This Week In Recommendations - 21.05.23
A food fuelled weekend, an outstanding reading week and the relentless consumption of ads.
Good morning/afternoon/night - whatever time you are reading this. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week and have had a great weekend filled with lovely plans. I spent last Sunday, just after the last edition went live, wandering around the City Centre with my husband. We got some things we needed for our upcoming holiday, saw some cool art, and did what we do best - eat! We went for a Thai lunch which was amazing. This was our second visit to this spot and not only is the food absolutely phenomenal but I’m always shocked by how reasonable the bill is. Especially for its location. We then grabbed some sweet treats and then relaxed. And that is pretty much the word to describe my week.
I have, as always, so much to share so I am going to dive straight into everything this week because it is going to be a biggie.
THIS WEEK I’VE BEEN OBSESSED WITH
I try to cook as many new recipes as I can and I tried something new and fun out this week - Smash Big Mac Tacos. They were a hit and although I would happily have them again, I would for sure next time make some small tweaks. I’ve linked them above for anyone who is curious or fancy making them for yourself.
I’ve also been loving skin cycling which I’ve started doing again. It is basically a skincare routine where you have the same day routine but night 1 is exfoliation, 2 is retinol, 3&4 hydration then go back to the start. I’ve been doing this on and off for around six months now. I always kick myself when I fall off the wagon with it and since doing it again, my skin is reaping the benefits. If you’re like me and get too overwhelmed with what to use, when to use it, what ingredients do what then this will help simplify that!
I’ve also been pinning lots of ‘cottagecore’ decor inspo with the hopes of finally starting to decorate my bedroom by mid-June. I’ve also been loving Albert Hammond Jnr’s new album that is filled with absolute bangers and I made my own brown sugar syrup for iced coffees that has changed my iced coffee game.
READING
My reading has been on fire this week. Three wonderful books on the trot. That is rare for me and I’m so excited to share them.
The first is a book I’ve mentioned on The Low Down before and that is I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin. I bought this thinking I would read it on my upcoming vacay. I had to get it shipped from the U.S but it came so fast and once it arrived, I caved and read right away and I’m so glad I did.
The book follows Leah who has just moved to Wisconsin for an MFA program. She meets handsome Charlie at a grocery store and the spark between them is instant. They grow close very quickly but Charlie has to confess something to Leah. He is a recovering heroin addict. The novel then documents their co-dependent toxic relationship, Charlie’s battle with addiction, and how this changes their dynamic together. It was so well written and engrossing. I read this in two sittings and had tears in my eyes by the end. It was brilliant and I thoroughly recommend it.
With I Could Live Here Forever being so engaging, I knew the next book might not be as great but, I was so wrong! I decided to start Honeybees and Distant Thunder by Riku Onda which has been a massive hit in Japan. It centers around a prestigious Japanese piano competition and the different people involved from the judges etc but, the main focus is on three competitors. It explores friendships, rivalry, and what music really means to us as individuals. The prose is just stunning and it sucks you in. The characters were all endearing and even though I was a little surprised by the way it ended (in a weird roundabout way to me), I still adored it. I love music and used to play piano so it was right up my street. It is the chunkiest book I’ve read in a while clocking in at over 400+ pages but I flew through it. I can see why this book is so loved.
The last book I read this book had me hooked from the first line. It is called Ready To Catch Him Should He Fall by Neil Bartlett. One thing I will say about this book is that I went in quite blind other than the blurb - hadn’t seen it online anywhere - and I’m so glad I did. It is the tale of a gay romance, following a nineteen-year-old known only known as ‘Boy’ and an older man with some personal demons called ‘O’. It also explores not just love but homophobia, sexual identity, and the AIDS crisis in the 80s. This was first published in 1990 and it is now a Serpent’s Tail classic. I was up at 05:30 reading this after a rubbish night’s sleep and it was perfect company!
ONE FROM THE ARCHIVES
I listened to How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price via audio in 2020 and I will definitely be revisiting this again. My screen time lately has been so high and I touch on my current relationship with social media further down. I remember this book having so many valuable tips. I want to spend less time on my phone so a little refresher with this is needed!
USED BOOK HAUL
One thing I wish I was better at as a reader is buying used books or being more savvy when it comes to shopping for them. I am a girl of convenience and yes, I know it is bad but, I have always been this way. But I did see someone post recently on IG that if you want to buy a classic, then you are better buying them used as there are so many in circulation which is so true! So here is what I bought.
I have never read Pride and Prejudice before. I know many did at school but instead, we were taught a weird book about a selkie and Of Mice and Men. I am not a romance fan but I do want to read this mainly because 1) it is a classic for a reason and 2) I keep seeing clips of the movie on Tiktok and want to read the book first. I opened up my copy when it arrived to this note inside and now I think I’m more invested in who George and Hester are than the novel now.
I also bought a copy of Suicide Blonde by Darcey Steinke which has been on my wish list for so, so long. I snapped up this copy for £3. It is a feminist classic first published in 1992 and sounds so up my street. It is a gritty tale of a bisexual girl living a hedonistic lifestyle in San Fransisco. I can’t wait to get to this!
Last up, I bought a book that has just recently landed on my radar called Mating by Norman Rush that I found through this New York Times article. It has picked up some traction online (it was first published in 1991) and it is meant to be a great exploration of romance and if love is possible with equals. It is a cult favourite, one I haven’t heard of but I am so looking forward to this one. I love books about human desire, complex relationship dynamics and I want to see what the hype is around this!
