Maybe it’s nostalgia and the longing for those 90s film photos of a simpler time.

Perhaps it is exhaustion and the fight for our financial survival, but I think this is the year everyone realised that perfect trees never feel as magical as the slightly chaotic ones. That slightly tacky Christmas decor makes us feel connected to life before influencer affiliate marketing.

Whatever the reason, the season has swung back to colour, clutter, craft, and the kind of tackiness that warms the soul.

I keep thinking about beauty editor Sali Hughes and her tree covered in pop culture baubles with enormous googly eyes perched on top like a watchful cartoon guardian. Everything feels chosen with love or impulse or both. It looks like it grew over the years, which is precisely the charm.

Idea of the Month

A tradition stolen from my friend Lauren. When she hosted Christmas gatherings, she asked each guest to bring one bauble. No rules. No pressure. They arrived with things that were funny or sentimental, or silly. Her tree became a scrapbook.

If you want more kitsch in your December, try:

• Crafting some Christmas decorations. Bows, paper chains, dried oranges, glitter baubles. Have fun with it.

• Having a retro cocktail party (see ideas below)

• Starting your whimsical bauble collection or gifting one to a friend

Reading

I am heading to a cottage with my Kindle and a stack of books that feel suited to quiet mornings and long afternoons. Here is the shortlist, plus authors.

I’m packing my Kindle for a stint at a country cottage, and bringing a pile of books that feel like slow afternoons and candlelight. Here’s what I’m taking (with authors).

• Flesh by David Szalay

• Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu

• Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

• I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

• The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

• In the Veins of the Drowning by Sam Mills

• On Writing by Stephen King

Call it a holiday reading rule: pick something new, something classic, and one you’ve been putting off all year.

Style Notes

This is one of those rare seasons where the high street accidentally aligns with my wardrobe. Black velvet. Soft leather. Diamantes that sparkle in stairwells and pubs and cold station platforms. Everything feels slightly theatrical.

Some easy style shifts for the month:

• Velvet bows that stay in even if your hair rebels.
• A MASSIVE fur coat with a big collar that looks dramatic over anything.
• Earrings shaped like stars or cherries or snowflakes.
• A glitter bag only big enough for keys and a lipgloss
• A soft cardigan with tiny pearl buttons.

If you ever need a one-step upgrade for December outfits, add texture or shine. It works on everything.

Beauty

The December 2025 face is soft, smudged, and a little rock and roll. A smoky eye that looks lived in (or slept in). Lips that blur at the edges. Skin that glows and glitter that drifts.

Things that fit the mood:

Vieve Skin Nova
Making you look alive, even when you don’t feel it.

Urban Decay All Nighter Spray
Locks it all in, through ‘tinis, tinsel, and taxi.

Vieve Icon Mascara
Day-to-night, no false lashes required.

Pat McGrath Celestial Divinity Luxe Quad
The deluxe, keep forever, glitter quad.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner
A quick streak of sparkle for instant party vibes.

Rimmel Cappuccino Lip Liner + Vieve Supermodel Gloss
90’s Supermodel glossy lips, you can reapply all night

Colour Wow Style on Steroids
For big re-workable hair. Seasonal reminder to back comb. See also: Got2B Powderful

Kitschy Drinks, Food and Party Ideas

This is the part where December gets fun.

Drinks for maximum joy:
• A Snowball with two cherries.
• Spiked hot chocolate with amaretto and a cherry on top.
• Anything with any sparkling wine and a garnish in a ridiculous coupe.

Food for nostalgia:
• A cheese and pineapple hedgehog
• Mini trifles in mismatched glasses.
• Unusually shaped wobbly jelly
• Fruit cocktail! Things on a stick! Paper plates!

Party extras:
• A karaoke corner
• Crackers filled with Pound Shop surprises.
• A craft table for decorating plain baubles with sequins and glue.
• A time-lapse running in the corner so you can watch the night unfold later.

So, twirl the tinsel, tip the Snowballs, flick on the fairy lights, and let the glitter fall where it may. Pull out the quirky baubles, don your velvet and leather, smudge a little liner, swipe some gloss, and remember: Christmas looks best when it’s messy and a tiny bit ridiculous. This year, embrace the chaos and make your Kitschmas one to remember.

I know that still no one believes me when I say, ‘i really, really don’t want a boyfriend’. So you can imagine my delight when Vogue ran the now infamous article by Chante Joseph titled ‘Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?’.

Looking back, I’d say my choice of men has always been quite embarrassing, but this is more of a cultural shift. I’ve seen so many women share it. It feels seminal. Like the founding text of a new era for society.

The point of the article is that people who are in a relationship are hiding the fact that they have a boyfriend because being ‘boyfriend-girl’ in today’s world is honestly very unappealing. In the NDRN series, I want to look at it means to be proudly, unapologetically, a woman not dating.

What it means to become undateable, if you will.

I’m a busy woman.

Since choosing myself, I’ve bought and renovated a house, moved to Paris, grown my Substack, started writing a novel, developed business ideas, and planted flowers in my garden. I’ve never been happier, but I can’t shake the feeling the coupled-up don’t believe me.

We can often lose ourselves in our partners, and I’m especially partial to it. I started adding it up, and I’ve had a boyfriend for around 16 years of my life. That’s a lot of time not to focus on your own life. It’s not just the time I spend with a partner, but the time spent thinking about the relationship.

In the early days, thinking about nice things you can do for them, planning surprises, all the texting.

Then later, is this the person for me? Why can’t they just text me if they are going to be out late? Should we be having sex more? Should I just end it? It’s a lot of emotional headspace. For me, regardless of the stage of the relationship, I found it very consuming.

Oh, but it will be different if you meet the right person! Sure, maybe it would. I’m entirely open to that reality. But right now, I feel like I’m not the right person to be in a relationship. I don’t want to sacrifice a minute of emotional stability. I want to be greedy and selfish with the joy I create for myself.

Who’s Madeleine?

I could write an essay on every song on Lily Allen’s West End Girl album, and honestly, I might. But my overall takeaway is that relationships hold the potential for unimaginable hurt and betrayal.

I’ve been cheated on, and I’ve seen women shrink to skeletons with the anxiety of a cheating partner. I’ve suffered because a man felt inadequate. I’ve been to two “ghost hen parties” where the wedding was canceled, but we had the party anyway.

When I close my eyes at night, I cuddle my dog and drift off to sleep. I just couldn’t go back to lying next to someone thinking, ‘Are you hiding something from me?’

And I get it. That’s trauma. There’s always a particular element of risk in human relationships. You need to trust to build a connection. But the space of not dating gives me time to work on that without being another person’s trauma.

How are you still single?

At 37 years old, I’m all too aware of how the promise of happily ever after is often meaningless. I’m not ‘still single after all these years’. I’ve had relationships that have come to an end, in the same way that a marriage could end at any time. There isn’t an endpoint; relationship status is an eternal ebb and flow. I’m simply taking the decision to relax by the riverside and watch for a bit.

I’m not saying I’ll never date again, I’m saying not right now. This essay series is about navigating that, about choosing to opt out of a convention that doesn’t serve you. If you’re single and don’t want to date, single and in the trenches of dating, partnered and considering leaving, or happily coupled up and want to support a single friend, I hope you follow along. We’ll figure it out together.

