Hello everyone,
I’ve spent the last month in Greece with my Greek American boyfriend and his family here.
It has been heaven, never did I think my love for Italy could be matched (or even eclipsed) but now Greece has a big piece of my heart. Grungy Athens, the gorgeous Cyclades, the coasts of Akrata, Patras and the Peloponnese. My favourite place being Ermoupoli (make sure you go next time you’re in Europe - you can stay with me as I’ve decided it’s my spiritual centre and I must make a home there one day).
As much as I’d like to keep boasting about my holiday (see my Instagram if you’re in the southern hemisphere and would like to torture yourself with images of sunshine) I thought I’d instead share a little story.
Over the Christmas break I made contact with two mentors. One being Nicky, my friend’s older sister, a badass businesswoman, hotelier, and the most well-travelled person you’ll ever meet. Nicky operates from an expansive place. An ex-HR exec who reigned in the corporate world for most of her career, she is now focused on giving back. She’s the type of woman who just goes for things and doesn’t hold back. When you ask her what she thinks you should do, “Do I go for A or B?”, she says, “Do both!”
I met Nicky on a boat in the Marlborough Sounds, at the tippy top of the South Island, as we drank her beloved brother (my friend)’s home brewed gin (as good as it sounds - quite sure it was the fuel powering the boat too). Immediately my world opened up thanks to simply knowing her.
Meanwhile Peta Mathias, my previous podcast guest, and long-term idol, was in Auckland over summer. I popped up there for two days en route to Los Angeles in February and Mr boyfriend encouraged me to reach out to her in his confident Californian fashion, “Just do it, babe!” To my shock she, a famous TV chef, invited me over for dinner, my fellow dinner guests being two successful kiwi businesswoman, her wonderful niece and a famous author. It was an evening to remember, and since that dinner Peta and I have become firm friends. Thanks to her I now know how to cook vindaloo and she’s shown me that people off of TV are (fabulously) relatable too. She’s reminded me to be brave and to carve out a life to please me, rather than society.
But do you want to know the wildest thing? Nicky and Peta, independently of me, have recently become friends. Good friends! They connected over their overlapping business ventures based in Morocco, and next week they’re set to catch up in France, where they’re both based for a good chunk of the year.
I find it wild that they have made contact like that. We three now being triangle of maverick mentors & mentee, a shape which feel together naturally. But then again, I’m not surprised.
All of the instability that’s come from my spontaneously travelling for eight months and following a spark of love across an ocean, has forced me to trust. Trust that things are working as they should, that something behind the scenes is making things happen, and that we deserve the good things that flow into our lives. I trust now more than ever that everything is more connected than our consciousness can fathom, and that things are unfolding exactly as they should.
I guess I’m sharing this as a reminder to you all: to trust yourself, your life and follow those magical sparks that blow your way (even if they take you far from your comfort zone).
Now onto the this month’s recommendations…
Read
Pardon my banging on about Peta, but along with every book shop and literary idol of mine, Lessons in Chemistry, has been a recommended read from she and so many others.
Is it the best-written book I’ve read in a while? Abso-bloody-lutely. Complex, unlikeable characters, a snappy timeline (the author, Bonnie Garmus, was once a copywriter and you can tell), and a tight storyline that’s unlike anything else.
I can’t really explain it. All I can say is do yourself a favour and read it. You’ll be so mesmerised you won’t be able to put it down.
Watch
Speaking of tenacious woman who lead the way, before I left Melbourne late last month I quickly saw the Quant documentary, directed by Sadie Frost.
If you’re interested in the history of fashion I’m sure you already know her name, but Mary Quant was about more than just the miniskirt. She empowered her customers with her clothes - allowing them affordable, effortless options they could don each day. Affirming that woman were in control of their own lives (even if behind the scenes her two business partners, her husband and a friend, often steered the ship).
I loved this documentary and was reminded about what it takes to start a revolution - as in, it take a lot of energy and bravery! But also that style is about simply being who you are. I’m paraphrasing here but there;s a famous quote of Mary’s to the tune of “Free yourself. Be yourself.” When it comes to style, and anything else, I couldn’t agree more.
Wear
I’m not going to tell you my shopping habits have been limited by the size of my suitcase again but, I’ve still been trying to refrain from adding too much to my nomadic wardrobe lately.
In London, en route to the life-changing month in Greece, I obviously popped to Portobello Road to scour some vintage. There I managed to find a beautiful bustier for a fiver (£5!!) which simply slipped down the sides of my suitcase. I’ll admit it’s a pretty revealing cut, showcasing and only just containing my curves, but I’m so happy I came across it, if anything to prove the op-shop gems are still accessible in expensive cities.
I’ve since worn it on the beach, to breakfast and out for cocktails with Mr boyfriend. Viva la Vintage, darlings, what a find.
Lastly, in between swimming in the sea and eating Greek salad every. single. day. (because it is truly the best) I have managed to write a couple of things. One being a quick look at Pedro Almodovar’s approach to mental health in his filmmaking. The other being an exploration on how being the eldest daughter has impacted me.
I’ll now leave you with the final episode of season two of my podcast with famed Australian author Natasha Lester. In this episode she and I chatted about her research process, about how her novels are often inspired by vintage clothes and the workmanship behind them, and how she and I both picked up the paintbrush during lockdown. It’s a beautiful episode all about inspiration. I hope it inspires you too.
Until next month. xx
I love all these recommendations and am openly jealous of your amazing female friendships!!