Everything I've Loved Recently
Between emptying skincare bottles and plotting a kitchen garden that still hasn’t materialised, it felt like the right time for a good old Q&A
It’s been a long, hot summer so far. I’ve experienced heatwaves in two countries – first here in England (where I discovered how wonderfully cool old stone houses can stay, as long as I remembered to close the shutters during the sunshine hours) and then in Finland. Neither country is exactly known for having many days above +30°C in any given year.
This will not surprise anyone who knows me, but I don’t cope with extreme heat especially well. My ideal summer weather is around +25°C, a few fluffy clouds in the sky, and a little breeze so the air still feels fresh. And like many women in my age group (48+), my temperature control is less refined these days too. More reptile than human, if I’m honest.
Today I woke up to a perfectly mellow, cloudy morning and could have squealed with happiness – but enough of the weather reporting. I’ve clearly lived in England long enough to spend far too much time talking about the sky.
I have several Substack drafts waiting – from my favourite beauty devices to kitchen garden planning – but I decided to ignore them all and do a Q&A post instead. I share regular Q&A’s on my Instagram stories and thought some of them deserved longer answers than the story format allows. So here we go – August Q&A.
(this post contains ad links)
what beauty products have you recently emptied – and would you buy them again?
I keep a little basket next to my dressing table for “empties” (my husband finds this system deeply peculiar, but I like rating the products I’ve actually finished). Unsurprisingly, it’s mostly the good ones – the bad ones never make it that far and end up in my donation pile much sooner.
Top of the “yes, absolutely” list:
Firming body balm – I’m the worst at using body balms despite all my best efforts and dry legs, so to actually finish one is already an achievement and shows how much I loved this Murad. It turns my summer-dry skin into something much supplier and stronger again. Super easy to apply, not sticky at all, and it really works – my legs feel so much softer and hydrated. 10/10.
Medik8 vitamin C-serum – I’m a big fan of vitamin C (my skin is prone to pigmentation) and this one is effective yet gentle enough for my sensitive skin. I use it at night only, as it doesn’t sit well under makeup.
Eye-makeup remover – My go-to, I’ve used this for years and now my daughter does too. Affordable and effective, without irritating eyes.
Kate Somerville SPF 50 serum – I’m a huge fan of Kate Somerville, and their new mineral SPF serum is fantastic. Lightweight, works well under makeup, and you can save 25% with code FLASH here.
Kate Somerville rejuvenation serum – My favourite serum, and this was the second tube I’ve finished. Not cheap, but a little goes a long way. Really calming and makes my skin feel strong and soothed. You can now save 20% with code FLASH here.
Night facial oil – This Erborian lightweight face oil with 17 plant extracts and five key actives. It melts into the skin effortlessly, leaving it nourished but not greasy.
what’s your diet like?
Mostly omnivore, with an emphasis on home-cooked meals and variety. I aim for 30 different plants a week (you can read why in this book), which sounds like a lot until you realise herbs and spices count too. I’m into gut health and luckily love all sorts of fermented foods – sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir.
I practise intermittent fasting, but not in a spreadsheet-driven sense. I’ve never been a breakfast person, so lunch is often my first meal of the day. Coffee with collagen (I use this one]) has been a game-changer for my weak nails and hair – and my occasional knee pain has completely disappeared.
I’m not a fancy cook, so we eat fairly simple meals (this recipe book is my most-used). Think soups, stews, curries, and a lot of dishes I grew up with in Finland. About a year ago I read Ultra-Processed People and it’s made me far more vigilant about labels – my shopping trips take longer, but my cupboards are much happier for it.
Any tips for creating tablescapes for outside dining?
I love a good tablescape! I’m not a minimalist anyway, but with tablescapes I’m a full blown maximalists. More is more! For summer table settings I’m often leaning into stripes and natural textures. A striped tablecloth immediately makes everything look more intentional, even if what you’re serving is a simple salad and a hunk of bread. Pair it with scalloped edge napkins and you’ve got that sweet mix of relaxed and refined.