1. That Vogue article — “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?”

2. Lily Allen’s new album ‘West End Girl’ — track after track of obscure sorrows disguised as unbothered bangers.

Together, they’ve taken hold of Girlworld in a way we haven’t seen since Brat Summer. Not having a boyfriend is a state of mind. We’re telling our friends we love them, we’re focusing on our hobbies, we’re singing ‘DUANE REED BAG WITH THE HANDLES TIED’ with our whole chests. We’re kicking our feet and giggling at just how fun it is to be one of the gooorls.

November is the perfect women’s month because it’s for riding two horses. For wrapping up your year and having the most fun you’ve had all year.
Balancing productivity and spontaneity. Being both the woman with a plan and the woman with martini in hand.

Eight weeks left. It’s the final act of 2025, let’s twist the plot.

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October Rituals

→ Make an 8-week plan.
Pick one thing you’ve been threatening to do all year. A fitness streak, a home refresh, a money goal. Eight weeks is still enough to transform, if you start now.

→ Cash in on all those “we should get a drink” promises.
December gets manic; November is the sweet spot. Cosy pub catch-ups, wreath workshops, hot chocolate walks, midweek cocktails in new bars. Say yes more.

→ Chase sunlight like it’s a winning lottery ticket
There’s about 13 minutes of it per day, so grab your coat and go.

→ Curate your winter watchlist.
You’ve got all of winter to settle in, so it's a good time to revisit old favourites with a million episodes. SATC, Girls, or Gossip Girl rewatch? All those Hallmark style Christmas films? Get excited, invite your friends!

Reading

• My Thoughts Exactly – Lily Allen (context and closure) I love, love, loved this. I did the audiobook and have often recommended it over the years.

• Ghosts – Dolly Alderton (men, memory, moving on). No spoilers, but several core subplots and sorrows stuck with me from this one.

• Things I Don’t Want to Know– Deborah Levy (feminine independence, perfectly distilled). Would recommend the three-part series, cosy and inspiring but real.

• Really Good, Actually – Monica Heisey (chaotic healing energy). Making the agonizing era of post-serious relationship breakup, very, very funny. A ‘finding yourself’ message that doesn’t make you roll your eyes.
  

Beauty

I’ve just restocked like a woman preparing for a long winter:
The BARGAIN Dermalogica skincare set from Cult Beauty (Precleanse, Microfoliant, and Special Cleanser. You also get a free eye cream and Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, which feels like a reward for simply surviving Q4.

Refilled my VIEVE Cream Bronzer, which lasted forever, and added the Icon Mascara — honestly, believe the hype. It’s giving glam, glam, glam. If you’re quick they still have 20% off with the code HALLOW20

Style

Currently obsessed with Charlotte Simone and all things Charlotte Simone-adjacent: fluff, colour, glamour with a wink.

Picked up some new jewellery from NOTL, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee — so now my only risk is losing it. Will report back on whether it lasts!

Taste

After a big Boston trip, I’m trying to “lock in” (as the kids say). The Simmer Eats meals have been a dream so far. Plus, never having to cook or really do any dishes is like microdosing, having the perfect boyfriend.

November is for being out and about. For impromptu catchups and “should we share a fries?”. Not quite silly season, more like her cool older sister.

No recipes from me this month, sorry x

Before you go

November is for fun and fundamentals.

For calling that friend you miss. For throwing your head back in laughter. For finding the perfect nights-out-only outfit and wearing it to death.

Manifesting a chorus of Pussy Palace for you and yours.

You can reach out to me any time, by the way
If you need any more details or you just need to vent or anything

Love and light —

I’ve learned to love summer, its long nights and everything so light, light, light. Iced matcha! Birkenstocks, rosé. But, the air has turned sharp again, crisp, electric, hinting at frost. Summer’s angelic whispers have faded.There is magic in the dark now. Candlelit bars are for telling secrets, even if it’s only 4pm.

October is for rituals. The start of the ‘Winter Arc’, whatever that looks like for you. I’ll be drying my flowers, patiently waiting for preserved petals. Holding memories of sun and rain. I’ll be planting spring bulbs in hidden corners of the garden, imagining the blooms that will erupt months from now. Lighting candles that smell of palo santo, leather, iris. Reading, writing. Slathering myself in oils and balms.

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There’s a different kind of sociableness to October. Dinner parties, cocktail hours, gym partners for getting home safe, and escaping to a cabin in the woods. FaceTime is magic, too, if you really think about it. In a recent essay, Joy Sullivan sets out “When to Call the Witches,” and I think: perhaps the alternative answer is always, in October.

I have a work trip to Boston coming up, and I plan to visit Salem. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to smell traces of ancient fire and hear fallen leaves crackle underfoot. To buy a little talisman and pet a black cat. How lucky the work event falls during the month of Samhain. Perhaps the witches are calling me.

October Rituals

• Become religious about skin care, add something new to your routine. I’ve started using the French miracle A313. Cicaplast Repairing Balm is a wonderful protectant against the cold. Get into tinctures. I personally love Trip Dream Drops. Keep all your bits on your bedside table.

• Dry flowers and herbs by hanging them upside down. It gives your home a real ‘eccentric cottage spinster’ feel to it. Smells divine, feels like getting something for free.

• Plant spring bulbs in mismatched pots and planters, even if you don’t have a garden. Here’s a guide to indoor planting. They don’t take much work for the reward of flowers and being the kind of person who plants flowers.

• Write daily pages every morning. Your free-flowing thoughts feel like therapy. It helps you to understand your emotions and work through them on paper. Make them unhinged. The kind that, if discovered, would have you sent to the seaside for melancholia.

• Throw a dinner party. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and you don’t have to be a great cook. Dim the lights, open some wine, and cackle around the fire.

• On that note, Sunday dinner is back. Have it early, make it luxurious. Go out or stay in and let the scent of it permeate your afternoon. Have a special little drink. Post it on social media; I want to see it.

• Use indoor public spaces bby. The library, museums, a gallery. Make a list of all the places you could go and make a point of actually going to them.
  

Reading

• For the Romantics: Wuthering Heights, Perfume, Phantom of the Opera, Dracula

• For Reflection: When to Call the Witches, The Creative Act,

• For Escape: She’s Always Hungry, Skipshock, literally any multi-book romantasy series.
  

Watching

• TV: Cabinet of Curiosities, Dune Prophecy, Agatha All Along, American Horror Story, Penny Dreadful, The Witcher, Fall of the House of Usher
  

• Film: The Pale Blue Eye, Interview with the Vampire, Nosferatu, Only Lovers Left Alive, The Wonder, Poor Things
  

Style

• Burgundy, espresso brown, crisp white

• Suede, leather, knits

• Time to shift into deeper scents. Classic fire with Santal 33 or I’m loving Liberty’s Ianthe Oud

• Things I’ve actually bought with this season in mind: APC tote bag, Ganni handknit cardigan, Ganni collared shirt (massively discounted via the link!) Ganni cropped hooded puffer (also huge discount), bargain rib knit trousers, budget tabis.
  
  

  ---

Taste

Host more dinner parties. I’m serious. Bring it back.

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Chelsea Fagan’s ‘Having People Over’. Pre-order as a gift for the future you (released 21st October).

Some ideas for this month’s meals:

Butter paneer curry — cook the night before (it tastes better this way). Make your own naan (so easy! Use literally any internet recipe!)

Miso butter noodles — quick, glossy, weeknight magic.

French onion soup — bubbling cheese toasts, need I say more?

Harissa roasted veg with halloumi — fiery, colourful, effortless. A great meal prep.

Chipotle beef — smoky, slow-cooked, pair with a mezcal negroni on a rainy Sunday.

