Another Month, Another Overshare

I feel like I say this every single month when I sit down to write this post, but I truly cannot believe how quickly time passes. One minute I am vaguely recovering from the chaos of Christmas, and the next I am already halfway through January, blinking at the calendar like it has played some kind of trick on me. People insist that January is the slowest month of the year, but I have to disagree, because these past few weeks have moved at an absurd pace.

With that said, January has also been a lovely month in its own quiet way. Life feels as though it is shifting for my little family, and while change can be unsettling, it is also exciting. There have been pockets of enormous stress, the kind that sit heavy in your chest for a few days, but overall, I feel hopeful, and I am reminding myself that growth rarely arrives without a bit of discomfort.

 

 

THE BEAUTY BREAKDOWN

Once again, I am slightly slacking when it comes to investing in new beauty products, but honestly, I am not mad about it. I am at a stage where I genuinely enjoy the products I already own, and I do not feel the need to constantly spend money on the newest launch or the latest viral item. It feels strangely freeing to be content with what works, rather than always chasing something better.

That being said, I do want to mention the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Finish Powder, because I forgot how much of a difference it makes until it was gone. A few weeks ago, I completely ran out and decided to test whether I really needed it, or whether I had just convinced myself that it was essential. It turns out my makeup did not look the same without it, and within days I was back on Sephora, ordering the largest one available with absolutely no hesitation.

The second beauty item worth mentioning is the Haus Labs Mascara, which I adored for months. I genuinely thought I had finally found a high end mascara that justified its price tag, until it turned out that I, and many others, developed contact dermatitis from it. It is such a shame, because it was beautiful while it lasted, but I suppose that is the risk of putting anything near your eyes in the name of glamour.

My final shoutout this month goes to Temu makeup brushes, which feels almost ridiculous to admit. I had never properly browsed Temu before, but a friend had the loveliest brushes when we were getting ready for a night out. They were absolute dupes for some of my expensive sets, and I immediately bought my own. They are so good that it makes me feel like an absolute chump for the small fortune I have spent on brushes over the years.

 

THE FAMILY UPDATES

My little boy is now eighteen months old, and even though I have adored every stage, there is something incredibly special about this one. He is still an absolute menace, with a constant desire to launch himself off high surfaces as though he is auditioning for a stunt role, but there is also so much sweetness emerging. This is the first phase where I can truly feel him reciprocating my love in a way that makes my heart ache.

He wants me, he calls for me, and he runs towards me when he sees me, which is both overwhelming and completely addictive. There is something about being chosen so openly by your own child that makes even the exhausting days feel worth it.

There is also a part of me that would absolutely adore a second baby, because I cannot imagine loving anyone as much as I love him, and the thought of feeling that all over again is almost unreal. The only hesitation is that our fertility journey the first time was far harder than I ever expected. I do not know if I have the strength to put myself through those ups and downs again, even if the reward would be extraordinary.

 

THE FASHION UPDATE

Every single month, I tell myself that I want to step away from high end purchases and be sensible. And every single month, I manage to prove to myself that I am both aspirational and weak willed. This month, my lack of restraint is best highlighted by the fact that I made not one, but two Chanel purchases.

The first was a new work handbag, because apparently I cannot simply buy something functional without it also being from my favourite brand. I found a vintage Cerf Tote, also known as the Executive Tote, and I have already used it endlessly. It is the kind of bag designed to be a true workhorse, with pockets and compartments that make you feel like a capable adult even when you are absolutely not.

The second purchase was a pair of Chanel shearling suede loafers, which I tried very hard to convince myself were impractical. That resolve did not last long, because the moment they arrived, I fell in love. They have quickly become my most complimented flats, but they have also shredded the backs of my feet to pieces. I am hoping that the blood sacrifice will soften them up, because luxury should not feel like a medieval punishment.

 

THE NOVEL PROGRESS

For the first time in a long time, I am genuinely pleased to say that my novel is moving forward. For months, my mind felt too preoccupied with everything else in life to truly settle into creativity, and it was frustrating to feel stuck in that mental fog. Lately, though, I have been able to get pages drafted and tick off things that have been sitting on my list for far too long.

