the july review

has there been a universal shift?

Hi pals! I hope you enjoy this July newsletter — where has the year gone already? I can’t keep up. Don’t forget to join our chat of like-minded pals and I’ll see you next month 💌

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I feel like there’s been a universal shift towards hope over the past few weeks. Maybe it’s astrology, maybe it’s brat summer, perhaps I’m projecting because of the electoral mood change, but it feels like something just a tiny bit existentially positive is in the air.

I went to see a beautiful Artists For Aid concert at the top of the month, organised by Mustafa to raise money for Sudan and Palestine. It’s been a while since I felt such a sense of community in one space, it was really moving. I went with

Otegha Uwagba

and reflected afterwards on how cool it is that we’ve developed a friendship out of what was originally my appreciation of her writing on her early twenties. I subsequently followed her, bothered her enough that she agreed to meet me for coffee, and now we’re on each other’s close friends story. As they say, the rest is history. I really appreciate relationships like mine and Otegha’s that have slowly developed through my twenties. There’s this pressure to make friends fast when you hit adulthood, but I think some of the best are a slow burn.

Speaking of slow burns: after a low pressure start to the year, I’ve been trying to get back on my content game this summer — can you tell? I popped out a video on my skepticism around wedding culture that received so much positive feedback (thank you!) and a little vlog of my writing trip to Paris. I’m planning a mid year check-in later this week, so let me know if you’d like to see a video going through that too!

wearing —

As per last month, I’m still very happy with everything in my summer wardrobe. My best outfit was what I wore to the Euros semi-finals and then the H.LLS preview — it got the seal of approval from Sam, who is best dressed of Jack’s friends in my opinion (but don’t tell them I said that.) Layering the green shirt under the golf jacket was rogue but I think it worked.

I’ve worn my Deiji Studios linen sets so much this summer, it’s really reaffirmed my decision to spend a bit more as they’re great quality and now the cost per wear is so low. They’re so versatile, I often wear the shorts on their own or just throw the shirt on with some adidas shorts and trainers or my white linen skirt from Ref. So comfy, such great quality — and it’s amazing how often you’ll wear something when it actually fits. I picked up the M/L size and had the waists tailored — I hope this info helps if you’re thinking about picking up a set yourself!

I’m thinking about buying a pair of ballet sneakers after seeing my friend Paula styling the Nike Air Rifts so well this weekend. I feel like a black pair would transition really well into Autumn, and perhaps I could wear them with sheer tights… am I being delusional? Tell me if the Salomon x Sandy Liang collaboration is a bad idea. I need a voice of reason to this internal monologue.

listening —

I went to an amazing songwriters showcase this month called Show The Credits — the imitable Toby Gad played (If I Were A Boy, Skyscraper, All Of Me), along with Freya Ridings and my stunning pal, Läpsley. I’ve been to a few before but this one was something else, brought to life in a glorious West London church. My friend Jack Vallier organises the shows and I’m in awe of his commitment to levelling up the songwriting community, it’s so inspiring.

Artemas put out a new mixtape! And I prefer the song he just released with Bose over any of the songs on the project!! So Stunning should have been the lead single from yustyna — prove me wrong.

I’m going to write something about Camilla and Normani’s releases, I think. There’s definitely some thoughts brewing around post-band-breakup releases developing in my brain — let me know if you’d like to read that?

As always, follow me on Spotify to enjoy my exceptional playlist curation for every whim or mood you could possibly ascribe to your twenties ✨

I discovered Sarah Pan’s videos this month, and while I love her tech girl vlogs, I have been really drawn to her podcast Soju With Sarah. It’s so cosy and perfect to wind down to.

following —

I shared a list of my favourite vlogger girlies on here last week — I see a lot of discourse online about who we’re all watching these days so I wanted to throw my two cents in! I’m always looking for new favourites so let me know yours in the comments ✍️

a definitive guide to the best lifestyle vloggers in 2024

I have been addicted to The Rest Is Politics and their US counterpart this month as the American election is unfolding. I’m not a particular fan of Alastair or Rory, we don’t agree on a lot of things however I find their insight into Westminster decision-making and the day-to-day so interesting. I’ve got their Leading episode with Nick Clegg saved for my next long journey, I’m curious about how he will address… honestly his entire career. If you are as into politics as me, I think you’ll love this show.

forward thinking —

In August I really want to crack on and get things done. There’s a lot of Dadmin on the horizon (how I fondly refer to dad-related tasks) now he’s out of hospital, plus I have a goal to get as much writing done as possible this summer so I can develop some of those songs into a project across Autumn and Winter. I feel like I’m finding my sound a bit more now, and my production skills are gradually improving too. That tentative sense of hope is definitely helping ✨

Let me know the best thing you did/watched/ate/listened to in July in the comments — I’ll start a subscriber chat too where we can debrief more thoroughly too ✨

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