Feeling A Bit Sht Nice Life Reminders

Feeling A Bit Sh*t? These things might lift your spirits

June 26, 2019
Cute teabags

Surely it’s time for a round of Feeling A Bit Sh*t? It’s been way too long, don’t you think? And what better day than hump day to roll out the better-feels wagon? Speaking of hump day, I actually LOVE Wednesdays. They so often creep up and I think it’s Tuesday and then lo and behold, it’s already mid week. Time zips by sometimes doesn’t it?

Feeling A Bit Sh*t? These things might lift your spirits

1/ Genius Japanese company Ocean Tea Bag makes little leaf-filled friends to dangle in your cup. Just. Look. At. Them. They’re ridiculously gorgeous and would find the perfect leafy home in a glass cup, I think. Because of course you’d want to stare at them about 127 times as you sip. (NB – I found out about these via Colossal.)

2/ I loved reading this piece – Where Wild Things Dwell –  by Sophie Dahl. It struck about a billion chords with me, literary references and fanciful imagining included. It’s always a pleasure to read her work.

Wild Things via Sophie Dahl

3/  Last week I was pleading on Facebook for the Stephanie Alexander recipe for Cheesy Toast (from the now closed Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder). Stephanie answered my prayer and the recipe for her famous Cheesy Toast was promptly published in her latest newsletter. You can sign up for her newsletter here if you are a foodie or cheesy tragic like me. Thank you, Stephanie!

Wine Coolers

4/ Apparently these wine coolers are back in Vogue so rustle about in your mum’s garage and dig out the Decor, everyone!

5/ I’ve finished the first round of edits on my new book, and my editor at Murdoch Books wrote me a lovely email about how well the manuscript is progressing. What a champ he is! I worked on the edits with another editor  over the last month or so and she helped me to cut out my waffle-y bits and repetition to make it much nicer for people to read. Bless her. It’s all looking good and I am excited/terrified to share it with y’all when it comes out. I hope my book helps some other people to feel a bit less crap when times are tough. It’s worth feeling terrified for that sort of reward.

Pip's bread

6/ I’ve been making an absolute truck load of bread. Not buying any. Just making it. This is my recipe. It’s so so so easy and fun to make. Takes just a couple of hours from kneading to finished loaf. (I buy my spelt flour in a small packet at Woolies). Hot tip – the wetter the dough, the better the loaf, but don’t add too much water because then it will be a bit hard to work with. It is delicious toasted, when it becomes crunchy and chewy and crisp and satisfying. And not a sourdough starter in sight! (NO offence sourdough!)

Mimi Sheraton book

7/ I happened upon a second-hand book by Mimi Sheraton and honestly where has she been all my life. I adore her. She’s such a brilliant writer and I could not put her book down. (It was this one). You can get a little taste of Mimi – if you are new to her like me – here. Such an evocative piece and so sharply captured.

Amanda Brooks

8/ I stumbled across this lady and her life and house and dogs and such and sort of disappeared into the photos. Amanda Brooks is a city girl turned country gal … and I’m a sucker for such a story. Look at her house here. Check out her website here. It’s all very fancy and delightful.

Quentin Blake patrick

9/ A little piece on picture books in The Guardian. The comments are worth reading too, which makes a lovely change.

10/ This cat is the best. Like THE. ACTUAL. BEST. Go Hatty!

11/ These pals have been playing Dungeons and Dragons together for … 30 years. A tale of friendship and community.

“They all went to the same high school in Huntington Beach, California, in the late 1980s. While no one is quite sure when this exact group began playing together, they have two campaigns that have been going continuously since the early ’90s, with the same characters. In this interview, they introduce some of their characters and discuss how the game has served as the glue for their friendship, giving them an excuse to get together regularly, even when life is busy.”

12/ I shared this on social media, but wanted to share it here too. The gorgeous story of Kooringal Chinese. Again. READ. THE. COMMENTS!

13/ I made you a playlist. Just some stuff I’ve been listening to lately, in case you fancy a listen.

Hope you enjoyed this Feeling A Bit Sh*t! I’ll be back with more chatter very soon. Thank you so much for reading!

x Pip

7 Comments

  • Reply Karen July 6, 2019 at 12:20 PM

    Thank you for creating such a great playlist Pip. Been listening to it this morning – Scott Walker, an old favourite and always welcome to my ears, but you’ve included Richard Hawley, new to me – and fabulous. Plus so many other super songs and singers. Thank you, thank you – my darling Dad died two weeks ago, this playlist is really helping at the moment dear Pip.

    • Reply Pip July 12, 2019 at 7:18 AM

      Karen, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Much love to you, chicken. xxx

  • Reply Mari June 29, 2019 at 8:19 AM

    I loved this, thank you. My inbox is mainly bombarded by boring and/or worthy stuff. This was little a little present, a box of treasures to be explored. 🙂

  • Reply Lizzie Wooden June 28, 2019 at 10:45 AM

    Aw i live in Kooringal and Kooringal Chinese is actually my local Chinese! Love this story! Thanks Pip 🙂

  • Reply Cheryl June 28, 2019 at 3:46 AM

    Love it!! I’ve been getting some of the folks at church to try D&D! I’m hoping to lure some into a longer-term campaign.

  • Reply Sus June 27, 2019 at 9:43 PM

    Ooh Stephanie’s cheesy toast topping is very similar to a childhood fave that mum used to put on chicken breasts then bake. Her version was mayo, grainy mustard and grated cheese, so not quite as gourmet as Stephanie but still delicious!

  • Reply kate June 27, 2019 at 2:21 PM

    once again, thank you Pip

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