The February Newsletter

including everything I have been reading, watching, eating, wearing, visiting and a game changer in our home...

I couldn’t start the February newsletter without talking about the weather, (I’m English and it’s our favourite conversation topic) twice last week, TWICE, I had to carry my coat out and about as it was too hot to wear it! Yesterday, I dusted off my favourite trench coat from Aligne, which is usually strictly on pause from November-April, and wore it over a t-shirt and jeans - no knitwear in sight! Alas, we all know this glorious whisper of warmth will not last. I saw something on Instagram which captured the UK weather in a nutshell.

The fact of the matter is, “Fool’s Spring” has made me feel very happy about February so far, that and the amount of great things I have been enjoying watching whilst the evenings are still dark. Speaking of which, let’s start the monthly round-up with the best of February TV and Film.

The monthly round-up

TV Show | My boyfriend and I have been very stop/start with all TV shows this year so far, until…Mr & Mrs Smith. It’s a reimagining of the 2005 film that I’m sure you’ve all seen starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. This version stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as “John” and “Jane” in an eight part series that follows their journey as a feigned married couple taking on the role of undercover (I don’t know what to call them exactly) spies? Every episode is action-packed and so suspenseful you will be on the edge of your seat, but what sets it apart from other action series is the emotional depth this show has. I cried, laughed and enjoyed every second of it.

Film | I have three films to recommend to you this month! Two new and one not so new, let’s start with the new. I watched Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature, How To Have Sex, a couple of weeks ago and thought it was absolutely brilliant. It’s a raw and compelling coming of age story that I think everyone would relate to in some way. The cinematography was beautiful, the writing witty, heartfelt and believable and it’s a really important showcase of consent and unwanted sexual experiences. Mia McKenna-Bruce stars in it and she truly shines, I can’t wait to see more from her.

Secondly, American Fiction by Cord Jefferson - another directorial debut. Based on the book Erasure by Percival Everett (his book, Trees, is on my reading list for this year!) this film is about a Black writer who is asked by his agent to write something more Black. I can’t really say what happens next as it will give away too much of the plot, but please, please just watch this film! It is satirical, funny, tender and no wonder Cord Jefferson took home the BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay. Also, the score is beautiful.

Finally, my boyfriend and I decided to rewatch A Quiet Place the other night and I have made the decision to put it on my “favourite films of all time” list. I think it is completely unique, to the point I don’t even know how to categorise it. I feel it deserves so much more than to be labelled as a horror or a thriller, yes it had me sweating, pulling my hair, gasping aloud (I even accidentally poked myself in the eye at one of the jumpy moments), but it also has more heart and beauty than any horror/thriller I have ever watched. I am a big John Krasinski fan and what he did with this film is just genius. We then watched A Quiet Place 2 last night (also a second time viewing, we saw it in the cinema when it was initially released) and it’s equally as gripping and still an excellent film, but it does feel more commercial than the first.

Theatre | Ok, I am putting this in the theatre category, although I actually watched it in the form of a National Theatre Live (so, at the cinema). I was invited to a special screening of Vanya with a Q&A afterwards with Andrew Scott, the director, writer and set designer. I love the concept of National Theatre Live, as it gives audiences the best seat in the house at an affordable price in local cinemas - allowing more people access to theatre. This version of Vanya was incredible! It’s in selected cinemas now and I highly recommend going to see it. Plot-wise, a family living on an estate (which one of them proposes to sell) all have their own personal struggles, and we watch the family dynamic play out. Andrew Scott plays all eight (or is it nine?!) characters in this solo enactment of the Chekhov Classic and his performance is just remarkable. Yes, the play is chaotic, but in the most funny and exciting way and it also has some incredibly touching, quieter moments. I promise you will be blown away and won’t have ever seen anything like it.

Reading | I read Ariadne earlier this month and was so disappointed, I think I just wanted to love it like I did Circe and I did not. I’ve since been distracted by all of the above, so February has not been a great reading month for me! Although I’m about to start Birnam Wood, which a woman working in a bookshop described so passionately to me and sold it to me in thirty seconds!

Fashion | I thought I would pick my favourite day outfit and favourite evening outfit of the month so far. Daytime was yesterday! I have been really into the look of a slightly more cropped jean, enter the new “balloon/barrel” leg jean trend (mine are from Agolde), with white socks and loafers. Something about this combination feels very Spring-like to me and has that smart/casual effect that I love.

My favourite evening look of late was what I wore to dinner to celebrate my friend Sophie’s birthday. Head to…ankle Dissh paired with my Toteme boots (which have been a decidedly good purchase by the way) and this little suede bag from St Agni. I loved the sheerness of the top, which I felt was necessary for an evening look, as it’s a very skin covering up outfit, and the skirt and boots together just felt chic.

Beauty | Ready for the throwback of all throwbacks?! If you’ve been following me since the beginning (2009) you will remember my love of Origins Mega Mushroom face cream. I rediscovered it this month as part of my work with M&S and my skin could not be happier. I love that it’s simply a very nourishing, beautiful face cream without any actives, so I can use it alongside all my serums and I have definitely noticed my skin looking clearer since using it (which was what made me fall in love with it way back when). Next is another long-time love, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation. This deserves a mention as I’ve worn it so much this month and it’s the perfect foundation for achieving that your skin but better look. I love it. Finally, the retinol from Medik8. I have so many skincare products I love at the moment, I think I might need to do a whole skincare dedicated Substack, but this is such a stand-out product. I am new to retinol so only using it twice a week and so far I’ve noticed less fine lines and my skin looks rejuvenated the next morning.

Home | My friend India introduced me to a company called Homefulness, a professional organising company. They came to do my kitchen a couple of weeks ago and honestly, my home feels brand new. I feel excited to cook and bake, I feel calm in the tranquility of my kitchen knowing that inside every cupboard is perfectly ordered and decluttered, and I feel organised - which to me is like feeling like a whole new person! It honestly has been life changing, even if you’re not going to book their services, use the photos below as inspiration to have a clear out and rearrange your kitchen cupboards. This is just one cupboard, head to my instagram highlight labelled “February” to see all the before and after photos.

Eating | The Chiltern Firehouse is a classic spot that I’ve loved for a few years - low lighting, amazing service, delicious food and just a really great vibe - I went for dinner there this month and it was 100% the best dinner out I’ve had in a while. If you go, get the 48hr chicken and for pudding the “say when” tiramisu - incredible.

Staycation | It had been over six months since my boyfriend and I had spent a night away just the two of us sans bébé. The week before last we went to Heckfield Place for 24hrs of R&R and it was just glorious. Everything from our room, the grounds, the food to the spa was utter heaven. It was such a special time together.

I hope you enjoyed my February round-up, please leave any of your recommendations in the comments - I’m always looking for new tv shows, films, books, restaurants etc.

Lots of love,

Tanya x