MSH Backup

It’s always lovely to be able to get out and about in the fresh air, and even more so during those weeks where autumn starts to unfold. The often relentless churn of the working week can sometimes mean that the weekends descend into a bit of a duvet festival, especially as the daylight hours seem to shrink away and energy levels wane. However, a few weeks back, with a spate Saturday afternoon at my disposal, mum and I opted to make the most of the sunny weather and head out on a picture perfect autumnal wander: I always forget just how restorative a leisurely stroll in the fresh air can be, and I’m really lucky to have such a tranquil rambling route right on my doorstep. At this time of the year, it becomes even more magical, with a palette of different hues peppering the trees, and the low sunlight casting everything in the perfect golden glow. For me, there’s a lot to be said for making time for some peace and tranquility, and getting some head space in the great outdoors is always o...

Now that winter is creeping ever closer, and with a definite chill in the air, I’ve finally caved in and coated up! I’ve got a bit of a love hate relationship with winter coats, I think predominantly because they signify the end of the summer in what feels like such a final way, and for me are synonymous with feeling freezing cold and the darker evenings between now and spring. Luckily however, I’ve recently snapped up something which feels like the perfect halfway house between wrapping up and desperately clinging on to summer:   Jacket- & Other Stories  Tee- Hush  Bag- Zara  Shoes- Gap  This gorgeous jacket from & Other Stories was a lucky ‘back in stock’ purchase about a month or so ago, and is an investment buy which I’m really happy with, particularly as it’s such a versatile style. As well as being really warm, it also has a really classic feel, so is definitely a piece which I know I’ll get plenty of wear out of. Another new favourite is this Hush...

One of the few perks of the start of winter is being able to cosy up indoors with a selection of good reads. With the evenings drawing in and arrival of chillier temperatures, wrapping up in your cosiest pyjamas with a cup of tea, book and blanket feels like a real luxury, especially if you’re looking to channel some serious Hygge vibes. Over the last few months, I’ve amassed a fair old selection of reading material- some of which I’ve already whizzed through, and some of which I’m eagerly anticipating leafing through over the coming weeks: First up, Pretty City Londo n by Siobhan Ferguson, an accompaniment to her fantastic Instagram account of the same name. Whether you’re looking to up your Instagram game or are just eager to swoon over some of London’s most photogenic spots, snapped beautifully and collated into a super cool compendium, this is well worth investigating- I’ve already got a little list on the go of new places to discover! I finished The Silence of the Girls by Pat Bar...

It’s not often that I’ll get completely swept up in the hype around a new beauty launch, predominantly because I’ve fallen foul of fads in the past, and because as a rule switching up my skincare routine is a one way ticket to breakoutsville. However, the buzz and online noise around Drunk Elephant over recent weeks had me well and truly won over, especially as those canny people at Space NK offered an exclusive selection of mini products- a sort of try before you buy offering the opportunity to get to grips with the range without having to splash out on the full size options: As well as being ideal options for travel, this selection of minis is a great option if you, like me, find that trialing new products can be a bit hit and miss. Don’t get me wrong, this little stash was a tad on the expensive side, but it seemed sensible to snap up the small range in miniature before committing to a pricier full-sized purchase which I might not get on with. Having been using them for a few weeks,...

There’s always something lovely about rediscovering some old favourites during a spot of wardrobe rotation. Whilst I’m long overdue a clear out, I’ve been rummaging through some of my classic style favourites over recent weeks- a pre-emptive strike for downsizing when I get a chance to, as well as injecting a splash of much needed colour into my autumnal wardrobe. One of my all time favourites in particular has been doing a brilliant job of keeping things on the sunny side recently: Top- Vintage (via Rokit)  Trousers- Espirit (via ASOS)  Bag- Zara  Shoes- Gap  This vintage purchase has been in my wardrobe for a fair few years now, and I think it’s one of those favourites which feels all the more special because it’s got a secret history! I’m sure I’ve shared it in plenty of posts before, and it remains one of my favourites, particularly because it’s still in really good condition, and because it’s a real one of a kind. And, of course, it goes without saying that the ...

