This newsletter is more like a Valentine’s Day love letter. It is an antidote to rain and a looking forward to fun times, blue skies and spring. Here are some examples of blissful things to do that will make you feel better: serious creative retreats, a gig, a full moon meditation evening; plus a special BOOST deal on Tracey Neuls DOT sneakers. All these from people I love and respect who will show you how to enjoy yourself.
This is the glass half full newsletter.
Jemima Burrill - Filling Oblivion
13 February 2026 - January 2027 Free
The best photos by Charles Emerson
What I loved most about the launch of this exquisite exhibition was hearing Simone speak about her six-year-old self discovering architecture in Trinidad. She described, with such emotion, her journey to being at the Design Museum today.
Simone’s exhibition The Shape of Things, with its colour and sensuality, was one of my favourites that I curated at NOW Gallery. Her new show at the Design Museum delves even deeper into her formidable narrative, exploring history, home, tradition, and the significance of place. The fluidity of her interdisciplinary practice enables her to shape solid, complex materials, while her drawing and painting hold a lightness and freedom that is completely transfixing.
In this wonderful exhibition, she explores the everyday, the scales of emotion, and the ways her practice evolves through experimentation. Beautiful works in a beautiful setting — with a good café and shop for the obvious.
£16.99 Bloomsbury Continuum
Fixing wellbeing: How to Live Like a Stoic, sage and bitter orange candle and Philips SAD Light
It seems these days we have serious weather warnings - when it used to just be called winter. Last night I had an evening of pure joy. One of those unexpected ones. I looked out of the window and it was raining for the 38th day in a row. I had to dig deep to get dressed up to cycle hoping my mascara wouldn’t slide down my face in the rain. It was the launch for Tom Hodgkinson’s new book: How to Live Like a Stoic.
We got to sing accompanying or shouting over Tom’s ukulele - I Am a Rock, Let It Be, Always Look on the Bright Side and other stoic classics. Singing helps. The book is full of explorations of freedom, logic, friendship, love and money.
A couple of quotes mentioned: Love is friendship gone mad and Socrates who generally dressed in rags went to a party dressed beautifully. He said: ‘To meet beautiful people, you must wear beautiful clothes.’
Def worth getting HERE
6th June and 17th September, £22.50
Kate and I went to the best photo-booth in the UK at The Photographers Gallery to get that just left the club, intimate shot. Talking with Kate about this project that has evolved from her knowledge of thoughtful songs that change lives or moods for sure. This will be a great evening. I have booked for June and I know I will bask in the power of singing to connect, heal and reveal.
Songs by Peggy Lee, Dory Previn, Kirsty MacColl, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone and her own originals. Kate reacts to a crowd and brings us in to understand the power of song.
Book HERE
I have reached a point with the rain and the longest winter in history ever, that I am looking for goodness to break the cycle.
3rd March 2026 7-9pm London £30 Book HERE
Stop, unwind, be. This is an evening of ritual and meditation. Time to celebrate the full moon and gather energy to move into the spring equinox.
Selene is a magical person who will lead us on an evening of consideration and joy.
Check that blue sky out!
20 - 24 May 2026 Devon
If you need a kick start or some time to reconnect with your creativity, can I recommend four days with Siân Davey and Abbie Trayler-Smith to have time to navel gaze, swim in the Dart, commune with other like-minded people and really explore what it means to be you.
I feel that so much of my creative practice whether drawing daily or my creative boosts stems from my work and play here. My passion for creativity is motivated by the idea that it supports wellbeing. Recommended.
Apply HERE
This is one I am aiming for… It’s the top banana creative retreat.
17–22 May 2026 5 nights 10 guests Spain
Beautiful location, hikes, wild swims, yoga, and my friend Anabel who runs this transformative space is the most wonderful reflexologist. Her husband Steve - the best dressed man in London - is a photographer and will be exploring cyanotypes, journalling and sketching. It is a retreat to ignite your creativity.
Anabel says that anyone who books and mentions CREATIVE BOOST will have a special treatment by her.
Apply HERE
My recent gardening listening companions
In case you didn’t know I am a bit of an astro junkie. My family roll their eyes at me. I am hooked. I am officially a Pisces, airy fairy, creative, sensitive and then I found out my moon and my rising are in Leo. I am basically a double show off. Life all makes sense now.
I don’t listen religiously and I can never quite remember what is going on but I love Chani’s weekly readings. I love that she is political, fights for social justice and talks about how we are going to live on this planet together. Chani’s astrology, for me, is getting the weather forecast for the week. I know Mercury is in retrograde coming up and it means I will double check dates and addresses more meticulously than is my way.
Probably helpful for me whatever the weather.
Watch/Listen HERE on YouTube - all those beautiful people on Bella’s couch
Julianne Moore in Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud
I am late to the party and I have to say there is something about the general “no you’re the most beautiful”, “no you’re the most beautiful”, which is disconcerting. However Bella’s questions are great.
Her talk with actor Julianne Moore about blending in, watching yourself, not being defined by your body, and not being protected by fashion captivated me whilst pruning roses in a twenty year old stained sweat-shit. Talk of what really suits you, being a nervous packer and dressing blank showed the importance of our sartorial desires.
With the special code BOOST, one of you lucky people can get yourself 20% off these beauts - this is a test pair shot at my local laundrette. The real sneakers are even better. Wearing Tracey’s shoes makes me feel believable - simple.
Check them out HERE Offer til end of Feb. Valentine treat to self anyone?
I felt I had been preparing sloppy food of sorts for months, warming, nourishing and I had enough.
Get those frisbee sized rice papers from a local Chinese supermarket
Cook some baby corn in the oven, so they are brown - 20mins
Sauce: mix a couple of tbsps of peanut butter with a couple of tbsps of soya sauce and mirin, add warm water to get the right consistency.
Place 2 balls of vermicelli noodles in boiling water for 5 mins - until done
Chop up snow peas, radishes, carrots, spring onion, avocado all into strips
Add to a couple of plates, with coriander, mint leaves and cooked prawns
Dip the hard rice paper into hot water, stack with stuff, roll and eat
The rolling elegantly has always been a mystery to me as I am always too hungry to care.
My wedding anniversary has never been a huge deal but I completely forgot it this year. Totally, until I saw the camellia my Mum gave me as a wedding anniversary present years ago had a bright pink flower on it. It is such hope. I know we are nearly through the winter and there is some real light beyond my pink candles.
Camellias and the best smelling mahonia - nearly spring
Jemima / MW
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