Winter Wobbles, Disappearing Eyebrows and Strictly Specials
Dig in to this week's top tips and recommendations from Jo and Zoe!
Hello from us and our rather worse for wear dolls…
Have a moment to yourself with our round-up of the best recommendations, moments and chats from the Dig It community this week.
Enjoy!
JO + ZOE
In Case You Missed It…
On Monday… We answered your questions on Insomnia, deodorant and dogs on HRT?! Plus, our tips for redefining your eyebrows after the great eyebrow decimation of the 90s has left many of us bereft, and we settle the age-old debate - when is too early to put up your Christmas decorations?
On Wednesday, Zoe shared what happened over her wild birthday weekend: from mates, cakes and quality time with the kids. Jo has also been off soaking up some much-needed girl time with her daughters and enjoyed just taking photos ‘for the mems’. We also had some amazing tips from the Beardy Gardener, Leigh Johnstone, on how to fight the winter wobbles by getting out in your garden. For all that and much more…
🪴 Watch on YouTube 🪴 Listen on Apple 🪴 Watch/Listen on Spotify
We’re always sharing all the best bits from the week’s episodes on our Instagram as well so don’t forget to give us a follow. We love reading all the conversations in the comments - it’s another place where you can connect with the Dig It gang!
🧢 Dig the look…
In honour of the birthday girl herself, we have a Zoe jumper special this week!
We’ve never had as many requests for a jumper as Zoe’s Jacquard jumper which is from Pull & Bear. It is a beauty!
Or you can embrace the hot flushes with Zoe’s ‘Hot Mess’ jumper, from Tabitha Webb.
😼The Ginger Assassin…
If you haven’t been watching Dig It on YouTube or Spotify, you may have missed the hilarious mayhem that Jo’s kitten, Nemo, has been causing. He’s moved on from the recording equipment to taking out (or ‘restyling’) Jo and Zoe’s dolls. Do you think Jo can pull off the Mohican?!
📺 Screen time…
Strictly Come Dancing — Available on BBC iPlayer.
Zoe: This year’s Strictly Blackpool special saw some of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen on Strictly. Lewis Cope was phenomenal with Katya, and then just when I didn’t think it could get any better, Karen Carney and Carlos came out and did that paso doble! I really think they need to do an ‘All Stars’ series where they bring back the best contestants from over the years. What do you all think?
Squid Game: The Challenge — Available on Netflix.
Jo: Zoe and I have both been glued to Squid Game: The Challenge, the reality TV version of the hit Netflix drama. The contestants compete in challenges, many based on Korean playground games, to win a massive prize pot. It’s made by the same production company that make The Traitors and comes with as many twists, tears and betrayals.
🧑🌾 In the Garden With… The Beardy Gardener
Leigh Johnstone, AKA The Beardy Gardener shared the things we can do to stay sane in the garden during the darker winter months.
Stop and notice:
Pick a small natural object (a leaf, grass blade, seed head) during a walk in the garden and spend a minute observing its texture, patterns, and shapes. This can be used as a calming, grounding moment.
Feed the birds:
Put out high-energy foods such as sunflower hearts and fat balls for the birds. They need it even more after the early autumn. Enjoy the presence of birds like robins, notice their activity and noises - it’s like free therapy in winter!
Mindful mulching:
Gather fallen leaves and spread them over your borders. It’s a quick, productive task and creates a warm ‘duvet’ for garden wildlife.
Bring the outside in:
Cut stems from evergreens, ivy, or seed heads to make a simple, natural arrangement for your home to lift your mood. You could even try a bit of Japanese Ikebana, which focuses on arranging plant stems and leaves as much as flowers in minimalist designs.
Have a cup of tea outside:
Sit outdoors with a hot drink or, even better, make it outside on a camping stove. Let the warmth in your hands and the slower pace help you reset and reconnect with the season.
🌻You can follow Leigh on Instagram for more fantastic gardening and mental health tips! Hear more about Jo and Zoe’s experience of winter blues on the full episode.
💿 Crate Digging…
Jo: My pick this week is the upcoming Nothing But Love - Definitive Best Of James album. They are loved by so many people and it’s been so great to see them back together and playing a ton of festivals this year. I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on this record.
Zoe: Jo mentioned Brooklyn band, Geese, a few months ago and I am now completely obsessed. Their album Getting Killed is definitely going to be in my top of the year. They take a few listens to really get into because their sound is quite unusual but they are so, so brilliant. They also recently did a cover of New Radicals’ You Get What You Give and it’s astonishing!
👉 Don’t forget - you can listen to all of our picks on Spotify
🌱 Digging Into Next Week…
On Monday’s Dig In, we’ll be answering your questions on moving away from home when your kids are adults, how to politely leave the WhatsApp group chat and what to buy for teens.
Speaking of, we have an extra special newsletter coming next week… the Dig It Christmas gift guide! There will be ideas for the girl gang, gardeners, homebodies and teens as recommended by Jo, Zoe and our guests from the show. Keep an eye on your inboxes! 🎁
If you want to hear Monday’s episode right now, you can listen and watch by becoming a member of The Potting Shed.
👉 Sign up to The Potting Shed here
The more of you, the more we can do! If you think a friend would love this newsletter or the podcast, why not forward this on? The more the merrier!
Chat next week,
Jo + Zoe
I watch the podcast on my train journey and totally lost it when little Nemo ran off with wee dolly Jo! When we later saw the smashing Mohican he had created I was in bits! I did get one or two funny looks from the other commuters!