Mushroom tarragon pie — I adore tarragon, try to get a good mix of mushrooms. Waitrose has mad things.

Before you go

I hope this October you gather moments like leaves. That you laugh over the dinner table with people you haven’t seen in a while. That you leave rambling voice notes to each other on an infinite loop, that end with love you, bye.

I hope that you find new paintings you love in a gallery you forgot. That you crunch leaves with boots broken in just right. I hope your dog is happy. Or cat, or whatever familiar you keep.

I hope your rituals feel magical and not like a chore. That ‘locking in’ doesn’t make you feel locked up. That you see changes, and look yourself in the eye to smile and say ‘ I can do hard things’. That you treat yourself with compassion first of all.

I hope that every candle you light, every page you write, every glass you raise, and every hot soup you taste, is a spell against the cold.

That October is simply asking: what will you choose to keep alive?

She became a default setting. Whenever there was a gap in thought, there she was. Reminding me that I’d never read Wuthering Heights, never tasted pastéis de nata warm from a Portuguese oven, that it was nearly tomato season, and I hadn’t sown a single seed.

I used to believe freedom meant mornings with no alarms and afternoons in a local café with the light falling just right across the page. But freedom is expensive, and work felt like the villain standing between me and my imagined life.

But because I’m so chronically online, it didn’t take long for another quote to find me. Given its transformative effect on my perspective, you would think I would have saved it or remembered where it came from, but no. So here’s the paraphrased sentiment:

Having a decent-paying, consistent job, one that doesn’t take too much from you emotionally or in time, frees you from the burden of worrying about making your writing profitable. It allows you to make art. For the rest of your time, you have the liberty of a rich man.

Suddenly, I began to see the 9–5 not as an enemy, but as a patron, a quiet benefactor underwriting my creative life. I’m my own trust fund baby, baby.

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Sorry, are you calling your Substack art?

Yes, I am, more so perhaps than writing projects like short stories for competitions or the book I’m working on. The thing about art and creativity is that it doesn’t have to be any particular way. It’s play. And what is having a Substack about everything and northing all at once if not play?

And as my fellow Substackers know, the core part of ‘being a writer’ is to actually write.

“Oscar Wilde said that some things are too important to be taken seriously. Art is one of those things. Setting the bar low, especially to get started, frees you to play, explore, and test without attachment to results.”

Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

When I sit down to write creatively, no one is waiting. No pay packet depends on the quality of the words, and no editor refreshes their inbox. I write for the joy of it—or should I say, the excruciating agony of it. In Imitations, Zadie Smith talks about how writing is about control—about examining ideas and parts of life and putting them down on paper, how your eyes see them. Its interrogating, and analysing. It’s tying your mind in knots over whether the garden was lined with peonies or roses.

“It’s the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it’s a cactus.”

Enid Bagnold

I want to chase ideas that interest me. To write things that are *not good* and learn from it. To build a practice. To make writing my ‘way of being’.

Writer (non-practicing)

I actually also write for work, but it’s not the same. If I told my 12-year-old self this, she would be delighted. But shortly after, I would have to explain the ever-churning content mill, SEO, AIO, spreadsheets, Asana, strategy meetings, and “ can you make it more punchy?”.

I think you need to achieve a level of maturity to accept that a 9-5 isn’t really what’s holding you back. I didn’t write creatively for years. I thought that copy and creativity couldn’t co-exist. That I would need years off and a room of one’s own to produce anything of note.

There’s a scene in Lena Dunham’s Girls that haunts me. Hannah gets a glossy job at GQ writing advertorial. The snacks are free, and the pay is good. But then she discovers that all her colleagues, sharp, brilliant, credentialed, rarely find time to write outside of work anymore. They are writers, non-practicing, past tense.

In a classic Hannah spiral, she quits to protect her “real” writing. And yet, even without the job, she can’t bring herself to practice writing. Now she’s broke, frustrated, and creatively blocked.

Sometimes the enemy isn’t the 9–5. It’s the myth that freedom guarantees art, and the waiting for freedom to find you.

My writing routine

Getting up at 5 a.m. isn’t for everyone, but it is for me. I’m at my best in the morning, so I give my best to writing. My phone alarm blasts from the other room, and I’m on my feet before I can decide to hit snooze. In the bruised black of the Scottish morning, I let my dog out to the garden while I make coffee.

Then, I grab my laptop and we both get back into bed. Not quite the writer’s desk I dreamed of.

Henry’s gentle snoring is my favourite soundtrack. Sometimes, I light incense and watch the smoky haze as the morning light creeps in. I get 2-3 hours of writing done this way before getting ready for work.

Working from home is a privilege. But the price you pay is missing out on the mundane beauty of daily life. Writing doesn’t work in a vacuum, so I introduce things that force me to leave the house. Work from the library for a few hours, post a Vinted parcel, get coffee and chat with the barista.

At lunch, we get fresh air and walk in the park, or by the river, or (Henry’s least favourite) while running errands. I try to schedule meetings for the afternoons, when my brain needs a bit more interaction.

My evenings are unscheduled. Sometimes I go to a gym class, meet a friend, visit my Gran, do some DIY. I’ve done my writing, I’ve been to work. I’m a free woman.

Now, I know there are so many things here that allow me this freedom: no kids, a remote job, living alone, and no caring responsibilities. I don’t want to tread in ‘same hours a day as Beyonce’ territory because I understand this setup is almost miraculous.

What I’m trying to demonstrate with the routine outline is that you can make your writing habit – or design, embroidery, dance, music, anything – not just your hobby or side hustle, but your real way of being.

But you actually have to do it. Squeeze it in. Commit to it. Give it the time of day when your energy is best. If you don’t have that time to give, do what you can.

“All that matters is that you are making something you love, to the best of your ability, here and now.”

Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Epilogue

At 4:56 pm, my home office is quiet. I start my close-down routine: thank a co-worker, pick one task to tick off in the morning, check tomorrow’s meetings, drink water.

There is relief in the ritual, in knowing I will take my little dog and walk out into air that smells of rain and pavement. That the day has ended. That for 16 hours, I’m rich in time and liberty.

Work is not the enemy. It is the scaffolding that holds me steady enough to write.

Restaurant Name: Outlier
Location: Glasgow, Trongate/Barras
Specialty: Brunch, lunch, bakery/ modern European with Scottish influence

First Impression:
A hip, bustling, rustic venue that spares no attention to detail. An unexpected oasis in a part of town that has long needed an injection of taste.

If you have followed me for any time, you know I’m an Outlier superfan. It’s where I recommend to everyone, and it just happens to be a 10-minute walk from my house. You can feel the care that goes into the food and the surroundings.

Ambiance:
Bright, airy, pared-back furnishings with carefully selected details. Don’t think I didn’t notice the Serax cutlery.

Run clubs, dogs, freelancers - this place is always full of moving parts.

Service:
Staff are friendly, down to chat, and very cool.

Top Dishes:
On a seasonal changing menu, there's always an outstanding chicken sandwich. Thick toasted pan loaf, brined crispy chicken, and a pickled slaw that cuts through with a punch. The beef shin toastie is pure decadence, with rich beef ragu and sharp cheddar. I suggest a half-and-half scenario with your dining companion. I recently discovered the Marmite butter sourdough toast, salty, crispy, and tear-with-your-teethable. Add as a side dish or pop in for a mid-week morning breakfast. Always leave room for the baked goods after.

