The month: demystified
recipes, invitations, offers, PIVOT!
Hello my loves,
A question to get you going: is your Christmas tree up, and are you a golds, reds and greens kinda person, or is it cool silvers, blues and more?
Yep, you’ve got the tone: this particular post isn’t a sophisticated piece of writing. Rather, imagine you’re purchasing your Christmas magazine of choice (Good Housekeeping or Country Living for this lass). You’ve waited to crack its spine (ooof), and now you’ve finally got some quiet, poured a drink, cosied up with your blanket of choice and are about to delve in. Possibly your phone is nestled next to you, ready for you to take screenshots of interesting things (or a good ol’ highlighter? Think Radio Times Christmas?!)
Warm enough? Got everything you need? Let’s go!
I’ve got you PRESENTS!
Have any of my resources, for FREE! Yep, freeeeeee.
Just click here, add to basket and enter code CHRISTMAS at check-out.
And whilst you’re there, you can check out my secret subscriber Black Friday offers, that end tomorrow! Just click here.
I (nearly) always prefer giving gifts to receiving:
(although I am hoping for some glam gig earrings, pretty much anything from Oliver Bonas, some Cornishware, anything made by Sarah Stoker, a subscription to Country Living magazine, pens, new almanac for 2024, new fairy lights, two nights away with (sounds sexier than it’s meant to) and airpods (the cheap Aldi version that are so good), water bottles and gloves that I am incapable of losing (oh, won’t manage that).
November to December in pics:
What a month! I have work every day until the 14th December (including weekends as I’m a singer and it’s Advent!), and then I will go into deep hibernation (emerging for one day on the 19th when I have a beautiful day of coaching and mentoring client reflection calls booked out).
How about you? When do you (do you?) sign off for the holidays? How do you manage your work at this time? I’d love to chat about this in the comments…
Project PIVOT!: demystified
I had very few concrete goals for 2023, other than:
“keep three children alive”
“make enough money to pay the mortgage and book a holiday for 2024”
“decide if I go “fully” freelance”
The whispering goal though (you know, the one that keeps coming back to you and nudging you on the shoulder saying: “remind me what exactly you’re waiting for before you start me, again?”) was to:
START A PODCAST (again: I had one called Power of Mum in 2019, and run podcast with )
I knew I had to create this podcast. I was just waiting to hear from my subconscious exactly what it would be about. Then, one morning, in that funny hazy time when we should all be writing our Artist’s Pages, my brain yelled at me:
“IT’S CALLED PIVOT!, BABE, AND IT’S YOU INTERVIEWING PEOPLE TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE CHANGES THEY’VE MADE IN THEIR LIVES. AND IT’S CREATIVES, AND PROFESSIONALS, AND PEOPLE THAT INSPIRE YOU, AND IT DOESN’T “JUST” HAVE TO BE FREELANCERS OR MOTHERS…AND IT’S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE.”
(turns out my subsconscious is a bit SHOUTY).
I then used my November “Create before you Consume” Challenge to map out the details (here’s one of the posts to delve into: they’re stacked with very useful resources and ideas for you).
And guess what? By Thursday last I’ve organised 10 recordings with the guest list of my dreams, because my vision for this podcast is so damn clear (by the way, self-plug time, that clarity is what I help my clients find…)
Here’s the finalised blurb (tingles):
Pivot! is a podcast that celebrates the big pivots and small side-steps we take in our lives: the events, emotions or circumstances that have nudged (or pushed) us into making change. Every week (or fortnight!, working out my capacity!), a new guest discusses where their pivots have led them, whether they’ve pivoted, pirouetted or winged their way through life and work.
Expect to hear from award-winning artists, musicians, content creators, designers, scientists, psychotherapists, writers, all with a story you’ll love to hear.
There will be one guest before Christmas (think of her as my Christmas present to you): her initials are LL, I am OBSESSED with her and her publications (hint) and her seasonal and cyclical approach to life has genuinely affected how I live my own.
I also have:
BP (musician) and MP, NR (coach supervisor), SS (artist), GD (musician), NR (designer), SR (Chartered Psychologist) and many others…I’ll send you the preview as soon as I’ve made it.
Project Substack: demystified
Yes, I like to do lots of things simultaneously (so me, so blah, you’ve heard it all before, right?!) With that in mind, today I am recording a very special podcast with
guru and mega-babe with my very honest views on Substack (they’re not all positive) and an open discussion and mentorship from her as I prepare to re-launch my Subby (think new title, new sections, new membership: newness). Prepare to have all of your awkward Substack questions you’re too embarrassed to ask answered. I’m that person in the conference who asks the question we all really want the answer to but are too afraid to pose…12 days of Advent: a Substack Celebration
Starting tomorrow, Tuesday 5th December, expect 12 magnificent pieces of creative wonderment from (in no particular order)
Sarah, , , , , , , , and…you?? That’s right, I’ve got three spaces left to be filled - if you want one please fill this in quickly, even if it just says “hi Laura, the writing/ art/ yoga practice/ audio will be with you by December 11th” - my absolute cut-off!December recipes
Delia’s red cabbage with apples
Delia’s rice salad (honestly it’s heaven, I now make massive batches and eat all year round)
Delia’s pistachio sables (make triple the amount because they are so moreish)
Nigella Party Parma Ham bundles (recipe not online but buy the book it’s from second-hand and try every recipe)
Mary’s Yule Log (a classic so easy to make)
Mary’s Sticky Toffee Pudding (it’s so easy and people’s response would have you believe I’ve been toiling for days…)
American Pancakes: Nothing to do with Christmas, but I make them most Saturdays alongside very thin crepes, and I eat them with lots of extra thick double cream, oh yes I do.
I’m running out of room in this email, so think I’ll sprinkle my 12 days of Christmas with more recipes.
Things to listen to in December
I’m not going to tell you what to do in December: I bet you’re juggling a lot already. But I would advise you to listen to two things you might not have (when you need a break from Buble and Mariah…)
I did a gig with Claire Teal last week, and she is perfection in husky, jazz alto form. Put this on right now AND FEEL WONDERFUL. I sang a version of this arrangement with her (think the “dim be dims” at the beginning).
Oh, and that gig? You can listen to the recording of it on the 22nd December on BBC Sounds: The BBC Singers 'Songs from the Shows' Christmas party . Pour yourself a sherry and have a little bop around your kitchen for me.
Right, I’m off to grab a “free” coffee from Waitrose, the paper and some cream, before my podcast with dear C.
PLEASE don’t be shy: tell me how you are, answer some of my questions in the comments, maybe even buy yourself a Christmas present of booking some time with me as your coach and mentor?
With love, and Terry’s Chocolate Orange (dark, obvs) infused kisses,
Laura x
Such exciting news about the new podcast, you are bloomin amazing ✨
So honoured to be part of the advent (thank you!) and looking forward to soaking in all the other wonderful entries too (with a cuppa, you truly set the scene at the beginning of this post)
Now I really want a chocolate orange! 🍊 lovely gift ideas.