Sundaze 263: Accountability, secondhand and friendship dates

Happy Sunday, my loves!

I feel like I have a new lease of life as I write this post (it’s Friday for me!). I wrapped up my job this week and took myself for a solo dinner date to celebrate yesterday. This is something that I’ve really gotten back into lately, and I must must remember to share a post all about it soon. I booked a table at Mali Vegan and tucked into some pretty incredible vegan Thai food while catching up with some reading, writing some thoughts on paper and revelling in the thought of a (f)unemployment week.

As you read this, my boyfriend and I are en route to Split to spend five days in Croatia! It’s been a bucket list destination of ours for ages and we couldn’t resist making the most of coincidentally both having annual leave/time off. Once there, we’re excited to travel by coach to a few other spots. I’m sure I’ll share a snap or two over on Instagram @winyeemichelle.

ESEA Heritage Month

It’s East and South East Asian Heritage Month!

For some reason or another, I’ve drawn back a lot from sharing think-pieces or even my more personal experiences as an East Asian woman on the blog. I try not to think about it too much, but, I’m happier these days. As such, I’ve ruminated for a while how to take part in the heritage month.

First, my sister and I are thrilled to relaunch our Mooncake Melts at & Chai, in time for Mid-Autumn Festival that falls at the end of September. It comes with a gorgeous little story card of the festival – one of our favourite Chinese folklore tales. Next, I’m going to be sharing ESEA-focused books over on my bookstagram @daisybutterbookcafe. I’m so glad I have the resources to read so diversely, and can’t wait to bring my favourite reads to you all.

A monthly accountability check-in update

For three months now, my friend Sian and I have been meeting up once a month for accountability sessions. I’m sure you know by now that I am somebody that almost always has multiple projects on the go and I find these focused sessions really valuable. Naturally, I am a pretty self-motivated person: give me a deadline and a goal and I am good to go. But, there’s a project I’m plugging away at with no set deadline, and it’s been great to be able to sit down and brainstorm ideas/goals together.

If you have a goal or project that you’ve been working on, I definitely recommend grabbing a friend to become accountability partners and move projects forward, quicker.

Future-planning to survive the British winter

We’ve been enjoying a bit of an Indian summer here in England. That is to mean, after weeks of rain and/or ridiculously mild weather, there’s been a sunny spell and 32˚C weather! Of course that means I’ve happily headed out to soak up any part of the sun that I can, including dinner plans, bonus evening dog walks and visiting friends after work.

And, because I am British after all, I’ve taken to planning well in advance so that I have specific pillars and events to look forward to. As you read this, for example, my boyfriend and I are heading to Croatia for half a week to enjoy some annual leave (for him) and brief (f)unemployment (for me) ahead of a busy couple of work months during which we likely won’t even have annual leave approved. We’ve both dreamed of going to Split and Dubrovnik for years, and can’t wait to get over there!

Then, my old schoolfriends and I are planning a cabin staycation here in England in January. I always find January a real slog and so we’re combating that with a fun weekend where we can hike, sit in a hot tub, read, play games and cook together.

Secondhand September

This month, it’s Secondhand September! I think I’ve shopped solely secondhand – for clothing, at least – all year now. Vinted and Vestiare Collective are my online weapons of choice, as are my local British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK stores. I love that this annual initiative shines such a focus on secondhand shopping. Did you know that we currently have enough clothing items on Earth to clothe the world’s population more than seven times over?

However, what I wanted to briefly ruminate here today is to not let this month force you to buy more than you need. Overconsumption is also a huge problem. But, if you’re missing an essential piece, then do consider purchasing secondhand.

Dinner with Ghenet!

Met up with the wonderful Ghenet for dinner early last week. We hadn’t seen each other in absolutely ages, and it was great to catch up IRL. I’m absolutely terrible at WhatsApp and social media these days: IRL is where it’s at for me! We had a delicious meal at the picturesque Darcie & May Green in Little Venice, a floating canal boat restaurant right on the water. There’s only a few vegan options, but I can easily say it was one of my favourite meals I’ve eaten recently.

Links I’ve Loved

  1. Since I don’t use TikTok, I am famously late with every new fad or trend or viral video
    (gladly so). Girl maths is one of those things: it sort of makes sense… but let’s be financially responsible, friends!
  2. I’m leaving the fashion industry, and reading this article cemented that decision for me.
  3. For those that want to get into journalling but can never just ‘start’, here are the best guided journals no matter your goal.
  4. I loved this Medium essay about the UK being one of the world’s most nature-depleted nations. A fascinating and raw read.
  5. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Megan’s seasonal bullet journal and why she’ll be continuing the system next season.

Posts This Fortnight


See you when I’m home, next week!

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