I started off the month doing an important bit of self care. I had the first of my annual mammograms. So, if you’re 40 or over, please take this as a reminder to book a mammogram if you can. Breast cancer runs in my extended family, so my sister and I promised each other we would be vigilant about breast exams and routine mammograms.
July was a busy, busy, chaotic month, but in a fun way (for the most part). We hosted lots of friends and family in our new(ish) home, which really makes it feel like home.
Nubian Skin had a busy month, and we had a super fun Nubian Beings event with Liha Beauty. An amazing community of women gathered to learn about aromatherapy and how to make a body butter. It was brilliant to network and get to know customers of the brand.
I recently finished the last of Tomi Adeyemi’s children of blood and bone trilogy: Children of Anguish and Anarchy. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading a series seeped in Yoruba mythology, and I can’t wait for the films.
I love going to the Royal Opera House, and I got to see Tosca this month. On the evening I went, the two leads were played by two brilliant black opera singers Grammy winner, Angel Blue and Russell Thomas. It was such a treat. I follow Babatunde Akinboboye on Instagram, he’s an opera singer and a hiphopera artist. He shares amazing nuggets on opera on his Instagram account, and he recently launched a Black History of Opera webinar, which I’ve signed up for.
In more culture news, I saw a brilliant play that just arrived at the National Theatre, the Hot Wing King. It is a hilarious and moving study on black, male queerness in the American South. I highly recommend seeing it.
School is now out for the summer holidays, so I’ve been able to spend more time in the countryside, and we spent the past weekend doing the annual plum harvest in the garden and making jam.
I’m ending the month with a road trip to France to visit my best friend and her family. I am looking forward to some much needed switching off.
