I have already managed to exceed my expectations by even starting out this post! You guys might remember the last post in this series – lets get to this one now. I actually thought it would be a better idea to move these posts to the end of the month instead of the middle like I did for June. It definitely makes more sense to talk about the raves, rants and reviews for the month when the month is almost over since otherwise I would miss out so much in one month.
Rave
I know its dramatic but the Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner changed my skin. This winter was so bad for my skin – it was painful. I have now been using this for the last 6 months or so and finally my face feels like its not made of dried powder! If you have dry skin this is amazing.
I use this before I do anything else. I put this one with a cotton pad (I use similar ones like these) and then put on moisturiser and sunscreen or whatever else.
I even got 2 extra bottles so I don’t run out of it. Right now I don’t think my skin can survive without it.
Rant
This is not really much of a rant and don’t kill me for complaining about this – but right now I am so confused about what is ok to do and what is not. What I mean is right in the beginning of lockdown it was clear to us what we were supposed to do – just stay at home. However, now with shops and cafe opening up in London things have become so confusing. I feel guilty for staying home – you should go out and spend money in the shops since they are now open and have suffered badly. But I feel guilty going out – am I being irresponsible? It just feels like a no win situation and you cannot do anything right.
We have been thinking about going for a holiday in the UK over a weekend but are so confused about that as well. Is it better to go and spend some money in small towns that depend on tourism or just stay put here to ensure you don’t endanger them?
I think I will give it another week or so and start going out.
Review
I recently read two books which were very similar – one, Ghosts by Dolly Alderton and the second, Olive by Emma Gannon. Dolly Alderton is also one of the hosts of the fantastic High Low podcast I have mentioned before. They are similar in the sense that both are about 30 plus women living in London dealing with relationships – both romantic and platonic.
Ghosts has a central theme of one relationship where the main protagonist meets a man she dates who ghosted her – millennial and dating app speak for someone who just disappears without explanation. Its a beautiful book. Its very well written and so easy to read but at the same time, not afraid to talk about the scary things in life. I have to say I was partial to it since it has such amazing quirky and on point descriptions about London and Londoners which Dolly Alderton manages so well. It made me laugh out loud in some places and tear up in some. Like this one – “Jethro’s flat was in a warehouse, that even from the outside, looked very pleased with its own conversion“.
Olive has a similar protagonist, in a similar setting but with a slightly different storyline. This book is about the main character and her long standing friendships which are now showing some strain. Each of her friends is on a different path and I am sure every reader will see parts of themselves in parts of every character. The book discusses some very taboo themes in the lightest possible way without minimising the issues which is so difficult to do. Actually both books manage to do this so well and I cannot recommend them enough especially if you are a women in your thirties.
Both books were provided to me by Netgalley (thanks!) and are out later this year. And now I need to get back to my original TBR pile!
Please let me know if you are enjoying these posts? Its a great way for me to cover small tiny things which I otherwise forget to talk about on the blog. We have also been discussing the show Indian Matchmaking over on Instagram so would love to welcome you there to discuss!
– Anisha
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