The best of the best: recommendations to get you through isolation

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens.

In isolation, we’re all wanting a little escape. We’ve explore the extent of our bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and want to be transported elsewhere. This book will truly transport you back in time and to a sensory stimulating setting. I was hooked and it made me fall in love with reading again.

For one more day, by Mitch Albom

I absolutely adore Mitch Albom and this book is particularly fitting given the challenging time we’re all facing. It explores the idea of having the chance to spend one more day with a loved one. It’s a gentle reminder for us to seize the day and reach out to loved ones because one day, we may be longing to have one more day, one more hour, one more conversation with someone we’re no longer able to.

Burial Rites, by Hannah Kent

Maybe there’s a theme with these books but it follows the story of a lonely young woman charged with murder in the 19th century in Iceland. If you love nature, are intrigued by the mysticism and historical fiction, you will love this. Based on the true event of the last execution in Iceland.

Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee

I’m not usually one for a 500+ page book but I assure you this one is totally worth it. Taking you back to Korea in the 1920s, this book spans several decades, several families and several beautiful stories. It explores themes of class, race, migration and I walked away from this book feeling that I had truly learnt something and that a part of this book and story will stay with me forever.

Parasite

There’s a reason this movie won best picture at this years Oscars. I assure you it’s one of the most gripping movies I’ve ever watched. Yes it’s in Korean and no that should not deter you from watching it. It’s a movie I keep thinking about and just wow. It’s pure joy, mystery, horror and shocking. And it’s now on Stan so there’s no excuse! You will be transfixed.

Sex Education

I freakin love this show. It’s such a vibrant, quirky, feel good, cringey series that revolves around, you guessed it, Sex. I just absolutely adore Eric and I want him to have his own spin off show or something because I honestly cannot get enough. It will make you laugh out loud and rethink your awkward sexual experiences. An. Absolute. Must.

Before Sunrise

If you’re daydreaming about travel and serendipitous encounters, this movie has you covered. Two strangers meet on a train and decide to get off together in Vienna. It beautifully captures those chance encounters when you’re young and you think the night will never end. It’s gorgeous and stars Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, what’s not to love? There’s also two more films that follow the same couple 10 years on, ‘Before Sunset’ and ‘Before Midnight.’

Modern Love

I was so skeptical at first. I thought it would be an awful rendition of crossover love stories that would just be cheesy tacky. Oh HELL NO! This series is stunning. With 6 stand alone episodes, it explores a variety of relationships in New York City and wow I was gripped from the very first episode. It’s unique, it’s raw, it’s real and it left me in tear. If you want a good cry and a reminder of why we love love, then this is for you!

Dead Poets Society

One of my favourite films of all time. It’s poetic, it’s beautiful, it’s enchanting and it will stick with you forever. This movie is why I got my carpe diem tattoo back when I was 18. It shaped me in ways I could never have imagined and you just absolutely need to watch it.

Anastasia

BEST. MOVIE. EVER. Enough said.

Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum

I’ve recently introduced hyaluronic acid into my skincare routine and I honestly feel like I’ve already noticed a difference. A product that is designed to help your skin absorb and store moisture, this product by La Roche-Posay is gently, soothing and extremely hydrating. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone new in the skincare game (like me). Use morning and night. Oh and grab it from $60 at Chemist Warehouse.

Anti Drama Face Mask, Frank Body

I’ve been using this super hydrating, soft, gorgeous for over a year now and my face loves it! I use it on Sunday nights as part of my pamper me prep for the week routing and it’s so gentle, soft and gorgeous! Order it directly from the Frank Body website or pick it up at Mecca for $21.95

Gimme Brow Gel (mini)

In isolation, it’s all about the brows. I don’t care if I never wear makeup again, but I do not feel human if I don’t have my eyebrows filled in. This little beauty has worked wonders during isolation and wow, I can’t get enough. I use shade 3 because I’m a red head and basically don’t have eyebrows, so I like to really define my eyebrows. Plus it’s so tiny you could fit it in your pocket if you feel the need to fluff and fill your eyebrows on the go! Grab it from Sephora for $24.

Facial spray with aloe, cucumber and green tea, by Mario Badescu

My gorgeous friend Tishia gifted me this face spray for Christmas. And at first I didn’t think I would use it, but it has become a staple in my skincare routine. I use it every morning and night, and sometimes several times throughout the day. It’s soothing, hydrating and an essential in my collection. Pick it up from Mecca for $19

Coffee

I’ve come to realise that I simply cannot live without barista coffee. Yes I have a French press, no it’s not the same. Yes I’m a coffee snob, no I’m not sorry about it. I have come to treasure my morning outing to grab a coffee and waltz down the street! Treat yourself to a barista coffee – you deserve it!

Puzzles

Wow I don’t know if I’ve ever encountered something so meditative. If you need to unwind, be present and accomplish something, get yourself a puzzle. I’ve smashed through several in isolation and found myself completely transfixed.

Stretch. Move your body. Get your blood pumping! It feels so bloody good.

Journaling

I don’t know about you, but my mind is kinda all over the place right now. Journaling gives me a sense of clarity, release and expression in a healthy way that I struggle to get anywhere else. I would absolutely recommend it if you’re feeling a bit frazzled, overwhelmed and lost.

Organise and declutter

I’m kind of the queen of collecting sentimental things, and those things tend to… spread. So I’ve come to fucking love cleaning, organising and sorting bits and pieces of our house. When we lose control over most things in our life, organising your clothes or tupperware cupboard is completely satisfying.

Walk and talk

We’ve all been living for our morning walks right? I have been LIVING for my sunrise walk/run/swim + coffee combo. Add in a friends for a socially distant walk or give a friend a phone call and enjoy the old walk and walk.

Reminisce

Look, sometimes you can’t quite bring yourself to get out of bed. So why not scroll back through all the good times you’ve had. Find your fave travel experiences and write about them in your journal. Share them on socials or send them to your travel buddies. In all honesty, there’s nothing I love more than flicking through old photos and taking a trip down memory lane.