We are deep in the weeds of lockdown here in NSW and even if you aren’t currently housebound – here is our July Jones List, the great indoors edition. Cause lets be real, if you follow our brand you probably like home a lot anyway! Here are a few things that have really helped us over the last few weeks and they don’t cost the earth either.
Listen:
JJ- Listen to this podcast. Trust me. I was having a particularly ragey day and it really brought me down to earth. I love the part about how oxytocin floods your brain when you do something good for someone else. So even in times of lockdown we are still able to create joy simply by doing something for someone else.
Jen - I've been listening to Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson to nod off when it's harder than normal. His Scottish lilt is hypnotic! I put together a playlist for you guys to listen to while you sip on your happy hour cocktail too, it’s called “Negroni & Co” on Spotify.
Read:
JJ- It’s nuts but I’ve actually found a bit of solace in getting into those dark and depressing books and shows. I’ve just read the Booker Prize winner Shuggie Bain which is remarkable. It is also the story of a gay boy growing up in a housing estate in Glasgow with an alcoholic mother. Now if that doesn’t make you feel pretty damn lucky lockdown or not then I don’t know what else will!
Jen- I’ve been ordering a lot of books and really whipping through the stack on my bed side table. I reckon I launched Jeff Bezos into space with my Amazon book bill. My latest novel recommend is Heartsick by Jessie Stephens. If you are finding it hard to focus on a novel, Every Room Should sing by Beata Heuman is wonderful and also I love Amber Lewis and her book Made for Living which is full of really useful and practical tips.
Watch:
Jen- It would probably be faster to list what I haven’t watched lately. Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis has always been my free pass, even back in SNL days), The White Lotus and Starstruck are all excellent light weight satires that you can devour in bite size pieces without having to think too much. I’ve consumed a few You Tube videos on how to “fade” boys hair as I have become the family hairdresser now apparently. I love this guy’s videos the most.
JJ- I’ve now started watching Season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale! If you need something lighter then I have been loving Superstore on Netflix too. Brainless but oh so enjoyable.
Move:
Jen- Walking around our local river most days has got me through some tough moments, sometimes a double lap has been needed between working and home schooling my two boys!
JJ- I had just found the most perfect Saturday morning yoga class then lockdown hit. I didn’t think I’d find the same kind of class on-line but I have. I’m loving the Down Dog app. I stream it to my TV at 6am, light a candle in the living room and do a Hatha class in my PJ’s. You can set everything – the style of yoga, the music, the voice, the duration and how long you want your Shavasana to be (never ending!)
Soul Nourishment:
JJ- I had a complete online shopping fail and bought the biggest dog bed on my market. You could fit a horse in it. But at night when we are all tired my daughter Teddie will get in it with our Airedale Arthur. I confess there are nights I get in too. We are all locked in together which means so much more time for cuddles. It’s something I am really appreciating at the moment.
Jen- We’ve been ordering from some of our favourite local restaurants as often as we can too – we love the ramen kits from Rising Sun Workshop and I’ve stacked the pantry with Cornersmith pickles, jams and sauces. I also love experimenting with a new cocktail at happy hour, my current fav is a Pisco Sour (recipe below).
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2 nips Pisco
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1 nip lime juice, freshly squeezed
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1/2 nip sugar syrup
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1 egg white
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Garnish: Angostura bitters
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Add pisco, lime juice, sugar syrup and egg white into a shaker and dry-shake (without ice) vigorously.
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Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
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Strain into a glass.
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Garnish with 3 to 5 drops of Angostura bitters.
