Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 7 i Gathered

My mum's standing in the kitchen and she's forgotten something. It's not her glasses, or where she's put the morning's post. It's bigger than that. What my mum's forgotten is how to cook. Of all the things that are being sucked into the black holes of her dementia, this is the one that makes me cry the most: providing was such an essential aspect of her mothering – such an essential aspect of her being that it would break her heart to know that she can no longer do it. It breaks mine too. The realisation that I will never again taste the food that nurtured me throughout my life, that was produced in abundance when I thoughtlessly brought unexpected friends’ home for dinner, that appeared in my flat to…

The trend for revisiting our childhood favourites continues with this ‘live-action'/ photoreal CG sequel to Disney's classic The Lion King: Mufasa: The Lion King. Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, this latest addition to the franchise enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa bringing the comic relief. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka – the heir to a royal bloodline. Discovering destiny The film is about chance meetings, misfits and epic journeys across the stunning African landscape, with voices provided by the likes of Donald Glover, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Beyoncé (and introducing…

With tweed all over the runways of London Fashion Week in September, from Irish-American Paul Costelloe's Once Upon a Time show to British-Lebanese Nadine Merabi's tailored dresses, it's the perfect time to shine a light on the iconic British textile. There's lot to explore in tweed's fascinating history, its rise in popularity and how to incorporate it into your handmade wardrobe. Cutting edge Whilst Coco Chanel's longstanding love affair with the wonder wool fabric is legendary and a Chanel tweed jacket remains the ultimate luxury garment, it's not the only fashion house which has recently been sending tweed clad models down the runway. Giambattista Valli's Fall 2023 Collection featured stunning oversized sequin-trimmed tweed jackets and exquisitely tailored ankle-length tweed frock coats. Balmain's tweed jackets are a house signature and its…

Before judging what someone else is wearing, do you try to imagine how you would feel if you were in her/ his place? A. Always. B. Sometimes. C. Never. After a disagreement, it's time to make amends. You start the apology by saying: A. “I completely understand why that hurt you and how terrible you feel. I'm so sorry.” B. “I see you're upset – I'm sorry.” C. “I suppose I should apologise – but if you'd listened to me in the first place…” When someone you're close to recalls an intense and terrible day, do you: A. Experience their emotions as if they were your own, leaving you feeling drained afterwards. B. Feel a pang of shared suffering, then carry on with your day. C. Feel that the other person needs to stop complaining. Your…

Decorating your home for the holiday season need not be expensive or stressful. As with most things in life, less is most definitely more. There's no need to completely transform your home (unless you really want to, of course) – you can simply add touches here and there that will bring festivity to your space in an effortlessly stylish way. “There's joy to be found in making a jolly old mess with gold paper and sprigs of evergreens while eating mince pies!” “You can find so many beautiful natural things to use as decorations, and even reuse them for following years” And you can make decorating an enjoyable part of the process in the run-up to Christmas by involving children in making things both for displaying and for gifting. Given…

The fire's crackling, the mix of scents of pine and wine fills the house, the living room is warm with the twinkle from the lights on the Christmas tree and friends and family surround us – the festive season is upon us. I personally love this time of the year; for me it is a time to take stock and close the past year, enjoy the cosiness of jumpers and hot chocolates while hiding from the winter outside and revel in the lovely, albeit random, family situations that we encounter as we gather together to celebrate. For most of us though, there is a flipside to the season. It can be a big organisational endeavour – to-do lists, managing expectations of friends and family, hosting the Christmas meal… and this…

What better way to embrace the cooler temperatures and inky evenings than to hunker down with a loved one and warm your toes under a blanket? In Scotland, there's even a word for it. In a literal sense, ‘coorie’ means to ‘crouch for protection’ or to ‘snuggle and nestle’ but more recently it has taken on a wider meaning, one that can be applied to the way we live, eat, work and spend our free time. One that binds us with nature, family, heritage and home. “A coorie way of life practices small, quiet, slow activities by engaging with our surroundings to feel happy,” says Gabriella Bennett (gabriellabennett.com), author of The Art of Coorie (Black and White Publishing). “Unlike hygge, coorie is more than about simply being cosy. It's about…

Juggling parenthood, work and your personal life is the most difficult of all circus acts, yet probably the least impressive to the crowd. Surely the lion tamer who is holding the whip and focused on one single task is the one who gets the loudest cheer? According to a recent study in the BMC Psychology journal, multitasking is difficult for both sexes, but women still came out as better at it. Simply put, men are slower, but does slow and steady win the race when it comes to mental health and happiness? Battle of the sexes Often blamed for their ‘one-track mind’, this ability to maintain a singular focus could actually be more beneficial and healthier, when it comes to the accomplishment of daily tasks. Historically, men are more attuned…

We've all been there. As soon as the countdown to Christmas kicks in we start panic buying presents that are often discarded come Boxing Day. This festive season, why not break that high street habit and treat loved ones to something more meaningful and longer lasting? As crafters, we squeeze in as much time as we can for making, so think about treating your faves to some creative time as well, gifting them a unique experience rather than a physical present. Think craft workshops, classes, online courses, or – if you're feeling generous – a creative retreat. Make time Experience gifts are growing in popularity as we realise an expanding mountain of stuff can't always spark joy, but memories definitely can. And, by gifting someone time to be crafty, you're…