I’ve set myself a little writing target: a weekly* R.E.P.O.R.T. alongside my gift guides arriving when they’re ready. All written around my nine-to-five and the rest of my life, which has yet to offer me a sabbatical.
A chance for you to have a rummage around my mind and see what I’ve been reading, eating, enjoying and thinking about long after I probably should have moved on.
I’m always finding things that would make great presents, even when I haven’t got a whole gift guide to put them in yet. This gives them somewhere to go, and perhaps gives you an idea for someone, or possibly yourself.
Here’s what to expect:
Reading: What I’ve been reading, underlining and finding excuses to bring up in conversation.
Eating: A meal, a recipe or something bought on the understanding that I deserved it.
Playing: What I’ve been listening to and where I’ve been spending my time.
Obsessing: Whatever I’ve developed a mildly unreasonable attachment to this week.
Recommending: Something good enough to warrant an unsolicited “you need to try this” message.
Treating: A little something for myself. I’m a person worth buying presents for, too.
*Weekly is the ambition. Please don’t hold me to it in a court of law.
So, here goes...
Reading - Working Hard by Grace Beverley
I am fully in my autumn arc right now. I’ve invested in a diary, always do this in September, back to school , Naturally I’m expecting quite a lot from this version of myself.
This post from Working Hard, Hardly Working and The Productivity Method felt well timed: five questions to help you take stock of your life. I liked the reminder to notice what’s already working and what you’re proud of, before drawing up another list of things to improve.
The question that stayed with me was how I’d feel in six months if nothing changed. Worth giving a proper answer to. Conveniently, I now have somewhere to write it.
A little life audit is an excellent excuse to look at stationery, here are a few diaries and planners I’ve had my eye on. A gift for someone starting a new chapter, or who shares my belief that getting organised begins with choosing a nice cover.
Eating - Chilli Peanut Oil
Joe made a delicious Thai green curry this week and topped it with chilli peanut oil. A small detail that deserves some recognition, alongside the person who made me dinner.
White Mausu Peanut Rayu Chilli Oil and Lao Gan Ma Peanuts in Chilli Oil are two to look out for. A lovely addition to a foodie gift, or something to take round to the friend who always cooks for you. Wine is lovely, but so is introducing someone to their next condiment obsession.
Playing - Spotify DJ
I’ve been playing a lot of Spotify DJ recently. Sometimes it’s lovely to have someone else make a decision, even if that someone is my phone.
It’s also got me thinking about music as a gift. I spotted a custom vinyl product from Cutsy and love the idea of making someone a record of songs that mean something to you both. The soundtrack to a friendship, a relationship or a particularly good summer. A grown-up mixtape, essentially.
Obsessing · Animal Print 🐆
I’m a seasoned leopard print stan, so this is less a new obsession and more an ongoing commitment. Joe’s parents gave me a gorgeous Anine Bing cap for my birthday in, you guessed it, leopard print. They know their audience.
The shops are full of animal print right now, which is excellent news.
Recommending - 1SE App
I’ve been recording a second of every day in 2026 on 1SE, and this week I realised how glad I am that I’ve kept it up. A little film of my year, including the days when nothing much happened, which turn out to be quite lovely to look back on. There’s something about watching your own life back that makes you feel a bit more fond of it. Quite possibly the best thing I’ve done with my phone this year. Highly recommend to everyone.
Treating - Thomas Lélu x BURGA Phone Case
I was very kindly given a Thomas Lélu x BURGA phone case for my birthday. I’m quite a visual person, and a few well-chosen words in lovely handwriting will usually get my attention. Put them on something I use every day and I’m easily won over.
My mum understandably questioned the price. But that’s precisely why it made such a lovely present: something I wanted but couldn’t quite justify buying for myself.
Until next week, approximately.
Love, Kate x