Life Lately I: September

A monthly recap on what’s been happening in life lately.

The first half of this month was spent in lockdown L4 here in Auckland. An extra week of L4, just for safe measure, and we thankfully received the news of L3: PRAISE BE, TAKEAWAYS! Shall I create a spreadsheet to show you a list of my planned restaurants to support?

I honestly found this lockdown to be mentally challenging. Workouts and making food were great activities to stay occupied, but I truly missed my community and connecting with people. I am grateful for the bubble I’m in, they’re pretty rad flatmates. Every Saturday night, we’ve had themed dinners, from Italian food, to Japanese and sushi making, to dressing up as each other, to spa vibes, to Korean hotpot. We are open to more suggestions.

Music has also been a magical mode of focus (or, as a Scorpio, apparently, I create playlists for all life activities ((I cannot locate this meme grrr)). It is seemingly a joke, and yet, so accurate it hurts.)
My current favourite album. Absolutely on repeat:

I have been enjoying playing Words with Friends and Bananagrams with Toby and Kaitlyn. I’m finding this to be an entertaining way to activate my former-Scrabble varsity brain and scour my mind for words and beat these incredibly smart humans.

PATTY Y PAN

Current bread obsession: Daily Bread’s “KOUIGN—AMANN“
Who are we kidding. Everything from Daily Bread will be devoured by yours truly.

Wine/alcohol I have thoroughly found delectable:

PATTERY

Ol’ mate Pattery is obsessed with Krissy’s new launch: MODELETTO!
Hand-building goodness at home, no kiln required!

Modeletto2_Sept2021_PattyLagera-5.jpg

When they announced Level 3, thankfully The Clay Centre also sent their members the option to hire a wheel, so I have been having a play and reviewing my throwing skills for the past week. I still have trouble centring lol. BUT EXCITING TIMES: perhaps, if/when I get better, I may even sell/give some ceramic pieces.

Incredible logos/graphic design by my insanely talented friend: Diane Pantoja.

Books I have read and enjoyed:

Books I am still currently reading on rotation:

  • Normal People

  • The Power of Attachment

  • Dharma Bums

  • One Simple Thing

  • Love Does by Bob Goff

Hilarious how I have so many books on the go, lol. Is anyone else like this?

I have also finally started on my wee veggie garden! I bought my little seedlings from Awapuni Nurseries. (Thanks to Em Raftery for the recommendation!)

I also randomly didn’t realise I planted asparagus, and well, here we are. I grew one massive stalk! Hopefully October brings all the veggie goodness (we’ll see what happens with my green thumb).

I have been baking up a storm — kind of. Cycling through my trusty recipes of cookies, banana bread, apple crumble, and granola.

Workouts that I’ve been frothing over:

ABS

YOGA

Supporting this beautiful local florist: ISADIA. These Spring colours!!! I am obsessed. POPPIES, OMG.

A few other things that have made me smile this month: Contactless cake pop deliveries from Natasha, Maple cuddles, walks around Cornwall park, the afternoon light in my room, flat dress up dinners, plus this cute new boy toy that I have enslaved for L3 ;)

How are you going? I’d love to hear how September has been for you, or the start of October. Wherever you are in the world, a friend near or far, a stranger from a foreign land. Hello, and I hope you are well. xx

Patty