Simone Reddington

Hallelujah, we are now in May which is my favourite month of the year.  I wish my birthday was in Taurus season, as it is the best time of the year. In England, we are always surprised with the first warm sunny days of the summer in May.  We were finally treated to some gorgeous weather last Friday, which was the first day of May.  However, it’s never too hot and us adults can enjoy the sunshine during the week, while the kids are still in school for one last term.  There’s always a magical feeling of hope during this month, as we sip our fruity ciders and start taking the garden furniture out of the shed, that this summer will be the best one yet.

 I have some exciting plans this month, including a reunion with one of my best friends and a music festival.  After living like a hermit for the majority of the last six months, it is so nice to have things to look forward to.  Take this as a sign guys, to use up your annual leave and make some memories this summer! 
 Anyway, without further ado this is what I’ve enjoyed in April; which was also delightful.  

• Trench coat- I always say that the best way to find new outfits is by searching the back of your wardrobe for the clothes that you forgot you owned.  This beige trench coat is originally from New Look, but I got it from my lovely gran when she was clearing out her wardrobe a few years ago.  I hadn’t worn it for ages until I put it on when I wanted to look slick and professional on the first day of my new office job this month.  A classic trench coat is a wardrobe staple that makes everyone look automatically look chic and professional whether you’re Kate Moss in a Burbery advert or the frog in the Flushed Away.  I love wearing mine with jeans and my best trainers to look like I mean business, while feeling comfortable at the same time.  

• ‘drop dead’- The highlight of my Easter weekend was Olivia Rodrigo’s announcement that she is releasing her third album, named ‘you seem so happy for a girl so in love’ this summer.  I have been a huge fan of her music since she exploded on to the charts with her debut number one single ‘Driver’s License’ back in 2021.  Over the past five years, Rodrigo has established herself as one of the most talented and versatile popstars of the decade, whose music is influenced by a variety of genres.  ‘Drop Dead’, the lead single from her upcoming album, samples 80s postpunk sounds with its dreamy electropop melody.  The song perfectly captures the giddiness and excitement of when you first meet somebody whom you really fancy.  I cannot wait to hear the rest of the songs when the new album comes out in June. 

• Cork and Coffee- Since it opened just over two years ago, Cork and Coffee has become renowned for being one of the most popular bars on Seaham’s thriving seafront.  I have visited the smart venue a couple of time for coffee after taking my dog for a walk, but I had never eaten there before until I treated my mother for her birthday last weekend.  The wine bar specialises in charcuterie boards, but we both ordered the burrata and prosciutto flatbread.  My mouth is watering as I remember the soft creamy cheese with the delicious cured meats and balsamic glaze.  The flatbread dough was a lot lighter than a pizza crust and let the toppings do the talking.  We washed them down with a crisp bottle of white wine, that paired perfectly with the food.

• Bridgerton season 4-  I’ve barely had time to watch TV recently, so it has taken me a couple of months to finally watch the fourth series of Netflix’s hit show, which was released back in February.  The spicy period drama, set in London during the early 19^th century, is certainly not historically accurate but it provides entertaining and light-hearted viewing.  The show is based upon Julia Quinn’s best-selling novels, which follows the various members of the upper-class Bridgerton family, as they fall in love and establish their identities in the cut-throat noble society in which everybody- especially the Queen of England- loves nothing more than a good old gossip.  Bridgerton broke the mould when it first premiered in 2020 as it uses artistic license to reimagine the British Regency period as a very multicultural society.  Traditionally, period dramas never seemed to mind glossing over historical inaccuracies such as women not being able to shave their body hair; yet still didn’t have the imagination to cast actors of colour as fictional lords and ladies.  The fourth season of Bridgerton centres around the family’s second oldest son Benedict (played by Luke Thompson); an artist who has always defied social expectations with his bohemian lifestyle and non-monogamous relationships with men as well as women.  He has never had any intention to settle down and marry until meets Sophie Baek (portrayed by Yerin Ha), a maid who disguises herself as nobility at a masquerade ball.  The story is extremely predictable, but I really liked the chemistry between Thompson and Ha, as well as the side plots between the other characters.  Bring on season 5!