Hello darlings,
It’s been a rather busy month at BnB HQ, with some extremely exciting news to share soon…!
Meanwhile here’s what I’ve been loving this month - and if you’d like full access to Blonde not Beige Mail do become a paid subscriber today.
Charlotte x
Read:
I was tossing up sharing this, or a Sophie Kinsella novel I just binge-read, however Letting Go is a book that simply must be shared.
Long on my to-read list, Letting Go was recommended reading in a To Be Magnetic workshop I had previously done. Though tired of the self help aisle (flashback to that scene in season five of Sex and the City when Charlotte peruses that dreaded section of the book store post divorce) I put off reading this book. I’ve done a lot of self development work this year and sometimes that kind of thing gets a little… unhelpful… when ingested in excess.
However, I finally decided to download it on audible and have since been taking it in, and yes, letting go. My god the theory of this book is powerful. Written by a prolific psychiatrist, the author does hold space for spirituality, but at the same time approaches the topic of true happiness sans bullshit.
You won’t be told to make a vision board in this book, instead you’ll be talked through how to release negative and draining emotions like resentment so you can begin to really get on in life, and frankly get over yourself!
I’m actually yet to finish this book but so far, so profound, and top of the list for what I’d recommend my friends (and readers) add to their own amazon carts.
Watch:
Don’t Worry Darling is (or recently was) the talk of the town. Whilst this movie is certainly flawed (and as a result has been subject to some of the most sexist, unfair, bad reviews ever) it is, as expected, a visual feast.
I saw it Monday night, my first proper outing post covid, with a friend who is equally contemplative about cinema. After seeing it she and I decided that the art direction is flawless, the cast is great, the twist is a true surprise, and Olivia Wilde is a boss (and a babe). Equally we agreed that the editing is a bit rubbish, and the pace is all over the place, but who cares when the characters are wearing such gorgeous clothes!
Another thing I adored was the freedom the art department were given, in terms of the story wasn’t set in one specific year, rather in a general, aspirational mid-century America. Therefore it gave the designers permission to mix all the best bits from the 1950s and early 1960s: for example Florence Pugh’s character dons a combination of 1950s fit-and-flare dresses, yet also has a Bardot-esqe half beehive, an aesthetic duo which is not necessarily historically accurate, yet certainly totally gorgeous (darling).
All in all it’s still worth seeing, if anything to get some outfit ideas. (And if you want to read a fair critique of the story itself, then read this review by Hannah-Rose Yee for Vogue Australia).
Wear:
Excuse me, did someone say a pair of fabulous Jimmy Choos for $100? I had one of those perfect vintage shopping moments last week which was clearly meant to be. One of my old favourite second sellers from Sydney, Pelle Shoes in Paddington, posted a paid of Jimmy’s at about 5.30pm last Friday.
I happened to be online at the time, and just like that there they were, in my feed, in my size, and I was in their DM's. They’ve since arrived and couldn’t be more perfect for my upcoming trip to Italy…
Other:
I’m unsure whether I’ve mentioned this, but I’m moving to Italy for two months! Quite the sea change, I know. Late last year I was selected to be Writer in Residence at Noce Fresca in Sardinia, upon accepting I’ve naturally taken the opportunity to tag on some Italian travel either side.
I’ve actually lived in Italy before. As an exchange student (yes, I was one of those). In my youth I was lucky enough to spend my 17th year living in Sicily studying art (code for smoking weed with my Sicilian boyfriend). Time wasted aside, it now feels rather perfect to be returning to Italy’s other island to finish a big project (that’s the aforementioned exciting update… rhymes with nook meal).
Post Italy the plan is to cruise down to New Zealand for summer. It’s been a while since I’ve spent quality time in my homeland and I am so excited to spend the warmer months with old friends and my family.
La vita é bella!