Hi gang,

It’s February and I am in the thick of tour planning (and by that I mean fashion planning), so I’m on the hunt for frocks, and also a nice warm coat. Recommendations please! I’m determined to travel light. Can it happen? Probably not. Am I going to try? Probably not.

I have some incredibly exciting events lined up, travelling to New York, Boston, Raleigh NC, Houston, Arizona, St Louis, Cleveland, Santa Monica, Greenville, SC and Atlanta, and I’ll be in conversation with some of my favourite authors, including Chandler Baker, Diane Chamberlain and Steven Rowley! I’ve posted some details of these on socials, but more to follow.

Also, I’ll be at Adelaide Festival in March doing two events on March 6 & 8. Let’s face it, I probably won’t even be able to travel light to this, but I’ll try. If you are a local I would love to see you.

Now, without further adieu, it’s monthly recommendation time! And boy is it a packed month of reccos, from books to eyewear to putty (yes).

Much love, Sally xx

I’ll Leave You With This by Kylie Ladd

I know I’ve mentioned this in a previous newsletter because I read an early copy, but shout-out to my buddy Kylie Ladd whose new book, I’ll Leave You With This came out! It’s a heartwarming story of four sisters navigating life after their brother’s untimely death, finding their way back together again. Buy here.

Love & Autism by Kay Kerr

This wonderful book is coming out in April 2023! It’s an uplifting celebration of neurodivergent love, the search for it and a deeper look into the lives of autistic Australians — through the true stories of five amazing people. Pre-order here.

All I Know by Mary Coustas

I adore Mary Coustas. I listened to her talk to my buddies Sarah and Lise on the podcast FORTY recently, and cried in my car (you need to listen to this episode). I immediately slid into Mary’s DMs and then started this book. This memoir of love, loss and life is truly incredible. Mary Coustas writes about three deaths that changed her life forever, and it’s devastating, funny and uplifting all at the same time. Buy here.

Without Further Ado by Jessica Dettmann

My girl is back with another ripper! Without Further Ado follows (loosely) the story of Shakespeare’s famous Much Ado About Nothing, but with a feminist, modern-day twist. A rom-com to gobble up. Pre-order here.

The Wakes by Dianne Yarwood

This warm, profound book by a brand new author comes out on 1 March and I can’t recommend it enough. The Wakes follows the stories of two failing marriages, two strangers falling in love, two friends embarking on a catering business - and the four funerals that connect them all. Stellar. Pre-order here.

Sticks & Sparrow Eyewear

You might have seen Christian and I recently did a video giveaway of Sticks & Sparrow Eyewear, trying on sunnies and asking you to choose your fave to win. It was very professional, obviously. But the point is we’re truly obsessed! These sunnies are all designed in Melbourne and made with environmentally friendly materials like bamboo and cork. Plus, they’re stylish to boot. If we do say so ourselves. Shop Sticks & Sparrow Eyewear here!

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

For some reason some pots of putty were delivered to my house for my kids (I assume). Sorry kids because I AM OBSESSED. I carry it in my bag and use it like one might use a fidget toy. Whenever I am in a meeting, at coffee with a friend, helping my kids with homework, I’m squeezing putty. It is weirdly calming and therapeutic. Yes, odd recommendation. But I have it on good authority that a lot of you oddballs are, well, odd. Buy here.

February is REDFEB - heart awareness month, and this year, Heart Research Australia are committed to raising awareness about the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of women with heart disease.

The facts:

• Women admitted to Australian hospitals with serious heart attacks are HALF as likely as men to get proper treatment and to die at TWICE the rate of men six months after discharge.

• Women are also diagnosed 7 to 10 years LATER than men, because the research and clinical guidelines on symptoms are usually related mostly to men

• Risk factors for women include early menopause, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and complications during pregnancy

Expert tips for women about heart disease:

• Find a good GP that is willing to listen to your concerns and include cardiovascular health as part of a preventative health plan, just like skins checks or pap smears. Cholesterol and blood pressure should be assessed and managed.

• Share your obstetric history with your GP, especially if you have had pre-eclampsia, hypertension, gestational diabetes or pre-mature delivery.

• Understand that Inflammatory conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can put you at higher risk.

• Peri menopause / menopause is a time where estrogen levels fall. This fall in estrogen brings about changes in the body that increase risk of heart disease . Menopause is a good time to talk to your GP about what your risk of heart disease is and how it can be minimised.

• Focus on overall general health such as exercise, eating health, stopping smoking and weight management, but also understand that non-modifiable factors and genetics also come into play.

• Don’t put off speaking to a GP about your risk because you are worried about being judged.

This REDFEB, I invite you to wear red and donate to REDFEB to raise awareness for heart disease and the much-needed funds for life-saving heart research.

Sally xx

I’ll be going on tour to the US again in April 2023 and I’m so excited to meet readers! My book is out on 4 April and events are starting to be listed on my website, so keep an eye out xx

I’m funny on Instagram.