This just might be the year you learn to live a softer life …
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This just might be the year you learn to live a softer life. As hardened attitudes and polarised opinions prevail, isn’t it quite appealing to explore a gentler mode of living? In the February Issue, we explore how fashion designers have softened silhouettes and interior designers are leaning in to frills, valances and deep-pile carpet. Suddenly everything is pink, or taupe, or mocha. The planing-off of hard edges extends to our social life (remain more fluid, open to new experiences, go with the flow) our travel plans (don’t over-schedule) and even our own psyche (be open-minded, kind).
Nothing offers a better glimpse into a gentler time than a period drama. Jane Austen devotees are dusting off their bonnets to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. Miss Austen, adapted from Gill Hornby’s novel of the same name, is a four-part drama starring Keeley Hawes and Rose Leslie about Jane’s sister Cassandra burning the novelist’s letters, coming to BBC One this month.
A Dolly Alderton adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is heading for Netflix and The Other Bennet Sister, a fresh spin on Mary (the awkward, preachy sister) which has been adapted from Janice Hadlow’s book is in the works. These should nicely fill the break in Bridgerton transmission – season 4 is coming later this year. Expect a boom for real-life Regency style and pastel colours. There’s even a new collection of pretty wallpapers from Hamilton Weston reproduced from fragments found in Jane’s home at Chawton, Hampshire.
Until the days lengthen, there’s plenty of time for reading. The long list for Dublin Literary Award 2025 (worth €100,000 to the winner) has 71 books nominated by libraries in 34 countries. Seven Irish books have made the shortlist including Wild Houses by Colin Barrett, Water by John Boyne, Hagstone by Sinéad Gleeson, and Seaborne by Nuala O’Connor.
Just published is Nicola Reddy’s Best-Loved Irish Love Poems, making it the ideal gift for Valentine’s Day. Coincidentally, remember when we sweated about having “the talk”? Gen-Zers have no time for awkward chat. Nowadays, apparently one in three admit to ending a relationship with the help of an emoji! Nothing soft about that … 
THIS MONTH WE’RE …
VISITING PARIS: To see “Louvre Couture”, the first fashion exhibition at the Louvre, until July 21.
WATCHING: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy as she navigates life as a widow and single mother. Out Valentine’s Day, with cameos by Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.
FOLLOWING: Naoise Dolan, IPUT Writer-in-Residence at Wilton Park, as she works in an elegant Georgian apartment by the Grand Canal. @naoisedolan
LOVING: New York-set film Park Avenue, with clothes by Thomas Shuster, at the Irish Film Institute on February 22. Fiona Shaw stars. www.diff.ie.
VISITING: La Belle Hortense in the Marais in Paris. Half bookstore, half wine bar, it features in Paris Shopfronts (Prestel).
SAVING: The White Lotus is inspiring Thai trips. Start saving for a stay at Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui, where season 3 was filmed.
CHERRY CODING: According to Pinterest “cherry coded” is one of the top trends of the year, not just on menus but in beauty too – try Glossier’s new Black Cherry Balm Dotcom.
VINTAGE SHOPPING: Vintage-inspired runners are the trainers to invest in now, with brands from Dries Van Noten (the hot pair to nab) to The Row and Toteme releasing styles. COS also does a good version.
SPRING CLEANING: Displaying piles of books, objects, art in a curated way makes mess ok, apparently. It’s called “intentional clutter”, don’t you know.
SEE MORE: Stays, Spa Visits & Special Screenings For Valentine’s Day