MSH Backup

Whilst I've recently been spending most of my winter weekends snuggled up under the duvet, on the occasions that I have ventured out I've been keeping things casual and styling some comfortable favourites. Keeping things fuss free seems to have become a real philosophy for me of late- when, in truth, it all stems from the fact that I'm usually far too tired to plan what I'm wearing at the weekend in advance! As such, an outfit from a few weeks ago incorporated some old favourites as well as a new staple which I'm more or less living in: Coat- c/o Boden  Tee- Joanie  Jeans- Weekday (via ASOS)  Shoes- Adidas (via Surfdome)  Bag- French Connection  A parade of pink here- thanks to this classic Boden coat which I've had for a few seasons now and a recent purchase in the shape of this tee from Joanie- surely the only item of clothing to reach for when you're heading out for a weekend brunch date! As well as being super easy to style, it's also a piece which i...

Last Friday, full of pre-weekend energy, I made the most of my lunch break by taking a trip to Burberry Makers House- a temporary installation-come-exhibition which popped up in celebration of London Fashion Week, and which sadly closes its doors today. I'd missed their last Makers House during the autumn, so was determined to catch it this time around- and it certainly didn't disappoint. Curated in collaboration with the Henry Moore Foundation, this stunning space in Soho houses the new season collection and pays tribute to the work of the visionary artist who is the inspiration behind it:  Not only does the exhibition encapsulate the craftsmanship, creative process and vision which Moore is so synonymous with, it also draws inspiration from his connection to the natural world, and specifically the Yorkshire countryside. As well as showcasing a selection of Moore's work and exploring his legacy, Makers House also houses a display of over seventy bespoke capes, which debute...

Regular visitors to these pages will be well aware of the fact that I’m something of a self-confessed floral fanatic, whether it’s nurturing new blooms in the garden or searching out pretty floral prints in the shops. About a year or so ago, I was lucky enough to cross paths with the lovely Sue of A Petal Unfolds , when I was invited along to Cath Kidston’s flagship Piccadilly store to learn how to craft some of her signature paper blooms- and, since then, I’ve become an avid follower of her work (showcased beautifully on her amazing Instagram page!) With spring (and the wonderful flurry of flowers which the season is so synonymous with) peeking over the horizon, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to sit down with Sue and hear all about what she’s been up to of late…  Tell us a little about how A Petal Unfolds began... I originally trained in Fine Art at university and worked mainly with digital photography. I kind of got to a point where I felt like I was missing making thing...

Whilst I'm hastily crossing the days off of my calendar until the arrival of spring proper (it's March next week, wahooo!), I'm also gearing up for the arrival of the new season by road testing some fresh beauty essentials. I don't tend to deviate from my day to day routine all that often, but these goodies have definitely made an impression over the last couple of weeks: Loc One and Done Shadow Stick, Laura Mercier Primer and Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray. Cat trinket dish from Oliver Bonas. This trio are favourites from a Birchbox which my lovely friends got for me for my birthday back in December, and have become real go-to essentials for me lately. The LOC shadow stick is a great, ultra long-lasting eyeshadow which is perfect for everyday, and is wonderfully hassle free if I find myself in a rush of a morning. Regular readers will know that I'm a huge Laura Mercier fan, and use the tinted moisturiser religiously. This primer is another hero product, and a great ...

Sometimes all that it takes to help in rediscovering some old style favourites is a good old fashioned clear out. Whilst I'm yet to tackle a full (and long overdue) dissection of my wardrobe, I've been having intermittent rummages over the last couple of weeks, primarily motivated by an need to seek out some much needed insulation! In so doing, I happened across an old favourite, and one which I've really enjoyed switching up and styling of late: Coat- Topshop  Top- ASOS  Trousers- ASOS  Shoes- Adidas (via Surfdome)  Bag- Skinnydip London I picked up this bold blue coat in the January sales a fair few years ago now, and it's a classic which I'm really happy to have rediscovered, especially as the pop of statement colour is a wonderful diversion to a lot of the darker hues which tend to dominate my wardrobe at this time of the year. On a practical note, the oversized fit is perfect for me as I've been bundling up rather a lot, and anything which resembles a blank...

