This week brought the first long walk in the park of the year, as we spent Sunday afternoon rambling up to The Bracebridge in Sutton Park and enjoying the delightful winter sun.
It’s only when I feel the joy emanating from myself at the sight of sunshine that I truly begin to recognise just how down the winter months make me. On Sunday morning, when I opened my eyes to sunlight streaming in through a gap in the curtains, I was immediately filled with a sense of peace, and an overwhelming desire to get outside and soak up the much-needed rays.
So, get outside I did, as Ben and I decided to go for a long walk through Sutton Park, taking us up to The Bracebridge, before circling back and making our way back home. It felt so good to get out, get some fresh air, and spend some time in nature; my favourite way to spend a day.
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
I finished Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, that I discussed in last week’s post, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The way that it approached humanity’s connection, and relationship, with nature in an almost horror-esque way felt so new, and I’m so glad I decided to read it. I’ve got another of Olga Tokarczuk’s books – The Empusium – on my list to read next, and I can’t wait to see if it lives up to my expectations.
In the meantime I was craving a simpler, more frivolous, read, so I’ve decided to read the much-hyped A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I’m about half way through but, in all honesty, it’s not truly captivated me. I have heard that the first half of the book is a tad slow paced, and you get properly hooked once it truly gets going, but so far I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would.
E. EDUCATING
For the BCU Climate Literacy course that I mentioned in last week’s post there is a pretty extensive reading list, which I’m slowly making my way through.
I returned to the library again this week to finish reading What Has Nature Ever Done for Us? by Tony Juniper.
The book, which details the economic benefit of nature, and all that it offers our planet in terms of providing services and goods – both tangible and intangible – truly made me rethink the way I interact and engage with nature.
I’d 100% recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the importance of protecting the planet, particularly if you’re looking to engage with more economically-minded and policy-focused individuals.
P. PLAYING
On Saturday my friends and I visited a much-loved favourite of mine: Chance & Counters, the board game bar in Digbeth, Birmingham.
We were there to meet my friend Niamh’s new (ish) partner for the first time, who was absolutely lovely. We had a quadruple date night – and all got on like a house on fire!
Many hours were spent gaming, laughing, and making our way through Chance & Counters game-themed drinks menu.
Throughout the night we played our way through P is for Pizza, The Cheese Thief, and Trial by Trolley.
O. OBSESSING OVER
I’m endeavouring to get out into nature and walk more this year, starting with our 10km walk through the park this weekend, but with my main walking shoes being my hiking boots from the days of DofE I think it might be time for an upgrade…
Ben got some Salomon walking shoes for Christmas, equipped with a snazzy Gore-Tex outer layer, making them completely waterproof, and he absolutely loves them.
After hearing him rave about them I’ve considered investing in some for myself, and I’m in love with the pretty and unique colourways. There can be something so drab about boring, brown boots but I’m utterly obsessed with these; the ones I’ve currently got on my wishlist are this Gore-Tex purple-toned pair, this chocolate brown pair with pops of subtle pink, and this muted pink and purple pair.
R. RECOMMENDING
We had so much fun playing The Cheese Thief, a lighthearted deception game, at Chance & Counters on Saturday.
In the game there is one designated ‘Cheese Thief’ who has to secretly steal the ‘cheese’ at some point throughout the duration of the game, or the ‘night’, and then it’s up to the rest of the players to correctly identify them.
We had so much fun trying to pin it on somebody, and it was actually pretty hard! The rest of my friends love Werewolf, a more intense deception game, but this level of secrecy and mystery is perfect for me – a little bit of a challenge but still light enough to have a laugh as you play.
T. TREATING MYSELF TO
I’ve treated myself to something quite lovely this week – a trip to Budapest!
Ben and I have booked to go away in April, around the time of Ben’s birthday, to Budapest – somewhere that has been on my bucket list for absolutely ages.
We’ve booked ourselves a lovely little AirBnB, a stone’s throw from the city centre, and I can’t wait for our week away exploring an exciting new city. The holiday countdown is on!
Love Chloe x
