MSH Backup

It seems like there's a new shop launching in Covent Garden almost every day at the moment, which, whilst providing plenty of scope for lunchtime perusals, are also proving seriously dangerous for my bank balance! Hot on the heels of & Other Stories which opened at the end of the summer, the latest addition to Long Acre is another hub of Scandi style: Complete with a café serving up an array of sandwiched, baked treats and drinks, Arket encapsulates a pared down aesthetic, incorporating both womenswear and menswear, and an array of home accessories too. I've not yet made it over to the Regent Street branch, but have been really impressed by what I've seen of the brand so far, especially as their fuss-free style staples are perfect for everyday. It takes a little while to adjust to the slightly sparse design of the store, but once you do, there are plenty of goodies to discover- from basic knits in the most vivid of colours, to immaculate tailoring, to a selection of pyj...

Ahead of their much anticipated official U.K. opening next month, those canny people at Glossier are well and truly winning over prospective customers a-plenty. After their temporary pop up showroom launched over the summer, they invited everyone who registered to receive some more samples in a very special delivery, suitably presented in that ultra-chic hue of millennial pink, packaged complete with inspirational slogan and a selection of stickers. As well as another full sized bottle of Milky Jelly Cleanser, this box of treats also included their Priming Moisturiser and new shade of Haloscope: With winter peeking piercingly over the horizon, I'm sure I'm not the only one already bracing my skin for the impact of the chiller weather. Glossier's Priming Moisturiser is the perfect addition to any skincare routine, and as well as being really light and fast absorbing, it's great for building for as much or as little coverage as you'd like. I've been reaching for m...

One of the most exciting things about any city is the opportunity to discover something new- whether that be a new part of town, a fresh foodie favourite, or indeed a hidden treasure which you might have walked past countless times before but never ventured inside before. Having become quite familiar with Farringdon over the last few years, I've been in the vicinity of Old Sessions House time and time again, but up until this weekend had never really thought much about the hidden story behind the glorious Georgian facade. Thanks to Burberry, however, the building is open for discovery until 1st October, as they take over the space with their Here We Are  exhibition: Curated with the same sensibility to their Maker's House installation back in February, Here We Are encompasses an array of inspiring photography and design, concocted by Christopher Bailey. Showcasing the work of photographers who captured a spectrum of day to day life in the UK throughout the 20th century, the ex...

Whilst the shift in seasons presents the ideal opportunity to embrace some new wardrobe investments, it's also the perfect chance to explore new scents, especially if you're looking to move away from some of the more delicate florals which are so readily associated with spring and summer. I've never really thought about having a fragrance wardrobe before, but with the arrival of autumn I've been keeping my eyes peeled for some new everyday spritzing. Luckily, there's a new Jo Malone concoction which captures the essence of the season in a nutshell:  Whilst Jo Malone's Peony & Blush Suede cologne is perfect for the summer months, it's a little bit delicate for the colder spells- especially as the chillier weather seems to be well and truly upon us already. As an evocation of autumn, Jo Malone's recently launched English Oak and Hazelnut scent is warm and hearty, with notes of elemi and roasted oak creating a calming, homely perfume which is a really ...

Although things are taking a turn for the chillier, I'm sure I'm not the only one determined to make the most of the remaining spells of sunshine between now and the onset of winter. Whilst I'm still resisting the call of the coat cupboard, I've been on the lookout for some characterful purchases to punctuate my winter wardrobe- those additions which are guaranteed to put a smile on your face on even the gloomiest of mornings:    Shirt- Topshop  Jeans- & Other Stories  Bag- & Other Stories  Shoes- New Look  Sunglasses- Warehouse  How much fun is this shirt?! I have to confess that I'm not a regular visitor to Topshop these days, but I happened upon this purchase a few weeks back and snapped it up on the spot. I couldn't resist the flamingo embroidery, and it's one of those wonderfully simple essentials which is really easy to wear. With comfort in mind, these jeans from & Other Stories are another recent purchase which I've been living in s...

As we inch towards the winter, I'm finding myself rather bereft at the prospect of not being able to spend as much time in the garden as I'd like to, especially after having such a successful summer in terms of how many new planting projects came to fruition. Whilst I'm already mulling over which blooms I can get ready for growing next spring, over the weekend I was lucky enough to happen upon the perfect autumn stopgap for keeping my green fingers busy- the RHS' Flowers & Flea Market, held at Flat Iron Square in Southwark: Marrying lots of vintage treasures for breathing fresh life into your interiors with plenty of inspiration for autumn and winter planting, the Flowers & Flea Weekend really was a one-stop-shop for the new season, whether you were on the hunt for some stunning archive prints, classic crockery or heavenly houseplants to inject a splash of colour now that the darker evenings are upon us. There was a bounty of beautiful secondhand goodies to have...

Now that the change in seasons is unfolding in earnest, I'm sure I'm not the only one with a shopping list as long as my arm of autumn and winter pieces which are perfect for sprucing up my wardrobe. As soon as September rolls around, it seems like the shops are flooded with a bounty of new season styles, all of which offer a really refreshing take on transitional, practical style. Needless to say, over recent weeks I've been bookmarking lots of potential purchases in the making- most of which are from one of my favourite Scandi brands, Ganni: Fenn Long Wrap Coat, £260/Seneca Silk Dress, £295/The Julliard Mohair Pullover, £355/Benson Maxi Dress, £430/Lott Isoli Sweatshirt, £95/Palmer Blouse, £95/The Julliard Mohair Hat, £95, all Ganni I've never really considered lilac as an essential shade for autumn before, until, that is, I spotted this glorious coat! Whilst the pale shade might be a little bit out of the ordinary for this time of the year, there's no question th...