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Localghost

Things I use

Tech

Hardware

  • MacBook M1 2020 – still going strong, despite the gin and tonic I spilled on the keyboard which occasionally makes typing a bit sticky
  • Various mechanical keyboards
  • E-reader: Kobo Libra 2 – connected to Overdrive, I can get library books on my e-reader!

Software

A VSCode window with the source code for this website. I have two embeded terminals open at the bottom; the left-hand one has the Eleventy compiler running, and the right-hand one is just a command prompt with "hello" written in cursive out of ASCII chars. The background colour is navy blue, with pastel-coloured variables and keywords.

VSCode extensions

  • Change Color Format - Quickly transform colors to and from hex (#RRGGBB/AA), hsl(), rgb() and more.
  • change-case - Quickly change the case (camelCase, SNAKE_CASE, PascalCase)
  • GitLens - see git annotations at-a-glance from within the editor
  • Todo Tree - Show TODO, FIXME, etc.
  • vscode-pets - Pets for your VS Code
  • TinyPNG - Use TinyPNG from within VSCode

Mobile apps

Music

  • DAW: Logic Pro
  • Microphone: RODE NT-1. It's compact enough that I can put it away in a drawer quite easily, and prop the stand up against the wall. I got it from Thomann, but before Brexit, so no customs 🥲
Catalogue image of RODE NT-1 with pop screen and shock mount
  • Audio interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo
  • MIDI controller: When I'm programming in instruments I'll either do it directly into Logic, or use an Akai MPC Mini mk2. It's so cute and small, and fits perfectly in the drawer when I'm not using it.

Coffee

I'd say we're coffee snobs compared to a lot of people, but less than a lot of folks I know; we don't have a barista coffee maker at home because it's too much effort, and I don't watch James Hoffmann videos, I just like good coffee.

  • Machine: we use a Melitta LOOK Therm Timer machine, a filter machine with a programmable timer so we can set it to brew coffee for us when we wake up. It's nothing fancy, but it's perfect.
  • Grinder: Fellow Opus. It's smart, tidy and relatively quiet.
  • Beans: we get good quality coffee from South London-based Old Spike – their Roasters Choice subscription means it's a different one every month, and it's always excellent. They also do a lot of work with homeless people to train them and employ them in their cafes or roastery.
  • Decaf: Square Mile decaf filter

Beauty

I can't claim to have my finger on the pulse of beauty any more. I used to be really into makeup and skincare, subscribe to loads of beauty blogs (this was some time ago) and constantly be buying makeup; working full time and not wearing makeup for the best part of two years over lockdown definitely made me less interested in it. I rarely wear a full face these days unless I'm doing a conference talk or dressing up for a special occasion. Most days if I'm in the office I'll just stick to eyeliner and mascara, or anything else that doesn't take long to apply.

Skincare

My skincare regime, in order. I've been making my way through a backlog of minis I got from various advent calendars and beauty boxes, so I'm using a variety of different products, but these are some reliable ones.

  1. Toner: Medik8 Press & Glow Tonic or Glow Recipe Watermelon PHA + BHA Toner
  2. Serum: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
  3. Moisturizer or oil: Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Day Cream smells delicious and feels amazing; The Ordinary Squalane oil is a good all-purpose facial oil.
  4. Sunscreen: Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 30 sunscreen, or La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50. Always wear sunscreen, regardless of the weather!

Makeup

  • Eyeliner: for the past 15 years I've been a big fan of Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner pencils, though I find some shades do smudge. My favourite shades are Rockstar (metallic aubergine), Stash (dirty green-gold) and Mildew (metallic khaki green).
  • Eyeshadow: I've got a huge collection that I amassed in my twenties, mostly Urban Decay and Sugarpill – but these days, if I ever wear eyeshadow it's usually a Glossier Lidstar because it takes 2 seconds to apply.
  • Blush: Glossier Cloud Paint and nothing else, ever. I usually wear Dusk.
  • Foundation: NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare foundation. A long name for something light coverage that evens things out and doesn't dry my skin out.
  • Mascara: I get terrible panda eyes from most mascaras, so I stick to tubing mascaras that don't budge. My favourites are Clinique Lash Power which does not budge ever, and Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions.
  • Lipstick: I rarely wear it these days but I am a fan of anything I don't have to constantly reapply. Lime Crime Velvetines are reliably good; MAC is a staple.

Fragrance

I have a few favourites that I rotate depending on the season/my mood.

  • Diptyque Philosykos – I love anything fig-scented, and this is just divine. My all-time favourite.
  • Le Labo Matcha – a lovely, fresh, green fragrance. It's been great in spring/summer.
  • I also really like Le Labo Santal 33, unlike my usual greener tastes with its heady florals and peppery notes. I keep smelling it everywhere, it's a very popular one!
  • Miu Miu L'Eau Bleue – fresh white flowers and a hint of pepper. I wore this on my wedding day.