MSH Backup

And just like that, we're back to truly unpredictable weather! Summer was nice whilst it lasted, wasn't it?! Jokes aside, this sudden change in temperature has caught me in something of a spin- no sooner was I sure that I wouldn't need my knits again until the autumn, than I find myself fishing them out of the wardrobe again. With skies flitting between grey and gloomy and blue and bright, I'm utilising lots of spring staples, and layering them up for maximum efficiency:  Coat- Whistles Top- Comme des Garçons (via Dover Street Market) Jeans- & Other Stories Bag- Cath Kidston Shoes- Gap Eagle-eyed readers will recognise this Whistles trench as a real perennial favourite which I reach for every spring- since snapping it up over five or so years ago I think it's probably become one of my most worn items- and certainly testament to a long-term investment paying off. This top from  Comme des Garçons is a purchase which I hope will attain a similar status in my wardro...

With the spirit of spring in the air, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been shopping around for some new season wardrobe additions. I’ve been trying to make more of an effort to diversify my shopping habits a little bit of late, actively looking around at plenty of options before buying and trying not to rely too much on the same roster of shops. One such recent scout about has garnered quite the substantial shopping list- step forward, Warehouse SS18: Jungle Print Shirt Dress, £65/Smocked Strappy Dress, £42/Wave Print Jumpsuit, £39/Rainbow Stripe Vest, £16/Straight Cut Jeans, £49/Stripe Grandad Collar Shirt, £36/Linen Cotton Shorts, £29/Leather Cross Over Slider, £24, all Warehouse. This jungle print dress is one of those wonderfully simple statement pieces which works fantastically for lots of different contexts, whether it receives outing after outing in the office or is a go-to for summer save the dates. Similarly, this ruffle bodice design is just made with summer holidays in...

With temperatures soaring over the last week or so, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who had to have a bit of a radical rethink in terms of what to wear, suddenly shunning my staple work trousers for outfits which are much more at home in my high summer wardrobe. I always find summer in the city a bit of a headache at the best of times (especially on the Tube!), but really can't complain about how glorious it has been to see the sun after what has felt at times like a neverending winter! With a little bit of savvy planning, I managed to keep comparatively cool by digging out some seasonal summer staples and teaming them with some newer finds: Tee- Girls On Tops Tees Skirt- Whistles Bag- & Other Stories Shoes- Gap Sunglasses- Ray-Ban (c/o John Lewis) How much fun is this tee from Girls on Tops? I spotted it in the gift shop at the Barbican last week, and the fact that it was the last Sigourney style in stock seemed like the ultimate sign- especially as I'd reached ...

Of all of the little luxuries in life, there are few which, for me at least, feel like more of a treat than getting my nails done. I’m not the most proficient with paining them myself, and as someone who was truly terrible at art when I was at school, I’ve realised that no matter how hard I try, anything paint related and I are more or less destined not to get on! My lack of ambidexterity aside, having a professional manicure is a lovely way of treating myself, especially as it offers the opportunity to escape from the office too- two birds, one stone etc. Sadly, I recently discovered that my salon of choice (Cheeky in High Holborn) has closed down, so I’ve since kept a beady eye peeled for an alter native. Stepping into the breach, a destination which I visited for the first time last week- Skinny Dip London’s Nail Club: With decor this on trend, it’s hard to see how you can go wrong, right? Amidst a cosy millennial pink salon which occupies the downstairs of the Skinny Dip store in C...

Whilst the weather is still fairly topsy turvy, it looks like this week we'll finally have a little bit of consistency with temperatures and prolonged spells of sunshine- and not before time! With the skies seeming gloomier than usual for this time of the year over recent weeks, I've been seeking out alternative sources of brightness- namely, from some colourful additions to my wardrobe. One of the most recent is a purchase which is an instant mood booster if ever there was one:  Dress- Monki  Bag- & Other Stories  Shoes- Gap Rest assured that I've not quite packed away my winter coat just yet, but this dress demands to be seen in all its colourful glory! I'm always so impressed by Monki whenever I peruse their online offering, and this printed frock was something which I picked up last month, in need of something which was easy to wear but which was still full of character. The style is a relaxed shirt dress which is perfect for everyday wear and wonderfully comfor...

As the seasons change, I always find one of the loveliest ways to appreciate the transition in the surroundings is to make time for a leisurely walk, wherever in the world you are. Now that the weather is warming up slightly and the evenings drawing out to grow longer and longer, I’m really looking forward to making the most of my local surroundings, as well as taking in some of London’s lovely vistas too. Over the weekend just gone, I was determined to see a little bit of spring in the Royal Parks, and indulged in a leisurely stroll from St. James’s Park to Hyde Park Corner: Next to a segue along the South Bank, dandering through this part of town has got to be one of my favourite pursuits. It’s always lovely to escape the hubbub of the West End via St James’s Park, and their spring planting is a real mood booster. Alongside some very well acclimatised urban wildlife, I love taking the time to enjoy the peace and quiet with a walk around the lake, and although the skies were comparati...

As regular visitors to these little pages will be well aware, I'm a huge fan of all things Kiehl's, and since I started using their products a few years ago, my skin has improved so much. I regularly repurchase their Calendula Flower cleanser and accompanying toner- everyday essentials which I'm pretty sure I'll be using for forever- and am always keeping my beady eyes peeled for their new product launches. Their most recent release is something which I spoke to someone about in store back in February, and sure enough, I snapped it up when it hit shelves a few weeks ago: This Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask is something a little bit different for me, as it's the first overnight mask which I've ever used, but with the promise of smoother looking skin it seemed like a worthwhile investment, especially as a little goes a really long way, as with all Kiehl's products. Not only is it wonderfully nourishing, it also feels like a fantastically luxurious tr...

Whilst refreshing your wardrobe is always a lovely way to embrace the change of seasons, sometimes little changes can make a big difference too. Whether it’s embracing a new lip hue or digging out those much-loved sunglasses, there’s a lot to be said for those small switch ups and the difference which they can make to your day. Recently, I’ve been alternating some of my daily jewellery essentials for easy instant outfit updates, and one special combination in particular is proving absolutely perfect for this time of the year:    c/o Olivia Burton* How beautiful is this bee themed set from Olivia Burton? I’ve been a big fan of the brand since they launched their signature collection of watches back in 2012, and was really excited when they launched a range of jewellery too. This rose gold combination incorporates a three dimensional bee motif, which, as well as being ideal inspiration for spring is a great motivator too- reminding me whenever I wear it of the value of working h...

Quarter one done! Given that winter always seems to last for what seems like an eternity, it's always such a relief to make it through the arrival of spring, and all of the promise that the new season brings. Granted, as I type this it's gloomy and overcast outside, with rainy spells having punctuated the Bank Holiday weekend more or less from start to finish- it's more or less a tradition isn't it?! For me the last month was a really hectic one, and it's only after having had the long weekend that I've actually realised just how tired I am- cue coming down with a cold and not sleeping all that well (I can feel a post about burnout coming on...) Nevertheless, over the last couple of weeks I've managed to squeeze in some suitably springlike activities:  Pastel perfection at Petersham Nurseries/ New reading /Road testing Glossier's Lidstars /Glorious sky/ A Saturday by the river /A midweek treat/Easter in Covent Garden.../...with lots of sweet treats on of...