Now that the temperatures are *whisper it* creeping towards double figures, I think it's high time to start contemplating some spring styling. There's always something energising about this time of the year, especially as the sun starts to reappear for longer stretches of the day, and everything starts shaking into life again after the chilly days of winter. As such, I'm always inspired to inject a splash of spring colour into my wardrobe, and it will probably come as no surprise that & Other Stories is proving something of a one stop shop at the moment: Colour Block Merino Wool Sweater, £45/Floral Crochet Dress, £95/Oversized Floral Sweater, £65/Flower Power Pleats Dress, £95/Floral Bra, £25/D Ring Crossbody Bag, £65/Cross Strap Leather Sandals, £65, all & Other Stories. Confession time- I snapped up this jumper on Monday lunchtime! It had caught my eye online over the weekend, as was pretty much the first thing I spied during a cheeky visit to the Regent Street st...

When it comes to the crunch, I'm generally a creature of habit- particularly when it comes to lunchtime eats. For expediency of time, I'll usually opt for a speedy sandwich on the go, but now that the weather is pepping up (at least a little bit!), I'm determined to make the most of my lunch hour, whether that be heading out for some fresh air and a walk, or finding a new foodie destination. One such recent discovery is the stupendously Scandi new branch of Nordic Bakery: Regular perusers of these pages might remember that I loved my visit to the Soho branch of the Nordic Bakery a few years ago, so needless to say I was very eager to take a trip to the newly opened Covent Garden branch- especially as it's only a stone's throw away from my office. Not only is this new bakery wonderfully warm and toasty, it's been designed to accommodate many more people, so feels spacious and open whilst still being really cosy. Of the treats on the menu, I plumped for the tradi...

Just when you think you've gone and mastered understanding the Great British weather, along comes another freezing cold snap to well and truly remind you never to cast a clout until May is out! I have to confess that I'd been more than a little eager to pack away my winter woollies for another year, so I suppose I only have myself to blame in respect of feeling a tad under prepared for yet another spell of beyond the Wall weather. Whilst I've been reluctant to bundle up in my usual go-to pieces, I've snapped up some new essentials instead- teaming them with some old favourites in the process of combatting the cold: Coat- Vintage  Jumper- Marks and Spencer  Skirt- New Look (via ASOS)  Shoes- Converse  Bag- Skinnydip London Part polar explorer, part Dolores Umbridge, this combination is one which was governed by practicality as much as an attempt to inject a splash of spring colour to a dreary January day. London in the last few weeks has resembled something akin to a ...

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that there are few things in life which make me happier than a fresh bunch of flowers. Whether freshly picked from the garden or picked up on the way home of a Friday night, I always feel at my most relaxed when I'm arranging beautiful blooms in a vase- and if I had to choose an alternative career, I'm pretty sure it would be in floristry! Needless to say, the biggest treat of all is having a bouquet delivered to your door- which is why I'm such a big fan of Bloom & Wild- long lasting flowers which are perfectly put together. They've recently created a brand new bouquet- The Maisie- which for a limited time only came delivered with some bespoke beauty favourites from Birchbox: Benefit's The Porefessional is a real hero product which I've been using for a fair few years now, and an absolute godsend at this time of the year! Contenting with the elements has left my skin looking a little bit weary, so at the moment I'm...

Last Saturday saw the first girl gang brunch date of the year, as Sophie, Hannah, Lily and I ventured to Warren Street to sample the delights of Honey & Co. It's a destination which has been on my foodie bucket list for what feels like ages, so a belated birthday celebration (Sophie) and a bon voyage (Lily) provided the perfect excuse to indulge in some truly delicious dining:  The Big Breakfast (which we all opted for) is pretty much the perfect way to start the weekend. Abundant in moreish mezze options (including incredible labaneh, homemade ashura cereal and some of the tastiest jams ever), this sharing starter is perfectly balanced, brought together by a divine selection of homemade breads. Next up, I opted for the merguese sausage roll, served with marinated tomatoes and topped with a Cornish farm egg- a truly delicious combination. To finish, the lemon and saffron cake- a delight which I could wax lyrical about forever! If you're yet to visit Honey & Co, I can...

Whilst I usually tend to live in jeans and combinations of various blouses, jumpers and tees (a girl for all seasons...),sometimes (believe it or not!), I do like to switch things up a little bit and embrace a smarter slice of style. Easier said than done when you're battling against the clock of a morning (try as I might, the prospect of getting up even earlier is one which I'm not fully sold on), but recently I've discovered some simple yet wonderfully effective basic buys which lend themselves perfectly to a fuss-free yet slightly more formal feel:   Jacket- H&M  Dress- H&M  Shoes- Boden  How snazzy is this jacket from H&M? I spotted it in store just before Christmas (the new Covent Garden branch is the dream!), and finally snapped it up a few weeks ago. The slightly longer line makes it a great everyday piece, and I love the slightly androgynous feel too- it's definitely one of those wonder pieces which makes me feel so much more confident when I wear...