June 2024

Hello to you and the end of June,

Last month’s BON PUBLIC newsletter took on a different format. And some of you very kindly told me it was your favourite send yet, while a few others promptly unsubscribed. HA! Oh you fickle public.

The response confirmed something, though—I compile this newsletter because I enjoy doing it. Business-savvy friends have asked me how and when will I monetise BON PUBLIC, but I’m not taking that path (yet?). I like the no-expectations, no-promises eco-system I have created here. I’m just so grateful that some of you enjoy reading it, too!

Having said that: the email open rate is through the roof… so I must be doing something right. IYKYK ;)

I hope you love this month’s bevy of booty.

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SCROLLING

… The Saved for Later newsletter by The Guardian

I read this newsletter in bed every Saturday morning. It’s a snappy round-up of the week’s highlights in culture and entertainment, and it is pure gold for anyone fascinated with lifestyle trends and the craziness of an extremely online society.

For example, yesterday's newsletter linked to a GQ article titled - Why Men Are Raw Dogging Flights. Ha. What?

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READING

… Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.

Short stories about the injustice of racism, violence and capitalism, set in a Black Mirror-esque, not-so-distant future. Adjei-Brenyah’s amazing debut immediately grabs you and digs the nails in deep.

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WATCHING

… Baby Reindeer

Jeebus Christmas Allmighty. Have you seen this? What a heavy watch, and a true story, too (or maybe not totally?). Richard Gadd is the lead actor and the creator of the series, which is based on a really, really harrowing time he went through a handful of years ago. I am still processing all of this. Now on Netflix.

… Midnight Cowboy (1969)

John Voight plays a naive cowboy-type from Texas who thinks becoming a high-class sex worker in Manhattan is a sure path to riches. Pretty soon after stepping off the bus, NYC beats him down, and a grifter played by Dustin Hoffman becomes his sort of friend.

Watching a movie like this immediately makes me wonder —how was it received when it was released? Thank God for the internet—a quick Google search offers this 1969 review from Variety magazine. I love the mention of the fringe jacket.

The title role is played by newcomer Jon Voight. He ought to make it big with this one release. Whether fringed leather coats of the kind he wears on screen will hereafter come into, or go out of fashion around town is one of the provocative questions the film poses….. “Midnight Cowboy” is of the modern moment moderne. It has a hot topical theme; a popular actor from last year’s greatest film comedy; a miscellany of competent bit players, a good deal of both sly and broad humor. If the women object, and some will, that it accords their sex scant courtesy, the story hardly presents males as admirable. Indeed in this film the scenery is lovely and only the human race is vile.

… Tootsie (1982)

Seeing Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy reminded Beau and me that we hadn’t seen Tootsie. Hoffman is a struggling actor who dresses as a woman to win a part in a popular soap. He walked in heels so Mrs. Doubtfire could run. A total classic I wish I had watched sooner. Love the Hoff.

… Gruen

Gruen is one of my long-time favourites.

The host, Wil Anderson, and a revolving panel of ad agency representatives debate the merits and downfalls of current ad campaigns and the role of advertising in society at large. It’s always an interesting and entertaining watch (but that could just be my marketing major speaking). On ABC and ABC iView.

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LISTENING

… Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh: A (Quiet) Playlist

My latest Spotify playlist is designed to act like thick wadding that protects you from the big bad world. It’s noisy, cluttered, angry and harsh out there, so each track in this curation is easy to listen to and/or smile-inducing. Just a nice, happy, cosy, gentle time.

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CELEBRATING

… My photos in print!

I’m a published photographer! In the July issue of Inside Out magazine, you’ll find a ten-page story that I shot and wrote, featuring a cottage renovation in the Blue Mountains. I’m so grateful to the cottage owners- Olivia and Rowan- and the Inside Out team. I’m also pretty chuffed it has happened six months into my ‘professional photography journey’ - and I’m really relieved, to be completely honest. I’ve tuned down many styling jobs since the end of last year to focus on photography. It’s hard to say no to work and $$, but the drive to chase photography has been so strong, and I'm busting my butt to make sure I am laying the foundations of a really successful career. Eeeeeeep!

… Recognition in an Australasian photography comp.

I’m also excited to announce I received a ‘commended’ award in the Documentary category for Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers Award 2024! The award has run for 16 years and is presented by Fujifilm and Capture magazine. I submitted a selection from the series I photographed at the shack community on Bulgo Beach (see here and here).

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SAVING

… Photography by Jack Davison. So inspiring.

Tilework and kitchen design by Devi Nestor Rotsen Vervaeke. Yes.

Also, this kitchen. Because I hate it, but I can’t stop looking at it. The heart wants what the heart wants.

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COOKING

... Anchovy + Lemon Pasta

I got an urge to make a pasta dish that wasn’t doused in a tomato-based sauce, and I landed on an anchovy/lemon combo, loosely following this recipe (I add capers). When I’m doing a day of writing at home, it’s nice to break properly for lunch and cook something. This dish comes together quickly and is v tasty.

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And that’s it for this month! Thanks for scrolling BON PUBLIC.

Leave me a note. Share your thoughts. Send me raccoon memes.

jessica@jessicabellef.com / @jessicabellef / www.jessicabellef.com

I pay respect to the past, present and future traditional custodians and elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.