Value:
For such high-quality ingredients and an authentic chef-led menu, Outlier is incredible value. Expect to pay 8-18 for a main and a coffee.

Highlights:

• Unique dishes with commitment to taste and craft

• Laid back but elevated atmosphere

• Inexpensive with options for everyone
  

Caveats:

• It can get super busy at any time, and you may need to wait for a table

• Takeaway coffees can take longer than expected. It's not Starbucks, so try to visit when you have the time to enjoy it.

Verdict:
It is one of my favourite spots in the city and one of the most versatile. Whether for group brunch, an afternoon bakery run, co-working, or sitting and watching the Glasgow rain, I’ve never had a bad time at Outlier.

But first, a note: you don’t need a beauty advent calendar. Your life is beautiful even without a little door to open every day in December. But if you plan to invest in something special for yourself, here are my top picks for what is actually worth your money.

The Luxe Icons

Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£275, worth £1,245)
Best for: Luxury fragrance lovers and beauty connoisseurs

With 30 products (20 full-sizes!), Liberty leans into niche fragrance discoveries alongside luxury skincare staples. The ‘original and best’ calendar celebrates 150 years of Liberty this year with an artist-designed box, iconic Liberty print drawstring bag, and 15 “golden ticket” prizes.
Shop Liberty

Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£250, worth £1,000+)
Best for: Beauty obsessives who want all the icons in one place

25 drawers, with a MASSIVE 37 products, and 20 full sizes from brands like Le Labo, La Mer, Augustinus Bader, Charlotte Tilbury, Sisley. One in every 50 includes a £50 gift card. If there’s one that could turn my head from Liberty, it would be this one.
Shop Harvey Nichols

Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£295, worth £1,000+)
Best for: Stocking up on luxury skin and hair care

Well, it's Harrods, isn’t it? Big on skincare, 32 products with 14 full-size. I’d say there’s no misses here with a full list of recognisable brands. La Mer, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Acqua di Parma, a full-size Mac Ruby Woo and Davines Oi Milk. This is the calendar for high-end beauty classics.
Shop Harrods

Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£235, worth £1,000+)
Best for: Those who want a great mix of skin, makeup, hair and fragrance.

Another absolute showstopper. 35 products with a huge 26 full-size. If you want to stock up and discover new hardworking, high-end favourites, this is the one.

It's a treasure trove of variety, featuring Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier, Gisou, Drunk Elephant, Colour Wow and more. Plus, if you want to know exactly what you are getting, you can tap to reveal every door on the website. But where’s the fun in that?
Shop Space NK

Cult Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£240, worth over €1,100)
Best for: Cult classic staples + discoveries

Can I even get this post out before this one is gone again? It’s Cult for a reason. If this is the one for you, you'd better move fast (the limited edition is already sold out)—35+ products, 20 full-sizes, and a £20 Cult Beauty gift card. I like the mix of must-have classics and indie finds. Cult is great at spotlighting up-and-coming brands, so even when I don’t know a product I trust their curation to know it’s gonna be good.
Shop Cult Beauty

Mid-Range & Giftable

Looking for luxury but with a more accessible price tag? I got you. High-end calendars are only good value if you will actually use the products. Mid range calendars provide great value for money, with some wow-factor products and lesser known beauty gems.

LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£105, worth £655)
Best for: Maximum value at a friendly price

This is one of the best cost-per-product edits. It includes MAC, Color Wow, Sol de Janeiro, a White Company candle, and more. This can seriously compete with calendars twice the price.
Shop LookFantastic

M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£60 with £35 spend, worth £330+)
Best for: Easy gifting and maximum use

Perhaps this is a controversial opinion, but last year’s M&S calendar was a thumbs down for me. It looks like they have upped their game (and the price). I am obsessed with the Bella Freud–designed packaging, and the curation is designed to flex some new beauty partnerships. It features REN, Clinique, Nuxe, Skin Food, and Benefit Cosmetics, a great gifting one because all the products are so usable.
Shop M&S

Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£98, worth £300+)
Best for: Offbeat brands that are a joy to find

Ok Anthro, I see you. Mixes gorge packaging with cult picks like Supergoop and Juliette Has A Gun. I like that it’s packed with brands you don’t often see in calendars or beauty boxes.
Shop Anthropologie

ASOS Face + Body Advent Calendar 2025 (£90, worth £368, excluded from discount codes )
Best for: Hard-working high street products

Affordable and fun — a blend of ‘drugstore staples’ and cult names. Another one where you are probably gonna get around to using everything in the box.
Shop ASOS

Beauty Advent Calendars 2025: Extra Picks

Beyond the usual suspects (Liberty, Harvey Nichols, Space NK, etc.), here are some other Beauty Advent Calendars 2025 worth knowing about.

Beauty Bay Advent Calendar 2025 (£120, worth £450)

Best for: Full-size beauty on a mid-range budget
27 products, with 23 of them full size — a mix of skincare, makeup, haircare, and body. Beauty Bay’s edit leans trend-driven but not gimmicky, and the value is undeniable.

Byredo Christmas Advent Calendar 2025 (luxury, £699, worth it?)

Best for: The fragrance obsessive
Who am I to say an almost £700 advent calendar is excessive? Let’s face it, if money was no object I would be adding to bag so fast. Byredo’s first calendar comes in a three-tiered box with 24 products. Expect cult candles (Bibliothèque, Tree House), travel fragrances, hand creams and indulgent extras.

Glossybox Advent Calendar 2025 (£90, worth £600+)

Best for: Subscription box fans who want more
A mix of full-sizes and deluxe minis across skincare, haircare and makeup. Think of it as Glossybox but turned up several notches. Excellent value if you love the variety and don’t mind some new-to-you brands.

Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£250, worth £1,136)

Best for: Luxe value hunters
37 products (24 full size) from Charlotte Tilbury, Laneige, Color Wow, Creed, Gisou, and more. The packaging is as polished as you’d expect from Selfridges, and the value per product is one of the best.

Boots No7 Advent Calendars 2025

• Ultimate Beauty (£175, worth £530) — full-size only, the premium option.

• 25 Days of Beauty (£60, worth £236) — a mix of minis and full-size, more budget-friendly.
  Best for: Skincare-first beauty, or gifting to someone who doesn’t need 20 different brands.
  I’ve already picked one up for my gran (don’t tell her).

And finally…

If you are finding this too late and everything is sold out, or you just want some more options, here’s a quick-fire list of honourable mentions:

MAC Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£170)
Best for: Makeup loyalists
Shop MAC

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£210)
Best for: Glow-getters
Shop Charlotte Tilbury

Jo Malone Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£360)
Best for: Fragrance connoisseurs
Shop Jo Malone

Kiehl’s Beauty Advent Calendar 2025 (£119)
Best for: Skincare loyalists
Shop Kiehl’s

Perfect for: Easy read, dark and cosy nights, escape

Rating: 5/5

Buy on Bookshop

I finished Skipshock weeks ago, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters. The book is so deeply unusual. And Caroline O’Donaghue is a master of world-building. One of the things that bothers me about fantasy is how often writers borrow ideas and creatures, and plotlines from each other. Ok, sure, yes, it is valuable to know what a wyvern is without going through the lore every time, but fantasy is meant to be about awe and wonder. Skipshock delivers it.

Caroline has created an entirely novel world. It’s like reading fantasy for the first time. I’d go so far as to say it was like reading The Chronicles of Narnia as a child. It avoids the classic romantasy character descriptions too. Instead, the characters have character. Scars, luminance, a way about them that makes them clear in your mind. Magical gifts aside, they seem normal.

