Sundaze 98

Welcome back to another edition of Sundaze! And hello, for what feels like the first time in forever. I ended up taking an accidental break from the blog this past week for reasons that I’ll just shelve under ‘poor mental health and deciding just to live without sharing’.

After penning last week’s ‘Petite joys’ instalment, I quickly realised that I was driving myself into a corner that was tough to back out of and it’s been really hard to shake it off. In fact, I had one of the worst panic attacks I’ve ever experienced on Wednesday night, so… there’s that.

I am endlessly grateful to each and every person that responded to my Instagram Stories with their advice. You were all so much helpful than you realise. I don’t really feel like I’m in a position to talk about all of that sort of stuff just yet, but I’d like to hope in time I can pass some nuggets of advice to anybody similarly struggling. Right now, it’d be like the blind leading the blind, or another tone-deaf analogy along those lines.

Like I mentioned, this week has been a tricky one. And whilst I don’t feel 100%, I do know what makes me tick and it’s been so nice to track my week by good points. (Thankful for deciding to start and keep a gratitude journal all those months ago!) Here’s an insight into my week…

Date night!

I started my week off with a day staring blankly at my MacBook attempting to make sense of my diary and then scurrying off for an overdue date night with Harvey. In-between bridesmaid duties, work commitments and not-living-together, it’s been hard but it was so nice to stay in, make tofu wiener dogs and game together. It’s always the smaller gestures that mean the most. And great food. Get you a guy who says they’re running late because they nipped to Waitrose so you wouldn’t have to.

Tea, cake + 鷄蛋仔 with Isobel

More often than not, my social calendar is simply stuffed with hanging out with fellow bloggers and that’s exactly what happened this week. Isobel and I have chatted on Twitter for absolutely ages: she grew up in Hong Kong and I grew up summering in Hong Kong so we had so much in common! We finally set up a blogger date for tea and cake at my beloved Cutter & Squidge, before heading over to Chinatown for Hello Kitty bubble waffles. (At Bubblewrap on Wardour Street.)

GOD BLESS 鷄蛋仔, a nostalgic taste that sends me straight back to Hong Kong. In fact, I don’t think we stopped talking for a solid 3 hours! I also headed to & Other Stories to pick up that leopard print mohair jumper from my September style kit post — my first ever piece from & Other Stories, would you believe?

Books, glorious books

This week, the theme has been books. And why wouldn’t it be when, throughout my entire life, books have been my safe haven from years of being bullied, feeling ‘other’, pressure to succeed or be a particular person, and more?

One of my childhood ambitions — well, more a goal — was to have a library room in my home, just like in Beauty and the Beast and I’m two IKEA Billy bookcases in to achieving that dream. I’ve recently read The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman, Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay and I’m about to delve into the world of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.

It seems like you’re all enamoured by reading at the moment as well, which I love! There’s a real buzz and conversation starting from my Instagram grid and Stories at the moment which feels so special.

I’m going to be refreshing my seasonal books posts so that they’re monthly, as chosen by my Instagram followers, so watch this space for exciting bookish things to come!

The Instagram Game

Speaking of Instagram, I think it’s finally my favourite app again! Pushing aside any talk of algorithms, engagement and tactic antics, I’ve totally come into my own on there now that I’ve found a few editing styles I love and have felt comfortable sharing my own reality, that that isn’t polished or really all that aspirational.

Follow me on Instagram?

I cleared out my feed of accounts that didn’t sing to me, offer inspiration that was attainable or that felt outdated to my current ways, and things are good. Not only am I actually seeing content from creators I love, I’m also liking almost every post because I re-curated my own news feed. I totally recommend you do the same, tonight.

I’m also really into Stories too. From my workout posts (which are SO well-received!) and meal planning screenshots to my quick-fire book reviews and A Day By The Hour series, it’s so nice to finally reach that tipping point where a) I adore creating content for the platform, and b) I always receive messages of gratitude and support in return. YAY!

Links I’ve Loved:

I’ve saved almost all of these beautifully autumnal wallpapers from Rebecca’s blog, From Roses, because they’re too great not too!
As a huge advocate for slow living, this ‘one year later’ update on Blushing Lately was a joy to read.
This style guide on Lauren Conrad’s website details essential pieces for your work-from-home wardrobe. Genius.
With everybody cleaning mad thanks to Mrs Hinch on Instagram, I really enjoyed this post from The Everygirl about all-natural cleaning products. I’m collating best practice tips for our first home and all of these products are firmly on my list, I just wish I could join the subscription in the UK!
I am absolutely LOVING the spotlight on Asian characters in the media, so this article on Man Repeller about why ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ is great is, well, great.

I’ve already touched on why I love books so much, and this post by Victoria just hammers that home.
Without adding to the blogger cliche of autumn (and winter, and spring, and summer…) being everybody’s favourite season, I really enjoyed this post by Abbi all about the joys of autumn.
Grace Victory shared an article all about the importance of getting paid on time. It’s one of the topics that hits home hard for me and she explains the situation so well.
How beautiful is Natalie’s wedding dress?! She’s sharing a week of wedding content on her blog, so head over if you’re also obsessed with all things wedding.
Last but not least, this post on Gem’s wonderful food blog, The Mother Cooker, is your key to cooking up an autumnal delight. She shares a starter, main and dessert that’s an absolute dream for these chillier days.