Can You Mourn Unlived Lives?
[Weekend Edition. 13] Fashion week, friendship, and the ache of “what if?”
Sunday Snippets
Can you mourn unlived lives? Because every time I am down in Sydney I can’t help but mourn the what could’ve been if I stayed.
I accidentally butt-dialled Jen while I was writing this and was immediately bought back to reality. How lucky I am to have such beautiful friendships that make me want to stay here in Syd, but simultaneously, how lucky I am to have the most fulfilling, supportive, loving, exciting friendships back home.
And on the same note, how lucky am I to be able to visit my LD friends as frequently as I do. I caught up with Chloe to study and she said, “I feel like I just saw you,” and she was right - I was here only a couple of weeks ago.
So look, tbh I get emo over these things, I definitely suffer from major bouts of nostalgia. Anyways, what a week! It started with the Statement of Intent, which required presenting my currently underdeveloped thesis to a board of academics. Safe to say I’ve been scared into refocusing my efforts back to uni. But nothing a good yoga class can’t fix.
And of course, I flew down to Sydney for fashion week and catching up with friends/family. Abbey, Liv and I had so much fun playing trivia at CLD. We also danced the night away at the FBF fashion week after party. Saw some mates for the Food, Beer & Footy festival (very me, I know), and caught up with some new London friends. I also became addicted to lime biking so watch out!
Sunday Saves and Shopping
So the stress of the Statement of Intent resulted in a bad case of online shopping:
Mina Satin Tank | Blazer | Leather Jacket | Longsleeve | White Tee | Pink Sweater | Khaki Jeans | Blouse | Light Blue Jeans | Beige Sweater
Monday Moodboard:
Soundtrack
So part of this statement of intent workshop was listening to everyone else’s ideas in the honours cohort. One of the girls is completing her thesis on Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run album. Naturally I listened to it on the car ride home. Can’t say it’s my fave album but I do appreciate the experimental production and jazz-rock fusion.
One song that I am listening to on repeat is Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of I Love You by Fontaines DC - the power of the bridge is incredibly energising.
Stories & Shows
I have always advocated for the importance of reading translated fiction - I actually wrote about my connection to translated fiction and travel here. Dua beautifully articulated the experience of reading fictional stories from all over the world highlighting the necessity of hearing the perspective of others as an “antidote to Othering”.
Continued my film education by watching Good Will Hunting. I would be lying if I said I didn’t sob my heart out. I want to watch this movie over and over and over again. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have created a masterpiece with this - so real and raw. And Chuckie’s speech about the best time of his day oh. my. god. tears. I feel like you can really see the strength of their own personal friendship bleed through with the depth of all the different relationships throughout.
There’s far too many layers to this movie and I’m not here to write a review but if you do happen to be reading this please give this movie a good watch.
Searches
Some substacks I enjoyed reading this week:
Screenshots
Interesting stat about international buying habits for Australian brands Zimmerman and St Agni.
Need these red jeans I saw @thestassya wearing. I think they are from Mango?
I could not stop talking about Ard Bakery my entire trip down to syd. Was lucky enough to score the last slice of Funfetti cake before it sold out!! Highly, highly recommend.
So this is it! I am about to board my flight home to bris with no future trips booked. I think it will be good to stay put for a while (but knowing me I’ll probs be off again next month).
See you back home for a productive week ahead!
Signing off,
Ella x