The book follows Margo, a schoolgirl who takes a train to Dublin and ends up travelling between worlds. Without giving too much away, it's a beautiful, magic-filled allegory about how time is truly our most valuable asset.

I hope this spans into a good, long series.

Buy on bookshop.org

Oasis tour, protests, hot ass days, sleepless nights, hope for the left, it’s cool to go to Mallorca again.

Summer 2025 feels era-defining.

She’s electric.

I woke up yesterday and read an instagram post about how the water system in the UK is causing irreparable harm to our bodies but its too expensive to fix.

Seconds later, I watch people sway in the crowd and slosh beer over bucket hats at Oasis’ first hometown gig since 2009.

I send £10 to a crowdfund campaign to help a family of six get out of Gaza.

I fill a lazy spa with cold water and sit in a rubber ring in my garden. It hits 32 degrees in Glasgow for the first time in years, and I hear the faint sounds of a trnsmt set that should’ve been Kneecap.

I drift around the tiny pool, phone in hand. Every time I scroll past a photo of a Kardashian I think of Jeff Bezo’s wedding and it leaves a taste like battery acid.

I ask ChatGPT why so many influencers are in Mallorca. It paints an idyllic picture of cerulean blue water that makes me want to go. It asks me if I want flight options.

I make that checkerboard watermelon and feta salad. The juice runs down my chin and the salt smacks my tongue and I wash it down with a diet coke so crisp the bubbles are almost painful.

The whole country feels like a pressure cooker. The humidity is suffocating. Take a stand, make a change, enjoy yourself, hug your friends, gig of a lifetime!!, recycle, invest, no - spend.

Unprecedented times are exhausting. I think about all of the things in that Billy Joel song. Maybe every generation needs to feel like the main character, so their moment in history feels like it means something.

Should I get an Oasis ticket?

My phone overheats.

I put it away.

A breeze rustles the roses.

I love summer because it feels like the only season with the power to change your life, while still being completely contained. Summer abroad. Summer of love. Summer camp. The memories are either washed in sunlight or crackling with rain and thunder.

You can’t plan the way these long days shape you.

You just tilt your head skywards and take it all in.

POLL PARTY

I’ve read a few pieces about ‘everyone watching Girls again’. I never stopped. If you are as chronically online as I am you might be familiar with this question.

STUFF

1. Sambas £48 Adanola top https://rstyle.me/+7yTeBHbnY895Q29VFBS-EA

2. Damson Madder bag £49

3. Hunza G bikini 50% off!

4. Hunza G bikini 50% off part 2

5. Loewe sunglasses

6. Byredo fragrance my summer scent but all Byredo 20% off rn

7. Byredo candle

8. Doc sandals half price-ish

9. Adanola top lots of Adanola in the sale if you need a gym top up

READ

Since I finished Moral Ambition not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of it. Its non-fiction, It’s life-changing.

DO

As if you need any recommendation. July is bursting at the seams with social invitations.

Glasgow:

Merchant City Festival 18th-20th July - Music, market, theatre, and fun street food options.

Ponyboy Pride 19th July, The Art School - If i was partying this weekend, THIS is where I’d be.

Ryanos does “The Bear” 19th-20th July- Chicago Beef Sandwiches at Westside Tavern

Fantasy Book Club, ACOWAR + Onyx Storm, 20th July - For my romantasy fans.

Quick restaurant reccos:

Glasgow: Margot, Sears, Gaga, Celentanos, Five March, Gloriosa, Sylvan

Edinburgh: Noto, Chez Jules, The Palmerston, Tipo, Paz tacos,

BOOK CLUB

For July we will be chatting Skipshock by Caroline O’Donahue. Join the book club thread to share your thoughts.

AND FINALLY…

Thanks for reading Chic of the Week. I’d love to hear your thoughts and chat more, so please start a party in the comments.

Instead, it’s a confession: I was nervous about logging in to Substack today.

I knew I’d have to face the remains of a dream I promised myself (and one that I’d also promised, loudly, to everyone I know). I suppose I have a bit of explaining to do. Here goes.

I quit writing this year to focus on Paris—or rather, because one of my oldest friends handed me the opportunity.

I first met Alejandra in 2010 at a party in Walt Disney World, Orlando (another story for another time). A year later, we were sharing an apartment just off the Champs-Élysées. We kept in touch over the years, but a Mexico City—Glasgow long-distance friendship isn’t the easiest to maintain. So when Alejandra told me she was visiting Europe for her sister’s wedding, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to catch-up for a few days. Last Autumn, almost 15 years after our time as flatmates, we found ourselves walking those same boulevards again, wondering if it was possible to relive the magic.

Just a few months later, Alejandra was offered a work placement for three months in, you guessed it, Paris. Wish-a-pont-des-arts indeed.

‘You NEED to come visit’

‘I think I could actually just like, come?’

I’m a big millennial cliche. Remote worker, childfree, spoiled dog. Really, nothing to *stop* me working abroad for three months. Sure, it was a lot to organise, and an eye-watering sum to save in such a short time. But to use another cliche- it’s Paris. You gotta go.

After first getting the news, I spent all my spare time selling on Vinted, trying to earn some extra money on top of my full-time job, and dealing with the admin of moving to Europe with my dog in a post-Brexit administrative hellscape. I figured I could let writing slip because when I got there, I’d be so inspired and have so much to write about. I’d spend my days sipping espresso, writing the next great modern classic in a notepad, returning home to send my subscribers a ‘French dispatch’ - a love letter from a fabulous life.

But then I just didn’t.

I didn’t write at all.

Not so much as a postcard.

I felt a creeping guilt. I turned off paid and donated my previous ‘earnings’ to Médecins Sans Frontières and the UN World Food Program.

And then I forgave myself.

A beautiful life is a prize. Some things can increase your odds of winning, but so much is down to chance. I’d been given a second chance to live one of the most wonderful seasons of my life. Paris in the Spring. I could write about it during the winter in Glasgow.

Even on its worst days, Paris presents you with a thousand little distractions. The crunch of a fresh croissant, the clink of tiny espresso cups, the citrus-sweet haze of someone else's perfume as they pass by. You could bring your laptop, but it would be impossible to resist watching the waiter flirt and kiss the air near a young American tourist. To bear witness to her lifelong memory of how the Frenchman charmed her over a basket of warm baguette.

And that’s if you have time. There’s a running joke that everything in Paris has a DJ set. The vintage pop-up, the techno protest, Joe and Juice. Every night, every weekend, the city is beating. And it’s inviting you to dance. Every night, the Eiffel Tower glitters and the sun ripples its last beams on the Seine. It’s a performance that never gets less wondrous. The beauty of Paris isn’t in seeing or doing it all, but in simply getting caught up. Being jostled along your day like it's Carnival, by strangers, food, drinks, music, and rain. The knowing look between people who know the city well that says, every day, in every way, Paris will surprise you.

You probably have friends like me, or perhaps you are one yourself.

Dreamers.

Relentless optimists.

The people who have new ideas every week and think every one of them is going to work out. The haters will say they talk a lot and don’t have what it takes to follow through.

But I think it's an excellent quality to have.

In the book Range, David Epstein discusses the distinct advantage of being a generalist. Why it pays to try many different things, to learn, to get good, and then to say ‘this isn’t really for me’. It builds diversity of character, strengthens the bones of every skill, and detaches occupation from identity.

