I had a depressing wardrobe clear-out the other day. I can’t bear wardrobe clear-outs. I can’t bear to witness the extent of my wrong-headed and stupid impulse purchases, to witness my profligacy and dim-witted splurging of money on shitty clothes I don’t need or wear. It’s awful also how much I love wardrobe clear-outs – the scrabbling towards that blissful… View Post
One of my favourite things is to watch other couples have a row. I don’t mean drunken fights on the street – although those are fun, too – I mean those tense bickering set-tos that only married couples have. Hearing about one second-hand will do. While we were on holiday our friends Henry and Jemima occasionally had a little spat… View Post
This is an updated version from last year, but much of the copy is the same for speed. But it was a whole year ago so you may have forgotten some of the jokes. You have probably kitted any Fresher-age kids – (kids?? Adults!) – in your care out already with everything they need should they be heading off to… View Post
The parenting world is divided into two sorts: those who are happy for the kids to go back to school and those who would like the holidays to go on for longer. Or maybe I am being too simplistic (never!) – perhaps there are three kinds; those who are happy for the kids to go back to school, those who… View Post
I am of course delighted to have the brilliant Harriet Tyce on The Spike today. Harriet, tell us more about yourself! Where do you live (roughly) with whom. Kids? Pets? I live in Highbury in north London with my husband and two kids (15 and 11), two cats and a dog. You were a barrister and left the Bar after… View Post
In no particular order – I have mentioned some of these books in the past, but it’s always good to be reminded. Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce Absolutely stunning legal thriller debut from Harriet Tyce – and I don’t even really like thrillers. Harriet is also on The Spike today! Answering some typically searching questions. French Exit by Patrick deWitt… View Post
The BBC documentary Hugh’s War on Plastic (though I find it hard to watch programmes like that. I can quite imagine it all, I’m not in denial. I feel like seeing it all on telly would hasten a panic attack.) Kathryn Kellog of Going Zero Waste . What a hunnay. Offset Earth is a carbon-offsetting programme. I just know you… View Post
The general principles are the same as food, really. You know what I mean, I don’t need to lecture you. We all know we need to buy less and buy less in plastic. Understand really deep in your soul that yet another new lipstick in a jazzy tube will not change your life. Other obvious things that you do already:… View Post
This is a big one – household stuff being where we really commit some awful crimes. The rubbish to landfill, the bleach, the micro plastics, the wasted water. Who Gives A Crap – popular but a tiny bit controversial as someone pointed out that the actual carbon footprint of this is probably not far off a 9-pack from your Tesco… View Post
