MSH Backup

Up until quite recently, I’m ashamed to say that I hadn’t seen all that much of the UK, but 2018 so far has been a year of considerably more exploration than I've previously been used to. After visiting Devon for the first time back in July , August saw in another adventure in the shape of a trip to Oxford, primarily for a very exciting visit to Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace. However, with an hour or so to while away in the city, I found myself with the perfect opportunity to make an introduction to this most photogenic of locations: As someone who grew up reading His Dark Materials , I found myself exploring this beautiful historic city with my eyes permanently protruding, eager to take in as much as I possibly could. I by no means saw everything (offering the perfect opportunity to make a return visit), but what I did see was absolutely glorious. Densely packed with history, every corner has something new to draw you in, and with more magical architecture than I've seen...

As I've touched on in a couple of posts of late, at the end of April I went into hospital for an operation- specifically to get the bottom of what had been causing me chronic period pain over the last few years, as well as a few other equally unpleasant symptoms. Four months on, with my scars healing and *touch wood* starting  to feel much better, I thought it might be worth sharing my experience, especially if you might be experiencing something similar- I found talking about it with friends was one of the most helpful things throughout the whole process, so if you're in the same boat, I hope that this post provides a little bit of illumination into what can be a pretty daunting process.  Starting at the very beginning- taking it back two and a half years or so- I'd been experiencing intermittently painful periods so headed to the doctor to see what they could recommend. Whilst no two periods are the same, there were a couple of commonalities which would crop up more often...

Now that the hot weather has finally abated, I’m trying to get a little bit ahead of myself in terms of autumn styling. At this time of the year, I always tend to find myself with a wish list as long as my arm of standout pieces in the shops, but this season I’m determined to take a slightly more sensible approach to my autumn wardrobe by taking stock of what pieces I can get plenty of wear out of over the coming months. With that in mind, I’ve been mindfully investing in the sort of staples which work all year round: Blouse- Toast  Jeans- Whistles  Bag- Olivier Bonas  Sunglasses- Warehouse This blouse was a piece which I spotted in the Toast sale at the end of last month, and so far I've been wearing it a more or less weekly basis. Not only is it ideal for this betwixt and between weather, it's also really comfortable and I love the ruffle detail collar- a touch which will make it wonderful for layering under knits as the weather gets chiller. These jeans from Whistles a...

One of loveliest things about having a blog is the fact that I’ve come to meet some of my closest friends through being a part of this collective online community. Whilst I do miss the early days of blogging, where it was always lovely to put faces to names at events and the like, I’m more grateful that I can properly articulate through a keyboard that I’ve encountered some of the loveliest people ever through the internet. In fact, this weekend I’m preparing to head to Ireland with some of them, and it’s always a joy to make time for catching up, especially when various international paths cross at the right time. One such instance occurred a few weeks ago, when Elodie was in London for a week or so- affording the perfect opportunity to venture to a new brunch favourite in the shape of Hally’s in Parsons Green: There are fewer pursuits which feel like more of an indulgence than starting the week with a spot of brunch, but with a Monday out of the office it seemed like the perfect opti...

When it comes to everyday beauty products, it's often difficult to unpick exactly why the hero products which we all reach for each morning are such indispensable staples- the real essentials just tend to blend seamlessly into the day, carrying you through until the evening with no need to reapply, and equally protecting your complexion from all of those little environmental nasties along the way. After the recent heatwave, I found myself taking a step back and re-evaluating the products which I reach for first thing in the morning, especially wanting to keep things as simple and pared back as possible: I've only this year started using a standalone SPF on my skin, but Glossier's Invisible Shield is well and truly a product to add to any arsenal- especially as it's so light and fast-absorbing. Even better, as a sunscreen specifically designed for the face, it comes with high protection as standard, as well as being almost fragrance free- definitely one which I wouldn...

One of London's hidden, if often Instagrammed gems is Petersham Nurseries in Richmond. I've been a dedicated visitor to their sister shop in Covent Garden since it opened last year, but, up until recently I'd never made it along to their original site. Accompanied by some blogging babes, we lately ventured down a narrow, almost hidden road, to discover a horticultural heaven tucked away just a stone's throw away from Richmond Park: An oasis of calm if ever there was one! Sprawling over a series of immaculately kept glasshouses, cafe and potting sheds, it's easy to get lost here- in the most wonderful of ways. Refreshingly quiet, it offers the perfect opportunity to get back to greenery, and is an ideal oasis of calm in which to peruse a plethora of plants, as well as pick up plenty of interior inspiration. Whether you're looking for bespoke furniture, garden essentials or some beautiful plants to pot up either inside or out, it's definitely well worth a vis...