It’s also served me well to snap at opportunities, say yes, and then bend the world to my will. There’s no one more determined than a childless millennial woman who knows what she wants. There’s a certain grit that comes with doing things that are both unnecessary and uncomfortable.

I used to believe that ambition needed proof: the 5 am wake-up, the deadline, the essay. But lately, I’m learning there’s a different kind of success in showing up fully to your life. In drinking French wine and kissing strangers on the cheek.

At midnight on a Tuesday.

With one of your oldest friends.

In a city built for dreamers.

The one ‘cool girl’ quality I’m willing to cultivate. Being chill is certifiably chic.

I’m hosting Christmas dinner for 10 people this year in my little two bedroom terraced house. I’ve never done it before. Never cooked a turkey before. I currently don’t have enough chairs or matching plates or wine glasses. The dining room is half painted and I haven’t put the Christmas tree up. Everyone says ‘it’s so much work’ and asks ‘are you stressed?!’.

Here’s why I’m not.

Believe in your decisions

Indecision is the enemy of chill. Having a ‘bias to action’ and making decisions I can live with quickly, has been transformative for me. You see, a lot of the work involved in managing stressful situations is making choices. However, the longer you stay in a state of indecision, the harder making the choice becomes.

For about four years, I didn’t have a toaster. I sliced bagels in half and put them under the grill. It took half an hour to get even a hint of golden brown so I often just wouldn’t bother. Four years without toast. You see, I never found a toaster I liked enough to buy. They really are all very ugly. I finally bought one for £12 from Asda. I don’t love it, but since owning it never really thought twice about owning a beautiful toaster. The lesson? If you can’t decide, just choose anything that solves the problem.

It’s my best advice for anyone moving into a new home too. If you are moving into a place that needs a lot of work, don’t wait to make it better. The perfect paint colour exists, sure, but it might take you three years to find it. Choose something you can live with, and trust that you made the right decision in the circumstances of that moment. You will very rarely regret it.

Believe in redirection

I recently finished ‘Solve For Happy’ and I still talk about it a lot. After the death of his son during a routine appendicitis operation, Mo Gawdat, a former engineer for Google, set out to make one million people happier.

In the book, he asks readers to consider whether if they could go back and change anything bad that happened to you in their life, would they? Back to the future, butterfly effect consequences aside, the idea is that most people wouldn’t change most negative experiences. Why? Because typically our most challenging trials cultivate our most valued qualities, or redirect us to a better path. Or as my gran is always saying ‘what for ye, won’t go by ye hen’.

When you can accept big disappointments or challenges as redirection, you stop stressing about the little things too. Train delays, broken plates, spilling your coffee, a late parcel delivery. All kinda annoying, but in the grand scheme of things aren’t we lucky to experience them as part of an otherwise pretty chill day?

Believe in yourself

One of the most beautiful things about getting older, is that you have more practice at being yourself. You have experience of making bad decisions and you (hopefully) know what your values are.

Believing in yourself isn’t about becoming a wildly confident baddie. If that’s not who you really are, trying to be this person will seriously mess with your value alignment. Believing in yourself is about trusting your character to make the right decision for you.

I went to law school, but did not become a lawyer. For the longest time, I couldn’t work out why the environment made me so uncomfortable, so nervous. I wanted to rip off my shirt and pencil skirt at every interview. I was forcing myself into a career I ‘should do’ rather than one that felt right for me. Your gut knows. I’m trying not to be too flippant here, but if the vibes are off its probably not for you.

It’s applicable to micro-decisions too, and in Atomic Habits, James Clear talks a lot about building small habits that are a ‘vote’ for the person you believe yourself to be.

If you know yourself, understand your values, and trust in your character you literally cannot go wrong. Your decisions are right for you. You might have to say no, you might have to do things the hard way, and you might even feel jealousy or anger towards those who are happy to use life’s cheat codes. But there is nothing, NOTHING more valuable than your peace.

POLL PARTY

THE ACTION

Yes you read that correctly. Did you know Harrods Beauty have a recycling scheme that offers £5 worth of points for every 5 items recycled? Well you do now. I’ve been doing it for a while, and those points really do be stacking up. I calculated that if you start now and recycle each week, you will have enough points to get the calendar next year for freeee.

I go to the one in Edinburgh when I’m through for work, but now Glasgow has the flagship I’ll be unstoppable. The main question I get asked is ‘do the items you recycle need to be luxury or from Harrods?’. No. you can do Aldi shower gel if you have it. There are some restrictions and items must be clean before you go, so do check the info on the website.

Simply sign up for a Harrods MyBeauty points card, and get recycling.

STUFF

1. Fun (and budget) placemats to make your aunt say ‘you’re just so quirky’.

2. Our Place have a chokehold on me. Got a top up of these plates.

3. I can’t walk past a cute napkin ring. These are chic.

4. I’m a coupe gal for my fizz personally.

5. Red! Ruffled! What’s not to love about these linen napkins.

6. Picture the scene Christmas morning: a croissant & these espresso cups.

7. Gotta have a matching table runner.

8. If you need a full restock, I do recommend this Our Place set. Only one bowl chipped in 3 years. It’s Henry’s bowl now.

9. I really, really love a flat bottom, straight-sided glass you know.

READ

Could be my memoir honestly.

Picked up a signed copy of Eliza Clark’s ‘She’s Always Hungry’ at the Foyles Christmas party and I’m super excited to devour it in one sitting. With a box of Celebrations (naturally).

DO

I plan to stay home as much as possible this week honestly.

BAAD Festive Night Market (Glasgow), Wednesday 18th December, 5-10pm Independent makers, DJs, food and drink - free entry.

Vieve Popup (Glasgow), 5th-23rd December All the info on why this is a must-visit for me in the *spoiler* cool list section.

Lots of going out and meeting up. I haven’t gotten a full restaurant reccos post together yet. But here are some ideas if you are in the market.

Glasgow: Margot, Sears, Gaga, Celentanos, Five March, Gloriosa, Sylvan

Edinburgh: Noto, Chez Jules, The Palmerston, Tipo, Paz tacos,

BOOK CLUB

For December we will be chatting Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. Join the book club thread to share your thoughts.

COOL LIST

National Treasure Jamie Genevieve joins the Cool List for Vieve

… and more specifically, the Vieve Popup

It’s hard to build a really good brand. As a marketer I know that a following of millions only guarantees eyeballs - not quality or success. But Vieve is a truly beautiful, value-led beauty business. Supported by innovative products and a relatable founder, you can really see how Vieve could become a worldwide household name.

The Vieve popup (now in its fourth year) is a wonderful Christmas tradition in Glasgow. Jamie invites the public to step into the world of Vieve, cementing the brand as customer-centric and a lot of fun. With partnerships, guest spots, and exclusive products it is an exciting cultural event to mark your calendar for. It’s creative, it’s cool, and for many, it’s Christmas. Not an easy feat to pull off.

My makeup bag is 80% Vieve now, so there’s not much left I haven’t tried. I do want a water bottle, maybe some socks, the balm foundation and I’ll pick up some gift sets…and I guess we’re gonna need a tote bag.

AND FINALLY…

Thanks for reading Chic of the Week. I’d love to hear your thoughts and chat more, so please start a party in the comments.

Launching my Substack on my birthday? Very chic imo.

Welcome to the very first Chic of the Week.

