Mid-wedding haircuts, peppermint on the brain, and reigniting my love of clumsy drawing
The book giveaway this week is ‘Such a Fun Age’ by Kiley Reid.
This week I drew a picture as an insert for a birthday card. It’s of Hongjoong, the leader of K-pop group ATEEZ. I’m okay at drawing – not fantastic, not terrible – but I was quite pleased with the result. I feel like it looks enough like Hongjoong that you can pick who it is. And I enjoyed doing it.
These days, I feel like we’ve losing the ability to engage in creativity purely for pleasure. We’re always looking to monetise every hobby (and who can blame us, with the cost of living?). But doing things just for fun is precious, something we’d do well to protect where we can. I hope there will be more Hongjoongs. I’d like to make drawing and craft more of a common occurrence for me. It used to be, and I miss it.
(Here's the drawing, along with the reference photo I used.)
What hobby are you hoping to take up or reignite in your life?
News
1. A big WTF to South Australia’s new anti-protest laws. In short, the maximum fines for obstructing a public place while protesting has increased from $750 to $50,000, aka a massive jump. I don’t usually like to get too serious with these news segments but I couldn’t help but cast some major side-eye at this move by my home state this week. I’ve been to one protest rally ever, so it’s not as though this change is going to directly affect me much, but the right to protest is the one of the foundations of a healthy democracy. Our government seems to be setting out to hobble the rights of citizens to send a strong message about policies they don’t like. I find this worrying.
2. On to happier news. Given my enthusiasm for peppermint as a natural soothing agent for migraines (along with other treatments – not suggesting you throw away your painkillers just yet), I thought this was interesting: A recent study indicates menthol might help to limit the damaging effect of Alzheimer’s on the brain. This obviously needs further investigation, but sounds promising as part of Alzheimer’s disease treatment, along with medications.
3. Genuinely not sure whether to throw this in the bucket of ‘we’ve reached peak celebration silliness’ or ‘where’s the harm?’. There’s a new trend for brides to change their look mid-wedding by getting a haircut. I guess, unlike the whole ‘trash the dress’ trend which seemed terribly wasteful moneywise and for the poor old environment, at least cutting your hair shorter costs (next to) nothing and harms no one. You’d do it anyway a few weeks later. My eye just twitches at our collective compulsion to always be outdoing ourselves with bigger and better and stranger events. Hmmm.
Reviews
1. Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate comes out as a lightweight rose-scented liquid with a slightly milky consistency. It felt nice smoothed onto my face and left a dewy finish. At $140 for 50ml, did I think it did much for my skin? Frankly, nup. Perhaps it needs more time to work than the one-application sample I used, but at that price, I expect to be wowed up front, and it just didn’t happen here.
2. If you haven’t already cottoned onto her, can I suggest following Lyn Slater aka the Accidental Icon on Instagram? She’s a writer, activist, city gal, and deep thinker about society. Visually, her vibe is about living stylishly at any age, and I’m extremely here for it.
What I’m Feelin’ Right Now
Tartan in the vein of Vivienne Westwood
Scoffing dumplings
Remembering that time taken to tidy, sort, and schedule is time well spent, not wasted
Pastel yellow nail polish
Giving compliments to random strangers
Scones with ginger marmalade and cream
Cream bangles paired with gold ones
Giveaway
This week the giveaway is Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Pop your name and email address in here to enter. : )
Playlist of the Week
A musical ode to writers: