Today's episode is all about Zilla with supporting information from Viv Groskop of the Guardian. These are clothes to make you feel good in every way. This is not an advert - I have paid for every scrap of Zilla that has come my way, I just love them so much and want you to also.

Buy Zilla here: https://www.ilovezilla.com/

Follow them on Instagram here: @zillakids

Read Viv Groskop's excellent article here: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jun/21/your-body-is-miraculous-enjoy-it-10-ways-to-be-much-more-body-confident

Keep in touch: stuffbuff@duck.com or @the.stuff.buff

Jayde Adams is a brilliant comedian, actor and all round force for good in the world. You might know her from Strictly Come Dancing but her brilliance extends far beyond that - her latest show is a funny, kind hug of a show called Ruby Speaking about a South Bristol call centre - listen on to find out about that and a smattering of her other projects. Bristol 24/7's person of the year proving over and over that the world is more cheerful with her in it.

Watch Ruby Speaking here: https://www.itv.com/watch/ruby-speaking/10a3377

Listen to Welcome to the Neighbourhood here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0c58jnz

Read about Jayde Adams here: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/bristol247-person-of-year-2022-jayde-adams/

Watch Serious Black Jumper here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jayde-Adams-Serious-Black-Jumper/dp/B086VY37MW

Get in touch with me here: stuffbuff@duck.com or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

How do you switch off? How do you get away from the noise and distractions of every day life? Thanks to a wonderful podcast I learnt how to forest bathe (or walk, mindfully) and it is now a go to whenever I need to turn down the background noise and return to myself. Today's episode is all about a Walk in the Woods.

THAT podcast is Right up my Podcast (or RUMP): https://rightupmy.buzzsprout.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts. Kate and Gwen are so lovely and funny and there will definitely be a bit of self care in their archives for you.

If you want to get in touch - tell me about your favourite forest, or what you like to do to escape I am at stuffbuff@duck.com and on instagram: @the.stuff.buff

Is Venice doable with children? A question I spent several months googling and never really finding an answer. Well, I have now done it and it turned out OK - not all sweetness and light but certainly not the grim stress of my worst imagination. Below is a pretty comprehensive list of the things we did with our 10yo and 8yo and there were only a couple of major stress points and one absolute refusal to leave the house (for half a day!).

Kids focused stuff we did to keep the boys sane and everyone happy:

Ca Macana mask making workshop - expensive but worth it. Info here.

Kids Sundays at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection - these were monthly when we went but looks like they are weekly in high season - free and BRILLIANT. Info here.

Lido - we went to the free beach (walk from the boat to the beach and then turn left and walk another 400m). It is a short boat ride from St Marks.

Leonardo da Vinci museum - Venice supports 2 of these approx 5 mins walk from each other which is baffling. They cost the same to get in and have the same score of Tripadvisor. Indiana Jones fans may want to go to the St Barnabas one but we went to the one next door to our apartment and it was great - lots of playing with machines designed by LdV. Details here.

Hanging out in the Campo San Polo - excellent nasone (water fountain) for water fights, nice benches in the shade, decent ice cream and, more often than not, a game of football.

Gelateria Millevoglie - best ice cream we found in Venice and right by our apartment. Also sells Calzones which were great for take away lunches.

Non-kids stuff we did anyway that they really enjoyed despite themselves:

The oldest (10) loved St Mark's Basilica and was willing and able to queue to get in. They got there at 9ish and the queue was already 50m long. When the Basilica opened at 9.30 the queue moved super quickly and they got in straight away. Queuing was in the shade. Info here.

Scuola San Rocco was a hit for the youngest (8)- he was quite taken with the Tintoretto ceiling of various biblical scenes - some more brutal than others. Info here.

The Accademia was good for spotting animals in pictures, learning saint iconography and the Bellinis and Giorgiones which were brilliant. Info here. It is free (but chaotic) on Sundays - we visited on a Monday morning (closed from 2pm on Mondays) and it was pretty chilled.

The Frari - good for full Venice lion spotting (including a sad one on Canova's tomb) and an incredibly cool and peaceful place. Info here.

San Pantalon - second biggest painting on canvas in the world which is a sight (though the 8yo preferred the blue ceiling with stars on it in a back chapel). Also a Banksy just outside it. Info here and here.

San Giorgio Maggiore - extremely beautiful, peaceful church by Palladio opposite St Mark's Square. Very quiet and more than worth the boat trip for that alone. A trip up the bell tower is worth the money for the astonishing views. Info here.

