CURRENTLY LOVING | OCTOBER 2025

Bringing back an old favourite regular blog feature and sharing a few of the things I am currently loving at the moment.

It’s been a while since I’ve written a currently loving article – my most bloggy-of-blogs posts. The kind where I gather up the little things that are making life feel a bit easier, a bit more sparkly, a bit more personalised. I haven’t shared one since mid-May, and truthfully, I wasn’t sure when (or if) I’d bring it back. And I’m sure you can understand the pause.

Grief rearranges everything. It changes how you see your home, your habits, your reflection in the mirror. It makes even the lightest things feel heavy. And yet, even in that, joy still shows up. Sometimes in simple pleasures such as a perfect cup of tea, a song played on the radio, or a walk in the autumn sunshine. Sometimes, it shows up in the things you wear, the things you do, the things you eat.

This post isn’t about shopping my way through sorrow. It’s about noticing what’s helping. What’s lifting. What’s making me feel even a flicker of delight or ease. Because that matters too.

So here we are, my Currently Loving, October 2025 edition. A gentle return. A celebration of the things that are helping me rebuild, one moment at a time. Expect a mix of comforting textures, practical upgrades, and tiny indulgences – a new pillow, chocolate brown Mary Janes, milkshakes, a hiking tee, and the joy of a well-chosen dining chair.

Currently Loving | October 2025

01 My Quirky Stays

This Currently Loving entry (not pictured, but there are lots of blogs here) isn’t about accommodation. It’s about intention. About choosing places that feel a little offbeat, a little magical, a little me. My Quirky Stays have become a kind of ritual as the series has continued, one I didn’t realise I needed until I did. Each one has offered something I can’t quite name, but always feel.

I started the series as part of my conscious effort to do something proactive to help myself deal with grief. These stays are a way of marking time, of saying ‘I’m still here’, even when everything feels unfamiliar. They’re a way of stepping outside the noise and into something that feels curated just for me. A place where I can write, walk, cry, laugh, sleep deeply, or not sleep at all. A place where I can be alone without being lonely.

They’re not always practical. They’re rarely luxurious. But they’re always layered with story. I bring my quirky sweet treats, my slippers, my morning pages journal. I film snippets, experimenting with video as a way to capture the feelings and motivate myself to get out and do. And when I leave, I always feel a little more rooted. A little more full.

Quirky Stays aren’t just escapes. They’re invitations to belong to myself again, in places that feel like they were waiting for me.

02 Cloudpillo

I’d been thinking about a new pillow for what felt like forever. Not this specific one, necessarily, but something to replace the Panda Bamboo pair we’d had for years, which had quietly given up the ghost. Pillow shopping, though, is a minefield. It’s impossible to test properly, they are wildly varied in price, and brands are full of promises that may or may not apply to your actual neck.

In the end, I went with the Cloudpillo Original, thanks to a recommendation from my friend Sarah, who swears by hers. It’s customisable, meaning you can remove some of the shredded memory foam filling to get the height and firmness just right. I already believed shredded foam is better than solid, I’ve always liked it in my camping pillow (my trusty Thermarest Compressible Pillow), so I don’t quite know why it took me this long to make the connection. Familiar comfort, scaled up.

A new pillow is one of those purchases that feels like an act of care, something chosen with intention, something that’s quietly improving my nights and mornings. I don’t think I even spent that much. I got mine in the sale for around £50, which is more than a basic Tesco pillow, but far less than some of the fancy ones I’d been eyeing. I can’t say for sure if it’s the thing helping me sleep better, but I’m definitely more comfortable in bed. And that counts for something. So, I’m definitely Currently Loving it.

03 Dining Chairs (and Table!)

This one’s got layers. We chose these dining chairs – finally, after years of searching – the day before my husband died. It was one of those quiet, satisfying decisions. We’d spent years sitting on ‘temporary’ chairs, always slightly uncomfortable, regularly looking for something better. But that day, we found them: chairs that felt like they’d been designed for long dinners and deep conversations. And that would look just right in our dining room.

A few weeks later, I got an email from John Lewis which featured the very chairs we’d chosen in the advert for their summer sale. I stared at it for a long time. It felt heavy, surreal. But also… right. So, after a lot of thinking, I went ahead and ordered them. It wasn’t easy, but it was something we’d chosen together. A small act of continuity in a world that has been turned upside down.

