Welcome to this month’s randomly chosen “Things I Really Loved.” There’s a full video version further down the page. If you have 10 minutes to spare, I highly recommend watching it. It provides detailed ramblings about each snippet I’m going to talk about while bringing them to life in full Technicolor and Doby surround sound.
(I don’t know about the last two things I promised earlier. I just thought they looked good.)
I wanted to include “dried flowers” in my favorites this month, but I ran out of space. The unspoken rule is never to include more than 5 items, so look forward to it in January. To be honest, my passion for dried stalks has gotten a little out of control and I had to force myself to cross Milsom Street in Bath yesterday. That way, you won’t have to make another trip to the flower shop and leave with a box of dried poppy heads. Or an armful of pampas.
Instead of dried flowers, I added some really good eye drops. you’re welcome. Let’s get excited about this month’s loot!
It’s one of my only successful vintage purchases (I’m now the proud owner of three too-small skirts and a Stella McCartney jumper dress big enough to fit two people inside). I love it. Beautiful colors, finest silk and perfect fit. I’ve purchased a lot of Equipment shirts over the past few decades, but this one is my favorite.
What’s more, it cost £18 on Vinted and looks like it’s barely been worn. Equipment shirts usually cost a few hundred pounds. I saved this as a search on Vinted to see what else would come up at my size (small).
Interestingly, the two most successful second-hand purchases were a) items I actually needed, and b) items I had tried on before or from brands I knew exactly what size I needed. did. I don’t think this is funny at all, but it’s just common sense.
I never expected to write so passionately about eye drops, but I have to say that one of the significant side effects of my laser eye surgery is that I now have dry eyes. Intermittently, it doesn’t seriously affect my day, but it’s definitely there. Rather than tingling or pain, I often feel a sticky sensation in my eyeballs that I can’t get rid of completely. Morning stuff, residue, whatever you want to call it, but it’s not just in the morning.
I know you really appreciate the follow-up to the first article I published about eye surgery (found here). I’ll start writing about it as soon as Christmas is over, but for now, suffice it to say that my dry eyes aren’t that serious. Please stop laser surgery. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and annoyances, but there are only two disadvantages and annoyances.
Anyway, these Hycosan Extra eye drops are the best. I was using the widely recommended Thealoz Duo, but the Hycosan offers a different level of instant lubrication and relief. Both Thealoz and Hycosan are preservative-free, which seems to be very important when using eye drops for a long period of time (although it does mean that they need to be used up within the specified time). Hikosan is a little thick. I did some very basic tests with both drops on the back of my hand and, to borrow a beauty term, Hycosan had more “slip”.
You only need to use Hycosan every other day, or at most once a day. Thealoz was at least twice a day. That’s how I knew Hycosan Extra was working harder for me.
I received my drops from Vision Express, but if you prefer the convenience of delivery, you can buy them a little cheaper on Amazon here (affiliate link). These are truly one of the most satisfying discoveries of the last few months.
At this point, I have no idea how much time I’ve spent on Pooky’s website creating various lamps I don’t need. In fact, that’s a lie. I certainly needed it, so I bought it and now it’s happily sitting in the Dorset Nook waiting for the next lucky holiday guest. The amount of time I’ve spent looking at the lamp since then is more of a problem!
Here’s what I find fascinating (I know this is a really niche topic, but leave it at that): Not only can you combine different bases into hundreds of different lampshades; , the website shows you exactly what the new little lamp will look like. With perfectly executed digital rendering. It’s really incredibly satisfying. Not only does it appeal to the side of my brain that needs to form something new and unique all the time, but it brings my designs to life with minimal effort.
