Monday Muse

Botanists, Broths, Sleep Masks, Cavewoman Coats, Companion, Cleopatra & Culture Predictions

Your weekly recommendations of what to watch, listen, wear and do…

Sharmadean Reid

13 Jan 2025 — 4 min read

Zhong Lin challenged herself to produce 365 new photographs in 365 days in 2020.

Happy Monday! I started my day by staring at the incredible sky this morning. Although it has been exceptionally cold this January, the skies have been very clear some mornings and very foggy on others. I have really strong memories as a child of walking to the school bus stop at 7am and reguarly assessing the sky, much like a farmer, or ancient astrologer. There is such beauty in the break of day.

My Monday Muse is the Indian Botanist, Edavalath Kakkat Janaki Ammal a trailblazing botanist and plant cytologist who developed innovative hybrid sugarcanes, helping India to grow its own supply, so it didn’t need to rely on imports. As an eminent scientist, she used her status and influence to protect and preserve the Silent Valley National Park, which is full of rare orchids. In 1946 she became the first female scientist to be employed by the RHS.

Feeling... Like a bear who is emerging from hibernation. So motivated, and ready.

Watching... I haven't watched much TV at all lately, as nothing is grabbing me. I rewatched the Jada Pinkett produced Netflix doc Queen Cleopatra (2023) which I really don't like but I'm in the process of understanding all the different ways the story has been told.

Cinema is still a joy atm though and I watched Babygirl (2024) and Anora (2024). Thoughts incoming.

I am really excited about Companion (2025). I'm seeing this as an ongoing trend from Fresh (2022), HER (2013), The Substance (2024) and Heretic (2024) which I loved! The A24 aesthetic is really becoming mainstream and. I'm here for it.

Eating... Nothing interesting since Morocco as I've been home and eating Turkey soup from the freezer but I have been trying recipes from Little Fat Boy and I loved this Coconut Braised Chicken Noodle Soup.

Drinking... I've been ill so having sugar craving and if you are West Indian, you'll know that Sarsaparilla is like nectar.

Applying... My skin is so nicely tanned from hols and I love this period of it, my face is glowing rn so I'm just hydrating it. One thing I do recommend though is a GEL face mask that you can sleep in. There are only two I can sleep in. Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell and Fresh Rose Mask. I discovered sleeping in them about ten years ago when winters in NYC would really freak my skin out. They sink in completely. Try them.

Smelling... Getting my perfumes via some products.I am using Orange Blossom Argan Oil in my hair and it's giving me the most insane wave and smells divine. I also managed to get my hands on my fave Bite Neroli Deodorant (they don't ship to yhe UK 😦) after trying and failing with Salt & Stone (couldn't handle my period hormone stink).

Wearing... I have been wearing a Peter Petrov Shearling Coat every damn day because it's so cold. It really makes me feel like a cavewoman covered in skins. This winter is really about natural materials...leathers, wools and so on to keep us warm. Obsessed with this De Savary London suede trench.

Reading... I got a subscription to the New Yorker to avoid doomscrolling. But I also loved this article on a Malaysian artist creating a stunning self portrait a day.