Mid-week Quickie #9
Mid-week Quickie #9
A very special project I've been working on, rhinestone jeans I can't stop thinking about, Jennifer Lawrence x Kylie Jenner and is the full moon messing with your sleep too?
Hi, hello! Lots to share this week - including a project I’ve been keeping under wraps all year.
But firstly, is it the full moon affecting my sleep or my endless to-do list haunting me as I close my eyes each night? When I blame the moon on my bad sleep, I can feel my husband’s eyes roll from the next room but as woo woo as it seems, give it a quick google and you’ll that the full moon/moon cycles can mess with your sleep; it’s absolutely a thing! Also a thing, is my exploding list of urgent things to do that I can’t seem to get on top of. #november/decemberthings
With a few extra hours of not sleeping up my sleeve, instead of staring at my walls, or tossing and turning in frustration, I started reading Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld. This is the third book of hers I’ve read this year - the other two being Romantic Comedy and Rodham. I love her work. All three have been completely different but her writing is fantastic.
This week, Jennifer Lawrence interviewed Kylie Jenner for Interview Magazine. You can read it here. Even though Kylie is being interviewed, Jennifer is the star (although I did enjoy Kylie’s photoshoot).
I could watch and listen to Jennifer on a loop. She continues to be the epitome of celebs, they’re just like us, the way she lives and breathes Kardashian/Jenner world, as well as her love and dedication to all things Bravo. I also very much enjoyed how many times Kylie thanked her for doing the interview - I just find the thought of Kris Jenner or Kylie orchestrating the whole thing to get Jennifer to interview her so funny.
I also rewatched a Nora Ephron classic, You’ve Got Mail this past weekend - it’s not specifically a holiday film but it gives good holiday vibes which I’m all about. We also watched the first Harry Potter movie. Again, not a Christmas movie but it’s cosy in all the right ways. As we enter December (how!?) and my weekend viewing won’t be revolving around Formula 1 (94 days and counting ‘til the 2024 season starts), I’ll be delving into my all my holiday faves - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Holiday (Nancy Meyers, I love you so much) and Love Actually. What are yours? In the TV realm, I love me a Thanksgiving or Christmas ep of Friends, Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl.
If you had my All About Home substack (read here), you may remember seeing some art I have from artist, Narjia Brownlie. At the time, I teased that we’d been working on a little project together and now, I can finally share what it’s all about. Introducing Petals x Ali Whittle. This is how Narjia describes Petals:
“In these projects, I will join forces with a muse and woman of note, to paint an original artwork based on their unique personal style and feminine spirit. The original artwork valued at 8,100 AUD will be offered as the main prize in a ticketed competition, with all ticket proceeds being donated to a women’s organisation selected by my collaborator.”
After Narjia first reached out to me in January with this idea and I quickly said yes (I mean, what an honour!!), she flew to Sydney so we could meet in person for the first time and discuss the project. We talked about colours, the mood of the piece, we discussed a bit more about me and my life. Then in the following months, Narjia kept me updated with photos and videos of her progress. Here is the final piece! I absolutely love it.
The competition will launch on December 8 (the winner will be announced on January 8) and we will be raising money for charity, Good Shepherd, which supports women, girls and families in need. Prints of the original will also be available for purchase. Follow Narjia here for any and all updates.
It’s been an incredible privilege to work with Narjia on this, she is pure sunshine. We’re both so excited to launch and raise money for Good Shepherd.
To coincide with the launch, Narjia will have her very first Sydney exhibit at Rainbow Studios in Darlinghurst Dec 8, 9 and 10 showcasing our piece, and many other original works. If you’re around, come!
Moving on to some lovely things that caught my eye/entered my world this week:
Home:
Our Place
Forever a fan of lilac anything - this new Our Place pot is quite lovely! I haven’t used it yet but I’m already loving that it’s not too heavy. Potentially niche issue, but I find it so hard on the wrists lifting some pots and pans filled with food with one hand lol.
The brand has just launched Australian shipping. There’s some other really great colours too - I love this blue!
Fazeek
How adorable are these glass spoons and these two toned cups from Melbourne based homewares brand, Fazeek. These are great gift ideas!
Stanley
Speaking of Australian launches, I got myself a Stanley cup now that they’re shipping here and it hasn’t left my side since it entered my life. I’m a Stanley girlie now.
It keeps hot liquids hot for 7 hours and if you put ice in it, it won’t start melting for 48 hours which is kind of mind-blowing. All I can think about is this TikTok when I look at it.
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Fashion:
Maggie Marilyn
A new drop from Maggie Marilyn and it might be my favourite yet! I will be wearing this beautiful dress to a Christmas party this week.
And these jeans just dropped - grab them before they sell out, because they will.
Also this top. SO CUTE.
Sambas
I included these Sambas in my Black Friday/Cyber Monday round-up because it’s so rare to find these styles and colours with all sizes available - so I’m popping them in here again in case you missed them. Grab the samba OG black and white here, all black here, white and red here (also here) and white and green here.
Thanks for reading! I hope a restful sleep is in store for us all tonight!
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xx