I want to dedicate this newsletter to sleep. Apparently, once my baby appears in a few weeks, I won’t remember what it was, and so I’m already feeling nostalgic about it, despite the fact I am still comfortably pulling in at least eight hours a night.
I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve always had a specialist skill when it comes to sleep – and as I’ve got older, I have only become more proficient. When I’m stressed, a siesta is the answer. And if I am happy, what better reward than a snooze? I am a sleeper for all seasons, a committed lounger and an addict, always planning my next hit.
On a press trip in Japan, I woke up in the middle of an actual earthquake, felt my bed ricocheting from side to side, and thought… ‘oooo, earthquake,’ before snuggling back under the duvet, rocked back into a slumber by a natural disaster. I’ve suspected I was being burgled before and done the same thing. Take what you like, but do not rob my sleep bank. Sleep wins, every time.
If I have a lot of work to do, nothing recharges my brain better than a 20-minute snooze. In Hong Kong, where my office was a 30-second commute from home, I could stroll out after lunch with an important-looking folder and be back within half an hour, all the better for a clandestine siesta in my apartment. The pillow creases on my cheeks were the only giveaway.
Now, as I work from home, I simply commute to the sofa, close my eyes and wait for that blissful sleepy haze to wash over me. It explains why there is always the vaguest hint of mascara on my light grey sofa cushions – something my mother inevitably points out in undisguised horror when she comes to visit.
Is it odd that you can enjoy something so much when you aren’t actually awake for it? Possibly. But there we are. I love preparing for it, I love doing it and I love the head-clearing effect of lots of it.
So yes, sleep. It’s been a wonderful 40 years. In the words of Vera Lynn (and the Queen), we will meet again. Won’t we? Don’t answer that.
HOME COMFORTS WITH… PAULA SUTTON
If only I had a better eye for interiors. People who have it don’t realise the special gift they have been blessed with. I, meanwhile, am in the tricky position of knowing exactly how I want my house to look, but without the requisite skills to make it happen. As a result, every home purchase I make has to involve a round of frenzied WhatsApp messages to clever friends who instinctively know if something will work or not.
That’s why I am a sucker for interiors accounts on Instagram and how I came across Paula Sutton, otherwise known as @hillhousevintage. Paula had a successful career in the fashion industry (heading up press for Elite Models and producing shoots for Elle magazine) before deciding to relocate to the English countryside with her family. Those who adore traditional British design with a healthy serving of shabby chic, prepare for an epic Instagram scroll. You’ll be in good company – she’s about to hit 450,000 followers.
Where do you live and how would you describe your home in three words?
I moved to Norfolk with my family ten years ago. Prior to that, we lived in South London. In three words? Vintage, elegant and colourful.
Who is at home with you?
I live with my husband, 19 year-old son, 17 year-old twin girls and Coco, our chocolate labrador/doberman cross.
Current TV obsession?
I’m currently hooked on The Haunting of Bly Manor and I’m looking forward to series four of The Crown.
Best home comfort food?
Nothing beats a homemade shepherd’s pie. Failing that, a three-tiered Victoria spongecake. If I were spending time in Grenada at my parents’ house, it would be salt fish cakes and bakes.
Best section of the Sunday papers?
Doesn’t matter which newspaper it is, I’ll always go straight to the style sections first. After spending years in the fashion industry myself, I still love to see how it ebbs and flows. I also love looking through any home and property sections. I’ve got a penchant for old houses which stems from my teenage years. We lived in a creakingly old, yet beautiful, Edwardian house that was built in 1905. It set the tone for the rest of my life.
What’s on your bedside table?
I’ve always got several books on the go. At the moment you'll find I Am Not Your Baby Mama by Candice Brathwaite and How Do We Know We're Doing it Right, by Pandora Sykes.
Background noise in your house?
I spend a lot of time at home on my own and I am a vintage girl at heart. If you were to be a fly on the wall, you’d probably hear the sultry tones of Ella Fitzgerald, the deep, alluring bass of Louis Armstrong or, depending on my mood, a bit of classical.
Bath or shower?
My preference is a long, luxurious soak in the bath, but the reality is a shower. I love the scents of Penhaligon’s and I also use a lot of Jo Malone.
Favourite house scent?
I am a candle obsessive. At the moment I’ve got lots of Loewe candles and room spray. My favourite scent is their honeysuckle room fragrance.
My garden is….
Romantically overgrown.
How well do you know your next door neighbours?
Where we live in Norfolk it’s typical countryside. Lots of the houses are quite secluded, so we don’t necessarily get to see our neighbours all that often. They are lovely though and I love village life.
Your favourite home from home?
Grenada, where my parents are from. Holidaying there always feels like a big hug and I’ve got so many lovely memories of family holidays there when I was a child.