Plates make a huge difference too. I love anything with a delicate detail — think scalloped rims or blue-and-white patterns - because they bring a bit of charm without looking too formal. They also happen to make even the most humble potato salad look like it belongs in a lifestyle magazine.
Glassware is another easy win. Those vintage-style coupe glasses you see everywhere at the moment are perfect for cocktails, but just as lovely with sparkling water and a sprig of mint. They catch the light beautifully outdoors and make the whole table shimmer as the sun goes down.
As for flowers, I’m a firm believer in “use what you’ve got”. A couple of stems of cow parsley or rosemary plonked in a simple white vase looks far more chic than anything too polished. Dot a few little bud vases along the table and it instantly feels pulled together.
And don’t forget comfort. A set of striped cushions on garden chairs makes guests linger longer - which is the whole point of al fresco dining. Add a hurricane lantern or two with a fat candle for when dusk falls, and suddenly you’ve created the kind of atmosphere that makes people stay for “just one more glass”.
The trick is to keep it unfussy. Imperfect is charming, especially outside. A ripple in the tablecloth or mismatched cutlery just adds to the sense of ease - which, in the end, is the most beautiful thing of all.
All the products are linked here.
what’s your foundation?
Currently I’m mostly using this Erborian BB cream in shade clair. It evens things out without giving me that “face of plaster” look. The bottle promises baby skin and my 48-year-old face gets about as close as it ever will.
I also use the beautiful skin by Charlotte Tilbury (shade 4N) and if my skin needs more covering I use this Estee Lauder classic foundation (shade 3C2 Pebble). I’m using this translucent powder to set it & finish with this setting spray so it survives a morning of dog-walking, tree-chopping or wrestling with the hoover.
I’ve tried countless products in my time - matte ones that made me look embalmed, glowy ones that slid off my nose by lunch - but these are all the Goldilocks of bases.
Have you used led masks - do they actually work??
Ah yes, the stormtrooper mask that occasionally terrifies the postman when she catches sight of me through the window. The CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask looks ridiculous - no getting around that - but I keep using it because it actually does something.
The red and near-infrared lights are meant to boost collagen and improve skin tone, and I have to say my skin always looks calmer and more even after a week or two of consistent use. It’s not a miracle - I still have lines, I still look 48 - but I look like the best version of my 48. And if you’re tempted to try it yourself, you can get 10% off with the code SHNORDIC10 here.
I usually strap it on while answering emails or scrolling through Instagram, and ten minutes later I’ve banked a little future-proofing without even trying. Definitely an investment piece, but if you’re interested in at-home gadgets this is the one I’d recommend starting with.
I’ve just got the CurrentBody Skin LED Hair Regrowth Device — so no before-and-after miracles to report yet - but I’m intrigued. It uses red LED light therapy (the same principle as my beloved face mask) to stimulate hair follicles, improve scalp circulation and encourage thicker, fuller hair over time.
The science behind is that red light has been shown to extend the growth phase of the hair cycle - and I figured if I’m already zapping my skin, why not give my scalp a little light therapy too? It’s FDA-cleared, safe for home use and designed for both men and women.
I’ll report back once I’ve given it a fair trial, but in the meantime I’m quietly hopeful that future me will have stronger, glossier hair. At the very least, I’ll have another gadget to terrify the delivery driver with. And if you’re tempted to try it yourself, you can get 10% off with the code SHNORDIC10 here.
I’ll keep doing these Q&A’s every so often, so if you’ve got a burning question (beauty, books, bread recipes or whether a Georgian house ever truly stops leaking), pop it in the comments. In the meantime, I’ll be here, testing my new LED contraptions, staring at space by the old stone wall where the greenhouse will go, and reminding myself that 30 different plants a week doesn’t mean 30 different salads…
Very informative read this week. Can you just check the link for the collagen as it took me to Murad body cream ? Thanks 😊
Love your writing and your variety of topics Susanna. Totally with you on the hot weather limits. I am 55 and 25c with a breeze is perfect. No need to go higher. Beginning to rethink our vacation destinations as everywhere seems to be getting hotter!!!!