The January Edit

Everything I'm reading, watching, eating and coveting at the moment..

Wearing: Francie dolls jumper, Dominique Healy Pippa pant, thrifted suede flats, vintage pearl necklace (it belonged to my partners’ nana), and vintage silk scarf.

Hello!

January has arrived softly this year. A slow unfurling rather than a sharp beginning. I feel it most keenly in this in-between season of summer school holidays…when I’m ready to get stuck back in to work (I truly adore what I do), yet my days are shared with four children at home, no usual rhythm to lean on, and very little breathing space!

It’s a curious paradox: the days feel slower and more impromptu, yet also fuller, louder, layered. I’m learning not to resist it. Instead, I’m finding small ways to recalibrate ~ tiny rituals tucked into the busyness.

Gentle walks. Bloom scouting (or garden gazing, if you will). Cherishing my one coffee each morning as if it were a ceremony. Cold dips at our local bay. And losing myself entirely in a good book. Which brings me to…

The book I’m getting lost in

I’m currently deep in Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. Some of you may remember I mentioned hearing Ina on a podcast last year, and something about her words stayed with me. Reading this memoir now feels like divine timing. After the past few years of working incredibly hard, building a new career in personal styling from the ground up, I feel as though I’m standing in a moment of arrival.

The luck is happening. And I am ready.

Ina’s vigour, courage, and steadfast belief in following what feels true is deeply inspiring. It’s the kind of book that makes you sit up straighter in your chair and quietly say to yourself: yes, I can do this. Thank you Ina!

Just finished watching…

Run Away on Netflix. My partner and I recently finished a mini-series adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel. He’s always loved Coben’s books, and I do enjoy a good crime thriller myself. I’ll be honest… it’s a little slow to begin with. But stay with it. The story grows increasingly layered, twisted, and deliciously juicy, and by the end we were completely hooked. One of those shows you keep thinking and talking about after the final episode.

Listening to…

A lovely new playlist I’ve created for you. It’s called: A Soft Start. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I return to gentle music ~ soft piano, a little jazz, songs that calm my nervous system and slow my breath. This playlist is a loose, imperfect jumble of those various genres and artists that I’ve been collecting over the past few weeks. I hope it brings you the same sense of ease it brings me.

Admiring (and dreaming about)…

A rustic bathroom cabinet. I stumbled across an image somewhere online and it made my heart swoon. Our home is relatively new, and like many modern builds, the bathroom cabinetry is practical… and a little clinical. I find myself longing for something with history and romance. An old-fashioned vintage cabinet filled with little brown bottles, beauty bits and bobs, and small rituals of care. I’m on the look out.

This month’s gentle style tip

On those familiar I have nothing to wear days ~ when the wardrobe feels flat and uninspiring ~ I return to a very gentle practice. I choose just one piece, and let everything else gather around it.

Before I even begin, I signal the ritual. A favourite song, a creamy coffee, or perhaps lighting a candle. Anything that softens the moment and reminds me that getting dressed can be a pleasure, not a task. When we romanticise the process, the pressure dissolves, and intuition has room to speak.

Then I ask one simple question: How do I want to feel today? That feeling chooses my anchor piece. A colour that speaks to me, or a texture I want against my skin. Perhaps it’s something I’ve been “saving” for later. (A reminder: today is later.)

On the day of writing this, it was raining and I felt a little weary. The word that surfaced was soft. I reached for my most snuggly sweater, some elasticated lacy pants, and blush-pink suede flats. Familiar and kind. An outfit that met me exactly where I was.

To finish, don’t forget the magic ~ the embellishments. A silk scarf. Jewellery that tells a story or carries meaning. A spritz of your favourite perfume. Tiny details, yes. But they change everything.

A peek at my January style mood board

I could spend hours pinning pretty images, getting lost in the world of Pinterest. Is this something that you do, too? I’ve named this board: vintage, romantic, polished (peruse it here). These are the three style words I’m leaning on to curate my wardrobe these days ~ so helpful to create a vision for how I like to dress. Maybe this will inspire you to create your own?

And finally… a recipe

My gently spiced bran and berry slice. This is an adaptation of a recipe I’ve made many times, and it never disappoints. I love the gooey fruit in the centre. It’s especially lovely in summer, enjoyed in the afternoon with a big dollop of tangy yoghurt.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups spelt, buckwheat, or regular flour

• 1½ cups bran (or rolled oats)

• ¾ cup coconut sugar, muscovado, or brown sugar

• 2 tsp mixed spice

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 150g cold butter, cut into cubes

• 1 free-range egg

• 2 cups raspberries (or berries of your choice)

• ½ cup berry jam

Method

Preheat your oven to 160°C and grease or line a slice tin with baking paper.

Add the flour, bran, sugar, mixed spice, baking soda, butter, and egg to a food processor. Pulse until well combined and the mixture begins to stick together.

Press around two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the base of the tin. Spread the jam over the base, scatter over the berries, then sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden. Allow to cool completely in the tin before slicing.

Makes 9 generous slices (or many smaller ones).

If this January has you craving more ease, beauty, and intention in the way you dress, my new book Intuitive Dressing is now shipping daily ~ from my home to yours, worldwide. It’s a gentle guide to reconnecting with your style, trusting your instincts, and creating a wardrobe that truly supports your life.

Click here to purchase a copy!

I also have two spaces available in the coming weeks for one-on-one styling clients… working together to simplify and curate a beautiful, wearable wardrobe that feels like you, and one you genuinely love dressing from.

You can book with me here ♡

If you ever feel like replying to one of these emails ~ with a thought, a question, or just to say hello ~ please do. I read every message, and I truly love hearing from you. You're also welcome to leave a message in the comments below! Chat soon. Eleanor x