Happy New Year: Stop, think and try something new!

Happy New Year. Hope you had a good rest. I did! No social media (Instagram, Threads, Pinterest, Facebook or Bluesky) for 10 days, and plenty of sleep. My frazzled brain has had a proper break and I’m enjoying quieter pleasures – and having the time to do outstanding, everyday stuff like sew a button back on and buy a new diary – now there’s a simple feel-good recipe to remember in 2025.
It’s been like the olden days at TNMA Mansions, what with all the mending, reading, listening to music (we still have all our vinyl in the cupboard, must get the old record player working again) and jigsaw-ing. Yep, the 1000-piece world puzzle has become a Twixmas tradition. The latest, Planet Earth by John Derian has been a mind-boggling, painstaking, and at times almost impossible task. A different kind of blue sky-thinking.

Amidst all the old-school activities (including a trip to to the pub to cheer on Luke Littler in the World Darts Championship) and lolling around watching TV, I’ve been casually mulling over the personal style conundrum. This year, I’ll continue to take the long view and avoid quick fashion fixes – I’m still not going to wear my jumper over my coat or buy a pair of mesh ballet flats. There’s actually a moment in Squid Game 2 where personal style makes an appearance. A couple of contestants complain about the uniforms they’ve been given. One doesn’t like the colour of the retro track suit and would prefer the fuchsia pink jumpsuit worn by the guards, and the other is miffed that his designer sneakers have been swapped for basic shoes. ‘They’re limited fucking edition and hard to find. You’re going to have to replace them if they get ruined’.

Squid Game 2 photo: Netflix
Satires on capitalism aside, personal style is something I’ll continue to explore this year. Why we wear what we wear and why this matters. If there is a style mantra to take into 2025, perhaps it’s:
Stop. Think (before you buy) and try something new!
Of course, the ‘new’ bit could be a considered purchase, a fresh combination of old clothes, or simply wearing an accessory (or your hair) in a different way. The rest of this style system involves: thinking about what you really need and where you want to spend your money; assessing what works for you and dressing well. Basically, giving yourself more time to figure things out and feel good. Sound like a plan?

STYLE NOTES
Corduroy and a chunky knit. Yes, please. Craske jumper in Shetland wool by Charl Knitwear. Jumbo cord trousers from Brora. Both items loaned for the shoot and returned. P.S. Boden’s excellent Cord Pull-On Trousers are in the sale.
Outfit photo: Sarah Brick. Hair & make-up: Lindsey Poole.
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A Happy New Year to one and all and this year is really different for me!
I was made redundant (again!) in October, but we’d already made plans to retire early, at the end of March 2025, so I am in forward planning phase for Mr C and myself, and the redundancy just covered the same salary as if I’d worked the time, so it’s a bonus!
This year is all about challenges and I have a couple of interesting volunteering roles lined up, both of which fit with my interest in social history. My diary is on the desk and I am going back ‘old-style’ as I love the feel of a pen and it takes me right back to my very first job, working as an administrator for Charles Letts Diaries, London SE1, where I was surrounded by items dated at least a year ahead, if not even further for special editions that we used to produce for companies, when everyone gave out a diary as a form of promotion (where did that time go!). Books are on the pile to be read. Even the kitchen is back in full spring, as I’ve got the cookbooks back out (I only kept and use a Mrs Beeton’s from 1962, Delia’s Complete Cookery Course and Mary Berry’s Cookery Course from before the Bake Off days) and I’ve already been challenging the menu and definitely avoiding the UPFs!
May 2025 be a year of good fortune, good health and fun.