Latest journal entry

My First Time Properly Sewing: Errors and Small Victories
I've dabbled in sewing before, but I never had the patience or rigor to make it enjoyable or to have things turn out the way I actually wanted. I made a few tops and a dress, but mostly without proper patterns, ignoring seam allowances or ironing. My supplies? Ancient. My mom’s Singer from the ’50s, a machine that weighs as much as a military tank and is about as beginner-friendly as one. Later, I got a £20 machine from Amazon for a gift I wanted to make for a friend.... Read more...
My Kitchen Essentials: Top 10 Must-Have Items for Everyday Cooking
I think, like most people, I love making my life easier. But I also REALLY enjoy homemade stuff, and that's not always compatible. I love tips and tricks that make life just 2% easier because when combined, they add up, and everything runs smoothly. So, I thought I would share the items I can’t imagine cooking without. 1 - Coffee Maker I have always loved coffee. As a child, I preferred it to hot chocolate (not black - I wasn’t THAT weird) and adored coffee-flavored ice cream, éclairs, and religieuse... Read more...
Crochet Summer Capsule Wardrobe [PART 1]: Colours, Yarns & Patterns
Why a Crochet Capsule? A handmade wardrobe is a dream for many reasons - sustainability, custom fit, creative freedom, and the joy of slow fashion. As I became more confident with crochet, my ambition grew, and I saw the potential to create my own ‘big’ project. I’ve always struggled to find summer pieces that I love as much as my autumn and winter wardrobe. I naturally gravitate toward deep, rich tones that flatter my coloring, but summer fashion often leans towards pastels and bright colors that don’t feel like me.... Read more...
The Mother Dough: The Ultimate Recipe for Fresh Bread, Flatbreads, Pizza & More with Minimal Effort
Living in England is lovely, for the most part. I can only really fault it on two things: the weather and the bread. I have tried a few bakeries and some supermarket options; it's just not good. The best bread I have bought so far is this M&S frozen sourdough. I have made my own bread (sourdough or not) on multiple occasions, as well a number of other breads like burger buns, pizza dough, flatbreads, focaccia, piadina, etc. I therefore was not exactly unable to satiate the French craving for... Read more...
An Ode to Red Lipstick: Celebrating the Bold, Timeless Beauty of My Favorite Shade
How I Fell in Love with Red Lipstick My first memories of red lipstick are all tied to my mom. For the first few years of my life, she religiously put on her Chanel lipstick every day. The scent of it immediately evokes the clicking of her heels as she came to pick me up from daycare. My mom was always the most beautiful and elegant woman in the room. To me, lipstick - especially red lipstick - is the epitome of effortless femininity. It is bold and powerful, impossible... Read more...
Meal Prep Like a Pro: Less Effort, More Variety, Less Waste
Getting Started All the items I mention are linked at the end of this article. I usually start meal prepping Friday night or Saturday as the first step doesn't require any cooking and can be done while watching a movie. I first think of a focus for the week. Do I want to eat more vegetables? More protein? All vegetarian or maybe focus on Mexican specialties? Whatever it is, having a clear direction helps me stay focused and adds a fun, challenge-driven element to the process. Once I have decided... Read more...
First 3 Months of Crochet - A Progress Update
How it all began: gifting turtles My first-ever crochet project was two big amigurumi turtles, made as gifts for a close friend's baby sons. I matched the turtles' eyes to the babies’ so, like them, the turtles would be "brothers." I used a YouTube tutorial and some jumbo chenille yarn, which worked up quickly. The process felt surprisingly soothing, and I got hooked (pun intended) pretty instantly. I was really happy with how the turtles turned out, although I did redo one head because I wasn’t satisfied with my first... Read more...
A Taste of Northern Italy: 5 Days in Milan & Venice
Step 1, Milano. It started painfully early, at 6am so I treated myself to my beloved Caffe Nero iced Pistachio oat latte (it's the best!) and we were soon rewarded by amazing views from the plane. See for yourself: Despite the early start, the excitement of finally returning to Italy kept me awake and as we landed, I beelined to Sorbillo for a Margherita I had not tasted in almost 10 years! I did not cry because I am not a weirdo - but I could have. As the pizzeria... Read more...