We’re Loving

Elly and I are back again with another instalment of our What We’re Loving series. This year has been tough to say the very least, but there have been small things which have made everything a little easier. In this article we’re going to chat a little bit about the small moments that have brightened our day and lockdown in the hopes that it brings you a little comfort too.

What We’re Loving

The Changing of the Seasons:

I know this may sound cheesy and cliche, but the seasons have been a godsend to me. Normally, I’m so busy that days just pass me by and then I realise “Hey, I missed bonfire night last night”. However, in lockdown with little to do but work, I’ve been living for the little things - I think we all have. I’m not hugging trees or documenting different leaves yet, but I am carving out space in my schedule to simply appreciate the passing of time. On Bonfire Night - a night I normally pay very little attention to - my housemates and I baked an array of treats before making hot chocolate, wrapping up warm and going outside to catch our neighbours firework display (thank you neighbours). It was one of the loveliest nights I’ve ever had and it’s very unlikely it ever would have happened without COVID-19.

Making Fun at Home:

Another gift our girl Rona has given us is our creativity back. Yes, we still have our abundance of technology to keep us company, but there are only so many TikTok videos you can watch before you start going stir crazy. We’ve had to make our own fun again, kind of like we did when we were kids before we had phones, or Netflix and our mums would tell us to “use our imagination”. One day in lockdown, my roommate Henry had just about had it with his monotonous daily routine and he begged us to let him organise a murder mystery night. We begrudgingly agreed, not being the theatrical types but to give him credit, it was so much fun. The murder mystery game itself was very simple, we got it for free from BBC Good Food. Even so, just putting on an outfit, assuming a different persona and eating food together lifted us out of our funk. Sometimes you need to yank yourself out of your comfort zone so if you don’t have a Henry of your own, do it for yourself.

Work that Side Hustle:

On the subject of creativity, it has been a joy to see my friends and family start their own businesses in their newfound free time. I’ve always wanted to sell my art, but the prospect of production, packaging and marketing always overwhelmed me. You need a logo, header, products, mock-ups and attractive graphics to establish a good brand. On top of that, you have to have confidence. Setting up a business means that you believe your service, or product etc is good enough for people to buy and that realisation always ended up in me throwing away the idea. However, through seeing my friends and family have the courage to put themselves and their work out there, I finally did it. I created an Etsy shop, called Snowdrop Designs @snowdropdesign and I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent working on it. It’s not even open yet and it’s already slowly becoming one of my favourite things in life.

My Favourite Log:

When lockdowns stop you from running back to the comfort of family hugs and childhood bedrooms, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the feeling of ‘home’. To counteract this, I’ve been making regular outings to a particular log in Bute Park. Each time I arrive back there, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that for at least a few moments I can hide from the realities of life. In between visits, there have been seismic changes in the world. The Presidential election saw the end of Trump’s reign over America, and the announcement of an effective vaccine for covid was made. Both events marked drastic changes in our human futures. Meanwhile, nothing much changes at this spot in the park, aside from the gradual flow of the changing seasons. It’s an unremarkable place – just a fallen tree off the main path that’s surrounded by a few inquisitive squirrels and the oaky smell of wet leaves. For the moment, it’s my quiet place I can return to that has become the closest equivalent to the comfort of my mum’s arms.

Personality Quizzes:

I’ve been hooked on all kinds of online tests about your inner self. Whether it’s attachment styles, what your love language is, or the Myers-Briggs 16 personality test (anybody else an ISFP?), you name it and I have probably wasted my time doing it. If you’re not the type of person who’s whittled endless hours away finding out which meal deal you would be according to BuzzFeed, you might not see the appeal. But, it’s worth it alone for the dopamine hit you get when your result flashes up on the screen. After what often feels like a personal attack, impulse drives you to send your answers to friends and family and demand that they do it right away so you can compare. I guess you could say that it gives you the reassurance of a suggested logic for understanding yourself, others and your relationship patterns. Alternatively, you could admit that it’s just a really rewarding way to waste your time.

Sweater Vests:

Whilst you might have previously associated the sweater vest with your grandpa or your history teacher, 2020 has decided that the knitwear item is no longer a reserve for the over-50s. In theory, it should be completely unsexy, but somehow in practice, it’s the opposite. If you don’t believe me, please take a look at Harry Styles’ sheep vest and try to argue otherwise. It shouldn’t work, but it does. It’s safe to say that the item has been fiercely reclaimed as a style favourite of the season, as it has snuck its way into the wardrobes of many. Jasmine and I are no exceptions to this, as we’ve both fallen victim to this trend. A few weeks ago, houndstooth-patterned vests made their way into both of our online shopping baskets. Perfect for layering and a great pair with chunky boots, they’ve become a comfortable favourite of Autumn fashion that we can definitely get behind.