This is why I spent at least 700 man hours designing the car when I ordered it a few years ago. There is an online configurator that displays your order very accurately and updates visibly every time you click an option or click it again to turn it off. The level of customization offered was incredible – 10 wheel types, endless exterior paint and interior leather or fabric colors, 8 steering wheels, 3 roof types, heating or ventilation, embossed logos, or It’s called “uneven stitching”, where you sew all the seams of the seat leather of various shapes with seat options in your favorite thread color…
It was outrageous. I lost my days. A few weeks. I was hooked. It’s much cheaper to stick to lamps, so I’m not going to feel sorry about that. I’m a certified expert, so if you need any lamp advice, please let me know. I got a degree in pookie bass and was able to get another degree in lampshade size, type, and fabric. Would you like a bold and vibrant lamp for your bedroom? Introducing my red and pink creation proudly named ‘Candy’. It features a bright red wabster base and a pale pink hue…
Or perhaps you’re eyeing the neutral silk pleated shade on the exquisitely carved natural wood base to Candy’s right? (I’m considering this for my cabin.) I have about 80 lamps in my storage folder. And while I won’t go public and directly say that I want Pookie to do some kind of “edit” with me that combines my favorite combos, that’s not too far off the mark.
I have now purchased 5 Pooky lamps and they have all been great over the years. If you’re thinking of ordering and would like £10 off, use the link here (affiliate link) and you’ll get £10 off your first order.
Pooky discount code link (affiliate link)
I try to completely turn off my cell phone during Christmas and New Year’s. Move your social media apps to a small hidden folder on the screen furthest from your home screen. Break the habit of wasting half an hour opening something for no reason. You’re scrolling pointlessly.
My purpose in returning to the land of the Internet is two-fold. One for Soho Homes for Sale and one for Me + Em. We’ve gathered some of the best wardrobe staples from our annual winter Me + Em sale and bagged them for a fraction of their original price.
The sale has already begun – you can view it here (affiliate link) – and the sale will continue to grow as the Christmas holidays progress. I’m on their mailing list, so I usually get a prompt when they add more content or cut more content. If there’s an item you’ve had your eye on all year but just haven’t been able to justify it, now’s a good time to see if the coat, dress, or pants you’ve been dreaming of are available at a price you can afford. budget.
Me + Em Sale (Affiliate Link)
The land of social media is a very strange place, especially for those of us who have worked in social media since the beginning. Many of us old-school bloggers and “original influencers” have different pockets of disparate followers and subscribers scattered around that we only follow on a single platform. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that people watching on Youtube probably have no idea what I post on my Instagram page or Instagram Stories. There you will find the most immediate and regular updates.
So do my blog readers (that is, you, my Substack reader). Many people don’t know that I just got my hair cut or that I dressed up as an Oompa Loompa to visit a chocolate factory last week. Because everything like that gets posted on Instagram. One of my goals for 2025 is to get better at using the content I spend time creating. For example, uploading an Instagram video to Youtube or creating an edited version and popping it to Substack. It would be nice if one video content could somehow be compatible with all three platforms, but you’d have to come up with some sort of schedule.
This brings me to my new cabin and how it will completely transform my working life. Magically, when you step into this oak-clad haven, your own room, this professional retreat, this quiet church of concentration and distractions… I will be the kind of person who can see what is printed. See exactly how to create a weekly calendar, embed the right amount of engaging content, and replace that content to suit different audiences.
I’m telling you, it’s going to happen. I just have to believe.
Anyway, the cabin is actually finished. A full tour is planned for January, and then definitely a long post detailing what I would have done, how I decided on the paint color, where I sourced the rugs, lighting, furniture, etc. will continue. I can’t wait for Betcha!
Sorry, I went off the right tangent. I always try not to talk about anything “behind the scenes” when it comes to the social media part of my job (as opposed to the book writing part, the vacation management part, or the admin part). . running-multiple-businesses part), but I think it’s related. You may also have feedback that would be useful to me, so please leave it in the comments section. In fact, take a survey to help you end the year on a good note. A little market research.
This is my last Tuesday post for two and a half weeks. So here I am wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We cannot thank you enough for your support in 2024. I wish you, your family, and friends joy and health. See you on the other side!
Video Fun – Have a little fun with your cup of tea:
