My mum was here last weekend and on the Sunday, before we headed out for lunch, she looked at me with genuine surprise and said, “Oh! You look nice today!” Some might think of that as a compliment. I, of course – being her daughter – heard it as “You don’t look nice on all the other days.”
Given that, for the rest of the weekend, I’d been wearing leggings (with holes in), an oversized, lightly-stained jumper and thermal slipper socks, she did have a point. And it made me think: why do I never look nice anymore?
On further reflection, it seems that somewhere between Covid lockdowns and having a baby, I lost the motivation to generally look ‘done.’ These days, I am proud of myself if I wear boots (only flat ones, naturally) instead of trainers. I feel I’m going the extra mile if I put mascara on my upper and lower lashes. And if my nails are done – well, I deserve a medal.
On the rare occasion that I go out at night, I now always wear exactly the same thing (all black) - because my energy levels are such that I prize ten more minutes of sitting down over a browse through my wardrobe. And it’s not that I’m not vain (I’m very vain). I’d love to look nice every day; it’s just that it hardly ever happens anymore.
I admire my friends who show up with blow dries and perfect eyebrows and jewellery that hasn’t gone green. Where do they find the time? Or the energy? Or the money? Because I think most of it comes down to these three finite resources.
I saw a meme the other day that talked about being ‘freelance hot’ – as in, I know if I try I can look ok, so I’ll be hot as and when I feel like it. I love this. It feels like a good way to package my current outlook. So from now on, I have not let myself go. I am freelance. Freelance hot. I just don’t have much work on right now.
HOME COMFORTS WITH…. KIMBERLEY GALLAGHER
One minute Kimberley was my giggling desk buddy at school, age 12; the next she’s a high-flying modern day Feng Shui consultant chatting to Dermot and Alison on ITV’s This Morning. Life, eh? This year, Kimberley relocated with her family from Surrey to Australia’s Gold Coast, but I’ve been keeping up with her via her incredibly popular podcast The Feng Shui Flow and her brilliant daily tips on Instagram. Over to you Kim!
Where do you live and how would you describe your home?
We live in Broadbeach Waters on the Gold Coast. It's on the waterways here so we look out onto the canals. My daughter even has a tiny boat which she uses to get to her friend’s house! Our home is calm, supportive and light.
Who is at home with you?
My husband Patrick, our daughter Immy and our show cocker spaniel, Snoopy. Getting Snoopy to Australia was an 18-month process so if you are thinking of doing it, use an agent! When he arrived, we had an email from the quarantine facility to say he wasn't eating much, so could we arrange for a roast chicken to be sent in everyday with Uber Eats. So I think he was actually living his best life!
Current Netflix/Prime obsession?
Being totally honest I'm so into Lux Listings Sydney at the moment! You have to watch it! It's Sydney's version of Selling Sunset. I may have contacted them about doing Feng Shui on there - you never know!
Best home comfort meal?
It's all about the BBQs now that we are in Australia. We have ‘Seafood Sundays’ as there is an amazing fish market here. And of course, we have to have a little bit of Aussie white wine to pair it with.
Bath of shower?
Shower every single time. I once had a bath when I was nine months pregnant and got stuck, so never again!
What’s on your bedside table?
Bigger Than Us by Fearne Cotton and my Lumie Light - if you have SAD [seasonal affective disorder] it's an absolute must-have.
Background noise in your house?
I love the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin so I listen to their podcast religiously, and I love Dish with Nick Grimshaw. For a giggle, I also like Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe's Parenting Hell.
Favourite house scent?
I absolutely love a candle. Anything with a deep oud or sandalwood scent is my go-to. Stoneglow have a gorgeous one called Wood based on the five elements, just like Feng Shui, so of course I'm obsessed!
My garden is....
Very different since moving to Australia! We came from fields and animals to no grass and a lot of water! The most important thing is that there is still a perfect spot for a G&T!
How well do you know your next-door neighbours?
I made the brave move of posting a card through our neighbour's door introducing ourselves when we moved here. They did respond, however it took them two weeks so I got a bit scared that they thought I was crazy!
Your favourite home from home?
Sydney will always have a place in my heart. The skyline, the water, the bridge and the Opera House - I just think it's such a beautiful city, hence my obsession with Lux Listings!! We once stayed in the Hyatt which is right in Circular Quay. The pool is literally under the Harbour bridge and you can see the Opera House from the rooms. It's stunning.
Kimberley is offering Nesting subscribers 20% off her Map my Home service with the code NESTING20. Find out more here.
BOOK STUFF
Wintering
I read Wintering from underneath the duvet while I was under the weather last week and it was like drinking chicken soup in literary form. I’m someone who dreads winter, but Katherine May’s writing has gone a long way (alas not all the way) to convince me of the pleasures of the cold and the dark.
TV STUFF
Robbie Williams (Netflix)
The Guardian called this ‘four hours of grim naval gazing’ and I’m not sure I can put it much better than that, though I might swap ‘grim’ for ‘entertaining.’ I was weirdly gripped as I watched Robbie lying on his bed – inexplicably wearing only his pants - pouring over three decades of footage of himself on his laptop. It’s all very much ‘Robbie talking about Robbie while watching Robbie’ - but still, I found it rather addictive viewing.
CLOTHES STUFF
The blanket scarf
When did scarves get so expensive? I keep picking them up and then throwing them down in horror when I see an £89 price tag. Are they now a luxury item? Thankfully I’ve found these ones in Oliver Bonas which are still pricey at £39.50 but not quite as shockingly.
FOOD STUFF
One Pot, One Portion
Currently obsessed by recipe queen Eleanor Wilkinson and her One Pot, One Portion series. So little fuss, so little washing up, zero waste. Hurrah! She had me at hash brown cottage pie. And then again with her miso and ginger soup. Yum. No wonder she’s got half a million followers on Insta!
Before I go, I just wanted to say a Big Hello to all of my new subscribers - there have been a lot of you lately which makes me so very happy. A few of you have also opted to get more from Nesting by upgrading to paid! You are truly wonderful - and given that I didn’t win the Omaze house again, it is so very appreciated.
Paid subscribers get more posts every month as well as special offers and the ability to post comments. Last week’s paid newsletter was about my biggest life failures - how jolly!
Ok, that’s it for now. Back to hibernation.
Dx
Who is Dominique Afacan?
A very good question. Dominique (that’s me) is a writer, solo mum and sausage dog slave based in London. The idea for the Nesting newsletter came about because after ten years of flitting around the world 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.
P.S The illustration for Nesting was created by my exceptionally talented friend Julia Murray in New Zealand.