What I'm doing in 2025

to make life feel stylish for me.

An in depth explanation of my 2025 chic list with a focus on slow and intentional living.

Journaling/Writing for fun vs self development

I‘ve been journaling for many years now but always in line with some sort of self development, whether it be morning pages or a gratitude list or affirmations. Often feeling like more of a morning chore than anything remotely inspirational.
Last year, however, I started writing about my day and observations and the little things I loved in the moment. I suppose it’s all the Mary Oliver poetry & Joan Didion books i’ve been reading that I have to thank for inspiring this kind of daily writing and the true joy and perspective it brings me. In turn it has also helped me when writing these Substacks and so in 2025 I look forward to continue pushing myself to write for fun.

Daily Devotional

Speaking of Mary Oliver and another morning habit I started last year that has become so comforting to me. I got my first Mary Oliver book during covid and truthfully reading her poetry has changed the way I view the world. It was only last year, however, that I started reading one of her poems each morning and when I tell you the way her words can completely overhaul my mood and help me start the day in a better mindset. I got devotions for Christmas and look forward to reading one poem every morning this year.

Using my planner vs notes on my phone/laptop

If you know anything about me it’s probably that I love my agenda, I always have (or well since 2004 & watching New York minute to be more exact). I just don’t think I was using it to it’s full potential, often splitting between my planner and notes app.
That is until I got introduced to The Line inserts! Previously i’d just been using Filofax week on 2 pages and lined paper, but now I have weekly and monthly plans, meal planners, to do lists and almost everything I need. Meaning now I don’t have to sit on my phone in bed at night to make multiple separate lists, reducing screen time whilst helping me get organised in one place.

Making my home more personal

I recently bought a vintage tripod table and almost immediately decided it would make the perfect family photo table. Since then i’ve been buying silver frames, old & new and I want to eventually fill it with memories that will come with us to each home in the future. Alongside this I want to continue making memories into art, like I did with getting our wedding invites professionally framed.
Artwork and I suppose a home in general that feels personal and meaningful versus forced.

Handwritten notes on personalised stationery

Again with the personalisation, but you know I love it, and taking it one step further and deciding I want to do more handwritten notes and cards. I loved writing and posting my Christmas cards last month, putting little notes in each, similar to birthday cards, and I thought why don’t I do this more often? Just for fun or to make someones day. I’ve also been using a fountain pen to try and improve my handwriting so another way to practice that too I guess!

Focusing on finding new and fun ways to be creative

Thinking recently about how when I was younger I used to scrapbook, collect vogue magazines and pull my favourite ads to put on my wall for inspiration, always looking around me for ideas and creativity. Compared to now and recent years so much has been online and i’m growing tired of it. I’ve made a promise to myself to find new and different ways to be creative, whether it be flower arranging, pottery or pulling out the scrapbook again.

Continue Collecting

I’ve loved collecting for as long as I can remember and while it was once focused on Vogue magazines and designer pieces, it’s now more pottery and coffee table books, art and merch/momentos from travelling. I want continue building and curating a collection that is filled with stories.

Using my things

In the spirit of Joan Didion and “everyday is all there is” when asked about why she uses her good china everyday. I too have decided that things are meant to be used. My Burleigh plates were expensive and of course I worry about keeping them in good condition but somebody hand made each one of them with the intention of being used and loved. Similar with my cashmere pieces, why not wear them everyday to keep me warm? Why am I so obsessed with keeping things good anyway? For what? Lets use our things in 2025.

Finding beauty in every part of my day and making it feel special

Continuing on from above and making everyday feel special. Whether it be pyjamas or my toothbrush and toothpaste to beauty and skincare, I just love every detail to be beautiful. Everything personalised, even the bar soap in my antique shell dish or my dish soap from Diptyque. I want to continue finding beauty in every part of my day, no matter how small.

Going to the flower market every month.

Flowers make my home feel alive and lived in, always changing with the seasons. Tulips now through spring, and ranunculus too and then peonies and hydrangeas in the summer, roses all year long. Going to the flower market means I can get more varieties and play around with making my own bouquets, another way to stay creative too!

Natural nails

Very personal to me but after years of having gel nails every 3 week my nails were super weak and the gel was peeling off after a few days. I decided to have it removed in the hope of strengthening my nails again and when I tell you the way I feel so liberated with bare nails, no more worrying about chips and repairs or if they will peel off when i’m washing my hair. I feel so much more put together with just clean manicured natural nails. I’m hoping I can keep this energy and let it transfer into other areas of my life this year.

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the year,

L x