The Jones List - Joy Notes October 2024
Can we just say it’s summer now? We had our pool opening party, Nippers has started again, and Halloween is done for another year. So, I’ll just put it out there and say summer’s officially here. And with brighter days all I feel like is light entertainment, giving the house a bit of a refresh and doing minimal cooking!
Here’s what I’ve loved in October:
With light entertainment all my brain can handle now (it’s been a long year) I’ve been spoilt with what’s been on.
I haven’t spoken to anyone who didn’t just love Nobody Wants This on Netflix. Such a bloody joyful, smart, realistic portrayal of falling in love when you’re older and facing challenges. Of course, Adam Brody is incredibly hot and Kirsten Bell’s sports luxe wardrobe is to die for but it’s the interactions between these two that make this show shine. It’s funny, tender, sexy and you’ll have to stop yourself binging it in one sitting.
Growing up in the UK, I read all of Jilly Cooper’s novels in boarding school and so was excited for Rivals – her Disney adaptation of her novel which is truly delightful silly TV. It offers sex, snobbery, and quirky characters who revel in champagne breakfasts and moral mischief. Set in the Cotswolds in the 80’s it follows the story of an independent TV station and all the chaos that surrounds it especially the people.
Talking about light entertainment I was lucky enough to see Dolly Alderton at the Opera House last night. While I did feel like the oldest woman in the room she was a sheer delight and it’s made me want to re-read her novels again. I’m going to start with Everything I know about Love and then read Good Material again.
I’m such a fan of musical theatre and frankly I’m a bit overcooked with how to instructional podcasts telling me how to live a better life. So it was wonderful to discover on Audible the musical Crush Hour which follows the stories of unknowingly connected strangers in London as they navigate love during rush hour. It’s a few years old but it hasn’t dated and it’s got a stellar cast including Ellie Gooding. I’ve been trying to find other musicals like it on Audible but sadly it seems like this is the only series in this format. If you are a fan of musical theatre and don’t mind people bursting into song it makes the school drive a lot more fun.
Have I found the best shorts for this summer? I think I may have. And the best news is that they are from Uniqlo and only $24.99. The Cotton Easy Shorts are the perfect weight of cotton with a thick elasticated waistband and come in all the colours you’d want AND they are also available in seersucker and a linen stripe. Paired with an oversized shirt they are going to be the foundation of my summer wardrobe.
I love a sale and so couldn’t’ resist updating our bedroom with Hommey’s Bed Bundle sale (35% off!). I went for this super fresh Rocky Road stripe and it’s given the whole room an instant lift for summer!
Does anyone else feel like they’re making dinner every five minutes? I am nearing the end of my rope for cooking dinner and so have reverted to the most basic of meals every night. I’m talking scrambled eggs, baked potatoes and salad and cheese on toast. The one thing that makes these meals exciting rather than plain is snazzy condiments. I hit Bondi Markets and loaded up on Hot Crunchy Honey and various chutneys and pickles and not only are most of them loaded with things that are good for your gut but they turn the most basic of meals into taste explosions.
