The Mummy Memo's Weekend SOS: 10 Things You’ll Love
Enjoy my top 10 picks for what to watch, read, listen to, eat and more... to make your weekend unforgettable!
Happy Friday, subscribers! The weekend is here and I’ve curated a selection of unmissable recommendations that are too good to miss. The perfect mix of inspiration, indulgence and a dash of everything else to elevate your next two days (you don’t even need to leave the house if you don’t want to).
What’s making me smile this week
1. The first signs of spring
2. Brunches with my friends
3. Long walks
4. Voice notes with my lovely friend Laura
5. Long overdue catch-ups
6. Making new connections on Substack
7. The amazing service I got from the NHS this week
What’s making me angry this week
1. Trump
2. Knife violence in Britain
4. The cost of childcare in the UK
5. The cost of gas and electricity in the UK
1. WATCH: Amandaland (BBC iPlayer)
If you’ve watched and loved Motherland, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. (And if you haven’t, do yourself a favour and check out all three seasons. It shines a light on the hilarious chaos of juggling work, life and kids that anyone who’s a mum can relate to.) Amandaland is a spin-off that follows perfect Amanda (who is now divorcee) as she moves from her swish pad to a more modest neighborhood. With her mum (the queen herself, Joanna Lumley) making more appearances and trusted friend (and emotional punchbag) Anne by her side, there’s plenty of LOLs. I’ve only seen the first episode, and while it hasn’t quite matched the brilliance of Motherland, I am really enjoying it. Lucy Punch is fantastic as Amanda, the egotistical yet lovable school mum we all love to hate (or at least get really annoyed by) and I’m sure you’ve met similar in the school playground.
Amandaland is on Iplayer. Image @BBC
2. LISTEN: Miss Me (BBC Sounds)
Yes, I’m a little late to the party (but let’s be honest, I only started this Substack on Sunday so cut me some slack). Miss Me features BFFs Miquita Oliver (Pop World icon) and Lily Allen (from Smile, The Fear and Keane's John Lewis re-record fame) as they chat about their past partying days in London. (I used to frequent a lot of the same haunts just FYI.) The first episode came out in March 2024 and more recent episodes have Miquita hosting solo with special guests (for ultimate nostalgia, check out episodes with Simon Amstell). If you partied in London during the 2000s (especially in Hackney and Shoreditch) or you’re in your late thirties/early forties, you’ll relate hard — or just have fun enjoying some brilliant British humor and a dash of nepotism.
Miss Me can be found on the BBC Sounds App Image @BBC SOUNDS
3. Subscribe:
I’m a huge fan of Lennie on Instagram, so when I saw this little blob was on Substack, I had a total fangirl moment. In a social media world that often makes you feel like you're not enough (not enough friends, money, clothes, creativity, perfect family, perfect body etc etc) Lennnie is here to be your personal hype blob. Offering the most adorable animations and affirmations, you’ll never feel alone again. I hope they won’t mind me sharing one of their illustrations below to give you a taste of how fantastic they are. If you find yourself in a funk, I prescribe a daily dose of Lennnie to brighten even the darkest of days.
Substacker is your personal support blob (and very cute). A guaranteed pick me up if you Subscribe Image
4. TRY: Nuxe Honey Lip Balm
I have a confession: I’ve never been a lip balm or hand cream person (tried the hand cream thing but always found it made my hands even more dry, what a clever marketing ploy hand cream is). However, I got a Nuxe Honey lip balm for Christmas and I’m converted. As a huge advocate of French skincare (this won’t be the last time I mention Nuxe), this lip balm is next level. The scent is out of this world, and it made my lips so soft and kissable... well, I assume they’re kissable, since there are no suitors in sight at the moment. It’s a pocket-sized tub of perfection and if you're looking to treat yourself this February I totally recommend splashing out.
Give your lips the TLC they deserve with this divine lipbalm by Nuxe available online, in store or check larger Marks & Spencer stores. Image: https://uk.nuxe.com/
5. GIVE IT A GO: Sound Bath (No Actual Baths or Water Involved)
I lost my sound bath virginity late last year. After experiencing burnout, I visited a beautiful spot in the Cambridgeshire countryside with wood-fired hot tubs, saunas and ice baths. On a drizzly British day, I soaked, saunaed (I don’t think that’s a word), and chilled (literally) for two hours before taking part in my first sound bath. The room was warm, cosy and dimly lit, and I was under a warm blanket resting my tired head on a comfy pillow. Then the sound began. The instructor used singing bowls and tuning forks and the vibrations were incredible. I can’t describe it well, but the sounds flowed through my body, shaking everything up (not sure if that's a technical term, but it worked). I went into one of the deepest meditative states I’ve ever experienced. Since then, I’ve done a few more sound baths, each with its own unique twist, and they’ve opened me up to a spiritual path that’s had such a positive impact on me. If you love this kind of thing, I’d really recommend sounding out (groan) any events that are taking place near you, and if you’re not into this kind of thing please give it a go. I’d love to hear your lovely sub-stackers experience.
Disclaimer: The sound baths I went to weren’t suitable for pregnant women or those with certain medical conditions so make sure you check before you book.
