🔖 Little Black Book #1

Indulgences of a Woman About Town.

Jun 30, 2024

I've long considered the launch of a new series here that shares fun things I'm shopping for / treating myself to / buying as gifts etc. But it always felt a step too far into the indulgence I am already immersed in; of thinking people will care what I have to say. Why would anyone care what summer dress I've just bought, or the brand of coffee I've recently discovered, or the perfect work bag I've finally stumbled across?

People might care about these things generally of course, and even enjoy reading posts of this ilk - they're actually one of my favourite forms of newsletter.

Shout-out to

Alisha Ramos

Downtime

who I've been following doing this well since the Girls’ Night In days! And

Farrah @Substack

who puts her years as a magazine editor to good use in this way. And one I’ve more recently discovered,

Styled By Una

, whose recent girls’ holiday snaps showed outfits on point in the most fun way.

But that's the thing. People know what they like, and there's enough inspiration out there for those who are seeking guidance and advice on the latest trends or restaurant openings. So why bother, is what I've always thought…

Until recently, where over the course of a few weeks, I have been reminded of several things (among others) in several ways for several reasons.

Shopping is actually a very meditative experience for me. The one thing that can really get me out of my head, where for some time I can forget my worries in a way that I can't on a yoga mat or a walk. Whether perusing rails of clothes or pottering around a little boutique gift shop, I get immersed in thinking about how one item or another might enter my life, how it might bring joy to me or others. It's not even necessarily about the act of purchasing, but about the experience. Feeling, dare I say, inspired.
Mindfulness need not be solely sat in a quiet space, with a guided recording or trying to listen to the chirp of the birds over the car exhausts outside. We can, and should, be mindful in different ways, including with how we spend our money, and our time. Be present with the things we enjoy.
I’m a (Welsh) Valleys girl who loves the city life, and surprised myself with how much I fell for London when I first moved here at 20. Now having spent nearly 10 years in the city, I am ten a penny when it comes to recommendations - for where to eat out, enjoy a leisurely coffee, or experience something new in a city rich with opportunity. I frequently get asked for such recommendations. Apparently people enjoy them. Find them useful. And so why not share them here too?
As someone who has never really been very 'online' before Substack, I am learning that people here tend to enjoy knowing more about who sits behind the words of what they are reading. That person whose opinion you resonate with... you might wonder what their weekend routine looks like. Or, at least, I do. I have been weirdly afraid of sharing too much of me here, and only very recently shared a picture of myself in a post for the first time. Friendly Substackers, and IRL loved ones, have nudged me to show more of myself.
Life is short. Too short. Too short to be afraid of doing things you think will probably be very fun, even if seemingly frivolous. It doesn’t always have to be about breaking ground.

And so, throwing caution to the wind, a new column for

The Navigation

is born!

Share The Navigation

Part diary, part directory, the Little Black Book will share a monthly dose of insights and recommendations - not with the intention of sending you out to spend hordes of cash, but to encourage you to spend mindfully, whether that be money, time or energy. And give you a little more insight into what I’m up to in the big smoke.

My IRL Little Black Books, as featured here.

Each month will feature a hot take on what I am:

Wearing (fashion, style)
Applying (beauty)
Gifting (birthdays, Christmas, treats to make someone smile)
Eating (restaurants, recipes, ready meals)
Visiting (places, activities, experiences)

A taste of what to expect …

On shopping for clothes, my approach is to invest. Not in super expensive things necessarily, but in things I will wear time and time again, in different ways for different days. They might be high-end, but more likely high-street or second-hand. The aim is to not buy something unless I genuinely love it, and see multiple uses for it.

When it comes to beauty, I'm quite low key, and though I wear make-up most days, I'll let one thing run out before I buy the next. If there's something a bit pricey I would like (for years I was a devotee to YSL Touche Éclait concealer) I share them as wish-list items to friends and family who may ask for ideas around Christmas or birthdays (if you’re reading and wondering - you can never go wrong with a tube of Liz Earle’s Hot Cloth Cleanser!). Of course, I've been known to fall into Kiko on my lunch break and saunter out with a new lipgloss I'm almost positive is going to make me look like Chrissy Teigan, but hey, none of us are perfect. I also enjoy a good pamper with a bathroom of lotions and potions, face masks and foot scrubs, and a pretty good take by now on what's worth the money and what is not.

On gifts, I’m definitely not saying I’m the world’s best gifter, but I am one those who shops for Christmas through the year, keeps a notebook of gifts sent and received to try and avoid falling back on the same old favourites, and aim to support businesses doing good when purchasing presents, so it’s a treat all round.

Food wise, I’m no connoisseur. In fact, I’m a bit of a fussy eater (no cheese or fish, please and thank you) with some annoyingly odd dietary requirements. But I truly relish a meal out with friends. It became one of the things I missed most during the pandemic. I also have a real craving to visit more farmers markets at the moment. Is that what turning 30 does? I got some great rhubarb at a local one in a school yard recently.

In terms of visiting, from Cultural Compass you may have gathered I enjoy an exhibition or two, but I also seek out talks with authors and other interesting bods, like going to the theatre, and doing other fun things like pottery painting, which, though in a different way to shopping, I also find wildly meditative.

A session with friends at Bonbon Pottery.

