This week I had a couple of exciting things happen; on the work front I have kick-started setting up a freelancer support network within my niche of lingerie and swimwear design, which is very exciting. Freelancing can be a lonely place, so hopefully this group will provide a sense of community, where all of the designers involved can boost each other up.
Then, on Saturday I went out to celebrate a friend-of-a-friend’s birthday, where we had some delicious cocktails (more details on that below!), and ate at my favourite pizza spot in town: Baked in Brick. My friend and I tried two new flavours: an anchovy one, that was fabulously salty, and truffle pancetta, with tenderstem broccoli; they were both scrumptious, just as I expected them to be!
WHAT’S INSPIRED ME THIS WEEK
As a fashion designer, and general creative type, I am constantly seeking inspiration wherever I am, and these posts are a way to document what has ignited something within me this past week. Whether its artwork I’ve seen online, photography that moved me, or a collection of colour in nature that kick-started a creative idea in my head, I’ll be sharing four ideas that have brought me joy in the past seven days.
R. READING
This week I read Joan Didion’s essay ‘On Keeping a Notebook‘; as someone who has kept a diary since the age of eleven I loved hearing her account on keeping a written record of your life.
A thought that really stood out to me was, “keepers of private notebooks are a different breed altogether, lonely and resistant rearranger of things, anxious malcontents, children afflicted apparently at birth with some presentment of loss”. Joan Didion truly has such a way with words, because what a beautiful way to describe that innate need to document and keep your life.
E. EDUCATING
My best friend Danielle and I watched a documentary on, what can only really be described, as a batshit-crazy cult. It’s actually the second documentary we’ve watched on the Twin Flames Universe cult, which believes in ‘God’ (aka the leader of the cult) deciding who is essentially your soulmate.
Honestly, as crazy as it was, it was also incredibly interesting to watch. Documentaries on cults have always fascinated me, as it’s so interesting to me to see how people can be led and coerced into these situations.
P. PLAYING
I’m seeing Stephen Sanchez in Camden this week, so I’ve had his music on repeat.
As someone who regularly listens to the likes of Frank Sinatra, The Drifters, The Platters and others within those genres, Sanchez’s music feels like a natural progression, and I can’t wait to see him live.
O. OBSESSING OVER
My current obsession is layering perfumes. I’ve never been someone who has experimented with this before, as I’m very sensitive to scents, and easily get quite overwhelmed.
However, I’ve been combining Burberry Her, with a simple cheaper vanilla fragrance, to add a warmer base note, and I’ve been loving it. It’s such a perfect blend for the end of winter, as spring starts to show itself.
R. RECOMMENDING
This might sound a little crazy to some people, but I had my first ever almond croissant yesterday, and I think they may have become one of my favourite pastries.
They’re like a little bakewell tart for breakfast, and who is going to complain about that!
T. TREATING MYSELF TO
This week I celebrated a friend-of-a-friend’s birthday at Passing Fancies, a cocktail bar in Digbeth, Birmingham. I’d excitedly been told by a friend that it was heralded as the third best cocktail bar in the country, so I had high expectations, but it did not disappoint.
I don’t drink, so had the Snail Mail mocktail, which was a blend of cucumber, honey and bubbles. It truly felt like the definition of refreshing poured into a glass; it was sublime.
Love Chloe x
