What I wore in July

The unedited version (plus free days out with kids)

Apologies, my free monthly newsletter is a bit late (I got a bit distracted by renovation content as it’s finally moving quickly!). Here is a round-up of what I wore in July, free things to do in the summer holidays with kids and my thoughts on AJLT ending (bittersweet tbh).

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Mara Hoffman jumpsuit (around 5 years old), AAKS bag and the Massimo Dutti sandals I caved on (and have since sold out)

I have really enjoyed getting dressed this month, the weather has helped but I also feel great in myself. Are we supposed to say this? Maybe it’s the move, but it might also be the flexibility that cropped up when we moved. Having less childcare has meant we have had to scale back work and freed up things I was getting anxious about that really didn’t matter. I’ve walked more, I’ve been outside more, I’ve got dressed more.

My word for this year is simplify and I’m sticking with it. I’m all about the easy life with style: no more heels, more think less outfits.

And that clearly means (for me) lots of shirts:

M&S stripe shirt (around 5 years old). Denim shirt from TK Maxx (last year)

Uniqlo shirt (3 years old), Gap denim bermuda shorts, Arizona Love sandals (5 years old).

I’m thinking less about Instagrammable outfts and focusing on clothes to fit my lifestyle and mood, no more ‘must take a photo whilst I like my outfit’ (which happened more than you’d think!). I like my outfit everyday.

I have swapped stay at home clothes for comfy clothes I still love i.e it’s no longer leftover paint tees.

Tee: Sezane* (AD/gifted). Jeans: Le Bon Shoppe ‘Arc’ jeans with elasticated waist, via Bristol General Store

Free People vest (last year) with my Cos culottes (from last year but another colour available here*)

I did buy another breton top*. It was not a necessary purchase and I’ll admit I got caught adding it to my Arket basket as I was paying for shipping anyway. In my defence I will wear it a lot (and already have).

How to wear a maxi with ease (thinking of doing more of these 1 piece multiple ways for the newsletter - thoughts?)

‘Will’ jacket: Sezane (sold out) Tee: Cos from Fara Charity Shop. Skirt: Boden* . Bag: Arket (5 years old).

I packed one co-ord and two dresses for my recent trip to Paris (it was 36 degrees, so not sure what else I could’ve packed) but I loved the ease of just wearing one item.

Cream dress: Arifah Studio (sold out)

Black linen dress: Sezane (AD/gifted)

See also: Margate

Shirt dress: Sezane* (AD/gifted)

Free London activities with kids

I often get asked where to go with families over the summer and I always have to answer with this disclaimer - we don’t go to the newest, coolest places! We try and do at least a few things in the capital over the summer holidays but we don’t spend a fortune. And London can be affordable (sometimes!). Kids (under 11s) travel for free on public transport with a paying adult and there are plenty of kids focused activities scattered across the city.

Our favourites include:

Walking along the Southbank. There are tons of performers and things to see - we watch the skateboarders, pop into the BFI (you can watch films in booths for free), stop by the Southbank Centre (their fountains are back for summer, too), visit Tate Modern (Monster Chetwynd event - part of UNIQLO Tate Play- is running until 25th August for families) and cross the Milennium Bridge.

Tate Modern and Britain (my personal favourite) have play and crafts rooms for kids throughout the summer, they also have easels where anyone can draw/paint within the gallery.

The Science Museum (it’s free but you have to book - and pay - for the WonderLab - I’ve heard it’s excellent), RAF Museum (in Hendon, surprisingly brilliant - lots of planes kids can climb in) and Young V&A (Bethnal Green - nice to combine with a Columbia Road stroll). The Wellcome Collection is good for science enthused older kids, too.

Young V&A. Unsurprisingly, it gets busy

Coal Drops Yard - known for its fountains, is also pedestrianised and flat (perfect for kids’ scooters). We visit the Camley St Nature Reserve first and finish with a free outdoor movie (‘The Wild Robot’, ‘101 Dalmatians’ and ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Kids’ is on this/next week’s agenda).

Central London has an abundance of amazing parks and playgrounds - Hampstead Heath, Clissold Park (with a fab splash pad), Battersea Park (with loads going on at the upgraded Power Station), St James’s park playground is a regular for us (followed by a stroll to find the pelicans and flamingoes), the Diana Memorial playground at Kensington Park, Coram Fields, Finsbury Park and Highgate Woods.

And AJLT is finally over. I can’t say I’m surprised but dare I say I’ll miss it? We’re always asking for better representation of women 50+ but we complain when we get it. Torturous dialogue and hideous character resurgence aside, my main bugbear was the costumes - they felt too demure. I always tuned in for the fashion over the plotlines and Carrie’s style DNA was always that she defied the traditional ‘rules’ and pieced together the unexpected. Personally, I see Carrie as a little trashier* in her 50s - but maybe that’s nostalgia talking. And I know it feels age appropriate but their costumes never intended to reflect real life so don’t need to now. I haven’t watched since mid season 2 but I’m now thinking it might still be a show I watch a few years down the line, once the dust has settled, much like ‘Schitt’s Creek’, with a smile.

*trashy isn’t an insult in my book

And what is everyone watching at the moment? I couldn’t get into MixTape, I thought it was a bit ‘knowing’ (especially the casting of Jim Sturgess as the lead). We’ve been enjoying Douglas Is Cancelled on ITV (I know, it’s basically ‘The Morning Show’ but somehow this bothers me less!) but other than that, I’m open to ideas!