Mid-week Quickie #12
Copenhagen Fashion Week, books I've purchased/am reading, Gucci ballet flats and J.Crew campaigns
After publishing last week’s Mid-week Quickie, it very rapidly became clear I was feeling under the weather. Angus had left for work and wouldn’t be returning home until the following Tuesday (yesterday) as he was embarking on a huge 4 day bike trip with a friend in country Victoria. I was home alone and the flu was about to render me completely useless. But here I am today, on the other side of it, thankfully feeling like myself again. I have energy, a clear head, no temperature, a not-at-all sniffly nose and I can do much more than lay horizontal for hours on end. There’s nothing quite like that new lease on life, post-sickness!
During my forced 6 day rest, some days all I could do was read my book. Other days, the only activity that appealed was endless Housewives bingeing (I had so much to RHONY + RHOSLC to catch up on). Some days I felt like eating toast, others I couldn’t stomach the thought. So let’s get into what I’ve consumed and enjoyed in the last week.
Reading:
After I finished Rivals by Jilly Cooper (loved!!), I got stuck into Pineapple St by Jenny Jackson. I absolutely breezed through this. Set in Brooklyn Heights, the story focuses on the wealthy Stockton family, specifically the two Stockton sisters and the wife of their brother. With themes of generational wealth, class, privilege, family secrets/acceptance/dynamics, I enjoyed reading it and the world Jackson created. But once I got more than half way through I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. While it definitely gave me some food for thought, it felt lacking as I was expecting something more to happen. It’s still worth reading and would recommend.
Speaking of Brooklyn homes, Paloma Elsesser’s townhouse is very much still on my mind. From the colour combinations, the mid-century/vintage/European flair; it’s just so cool. Her interview/more pics here.
The next book I picked up was Tom Lake by Ann Pachett. I’ve just passed the half way mark on this one and it’s brilliant. I just adore it and can already feel it’ll be one of my favourite books of the year, if not all time. I’ll chat more about it when I’m finished.
I came across this book from a TikTok review by Sally Darr Griffin and actually went on to buy almost every other book she recommended:
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Watching:
Aside from catching up on various Housewives franchises, Angus and I have been watching Rivals on Disney+. It’s fun. I’m so happy I read the book beforehand. And while I really enjoyed the book, it definitely needs a bit of a trigger warning as some of the subject matter is quite disturbing, mostly in relation to the treatment of women. Rivals was written and is set in the 80s so whilst it’s probably reflective of the times, it’s still rather shocking. They’ve tweaked the show here and there and sidestepped some of the more inappropriate storylines.
Next week, we’re going to be very blessed with both the new season of White Lotus starting and the Netflix show, Apple Cider Vinegar (about Australian Belle Gibson) dropping. I’m excited for both!
This weekend, Angus and I are going to see A Complete Unknown, followed by Babygirl, all in the same day. There are so many more movies I plan to see! I love award’s season.
Fashion/beauty/style/bits and pieces:
If brands aren’t taking note and implementing J.Crew’s approach to campaigns and imagery, they need to start now. Their work and collections somehow seems to keep getting better with each drop. It’s nostalgic and cosy but modern and cool. Olympia Gayot, J.Crew’s Creative Director and Head of Design is largely to thank for this! She’s a great follow on Instagram if you don’t already.
Their tshirts are top tier, so of course the new Still Here ‘The Sweatshirt’ has been added to my wishlist. Hopefully some are still available for purchase after my Jan + Feb fashion no buy lifts (I’ll do a full substack on my wishlist later in February).
These Gucci ballet flats have piqued my interest. I love the burgundy shade.
It’s currently Copenhagen Fashion Week and as a true winter lover, seeing all the streetstyle and fabulous coats, layers, knits, knitted bonnets etc has me excited and jealous as I sit sweating through a hot Sydney summer!
I was totally mesmerised by the dreamy Chanel Spring-Summer 2025 Haute Couture show - here are some of my standout looks. Now I have an extremely strong urge to wear my hair out with very minimal makeup and a bold red lip.
The Chanel Beauty team sent me these gorgy gorg new beauty bits from their Spring-Summer 2025 makeup collection. It came in a beautiful pouch (super chic, will be wearing it out as a bag) and I’m looking forward to playing with everything.
Of course, I want the new Rhode Peptide Lip Shape! But alas, still no shipping to Australia for us, so no lip products for me. If I was able to purchase, I’d be grabbing Press, Bend, Twist and Stretch.
I’ve been lounging around the house in this set from Miann. I love pointelle!
Every year Diptyque release a Valentine’s Day limited edition candle or candle set. As a Diptyque lover, I’ve been collecting these for the last five years or so - in fact, Angus surprised me with one in 2020 and I still have it! This year, Diptyque released Baies & Roses Valentine's Candle Duo in a pink and red vessel - such a cute addition to my house.
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx
Fellow Australian (Melbourne) hi 👋🏼 also so inspired by all the winter looks I wish I had seen 7 months ago haha