Add to List - #95
Madeline, madelines, and open mics
Hello, thank you, and welcome. I love you for being here!
Add to List is my Sunday round-up. It’s the small things that brought me joy, evoked an emotional reaction, or became some short-lived stability in the past seven days.
Obsession
The Lily Allen - David Harbour discourse.
Substack is GIVING on the topic. I started drafting this newsletter earlier this week and it quickly turned into a full essay with all my thoughts (read here). Some of my favourites this week:
However, following the fancy dress photos of Lily as Madeline this Halloween. Dare I say it…it feels a little bit mean to me.
Confession
I failed at a digital detox.
Deleted Instagram — my brain is in a dark cave of daylight savings lit up by incessant scrolling. I’m addicted. It’s a problem.
I allowed myself to log in only via my laptop which helps because: 1) no story posting options; 2) memes feel really stupid when you’re looking at them on a laptop; 3) the absolute shame of having to open your computer to scratch your cyber itch? Degrading and demoralising.
Obviously it didn’t work and I still downloaded on Friday with the justification ‘I need it for work’. SOS.
Shook
The brilliant brains of everyone at our meet up.
On Wednesday we held our first open mic night.
and I have been running these for well over a year, and recently been testing out some new formats. We’re never short of inspired to see how writers bravely put themselves out there, go after their goals, reveal vulnerable parts of themselves, and more importantly - support one another in the process. Bringing this IRL was extra special. A brilliant blend of brains; an all-round-joy of an evening. Which is fitting given the venue was called All is Joy. Huge thanks to them for hosting us and all of our attendees who brought their lovely energy.I decided to use the opportunity to spread some positive thoughts and read something romantic and hopeful from my archive. In case you’re new here, or you want to re-read:
Odd sock
Socks. Strange sheaths of cotton we wear on our feet. Protectors from the cold; mops for all sorts of disgusting bacteria; impossible to sleep in. They’re funny things if you think about them too long. It’s even funnier we gift them at Christmas.Thanks for reading Structured Stream of Consciousness by Michaella Parkes! Subscribe for free to receive new …
Cook
Home-cooked:
Pumpkin, feta, brown rice, chicken salad — Embraced the spirit of halloween this week while roasting some pumpkin in the oven with garlic salt and olive oil, and then tossed it into a salad with some brown rice, sliced chicken breast (pan fried with oregano, thyme & salt). Topped with feta and mustard vinaigrette.
Scandi breakfast plates — Why do random food assortments taste better when they’re grouped and arranged neatly? Honestly it’s the only way you’ll get me to eat blueberries on the same plate as my boiled eggs.
Out and about:
Pet Nat of the day — The Well, Hove.
Trendy RnB vinyl plays as I sip a natty wine and chat to the sexy man with shaved head and an ear piercing and admire the 70s mushroom lamps, and the stacks of Perello tins. Could I be anymore 2025? p.s. Perello olives are disgusting and disgustingly overpriced — they do look lovely as a bit of decor, though.
Toasted Brioche w/ liver parfait, pickled cherries & winter truffle - Maré by Rafael Cagali, Hove.
I had the utter pleasure of attending Maré, the latest opening by Rafael Cagali in Hove. I’ve previously dined at Cagali’s 2* Michelin, Da Terra, in Bethnal Green and adored it. It’s quite the spot. On the plate, he blends his Brazilian Italian heritage using the best of British produce, in an inventive, playful way. Maré sees some of signature dishes from Da Terra (the lobster rice with ox tongue — omg) but he’s also brought a sea spray of new ideas to the new menu. The Sea Bass crudo with Ajo Blanco and cobnuts was so pretty I almost didn’t want to eat it. The snacks were one-bite magic. Yet cherry on the cake? Well should I say the brioche, was pickled and preserved and grated with truffle. Brb, salivating thinking about it.
London’s best Madelines — The French House, Soho —
And who the f— is Madeline? She’s the most delicious dessert in the world, served up one of London’s long-standing pub-come-bistros. (It’s a fantastic drinking spot; they only serve half pints and it’s always overflowing with an eclectic crowd of interesting creatives). Their madeline’s are brimming with zesty essence: they’re crispy, fluffy, and freshly baked to order. Love and light, indeed. Well worth the 15 minute wait.
These take my favourite sponge-based dessert in London. I’m not a sweet-toothed tiger, so for me to devour at least three off the back of sumptuous spread of scallops with truffled butter, sourdough with goat’s curd and confit garlic, AND a huge cote de boeuf (plus the free-flowing Côtes du Rhône to go alongside it) was quite the feat.
Book
The Geometry of Pasta.
A book that is almost as beautiful as the cathartic joy of pasta making itself— this stylish black and white guide takes through an evolution of shape + sauce.
Warning: don’t flick through hungry.
Look
Velvet ballet pumps.
These were only 10 pounds from Sostrene Green (a great shop). They make me feel like a Parisian pixie.
Can’t Stop Scanning
Adored
’s feature in Vogue questioning if it’s now ‘embarrassing to have a boyfriend.’ A whip-smart critique on the state of relationships.In other words, in an era of widespread heterofatalism, women don’t want to be seen as being all about their man, but they also want the clout that comes with being partnered up.
Forward Planning
And somewhere between the time this hits your inbox and me going to bed I’ll be at one of my favourite London spots (Trullo) devouring a plate of good pasta. There actually isn’t a more perfect plate of Sunday served in the city.
p.s. next Sunday is my birthday…and I’ll publish a Substack if I want to.
Yummmmm. Those madelines omg.
Happy early bday!! I’m with ya on the failed digital detox… 😂