Novis Newsletter - April Edition

a trend forecast (or at least the trends I'm trying to make happen), getting off the apps and the best of London in the sun

May 01, 2026

I spent twenty minutes on Canva for this thumbnail, so the people who read on email are also going to have to look at it

2026 is the year of getting off the apps

And I’m not just talking about dating. I’m famously a DMs warrior, and I’m regularly turning internet acquaintances into real friends after asking them out for drinks. I’m loving taking things off the group chats and meeting people whose writing I’ve admired for ages in person. I’ve said oh my god that’s you!! more times than I can count this past month. Emily Sundberg’s and Louis Cheslaw’s happy hour in London last week also reminded me of the joys of being the most interested person in the room (much better than being the most interesting imo).

getting content at the Substack drinks (feat. Bea, Izzy and Mandy), making friends at the boat race, ellie's is my new favourite thrid place

If I were in charge: My 2026 Spring Predictions

Visible bike shorts → I’m biking everywhere, and it’s officially mini skirt season. Can we make the shorts peeking underneath a thing? I can’t make bloomers work (it’s giving Victorian diaper, sorry), but I also hate having to pull them down before getting on a bike and hiking them up once I’ve arrived at the function.
Casual sequins → I bought a sequin mini skirt last year for a Studio 54-themed birthday party, and it has quickly become a wardrobe staple. Nothing lifts my mood like a little bit of sparkle. I’ve also been wearing my silver ballet flats to the ground. I’m eyeing some sparkly Handover shorts I saw on Caroline Beuley and this Reformation party dress. I’m also obsessed with scouring eBay for vintage Missoni.
Low Stakes Exercise → I’ve rediscovered the joys of running without a goal (or an Apple watch). I just pick a playlist and go for as long as I want, stopping once I’ve swallowed enough pollen. I’m still a regular at hot yoga, but am loving trying out different studios and bringing a friend. I feel childlike joy again, practising headstands and crow’s pose and twisting myself up into a pretzel.
New friends!! → A theme in my life year-round, but now that the days are longer and the sun is out, everyone is in a better mood! I’ve taken to inviting people for after-work drinks and making friends with strangers getting drunk in Exmouth Market.

Julia’s April Recommendations - To Read, To Watch and To Eat

To Read - Yesteryear by caro claire burke

Easily one of my favourite reads of the year. I was hooked from the premise, an influencer tradwife gets sent back to the 1850s, and it did not disappoint. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, and you’d think I was on their PR team considering how much I’ve been praising it. I’ve already gifted two copies.

To Watch - A Doll’s House at the Almeida

I first read this in High School (shout out to Ms. Stoneman’s literature class) and then again at university; it quickly became one of my favourites. When my mom got into her Hygge era and bought understated Scandi decorations for the holidays, I joked we were having an Ibsen Christmas. I find that modern adaptations can be pretty hit or miss, but I loved this, and the story felt current with the addition of a coke addiction and David Guetta remixes. It’s running until the 23rd of May, and tickets are still available for a few dates.

To Eat - a feast at Beijing Dumpling on Lisle Street

This is my regular spot in Chinatown and one of my favourite places to eat in London. When my brother was still living in the city, we ate there once a week; the MSG left me perma-bloated, but it was worth it. I recently took a group of friends there since it’s one of the few places where I feel comfortable ordering for the table. I recommend a tower of Xiao Long Bao, either the sweet and sour pork or chicken, the Szechuan Beef, a fried rice, a noodle dish and optional veggies.

Honourable Mentions and Other Things Bringing Me Joy

Project Hail Mary was a very strong contender for this month’s To Watch recommendation. It had me sobbing in the theatre, and was everything I wanted Interstellar to be (no offence to fellow UCL alum Christopher Nolan). If you haven’t seen it yet, get your ass to a cinema, this is a big screen experience (IMAX highly recommended, and if you’re London-based and want some company, I’ll clear my diary!)
BIEBERCHELLA - DAISIES, Beauty And A Beat, and One Less Lonely Girl on repeat. Also, anyone close to me knows I’m a sucker for a buzzcut.
The sun - and outdoor seating. I’m a regular Café Kick and Bar Italia1 patron the second the sun comes out.
duckling season at Regent’s Park.
potluck brunches, I’ll bring waffles!
drop dead by Olivia Rodrigo, my girl never misses. What a time to have a crush.
Getting my driver’s licence!!
Lime-ing everywhere. I got a Lime Prime subscription, mostly thanks to Ismene Ormonde’s influence (if anyone is on their PR team, hit her up) and now I feel SO cool pulling up to every function.
These black ballet flats (on sale right now!! I’d go half a size up). I’ve worn them to death this month. I love the high vamp and have been lusting after the Mansur Gavriel flats for years, these are a fraction of the price. I need to figure out affiliate links because I’ve generated four sales in the past two weeks.
The all dressed up miso sesame dressing. Put it on everything. Date idea: let me lick this off your body x
Getting wine drunk in the park and putting my flexibility and creativity to work.
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