Hi friends. In case no one has asked yet, how are you today?

The news is terrible, and I know we all feel it. Today, though, I’m serving up a big dose of love, inspiration and positivity.

Are you ready?

Let me tell you a story about us. This is how we showed up last night for dinner at a friend’s house prior to a Queen tribute concert.

Do you see the resemblance to Freddy Mercury’s chest??

Yesterday when we were walking the dog by a dollar store, I got the idea that it would be super funny to wear wigs when we showed up for dinner, except the men’s ones were only meh. But they did have a chest with a great set of abs so…for $4, we added some crazy to this currently sad, sad world.

I know there is so much going on.

I realise we have to pitch in and help.

But at the same time, I know this:

In this lifetime, I want to bring the fun.

That’s why I write books, bake cookies, blog every Sunday, ‘be the party’ when I can, put on a dress, a wig, a smile.

I’m here to live through a lens of JOY.

If ever you’re tired from the news or your own circumstances, please remember: we can take a little control of our world right now, and be the joy for someone else.

Happy Sunday. I’m so glad you’re here, and so happy I get to call you friend.

Love Catherine xx

PS. Fun stuff for you…

• An ad agency I work with has a wonderful T-shirt initiative to provide relief to women in The Ukraine and celebrate International Women’s Day. $10 from every purchase goes to the UN Women Australia’s Ukraine Emergency Appeal. Go here if you’d love a You’re My Kind t-shirt (available worldwide with free postage in Sydney).

• Experimenting with eyeliner? The pencil is so, so soft on this Maybelline one in black (half price right now!) and I also like this one in Earl Grey.

• The @National_archeology Instagram account — love it! Have you heard the black sand beaches in Iceland? Listen to the shimmer-sound. Wow.

• Love history? Love Australians? The Harp in the South by Ruth Park is AMAZING. It’s an old novel (part of a trilogy) but you will be right in the heart of the Surry Hills slums with the immigrants and Catholics (now a glitzy suburb for start-ups and young-somethings-with-lattes). I would give this book a million stars.

• Queen: do you remember Bohemian Rhapsody? A little before my time, but classic!

• Amazing dancer Stargyal @afronitaaa — her t-shirt. We’re all someone’s hope.