Dear Member,
We are ushering in yet another month here at the club, replacing linens for cashmere and air conditioning for Agas. As we switch the under-court heating on (some of us, unfortunately, don’t have indoor tennis courts), we are thinking of other ways to pass the time this Autumn that aren’t a 6 am call time with Andrei (who seems to be paid to only criticise our backhand), or, I don’t know, getting an actual job and contributing to society like everyone else. Instead, we are kicking off this two-parter of an Autumnal issue with books to read, cosy clothes to wear, and a recipe that will have those around you convinced you are much more down to earth than you really are. Happy October!
TO READ
The time of year has come when cancelling plans in favour of curling up with a good book by the fire is perfectly acceptable, and luckily for us, there are tons of great new releases to choose from. Spike your hot chocolate with Bailey’s and find your cosiest rug because here’s what’s on our bookshelf this autumn:
What I Ate in One Year, Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci, writing about food…need we say more? If you haven’t already read his memoir, Taste, what are you waiting for? His latest release documents a year through food, across film sets, home life and press junkets.
Before We Forget Kindness, Toshikazu Kawaguchi
If you like Nora Ephron films, you’ll love the Before series of novels. Before We Forget Kindness is the fifth novel in the series (starting with Before The Coffee Gets Cold) and promises more heartwarming tales from the Japanese cafe that explores the age-old question: what would you do if you could travel back in time? And, more importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?
Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Ina Garten
The long-awaited memoir from our domestic goddess across the pond, Ina Garten. If you aren’t familiar with her origin story as the owner of the Hamptons, the Barefoot Contessa, or her iconic love story with Jeffrey, get ready to weep with joy.
Federer, by Assouline
For those of you who are more into coffee table books, this is the ultimate for any aspiring tennis player. Federer is a visual biography of the most elegant tennis player of all time, featuring never-before-seen images from Mirka and Roger, as well as handwritten notes and insights of his time on and off the court.
A Thousand Feasts, Nigel Slater
I predict that this is likely to be a new favourite book that gets read every few years. If you haven’t read The Christmas Chronicles, you absolutely must in the lead-up to Christmas and midwinter. Nothing helps you take note of the special moments autumn and winter bring quite like this. His writing and recipes are profound and meaningful in their simplicity and heart. A Thousand Feasts is sure to do the same.
Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout
This one hooked us immediately with the intro, ‘It’s autumn in Maine’. Those are the magic words where we’re concerned. A novel about friendships, the human experience and finding meaning in life…everything about it sounds right up our street.
Cafe Cecilia, Max Rocha
If you don’t want to keep schlepping to East London to experience the wonderful food at Cafe Cecilia, their new cookbook is set to be a godsend. With over 100 recipes from the mind of Max Rocha, this is a celebration of the people behind one of London’s most beloved restaurants.
Fashion First, Diane Keaton
A look at the looks that first got Keaton hooked on style and clothing and the looks that made her the icon she is today. Keaton’s unique, self-deprecating commentary sits alongside insights from friends and collaborators in the industry, such as Ralph Lauren, Nancy Meyers and Blake Lively.
TO WEAR
Transitional dressing is always such a shock. Sometimes, it feels like you experience all four seasons in one day, and the only solution is to pile on a load of very unbecoming layers. Fear not; we’re here to help you with your sartorial seasonal problems so you can continue to look like you have your life together.
Work/School
Nothing beats a trench when the weather is unpredictable. This one is a shorter length, making it easier for warmer days, and allows you to show off your very chic tailored trousers.
Pair with a classic striped shirt and some fun patent flats to add colour and texture to your oufit.
Weekend
Suede is the texture everyone is craving this season. Perfect for the early morning nip in the air, while an easy tee and slouchy denim are a no-brainer for casual weekend attire. To help make you feel more polished, knitted ballerinas, some gold detailed sunglasses and, of course, a vintage Cartier Tank watch.
Going Out
Light knitwear offers the perfect option for the evening, especially when paired with a sporty luxe scuba mini skirt, bare legs and some little boat shoes. Add a chic bag, red lipstick and a quirky necklace, and you’ll be embodying everyone’s favourite 90s style.
Bag, Vintage Dior, £1796
Cosy
We at TRS take our downtime very seriously and strongly believe you shouldn’t have to compromise on style when choosing something comfortable (which is why have made our cotton knit members’ jumper…available for pre-order soon!). We prefer ours oversized and paired with trackies and loafers (because when don’t loafers work?) and preferably a warm mug of coffee or matcha. If you have to step outside for some ungodly reason, the barn jacket is a must to protect you from the elements.
To Bake
Our recipe of the month is Hollie’s Homemade Granola (everyone say hi to Hollie, the latest addition to the team here at TRS!). Her granola is so good that you won’t be able to stop yourself from stealing clusters. This also makes for a wonderful homemade gift, complete with a gingham ribbon-tied mason jar, a bottle of red, and a pair of cashmere socks.
Ingredients
For the granola:
2 cups jumbo oats
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans or walnuts)
⅓ cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom
Generous handful of jumbo raisins
1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
⅓ cup neutral oil like vegetable
⅓ honey or maple syrup
Method:
Preheat the oven to 160c.
Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix to incorporate. It will seem a little on the dry side, but resist the urge to add more liquid. This is what makes for really crunchy and crisp clusters of granola.
Mix until no dry spots remain. Pour out onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Then, take a flipper (technical term) and press down. This helps for even baking and better cluster formation.
Bake in the middle rack of the oven at 160c for 10 minutes, then turn the heat down to 130c without opening the oven, and bake for a further 25 minutes.
The granola should look golden but a little soft. Fear not; it will solidify as it cools!
Leave to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet. Start lifting up the corners to break apart the sheet of granola into your desired size of granola cluster. Place in an airtight tupperware, and eat within 2 weeks (although I doubt it will last that long).
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius. Cream the sugar and the butter until light and fluffy (preferably in a mixer). Add the maple syrup and eggs and mix to incorporate. Add the pumpkin. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix well. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown around the edges. When cool, ice with the cream cheese frosting.
For the frosting, add cream cheese to a mixer fitted with a paddle and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla and beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, thin it with a little more milk. Fold in the lemon zest. When cookies are cool, spread them with some frosting. Garnish with a whole pecan.
And to finish this issue, just a quick update from our chairwoman:
‘We are currently finalising the functions that will allow our members to chat more freely in the club, and we hope to launch the new club for all our members in the next few weeks. We appreciate our members’ patience with this, and we expect that many of them know the trials and tribulations of building a world-class thermal bath, hence their understanding. To celebrate this, we will also be releasing pre-orders for our new members’ jumper in the coming weeks. Anyone who was signed up for the previous jumper will be automatically notified. Anyone who hasn’t done so can do so here. As always, Private members will be given priority. Must dash, as I’m late for my colonic, but feel free to reword this so I make more sense. Ciao!’
Members are also reminded that the membership committee are still accepting applications.If you are looking to apply for Social or Private membership, you are encouraged to do so before all committee members realise they have better things to be doing.