The most exciting part is that I am now reaching a stage where I can look beyond simply churning out words. I can start thinking about promotion, design, printing, and all the other parts that make it feel real. For a long time, I never truly believed I would get to this stage, so having that clarity now feels like a small personal miracle.

 

THE HOME RENOVATIONS

It hurts me to admit it, but things are moving slowly with the home renovations at the moment. I still have a list as long as my arm of projects I want to tackle, but time feels like the biggest obstacle. There are days I adore juggling full-time work, motherhood, and side hustles, but it certainly slows progress in other areas, no matter how motivated I feel.

I am trying to focus on small steps, because small steps are still movement. I have ordered a new blind for the lounge, brought in more wallpaper samples, and measured up the snug for furniture. It is not the dramatic transformation I crave, but even ticking off these little things reminds me that I am not stalling completely.

 

THE MUSIC REPORT

I wish I could say there have been groundbreaking additions to my playlist this month, but I have been in a phase of obsessive repetition. I am clinging to a handful of songs that feel very much like my current feminine era soundtrack, which is soft, romantic, and slightly dramatic.

Taylor Swift has been everywhere, particularly Dress and Delicate, alongside Megan Moroney’s 6 Months Later and Olivia Dean’s Man I Need. Olivia Rodrigo’s Deja Vu is also still in heavy rotation. It is a very different vibe from last month, when I was deep in nineties hip hop and Dr Dre somehow became my most played artist.

 

THE MENTAL HEALTH REPORT

I am sure many of you can relate, but my mental health often mirrors the state of the rest of my life. When everything feels stable, I feel fantastic. When curveballs start flying in from different directions, I can feel myself wobble.

The past few weeks have been difficult for various reasons, and I have noticed those familiar niggles creeping in again. The good thing is that I know myself well enough now to recognise it early. Mental health is never linear, and staying in a positive space always requires effort, but I am hopeful that with time and care I will find my footing again.

 

THE SOCIAL UPDATE

It may be a new year, but I remain the same antisocial person I have always been. After the festive period, most of my friends and I are trying to save money, which means our social lives currently consist of drinking wine at home and texting in the group chat. It may not align with my goal of leaving the house more, but honestly, I am quite content with it.

That said, I did have my first proper evening out with my new colleagues recently, and it was genuinely so much fun. I think workplaces benefit enormously from socialising outside the office, especially when everyone has loosened up a little. Alcohol may not solve everything, but it certainly speeds up bonding.

 

THE RECENT READS

Reading has always been such a huge part of my life, but lately I have been trying to be more selective. Over the last few years, I have read hundreds of books, including many I should have abandoned, but I am not a quitter. The problem is that time spent forcing myself through mediocre novels could be spent working on my own.

I do not think I will ever publish my novel if I keep devoting all my limited spare time to other people’s stories. I will still read, of course, but I am trying to move away from reading purely to hit a yearly goal.

The one book I did read recently was People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry. It was fine, but not a favourite. I loved the Netflix movie adaptation, and it is rare for me to say that the film was better than the book, but this time it absolutely was.

 

OTHER RAMBLES

There is still such a large part of me that wants a new car. I have had my Range Rover for a long time, and while it has served me well, I am very aware that they become unreliable as the miles creep up. I do not enjoy the car enough to justify the inevitable expensive repairs that may be lurking.

Part of me wants a practical mum mobile, something big enough for children and camping holidays in the UK. And yet, I know myself well enough to admit that even practicality would need to feel slightly boujee, because apparently I am incapable of doing anything without a touch of unnecessary luxury.

Oh, and in other news, I need to have my gallbladder removed. After nearly twelve months of issues, the NHS finally carried out an ultrasound, and the consultant described it as “a bag of marbles rattling around in there”. Nothing says adulthood quite like discovering you are, in fact, a human percussion instrument.

And that is January, chaotic, lovely, stressful, hopeful, and over far too quickly.