MSH Backup

As I touched on in my last outfit post, sometimes it's well worth investing in some solid everyday basics which you know you'll be able to reach for on repeat- especially during this tricky transitional period from summer to autumn. Regular readers will know that navy and white is a go-to combination for me, and it's definitely one which I've found myself more or less living in over recent weeks- pairing some old faithfuls with a new investment buy here and there: Blouse- COS  Trousers- ASOS  Shoes- New Look  Bag- Oliver Bonas You can't ever really go wrong with a simple white blouse, and this style from COS is a real favourite. The frill collar adds a lovely extra bit of detail, and is an addition which will make this perfect for layering under knits as autumn and winter unfold too. Here I paired it with my much-worn wide legged trousers from ASOS- a real cost-per-wear investment buy which I'm sure I'll be reaching for a lot more during the coming weeks too...

Whilst I've more or less settled into something of a solid everyday beauty routine over the last couple of years or so, it's always nice to switch things up every once in a while and try some new products. I don't usually tend to give into hype as far a new launches are concerned, but with the world and his wife buzzing about cult skincare sensation The Ordinary, I thought it was well worth seeing what all the hubbub was about for myself. A few weeks ago, I popped along to their newly opened Covent Garden store one lunchtime to find it absolutely packed- always a sign of a good thing- and got the lowdown on a selection of their essentials: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Azelaic Acid Suspension, 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, c/o The Ordinary. Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution purchased in-store. In the past, my skin has never really tended to get on all that well with anything too hard, particularly as it's a little on the sensitive side, so I was a little bit w...

For me, the shift in seasons- as well as being a byword for changing colour combinations- is synonymous with investing in some fresh style essentials. I've already got my eye on a staple knit or two to snap up over the coming weeks, but with the imminent arrival of September, I've also got fresh footwear on the brain too. There's something about this time of the year which always has me eagerly looking out for new shoes- the legacy, no doubt, of years of spending the last week of the summer holidays getting kitted out with new school shoes when I was growing up! With potential investment purchases stacking up, I'm deliberating over a crop of autumn offerings:  Adidas Superstars, £104, Spartoo/Leather Slip On Trainers, £45, Marks and Spencer/Folk Embroidered Boots, £150, Boden/Friya Desert Sand Boots, £150, Clarks/Leather Loafers, £79, & Other Stories/Vans Old Skool Lite in Purple, £76, Spartoo/Sequin Suede Boots, £125, & Other Stories It'll come as no surpri...

As we prepare to wave goodbye to August and start the inevitable slide into autumn, I'm already finding myself slightly bereft at the prospect of everything in the garden heading into hibernation mode for another year. As I've touched on in a couple of recent posts, this summer has been a glorious one in terms of how well some of my favourite plants have established themselves, and I'm already finding myself thinking about what to cultivate over the winter in time for next spring. Even more importantly, I'm keen to be as mindful as possible in my planting- particularly in terms of supporting that most precious of pollinators- the humble bee. With population decline a real problem across the spectrum of species, it's really important to offer these essential members of our ecosystem as much support as possible. With that in mind, I'm definitely going to be planting more of the following bee-friendly favourites in anticipation of next summer:  As well as being a w...

Whilst these days I find myself window shopping less and less frequently, sometimes it's surprising what you can happen upon during the course of a chance lunchtime or post-work browse of the shops. Over the last couple of months, Marks and Spencer have really been knocking it out of the park with their summer offering, and look to be doing much the same with their autumn collection too. Over a succession of recent lunchtime trips, I've found myself coming away with a selection of staple pieces which I've more or less been living in over recent weeks:  Top- Marks and Spencer  Jeans- Marks and Spencer  Bag- Oliver Bonas  Shoes- New Look Sunglasses-Ray-Ban The striped blue top is a wardrobe wonder which seems to be multiplying at speed in my wardrobe, but it's an everyday essential which is ultra easy to style too- especially if you're in a rush first thing in the morning. This design is really comfortable, and the statement sleeves add just the perfect touch of trend...

Let’s be honest, there are few places in the heart of central London which could reasonably be called an oasis of calm- especially at the height of the summer holidays. Whilst I’ve been battling to make my way to and from the Tube amidst a hubbub of people, navigating spells of sweltering summer weather and torrential rain alike, it’s fair to say that there’s not really been all that much time for any relaxation over the last month or so. Having said that, I’m delighted to have discovered a new tranquil treasure in the heart of the city- namely the recently opened Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden: Whilst I’m yet to take a trip to the original branch of Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, the opening of this central London sister shop has been on my radar since it was announced at the start of the year. Not only is the main store the perfect destination if you’re looking to indulge in all things green-fingered, but the accompanying deli is a real must-visit for fresh produce and a del...

If I'm being totally honest, there aren't all that many things which will get me out of bed early at the weekends, let alone earlier than I would usually be up and out of the house during the week. Brunch is perhaps the one obvious exception, but other than that I tend to prefer morphing into something resembling a sloth of a Saturday and Sunday morning. Having said that, however, at the end of last month I found myself up bright and early for a very special Saturday morning trip to the newly opened Rush salon in Shepherds Bush - starting the weekend in style and giving my messy barnet some long overdue tlc: Opened a little less than a month ago, Rush Shepherds Bush is wonderfully light, airy and spacious, offering a really comfortable and relaxing atmosphere from the moment you step through the door. I've been a regular at my local Rush branch for a while now, so knew I was in good hands from the get go- and, needless to say, my hair was very much in need of a trim. After ...

