Well, hello there!
I didn’t mean to take a month off writing here but it just happened that way and now it’s February! The first two weeks of January were intentionally slow and gentle for me. Truthfully, I didn’t want holidays to end and I lapped up the quiet.
I knew the back end of Jan and start of Feb would be (good) chaotic. And it has been. I had two trips and lots of work - Melbourne for the Australian Open and Byron for a wellness retreat with Ikkari.
As a way to get back into the Substack swing of things (I’ve missed it and the special group that exists in the Smooth Brain world!) I thought I’d share my Wednesday with you - vlog style but make it scrapbook-y, with timestamps, like a journal entry (TikTok of the day here if you’re keen). So here we go!:
7.30am: wake up. I’m trying to eat before I consume my coffee each morning. At the Ikkari retreat I had an acupuncture session with Elizabeth Cullen from The Dao (Liz is also a Smooth Brain reader, Hi Liz!). She explained how important it is to not have coffee on an empty stomach so I’m really trying to be better. So I have some yoghurt, an apple and an Ikkari vitality tonic with water and then it’s coffee time.
9am: I decided to start writing this lol and then I got dressed. My day is back-to-back with things all over Sydney. It’s thankfully a bit cooler here today (the humidity has been unbearable) and I don’t have anywhere super formal to be so I can dress casually (but cute!!).
9.15am: I was sent the new Makeup By Mario concealer so I gave that a whirl for the first time this morning and I’m into it. I need to get their foundation too - I tried a sample way back at the start of last year in LA before it was released in Australia and I loved it!
9.30am: I was meant to leave the house at this time and had planned to walk but I totally was not ready at 9.30 so I ubered at 9.52am to my first appointment.
10.12am: I arrived at the Known Agency PR showing. I also had to return a dress I was loaned last week from Wynn Hamlyn (shop here).
Standouts at the showing - Omg the Maggie Marilyn pieces. I die. See below. The beautiful pale blue floral skirt. I NEED. I feel in love with some incredibly soft and lovely cashmere pieces. Wow. Perfect blue denim jeans also. All dropping soon-ish.
10.40am: With a little extra time up my sleeve I walked to Paramount House Hotel for my next appointment (love it there). Thank god the weather is cooler in Sydney at the moment, it made the walk very pleasant.
11.02am: I met with the Leaf Comms team who represent one of my favourite clothing brands, Kowtow. Kowtow have recently released an entirely plastic free collection. I got to meet the team and learnt all about how they did it. More info here. I tried on a few pieces from the new collection. So many cute bits I adore.
Midday: I walked to Museum train station and went to Green Square for my next showing. This was with Uniqlo! I walked from Green Square to the showroom blasting Taylor Swift while trying to manifest tickets to her upcoming Sydney show. The ticket hunt is not going so well for me but we persevere.
12.30pm: I arrived at the Uniqlo showings and met so many team members, learning about everything from their cashmere, famous heat-tech, puffer jackets and also got to see the new Claire Waight Keller collection up close. It’s so chic. Soft cashmere, great layering tips - I will be buying a bunch when it launches at the end of this month.
1.11pm: Uber to my next appointment.
1.32pm: This year I’ll be decorating our third bedroom but I’m turning it into my office/work studio so when I got invited to a preview of the homewares brand, McMullin and Co., I was thrilled. I made a TikTok about all the goodies here - nothing over $850. If you live in Sydney, it starts tomorrow and is on until Saturday. Info here.
2.07pm: I Ubered home with my loot. By this point, I was pretty exhausted. Lots of socialising and moving around for one gal (all good stuff, but still). But I had one more appointment to rush off to before the end of the day.
3.05pm: I walked to Paddington and tried my luck on Ticketek’s resale platform for Ms. Swift tickets. Has this actually worked for anyone? I’m having a hard time believing this site actually bears fruit.
3.30pm: I arrived at the Mode Sportif Warehouse sale preview. TikTok on it here. I actually grabbed a bunch of stuff. A dress from Ciao Lucia was a highlight! Plus some comfy pants from Deiji Studios. Dream.
4.30pm: Before walking home, I popped into Berkelouw books as it was next door to the MS warehouse sale. I didn’t buy anything but this new Kiley Reid release is top of my list. I also stopped in at The New Trend. It’s new to Sydney and I’d never been in. Cool store, some great options in there.
4.45pm: No more shopping for me. I walked home and complained to Angus (my husband) about my feet hurting haha.
5.15 - 6.51pm: I arrived home and plonked myself onto the couch to start and finish editing a bunch of videos, do some emails all while watching Vanderpump Rules.
7-8.30pm: Angus arrived home and made dinner. He made his DELICIOUS bolognaise. After dinner we decided to watch the new Feud: Capote vs the Swans (it’s brilliant). We watched this show because I decided we needed to pause viewing on our new favourite show Mr and Mrs Smith because I don’t want to finish it - that’s how much I’m enjoying it. Yes, they made a TV show of the Brad and Angelina movie but Donald Glover is in it and writing it and producing it and it’s EXCELLENT. We were skeptical to begin with but I knew Donald Glover would never make anything bad and I was right. This show has made me excited about TV. I haven’t felt that way in a while.
8.30pm: I ended my night with my new cannot live without product - the Deep Sleep tonic from Ikkari. Wow. How have I lived so long without this product? Puts me right to sleep and helps me stay asleep. Amazing ingredients. Tastes so good.
10.15pm: lights out, bed time. I’m trying to go to bed earlier and it’s going really well. I love sleep.
What did you do today? Would love to hear from you! Missed you!
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon,
Ali xxx
I wouldn't mind trying the Deep Sleep Tonic from Ikkari. It might be just what I need for my constant sleeping problems. From your loving Papa XXX.