Giardini Reali - a beautifully planted shady garden just off St Mark's. No picnics allowed disappointingly but it is the perfect place to escape the chaos and recharge a bit (or play with the pebbles/water fountain). Info here. You won't get the whole place to yourself like Monty Don did, but it is significantly quieter than the surrounding streets.

A note on public transport: the vaporettos are frequent and have the city and outlying islands covered. We got 7 day tickets (there are 24 hour and 3 day options) which were expensive but worth it. Any refusals to walk any more meant we could hop on a boat without stress. We took one traghetto - big gondolas oared by 2 people that go back and forth across the grand canal - which cost 2 Euros per person and gives you a slice of the gondola experience for a fraction of the 80 euros for 30 mins gondola price. The ACTV (public transport) employees we came across were completely helpful and supportive and all ticket office staff spoke wonderful English. Info here but I would recommend going and talking to an actual human as they were brilliant.

PHEW! Those were quite some show notes. I hope I covered everything but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch - stuffbuff@duck.com or via Instagram @the.stuff.buff

Enjoy!

Posh make-up today from The Stuff Buff and I am talking Jones Rd - the relatively new brand from Bobbi Brown, beauty goddess!

The products I discuss in the podcast are:

Miracle Balm (I use the shade flushed), the WTFoundation (in Beige for me), the Just a Sec eye cream in Pewter, the Lip Tint (in Valencia Orange) and the Best Pencil in Ivy.

If you want to know more about the textures of the Miracle Balm or the WTF please do get in touch: stuff buff@duck.com or @the.stuff.buff on instagram (where you will also find a get ready with me showing how I apply all the products).

I have discovered printmaking and am revelling in its delights. Listen to me chat about it, and a rookie error I have made and how it doesn't matter because playing, exploring and learning are key.

If you want more expert advice/guidance and more beautiful images please follow:

@caskieprints on Instagram or caskieprints.com : Jay makes beautiful images and they share their knowledge on implements, materials and techniques really generously.

@maddy_casey_printmaker on instagram has a fluidity and sparseness of mark making that I wonder at.

@gail_brodholt's urban landscapes and use of colour are intense, brave and seriously beautiful.

And last but not least @fumiyanagimoto creates deceptively simple prints with such emotional depth.

If you want to get in touch with me i am stuffbuff@duck.com and @the.stuff.buff on instagram - come find me!

We get Aquila magazine for our older child and The Phoenix for the youngest - here are my musings on magazines for kids and hopefully how to get it right (and avoid plastic tat).

Today's episode features a couple of very special guests. Definitely worth a listen if you have 5 minutes.

Aquila Magazine: https://www.aquila.co.uk/

The Phoenix Comic: https://thephoenixcomic.co.uk/

Please feel free to contact me via email on stuffbuff@duck.com or via Instagram:@the.stuff.buff

Ponderings on the Headspace and BetterU apps in particular with mentions of others. Meditation is a game changer for mental good health and is something I have found incredibly useful - listen on to find out how and why and for a huge recommendations of a meditation app for kids that is proving useful in my world.

Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/

Ellie's Angels: https://www.elliesangels.org/

Better U: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nlsltd.betteru

Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/en-gb

Calm App: https://www.calm.com/

You can contact me at stuffbuff@duck.com or via instagram @the.stuff.buff - keep in touch!

In praise of swimming in the fresh air today - outdoor pools, seas and rivers. Just not indoors!

Greenbank Pool in Street is my favourite outdoor pool: https://www.greenbankpool.co.uk/

Rowan Clarke is the best outdoor swim coach I know (I admittedly don't know loads but she is utterly brilliant): on Instagram or at https://www.outdoorswimcoach.com/

I have a certain amount of kit for swimming without proper changing facilities/swimming outdoors - none of this is necessary - all you really need is a towel and some swimmers - but it has all proven worth. Again, no affiliate links/not an ad.

