20 things that caught my attention

Including everything I read, listened to, watched and other things that I love or want to recommend

Jun 24, 2025

In a world of endless information, here are 20 things that made me look twice.

Some are meaningful, some are just pretty, some are totally random - but all of them caught my attention over the past couple of weeks.

Hope you enjoy 💌

*no affiliate links because I don’t know how this works and I’m too lazy to look into it

Books

1. Currently reading Things I Don’t Want to Know by Deborah Levy — it’s part one of her “living autobiography” series. It’s about writing, womanhood, and finding your voice in a world that often tries to silence it. Still reading, will report back!

2. The Poet by Louisa Reid is written in poetry and verse, which sounds unusual but works very well. The story follows Emma, a student who is in a toxic relationship with her university lecturer, and deals with themes of power, control and feeling stuck. I would recommend it, even if (or perhaps because) it is a somewhat unusual read.

Everything I read online

3. When memories from fiction become part of who you are

4. AI is theft

5. Things i notice when i'm not rushing

6. Only 6 Percent of Gen Z Workers Want to Be the Boss

7. Everyone Should Be Wearing Fake Margiela Tabis

Beauty

8. I recently went on holiday with my sister and some friends, and when I tell you the girlies were obsessed with my Merit Dayglow (in Solstice). It gives the perfect bronzed, glowy look and is ideal for summer or holiday vibes. Honestly, I only travel with this, my concealer, brow gel, and a hydrating tinted lip product (like the ones below hehe)

9. Clarins lip perfector: I hate dry lips and have a serious addiction to my carmex lip balm lol, so a hydrating lip product is a must for me. This Clarins trio is fab (I have the oil in a few colours) but I’m also obsessed with the lip perfector, I have colour 06.

*These products were gifted to me (but I 100% will be re purchasing the lip perfector)

Fashion

10. I’ve been really into this boxy Hollister t-shirt lately - randomly popped into the Liverpool store to grab some activewear and somehow ended up in the men’s section with this instead. I’m wearing a size L for reference because I like the oversized fit.

Fun fact: I worked at Abercrombie & Fitch for three years during uni, and let’s just say retail really tests your patience... some of the things people say and do still live rent-free in my head.

11. My Organic Basics bits: I worked with Organic Basics on my YouTube channel and I’m really loving their pieces (their underwear in particular!). Here are the prodcuts that I’m currently wearing and loving:

Flex Tee (pictured)
Flex Foldover Shorts (pictured)
Flex Hipster (the comfiest pants you’ll ever own)
Flex Bralette

Check out their swimwear collection, I have the below and it’s so cute!
Swim Scoop Bikini Top
Swim Cheeky Bikini Bottom

You can still get 10% off Organic Basics with code: JOHANNAHELENA10

*products were gifted to me as part of a paid collab

12. This whole fit but especially these chocolate satin kitten heels from zara, really comfy and cute. Only packed these for a two week holiday as an evening option and they worked with everything!

13. I recently bought these cutie pony hair shoes on vinted (they’re originally from Mango) and I love them very much, I took them out for the first time to see James Blake on Solstice which was extra special!

14. I have my eye on this beautiful Jil Sander bag on Vestiaire - someone pls buy this because it’s not really in my budget!! love her though 🥹

Recipes

15. This one pot couscous cod recipe has become a staple in our household - I tweak this depending on what I have in the house, so fresh and perfect for hot summer evenings (this also comes together really quickly)

16. I’ve been obsessed with these brownie balls by Elle Gibson, I make a batch of them at least once a week to always have them on hand! The perfect sweet treat for all my fellow chocolate lovers.

Creators I love

17. Terrence Bakes: This lovely man whips up the most amazing baked goods and introduced me to the idea of “snacking cakes” for the week - genius! He’s also on substack :)

18. Paris Wycherley: currently my favourite fashion creator, love everything she wears and get a lot of inspo from her. I’ve noticed a real shift in my fashion preferences in my late twenties, and I find myself naturally gravitating toward creators in their 30s now.

What I’ve been watching

19. The secret lives of mormon wives on Disney Plus: reality tv is my guilty pleasure and I would describe myself as somewhat of a connoisseur lol - and let me tell you, season 2 was juicyyy and I loved it.

20. The Pitt on Amazon Prime: Greys anatomy is my favourite tv show of all time (I have watched the first 10 seasons at least 6 times and kinda stopped when Derek died rip, but still!!) and the Pitt gives a similar vibes minus the romance (for now). Really enjoyed this but please be warned that this show is quite depressing at times.

Thank you for reading this newsletter 💌