November REPORT
Reading, Eyeing & Eating, Playing, Obsessing, Recommending, Treating
November was the month I fell in love with London. November was the start of woollen coat season. The begin of the festive period of the year. The month of reading new books. The first snow also fell in big snow flakes ❄️. I loved this month. Today I share with you my monthly report of my favourite things!
Reading
New books bring immense joy
Visiting bookstores in London was mandatory for me. The city has the best bookshops and discovering them, finding gems was absolutely amazing. Of course I brought quite a few books back home. Then my sister also gifted me 2 books, which was sweet. My cousin let me borrow some books which are essential reads in his eyes.
Books I read in November:
Horsie by Dorothy Parker: this was my London companion, I brought this with me everywhere I went. It is a collection of selected short stories and poems. The Waltz was by far my favourite!
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio: a murder-mystery read set in an artistic academic setting. The Shakespearean elements interwoven into the story made this something special. I found the all characters suspicious, they all seemed to be hiding secrets. Beautifully done. This book made me excited to see a Shakespeare play in person.
A Winter Book by Tove Jansson: another short story collection, this one curated by Ali Smith. Jansson’s stories are mostly set on tiny Finnish islands. I picked this up back in January when I was in need for a book to read during my lunch break. Excited to read The Summer Book by this author.
The Vampyre by John Polidori and other stories: bundled into this tiny Penguin Pocket Classic are 3 stories: The Vampyre, The Mysterious Stranger and Dracula’s Guest. I wanted to read the first piece of vampire fiction after I read Carmilla a few years ago. Well… I found it quite underwhelming, I did expect more. This is just nice to have with you in your bag when you’re on the go and travelling.
Eying & Eating
Eying
I would love a new signature necklace. There are a few that are stuck in my mind for a while now. These are the ones I adore.
Eating
The favourite place I dinned at this month was, of course, in London. Before I went to see a ballet in the Royal Ballet and Opera I had dinner in the Paul Hamlyn Hall (only accessible to ticket holders)
The confit duck competes with the favourite one I had in Paris — this says a lot about how incredibly delicious it was! The Paul Hamlin Hall is a place I would highly recommend!
Also really loved fruit plates and bowls, spiced with cinnamon and some coconut yogurt.
Playing
Honestly, once the temperature drops I start to listen to ballet music on repeat
raymonda variation — this one is so good!
the nutcracker — the essential wintery ballet
I will not deny it; I am listening to Christmas songs already. It feels festive and delightful. Especially this jazzy song.
Obsessing
My trip to London at the beginning of the month made me fall in love with the city. I long to return next year. I discovered incredible spots I wish to revisit, already so excited!
Also obsessing over Christmas lights — in Maastricht, Amsterdam and London. 🎄✨
Recommending
East of Eden by John Steinbeck — a great read that spans over multiple generations about two families settled in Salinas Valley that are intertwined with each other. A must read!
Treating
Von Eusersdorff Patchouli Balmy — in the past week I sampled this twice and instantly I got compliments. Not as overwhelming as the classic patchouli, more refined and more feminine I would say. The longevity of the fragrance is incredible! Probably will pick this up next time I’m in the store.
I wish you an amazing end of November with lots of good books, festive parties and great memories.
Love,
Lyn