Yes, despite the fact that we live in the country on 2 acres, our house is tiny, and we have an office/bedroom like we’re college students. My Iron Flame book is calling me…
Don’t forget there’s a voice recording at the top of this post so you can listen instead of read!
It was dark and rainy. We were driving home from an early dinner. As I was tickling our baby's neck, trying to keep her awake, my eldest said, 'Look! A Porsche!'
Shocked, I said, 'How can you tell? It's dark and rainy. All the cars look the same.'
She said, 'Porsche lights are sideways lines.'
Ben was suitably chuffed she knew this. Meanwhile, I was alarmed.
How had I not noticed that car lights are different shapes? In the dark, they all look like red blurs to me. Of course, on closer inspection, I realised there were various styles—some look like outlines of squares, some sleek lines, and others are just blocks of red.
Ben was in awe. 'Did you seriously not know that?'
I seriously didn't know that. Here's why.
how do I turn on the fog lights - there we go - 25 mins to get there - do I need petrol? - have to remember to pack H's socks because the classroom has new carpet and they're not allowed to wear shoes inside - was that a fox? - high beams on - need to film that insta campaign write the script when I get home - gym tomorrow is my favourite sports bra clean? - have to text A to say I can drive her to book club - what is that car doing? - do I need bread for lunchboxes tomorrow? - it's getting cold I need to find H's old winter boots for the baby - two parties this weekend = 2 presents - swimming is back on tomorrow - can I mow the lawn or is it going to rain? - dinner - send that copy off for client approval - is it L's birthday today or tomorrow?
This is what is going on inside my brain most of the time. There's no room to notice the shape of car lights. I'm busy noticing the shape of whole cars to keep myself and my passengers alive. When I'm not noticing the shape of lights, I am noticing the car in the distance swerving all over the road and making a mental note to avoid it. I'm noticing the impatient car behind me driving too close. I'm slowing down to anticipate the dangerous overtake they're about to try. I notice the ute in front of me with a flapping tarp and a poorly secured chest of drawers. I'm strategising how to get out from behind him as quickly and safely as possible.
I also wouldn't notice the shape of the lights in a car park, either, because I don't care. I have complete car blindness to the point that most of my mates in my small country town think I hate them because I never wave when they drive past. The truth is, I have no idea what anyone's cars look like. I know what my car looks like and I can change a tyre. When it comes to cars, I'm on a need-to-know basis only.
And this is fine.
I spend attention on other stuff instead: fashion, style, architecture, films, and books. Weirdly, I can pick the breed of almost any dog I meet despite not being an active dog person.
My music taste is questionable, as is my knowledge of history, but I certainly like both.
It's perfectly acceptable for me not to know about cars. I also don't really understand food. I like it and eat it, but I'm lost if I sit with foodies eating dinner. They'll be all, 'Ooooh, is this saffron? And raisins? Do I detect truffle oil?' I smile and nod because I have no freaking idea.
It's also a good reminder to check myself. It's okay for someone not to watch Schitt's Creek and not know who Alexander McQueen is.
No further study required.
Reading
The latest Frankie magazine. It always feels like home. Sometimes I find an old copy in an op-shop and I buy it to read and then re-donate. I have no desire to collect them but I like dipping back into the past occasionally.
Watching
What Jennifer did on Netflix. I watched a terrible reenactment-style show of this story years ago, so it's nice to see it done properly. Interview footage is the créme de la créme of crime docos, and taped confessions are *chef's kiss*. This has both.
Wearing
My pilates get up - Girlfriend Collective workout onesie. My favourite so far I’m wearing the size large. Cotton On dress I wear as a top. I bought this years ago and I have it 2 other colours and they’re the best. For long torso girlies - mini dresses as tops. You heard it here first. My slides are from Rollie I don’t think they make them anymore but these are similar. Socks are random. Puffer jacket from Uniqlo I’ve had for about 15 years. Please enjoy my doofus baby in the background. I don’t usually share my kid's faces on the web, but she’s kind of blurry and out of focus, so I don’t mind. Plus Substack is so nice I don’t feel weird about it here.
Listening
Acquired. It's about the business history of big brands. The episodes are long and meaty - several hours. This Hermes one was great for catching up on travel laundry.
Eating
Grill'd. We went away for the weekend and it's our favourite travel spot to eat. They have colouring in for the kids, the Shellharbour Grill'd has a little playground near it. They have affordable kids' meals, and it's quick and reliable. One of their standard burgers is a perfect-sized meal by itself (with a few stolen chips from your kid's meal box). They even have alcohol if you fancy a savvy B with your burger.
Doing
I'm getting back into the swing of things. The holidays are over, and they went marvellously. Our eldest kid was at home most days, with a few play dates here and there. We worked in shifts, so it wasn't too dull for her, and she was an absolute star.
What's New
Okay so hear me out. Pink goes with everything for a start. Secondly, how rad would these look peeking out from swishy, swashy palazzo pants? If Tilda Swinton was dead, she’d be rolling in her grave.
This is hilarious. The whole internet’s traffic dipped during the eclipse.
If you’re new to jumpsuits, this Everlane linen number is a fab gateway. I also love this tencil-gathered shirt. A perfect casual yet polished look for office jobs.
Love this COS jumpsuit too. I’d wear it with a floor-length duster and too many necklaces.
So I don’t really wear make-up and I never really have but I’m wearing this stuff like lip gloss. It’s Revlon Wine With Everything, and my bestie left it here last time she visited, and I’ve been wearing it most days as a lip stain.
Still eying off these Walnut boots. I like the elastic at the ankles to get a clean hug of your legs. Otherwise, ankle boots can get sloppy.
That’s it for this week!
Also thank you so much to everyone who commented on last week’s newsletter talking about weight without talking about it. Such a lovely sensible discussion.
Don’t forget to tap the heart at the end of this email - it makes a massive difference for discoverability. Seriously I’m getting lots of new subscribers every week because of all the heart tapping you babes are doing. Cheers.
Have a beautiful rest of your week!
Love,
Carly
Love the boots. You might have just done all the leg work for me and found exactly what I need for new winter boots this year. Thanks Carly. I threw my old boots out in a recent house move as they were literally falling apart.
I've been listening to the newsletters, such a great option 😊