One of the things on which I would like to focus more this year is journaling. My preference is for less traditional forms as opposed to narrative-writing style journaling. My favourite journal is called Moon Lists – Questions and Rituals for Self-Reflection: A guided journal, which provides weekly prompts that are, as indicated by the title, in list form. I haven’t been very diligent about using the journal weekly – as a result, I’m only about half way through after a couple of years – but I very much enjoy the process of writing my lists. I find it a very pleasant approach to meditation/self-reflection.

One of my favourite lists to think about and write is called “Who is the You of Now?” The prompt provided states: “a survey of present interests, curiosities, recurring themes … a space for a short list of some front-burner items.” This helps me focus on the things that are currently giving me meaning, enjoyment, amazement, etc., which is a process not-too-distantly related to gratitude journaling but a bit broader in reach.

Recently, I got to thinking that I would like to engage with this process in a more visual/creative way. Why not make visual lists? This would be helpful (and fun) for me not only as a method of self-reflection, but as a creative exercise to help me in my artistic endeavours. I’ve been finding inspiration lately in many non-obvious places, and this will help me focus on those more. I’ve decided to document my lists here, as a way to keep myself accountable, but also in case others find it interesting. I am also doing this on Instagram, where I am hoping to create a community exercise, with others sharing their lists as well.

Here is my list for this week:

One. Mucha

I have had a soft spot for Alphonse Mucha since I was a teenager, but I tend to go in and out of obsession with the Art Nouveau. The interest is very much back “on” again, largely from a fashion/aesthetic perspective. One, I am growing my hair out and fully obsessed with the aesthetics of long, flowing locks. Two, the fashion aspect speaks to my Crone/High Priestess avatar. The mood which Mucha’s drawings evoke for me is very much a mood that I am interested in recreating (in a modern, updated version) in my sartorial experiments.

Two. Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

My kids love this song, and lately whenever I hear it, it makes me think of my mom. Gets me every single time.

Three. The Moon

The semiotics of tarot fascinate me in a general way, but lately it’s the Moon that’s been on my mind the most. The symbolism of the Moon (in astrology and culture in general) is so rich of meaning. I also find that I am craving more connection with nature lately (it’s the middle of winter here, and sometimes that means I don’t leave the house for days on end), and for some reason that’s when I start to pay more attention to the lunar cycles. I don’t know what it means, but that’s the beauty of this list – not everything needs to be explained.

Four. Birds of paradise

I’m working on a large embroidery featuring birds of paradise, so naturally, I have been looking at a lot of images. They’ve never been my favourite flower, but I have to say that I appreciate their uniqueness and their colour story. So fun to embroider!

Five. Poirot/Marple

I have been re-reading my Christie collection; it’s comfort food during cold, dark days. I have also have the ITV series playing in the background on loop while I’m crafting; it’s my Law & Order. This time around, I find that I’m really appreciating the set design and costuming, especially on the Poirot series (generally set in the 1930s). So much house design eye candy. I also can’t get enough of the slinky evening gowns, and sharply tailored daytime suits – the midi length pencil/column skirts paired with fitted tops/blazers, are everything.

Softly, Softly

I love this muted colour palette and find it very soothing. It’s the sage green paired with plum that’s so pleasing, especially with the other warm colour accents. This was also a very comfortable outfit to wear — lots of warm, soft and/or stretchy knits. This poncho is proving to be a real closet MVP; it’s perfect for keeping warm at home during the cold snap, but it also adds a surprisingly amount of polish to each outfit. Sometimes, it’s these no-name, unassuming pieces that will surprise you.

Mesmerizing

There is something about this combination of black and white patterns that’s kind of hypnotizing, isn’t it? It ought to be an eyeball-buster, but somehow my eyes don’t find it offensive at all. But maybe that’s just me. I can never get enough of these monochromatic pattern mixes, and I’m surprised that I hadn’t thought of this one before. I’m glad I decided to keep this Charlie & Robin cardigan; I had originally marked it for sale, but there were no takers and I had second thoughts. As it turns out, it’s the kind of kooky piece that works so well with my current style.

Art School Vibes

Chico’s isn’t one of my go-to brands, but I thrifted this top because the pattern and texture reminded me a bit of Issey Miyake. It’s quite large, so it’s perfect as a top layer over other things. I was originally going to wear it with a black skirt, but that felt a bit blah. Substituting this face-print Zara skirt was just the ticket. There is a lot more “energy” in the outfit this way. Pattern mixing for the win!

