Dear Member,
Firstly, we would like to warmly wish all of you a very Happy New Year!
Rather than inundate you with boring musings on renewed virtuosity (Richard, we really don’t care if you are doing dry January for the first time in your many decades-long life…), instead, we prefer to offer a little frippery in the new year, to help stave off the doom and gloom. In this interim newsletter, we aim to bring you little moments of frivolity and fun to your inbox, feed, and life (if you have already been to some of our in-person events, watch this space for our 2026 events calendar!)… there’s a lot more where that came from.
Let’s channel silliness, optimism (with a healthy dose of sarcasm) and felicity for the new year. As ever, the difficulties will likely show up anyway, so we may as well go ahead with positivity before we get bogged down (especially with January’s tax return looming…). It’s time for all of us to work on our own personal renaissance, so here’s a little inspiration to get you started.
Firstly, we would like to warmly wish all of you a very Happy New Year!
- Watch More Films – start with the great classics (many of which have been listed in past editions of this newsletter). If you prefer to follow a list, you can’t go wrong with the top 250 IMDB films or the Letterboxd top 250 narrative feature films. Maybe you already consider yourself *somewhat* of a cinephile, and you need something new? In that case, embrace foreign films. Work through Bong Joon-Ho or Park Chan-wook’s work for some incredible South Korean cinema. Maybe dive into some early Guillermo Del Toro or Pedro Almodovar for some magical realism mixed with political commentary. If you watched something in 2025 that you loved, work through the director’s other films in chronological order and watch how their style has evolved.
- Read More Books – don’t start with anything too lofty to kick off the new year (a cheeky Emily Henry will do, especially as the adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation is out on Netflix next week…). However, for those wanting to dive into the classics, why not pick a handful from Penguin’s must-read list and add them to your diary or calendar by month? If you’d like to self-reflect, try reading a book you studied at school or university and see how current you interpret the story.
- Pick Up A Sport – whether you decide to watch or take part, this could be the year you become a sports fanatic. With the Winter Olympics around the corner, the never-ending tennis tour, or the return to Formula 1 in spring, the world is your oyster (dare we mention the table tennis boom that is bound to take off post Marty Supreme??). Plus, it is a fantastic way to learn a new skill whilst getting into shape, and a get-out-of-jail-free card for all the applicable sporting attire you’ll need.
- Learn A New Recipe And Perfect It – make it your signature dish. Have loved ones over for an impromptu dinner party to show them what you’ve learned (and for the necessary ego boost when they compliment your cooking). I know we recommend Alison Roman a lot around here, but her recipes really do work every time. We also love Meredith Hayden of Wishbone Kitchen, who not only has a cookbook out but also countless recipe videos on social media.
- Hone In On What You Love – whether that’s fashion, medieval art, pottery, or fine wine…jump in headfirst and forget the rest. Any skill or knowledge gained will never be considered a waste of time.
- Go Analogue – The simplest way to do this is by putting pen to paper. Buy a journal or a notebook. Whether it’s something more structured, such as a gratitude journal, productivity planner or just a blank book, exercise your brain (and your motor skills) by writing freely.
- Be Uniquely and Unapologetically You – It goes without saying, but sometimes it’s worth a reminder. Don’t follow the crowd and do what really makes you happy. Life’s too short to be a people-pleaser or to worry about what others think of you. Why take advice (or notice, for that matter) from someone you wouldn’t want to trade lives with?
For the opportunists among members, it’s time to grab yourself some serious deals in the January sales – especially if Father Christmas failed to bring you everything on your wish list this year. Here are a few things to consider treating yourselves to:
The Reformation Sale – Marie Flats, Val Mid Rise 90s Cords, Fabian Crew Neck Sweater.
Strathberry Midi Tote in Tartan
Shark CryoGlow Blemish Repair Mask and charging stand
Hershesons Multi-Tasker hair tool
Black Tie Dresses From Solace London
Regularly scheduled content, newsletters, and musings will return from 7th January, when the in-house admin team returns from their annual leave.
