December - Monday
Because that's how January feels
I’ve titled this piece December-Monday because December goes by so quickly and January feels more Monday than most Mondays throughout the year. But I don’t see this as a bad thing.
I am a genuine fan of January. I love the feeling of new beginnings, the excitement of new possibilities, and yes, of all the clichés that a New Year brings. For those who need a little historical context, January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. He was often depicted with two faces, one looking at what has been, and one looking at what is to come. He held the key to the gateways between what was and what will be, initiated transformations between the stages of life and the shifts from one era to another. He oversaw seasonal events such as planting, harvests, seasonal changes, and all the markings of a new year. Henceforth, January became month one.
As I said, I love the feel of January being about new beginnings, about setting goals and making plans for the year ahead, and writing lists (so many lists) to guide it. I like the thought of setting intentions, of promising to be more x, less y, and maybe a little bit z. I know many people disregard resolutions as false promises just destined to be broken, but I believe that writing resolutions is a great way to start the year, to gain a little clarity on what you want to get out of it, and start thinking about how you are going to make the most of it. Set goals, write down your dreams, work a little harder, do something that will benefit your health and wellbeing, and promise to say yes to all of the opportunities that come your way. The key thing is, however, not to sweat it if you don’t revolutionise your life within a day of setting your resolution, and don’t use them as the be-all and end-all. Use it as guidelines to creating the year you want to have, not walls or barriers that will prevent you from having it.
Now that my resolutions lecture is finished, let me take you back to my Christmas. In fact, I’m taking you back to the 21st December, when the Country Life team and I went to Spring by Skye Gyngell for our Christmas lunch. I had been counting down the days to our seasonal outing, not only because I was excited to attend a lunch with the best work team ever (this is a fact), but because I was celebrating my favourite time of the year with the best work team ever and was doing so at a restaurant that has been on my hit list for many years now. Spring opened in 2014 and quickly established itself as a place-to-go when in London, prized for its forward thinking, produce-driven plates, delicious flavours and charming presentation. It is housed in Somerset House, with interiors as seasonal and special as the dishes that it serves. When we went in December, there was a colossal wreath of Autumn colours suspended above the dining table, with sticks and florals in matching tones surrounding the area. We hired the private room for our occasion, but I went through to the main restaurant for a sneak peek, and found it equally as engaging, enlivened and refreshing to witness - no doubt even better to dine in.
We started the day early in the office, rounding off another brilliant issue and doing what we could to get ahead with the January issues before having some time off over the holidays. One of the team had spent her morning cooking chipolata sausages wrapped in bacon and assembling crackers with chutney and sheep’s cheese for us to enjoy whilst we worked. Another, who had been collecting gifts and products throughout the year, had set them out along the desks so that we could all choose our own little treat. I was very excited to get my hands on a gorgeous candle by August & Piers (another thing ticked off another one of my lists) and managed to get an indulgent Vitamin-C face cream too. We drank champagne, ate our sausages and sent our final emails before heading to the Elizabeth line and making our way to the main event. I felt utterly spoiled to be a part of the occasion already.
We got the venue and of course the wine was being poured straight away. I opted for the red, risking blue teeth but not caring one bit once I’d been topped up a number of times. Food-wise, I chose a prosciutto, celeriac remoulade and hazelnuts starter, and for my main it was roasted brill with a cauliflower puree and buttered greens. It was absolutely delicious, as expected, and I am genuinely annoyed that I didn’t take an image to document the plates. We did get a group photo though.
Christmas Day was a quiet one for me, as train strikes and my work schedules prevented me from leaving London. I really didn’t mind though, as I am still overjoyed at being in this city and I know I reduced some of the Christmas Day stress that my Mother gets each year. I also succumbed to the dreadful flu that has been going around, and it is only this last week that I have finally shaken it off. From Christmas Day until January 1, I barely left my room as I felt so rotten, which probably contributed to the whole December-Monday feels I mentioned before. There was one day that I cried a lot for being so fed up, but it was here that I thought I would write some lists for my year ahead, and it made me feel marginally better. One of the lists was a list of things that had kept me going through those tedious and testing days so that I could write about it later on, and here we are!
My August & Piers ‘Socialite’ candle - described as soirée of Honey, Pomegranate and opulent Amber. Glamorous as well as cosy.
Edward Enninful’s autobiography, A visible man.
I’m currently working my way through Seinfeld on Netflix. Old school, but I like it.
I’ve been spending hours and hours looking for the perfect piece of art for my room. I want something that will make me happy when I look at it, so have been leaning towards pinks, pop art, illustrated magazine covers and paintings of New York.
I’ve done a lot of window shopping, and can’t stop thinking about these Jimmy Choo shoes.
I’ve also done a lot of restaurant shopping, planning the places and the plates that I can’t wait to taste in London this year.
Last year, I attended an event and had the pleasure of sipping my way through multiple glasses of English sparkling wine by Gusbourne. I’m sorry to say that I’m not sure whether it was the blanc de blanc or the blanc de noirs, but I do know that it was utterly delicious and I have been thinking about and recommending the brand more often than deemed healthy.
I’ve caught up with a number of magazines that had piled up unread at my bedside and via my library app. Although I was feeling far from beautiful, editorials and edits of beautiful clothes always makes me feel more myself.
The thought of work. I know that sounds a bit odd, but I am so lucky that I get to enjoy my work and the people I work with, and I can’t wait for what’s in store for Country Life this year - And what’s in store for me.
Towards the end of my flu, I managed to get outside and take a walk in a frosty Kensington Gardens which I found utterly splendid. I’ve also had a trip to the Natural History Museum with my younger sister, and squeezed in a little date night with my cousin Ellie on Saturday night just gone. I’m starting the year as I mean to go on: I’m making plans and spending time with people I love, I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I’m working to make my dreams come true, and I’m dreaming of all the clothes and the shows that are yet to come.
Happy New Year, all!
Amie Elizabeth x