Now in situ with the table we chose to go with them, the chairs – the John Lewis Brooks II side dining chairs and dining armchairs in “whisky” – honestly make me smile so much. The shape, the look, the warm amber tone, the soft faux leather. They’re comfortable and functional, yes, but they also feel like a quiet nod to the life we built. I sit in my dining room to eat, to write, to think – and I feel held by the memory of that shared decision. It’s not just furniture. It’s a reminder that some choices, even the small ones, carry love in them. And that love doesn’t disappear.

04 Isobaa Merino Hiking Tee

This one arrived in the post last month as part of a gifted bundle from Isobaa I featured in my monthly journal, and it’s quickly become a standout. The Women’s Merino 180 SS Hiking Top in petrol blue is exactly the kind of piece I reach for again and again. Easy to wear, easy to layer, and somehow smart enough for dinner but practical enough for a muddy trail.

It’s made from merino, which means I can wear it for days without washing (assuming I don’t spill dinner down it, which is always a risk). It’s breathable, soft, and doesn’t cling in weird places. I especially love the fold-up sleeves and the buttoned neckline, little details that make it feel adaptable. On warmer days, I’ve opened the buttons for extra airflow; on cooler ones, I’ve layered it under fleeces and jackets without any bulk.

It’s the kind of top that makes packing easier. One piece, multiple uses. I’ve worn it hiking, to work, wandering around town, and yes, out to dinner too. It’s held its shape, resisted odours, and still looks fresh. The other two items Isobaa sent are great too, but this tee is the one I keep coming back to. It feels like me: practical, a little bit outdoorsy, and quietly stylish.

05 Dr Martens Mary Janes

These are the cutest clompy shoes I’ve ever seen, and to say I am Currently Loving them is an understatement. I’ve had my eye on this exact style, the 8065 Mary Janes, for ages, but hadn’t quite imagined I’d end up buying them to wear to a wedding. Enter my friend Sarah (again!), who, during a chat about what shoes I should wear with the dress I’d picked for my cousin’s wedding (happy marriage, Ivan!), casually dropped the link. And just like that, the decision was made.

I dashed to Schuh to see if they had my size (that very afternoon). They did. I tried them on. They fitted. They looked great. And I bought them. Not in the sale, mind you, unlike almost everything else on this list! I’m so bad with shoes, I know.

The chocolate brown is a new colour for this style, and in my opinion, it’s the perfect one. Warm, rich, and just the right balance of classic and quirky. It softens the chunkiness in a way that makes them feel wearable with everything. I know they’re not quite the same quality as the Dr Martens of old, but I still love them. If they last anywhere near as long as my other pairs, they’ll be worth every penny. And what price on happy feet?

These Mary Janes are a reminder that sometimes the thing you’ve been coveting for ages is the right choice. You just need the right friend to give you a nudge!

06 Recycled Glass Tumblers

I needed glasses I wasn’t going to break. That was the brief. My existing collection had been slowly dwindling – chips, cracks, mysterious disappearances (yes…) – and I was tired of treating every glass like a fragile heirloom. Enter these chunky beauties: the Olympia Orleans tumblers. Made from recycled glass, they are thick enough to survive my clumsy mornings and big enough to hold a proper pint of water (or something sweeter).

They’ve got a retro feel I really like, a slightly greenish tint, and feel weighty in the hand. I picked them up from Nisbets in Bristol, which is basically a catering equipment wonderland. The kind of place where you could accidentally leave with a commercial waffle iron or a stack of 100 ramekins – or an actual Merrychef. I showed restraint, and (only) came home with this set of six glasses for £20. That’s what two would cost at John Lewis, easily.

They’ve slotted into daily life perfectly. I reach for them without thinking, which is exactly what I wanted. No more tiptoeing around delicate glassware. Just solid, good-looking tumblers that do the job. And there’s something satisfying about knowing they’re recycled, like they’ve had a life before mine, and now they’re part of my kitchen story.

07 Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

We resisted the original Velvetiser. For years. We hovered, browsed, nearly clicked ‘buy’ more times than I can count. But when Hotel Chocolat announced the new version, one that makes cold milkshakes as well as hot chocolate, I spent the two days of my Quirky Stay in mid Wales thinking about it, and then hit the pre-order button with zero restraint. Oops.

Mine’s the chalk white one, and it’s been filling my evenings with joy ever since. The cold drinking chocolate is so good – smooth, rich, not too sweet, and somehow more satisfying than anything I’ve ever made with a blender. The hot chocolate is lovely too (especially the ginger), but I’m a milkshake girl at heart, and this machine delivers. It’s become a little ritual: feet up, something comforting on the telly, and a glass of velvety chocolate that feels like a treat without any faff.

