Flynn & Tonic

Blog

If 2020 was a song, this is what it’d be.

by

“You say you want a revolution,” sang the Beatles back in 1968. “We all want to change the world.”

And indeed they did – surrounded by global social upheaval and in the shadow of the Vietnam War, it became an anthem for a generation frustrated by the status quo and hungry for change. But what the Beatles happened to do pretty darn well, is really what countless others had done before them: turn turmoil into inspiration; misery into a movement. After all, you couldn’t have had the Renaissance without the Dark Ages. Jazz may never have left New Orleans if not for the yearn for a new way of being post-WWI. And a jumpsuit-fancier named Elvis Presley wouldn’t have had a career without the winds of ’50s social change whipping up his bouffant.

Which brings me to the current day.

…

Read More

Total Recoil: the risky business of socialising during a pandemic

by

We Zoomed our way through lockdown. We House Partied more than we’d ever actually house partied. We pretended doing trivia in fancy hats over a computer wasn’t at all slightly strange and lame and probably more appropriate for your teenage brother hiding out in the basement circa 1999.

But while we all dreamed of post-pandemic socialising as being some sort of hedonistic affair that even Jay Gatsby would consider OTT, the reality is a little more sobering.

…

Read More

7 Times Isolating Adults Were Pretty Much Just Big Toddlers

by

  1. Complete disregard for sartorial norms. Pyjamas till noon? Sure. Sequins with tracksuit pants? Obvs. While toddlers inherently understand that some days need more sparkles and superhero capes than others, us Iso-dults are only just twigging that dressing like the love child of Helena Bonham Carter and Carole Baskin can add a serious mood boost to your day.
  2. Naps for daysssssssss. Enough said.

…

Read More

We got 99 problems but a virus ain’t one

by

“It’s a time to slow down and just be,” they said.

“The universe is giving us a chance to reassess what’s really important,” they said.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, after four weeks of iso life, we got 99 problems and a virus ain’t one.

…

Read More

The inspiration behind ‘Group’

by

Perhaps it was the day I spent 45 minutes, and more than 50 photos, trying to get a good newborn shot for my Instagram (despite the baby being asleep the whole time).

Perhaps it was the mums and bubs yoga class that felt like a cross between Play School and an ashram.

Or perhaps it was the infant swimming lesson run by an instructor who would’ve had General Pinochet shaking in his floaties.

…

Read More

Ch-ch-changes

by

If you’re a regular visitor to this page, then you’ll notice a few changes.

First, a brand spanking new look (although, I like to think of it as a bit of non-invasive augmentation than full body surgery).

Secondly, the content has evolved a tad. Although Flynn & Tonic started off life as a food blog, my main side-hustle in recent months has been the publication of my first novel, ‘Group’. That, plus juggling two little ones has meant I simply haven’t had the time or headspace to dedicate to cooking and taking pretty pictures of food that I used to. Sad face.

I still love cooking and eating. A lot. So there might still be the occasional recipe uploaded here, but mostly you’ll find updates about the book and associated musings. Maybe some other stuff, who knows?! You can still find all the recipes on the site, but I hope you enjoy the new stuff too.

You can read more about ‘Group’ right here on the site, and of course continue to follow my random musings on Instagram

CF