As we are all new here, I’ll explain the concept: A mid-week, curated newsletter of things to; read, watch, cook, buy, and do, tied together by a concept I personally believe to be en vogue. This week, we are looking at birthdays (because mine is on Sunday, thanks for asking).

Three things make getting really into your birthday cool. You need all three to make it work.

Hedonism at all costs

Say yes to everything, even if it’s hugely inconvenient. I’m taking four Avanti West Coast trains in four days to attend two nights out. Embrace the chaos. All year, we say I shouldn’t, I can’t, probably not, maybe later. Well, your birthday is the day, my gal. Shake a martini at breakfast. Pour double cream on your cornflakes. Smoke real cigarettes like you’re at a provincial house party. Kiss a man you met at the bus stop. If you suffer from the birthday blues or fear of getting older, discovering just how young and fucking fun you still are might be the antidote. For one week only, embrace your inner Jemima Kirke.

You MUST NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be stressed about it.

It’s easy to get very hung up on your birthday. I think we often see it as a reflection of our current state in life. How many people turn up to your party? Who will forget? What if you don’t look hot af in your birthday outfit?

Listen, you look hot in your birthday outfit, scratch that one.

I recently read Solve for Happy, and Mo Gawdat talks a lot about how humans give themselves unnecessary suffering by engaging in negative thinking. One of the strategies is writing a list of the moments that make you happy. If you’re feeling stressed about your birthday, try detailing the bits of your life that bring you joy. Here are some of mine: cuddling my dog, my morning coffee, playing with my nephew, gossiping with my siblings, a post-workout high, having a fancy dinner with good company, and wearing one of my favourite outfits. You still have many of these things in your life, even if your best friend forgets to text you.

Tell everyone like its vital information

You are your own birthday PR machine. You need to make people believe that this is an important and sacred day. Book it off work, book a week if you must. Tell your colleagues, tell the train conductor. Tell the lady in M&S as you stock up on cremant and mini lobster thermidor. Remind people like you’re talking about the clocks going back.

‘Oh don’t forget, it’s my birthday on Sunday’.

POLL PARTY

THE ACTION

Buy me a gift and share my newsletter. Kidding (kinda).

Share The Briefette

Ok ok here’s the real one

A long while back, I started a spreadsheet of things I wanted to buy with links and prices. It started out for me, so I could look at the list and choose something in my budget if I had some extra money. It then became my birthday (and Christmas list). It’s super handy to share with people who want to buy you a gift. I know that can feel a bit icky, demanding things from a list but I’ve only ever had friends and family tell me how easy it is and that they wish everyone would make one.

Bonus tip: I cant remember which financial influencer shared this. But you can also use this list as your ‘goblin list’.

1. Pick a random date in the future to be ‘goblin day’

2. Every time you resist buying something, put a little bit of money in your ‘goblin fund’ and add the item to your ‘goblin list’

3. When goblin day rolls around, you have a little fund to spend on whatever you still want from the list.

STUFF

1. The best sandalwood fragrance I’ve ever tried.

2. On my third bottle of this body wash for bright, youthful skin.

3. It’s giving festive wench (and its on sale)

4. The perfect casual-chic comfort pyjamas. I get a lot of compliments. An ideal ‘capsule wardrobe’ item if that’s your thing.

5. Recently tried and tested by a panel of experts and voted best LED mask. And its the cheapest.

6. The Ganni beanie with a good discount at last.

7. Still on 530's because they are so versatile. These are on sale.

8. This is your sign. Huge discount, freezing temperatures.

9. The real meaning of Black Friday is getting 58% off an Alexa.

READ

Telling the Bees

The Mainstreaming of Loserdom

I know the title is provocative, but let me make my case first. Over the past few years, something has shifted in the perception of acceptable recreational behavior, or the way people talk about their hobbies: people are gleeful to admit they have no hobbies, no interests, no verve. Somehow, one of the main “hobbies” accepted by the masses is staying ho…

Read more

2 years ago · 8308 likes · 496 comments · Tell the Bees

Necessary Salt by Joy Sullivan

Essay: Woman in the mirror

“Body my house / my horse my hound / what will I do when you are fallen.” —May Swenson…

Read more

a year ago · 222 likes · 10 comments · Joy Sullivan

Off the Rails

Why does no one fancy me anymore?

I used to play a game with my kids where I’d make up a tray of random objects; a crayon, a beaker, a fancy feather, a spoon, and they’d have to memorise what was there. I’d take an object away and ask them to tell me what was missing. The more humdrum and banal the object, the harder it was to spot that it had gone. This is what aging is like when you’r…

Read more

2 years ago · 144 likes · 35 comments · Jayne Manfredi

DO

Nothing cultural this week, all pure pleasure (see note on hedonism above)

Meet The Revolutionaries (London) I am SO excited to be seeing Charli XCX at Outernet this Saturday thanks to Revolut.

The Standard (London) Solid recommendation for a London hotel. Near the major train stations, library bar, boutique feel.

Sebb’s (Glasgow) If you are in Glasgow or plan to visit, Sebb’s bar is the hottest new opening. I can’t wait to try their ‘food over flame’ menu.

The Last BookstoreGlasgow)I might be the last person in this city to visit The Last Bookstore bar, but looking forward to it nonetheless.

House of Gods Sacred Garden (Glasgow) Not just for summer. A very chic start or end to the evening imo.

BOOK CLUB

For December we will be chatting Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. Join the book club thread to share your thoughts.

COOL LIST

Lizzy Hadfield joins the Cool List for Buffy’s Book Club

I have become mildly obsessed with Buffy’s in the last couple of months. The branding, the photography, the energy is just perfect. It’s the type of book club I wish I ran. A Sezane sip and swap? Penguin Classics pub quiz? Yes.

Lizzy is incredibly chic, and this pours over into everything she does with Buffy’s. I’m particularly enamoured with the book club picks. No pandering to what’s popular. Beautiful classics and future classics. Tickets go quickly and I’m so disappointed I couldn’t get one for this month wile I’m in London. Better luck next time I guess.

Buffy's

Welcome To Buffy's

What is Buffy’s…

Read more

2 years ago · 146 likes · 3 comments · Buffy's

AND FINALLY…

Thanks for reading the first ever Chic of the Week. I’d love to hear your thoughts and chat more, so please start a party in the comments.

Getting a designer piece for a high street price does something to my brain chemistry. I suppose that's the point. These collaborations couple hype with scarcity for maximum must-buy impact. So much so that I’ve found myself queuing down the high street in the pouring rain with my phone open, trying to grab ANYTHING online while waiting patiently to get inside the shop. Alongside hundreds of others.

I’ve missed out on some greats over the years, often because my early 20’s budget wouldn’t stretch very far. But here I am now, with a salary and unprecedented access to these coveted pieces - through Vinted.

Secondhand High Street X Designer must be trending.  King of the collabs H&M has this week (October 24th-31st) released an archive of pre-loved pieces from their most iconic partnerships.

But let’s not relive the mistakes of the past. Instead of lining up to battle for the last Balmain, just add some of these searches to your Vinted rotation. 

Christopher Kane for Topshop 

I recently bought a dress from this collection and I think enough time has passed that no one would recognise it. Christopher Kane has only become a stronger brand name over the years, and it's a cool way to own a little bit of history. I also still really love the alligator vest dress. 

Kate Moss for Topshop 

I still have a lot of my OG Kate Moss for Topshop clothes and I do still wear them. I’ve got a beach dress that’s been around the world a few times. Lots to choose from here and some absolutely ICONIC show-stopping pieces. KM x TS also often sells at a premium on Vinted so if you have some you are holding on to it can be pretty valuable.  