Get in touch with your spiritual side and enjoy ultimate relaxation with a sound bath experience. Image @Los Muertos Crew
6. PARENTING: Children’s Mental Health Week
This week was Children’s Mental Health Week here in the UK. I think it’s amazing that we now have an entire week dedicated to it. Growing up, this wasn’t something we ever really discussed. My four-year-old daughter is so in touch with her emotions, and it’s truly beautiful to watch. It gives me so much hope that she’ll grow up resilient and able to weather any storms that come her way. The official Children’s Mental Health Week website offers a variety of resources to help your family navigate these important conversations.
Inside Out and Inside Out 2 are great films to get children to talk about their emotions. Image: ©Disney
If you're looking for great books to help teach your little ones about big emotions, I can't recommend Tom Percival’s Big Bright Feelings series (published by Bloomsbury) enough. With gorgeous illustrations and heartwarming stories, books like Finn’s Little Fibs, Bea’s Bad Day, and Ruby’s Worry are perfect for bedtime reading. They offer a great starting point to talk to your little ones about their feelings. It’s always wonderful to ask them questions about the story and relate it back to their own experiences. Perfect for bonding and opening up important conversations. Fun fact: I worked in children’s publishing (not for Bloomsbury I might add) for over 25 years, so I’m planning on doing lots more kid’s book recommendations. Let me know if you’d like to see more of these?
Image: @Bloomsbury
7. TALKING POINT: Ye (aka Kanye) and Bianca Censori
At this week's 2025 Grammys, Kanye West (Ye) and Bianca Censori made waves when Bianca wore a sheer, skin-toned outfit that made it look like she was nearly naked. The bold fashion choice sparked controversy, with some people seeing it as an artistic statement, while others felt it was inappropriate for such a public event resulting in plenty of media attention (which, let’s face it, is probably what they wanted). What do you think? Live and let live or cover up on the carpet?
This AI meme has of Kanye and Bianca reversing the roles has gone viral over social media channels. Photo @nancysoulcycle
8. A MOMENT FOR YOU: Gratitude List
I’ve mentioned this before, but if you haven’t started a gratitude list yet, now’s the time. Aim to write down 5-10 things you’re thankful for every day. It could be your family, your job or even that hidden bar of chocolate you just found in the cupboard. Just do it! I was stuck in a negative headspace for a while, but starting this at the end of last year really shifted my mindset. A top tip for when you're going through a tough time: try to find at least one thing to be grateful for, no matter how small. For example, if you’re unhappy with your job, you could be thankful it provides the money to do other things or gives you the courage/skills to apply for something new. There’s always something to be grateful for if you look hard enough.
Image: @Řaj Vaishnaw
9. READ IT: MILF (Motherhood, Identity, Love and Fuckery) by Paloma Faith & "Being A Mother in the West Would Be a Dream, I Was Told. But Compared to Uganda, It Was a Nightmare" by Patience Akumu
Most mothers I speak to are exhausted, burnt out, frustrated and pissed off. We’re doing incredible jobs raising little humans, but Western society sure doesn’t make it easy.
In MILF, Paloma Faith tackles the complexities of motherhood, womanhood and identity with her usual hilarious wit. Blending personal stories and sharp social commentary, Faith opens up about her own struggles and triumphs, offering a fresh and comforting perspective on modern womanhood.
Image @Penguin
In Being A Mother in the West Would Be a Dream..., Patience Akumu reflects on raising her family in Uganda and then moving to Switzerland. At first, she had no worries about raising a baby abroad, but soon realised that Western culture’s lack of support for mothers made it incredibly isolating. She says, “Nothing prepared me for the reality of mothering without the extended family to help take care of you and the nonchalance with which the Western world treats mothers.” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed and burnt out this article offers a refreshing perspective that it’s not you — it’s the insane pressure and lack of support from our society.
Image: @theguardian
10. EAT: Jeannette Hyde's Rarebit with Gruyere & Smoked Chipotle Sauerkraut
Gut health is everywhere at the moment and for good reason. If you read the science having a healthy gut biome can set you up for a healthier and happier existence. I’ve followed
Make this tasty and gut friendly recipe. Image from @https://www.theculturedcollective.co.uk/blogs/recipes-blog/eat-greet-with-jeannette-hyde
So that’s it for week one. I hope you’ve been entertained, inspired and are going to try one thing on my list. Just want to point out these are all my own recommendations and nobody has approached me to post any of the above (if I ever did become THAT successful I’d be sure to let you know). I’d love to know your thoughts on any/all this list and anything you might be enjoying this weekend. Read, Restack, Share (with your friends, enemies and anyone inbetween). A big massive shout out to all my lovely new connections and subscribers. It’s only been week one and I feel like this place is something special. I’m off to London for the weekend with my mini me. I’m ordering Sushi and going to eat at all the cool cafes. No doubt I’ll note about it. Have a beautiful weekend and keep writing xoxoxo
Hello Lucy. Thanks so much for mentioning my Gut Makeover and Substack, So glad it has helped you, and glad you enjoy the sauerkraut toasties. Plus what a great idea to do it with kimchi sometimes too. Jeannette x