Tuesday Ten #15
House bits, shopping recs, restaurants, staycays and more
For the last six years I’ve prided myself on almost never getting ill thanks to a dedicated meditation practice, but recently my meditation has slipped and the 5AM wake ups have crept in and I am run down and a bit ill. How much we take breathing through our noses for granted..
1. Tips for winding down?
I’m not the best at winding down because as soon as my son Cosmo goes down I try to fit everything I’ve been meaning to do that day into a three hour window. However, I do have a few tricks so I’m more tired than wired -
Only using tech with a red light filter - For all Apple products, you can turn this on in settings by searching ‘colour filters.’ Once you start doing this, you’ll be shocked you ever endured blue light, especially before bed! I’ve set up shortcuts on my devices so it’s super easy to access
Night light - In the same vein, I am all about super low lighting in the evening. In our flat where there are all spotlights we use smart bulbs in the pendant lights so we can make them warm and low, I have these in the bathroom and I use a night light by our bed with red light only
Magnesium butter - A little pre-bed foot massage with some of this works wonders. We use it on Cosmo too now
Reading before bed - I’m a Kindle gal because you can read so easily in the dark. It’s the best thing for quietening my mind and a surefire way to help me drift of
Journaling - I love ending my day going through the highlights or what I’m grateful for. This journal is one I always repurchase
A bath - A guaranteed way to wind down when you have more time, especially with some salts (I love these or these) or oils (this is my current go-to). Even five minutes is transformational!
2. Best staycations with a new baby please?
I don’t feel like I am well versed in this just yet, however Jessie Bush, who is queen of a UK trip has just shared her favourites so I’m taking note! Others on my list are Restaries and Glebe House.
3. What to wear to officiate a friend’s wedding in Sept - Black Tie, Country House?
100% this dress. You could wear a sheer cape if you wanted to be a little more conservative.
4. Where have you found IP65 Lights for your bathroom?
For anyone that has no idea what this means, in certain areas within bathrooms you have to have splash proof lighting, and each zone has a different ‘IP’ rating. I’ve gone for the Artemide Itka - it took me forever to find a style I liked as I don’t love visible bulbs.
5. Suggestions for a Mother’s Day lunch in London or nearby?
When I think of Mother’s Day spots I’m drawn to light and airy places with simple, seasonal food. With that in mind I’d suggest The Garden Museum Cafe, Spring, Rochelle Canteen and you can obviously never go wrong with The River Cafe (or Cafe Cafe). Dove and the Grill at The Hero would also be fab. If you want something a little different you could do Sessions Arts Club or The Fat Badger.
Outside of London I’d suggest Heckfield Place or Osip for somewhere extra special.
This reminds me I need to think about what I might want to do on my first Mother’s Day as a mother!
Below the paywall this week I’m answering questions around our house, the best cordless lamps, baby travel tips, 30th birthday gift recs and where I bought our switches and sockets.