I really like this occasional series and the cadence. So many magazine features are ruined by being in every issue.
Polly’s agent should be getting her a spot on Dictionary corner. So many of the guests don’t seem to like the game. (Notable exceptions: Jeremy Paxman, Clare Balding*, Giles Brandeth)
*a regular previously, unlikely to be seen again with the current host
Genuine question: how does everyone manage their spending on paid subs? I keep finding people I must subscribe to but am obv aware of the limits of NHS wages/mortgage etc 😊
Love the Me & My Desk posts, as I'm also fascinated by others writing spaces. Love Polly's work and your description is brilliant 'she’s cool, opinionated and in the know, but without a speck of ‘you can’t sit with us’ mean girl energy'. Perfect, off to order her book.
Oh hello Polly! I just snuck open your email, India, with the full intention of only a little peek and to return back to it later this evening. But I couldn’t resist reading all! What a lovely, interesting woman Polly is, and what a way with words. I’m off to subscribe and buy her book! Thank you, as always, India, for enriching our days ☀️
If I didn’t like Polly Vernon already …. her piece about Glastonbury today would do it. I echo every single word. I literally thank God that I’m not there as I sit comfortably watching the tv with a clean loo, king size bed and decent food to hand. I loathe people en masse — and this year's line up was dismal. The only person I wanted to watch the BBC didn’t feature on their garbled, buffered, crashingly useless Glasto iPlayer. But I saw Father John Misty in Hackney a few weeks ago.
Brilliant! I love this series and I love Polly (ever since her Minx days, it was my favourite magazine of all time). Can't wait to get started on the new book!
These posts are fantastic. I run my own business working from home and can sometimes get stuck in a rut - I found this very inspirational and am going to try a day timetabled like Polly to mix things up a bit. Hard agree on the dressing for work bit though...can't work in joggers!
I absolutely love reading posts like this! It's not just enjoyable, but also deeply inspiring. They often spark new ideas or shifts in perspective that motivate me to create more, improve, or try something different. Thank you so much for sharing!
Love this! A lot so sympatico (I don't have a writing desk either, just the kitchen table and you can imagine how that gets with 2 teenagers in the house). Also, George Michael!
Sympathies on the horse fly. They are the WORST, so painful and so easily infected! I once got bitten just as I was leaving for the airport and by the time I was due to check in my arm and hand had swollen up so much I had to get my bracelet unscrewed (not easily done in Stansted airport) and they almost didn't let me fly. Emergency antihistamines and then a tetanus booster as soon as I got there.
Ugh, how hideous. They are the worst. I have some sort of issue with insect bites generally- they swell up to the size of acorns and feel like the skin is going to tear. Sometimes I have to go and get an antihistamine shot. But not today, though it is MASSIVE.
I really like this occasional series and the cadence. So many magazine features are ruined by being in every issue.
Polly’s agent should be getting her a spot on Dictionary corner. So many of the guests don’t seem to like the game. (Notable exceptions: Jeremy Paxman, Clare Balding*, Giles Brandeth)
*a regular previously, unlikely to be seen again with the current host
She so should be in Dictionary Corner! What a good idea. Also agree re every issue thing.
Ok now I have to subscribe to PV too 🥰
Genuine question: how does everyone manage their spending on paid subs? I keep finding people I must subscribe to but am obv aware of the limits of NHS wages/mortgage etc 😊
I know, it's a real problem. I subscribe to way too many AND keep finding new ones.
Another smasher of an instalment
I love M&MD. They're always interesting.
Love the Me & My Desk posts, as I'm also fascinated by others writing spaces. Love Polly's work and your description is brilliant 'she’s cool, opinionated and in the know, but without a speck of ‘you can’t sit with us’ mean girl energy'. Perfect, off to order her book.
Thank you, I love them too.
Oh hello Polly! I just snuck open your email, India, with the full intention of only a little peek and to return back to it later this evening. But I couldn’t resist reading all! What a lovely, interesting woman Polly is, and what a way with words. I’m off to subscribe and buy her book! Thank you, as always, India, for enriching our days ☀️
Thank YOU for saying such nice things!
Fantastic and fascinating interview , sorry about the horsefly!
Ugh, they're so vicious. It's gone down a bit now, but not much.
☹️
If I didn’t like Polly Vernon already …. her piece about Glastonbury today would do it. I echo every single word. I literally thank God that I’m not there as I sit comfortably watching the tv with a clean loo, king size bed and decent food to hand. I loathe people en masse — and this year's line up was dismal. The only person I wanted to watch the BBC didn’t feature on their garbled, buffered, crashingly useless Glasto iPlayer. But I saw Father John Misty in Hackney a few weeks ago.
Yes! Polly, if you are reading the comments, this could be me writing this, except I tried The Big Chill with friends instead. Still awful.
Not my cup of tea in person either but I do love watching it.
Brilliant! I love this series and I love Polly (ever since her Minx days, it was my favourite magazine of all time). Can't wait to get started on the new book!
Hooray! I love compiling them. Desks are just really interesting.
V enjoyable, thank you both! Rita, what a darling!!!!
Her little face!
🤎
These posts are fantastic. I run my own business working from home and can sometimes get stuck in a rut - I found this very inspirational and am going to try a day timetabled like Polly to mix things up a bit. Hard agree on the dressing for work bit though...can't work in joggers!
Oh good, I'm really glad it's useful! Agree re importance of mixing it up a bit so it's not just one long endless stretch of time.
Horsefly bites - ouch! I swear by those sprays by Jungle etc, the blue cooling ones, for all bites and stings.
I love Polly Vernon too, her column is the best bit in Grazia…
Don't think I know blue cooling one, must have look. Am martyr to insect bites, huge allergic reactions.
Get ‘Mrs Whites unstung hero’ - a fabulous insect repellent! Smells like cologne and does the job…
Ooh I just took that to Italy. It’s very good!!
It's vg but not man enough for my crazy allergic reactions. But I recommend it to everyone and use it outside when we're having dinner
A great read. Lots of good advice too and a brilliant series. And I like the sound of Polly’s book. Hope the pain subsides.
It's subsided a bit. Horseflies are the worst.
They’re horrid.
I absolutely love reading posts like this! It's not just enjoyable, but also deeply inspiring. They often spark new ideas or shifts in perspective that motivate me to create more, improve, or try something different. Thank you so much for sharing!
So welcome and I agree re inspiration and switching things up.
a lovely read- she makes it sound easy- and I know it is not....a skill in itself.
https://www.superdrug.com/toiletries/travel/mosquito-and-insect-bite-treatment/superdrug-buzz-off-mosquitio-bite-click-relief/p/824035 these things are great for bites of all kinds.... don;t know why not more well known - stops the suffering!
I have one of those - they do help.
I find the trick is to catch the bite v v quickly and lots of zaps
Very enjoyable
Keep with the desks 😍😍
Thank you!
Love this! A lot so sympatico (I don't have a writing desk either, just the kitchen table and you can imagine how that gets with 2 teenagers in the house). Also, George Michael!
Sympathies on the horse fly. They are the WORST, so painful and so easily infected! I once got bitten just as I was leaving for the airport and by the time I was due to check in my arm and hand had swollen up so much I had to get my bracelet unscrewed (not easily done in Stansted airport) and they almost didn't let me fly. Emergency antihistamines and then a tetanus booster as soon as I got there.
Ugh, how hideous. They are the worst. I have some sort of issue with insect bites generally- they swell up to the size of acorns and feel like the skin is going to tear. Sometimes I have to go and get an antihistamine shot. But not today, though it is MASSIVE.