A new year ought to feel like a fresh start, but I thought it might actually be a good time to talk about the old … old favourites, that is. Perhaps “old” is the wrong term; what I mean is, simply, favourites. I enjoy reading other people’s (unsponsored) opinions and recommendations, because you never know what useful information or good tips you may get. I solicited prompts on Instagram, and am sharing the list here.

Favourite quality brands that hold up: This is tricky because, with careful laundering, most things can hold up fairly well. I also have an extensive wardrobe, which means my wears are spread out over a larger number of items; I have very rarely “worn out” items, apart from shoes. So my experience is limited in that sense.

However, here are some brands which I think tend to have consistently good quality (in my experience) and are relatively inexpensive secondhand: MaxMara (apart from coats, which have high resale prices), Ralph Lauren, Marc Cain, COS.

Favourite colours to wear: Aqua/turquoise/teal, pink, magenta, and rainbow (of course). My palette has changed a lot in the last few years, and continues to evolve. I mean, I’m wearing orange these days … who am I, even??

Favourite skincare: I am currently battling winter skin and mask-ne, and struggling to tweak my daily regimen to these challenges. But the one item I consistently use and would never give up is my prescription retinoid. I use the Micro gel, but I believe Differin is similar and, in some places, available over the counter.

Favourite things to thrift: Dresses, skirts, jewelry, and art.

Favourite nail colours: Classic red (Chanel “Dragon”); white; and a dark forest green.

Favourite suspense/mystery/keep-you-guessing books for cold weather snuggled up reading: Anything by Ann Cleeves, PD James, or Agatha Christie. I re-read my favourite mystery novels every 3 years or so. It’s just enough time to forget the intricacies of the plot; even if I remember the culprit half way through the book, I still find them very satisfying to read, in a “comfort food” sort of way. For new suspense/mysteries, Lucy Foley, Tana French, and Anthony Horowitz are usually reliable. Oh, and Sophie Hannah’s continuation of the Poirot series.

Favourite Zoom styling tips: Undereye concealer, eyebrow pencil, red lipstick — these are key to helping me avoid looking like the undead.

Favourite royal biography: Tough one, because I love royal biographies and have so many favourites. If I had to pick, it would be between The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, Born to Rule by Julia Gelardi (about granddaughters of Queen Victoria), and The Four Queens by Nancy Goldstone (about 4 Provencal ladies who all went on to become queens). But I could easily add a dozen more to the list, don’t tempt me!

Favourite fashion moments: I love Tilda Swinton’s red carpet moments, and a lot of her editorial spreads. Going way back, Audrey Hepburn’s “transformation” in Sabrina. I used to dream about going to Paris for a few years, and then returning as an infinitely more chic version of myself, to the surprise and amazement of all, hahaha! Can you tell that I wasn’t a popular kid in high school? But I think the idea of reinvention and transformation through clothes that has never stopped fascinating me, to be honest.

Favourite textiles, balancing wearability and washability: I love silk-linen and silk-wool blends, though they can be trickier to care for (hand-washing and air-drying, all the way). Otherwise, cotton or rayon blends which can be machine-washable and also machine-dryable (always on low heat!).

Favourite art supplies and inspo: I love buying embroidery floss — I always buy way too much, because I want to get ALL the colours. Beads is probably a close second. In terms of inspiration, nature is probably my no. 1 source, but I also find inspiration in art very often. For example, I am currently working on a series of embroidery pieces inspired by the water lilies I saw last summer on my vacation, and I have been looking at Monet’s paintings as well.

Favourite home office item: Stationery, hands down. I love pens (gel pens and fountain pens) and colourful inks. Colourful sticky notes … notice a trend here? In this category, I will also include my day planner. My therapist recommended it for me as a technique to address my anxiety. I have a basic one, nothing fancy, but it has each day broken down in hour blocks, plus room for To Do lists. I find it helpful to write-in both work and personal commitments, including chores and leisure activities; it makes my days feel more manageable.

Favourite season for style: Fall and spring. Basically, any time when the temperature is between 10-18 degrees Celsius. Cool enough for sweaters or cute coats — basically, interesting layers — but warm enough for bare legs, in a pinch. This is the weather when you can experiment the most with style, IMO, because the weather isn’t fully dictating what you have to wear.

Favourite Netflix binge: I don’t watch a lot of Netflix, to be honest. I haven’t even seen the newest season of The Witcher. I mostly only watch new shows if they feature one of my favourite actors (Stay Close, for example). My favourite things to binge-watch are mostly old British shows on BritBox — period dramas, Poirot and Miss Marple, that sort of thing. And I watch The Vicar of Dibley Christmas special whenever I need cheering up.

Want to find out more of my favourites? Or have some of your own to share? Hit me up in the comments.