That’s My Jam – July

Full disclosure: this edition of That’s My Jam has little to nothing to do with food. 

Sorry.

Anyone who follow the blog closely will know that at the end of every month I do a roundup of my favourite new health snacks and treats and sometimes the odd natural beauty product. Not this month though.

A couple of things.

1) I’m kinda burned out on talking about food. I talk about food and think about food 1000% of the time. Usually this isn’t a problem; I really love talking shop, thinking about new recipes to make, spending time in the kitchen, and helping people get healthy. But there comes a point where you just kinda hit a wall, and I’m there.

2) This is related to 1 – I’ve been working my tail off, usually at least 6 days a week – and even when I’m not working i’m thinking about work. And if I’m not working I’m travelling for weddings or birthdays or getting ready to move house. And as fun as all that stuff is, it just doesn’t leave much time or space to just, be… you know? I can’t remember the last time I picked up a magazine, or caught up on my favourite blogs or podcasts. 

3) I am broke AF. With all the weddings, birthdays, saving for moving… oh and starting a business, there’s isn’t much disposable income left over for little everyday luxuries. Don’t get me wrong, starting a business was the absolute best choice for me, and I realise how lucky I am to be having a go at doing something I love. There’s for sure nothing I’d rather be doing than working with people and helping them take their health next level. But I seriously underestimated how long it would take to get established, and how it changes your priorities. Used to be I wouldn’t think twice about buying a pretty bunch of fresh flowers for my apartment, or buying a new nail polish and hitting up Topshop. These days I’m thinking about how that $$$ can go towards printing flyers and business cards and walking around with a bag that’s falling to bits – hobo style. I feel kinda guilty spending my money on anything else.

I know, first world white people problems. But I’m not sorry. I promised myself that I’d always be honest and real on my blog. It does my fucking nut when I go onto blogs where everything is 100% ‘beautiful’ and ‘perfect’ all the fucking time. To me, that’s not authentic. So what I decided to do instead was say, yeah things kinda suck at the moment and I don’t have much time to myself because the hussle is so real right now, and I’m also poor. 

To make myself feel better…and because it’s my birthday in a few weeks, I decided to dedicate this month’s TMJ to a highly consumeristic list of shit I would buy myself if I was flush. After a holiday to somewhere hot and sunny with a beach and cocktails – and ignoring the fact that I need to but actual real adult things like a sofa for my new house and RAM for my computer. So here it is: a guilt-free, shameless birthday wishlist.

 

1. I first heard about the Happiness Planner from my friends at Lifebox when they were giving them away as part of a competition. I didn’t win (my friend Lil did though, bitch). Anyway, the Happiness Planner is a spenny extravagance, I mean, do you need an entire book to plan your happiness? Can’t you just kinda practise gratitude daily? “Today I am happy my cat didn’t vomit on the carpet”, “I am grateful for the Cara Delevingne/St Vincent union”. Sure, but that’s not nearly as much fun as writing it in this super cute little journal. It just feels really special. And when you’re in kind of a funk, who doesn’t want a pretty (incredibly well designed and branded) notebook to inspire you. If you’re equally broke then maybe try one of their adorable little printouts instead.

2. So, as I mentioned, my POS bag is falling apart. I’ve needed a new bag for a really long time now but because my current one technically still works, I felt as though I couldn’t justify a new one. Anyway, I saw this one on ASOS and thought the price was good, and it was about the right size. Whaddaya think? 

3. So this bag makes me want to pack my bikini and a ma-hoo-sive sun hat, jump in a convertible and drive down the pacific coast highway. Maybe because it has that laidback Cali vibe, or maybe because it’s from one of my fave San Diego stores Pigment. I love this shop SO HARD, I want to move in and live there. I love creeping on their site for a little voyeuristic window shopping. Their homeware is especially good and I want to fill my new house with plants from their plant lab. Also, I’d happily have this bag. 

4. I have a thing for candles but have been reduced to tealights like a savage :[ I’d go for a fresh smelling soy wax candle like this produce one; I once had a melon flavour one which was excellent but want to try the peach, mint, and rhubarb. 

5. Since my last foray into natural beauty I’ve read the book Skin Cleanse by Adina Grigore. Basically she talks about how sketchy the cosmetics and skin care industries are and encourages us to ditch all our skincare products (have done) and replace them with stuff we can make from our kitchen pantries. I’ve done this a little bit, some coconut oil moisturiser here and a little aloe/lemon cleanser there. But, instead of buying a shiton of ingredients and making tall the products myself from the book, I’d rather buy from her natural skincare line SW Basics. Working on my brother to send these over from the states as a birthday treat. Currently on special offer at Target for anyone there who wants to check them out. They all use a handful of ingredients, nothing weird, and all stuff you could make at home – but who has time for that?

6. These funky earrings are another Pigment find. Their jewellery is so great; I got my ‘L’ necklace there and wear it almost every day. I’ve lost a few pairs of earring over the past few months (including my favourite pair) and need some funky new ones to add to the rotation.

Other shit I want/need.

Since I moved back from the states I haven’t replaced my yoga mat, so I basically do home workouts on the floor. Yup. Glamorous. Anyway, I could also do with a nice mat like this Sweaty Betty one. let’s face it, when I move to London I’m not going to be getting to many Pilates classes (not at £25 a pop!) so I’m going to have to do more workouts at home. Might as well add some weights and a soft ball to the list too.  In fact, I need a whole new workout wardrobe, so some Sweaty Berry or Lulu Lemon vouchers would be sweet! My baggy old t-shirts are just not the right vibe to make me feel like a bad bitch getting my sweat on. 

I’d also kill for some Topshop vouchers. Maybe buy a new coat for when the weather gets a bit cooler. Oh and I need some new shoes like whoah. 

While we’re at it – a nice non-enamel coated cast iron skillet and some new kitchen knives would be sweet too. 

OK – that was kinda fun – feeling way better now. In reality though, a pretty bunch of flowers from my new fave local florist and a nice meal out will be more than enough on my actual birthday. Everything else I can work towards as my business starts to grow. I am going to give myself two presents that I actually really need 1) I’m going to give myself a few days off over my birthday to relax, maybe go for a nice long Yorkshire walk, and 2) I’m going to bake myself some kinda sweet treat, because let’s face it, it’s not a birthday without cake! Maybe my friends Sarah from Noisette or Elly from That Old Chestnut can give me some inspiration! Roll on 21st August!!

Thanks for letting me have a moment to dream and think of something other than work for a little while, and hope everyone else is making a little space in their lives to enjoy the things and people they love and look after themselves. 

Speaking of which, if you want to get your health and wellness on and do something good for yourself – come to Yoga Hero’s Yoga and Wellness festival this weekend, or on Wednesday. Both will be crazy fun and we can kick it!

Be cool y’all.

L xx