Some things that made me smile… in March

Including daffodils and dancing

In this new regular feature, I’m sharing with you some of the things that have made me smile over the past month. Please do feel free to share in the comments anything that’s brought you joy recently too, however big or small! So we might then all be able to discover some new things we’d like to check out for ourselves.

Here’s a few things I’ve enjoyed during March:

Beyond the Streets at The Saatchi Gallery 

This has been described as, “the most comprehensive graffiti and street art exhibition to ever open in the UK,” and once there, I could see why. Featuring more than one hundred international artists over three floors, for me this was a trip down memory lane via King’s Road, full of nostalgia and reminders of some of my favourite songs and music videos from childhood.

If you’re in London you can see Beyond the Streets at its current venue until 9^th May.

Speaking of nostalgia, Doreen’s Jamaican Homemade Rum Cake was a delicious birthday treat I received from a friend that evoked memories of the black cake my Mum used to make at Christmas. Highly recommended!

Menopause Whilst Black Podcast

I loved listening to this nourishing conversation between Karen Arthur and Yvonne O’Garro – two fantastic women! If you’re new to this podcast, Menopause Whilst Black, created in 2020 and hosted by Karen Arthur, is a place where the menopausal experiences of Black UK based women are placed front and centre. The conversations here are rich, enlightening and uplifting. As a perimenopausal woman I always come away from this podcast reminded that I’m not alone and that it is possible to thrive through menopause. There are four seasons of episodes you can catch up on (including my interview back in season one) via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

We want to wear what we want, but don’t want to get it wrong

On the subject of menopause, I really enjoyed this article on decoding fashion in your 50s by Viv Groskop where Karen Arthur is also one of the contributors. Viv is another inspirational woman of many talents and we first met back in my comedy days. She also hosts a podcast called How to Own the Room after her book of the same name. How to Own the Room is now in series 19. Catch up via Apple, Spotify and Google to hear interviews with Julie Andrews, Margaret Atwood, Nadiya Hussain, Yewande Akinola, Ysra Daley-Ward, Karen Gibson, Martha Beck, Dame Eileen Atkins, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, Delia Ephron, Mel Robbins, Julia Cameron (and me!) to name just a few of the more than 150 guests.

Double Daffodils

Though the Spring Equinox has been and gone and the clocks have changed, as I write this, Dear Reader, spring hasn’t quite yet sprung where I am in London. As the colour yellow is said to symbolise happiness, positivity and optimism I treated myself to a bunch of double daffodils this week. These bright yellow blooms (pictured above) have certainly brought me joy, especially on those grey rainy days.

Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey

I finally got myself a copy and am currently reading this New York Times bestseller by Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry. (Thanks to Zakiya from Mindwalk Yoga for the reminder!)

And last but not least, I’ve loved dancing in my kitchen to this Patrice Rushen classic.

Over to you:

What’s been making you smile during March? 

If you like a kitchen dance too, please let me know your favourite tunes!