Follow Paula on Instagram @hillhousevintage and visit her website at hillhousevintage.com
SHOPPING STUFF
Hotel beds are infinitely more comfortable than home beds, aren’t they? Especially if you’re staying at the Four Seasons. My job as a travel journalist has meant that I’ve been utterly ruined by multiple media stays there, and now have very unrealistic expectations about the kind of luxuries I deserve (and yet cannot afford) in life. Anyway, if you’re loaded, you can buy their signature beds for your own home: mattress, sheets, the whole shebang. Still won’t get room service though, unless you’ve got a very nice partner/housemate/talented pet.
Otherwise, opt for Loaf beds – I’ve got the Fifi and it makes me very happy. As does their showroom in Battersea, which (inexplicably) houses an actual ice cream parlour.
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I leave these eye masks on the bedside tables when I have guests over to try to make up for the fact they are staying in a box room with a non-Four Seasons bed and nowhere to hang their clothes. Space Masks are jasmine-infused and self-heating and everyone loves them.
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Now here’s a niche new trend I am enjoying. Car fragrance that actually smells nice. It’s about time we all got rid of those hideous forest fresh trees. Replace with either the Jo Malone, Diptyque or the White Company car diffuser and you’ll never look back. Unless you’re reversing, in which case, definitely do look back (sorry).
LETTERBOX STUFF
It is SO exciting to get post isn’t it? I don’t mean bills, takeaway leaflets or anything that looks like a penalty charge notice. All of those things should be kicked aside and studiously ignored until the front door no longer opens. No, I mean hand-written cards, parcels and, now, letterbox treats. Maybe they’ve always been around but I’ve only just noticed this whole new genre of edible postal excitement and I have become slightly obsessed. Here are my top three.
Chocolate Christmas lollipops – what a wonderful trio of words and only £10 to shoot through the letterbox of somebody lovely, via The Slabb.
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Did you know Lola’s Cupcakes do letterbox brownies? SO many good flavours: red velvet, salted caramel, cookies and cream and more. YUM.
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The Biscuiteers Christmas range is as intricate and artistic as ever (they haven’t designed collections for Vogue and Charlotte Olympia for nothing). Fun fact: Biscuiteers founder, Harriet Hastings, is also the MD of the Women’s Prize for Fiction. There’s a great interview with this year’s women’s prize winner, Maggie O’Farrell, on last week’s Fortunately podcast. Digressed a bit there. Where were we? Biscuits. Nice biscuits with icing on top. Yum.
TV STUFF
I’ve never had a proper, corporate job, but I am told by friends that Industry is pretty spot on, which is horrifying. I was drawn in because the first episode is directed by Lena Dunham, creator of Girls and all-round writing genius. She didn’t disappoint in pulling together a mish-mash of totally believable graduates taking their first steps in the cut-throat world of finance. It’s not exactly comfort TV (I had palpitations watching the first episode), but then again, it kind of is, because you’re so thankful that you’re at home eating pizza on your sofa and not trying to make your mark at the horror show that is Pierpoint & Co.
CHRISTMAS STUFF
You can take away my summer but you will never take away my Breton stripes. This Christmas jumper from Sainsbury’s gets my vote, and it’s only £18!
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My street is having a Christmas lights switch-on party next weekend, which has given me the absolute green light (well, fairy light) to buy this rather kitsch canine. I also love these window stars.
OTHER STUFF
Our new national hobby of walking is actually pretty brilliant, isn’t it? This piece in CN Traveller is a lengthy list of some of the best walks in London. Post December 2nd, you might even be able to stop off for a drink at their recommended fuelling stations. Imagine!
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In totally random news, I discovered (admittedly late to the party on this) the word mawkish this week. It means sentimental in an exaggerated or false way and is now my favourite way to describe most of this year’s Christmas ads.
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Elizabeth Day on the things you can only appreciate as an adult woman. Particularly this line: “Finding a hairdresser who understands that when you ask for a ‘tousled’ blow-dry you do not mean ‘ringlety.’”
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Keir Starmer on Desert Island Discs is a treat.
That’s all for now. Sweet dreams, Nesters. See you next time.
Dx
Who on earth is Dominique Afacan?
A very good question. Dominique (that’s me) is a writer, sausage dog owner, and soon-to-be solo mother, based in London. The idea for the Nesting newsletter came about because after ten years as a travel journalist, I wanted to share my new-found excitement about hanging out at home. I am also the author of Bolder – Life lessons from people older and wiser than you – a great Christmas present, if I don’t say so myself – and available to buy here. You can follow me on Instagram here or Twitter here.
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P.S The illustration for Nesting was created by my exceptionally talented friend Julia Murray in New Zealand.