I say “have been” as though it is past tense, but in reality I am still in the throes of it. But that frolicking falls into June, so I will leave you on that cliffhanger until the June roundup - tantalising stuff, I know. As for the month of May, here is what has been going on:
Eating
It was a quieter month in terms of eating and drinking, which was welcome as I wanted to put a a focus on training hard, and on some home cooked, nutritious meals, which is a bit of an oxymoron given as I can’t and won’t cook very well, but I survived and don’t have scurvy, so claiming it a success.
I had a lunch with The Handsome Man (my impossibly handsome greek friend) who I haven’t seen much of this year in The Brasserie of Light, Selfridges at the start of the month. Somewhere in the middle I watched friends compete in their very first fitness competition in Battersea and we went for Tapas after - Brindisa Tapas in fact, right by the Power Station. I was so proud of the girls for having the nerve to compete, and pretty inspired (if not delusional) that this could be a goal for the months ahead for myself as a team member. The biggest take home of the day for this first timer? Knowing when it is time to rest; to tap out to and let your teammates take over, until you are ready to go again.
I was lucky to have multiple birthday meals out - which is spilling into this month too. La Mia Mamma - a neighbourhood Italian off the King’s Road in Chelsea, was a stand out, for ambience, service and taste. Rustic charm at its best. I also had a post theatre meal in Soho, where the restaurant selection is overwhelming and it is often easy to fall into the biggest or most familiar names, but Randall & Aubin was new to me. Understated and classy, it specialises in seafood and it was most lovely to sit by the window and shoot the breeze, over oysters and a drink.
By the way, I'm thinking of creating a post with restaurant recommendations all in one place - might be useful for anyone heading London way. Let me know if you think this is a good idea?
Viewing
Player Kings in Noel Coward theatre. This was my first exposure to either of Shakesepeare’s Henrys, and at 3 hours 20 minutes it was long, but it wasn’t a slog. The acting was superb - Ian McKellen was the big name, and even though it was difficult to tell if his laboured movement was his art or his reality, was brilliant. So brilliant was he that if I occasionally got lost in the dialogue, the acting translated enough to put me right.
Doing
Substack Writers Party -
, who writes here on Substack and already has a succession of wonderful published work (anyone read “Olive?” that is her work!) is launching an audible project exclusive to the sub-stack platform and recorded the first episode with a knees up it in Central London. I was lucky enough to get on the guest list - probably the best birthday present I could have received. Not only did I meet both Emma and her interview subject, , but I also met a host of fellow subsatckers, all in various stages of writing, from established ghostwriters and novelists to those proudly occupying space in the non fiction section.In my 40 Bits of Life Advice piece last week, I mentioned “Making your own luck”. Now I know that luck making requires a certain amount of privilege. But then privilege is relative, and there is always someone more, and less privileged than you. So it is a case of making the best of what you have, at a given time. How I ended up at this party, indirectly at least, was by responding to a “journo request” years ago from Farrah, which was brave of me at the time, if I do say so myself, given the subject matter and where I was in life then. Twists and turns since saw me joining sub-stack, and I am so so glad that I made my own luck back then - it has since opened up this source of joy, through writing, and experiences, such as last week’s party, to me. I can’t imagine how this would ever have happened otherwise.
I also had a few days at home-home at the start of the month. I was full of big plans to see so many people and do so many things, but it just never works out that way. I did see some friends, and hung out with family, but my reach wasn’t as far and wide as I hoped it to be. There is just never enough time and I often leave feeling a bit unsatisfied with my efforts, which takes a day or two to lift. It is always mañana mañana mañana…next time.
Also to add it has been FULL ON this month with the day job. I don‘t chat about it much here, but I will a bit more in the coming weeks.
Wearing
From left to right: Theatre outfit (it was the matinee, and it was warm!), the outfit for dinner in Chelsea, and what I wore to the writers party, darling. Nothing new, and all bits and pieces that I wear on repeat, but thought you might like to see.
PS sequins shorts? Hold that thought, and see below…
The monthly 3*3
Ok so I am going to Montenegro in early June (Thurs 6th - that’s tomorrow!) so my head is still in “holiday gear X party wear” (milking the birthday celebrations, I know).
Starting top left this Self Portrait dress is FAB - I have had my eye on it for a while, and it has gone to sale so I have ordered it to see how we get on. It is the perfect summer party dress, in my humble opinion.
