Things I Love 🫶
I've been chilling and I've got recs
It’s been a nice start to 2024 for Tozza. I had all of January off, went around Japan with my little fam and came back refreshed and relaxed (my current calm demeanour could also be related to one of my new years resolutions which I’ve kept up so far: meditate every day). I’ve been really good with my screen time (thanks to using the Downtime setting on iPhone from 8.30pm-8.30am every night, and when I discover the passcode to get back in, which Matt is the keeper of, I get him to change it again). Not being on TikTok and Instagram (and I recently also added Gmail to this list because I found myself wanting to pick up my phone to do/action something and Gmail ended up being the app I would open… a totally useless thing to do at night or early in the morning), helps me so much with my sleep and being present with other hobbies like watching TV, reading, cooking, etc. Because of this I’ve got a bunch of fresh recommendations for you guys.
Cooking: Red Salmon Curry
As you know I’m in my ✨health era✨, and this year I’m working hard to eat better: low sugar/carbs, high protein, nourishing, healthy foods. I guess that will come through in some of my recipes (although I’m never going to completely go off pastas, even the ones loaded with cream and butter - they’re my special occasion happy place). I’ve been trying to do salmon or fish at least once a week to get in those Omega 3’s and last week I was really craving spicy, Thai-style salmon, so I tested, shot and shared this Red Salmon Curry. Curry paste is reallly easy to make at home and doesn’t have the preservatives and crap that you get in the jarred stuff, blitzed together in my Nutribullet and complete in about 5 minutes - I’m a fan. I love this recipe for our family of 2 adults (and 1 child who says ‘yuck’ when we offer her some) because it serves 4 which means healthy leftovers for the next day. Often when I make curries I’ll buy frozen cauliflower rice from Woolies to cut down on carbs further which always leaves me feeling great and sleeping well.
Reading: Manacled
I’ve never read fan fiction but when my friend messaged me and I started reading about Manacled, the viral Harry Potter fan fiction set after Book 5, I was very intrigued. One week and many late nights (especially for a girl who’s asleep by 9 most nights) later, I’ve finished it and can honestly say it was one of the best things I’ve ever read. If you loved Harry Potter, I highly recommend it. It’s available to download for free here, via the Archive of Our Own website. You can read it on the Books app on iPhone or if you have a Kindle, visit the link, hit download, select EPUB, then once you have the download on your iPhone, tap the share option then select your Kindle app. From there it will upload and Sync across to your Kindle. I’m so jealous of anyone reading for the first time. There are some trigger warnings to take note of, it won’t be for everyone.
Reading Method: Cosy and Lazy
I’ve come across the best way to read on Kindle at night. Holding it above my head and tapping through pages until my arms get sore is a thing of the past and I honestly didn’t realise until I had this setup how sweet it would be. I use this tablet stand to hold my book above my head (it clips onto my window ledge but it could go on a side table or bed head), and invested in a remote control page turner and honestly, life changed.
Watching: Fargo Season 5
I haven’t watched Fargo since the first season (which was amazing), but I heard Season 5 was good, the reviews were good (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), it can be watched stand alone (all seasons are new stories and characters), and the main characters include Keeley from Ted Lasso, Winston from New Girl, Don Draper from Mad Men and Steve Harrington from Stranger Things. It’s on SBS On Demand and we’re loving it.
Listening: Podcasts
My top 3 listens lately are below…
How To Prevent & Treat Colds & Flu - Huberman Lab
I feel like this is knowledge everyone should have. Every time I get sick with even a mild cold I sit on Google searching ‘should I exercise with a cold’ and variations of it. This clears the record (you should rest) and had lots of insightful information on how to avoid getting sick and how to get rid of illness faster. We’ve both strictly become nasal breathers at night using mouth tape and are definitely feeling better for it. The humidifier is also always on in my room. Some of the episode is technical but it’s worth it. No colds in 2024 (def getting a cold for saying that).Why Gut Health is Impacting Your Brain Health & How To Stop Inflammation in Your Body - Jay Shetty
I’ve noticed huge positive changes in my body and mood since I started focusing more on my gut microbiome and this was a really engaging episode with expert Dr. Will Cole. We each have a cup of kefir in our smoothies in the morning (as opposed to almond milk that we have been drinking for years… pretty sure simply because it was low calorie, because it definitely doesn’t have much nutritive value). Kefir has up to 10 times the amount of probiotics that yoghurt contains. For the parents; we give Winnie her ‘funny yoghurt drink’ (lactose-free kefir from Woolies) which we tell her will make her happy and funny, and she is obsessed with it and has helped me move her away from the sugary pouches of lactose-free Vaalia yoghurt she has been living on.Julia Fox is Down the Drain - Celebrity Memoir Book Club
I’m enjoying this at the moment for something fluffy when I need a break from the self help/health stuff. She has lived an ever crazier life than I anticipated (some heart breaking stories in there) and if you’re interested after this episode, they interview her in the next ep too.
Shopping: Wishlist
I adore everything burl wood and this West Elm coffee table is a pretty one. We haven’t had a coffee table since Winnie started crawling around to make space for her but I think it’s time to bring it back.
This lacy but modern Camilla and Marc dress which also comes in black.
I’ve been on the hunt for a beautiful, airport appropriate tote for a few years and since the Goyard one I want is a bit out of my price range, this Mansur Gavriel number that comes in pink (dolly) or chocolate (desert) may be my answer, if I can choose between those colours…
I discovered La Veste at the end of last year when I ordered my Christmas placemats. I love their towelling range and had to order this kimono dress for the remainder of the summer and our Fiji holiday in a couple of months.
I have the midi skirt in this Rixo silk leopard print and wore it just about every day while we were in Japan. I highly recommend for all seasons, goes with everything. Now I’m eyeing off the matching shirt, which I’ve owned in another print and absolutely thrashed. So good with jeans, skirts, shorts, I might give in and order it one of these days.
Posse do the cutest nightwear and while I have plenty of fluffy winter robes from Djerf Avenue and Peter Alexander, I don’t actually own a summer robe. This one looks so luxurious for weekends and lazy days around home, and would go so nicely with my Skims PJs that I’m obsessed with.
A comfy summer mini that caught my eye is this Zimmermann number. I’ll be dressing it up and down while I relish this beautiful weather.
‘Fix the roof when the sun is shining’ they say. I agree and am big on buying discounted winter clothes in summer. I love my Everlane jumpers, so I purchased this alpaca crew in the cream and brown and know I won’t regret it when winter arrives.
As what some would call a professional tablescaper, I have found it truly hard to source beautiful, not-tacky napkin rings. Like, I’ve spent hours searching, and I actually only own two sets. These Burch and Raisbeck napkin rings caught my eye on Instagram and I can’t wait to set a table with them soon.
Travel: Japan!
We spent January in Japan, and I shared lots of stories including my recommendations and experiences which are all saved to my Instagram story highlights. If you are heading there soon, I also collated my top bowls of ramen so you can save and visit…
Hope you guys have a lovely week x