In my Things I’m Loving This Month I have great gift-giving alternatives, the origins of the Rainbow Bridge, London’s Colour Walk and more!
Yes, yes – I know it’s now December, so this should be called “Things I Loved Last Month”. But I haven’t exactly stopped loving these things: they’re all still fabulous! I just found them last month, that’s all 😉
Okay so how did it get to Christmas month?! WHEN did it get to Christmas month? (Er, that’d be yesterday apparently.) My life is speeding by at an exponential rate and I can’t keep up. Wasn’t it the Wimbledon men’s final a couple of weeks ago? Didn’t I go to Cornwall and have a week in the sun just recently?? What is happeninnnnnngggggg…
[Reading time: 2 mins – excluding time reading links]
Existential crises aside, I didn’t want to go overboard with Christmas stuff – I’m sure you’ve had enough Christmas content to last you a lifetime already. So here’s some alternative content for you, including a BRILLIANT video from Martin Lewis (aka the Money Saving Expert) about how we should all think about Christmas gifts that will really help others. (Cost of living crisis or otherwise.) We do something similar in our family and we all love the way it works now, so devoid of stress and friendly for all budgets… I might just write about it for my next Substack post. Subscribe here if you haven’t already #ShamelessPlug
I’ll stop waffling, let you enjoy the links, and wish you a very happy first weekend of December. Enjoy the mince pies and go play Andy Williams It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, you’re allowed now…!
What caught your eye/are you now loving too? Have you got your tree and decorations up yet?! Comment below.
Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links (at no cost to you) and any items listed as* were PR products received within the last 12 months. Full disclosure
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This month I’m loving…
1. Martin Lewis’s (The Money Saving Expert) video about Christmas gift giving. If you haven’t seen it I can thoroughly recommend it as it makes PERFECT sense: “Time to agree to ban unnecessary Christmas presents”.
2. The fact that the original author (and the original version) of The Rainbow Bridge has finally been found, and it’s not what you’d expect. As always with TRB, hankies at the ready. Thank you, Edna Clyne-Rekhy.
3. This blog post featuring 9 reader comments on kindness. A lovely follower of mine on Instagram forwarded it to me and oh my goodness there are some great stories in there.
4. This TED Talk: An alternative to the “midlife crisis” (with the emphasis on the word crisis) from entrepreneur Chip Conley – he even advocates “pro-ageing” not “anti-ageing” products (good man).
5. Original art on my walls, and I’m totally into doing painting by numbers: this colourful mountain series is so modern and I’m going to ask for one for Christmas. The only trouble is, which to choose…
6. This interview with New Yorker and gallerist Lauren Wittels about her embracing her age as an asset, and it’s just brilliant: “If you have two brain cells considering wearing something, just put it on and walk out the door.”
7. All the amazing content that’s being written on Substack. Farrah Storr – former editor of Elle and Cosmo – writes about how Substack’s second-largest market [Britain] sees a better future for writing: “Because the truth is something incredible is happening: a whole new creative ecosystem is at play. It’s a place where writers are paid by the people who love their work.” (And if you haven’t already seen my Substack, here it is #AnotherShamelessPlug)
8. Dawn French’s late-night purchases. Like Dawn, be careful what you purchase online at night (especially this month if you’re combining Christmas shopping with a Christmas tipple or two). She made an “unwise” late-night purchase and showcased it on her Instagram – oh how I love that woman.
9. This dog enjoying bathtime. He’s so excited he gets stompy – that’s one gorgeous goofball retriever.
10. The Colour Walk at London’s Spitalfields every third Thursday of the month – how am I just learning about this now?! It’s a “gathering of creative people who love colour and dressing up.” Watch the artist Sue Kreitzman (herself a devotee of colour) talk about the Colour Walk… it’s glorious.
And a few Not Dressed As Lamb posts you might like…
My All-Time Favourite TV Characters (& a Few Worst Ones),
6 Fantasy Jobs I Would Be Really, Really Good At
and
The 18 Worst Things About Ageing (That I Wasn’t Prepared For)
Thank you for reading! xoxo
Linking up to… Monday: Stylish Monday (second Monday of the month), Inspire Me Monday, My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish, Ageless Style Linkup (third Thursday of the month), || Friday: Neverending Style, Fancy Friday, On the Edge
Oooh how did I miss this post?!! Looks like there are some fabulous things to have a read here, Catherine. I especially love Dawn French so I shall with that!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I’ve been to see The Colour Walk and it’s a spectacle to behold! I’ve joined Substack (and Medium), but I haven’t explored them much. With reading blogs, books and my X habit, there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day.
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Oh wow Gail – I’d never heard of it before, I bet it’s amazing!!
I know about the not enough time in the day thing, I always say I want a clone of me that does all the boring things like housework and dull life admin, then the real me can get to do all the fun stuff! If only, LOL
Ah, you were not wrong about the Rainbow Bridge and the kindness post. Luckily no mascara was hurt in the reading of those wonderful stories.
It’s been a few years since we lost our boy dog to cancer and I still miss him. He was kind, clever, and loving, even if he couldn’t be trusted near any unguarded food, bless him. Still, even though he’s gone, I guess we have the chance to give another rescue hound a warm, loving home, with comfy beds, affection, and walks.
In terms of kindness, I’ve not forgotten the time when a British Rail guard (showing my age here!), let us sit in his guard cabin on a long journey up from London. My parents had three young kids at the time, and on a packed train, there was nowhere to sit. It’s been many decades, but I’ve not forgotten that person’s kindness.
If it’s okay to say this: kindness rewards both parties.
PS: Can we look forward to you visiting the colour event in London?
Author
I haven’t been to London in so long I’m not sure I’d ever make the Colour Walk, Lynn – as much as I’d want to!!
I’m so sorry about your fur boy, it’s a few years since we lost our lurcher Riley and the pain never really leaves you, does it. But we always say that without him we wouldn’t have been able to find Suki at the time that we did, she’d been in the rescue centre for over a year 🙁 . It was meant to be! You’ll know if and when the time is right for you to find another gorgeous girl or boy to adopt, I hope you do x
P.S. How lovely is that story about your family being given the use of the British rail guard’s cabin?! Sadly I doubt they’d be able to do that now – “for health & safety reasons” probably…!