We’re in that weird time between Christmas and New Year when you’re not really sure what day it is and what you’re supposed to be doing. With the Boxing Day sales and leftover Christmas foods, there’s not much more to do but shop and eat. Enjoy the sixth edition of the Weekly Love List.

c’mon c’mon (2021)

On the recommendation from SBS On Demand, I watched the 2021 film, C’mon C’mon, starring Joaquin Phoenix, and Gabi Hoffman, directed by Mike Mills. The film is about Johnny, played by Phoenix, who offers to look after his sister’s son, Jesse, played by Woody Norman, after Jesse’s dad, Paul, has a mental health crisis. Jesse travels around with Johnny, who is interviewing children in cities in America about their thoughts on the future. Jesse is feeling displaced and deprioritised after his mum decides to drop everything and tend to the needs of Paul, so Johnny tries to help him understand the situation.

The whole film is shot in black and white, but is set in 2021 America. There is nothing over the top about this film. It meanders through, but at no point did it lose my attention. The score is gentle, sometimes unnoticeable, but provided enough cushioning. 

I usually don’t seek out films with Joaquin Phoenix. I think he can take himself a bit too seriously, but it was really refreshing to see him playing a normal person. He was very natural, it didn’t feel like acting. Woody Norman, who played Jesse, was impeccable. Maybe slightly precocious, but not in a bad way. He was also very natural and stole the scene a number of times. 

This was a really sweet, heartfelt film. There were lessons in this film that I think everyone can take away. That it’s ok to not be ok, and feeling our way through these times is the best way to get past it. Jesse had a lot of feelings about being left with his uncle, but he was encouraged to communicate those, whether it was through words or screaming at the top of his lungs and kicking the ground. It’s also a great example of empathy. We can act out because there is something wrong in our lives, not because we’re bad people. Sometimes we just need an understanding uncle to be on our side and play the Orphan game with us. 

You can watch this film for free on SBS On Demand in Australia.

pulp book cafe – nicholls, canberra

When I visited Canberra recently, I went out for brunch with a friend. We found a cute cafe that was halfway between the two of us at Federation Square, called Pulp Book Cafe. There is plenty of seating inside and out, and a bookshop with an eclectic range of fiction and non-fiction titles. There is also a playground with a cubby house, however the review of the playground from my friend’s 5 year old was that is was boring, but she did spend a good portion of her time there.

I was really impressed with this place. There has a pretty comprehensive menu, with breakfast favourites like eggs and bacon, avocado toast and croissants, a cabinet full of sweet muffins, cookies and cakes, as well as typical cafe bites like sandwiches, fish and chips and salads. There are gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options and a children’s menu.

I ordered the Ruben sandwich with fries and peppermint tea, and Kate ordered avocado on toast with poached eggs and a coffee. The service was incredibly fast. We ordered at the counter and within five minutes the drinks were at our table, shortly followed by our food. The food was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t fault the meal, and neither could Kate. I would completely recommend this place.

Pulp Book Cafe

Federation Square, 6/18 O’Hanlon Pl, Nicholls ACT 2913

Open 7 days 8:45am – 4pm

loop ‘quiet’ ear plugs

The last apartment I lived in was on the main road of the Lower North Shore, which brought a lot of traffic noise. Being a bad sleeper as it is, it was almost impossible to sleep without earplugs. I had been using a lot of single use earplugs, which is not sustainable for many reasons, and when an ad for reusable earplugs popped up on my instagram feed, I just had to give them a try.

The Loop ‘Quiet’ Earplugs have been a great addition to my sleep hygiene. Their soft silicone design is comfortable and with the four ear tips in multiple sizes that come in the pack, they fit perfectly and have not fallen out overnight. Most importantly, they reduce the surrounding sound by up to 26 decibels. They block out enough noise to be able to go to sleep, but I can still hear if my dog needs anything. I have been using these for a few months now and will continue. I might even get another colour for when I want to match my pyjamas with my ear plugs.

rainbow snuffle ball

Harry loves treats and he loves balls, so what would be a more perfect Christmas gift than a snuffle ball? A snuffle ball is like a snuffle mat, which has lots of different lengths of fabric that dogs can sniff around, you throw a handful of kibble or treats and they snuffle them out. It’s a great way to stimulate and occupy your dog’s nose, mind and tastebuds, and keep their bellies and brains satisfied. 

A snuffle ball does the exact same thing, but it also gets them chasing a ball around. Instead of lengths of fabric, there are pockets made of fabric that you hide the treats in and the dog snuffles them out. 

Harry has not stopped playing with this since he got it. He absolutely loves it. It doesn’t even need to have treats in it and he is chasing this thing around like it’s full of prime rib. This is a pretty affordable little toy at $15 at Petbarn, plus when it gets dirty, you can just throw it in the washing machine. Harry puts his 100% support behind this toy for your dog.


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