Let's not talk about Blake.

I'd literally rather write about my nail polish.

Hey! Scroll to the bottom for a quick addendum on why I’m not adding to the Blake Lively chat today.

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I don’t think I’ve ever had more compliments, on anything, than I have on my silly green nails.

I was going for a sort of Bottega green but it ended up more slime-esque. The green of Pixar monsters, or the artificial food colouring on children’s dinosaur cakes.

They did the monster mash…

I don’t hate it. I keep catching sight of my nails and wondering what the hell I was thinking. I’m usually more of a nudey-pinky girl. But this time I wanted something fun.

For about a year after having my daughter Layla, I skipped my regular BIAB appointments. I assumed (correctly) that I, a) wouldn’t have time to get them done every three weeks with a newborn, b) wouldn’t want my nice nails buried in baby shit, and c) would spend so much time deploying my hands throughout the day that the risk of breakage would be high and I’d probably spend every other fortnight awaiting my next salon trip with one sad, snapped-off nail, hiding my finger from public view.

All of this turned out to be true.

But I also realised that I missed having lovely nails to look at while I played with Duplo blocks, rolled homemade salmon cakes and folded washing. That the nails could be a glimmer in an otherwise humdrum day - they could represent a little bit of my style, or personality, that has been co-opted by a small and very time-consuming person.

When I was pregnant, I observed an ordinary but memorable moment between a mum and her daughter at the shopping centre nail salon where I get my manicures. The woman was carrying her girl, about four years old, on her hip, and told her she could choose the colour they would both get their nails painted (after much deliberation, an Elsa purple.)

I knew I was having a daughter at that point, and I hoped that one day she might want to do that with me.

But while I wait a few years to see if nail painting even registers among her interests, it remains precious me-time.

Every three or four weeks I sneak off for an hour to get my nails done and I emerge feeling maybe 7% less like a trash gremlin.

My everyday jewellery serves the same purpose as my nails. It elevates the mundane, and makes my most basic outfits feel more considered.

Hates a gold thing.

Jewellery! For accessorising! What a hot take.

I know.

But maybe something worth remembering, if your style also feels a bit compromised in the postnatal fog.

Everyone said the baby would snap my gold chains, or want to teethe my rings and pull at my earrings.

All of this was also true. It didn’t stop me wearing it, because gold jewellery is my thing and I feel naked without it. I’ve built a collection that I don’t want to store in boxes and drawers until she’s… what, old enough to ignore it?

What if I want her to know that it’s part of me? This penchant for gold things. What if she grows up and looks back feeling nostalgic for the swing of mum’s necklace against the smell of my chest, or the way my rings shone in the light?

I feel that way about my mum’s Lancome perfume. The scent is so familiar, so comforting, it reminds me of hugs.

I was lucky enough to work with the bespoke jewellers at Son Del Sol in Kiama (which is about two hours’ drive down the South Coast from Sydney) on an heirloom ring for Layla.

My Son Del Sol heirloom ring.

I shared some details about the piece we designed together in this Instagram reel. One day, it’ll be for her. But for now it’s for me. I see my sparkly ring and my weird monster nails and they make me happy - reminding me of why I enjoy the everyday process of adornment. Fashion, jewellery, makeup, nail paint.

Anyway. My point is: get your nails done, if you want. Buy the ring.

Your hands will be in shit regardless.

3 things I want to buy.

Lately all I want to wear is red, green and cream. It’s giving Christmas. Anyway, here are 3 bright red things I’ve had my eye on lately. Because we don’t gatekeep the good stuff.

Lucy Folk Draa Embossed Oval Sunglasses

Lucy Folk has long been one of my favourite Australian brands and it’s because of ideas like these - sunglasses embossed with that signature squiggle, ready to make every outfit look cooler. Lucy has such an inimitable aesthetic and a slow and considered approach to her collections; I love seeing what she releases and really anything she applies her golden touch to - whether it’s interiors or collaborations with other brands like Haulier.

Image: Lucy Folk.

Bellaruchi cap

I was in Commune in Bondi the other day (one of the best stores in the Eastern Suburbs, if you have a chance to get there) and nearly snapped up this hat. There was much umm-ing and ahh-ing over whether I need another one, tbh. What is this brand? I have no idea but I like their hats. This one comes in lots of great colours and it’s the perfect slightly structured ‘dad’ fit.

Image: Bellaruchi/Instagram.

Blanca Pepa Cardigan

Thinking of finally pulling the trigger on this cult oversized cardi. I love everything Blanca produces. Again, it’s on the spendy side, but when you see the pieces up close you realise why. I have a few in my wardrobe (bright oversized shirts and a black overcoat) and they always spark joy and make me feel more expensive, ha!

Image: Blanca.

On Blake.

This is a little footnote to say that of course I have feelings about the Blake Lively fiasco and you might’ve expected a newsletter about it.

Those who listened to What Are You Wearing? might remember me having a showdown with my co-host Deni in an episode of the podcast way back in August 2022, explaining why I don’t rate Blake’s style. And why I felt the fashion industry was gaslighting us into believing she was a self-made style icon... ooft. Controversial at the time, almost got me cancelled etc. I can’t quite believe it’s all coming to a head now, two years later.

But that was then, and this is now. And there’s more to say, but that can come later when we’ve all had a chance to take a beat and digest.

Do I need to add to the pile-on at this time? Probably not.

However - there is a piece I wrote for Mamamia about Blake and the curse that is celebrity method dressing (there’s such thing as too many florals) and you can find that here.

Xx Tam