INTERNET READING
WATCHING
I started Class of 09 this week and as much as I was intrigued by the premise, I didn’t know if it was something I would enjoy but I loved the first two episodes and that is all that has aired so far. It is about a group of FBI agents who trained together and are reunited years later at the funeral of a mutual friend. The show is split into three timelines - the past, the present, and the future. It is a limited series so only 8 episodes long and I do think the first couple of episodes were story-building and we will see more action. But there is an AI element to this and how it affects the FBI and justice system that has me curious.
Next up, I watched a movie that was released in 1991 called My Own Private Idaho. This only recently came onto my radar and when I learned it was River Pheonix and Keanu Reeves as the main characters I was SOLD! And this was pretty good to be honest. It is a very loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV. River plays Mike Waters, a gay escort living on the streets who suffers from narcolepsy - a condition that sees him fall asleep randomly. Scott Favor, played by Reeves, is the rebellious son of the mayor. Mike is determined to meet his mother and the two travel together to find her. The movie explores themes such as sexuality, family, and love. I thought both actors gave an amazing performance and I am so glad I gave this a watch.
The last show I binge-watched is Designing Miami. This is a newish show on Netflix that I recommend if you love interior design, shows like Selling Sunset and business then this makes for a good watch. It follows Eilyn and Ray Jimenez, a married couple, who run businesses that design and model homes in Miami. I love all things interior so I knew I would love this but the business/process of how this is all put together is so interesting! I always used to see homes on shows like Selling Sunset and wanted to know more about the design process in these homes and this gives good insight into this. Plus, it is also for clients and their own homes and the demands they have too. I really enjoyed it!
LISTENING
I haven’t listened to as many podcasts this week. But I do have four episodes I really liked.
I listened to ICYMI on Quiet Luxury - Tiktok’s Latest Nonsensical Fashion Trend. It was a great deep dive into this current trend and how we see celebrities wearing brands that may look ‘old money’ and ‘basic’ but they are still VERY EXPENSIVE! If you like fashion, this is a very good listen.
I also listened to an episode of Goop with Laura Dern who I love alongside her mum and they have written a book together called Honey, Baby, Mine. It is all about a mother/daughter bond and their relationship and how it was impacted when Laura’s mum was chronically ill. I found it really engaging and I thought how wonderful to write a book with your mum and have that experience together, even if it explored heavy topics.
My favourite episode of this week was You’re Booked by Daisy Buchanan interviewing Caleb Azumah Nelson - author of a recent read I loved Open Water and the new release Small Worlds. It was a wonderful episode that was so insightful and I came away with so many great recommendations!
REFLECTING ON OVERCONSUMPTION
I don’t have a wishlist this week and I have a bit of a story on why. A few weeks ago, I used the Tiktok shop for the first time. I’d had a product by a brand on my wishlist for a while - nothing crazy just some cream blushes. I noticed the brand was selling and promoting a bundle via Tiktok for half the price than buying on beauty websites so I snapped it up. Now, since buying on the Tiktok shop, my for you page is FILLED and I mean FILLED with ads, and commissioned posts all promoting a variety of different products from makeup, skincare, and kids’ toys. I thought this would eventually slow down but it hasn’t. It has been so constant and it has turned an app I once enjoyed into a platform I’m not finding I’m not using as much because it is so excessive.
The thing was, I have loads of blushes. I did not need them but I wanted them. My justification is I work hard therefore I should be allowed to treat myself. And I do believe that still to a degree. But am I starting to border on excessive consumption? Am I seeking a dopamine hit? Is social media fuelling buying things that aren’t a necessity? I suppose the negative experience on Tiktok has made me notice that this is everywhere.
There was actually a trend circulating on social media a few months back called deinfluencing where people would share products they’ve bought and advise you not to buy them. But, the trend was actually hijacked IMO by influencers who you know, job is to influence you to buy things, saying don’t buy this, buy this instead. I suppose I am sick of influencer culture too and how obviously ungenuine things can be. There is a great article on the trend and how it isn’t what it first appeared to be.
I follow an influencer who has confessed to using sunbeds … who just recently did a sponsored post for fake tan flaunting the results, that were actually achieved by sunbeds. I also saw another I followed recently who posted a frantic post one day about needing to get their legs waxed ASAP as they were traveling in the next couple of days and their appointment had been cancelled. They asked followers to recommend somewhere to go - then a matter of weeks later were doing a paid-for ad for a razor and in it, talked about shaving their legs.
I think I am starting to become a bit burnout by the push we are experiencing and how sick of how more and more pushed on us they seem to be. I think that brands back in the day had to take out huge ads in newspapers, billboards etc and yet now they can reach you - whether or not you like it - via a device we hold in our hands. And I am finding my online experience has been ruined by it. I just can’t imagine being younger and having this as the norm to me.
Where am I going with this? I do not know. But, I do know that I’ve recognized that actually my time online I want to consume what I enjoy most - book content, reading, writing, etc. Is there a way to curb all of this? I do not know. But I do recognize that maybe, it is time to switch off for a bit, delete these shopping apps, limit my time online, and breathe for a bit.
And that is it for this edition. I hope you enjoyed it and managed to find a book, watch or listen you think you would love too. I’ve left the comment box open because I’d love to know if you’ve ever been overwhelmed by the constant consumerism we are exposed to and if you have any tips on how to curb it? Thanks for reading as always!
