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Rory Fellowes's avatar

Most of this is a bit outside my sphere of interest but I was quite taken aback by the man who said he doesn’t read women writers. What about Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Rebecca West, Zadie Smith, George Eliott, Marian Keyes?? I could go on for many more names. Would a woman ever say she doesn’t read men writers? An absurd notion to make any such distinction. Well, at least he enjoyed your book!! Now I’m going to have a quick picky bits lunch and then start writing!!

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Ha haa! I think he did get taught a lesson…!

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Rory Fellowes's avatar

I hope he took it further, he’s missing a lot of great writing!

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Claire Ivins's avatar

It’s ludicrous but sadly not at all uncommon

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Susan Dugan's avatar

I gasped at that...really! I dare say that Austen and Eliott would have a time with him. Wouldn't that be something to witness.

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Marian Grudko's avatar

I agree that the French pink book cover is beautiful. Up until now I have not been familiar with your books, just your Substack writing (sorry, I'm learning a lot of things!) but now I will surely read them. It wasn't the pink cover alone that enticed me (maybe a little) but I went down the clickable Jessica links and now I can't wait.

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Well, this IS good news! Thank you Marian.

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adrienne eker's avatar

Me too. I have never read your books, now i shall start. Amazon here i come. Where to start?

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

The Mitford Murders is the first in the series, if you like crime set in the between-the-wars era…

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Jane C's avatar

Thank you for this piece, so much to agree with. I shall be looking at the Sainsbury’s website later for pyjamas as there are no stores in deepest west Wales. By coincidence, I decided yesterday to wear a beautiful dress to my goddaughter’s wedding next week. It will be the fourth wedding I’ve worn it to. I’ve wasted time and energy ordering a whole host of others, none of which compare. I’m relieved and sure absolutely no one will remember I’ve worn it before!

And, finally, hooray for picky bits dinners. Much as I love my three boys, I really love not producing catering quantities of food every day! X

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Hurrah to all this! Thank you, Jane.

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Mary Fowler's avatar

So love your posts Jessica. Totally agree about the Merlin bird app. It had brought so much pleasure to our lives and to many of our friends. We are fortunate to own a second home inn France. Last year the app identified over 60 different species in our garden and many were uncommon or rare. We have so much pleasure in knowing these birds surround us and identify their sounds and behaviour. A highlight was a black woodpecker which we spotted and heard and was identified by the app.

Love the fact about wearing the same dress. When it was our golden wedding anniversary party ( no way I believe I am that old by the way, hence wanting a fab party with disco etc) and thinking I needed a lovely new dress. Could not find any ting I liked and realised I had great dresses in my wardrobe already. Plumped for a fab designer dress I picked up for a song as a sample at Boundary Outlet ( what an amazing place) years before. Definitely the right decision to dance the night away.

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Birds and dancing - what a wonderful life! Xx

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Ella's avatar

Love the idea of picky bits, thank you for sharing ☺️ Absolutely agree with your food list as well, would also add beetroot!

The habitat multi collab homewares are nice. But as you say, there’s lots of nice things, I just don’t want to buy anything that doesn’t have a bit of meaning these days. Because otherwise it’s just more stuff. I didn’t realise I felt like that until I just read what you wrote!

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Thanks Ella. And if I did that with my writing for your thoughts, that’s the best!

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Deborah Frost's avatar

Hard agree with Sainsbury’s pjs. I got the octopus printed linen blend and they are exceptional for £25. Come up true to size and they are 55% linen. Absolutely love them.

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June Girvin's avatar

Oh, those PJs!!

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Ellie Rickard's avatar

Gorgeous French cover 😍

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Merci beaucoup!

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Susan Dugan's avatar

Jessica, the bits ARE the best part and the last chip (English chips, of course) on the plate that is the extra crunchy one.

Your bit on age (will tune in on that one) and summer dressing hit the spot!

I will celebrate another birthday on Wednesday and wow! I've never felt my age. My late husband and I joked that having a child later in life would keep us young. That has turned out to be true. I don't act like an "old" person, nor do I feel like one. I'm lucky to have good genes and have to thank cutting-edge cancer treatment for being alive, but I am a believer that it is important to not stop learning, exploring, and growing.

When our daughter married, I searched high, low, and under for a mother-of-the-bride outfit and finally found a two piece out of Australia. I love it and have worn the outfit to three weddings, two fundraising galas, and will don it again this summer for another wedding. It still feels wonderful even after some alterations and I feel comfortable in it. It truly is a no worries kind of thing!

Enjoy the rest of the June bits!

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

I’m here for ALL of this! Thank you, Susan xx

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Sharon van Geuns's avatar

I am getting those prawn pyjamas pronto!!!

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

🌟 xxx

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Jenny Eclair's avatar

Excellent stuff - I bought Sainsbury’s yellow gingham PJ’s - also the boring universality of accepted good taste- spot on- feel v sorry for men missing out on women’s fiction - what not even an Agatha Christie??!

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Oooo gingham!! I’m going to go back! Glad the good taste comments hit the spot. And yes, I know re Agatha! It’s not universal I’m sure, but still…bad enough.

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Natasha Poliszczuk's avatar

Jess! You may have just solved my spare room bed dilemma - you are a GENIUS. May I ask: did you paint before it was assembled? Xx

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Ooh! Glad if I have! I am lazy DIY-er so built then painted. Chalk paint is great because no sanding or primer required. Xx

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Nicki Marsh's avatar

Just downloaded the bird app! How utterly brilliant..thank you!

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Enjoy!

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Catherine's avatar

Love the pj’s, it will force me to wear a matching set for once also I think they are very cheering and much needed!.

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

VERY cheering!

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Moira's avatar

Lovely Sunday read. Your Sainsbury’s jammies find has meant I will probably forsake M&S forever in the nightwear department

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

Ha haa. Still Marks for pants though, right?!

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Moira's avatar

That is non-negotiable.

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Helen Barrell's avatar

I've got the Hemnes day bed and felt the same about the thin, rock-hard mattresses! I got a topper as well, a memory foam one which makes the bed insanely comfortable. It's amazing what difference a really good topper can do.

Oh, and thanks for you tip last time re "Lives of the Wives". It was a fascinating, gossipy read.

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Jessica Fellowes's avatar

VERY happy to hear that!

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