Chic of the Week #1
Really, really, celebrating your birthday
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).
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’.
Pick a random date in the future to be ‘goblin day’
Every time you resist buying something, put a little bit of money in your ‘goblin fund’ and add the item to your ‘goblin list’
When goblin day rolls around, you have a little fund to spend on whatever you still want from the list.
STUFF
The best sandalwood fragrance I’ve ever tried.
On my third bottle of this body wash for bright, youthful skin.
It’s giving festive wench (and its on sale)
The perfect casual-chic comfort pyjamas. I get a lot of compliments. An ideal ‘capsule wardrobe’ item if that’s your thing.
Recently tried and tested by a panel of experts and voted best LED mask. And its the cheapest.
The Ganni beanie with a good discount at last.
Still on 530's because they are so versatile. These are on sale.
This is your sign. Huge discount, freezing temperatures.
The real meaning of Black Friday is getting 58% off an Alexa.
READ
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.
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.