras. Made in limited quantities from Mazzucchelli acetate and fitted with high-clarity CR39 lenses, the shapes are unexpected and they stand out. You can really tell the difference when a pair of glasses is well-made, they just have a certain weight and feel to them; and that’s Paloceras. I have this pair from the Pebble range.
Friends With Frank; new drop + Liffner launch
It seems every few weeks I mention Friends With Frank, I can’t help it - I just really love what they do. Here’s a few pieces that caught my eye from their latest Autumn drop.
And!! They’ve launched an edit of divine Scandinavian accessories brand, Liffner online and in store. I’ve admired these bags for so long and I’m not sure if we were able to buy them in person before in Australia but it’s a great, thoughtful addition to FWF’s offering! Very chic, very them. Shop Liffner here.
Strand suede bag
Honestly, will I ever stop talking about suede bags? I don’t know. Here’s another option I’ve been using ever since I got it.
This is from Strandbags and I can’t get over how incredible the quality is for such a low priced bag. It’s 100% suede, an excellent everyday size and is $199.
Jeans
Another thing I’ve been living in ever since I got them are these Citizens of Humanity jeans. I specifically love the cut of these, straight leg and they cut off at just the right length for me. I also appreciate a button up fly, I think it sits better than a zip. I’ve been wearing these around the house; they’re that comfortable.
Watching/eating:
Sometimes, very rarely, a perfect show comes along and for me, The Studio (on Apple+) is completely 100 out of 10. Seth Rogan (who also co-created the show) stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of fictional movie studio, Continental. The Studio centers around the goings on of Matt and his team in Hollywood, making movies, dealing with actors/directors/producers and many foibles that ensue.
It’s so fast, sharp, hilarious, smart, sometimes has more tension than any episode of The Bear I’ve ever consumed and I love that it’s set and shot in Los Angeles - it adds enormously to the vibe of the show.
Also - every real famous person mentioned (and the show name drops relentlessly) generally winds up appearing in that episode, playing a fictional version of themself. Mega directors, Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard star as themselves in different episodes and they’re phenomenal.
The supporting cast is excellent as well - I love Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara. We are truly treated to a masterclass in acting and television making. They also all seem to wear the coolest glasses I’ve ever seen.
Food
And to round out the weekly update, I have to share some yummy food I’ve consumed.
One of Angus’ friends brought over a care package full of treats when Angus first got out of hospital and it included some gluten free cookies (Angus is celiac) from Cherry Moon General Store. The cookie was some kind of blueberry white chocolate situation and it was unbelievable, you’d never know it was gluten free.
I also tried two great salad places - Butterleaf (a welcome fresh treat right near the hospital in Camperdown) and Sana Mediterranean (in South Eveleigh) - both truly delicious. A great lunch or dinner option if you’re nearby/can order to your house.
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx