Shit I'm loving lately №2

a fortnightly round-up of what to watch, read, eat, listen to, and get absolutely obsessed with this week - curated by yours truly

Kicking off this fortnightly round-up with one of the best posts I’ve read on Substack so far.

Ochuko Akpovbovbo

’s writing advice in this article is a gift to the Substack community. I loved these practical—actually practical!—tips for improving writing skills and adore that she focuses in on something I’ve long believed in with every fibre of my being = that to be a better writer you have to be curious AS HELL. Such a great read.

Following in the same vein of talented, interesting women, this phenomenal piece of writing about the dangers and sexism of gendered AI by

The Content Girl

was sublime. “The fact these tools also give the impression of “female” perpetuates an irritating stereotype that women are the more subservient gender. The note takers. The coffee makers. The secretaries. The pretty little things there to look good and run around after the men.” It’s simply a really beautiful, important, and well-researched article. I loved it.

This curation of The Book You Should Read Next, Based On Your Favorite Classic by The Everygirl. I fist-pumped along to pretty much all of these modern recommendations and their classic counterparts. I also felt seen because I KNEW there was a reason I adored City of Girls so much, and apparently it’s because it’s giving The Great Gatsby which, actually, was one of my first ever Favourite Novels (I wrote an entire A level essay about my love for it). The only recommendation which I absolutely refute is My Sister The Serial Killer which is one of the worst and most unsatisfying books I’ve read in recent years.

[trigger warning] This NY times article about Gisele Pelicot because this woman is one of the most impressive women I’ve seen in a very, very long time. Will someone please just anoint her with 2024’s person of the year award already because the things she is doing for justice and women everywhere are nothing short of absolutely groundbreaking and remarkable.

I loved this list of influential women by SheerLuxe because, quite simply, it is fucking lovely to see the amazing things that woman are up to. We are so incredible as a species. Ugh, I just love women.

This article questioning Where Have Rom-Coms Gone? by Marken Greenwood on The Good Trade is a fascinating look at how conversations around gender equality and mental health have irrevocably changed our view on romance and what makes a good rom-com. And that, in fact, “many of the tropes that made […] romantic comedies fun are spectacularly unhealthy in the real world.”

This short and sweet interview between Vogue and Victoria Beckham from earlier this year. I have to admit, I’ve loved VB (her sense of humour and self, most prominently) for years. I’ve found her ascent into the fashion world from 90s pop icon fascinating to watch and have always just loved her blunt and unforgiving attitude in the face of constant media speculation. I’m also loving slower content these days. and found sitting down to watch two women talking on a couch for fifteen minutes calming in a way that scrolling TikTok just isn’t.

In my first round-up, I added A Very British Scandal on BBC One to my hit list and it did not disappoint. I watched this over two days last week while my husband was away with work, and boy was it a lovely little look back at how women have always, consistently, perpetually been treated like SHIT by the media. Claire Foy is to die for, the set design and costumes are phenomenal, and this is a super easy-to-watch, 3-hour romp into the 1970s.

Having loved Nobody Wants This on Netflix (along with everyone else), I also loved listening to Kristen Bell and Adam Brody on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert. I’ve loved Dax’s podcast for years—it’s one of the best, easiest, and comforting listens by a long shot—and it was interesting to get a behind the scenes look at the hit show (especially *that* kiss).

Another of my favourite comfort listens is the Off Menu podcast by James Acaster and Ed Gamble. Whenever I can’t sleep (which, thanks to being six months pregnant, is often) I whack on my headphones and put these two on, scrolling back through the archive to find one I’ve not listened to before. This week I listened to Paul Rudd’s episode from last year, and it’s a good’un—especially his aversion to sauces and how much it pains James throughout the episode.

This rechargeable jumper de-bobbler is my new favourite toy and arguably the best purchase I’ve made so far in 2024.

This Lime, Basil and Mandarin fragrance oil has made my entire house smell like I’ve just cleaned it (I haven’t).

I’m obsessed with this moisturising leave-in treatment from Revlon. I’ve been using it religiously for almost two years now and the things it does to my hair are the stuff of dreams. My hairdresser even commented on its impressive condition if you need a bit of social proof. And, yes, I did feel smug about it.

The latest Burberry campaign with Olivia Coleman because I don’t think I have ever—ever—seen a woman look so breathtakingly beautiful.

And in a similar vein, Alexander Skarsgård for Calvin Klein’s Fall 2024 campaign; absolutely no notes required.

• 🎥 Andrew Garfield on Chicken Shop Date (out this Friday on YouTube)

• 📚 We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

• 📚 Also Sandwich by Catherine Newman after

  Kolina Cicero
  recommended it

• 🎥 Lonely Planet on Netflix

• 📝 Dressing well when you’ve just had a baby by

  The Wardrobe Edit