• My favourite swimmers are from Deakin and Blue (https://www.deakinandblue.com/) or Batoko (https://www.batoko.com/
• My tow float - invaluable on sea swims for remaining visible and for keeping valuables dry and with you: https://swimsecure.co.uk/products/tow-donut
• I occasionally use water shoes to protect from pebbly beaches (and the creatures of the deep). These are similar to mine.
• The aforementioned HiTide onesie is a brilliantly easy coverup but I also love the Wylding one which is water and wind proof and has a fleecy layer for drying (like a boilersuit crossed with a dry robe)
• Talking of which - my Passenger dry robe is waterproof, windproof, drying and pretty lightweight. There are heaps on the market though - so research and get one that is right for you.
• A towel - I use a lightweight one from Dock and Bay.
• I make a cup of tea in advance and carry it with me in this epic, leakproof, insulated cup. Apparently it also keeps drinks super cold though I haven't tried.
• When it is below 5 Degrees C I wear wetsuit gloves.

*PLEASE NOTE SWIMMING IN COLD WATER IS DANGEROUS - PLEASE DO NOT SWIM ALONE AND DO NOT SPEND TOO LONG IN THE WATER*

Hi, welcome back! Today I am talking about facial cleansers - my top 3 everyday cleansers, some ancilliary ones and the most perfect of all time. (note these are not affiliate links/this is not an advert)

Make-up/SPF removing first evening cleansers:

Beauty Pie Plantastic Apricot Butter Cleansing Balm: here Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Hot Oil Cleansing Balm: here Body Shop Chamomile Cleansing Butter: here Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm: here Eve Lom Cleansing Balm: here

Skin cleansing second evening cleansers:

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser: here Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser: here Seated Queen Cold Cream: here

Morning Cleansers:

Revolution x Sali Hughes Morning Cleanser: here Beauty Pie Japanfusion cleanser: here

Epic luxury best cleanser ever cleanser:

May Lindstrom The Honey Mud: here

Johns Lewis flannels: here

Today's episode is in praise of showing up, featuring my favourite way to exercise: Yoga With Adriene. I know this may not be everyone's cup of tea but finding something that feels good for you and is easy to get done is the key - alongside a healthy dose of discipline. Listen in for more.

Yoga With Adriene is on YouTube, Instagram and at her own website or the Find What Feels Good community here.

Candice Brathwaite is at her own website and her instagram which is full of inspiration and bright colours.

Anna O'Brien is a body positivity queen and her instagram is full of bright colours, dancing and Disney.

The episode of Parenting Hell (which has been renamed Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe's Parenting Hell which is a bit of a mouthful!) I was talking about, ft Mike Bubbins is here.

And Stacey Solomon's instagram is also a place of love and positivity though the story I was struck by is long gone!

Please contact me - for questions and comments - at stuffbuff@duck.com or via instagram: @the.stuff.buff

Enjoy!

A touch of frivolity today from The Stuff Buff. The Liberty Beauty Drop is, it transpires, not too good to be true if you have a tiny luxury beauty habit to feed.

Have a listen to hear my round up of the latest box plus quite a lot of justification on why the Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar is not too extravagant!

Sign up here: https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/beauty-subscription-box (or just window shop)!

Please get in touch with The Stuff Buff via email (stuffbuff@duck.com) or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

Back on books today on The Stuff Buff and I felt that this book that I mentioned briefly in E3 deserved a deeper dive. I do discuss an art exhibit that explores the history, present and future of lynching and state sanctioned violence against black people in the USA alongside other works and artists.

The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel is available here in the UK and has just been launched in the USA so should be widely available there.

https://www.thegreatwomenartists.com/ has links to all things relating to Katy Hessel's podcast and instagram account.

The Story of Art by EH Gombrich is available here.

I discuss 3 artists in this podcast:

Mary Delaney - https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/people-behind-collection/mary-delany for more details.

Alma Thomas - https://nmwa.org/art/artists/alma-woodsey-thomas/ for more details.

Howardena Pindell - The exhibition I saw was A New Language: https://www.spikeisland.org.uk/programme/exhibitions/howardena-pindell/

Free, White and 21 (Howardena Pindell, 1980) is on YouTube here.

See https://www.garthgreenan.com/artists/howardena-pindell?view=slider#3 or https://www.victoria-miro.com/artists/216-howardena-pindell/ for more details.

Linda Nochlin's essay Why Have There Been no Great Women Artists? is available https://www.artnews.com/art-news/retrospective/why-have-there-been-no-great-women-artists-4201/

Gabriella Nugent's Celebrating Women Artists and Forgetting Feminist Art Histories is available https://contemporary.burlington.org.uk/articles/articles/celebrating-women-artists-and-forgetting-feminist-art-histories

Please get in touch with The Stuff Buff via email (stuffbuff@duck.com) or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

Fossil hunting is my jam - what is not to love, a treasure hunt, time outdoors, bashing rocks with hammers, finding beautiful tiny creatures that haven't been touched for millions of years. Better than magic!

