These sweet things to make

Just love this article from Life and Thyme about Mexico's convent confectionaries and happy to have the recipe for these 'Halleluljah' cookies. Also happy to read this piece about the chocolate-y history of Sicilian town Modica, especially because we went there on our honeymoon. Nawwww.

Also - this creamy rice pudding with spiced oranges, these whole lemon bars and this banana cake from a very moving episode of Dispatch to a Friend. 

This giant 'chubby' cloud

I love love love the idea of lying around on this 'cloud' (aka massive beanbag) while someone reads a lovely story or poem out loud. But I'm totally with Sara Tasker when she says - minus all the people please. 

The idea of a mental health shelf

I rather love the idea of having a mental health shelf - full of favourite books, little treasures collected from trips and photos etc. Just a selection of things you can see everytday and that remind you of characters, experiences and people you love What would you have on yours? 

This movie

Isn’t it weird how the Internet sends you signs sometimes? Like right now it’s telling me to re-watch all my favourite 90’s romcoms. For example (stay with me here…) last week when I sent out a few playlist recommendations I forgot to add that the ‘boss it up’ playlist is kind of like my version of Kathleen Kelly’a (aka Meg Ryan’s character in You’ve Got Mail) ’dance-boxing around her office doing her -go to the mattresses- thing' - it’s what I play when I need to boss up for my business.

So anyway…then this week… I’ve come across two articles musing over You’ve Got Mail. Both were not only lovely reads but good reminders to go for a second watch, which I did, last night. The first, also via Man Repeller; I agree with Harling on all 7 weird things about You’ve Got Mail’, and having always rather loved the outfits int his film too, loved this article about the power of a Kathleen Kelly-ish sweater from Lenny Letter. 

And then…there’s this round up of the best kitchens in Nancy Meyers’ films (ranked). My faves have always been the one in It’s Complicated and the Intern. You? Call me basic but I do love a romcom. 

Hetty McKinnon's new book

Family is just the most gorgeous book full of recipes I will make again and again. So far I've made the wonton soup on pg 209, the primavera rice salad on pg 53, the cacio e pepe broccolini on pg 54 and yesterday the kale and haloumi gozleme (pg 166) for lunch - all were delicious, easy and beautifully written and photographed (hello Luisa!). Hetty's recipes (also check out her two earlier books Community and Neighbourhood) are all, always full of flavour and love. Next up for me is this strawberry, goat's cheese and black pepper salad (btw - support the strawberry growers!)