Ashish x Warehouse 

Launching in 2018, the Ashish collection is the ultimate party-season collaboration. I have big plans to wear the red sequin catsuit one day, and everyone will tell me how amazing I look. 

Alexa Chung x M&S 

Alexa Chung, in general, is a good Vinted search. The brand has fallen into obscurity a little, but the ‘insufferable female lead of an indie film’ vibe it gives off lives on. There is nothing else like the 60’s style dress out there, short of finding something in a vintage shop. A treasured member of my permanent wardrobe collection. 

The Vampires Wife x H&M 

I have almost every item from this collection and I’ve worn them all every year. Core part of my winter aesthetic. I can’t believe we were ever so blessed. I waited outside in the cold the day it launched and the velvet ruffle dress I have is the one from the window that day. The shop assistant working the door was announcing what had sold out as they let people in, and as she said that one I immediately panicked and said CAN I HAVE THAT ONE?! I had to pick it up the next day, but she will live with me forever. 

Halpern x Topshop

Are you kidding me? LOOK at this collection, it is so much fun. I actually have a Studio 54 inspired party to attend soon. Please no one buy the size 12 holographic jumpsuit, I need it I’m afraid. 

Bella Freud x M&S 

Ok ok, this collection has just hit stores. BUT the Vinted search is already thriving. One to keep in mind for the future or to grab a slight discount.

Top tip: Check out these collections as they were initially presented first. Look at old fashion magazine articles so you can get the vision. Often on Vinted the photos don’t really do it justice. You will get some great inspiration for styling too.

What have been your favourite collaborations? Let me know in the comments! 

I think of myself as a semi-professional trip planner. As in, I plan a trip like it is my job (and definitely never when I’m meant to be doing my actual job). You would think with so much content out there showing us where to go, what to eat, and the so-called ‘hidden gems’ that planning would be simple. But cutting through the noise has become the biggest challenge.

I don't want to bring up my one-woman campaign against Trip Advisor again, but I think their recommendations are frankly, insane. It's not surprising. You can't really trust the opinion of the PUBLIC AT LARGE when it is impossible even to get your group chat to agree on a restaurant.

Personally, I like to be given recommendations by someone who has calibrated their taste to the same level as me. I’m sure AI will do that one day, but until then, enter, Travelette.

Each Travelette post is five carefully curated recommendations from me, telling you what a nice time I’ve had. Just five, no filler. First up, Paris. 

Get the chocolate mousse at Le Bon Georges 

I used to work with a well-travelled book buyer. I swear she could recommend you a great night out in any city in the world. So when she responded to my Instagram story about Le Bon Georges, I knew I was in for a treat. 

We made a mistake in not ordering the beef. Don’t mess about; get a sharer of beef. Yes, it’s a lot but don’t leave Paris with eater’s remorse. The pâté en croûte was excellent, but the star of the show was this crock pot of decadent, dark chocolate mousse. It costs €30 and is designed to be shared.

I almost ate an entire pot myself. A mouss’t try, if you will.  

Shop the discount Sezane store 

I go to Paris often, and I’d never heard of the Sezane outlet (they DO NOT call it that, but for illustrative purposes, I will). In the regular Sezane store, I overheard one of the women working there talking about it and got that instant panicked excitement - I must go immediately. It is calles Les Archives and is right round the corner from the main store.

Everything is organised by colour. It is super fast-moving, with stock constantly replenished. They have a structured pricing system so all t-shirts cost the same, all dresses cost the same etc.

I got a little silver party dress for €70 euros and a XL cosmetics bag for just €15. 

Visit Les Archives

Get the Cordon Bleu at Bistrot Des Tournelles 

First things first, make a booking. We had a booking at Chez Janou (just across the road) but thought we would chance asking if they had any tables. Trying to hide her ‘are you insane’ eyes, the server said if we came back at 7pm when they opened, we could sit at the bar.

Bistrot Des Tournelles is exactly the type of place you always hope to stumble upon. Cosy, welcoming, the right amount of easy going, a menu that is easy to choose from, and exceptional hearty cooking.

I had the beef with mashed potato. The depth of flavour in the beef was incredible; you can tell they are really taking it seriously. But the star of the show is the cordon bleu—an ostentatious burst of cheese. Very rich, I recommend a crisp white wine and going with a green side rather than frites.  

Drink Japanese-inspired cocktails and dance to vinyl at Bambino

There are so many bars in Paris that it's impossible to choose (derogatory), and it would be easy to overlook this one. Bambino feels like a neighborhood bar packed with locals catching up or couples on Tinder dates,  but its intimate details make it effortlessly cool. 

Inspired by Tokyo Jazz cafes the walls are lined with vinyl and the lights are dimly lit. At a certain time of night, the seats are cleared out to turn the place into an all-out party. In the summer crowds spill onto the street, and it is hard to tell where one bar crowd ends and another begins.

On the cocktail menu, you will find classics made with Japanese spirits as well as some more unusual pairings. 

Watch the sunset from Pont Des Arts

A classic, a right of passage, and always a good idea. The famous Love Lock Bridge is the perfect way to begin your evening (or end your day) in Paris. There are plenty of supermarkets nearby to grab a bottle of wine, bread, and cheese, and you will find many others doing the same. 

Now you might be thinking, this is really nothing new. I’ve seen this old bridge before - there aren’t even any locks anymore!

I hear you, but, take this as a reminder that there’s something truly magical about evening picnics in Paris. Watching the people marvel at nature’s light show over the Seine. Hearing the gasps when the Eiffel Tower glitters for the first time that night. Striking up conversation with strangers as you sip wine from paper cups. 

It is truly rare in the modern world that we get to wonder, to have our eyes widen in amazement, and to feel our chests fill with warm excitement. Paris offers a thousand opportunities to feel this way, and I hope I get to experience many, many more. 

Who are you?

I’m Emma Flood a writer and Head of Content living in Glasgow, Scotland. Mid-thirties, child-free and partner-free (at time of writing). Like many a stereotypical Millennial, I have a small dog. His name is Henry. I’ve built my life around learning and adventure and I rarely say no to an opportunity. Every New Year I set a goal for every year old I am. My favourite city in the world is Paris, where I lived during my Erasmus year with six Mexicans. We’ll come back to that. I once opened a taco shop. I’ve been a makeup artist. I worked at Walt Disney World, Orlando. Frequently, I travel alone, a wonderful way to imagine yourself as someone new. In 2019 I went on 37 first dates. I’m really close to my grandmother. I rarely buy clothes, but I am deeply in love with most of the items in my wardrobe. I like TV shows that come out weekly, it forces you to savour every minute. I can’t follow a recipe and cook largely on vibes. I’m a morning person. I’m obsessed with living a better and more meaningful life.

What do you write about?

Anything I think will be of value to The Briefette community. I want people to connect over shared interests and live genuinely happier, more fulfilling lives.

• Books! Reading! Book shops! Book clubs!

• Beauty finds, recommendations, events and tips

• Slow fashion and style

• Love and relationships

• Productivity, planning, motivation

Why Substack?

I chose Substack over any other platform because it has the tools to connect with a community in an intimate way. Each newsletter and post is a letter from me to you. You can respond or chat with other people who are as invested in finding the perfect cosy bar in Paris to read books and drink wine in as you are. No interruptions from trolls, ads, influencers, DM guys. The recommendations here are genuine and come from a life well lived.

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