Hiya, you alright?
Didn’t feel right sending out a fun and frivolous newsletter in the wake of all the happenings over the last few weeks, so decided to just spend the time instead educating myself and listening to black voices. I don’t think you need me to link you to another reading list or resource spreadsheet, so instead enjoy these collages that the children I am teaching at the moment created this week. They were inspired by Ghanaian photographer James Barnor and I think they’re just great.
Links of the week
Lose yourself in London’s past with the galleries on the London Picture Archive.
Want some free art activity packs from the likes of Anthony Gormley, Grayson Perry and Bob & Roberta Smith? Course you do.
Take your duvet fort to a new level with this fort building guide from Ikea
Even colouring in has gone virtual!
Spend some time getting lost in this website - smart videos for curious kids of all ages. totally addictive.
Shit I love this week
Explore.org is a website that hosts hundreds of wildlife live stream cams from all around the globe. My current fave is the Puffin Burrow cam streaming live from Maine, USA. I am very invested in this lovely puffin and her little egg.
Children’s author Katharine Rundell has put together a lockdown anthology called ‘The Book of Hope’ which is full of beautiful poems, short stories, illustrations and more. Though it’s aimed at children, it is truly gorgeous. Read it for free here: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/9-12/book-hopes/
Cool little plugin for your browser - honey automatically applies any current discount codes to your online shopping. Get it here.
Loved this short bittersweet film about Syds Coffee Stall in East London - established in 1919, passed through 3 generations of family and now off to find a new home in the Museum of London.
I am by NO MEANS an art buff but I really really enjoyed this guided walk around the Guildhall show ‘The Enchanted Interior’ which examines female subjects in art depicted in enclosed ornate interiors. It’s led by my long lost pal curator Katty Pearce who explains some of these fascinating pieces eloquently and accessibly.
Small Biznizz of the week
Launched in 2016, Jamii is a discount card and platform showcasing the best of independent black British businesses from fashion houses and wellness brands to art and eateries. There are so many awesome brands producing some incredible products, and for £14.95 you can save up to 40% AND support the black community. It’s a total no-brainer if you ask me!
Musing of the week - Keeping it Interesting
I don’t put that much faith into astrology, but there is one element of my personality that is very much akin to my assigned zodiac sign. I’m a Gemini and I get bored very easily. I am constantly looking for new projects, new ideas, new distractions, new husbands etc etc. Okay, no so maybe not the last one but I do need to keep myself entertained and distracted with new stuff. This lock-down alone I have started new projects and hobbies including jigsaw puzzling, journaling, colouring in, collage, rollerskating*, cooking, knitting** and newslettering (HIYA!). I now have my eye on some ‘paint-by-numbers’ canvases.
So, if you’re like me and you need to MIX IT UP here’s some ideas of how to add small changes into your lockdown life.
download a free kids activity pack online, print it off and get stuck in. Puffin Books have some excellent ones at the moment.
Listen to a different radio station than you usually do. If you’ve got digital radio, I recommend Kisstory or Absolute Radio 80s.
Take a punt on a new Podcast. I tried the BBC Earth podcast this week and found myself welling up at a story about a marine biologist who was best friends with an octopus (side note- did you know that when octopuses are scared they turn red and when they are relaxed and happy they are white?).
Listen to a new genre of music or artist playlist on Spotify. I often feel like Spotify throws me the same songs to listen to and whilst I will never get bored of hearing MMBop, mixing it up with some new vibes keeps the ears and brain busy. I’m loving this and this at the moment.
Cook something WAY out of your comfort zone. I made samosas from scratch a few weeks ago, pastry and all and they were so buff.
If you’re not into classical music, I highly recommend spending some time every now and then just listening to a piece. But like, actively listening to it. Lie down, close your eyes and just spend a few minutes really listening. If you’re sceptical about this, start with ‘The Lark Ascending’ by Vaughn Williams and thank me afterwards.
Eat something different.. Everyday my husbands starts his day with a bowl of cereal and for lunch has a ham sandwich, bag of crisps and a yoghurt. He LOVES it and that’s great! But for me, I need some variety. If you’re normally a toast and marmite kinda person, maybe have honey one day. Or eggs. or Pop Tarts. GO MAD, you’re a grown up and you can eat whatever you LIKE for breakfast.
Wear different make-up. if you’re like me, you have piles of make-up in your possession, all colours of the rainbow- highlighters, eyeliners, blushers and lippy- and yet you still wear the same 5 products everyday. Just…mix it up. Add a bit of blue eyeliner, wear the next shade of eyeshadow in your palette, a pop of glitter just because.
I’ve got a WHOLE TON of these ideas so if you like them and would like more, then lemme know (email me/say hi on twitter @katie_brennan or insta @bloodyhellbrennan) and I’ll do another list in a newsletter soon.
LOVE YOU STAY HAPPY!
*when I say rollerskating- I bought a seriously cool pair of skates and then realised I can’t balance at all and have no core strength, and haven’t had the courage to wear them out of the house yet.
**when I say knitting - I had a ‘Knit Your Own Hufflepuff Scarf’ kit from Aldi. I managed to cast on absolutely fine, but then despite trying for two hours, couldn’t get the simple knit stitch. I don’t think knitting is for me.
Laurel of the week
Do not be fooled by this beautiful face. This week he has gone after a blackbird, a magpie, a squirrel and a pigeon, the latter of whom we ended up having to take to the vets because his wing was so poorly. He also decided to play ‘building a den’ with my pile of fresh ironing, scattering it all over the floor and made a break for freedom out of the kitchen window when he was supposed to being kept inside. He is a criminal mastermind, no bird or t-shirt is safe.
He’s lucky he’s so bloody cute <3