Things Worth Knowing

Me and my wonderful niece in the south of France When my nephew was 4 years old I agreed to babysit him. This was the first time either of us had spent any great length of time together, since I had moved to the other side of the world before he had even learned to speak. This meant he knew little about me other than I was a woman who looked vaguely like his mother and with whom he was forced to spend the next two weeks of his life.

At the beginning of the year I decided that 2026 was going to be my year of rest, relaxation and gardens. The first two are a bit of a struggle truth be told but the last one is going rather well. I will, of course, do a big round-up for you all at the end of the year. A garden is actually how I ended up in Bath last month. Caisson Gardens, to be precise, which is a slightly under the radar garden lovingly built over the last decade by a local husband and wife.

My teeny little study where most of the hard work happens- as well as on trains, airport lounges-basically anywhere where I can grab the time When I was younger and less cynical about the world I believed that anyone could write a book. If you had experience, an interesting point of view and enough patience to sit down and do the thing, then you could get a book published. Of course, you and I both know this is not true.

This week’s newsletter is once again sponsored by Dove whose fabulous new range, Dove Whole Body Deodorant you can find here. That means this week’s newsletter is able to be free to everyone. (FYI- It’s a long one so if you’re reading this in email make sure to press ‘enable full email’ in case Gmail shortens it.) A quick, uplifting dispatch from holiday. Swimsuit is Eres Asia panelled swimsuit and it’s the absolute best. Cap is old Sezanne.

Firstly, how are you all shaping up in this heat? I am on the road in the south of France, about to meet my husband and two (very hot) dogs in Provence. I have three pairs of shoes with me in my suitcase, only one of which I can actually fit into. BUT I have just bought some very very good trousers from American Vintage that are basically like wearing a giant, very stylish balloon because when you walk they sort of lift around your entire body.

This week’s post is free thanks to Dove and the new Dove Whole Body Deodorant Range which you can find here. I get asked about my career a lot. Which is funny because it’s not what I chose to write about here. But it is true that I have had a lucky run when it comes to jobs, having run glossy magazines for many years and now running Substack’s International side of the business. That said, it’s not been without its mess-ups, twists, turns and downright failures.

THE summer shoe Forget barely-there sandals as inspired by Chanel (a brave trend which essentially involves a completely nude foot) and instead go for a more relaxed vibe this summer with the deck shoe. Miu Miu’s are the ones to have and I have just bought the softly faded suede ones which I adore. (Go down half a size would be my advice.) These are selling very quickly but looks like there are a few sizes left. You can find them here.

View from room 1010- worth requesting I have fallen back in love with New York. Maybe it’s a spring thing. All those smoking sidewalks and soaring towers and locals who stride about in Lululemon and crop tops looking as though they’re about to murder someone. I was there for work this week. Days really. A real in and out job. Just enough time to see a single friend, spend time with colleagues, work (a lot) and then zip back on the red eye.

Last week to claim your free present The Standard High Line- good rooms (ask for a corner bath) and great views. Can recommend Hello hello and greetings from NYC where I’m on a 72 hour trip to the Big Apple. It’s hot, it’s sticky and it reminded me to remind you that there’s one week left to grab a free gift with the ZIIP Halo that I mentioned in my post last week about perfect skin- which you can find and read here.

I never believed I would be someone with good skin. For thirty years of my life I waged a war with my body’s largest organ. I doused it in acids; attacked it with lasers, I picked at it and smothered it in foundations that were thick and suffocating. I dreamed of having anyone’s skin except the one I found myself in. My problem was not so much acne as it was a weird, almost pebbly texture that plagued me from my teenage years right up until my late 30s.