This post feels a little bit out of date given that as I type this it's absolutely tipping it down outside and the heatwave feels like an entirely distant memory! It's also totally typical that the moment I snap up some warm weather style heroes, the skies darken and the temperatures take a ten degree dip, but I'm still holding out a glimmer of hope that I'll be able to share them with you before the summer is out completely. If I'm honest, dressing for the warm weather is always something which tends to nudge me out of my comfort zone, especially as I get quite irritable when I can't cool down! Planning what to wear from one day to the next was pretty tricky when it was warm, but there was one hero piece which I dug out of my wardrobe which well and truly came to the rescue before I melted into a puddle: Dress- Whistles  Bag- Cath Kidston  Sunglasses- Ray-Ban (c/o John Lewis)  Shoes- Gap Necklace- Olivia Burton This dress from Whistles has been sitting in my wa...

With the arrival of summer, longer evenings and plenty of opportunities to make the most of the balmier weather, navigating a seemingly neverending series of drinks invites is one of the trickier aspects of this time of the year. For me, as a teetotaler, it can also be difficult to find non-alcoholic options which are fresh and fun- especially in terms of flavours. I’ve never really been into alcohol, and with a personality so heavily weighted towards becoming easily addicted to things, I’ve always been mindful of keeping my consumption balanced. To top it off, I’m really not a fan of how most alcohol tastes, which makes it even easier to not partake- win win really! With a firmly sober stance, I’ll often plump for a juice or lemonade, but recently I’ve encountered a new botanical blend which I’m well and truly converted to: The Duchess is a uniquely blended virgin gin (made with re-distilled juniper berries) and tonic, created with aromatic botanic extracts including orange peel, all ...

It's never really something which I've thought all that much about before, but this summer I've been switching up my daily perfumes, steering away from the classics which I would normally wear on a daily basis in favour of some more seasonally appropriate scents. Whilst my favourites from Chanel are ideal for the autumn and winter, they always feel a little bit heavy for this time of the year, especially with the temperatures having been so extreme of late. Step forward, a new favourite from Diptyque: I sampled this Florabellio Eau de Toilette in store a little while ago, and went back to snap up a full sized bottle after payday last month- having been turned into a complete convert! I've been wearing it everyday since I picked it up, and the blend of fresh notes makes it ideal for the summer, including apple blossom and wild sea fennel. With apricot tones adding to the delicate blend, it's wonderfully light and fresh, as well as being brilliantly long-lasting- whic...

It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve posted a foodie roundup on these pages, but a few weeks ago the perfect opportunity to try somewhere new cropped up. With Elodie in town, Hannah, Sophie, Michelle and I decamped after a sweltering day to Bao in Fitzrovia, a destination which well and truly ticked all of the right boxes, both in terms of the delicious dishes on offer, and the chance to have a good old natter amongst ourselves: With so much good eating on the menu, it was tricky to narrow down what to have, but I opted for three freshly prepared buns: classic, confit and beef shortrib. Expertly prepared, each was a flavour sensation in its own right, melting in the mouth and leaving me wondering if I could order another round of the same! Other highlights on the table included chili langoustines and a fried bao (heaven!), as well as bone marrow rice. All in all, a dining destination which I’ve bookmarked for a return visit already.  Have you eaten out anywhere exciting recently...

*Looks around tentatively*- I don’t want to jinx it but it seems like we’re finally getting a break in the heatwave, and some long overdue respite from the warm temperatures. Needless to say, I’ve scarcely anticipated a cold spell more- and am delighted to be able to go back to reaching for jeans and long sleeved blouses without the fear of dissolving into a sweaty puddle by lunchtime! Having said that, I was also lucky enough to get a bit of a break from the warmth during my trip down to Devon a few weekends back (coastal breezes- bliss!) - offering the perfect opportunity to embrace a bit of a wardrobe change too: Tee- Kitri  Jeans- & Other Stories  Shoes- Zara  Bag- ASOS  Sunglasses- Warehouse This tee from Kitri was a treat to myself the payday before last, and I love it so much that I’ve since picked up a second sister purchase- they’re just so easy to wear and perfect for fuss-free mornings, and the vintage-inspired holiday print felt perfect for a Saturday...

Just over a fortnight ago, I made my first trip to Devon! I'm quite frankly embarrassed that it's taken me all of my 28 years to make it down there, but this visit has got me well and truly converted. Along with a gang of fabulous friends, I had a lovely sun-soaked weekend, complete with blue skies and sea air in abundance- as well as lots of laughs too:  We stayed in Appledore, which is a picture postcard fishing village at the mouth of the River Torridge. Complete with pastel painted house, a plethora of pubs and beautiful beachfront walks, it was the ideal getaway from London life- a heavenly way to recharge and relax away from the hubbub of the city. As well as exploring Appledore itself, we also hopped on the ferry over to Instow beach for a Saturday morning stroll (in the company of some of the happiest dogs I think I've ever seen!), and a spot of lunch at The Glorious Oyster- well worth visiting if you're in the area and looking for some sublime seafood. Generall...