Five February Favorites, including the very early discovery of a skincare miracle and a book of short stories that could be my book of the year. And we haven’t entered spring yet.
But let’s start with the boots I’ve fallen into. Ah, the boots. If I told you that I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect western-inspired boots since October, would you believe me? Is true. And I had a grand total of eleven different pairs of black leather boots, all subtly different, delivered to the house and then unceremoniously sent back.
How I didn’t see these Whistles beauties when they were right under my nose I don’t know. They were much more amazing in real life I guess – it was actually my daughter who spotted them when we walked past the local shop in Bath and I went in to hold and pet them. They didn’t have my size but I ordered them in a 39 the moment I got home!
It’s just the perfect “western boot, but make it smart”. No pointed toes or frills, fringes or buckles, just that lovely chisel shape that somehow seems so trendy right now (maybe it’s the way the heel slopes, it’s very stylish) and the supple, high-quality leather .
To say I’m in love is an understatement: they also happen to be super comfortable and go with pretty much everything in my winter wardrobe. Especially good with black leggings, tights or skinny jeans. They are sold out in most sizes at Whistles (see here* for stay) but they also have them at John Lewis here*.
What a find. Right at the end of winter, so that’s helpful, but we’ll ignore it and look on the bright side.
Next favorite: a new beauty discovery. La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Dermallergo Night (here online*). I remember this launch and it was an incredible night cream back then. it’s still pretty much unbeatable if you have skin that feels constantly sensitive with no signs of letting up. LRP’s Dermallergo reduces signs of sensitivity with each use – helping to break the cycle, essentially, of skin that’s always dry, tight and irritated.
I wrote about the older version of this cream when it was launched – if you want more information you can have a look at that post here:
Skin Sensitivity and Satan’s Bicycle
I know this is a small point, but I like the fact that it is very convenient to travel with. A lightweight pump-operated bottle with no liner or additives, it’s slim and easy to toss in your makeup bag. Also incredibly moisturizing without any greasiness. It gets top marks from me – it’s £25 at Superdrug here*.
Staying with the bedtime theme: I tried the Drowsy Sleep Mask this month. You may have seen these advertised online. It’s a very large, padded silk sleep mask that covers half your face and blocks out all light. I already had silk sleep masks so I hadn’t thought to give the sleepy ones but an opportunity presented itself (I was on a press trip with Elizabeth Arden and it was in the press pack) and I have to say I’m very pleased with myself for giving it a go.
It is quite simply wonderful.
And I know there will be cheaper versions, non-silk versions, copies of them on Amazon, but I can’t speak for those: I’ve only tried Drowsy. (Let me know if you’ve tried alternatives and have feedback!) It’s definitely a luxury purchase, but in terms of quality and utility I don’t think you’ll ever regret getting one. a regular sleep mask user. Wrapping it around your head is like being snuggled into your own little sleep shelter, the padded sides gently muffle ambient noise (ever so slightly) and the eye pieces block glare from the lamps I have to leave on lit when I travel they foolishly think they scare away hotel burglars…
You can find Drowsy online here*
My fourth favorite this month is a game. By Emma Rice Blue beard. Even if you don’t like plays, I think you’ll like this. You might say I’m biased, because she’s a friend, but this is the first play Emma Rice has written and directed, and there wasn’t a second that didn’t make me spontaneously applaud. .
If you know his grim story Blue beard then get ready to turn it on its head a bit. This is a story of horrific misogyny and violence, but it’s told through Wise Children’s trademark (that’s the theater company) sensory assault of song and dance, acrobatics and hidden traditions. Every part of a wise children’s play seems to be presented to you with a wink and a sparkle and this play is no different – the first half feels like you’ve stepped into a magical circus stage.
But the end. Totally unexpected and powerful and no one in the theater knew where to look beyond the ceiling to stop the tears from rolling down.
I’ve dropped some footage in the favorite video (below) where Emma Rice talks about the production and the story behind it – you can find out which rooms they still have Blue beard tickets on the Wise Children website here.
And finally a book. Also with stories of misogyny and familiar stories turned on their heads: Claire Keegan’s Antarctic. (Here online*.) I’ve written about Keegan’s short stories before. they are like little jewel boxes full of treasures. Every sentence is so perfectly formed. The opening story in Antarctic it made me curl my toes the whole way through and not in a particularly good way. it left me feeling completely empty and disappointed. You’ll have to read it to find out why.
I wouldn’t mind doing some sort of book club if anyone is interested. I’m trying to figure out how to do it, logistically. If you have any good ideas on how one could be arranged, then let me know in the comments, because all my ideas involve sitting by myself (probably on a stool in an empty room) and talking into an echo chamber…