Whilst the majority of my wardrobe is essentially something which largely resembles a glorified jumble sale (i.e a complete mish mash of styles!), there are a handful of everyday essentials which I tend to reach for on a regular rotation- and which co-ordinate surprisingly well! I don't think I'll ever be the sort of person to master the art of the capsule wardrobe, but during the week I tend to find myself living in more or less the same sort of pieces, usually incorporating navy in some shape or form: Blouse- Warehouse  Trousers- Zara  Bag- Oliver Bonas  Shoes- New Look This Warehouse blouse is a purchase which I made last summer, alongside a matching printed pair of trousers- pyjama inspired style perfection! Whilst the full co-ord might be a little bit much for everyday, luckily it's been really easy to mix and match the separate components individually as I did here, teaming the blouse with my much worn Zara trousers for an almost top-to-toe navy blue look, punctuate...

Whilst there are countless new beauty bits and bobs being launched every week, a few weekends ago a very special temporary shop near Baker Street was the place to be if you wanted to get your hands on some of the most coveted samples in town. The brand in question? Glossier- that most coveted of US imports, offering a refreshing take on all things beauty, and overseen by ultimate girl boss Emily Weiss. With a selection of their top selling products of offer as a complimentary introduction to the brand, the pop up was in situ for one weekend only, and, typically, I was already busy! Luckily for me, however, I've got some lovely pals- the wonderful Hannah very kindly picked me up some goodies which I've really been enjoying getting to grips with:  What is there to say about the much-hyped Milky Jelly Cleanser which hasn't already been said? It's one of Glossier's bestselling skincare staples, and, after using it for only a few weeks, its easy to see why. Gentle and so...

Taking a stroll along the South Bank is always a lovely activity in and of itself, and (as with most things in life!) one which is made infinitely more enjoyable with a generous portion or two of food thrown in for good measure. Nothing says summer quite like a spot of al-fresco eating, and the South Bank Food Market (SC Food Market) is always a wonderful pit-stop to satisfy even the most discerning of palettes. Open from Friday to Sunday, it's also a great place to visit if you're looking to start the weekend with some wonderfully flavoursome food, or are after an alternative eating experience at the weekend: Whether you're looking for something to quench your thirst, or are in the market for some freshly cooked flavours, there really is something for everyone here. For me, standout stalls include The Athenian (serving up stunning souvlaki), Shackles Seasonal (offering fresh as they come corn on the cob), and Galeta (offering all of the sweet treats you'll ever need!) ...

If you look back at the first image which you posted on Instagram and compare it to your most recent upload, the chances are they are probably a world (and a couple of fancy filters) away from each other. Scrolling back through my profile, there’s been a definite shift away from selfies, as well as a saddening dirth of sunset shots since I first downloaded the app in 2012. Much as there’s been a change in what I tend to post on Instagram, so too has the platform shifted from being a fun, spur of the moment sharing space to something which is dominated by monetisation, ads and sponsored content. Whilst much of this is down to that entirely perplexing (and constantly changing) algorithm, for me it also reflects a seemingly endless fixation with the modern cult of the aesthetic- very often at the expense of genuine, spontaneous posting- and with a sometimes coldly competitive aspect which you can’t help but feel is becoming the norm rather than the exception.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m ...

Another month down! Whilst it might not feel all that much like summer just at the moment, the weeks certainly are flying by, aren't they?! Scary stuff all things considered- and I'm sure I'm not the only one determined to make the most of the next few months before winter arrives and the darker evenings make everything feel just that little bit bleaker. On a brighter note, my July has been a quiet one- but with some very nice moments punctuating the last few weeks: Spending the day at RHS Hampton /Blue skies making Monday morning a little bit easier/Interiors goals from Oliver Bonas/ A crafty update for my room/The garden in full bloom/Exploring Bloomsbury/Fresh bed linen/A new Glossier favourite- full post coming soon!/Wildflowers popping up everywhere!  After a pretty hectic couple of weeks, I'm really looking forward to taking the opportunity to relax a little bit more over the coming few weekends. Aside from a few trips to the theatre I've got no concrete plans...

I don't know about you, but when I'm rushing to get out of the door and make it to the train station in the morning, I know there are certain beauty bits and bobs which it's entirely futile to try and get to grips with in a hurry. Whether it's winged eyeliner or trying to do something elaborate with my hair, sadly my skills are not quite speedy enough to accommodate anything other than the daily essentials first thing. Much the same could be said of trying to do anything other than smear a spot of Vaseline on my lips (usually lipstick and breakfast on the go proves to be a pretty messy combination)- until, that is, I discovered a brand new handbag hero from Kiehl's: Recently launched in the UK, the Butterstick Lip Treatment really is the thing which practical dreams are made of. Marrying the best of both worlds- a hydrating and smoothing SPF lipbalm with a tint- it's something which I've been using more or less everyday since I picked it up a few weeks ago. ...