Hi everyone!

It’s no secret that this year has had it’s challenges. Let’s be real, this year has probably been the hardest of my life. Now, considering all that has happened in the world, I know this makes me extraordinarily  lucky, and yet, pain is pain and this year was a painful one. But as I reflect on the year that was, do you know what come to mind? Hugs. Meal deliveries. Nights watching Grace and Frankie at my Mum’s house (dressed in Mum’s old Sussan nightie). Belly laughs through tears. My friend Emily arriving on my doorstep with an outdoor broom and a box of tools, "because every woman needs these things”. 

In short, the pain of this year has changed me profoundly, but so too has the love.  And, at the risk of being toxically positive, I will always be grateful for that.

If it hasn’t been your best year, I challenge you to reflect on the beauty that has come from the ashes. And if it has been a good year, I challenge you to be the beauty. Send a meal. Give a hug. Buy a box of tools. If there was ever a time to focus on beauty, I would say it’s now.

Speaking of beauty, here’s a gift guide I put together which has you covered for everyone in your life.

Love and hugs

Sally x

PS I’m taking January off from newsletters, so will be back with you on 1 February with ‘Dear Sally’, and my next round of recommendations on 15 February. If you know a friend who’d love my newsletters, encourage them to sign up at the link here!

The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall

This book is truly incredible and so, so clever. It follows four women’s stories across four timelines — spanning from a meatworks factory in the 1930s, through to 2181 when the world doesn’t exist as we know it. Somehow, each storyline intersects and the themes of womanhood, bodily autonomy, power and hierarchy, the meaning of work, and climate change all run through. I did an event with Kate Mildenhall and Amy Lovat back in October and hearing Kate talk about the book and the ideas behind it is so fascinating. I highly recommend! Buy here.

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

He’s done it again! Lola in the Mirror is so gritty and compelling and heart-aching. It follows the story of a mother and daughter on the run from the police (and ‘monsters’ from the past) who are living homeless in Brisbane. It’s classic Trent Dalton style — big, blackly funny and beautiful. Buy here.

Light at Lavelle by Paullina Simons

Another triumph for author Paullina Simons (most famous for Tully and The Bronze Horseman) — Light at Lavelle is a sweeping historical novel, called an ‘impossible romance’ in the blurb. It takes place in the time after WWII, during the start of the Cold War in the Ukraine and the Wall Street crash in Boston — two people brought together by tragedy and circumstance. A truly epic tale of love, family and survival. Buy here.

Lessons in Chemistry (2023) on Apple TV

I absolutely adored the book Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (as did many of you!), so I’ve been hanging out all year for the TV adaptation. It did not disappoint! For those who haven’t read the book, here’s the gist: it’s a fun, clever and page-turning pop-feminist period piece about a chemist, Elizabeth Zott, whose scientific career is tanked by 1960s sexism, leading her to become an unexpected celebrity by hosting a nerdy cooking show. She has a talking dog named 6.30 and a precocious child who is wise beyond her years. If you’re wondering how the show managed to pull off those quirky nuances, well, you’ll just need to watch it! Hard recommend to binge in the gooey time between Christmas and New Year’s when you’re nursing a food hangover.

Cotton On Kids’ Xmas pyjamas!

I bought these for my kids a couple of months ago and they are loving them sick! Super comfy and affordable, with heaps of patterns to choose from.

Shop here.

July luggage

You’ve probably seen July luggage in your social media feeds a lot, and for good reason. They’re the BEST! I have the blush pink suitcases with personalised monogram (which is free to add on in store). The suitcases come in so many fun colours and also most have a built-in battery pack for phone charging. My assistant Amy also has the Carry Me Mini Case (perfect size for phone, passport, lip balm, lollies, and even fits a Kindle reader!) and the toiletries bag, which she recommends.

Shop here.

Frank Green Water Bottles

Confession: we’re a Frank Green water bottle family here. Their ceramic bottles are really great and so durable. You can mix and match colours and buy replacement parts online (like straws) if you need (or if you feel like a change!) without having to throw it out and buy a whole new bottle.

Shop here.

Subscription to the Secret Book Club

An amazing gift idea for the book-lover in your life (or those who want to get back into reading…) is a book subscription by the girls at Secret Book Stuff. They’re known for their incredible book picks each month in their Secret Book Club, and they host monthly Zoom sessions too, so there’s a great community vibe plus you often get to meet the author for an online Q&A. Gift a Secret Book Club subscription of 3 months, 6 months or 12 months! If you sign up by 19 December, they’ll make sure your friend gets the first book by Xmas.

Shop here.

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