Open-hearted joys 開開心心 № 01

Appreciating the tiny details of my everyday mundane and the moments that weave poetry to my days.

Sundaze Book Café is the home of everyday magic, joyful living and conversations likely to be had over a hot drink with a friend in your favourite café, capturing the syrup-slow feel and glow of a Sunday. I’m Michelle, and I’ll be your host this Sunday.

Happy Friday, my loves!

There’s a lot to be said for appreciating the smaller, not necessarily finer, details of the everyday mundane. Here’s to our very first Substack list of petite, open-hearted joys, the moments that’ve brought and woven poetry to my days, this week:

一. Autumn in London; London in autumn. This city was made for the season, and we had a lovely weekend strolling in the pre-fall sunshine.

二. Korean food when it’s cold outside. Last week we had a stretch of unseasonably cold weather for September in England, and it felt like a real treat to cosy up and eat Korean stew and bibimbap at our favourite local restaurant.

三. Being back in my gym, matcha, Pilates, journalling, book and lemon water routine.

四. Spying the first trees to start turning orange! It’s definitely early yet, but I’m excited for autumn equinox this weekend.

五. A really good run of books. (I’ll be sharing a bookish round-up v. soon I promise!)

六. When people unexpectedly remember small details about you.

七. The roasted cauliflower bowl I made for dinner on a sleepy Tuesday last week. This is the recipe I used, and it’s something I make at least twice a month now! It stores great for lunch the next day as well.

八. Wearing my first jacket of pre-fall.

九. Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with a run, a pasta bake, and some telescope hours.

十. Smashing my big presentation at work on Wednesday! I’m not amazing at public speaking, and I’m feeling really proud of how I handled the nerves and pulled it off. One down, another four to go. I celebrated my small win with a Thai takeaway night with the girls.

Share a joy from your week in the comments, and I’ll see you again next Friday.