June Digest 2019

The month of June has been quintessentially British, with rain, rain and more rain playing cruel games with our summer dreams. I mean, if I just left the digest here with one word – RAIN – it would probably suffice.

Luckily we got some sunshine towards the end of the month, braving 9 hours of sweat and sunburn at the Bangladesh Vs. Afghanistan Word Cup Match on the 24th (thank God we won). No one particularly enjoyed nearly passing out of heatstroke but we kept our complains in check lest the sun heard and disappeared again.

Earlier this month, we celebrated Aryan’s first birthday and his second Eid-ul-Fitr. For his birthday we opted for a weekend city break in the idyllic city of Bath. If I had any lingering doubts about our choice of celebration for our son’s first birthday, Bath dismissed them entirely. We spent quality family time in the cosiest Airbnb, interspersed with brunching, cruising, bird watching and lazy strolling. It was the perfect getaway.

Currently Watching

Working Moms, which I really loved, but for some reason ended up abandoning. I am too tired in the evening to focus on anything other than eating dinner UNLESS its something that REALLY hooks me. When I do have some free time, I prefer reading instead.

Nizar is watching Mirzapur so technically I am watching on the side. We also started – and shelved – Four More Shots Please and Made in Heaven – trending Indian shows on Amazon Prime.

Currently Reading

The Magic of Motherhood. A collection of short essays by moms on ‘the good stuff, the hard stuff, and everything in between’. From adoption to autism, infertility to miscarriage, it touches upon all the shades and nuances that come with parenthood. The stories made me laugh and cry and draw my son closer out of gratefulness. I am putting this down for my ‘books for new mums’ list.

Music on Repeat

Bekhayali from the movie Kabir Singh. Intense, soul-stirring, borderline depressing so that you can sit back and mope in your imagination while crunching numbers on Excel spreadsheets. Reminds me of young, foolish love. Exciting but nonsensical AF. I cannot remember the last time I loved a Bollywood release so much though.

Artist on loop

Hassan Minhaj! We have been loving the Patriot Act on Netflix. Also Lewis Capaldi, his songs take me back to cold winter days in Scotland.

Summer Essentials

Summer always demands a massive wardrobe change for people like us who live inside coats 90% of the year. An annual top up is absolutely essential. I always stick to certain brands when it comes to shoes – my wide, mismatched feet are notoriously hard to please (right foot longer than left). My favourite brand for comfort is Clarks and I was really happy to snap up some block heels on sales. Also picked up some summer friendly trousers and tees from Zara. Indulging in these sales can feel like a constant dilemma – damned if you do (sorry bank account), damned if you don’t (hi FOMO).

Wish List

I love summer dresses and there are so many good ones out there at this time of the year. Obviously I am always lusting for items way above my budget. 🙄 These dresses by & Other Stories are my dream buys. I do love a good floral print.

Baby update

Aryan has mastered a new word: goal! His wobbly steps are getting firmer – this one is not far from his first marathon lol. He suffered a lot during his birthday due to teething but those pesky pearls are FINALLY out. I cannot get over how his feet and hands have started looking more and more…less and less…I don’t know! What’s the word for miniature body parts that look both adult and baby like? He has started initiating play – one of his favourite games is us chasing him around the playpen. I am seriously considering exercising/hitting the gym to keep up with this one. He had his first proper ‘swimming’ experience at our local swimming pool this month and absolutely loved it.

Recipe on Repeat

Recently, its been a lot about exploring Aryan’s meals as we transition him onto ‘adult’ food. I have been making meatballs, veggie pasta bakes and grilled courgettes. Adult food wise, I have been whipping up a lot of this creamy pasta dish tossed with asparagus and mushrooms, and occasionally prawns, that is as easy to make as is delicious.

What’s coming up?

Feels strange that we are already onto the second half of the year. Not one to set new year resolutions but I am glad that I have stuck to my reading goals. Looking forward to a proper summer, with lots of dry days out under the sun, before Christmas lands on our doorstep one fine, not-so-far-now December.