So as I journey on into my 30, flirty and thriving era, less afraid to try new things and more eager to go after what I want, I invite you to join me in this new monthly column that will mean

The Navigation

will now come to you four - sometimes five, depending on how the Sundays fall - times a month, doubling the rate at which I started here, back in February 2023.

Is it too much? Maybe. Time will tell. But I’m enjoying being part of this community, and all it has to offer. Plus, having recently agreed a new working pattern in the day job to allow more focused time for writing and creativity - even if it is just a day! - I’m really looking to grow and challenge myself in this realm.

If you like what you read here, and have ever toyed with the idea of financially supporting The Navigation, now would really be an incredibly meaningful time. That said, I will never take your readership for granted, and am forever grateful to you for allowing me into your inbox (whether email or app!).

I'm intending for the Little Black Book to be a six month experiment, taking us through to the end of the year, and check in then to see if this is something we want to continue, or consider if it feels a little too frivolous after all.

Although I'll be focusing on sharing things that I am actually buying/enjoying through a given month, like any good wedding DJ I'm open to requests about something you might be in search of that you think I can help with. Drop a comment below, or send me a DM and I'll do what I can.

So, after all that rather lengthy preamble, here are the inaugural recommendations I'm keen to share...

👗Wearing

I popped into H&M recently knowing I had a £5 recycling voucher due to expire (I know, I have also read negative reports about where my fabrics or worn-out clothes end up... but, I'm trying?!). Anyway, I'd done the loop around, nothing in particular caught my eye - loads I saw and thought "nice" "cute" "looks comfy" - but as I tried to convey above, it has to be more than that to make it into my wardrobe. It's got to be something I love and/or can instantly tell I will wear on repeat, for years to come.

Cue a tiered strappy maxi dress, covered in lemons, with the words "dolce far niente" swirled all around in the most delicious pattern. What does it mean? The sweetness of doing nothing.

I could immediately picture myself at a beach bar, cocktail in hand, wearing the dress. At a friend's garden party in London, wearing the dress. Out for lunch and a spot of shopping on a hot day, wearing the dress. Braving alfresco dining on a chilly summer night, cardigan pulled around my shoulders, wearing the dress. It was giving Sophia Loren meets The White Lotus and I fell in love.

With the voucher knocking a fiver off, it was mine for £27.99. Less than £30 to feel the very essence of il dolce far niente, hopefully for many years to come.

Embracing il dolce far niente in Cheltenham’s Montpellier.

💄 Applying

For a post shower treat, or something to slather on your pins this summer, you can't go wrong with a bottle of Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Oil. Smooth as you like, smells delicious, providing holiday vibes and quiet luxury all for the bargain price of £5.50.

Oh, and a little goes a long way, so apply sparingly knowing you can top up more if needed.

🎁Gifting

Back last year I discovered Wonderbly - a website through which you can create personalised books with photos and/or names. An astrology version made a great 30th gift for a lovely friend last year (she may be reading - so I do hope she liked it!), and this month a cute 1st birthday gift for another friend’s little one (he may have been less enthusiastic, but will hopefully look back upon it with fond memories).

Have a browse if you have a birthday coming up, and get 10% off your first order if you sign up to Wonderbly’s newsletter.

🥗Eating

This month has been quite a busy one for the restaurant game. Palestinian fare at Akub. Grilled veggie delights at Bubala. A modern take on Indian street food at Farzi. Chicken at Fowl. But I think it's Bancone that takes the winning ticket for me.

Sat at the counter watching the chefs in full flow, sipping on cocktails and chatting away like Carrie and Miranda with a friend I hadn't caught up with properly in too long, the whole experience was a delight.

We shared some delicious fried artichoke on a bed of the best romesco sauce, along with some focaccia to soak up the excess. Then I had a simple but very effective kale and chilli rigatoni, off set by a punchy espresso martini for dessert.

The food itself is pretty reasonably priced for what feels like a swanky affair, and the staff were lovely.

Another friend had actually recommended this restaurant to me years ago. I've somehow carried the business card in my purse since before the pandemic, and not been before now.

It won't be long before I return again.

🎭 Visiting

After a leisurely linner (late lunch, early dinner) at Bancone, my dinner date and I totted over to the Kit Kat Club for an immersive evening at Cabaret, which she had generously got us tickets for as a birthday gift. The posters have been plastered all over town for months, stars on rotation playing the main roles.

In early June it was Layton Williams, of Jamie or Strictly fame, depending on how you were introduced to his talents, taking centre stage as Emcee. The way his body moves is nothing short of incredible, and though I'm not partial to a European accent put on by a Brit, even as part of an acted role, I bought in to the whole set up, as a German underground club in the '30s.

It's hard not to, when a sticker is graciously placed over your phone camera on entry - preferable to the confiscation of the device, which is what I recall happening on a trip to Berlin’s infamous Berghain back when I was 18 (and no, I don't know how I got in either…). As patrons meander down a corridor from the entrance stairwell, peach schnapps is handed out from a hole in the wall, while scantily clad dancers contort their bodies to live piano and saxophone performances.

A treat for all the senses, added to by the bottle of Moët we splashed out on to see us through the evening, the show causing audible gasps on multiple occasions as I tried not to tip my coupe too vigorously in surprise or shock.

All in all, a fabulous evening, dahling.