...and looks like July has done so too! 😅

I had this whole idea of June wrap-up post but the time flies when you're having so much fun! While a part of me feels a little discontent with having such a long gap between this and the previous post, a part of me, funnily, feels very happy about it - for more than one reason!

First and foremost, it's what the time has been filled with instead. I do enjoy writing, more than one would think given it's not (or rather, doesn't have to be) a major part of any of the main things I do and am passionate about, but can you truly write anything substantial without having the lived experience? (Not that I'd consider any of my writings here particularly substantial!) Yes, you surely can conjure up thought-provoking works with your mind alone (indeed, some of the most gorgeous literary works were created in modest rooms with just a pen and paper!) and, in a sense, create life. At the same time, those thought-provoking works are that way because you've thought about life, you've lived - and actually lived, not just went through the motions. And I feel so lucky to say that the past two months have been filled with gorgeous, sensual, wholesome, creative, insightful experiences - and so yes, I am very happy to not have posted in that time :)

Secondly, and perhaps this might seem like the same point to an undiscerning eye (not in a  passing-a-judgment kind of way but rather 'shall I still include it?' kind of way), it's prioritising being in the present over capturing it. I do think there is a beauty to some documenting of life (there is a reason why many artists do, from Toulouse-Lautrec to Nan Goldin, and we find their creations particularly poignant) but not in the self-obsessed way that seems to be prevalent nowadays. I can be fairly vocal about prioritising "irl" experiences, away from the digital - not erasing the latter entirely, just being mindful and intentional about it - but it wouldn't feel right to me if I were but wasn't walking the walk.

Finally, it's all the creating, ideating and all the behind-the-scenes work - some of which you will see the fruits of, some are for my other ventures! One of the former is a shoot I've done with the amazing Bonjour Boudoir recently that I truly can't wait to show you the results of! (So far I've managed to go from selection of 451 shots to 286 in my "considering" folder 😂) While I'd done a lot of work prior in terms of creative direction, the shoot itself was so flowy, creative and collaborative. It has further invigorated this energy I've been finding myself in that I came home and couldn't work on my projects fast enough because there is just so much inspiration and life!

Truly such a prolific, rich, gorgeous time that has filled me with so much excitement and verve! (In case you couldn't tell already... 😂) Made so much more special by a few wonderful souls who treated me to some beautiful experiences for my birthday (...my wishlist is here if you've missed it! 😁😇)

And speaking of birthdays, Leanne has officially turned 1! 🥹 Still a lot of puppy energy but my baby is growing up! Baked her a (dog) cake - truly a testament to my love for her, cranking up the oven during a heatwave (and! I hate baking 😂 love cooking, baking not so much)
She deserves it all though 🥰

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The way I'm surviving this heatwave: a scoop or two of a zesty sorbet, suite with an AC and a delightful gentleman 🥰🥰

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While this is certainly way superior to how an average Londoner deals with it (but then again, I'm a very lucky girl! All the good girls are 😇), to be fair, most British people are not doing themselves any favours with how they go about dealing with this heat 😅

Yes, a part of why these temperatures feel much more unbearable than comparable - or even higher - ones in different places is because England was simply not built for it: from the houses to the infrastructure at large. But then why is everyone still powerwalking through the central in peak sun?

I appreciate this might sound very tone-deaf - your client or boss expects you to arrive promptly regardless of the weather and so you might have to still go at the infamous London pace. And indeed, I'm not putting the onus on the individual but rather the society at large. Gone are the days of pleasant mild English summers - and so we should adjust. Take a note from the Mediterranean countries and slow down, shift our working times and expectations in summer.

I will be honest, I don't expect that to happen anytime soon 😅To keep a stiff upper lip and carry on is too engrained in the British culture. And there is something charming about the resilience and just carrying on regardless - but I fear it might not be the best choice at times! Resilience is a beautiful thing but not when it defies a common sense :)

And so, in the meantime, I will use my powers for good and get one more lover to take a long siesta in an air conditioned room after our lunch - every little helps! 🤣

In this world where appearances, deceit and performances can easily feel omnipresent - and some might even argue essential -, one of the most important things for me is to still treat one another as human. Seeing you for who you are and providing the space for you to be you freely. Acting with benevolence, compassion and non-judgment.

Perhaps that makes me (seem?) naïve but I genuinely believe that within the container companionship provides, we can (not should nor necessarily will) be the most human. Shed of all expectations, pretences and behaviours that the world might draw from us to survive in it.

That's not to say that I don't live in reality and think everyone is coming from the same place or looking for this (on the contrary: for some, being someone completely different is what is needed - and that is no less valid!). But for those who do? Oh boy, do we have the opportunity of a lifetime!

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Simply enough, feed is where you can find all my posts - from elaborate musings to date night candids, random thoughts and, yes, some cheeky pictures as well.

And how is that different from social media or a blog again?

Very valid question and there is something certainly tickling me about rebranding something to sound more inventive, impressive or just new (something that happens way too often nowadays).

So, no, I do not consider myself doing something particularly special here but rather something that feels more aligned.

I've grown tired of both pouring energy into platforms that are often hostile towards companions and dictate what to post (whether the format and the content to "get noticed") and asking you to follow me on them.
And while I understand why that is beneficial for my side (exposure, diversification, more evidence I'm "real"), I'm not interested in fragmenting your attention, especially online, any further than it is.

I am a firm believer of spending more time offline than online, being present and away from screens. That is not to say I don't see a lot of amazing things that happen thanks to it (after all, you are reading this online, aren't you? Ah yes, I am SO amazing). But it's safe to say everyone's trying to reduce their screen time rather than increase - and for good reasons.

So asking you to follow and consume my "content" on this and that site feels hypocritical and not right within myself.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely appreciate the support and if you want to give me a follow, whether to increase the follower number and not spending any time there again or because you already spend time on Z platform (not using the common variable letter for obvious reasons...) and would like to see me there, then feel free (and thank you! :) ). But for those who wish to step away from socials, yet still wanting to keep up with my adventures (and non-adventures), this is for you.

Because this space is mine, free from algorithms and constant threats of bans, you will find exclusive content here. Posts found elsewhere will often appear here first, too!
You might see me having the occasional post on other platforms and not here (what is the point in asking a (non-rhetorical) question here? In that case, social media is actually helpful!) but for the most part, this is the central place for all the bits and pieces I share.

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(Perhaps all of this was made just because I miss the old internet!)

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