MSH Backup

Although I'm a fan of switching up my wardrobe every now and again, sometimes there are few things more comforting than taking things back to basics, styling staple pieces which are real everyday essentials. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds myself largely reaching for the same pieces on rotation week after week (more out of habit than anything else!), but it's always reassuring to be able to grab these old favourites without having to worry about how well they work together. As such, in recent weeks, I've been keeping things quite classic with a combination of monochrome marvels: Jacket- c/o Warehouse  Blouse- COS  Trousers- ASOS  Shoes- c/o Boden  Most of this outfit is a combination of perennial favourites- and I'm sure you're all bored stiff of seeing the same basic black pieces styled with various combinations of white shirts! Having said that, I don't think it's a combination that I'll ever get tired of wearing- so I'm sure this d...

Whilst I don't get the opportunity to travel anywhere near as much as I would like, taking the time to get away from the hustle and bustle of an everyday routine is always worth it, especially if it involves seizing the opportunity to discover somewhere new. The week before last, after several solid months of anticipation, myself, Sophie, Michelle and Hannah spent a whistlestop long weekend visiting Elodie and her glorious hometown on the beautiful French Riviera. Our crack of dawn flight from Stanstead to Marseille (although a shock to the system!) touched down before 10am- giving us the whole day to explore the rambling streets and stunning seafront of France's second city- and, with a local as a tour guide, uncover some hidden gems in the midst of this bustling, sprawling harbour town: After hopping on the coach from the airport to Marseille St. Charles Station, we began our day exploring the city by taking in some seriously impressive architecture in the shape of the Porte ...

If you're heading away for a short break this summer and if you're anything like me in terms of your packing preferences, you'll find it quite tricky to travel light! There's no doubt that I've got much better at streamlining my suitcase, but it's always tricky to decide what to ditch when you're struggling for space- especially in terms of toiletries. Having said that, however, for my recent trip to the sunny South of France to see Elodie, I was more determined than ever to crack the packing once and for all- and, with the help of some travel sized treasures, I think that I more or less succeeded: This travel sized sample of Live Irresistible by Givenchy is something I've been hanging onto in anticipation of summer holidays, and it definitely earned its keep in France- especially after trekking around Marseille! I've posted about my love for this Hourglass palette in the past, and as well as being a brilliant everyday essential, it's perfect for...

If you've been tuned in to social media over the last week or so, I'm sure you're well and truly switched on to the fact that the last seven days have been #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. Whilst it would be lovely to live in a society where we could talk openly about mental health, it's sadly still an issue which remains largely stigmatised, particularly in many areas of the mainstream media, and, from my experience, mental well being is, on the whole, considered largely secondary to psychical health, in spite of the two being intrinsically linked. I have to confess, that it's only recently that I've started thinking about how well I feel psychologically, but after a fairly intense start to the year, there's been a definite domino effect in terms of how I've been getting on overall. With that in mind, I thought that sharing my experience might be beneficial- and somewhat cathartic for me too!  I'm no stranger to feeling anxious- and I'm convinced tha...

Now that it looks like spring is (at last!), well and truly sprung, I'm sure I'm not the only one who is eagerly switching things up in the style stakes and injecting some new energy into my everyday wardrobe. I've always been instinctively drawn to bright hues and summer styles, and a few weeks ago happened upon a new purchase which is already proving to be a real investment buy: Blouse- Marks and Spencer Jumper- Marks and Spencer Jeans- Weekday (via ASOS) Shoes- c/o Boden Bag- Skinny Dip London I spotted this blouse from Marks and Spencer online a little while back, and added it to my bag more or less straight away. I'd originally been intending to stash it away in my suitcase for my holiday, but it's already had a few outings- thanks to the glorious sunshine we had a few weeks ago. It's wonderfully lightweight so lends itself perfectly to layering, and I love the pom pom details too. Definitely a design which I'm sure I'll be living in over the summer...

One of the loveliest things about finding and keeping fragrances is the memories which become so synonymous with certain scents. I'll always associate some of my favourite perfumes with special memories or people, which is why it's always lovely to get inspired by new combinations too. Last payday I treated myself to a new addition in the shape of Jo Malone's Limited Edition Star Magnolia perfume:  Magnolia is a scent which I'll always associate with home; we've had a tree blooming in our front garden since before I was born, and seeing it burst into flower is always a welcome herald of the arrival of spring. This new fragrance perfectly captures the spirit of a fresh season, with hints of magnolia leaf and orange blossom. Notes of shiso, ginger and lemon blend to add an energising edge without overwhelming the delicate floral base, creating a perfectly light spring scent- one which I'm loving (and not just because it  evokes such lovely homely memories!) Have y...