A quick housekeeping point- you’ll notice The Love List has had a name change and a rebrand. I stumbled across a publication here on Substack also called The Love List and in the interest of not stepping on toes, decided to give this regular feature a refresh.
I give you… The Recap! …
…My top ten each month. Everything I’ve been wearing, listening to, been motivated by, what has given me comfort. The things I’ve been indulging in, learning, lusting after and grateful for. This month I talk engagement rings, small business realities, getting really clear on downtime, holiday purchases and wedding dresses…
…and so, without further ado…
1- Wearing - In a deviation from the usual proceedings, this month’s “Wearing” section is not devoted to Stalf as the main character, but rather, which Stalf items did I pair with my new ENGAGEMENT RING!!!
I commissioned a pair of solid gold signet rings last year from Night Time Holiday. They’re engraved front and back and have space for us to set a stone either side of the face when we actually get married (rather than having a separate engagement and wedding ring.)
If you’re looking for some more solid and reliable style inspo, March’s Style Notes are still playing out in my outfits right now…
…and then there was “Style Notes Continued” because I was just so inspired at the start of this month…
both solid reads IMO.
2- Soundtrack - Taylor Swift Eras Tour Set List
I will openly admit- I’m late to the Taylor party. My son has loved her since he first heard her on the radio- perhaps was even born a Swiftie?
We spent a whole weekend this month pretty much devoted to watching (and then rewatching) the Eras concert. Which was our fave song? Outfit? Dance routine? Since said weekend, we’ve whiled away countless hours bopping round the kitchen to the set list.
For the record, my faves are Karma, Lover and Willow.
3- Motivator - a snapshot of my run.
The two images below were taken on 1st March, which was a gem of a morning. Since then it’s been mainly grey skies and murky weather- we’ve receded rather than taking the leap forward into Spring, it seems. On the peachy-sunrise mornings, it’s pretty easy to see why someone would get up and out of bed at 6am, pull on their trainers and push themselves up a hill. But on the gloomy days, it takes a little more reflection to grasp what kind of strength and goodness I bank up as a result of running.
I rarely complete a run without incorporating a challenging uphill climb and Tuesday this week was no exception. I was ploughing up a particularly tough hill (I know I’ve mentioned said hill in these recaps before- it seems to be something of a thought-provoker for me) and the way I’ve been using running recently really hit me. Perhaps it’s something about how exhausted I was at the top- how focused I had to be all the way up- but I realised, I use hill running as physical training, yes, but actually it really benefits me in a mental capacity too, and I’m not just talking about the hormone rush at the end.
About halfway up, I start to feel like I want to stop. My legs burn, my lungs feel like they’ve shrivelled like raisins, my face is hot and sweaty. I fix myself on the next point, the next marker to reach, the next little box to tick- and I tick it. Could be the grit bin. Could be the bench. Could be a rock at the side of the road, a lamp post. I practice ticking the boxes. And it hurts. But I set my sights on whatever it is, and I reach it.
One box at a time, I tick my way to the top.
I give myself a few breaths to recover, to take in the view and (recently) to listen to the birdsong. It’s a gift, a reward, and I make sure I savour it. This is also my time to learn- I am still learning in this moment of reward. I don’t need to push myself at that point, I need to lean into the bounty I’ve earned. In this way, I’ve been training for what life has looked like, just recently. I’ll elaborate as we move through this article.
This month’s Recap is a real, honest mixed bag. Highs and challenges.
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