Moving clockwise, the linen dress with shell embellishment at the top is a fantastic shape and equally good dressed up, or down. Comes in petite, standard and long, size 6-24.
The earrings - I can never resist but the mixed metal thing going on with these ones surely makes EVERYONE happy.
The stripe maxi skirt is a beauty - brilliant for those of us who tend to be a bit floral averse. Sizes regular and long, 6-24.
The canvas bag is a modern shape and reminds me of my existing canvas one that really comes into its own over the summer months - love it.
The mango crochet set will be delightful in the sunshine, and more fun than work and city wear often allows (good job I shun such rules anyway).
The sequin shorts - how I love these babies. Absolutely unjustifiable for me, the price tag, and also, well, how many sequin shorts are too many for one (ageing) woman? But HOW I love these. Comes in trousers too.
I read “Green Dot” this month after a few friends reported at as being (a) a good read and (b) reminiscent of my writing (hit me right in the flattery bone why don’t you girls?). I can confirm it was indeed a great read. I would say it is hard to make the protagonist likeable given the subject matter, but the author, Madeleine Gray, on her debut, manages it. It is another one that causes the reader to pause for some not black and white thought.
And lastly this rosette skirt from Sister Jane is just FUN, no? Summer and all.
Monthly Musings - Election Time
It was as if Rishi thought he would land a really welcome or lauded after SURPRISE!! upon his colleagues, expecting them as receivers to say “Oh wow man, you really got me good there with that”. I imagine him after the damp announcement saying “I did keep saying it, mate, I said the second half of the year to throw you off, didn’t I?” and instead of being treating like the hero he hoped he might be, he got stunned silence, broken only by murmurs of “What the…?”. That and D-Ream, of course. Things could only get better.
On one hand, you have to feel for the man. Everything he touches turns to a s**tshow - albeit often a forecast one (e.g. torrential rain). He can turn every interaction into, well, something a bit odd - the recorded interview with Grazia magazine where he and Akshata list their hobbies as '“setting the table, stacking the dishwasher and making the bed” particularly comes to mind.
But just like that, 6 weeks of the best kind of sport belies us. So far, so entertaining: Ed Davey stunts, Rishi in the rain memes, Sir Keir…a bit dull. Farrage back.
Closer to home, Royal College of Nursing - the trade union representing over 170000 nurses in UK - leader Pat Cullen is running for election in what was a bit of a coup for Sinn Fein.
What will also become interesting will be what it does to those of us around us. We all become experts, in our own standing, and I am quite sure that some of our own nearest and dearest, our even just those in our circles, will surprise us with their views. But quite right - we all have skin in the game. Personally, I like hanging out with people whose views conflict with my own. Through thorough discussion it offers a chance to really examine the opposing view - for merit, or defect. It also means that my own opinion should stand up to the same counter scrutiny, and so forces me to deepen my understandings - eviscerate them for accuracy, truth, and ultimately my own comfort within them. The brightest sparks I know can debate and discuss like this - and walk away smiling. No rancour, just an honest exchanging of views that we can both be the better for.
The campaign trail, let’s not forget, is an exercise in how to win us over - using whatever version of charm the candidates have. For the longest time, I had on my online dating profile that “pictures of men with dogs reminded me of politicians with babies”. So that is my only point here really: well two points. Firstly - VOTE! It is a hard fought for privilege. And secondly - don’t fall for the pseudo-charm. Fall for the facts, fall for the policy and fall for the ethics.
Just read those last two sentences back - same applies for dating.
Right that is us for May. Shutting up the laptop now and off on holiday. Sunday’s post will be a simple two paragraphs - a mere 15 minutes worth of fiction work that I penned during a recent writing group class. It is simply an alternative to no post, but I will let you into a secret - in my wildest dreams, I will write it as a book, eventually. (Manifest THAT, universe).
Until then
Thanks for reading
Big love
Una
x
Una, all of this tells me you are such a woman after my own heart! La Mia Mamma has been on my list since it popped up on Stanley Tucci's London episode of the Searching for Italy series, but haven't made it yet. Ditto Kate's comment - would love to hear more recommendations!
So great to have met you at the Substack event recently, and hope you're having a great holiday! ☀
I would love to read your restaurant recommendations, yes please to a post! 👏😘