Have a listen and go follow @london_mudlark (mostly not fossils - does occasional group mudlarking sessions for charity) and @mikeharrisonfossils (mostly fossils - does private fossil walks) on instagram for more treasure than you could ever dream of!

If you want to see more of my jewellery I am @gildedmagpie on Instagram.

https://ukfossils.co.uk/ is a fount of fossiling knowledge and if you are on the Jurassic coast the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is a brilliant one stop shop for all things fossil: https://www.jurassiccoast.org/things-to-do/charmouth-heritage-coast-centre-p3157343, as is the Lyme Regis Museum: https://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/

Trilobytes are plentiful in the Upper Gilwern Quarry. See https://uppergilwernquarryhut.co.uk/ for details.

Ad info: We paid for our fossil walk in Lyme Regis and our stay in the Shepherd's hut.

Please get in touch with The Stuff Buff via email (stuffbuff@duck.com) or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

I would love everybody to have a place in their lives like Tyntesfield is for us: somewhere nearby so you can pop there last minute, somewhere where entry is either free or has long since paid for itself, somewhere to meet friends for cake and coffee and also enjoy nature and beauty. Somewhere to run, hide, build dens but that is as familiar as the back of your hand so that the kids can be free and you can relax. Enjoy my musings on Tyntesfield and visit if you can!

Visit the National Trust website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/tyntesfield for full details of what's on and opening times.

The Red Dress embroidery project details: https://reddressembroidery.com/

Please feel free to contact The Stuff Buff via email: stuffbuff@duck.com or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

As a huge fan of Daisy May Cooper and her work I wanted to talk about Am I Being Unreasonable - the show she created with Selin Hizli - which was released in the UK last year and has just found its way to Hulu in the USA. Enjoy!

Am I Being Unreasonable is available here on BBC iPlayer in the UK and here on Hulu in the USA.

This Country is available here on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Welcome to Flatch is available here for US viewers.

Taskmaster season 10 is on All4 in the UK here and on YouTube here.

Please feel free to contact The Stuff Buff via email: stuffbuff@duck.com or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

The Book of Eve is the latest book by Meg Clothier (full disclosure: Meg is a distant cousin but I bought the book and I wouldn't talk about it if I didn't like it!) and follows the fortunes of a Convent librarian as she protects a magical object from those who would wish it, and the Convent and the women who dwell there destroyed. Particularly apt in this age of renewed censorship and the political right's attacks on women this is a beautifully wrought story of adaptability and survival.

The Book of Eve is available here and at all good bookshops.

The Girl King by Meg Clothier is available here in print and on Kindle.

Meg Clothier is @meg_is_writing on Instagram and her new book Country Matters is out in June 2023.

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker is here and The Women of Troy is here.

The Story of Art WIthout Men by Katy Hessel is available here.

Femina by Janina Ramierez is available here.

Why Women Grow is available here.

Please feel free to contact The Stuff Buff via email: stuffbuff@duck.com or on instagram @the.stuff.buff

Episode 2 includes some theories about how and why certain clothes make you feel good, whether that is cozy or epic (or perhaps a bit of both). Featuring a smattering of female-led small businesses and some poetry this is mostly about my favourite HiTide Clevedon Onesie.

HiTide are only on Instagram at the moment: @hitideclevedon

Humphries and Begg are at https://www.humphriesandbegg.co.uk/ and I recently saw their wares freely on open sale at Gloucester Services.

Beyond Nine are at https://beyondnine.co.uk/

Contact The Stuff Buff at stuffbuff@duck.com or @the.stuff.buff on instagram.

(Ad info: I buy all my things myself and am not encouraged to talk about anything by any brands - this may change in the future but for now all recs are entirely independent)

The first episode of The Stuff Buff is here with musings on the latest exhibition at the Martin Parr Foundation, documentary photography and a strange and wonderful tale of a local newspaper and the men who ran it.

The exhibition is on at the Martin Parr Foundation: https://www.martinparrfoundation.org/

Sebatian Bruno: https://sebastianbruno.com/ and Sebastian Bruno Studio on instagram

Contact The Stuff Buff at stuffbuff@duck.com or @the.stuff.buff on instagram.