It arrived with five sachets of the cold drinking chocolate, which I had to ration like a Victorian heroine waiting for a telegram. The full launch was still three weeks away, and I was determined to make them last. All is well now – I’ve restocked, and yes, I’ve had to ask the milkman to bring more milk. Priorities.

This isn’t just a gadget. It’s a small luxury that’s made my evenings softer, sweeter, and a little more me. I couldn’t be Currently Loving it more!

08 Training Spezials  

I’ve always had a soft spot for a classic white trainer, and these adidas Training Spezials feel like the grown-up version of that love – clean, crisp, and just the right amount of retro. The gum sole is what clinched it for me. They remind me of school sports halls and early-2000s streetwear, but in a way that works for a woman in her mid-40s. I think that makes sense! I ordered these thanks to those adidas vouchers I received earlier this year, and while I didn’t pay for them, I’ve worn them enough already to know they’d have been worth it.

While the name suggests these are for the gym, mine won’t see such a place – they’re for daily wear, to be paired with jeans, linen trousers, maybe even dresses, whatever I happen to be in. They’ve already done the rounds: city walks, coffee runs, a few long days at work. And they’ve held up beautifully. The upper’s made from Cordura fabric, which is designed to be tough and hard-wearing, a good job, because I’m not particularly careful. I’ve already scuffed through a few puddles and kicked my way through gravel paths, and they still look fresh.

There’s something about putting on a pair of perfect shoes that make you feel a little more pulled together, even when everything else is a bit undone. And while it sounds very odd to say, in this season where I’m rebuilding routines and rediscovering what feels like me, these trainers have slotted in quietly but confidently. Comfortable, classic, and just a little bit cool.

09 COOK Meals

This one’s not about the food itself, though the food is good. It’s about the gesture. A few friends came together to give me a voucher for COOK meals, and honestly, it was an absolute godsend. Having proper meals ready to go has made a real difference. It meant I didn’t default to cereal or fish fingers and chips (though there’s a time and place for both). It meant I could eat something nourishing without having to summon the energy to cook.

I mentioned COOK in a monthly journal, but it deserves to be featured in my Currently Loving as well. The meals are generous, comforting, and genuinely tasty. They feel like something someone might have made for you, if that someone had a commercial kitchen and a knack for seasoning. My freezer stayed full for weeks, and so did I. You can see why it makes my Currently Loving, yes?

They’re all gone now – I ate the one the day I took the photo, but I’m planning to order another batch soon. I do enjoy cooking, but there’s something important about having food ready to go. It’s a kind of self-care that doesn’t require effort. Just heat, eat, and feel a little more human.

This wasn’t a purchase I made myself, but it’s one I’ll keep making. Because sometimes, the kindest thing you can do, is make sure dinner is sorted.

10 Photos on the Wall

This one’s not a product. Rather, it’s one of my proactive grief choices. A way of honouring what was and still is. As I mentioned in my memories of grief article, I curated a collection of photos and put them up on my walls. These are images of my husband and me doing the things that sit deepest in my memory, some of the moments I want to hold onto. They are the way I want to remember him, and us.

I printed them, framed them (simple IKEA frames, nothing fancy), and placed them where they felt right; some in the kitchen, some on the landing. They’re not gallery-perfect. But they’re perfect for me. I pass them every day. I pause, sometimes. I smile. I cry. I feel connected.

The act of choosing the images was tender and deliberate. Not just the best photos, but the ones that felt like us. A windswept walk. A shared joke. A quiet moment. That process – of curating, framing, displaying – was the reason I wrote about memories in the first place. It helped me understand what I was holding onto, and why.

If you’ve got photos sitting on your phone, I can’t recommend this enough. Get them printed. Put them on the wall. Let them live in your space, not just your camera roll. It’s a quiet kind of healing—and a beautiful way to keep love visible.

Your Currently Loving

There we have it, my Currently Loving list for October; ten things, big and small, that are bringing me comfort, joy, and a sense of self right now. This isn’t a shopping list or a call to spend. It’s a celebration of noticing. Of paying attention to the objects and experiences that quietly support us, make us smile, or help us feel a little more like ourselves. Some were gifts, some were splurges, some were practical, and some were deeply emotional. All of them matter, in their own way.

Maybe you’ve got a favourite mug, a new walking route, a song on repeat, or a photo that makes you pause. I’d love to hear what’s making your Currently Loving list. Share yours in the comments.

Read all my Currently Loving posts.

Disclosure: This is not an advertorial or sponsored post. The adidas trainers and Isobaa tee were gifted, but I have not been asked to include them in this or any other post.

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