There are few things which make the working week more bearable than a mid-week feast! As a matter of course, I usually prefer to head straight home after work (Thameslink life!) and leave social stuff for the weekend. However, last week, with Lily back in town for a limited window, a gang dinner was the order of the day- and reminded me of just how nice it can be to forgo the rush hour commute in favour of a sedate evening of fabulous food: This get together marked my first visit to Breddos Tacos, and boy was it worth the wait! Tucked away just off of Regent Street, their Carnaby branch is small but perfectly formed, with a well concealed downstairs offering a lovely and intimate backdrop- perfect for a long overdue catch up! The service was also fantastic, with our waiter offering recommendations of which dishes to order, most of which we took up, and which definitely did not disappoint! I opted for the tuna tostada, as well as the chicken and belly pork tacos- small enough so as not ...

As I’ve touched on in a handful of posts recently, over recent weeks I’ve been keenly rummaging through my knitwear stash and keeping my eyes peeled for some new purchases to spruce up my winter wardrobe. Whilst I’m still to reach for my winter coat (result!), I’ve more or less been living in a steady rotation of knits of late, including a much-loved new addition to my stash which is already proving to be the ultimate autumn essential: Jumper- Arket Trousers- Espirit (via ASOS)  Bag- Zara  Shoes- Gap  This Arket knit is a piece which I picked up about a fortnight or so ago, and I’ve been more or less living in it ever since. The oversized, slouchy style makes it perfect for keeping cosy in, and it’s wonderfully warm too. The colour is a real winner as well, and when the time finally does come to layer up, I think it’ll look great teamed with my favourite camel coat- although I’d rather have to hang on a little bit longer before I dig it out!   Have you snapped up any...

If you, like me, have a comparatively uninventive, desk heavy job, it can be pretty tricky to find the opportunity to injection some creativity into the mix. At the moment, my life is more or less a series of to-do lists, and like a lot of people, I often struggle to find the time to do things for myself which used to come as second nature- whether that’s reading a book, running a bath or even plucking my eyebrows! Having said that, this year (and more so now with winter in prospect), I’ve been making much more of a concerted effort to take some time out to embrace activities which are about as far away from my weekday routine as possible, celebrating creativity and taking inspiration from a very special source:  I fell in love with calligraphy about eighteen months or so ago now, and it’s always something which I find really helps me to relax and channel my energy in a different way to the standard slog of typing and sending email after email. I’ve not really been swept up in the ...

It’s not often that I get the opportunity (nor indeed show the inclination!) to get dressed up. Day to day, I much prefer reaching for comfortable staples which will see me through the day fuss free and with minimal need for maintenance. Having said that, it does always make a nice change to be able to switch things up a little bit and make an effort, and a little while ago a recent addition to my wardrobe well and truly came to the rescue: Dress- Olivier Bonas  Bag- Linea at House of Fraser  Shoes- & Other Stories  How lovely is this dress? I snapped it up at one of Oliver Bonas’ birthday events last month, and it’s definitely proven to be a worthwhile investment, especially as it wonderfully bridges a smart shaped gap in my wardrobe. The slightly looser fit also makes it brilliantly comfortable too, and as ideal for the daytime as it is for the evening. Here I paired it with some non-sporty footwear (miracle upon miracle!) in the shape of these much hyped buckle loa...

Another month down, and now it very definitely feels like we're on the home straight to Christmas..! Whilst the next few months are certainly going to feel like a long old slog, I'm feeling pretty grateful for a seriously sunny September and introduction to October- giving us an opportunity to cram in as much of that essential Vitamin D as possible before it starts getting dark at teatime. I don't have a huge amount on the horizon over the next couple of months, so I'm quite looking forward to some seriously hygge weekends- box set and book recommendations very much welcome! Anyway, before I get ahead of myself, here's a look back at what I've been up to over the last few weeks: A glorious September sunset/Cosy weekends/Doughnuts galore at the Oliver Bonas birthday event/Blooms for days!/That sky!/Neal's Yard in the sunshine/Anthropologie beauty/The Olivia Burton pop up in Covent Garden/Guildford!/Another beautiful golden hour/Gourds for days!/New autumn thr...

Now that there’s a faint autumnal chill in the air, I’m sure that I’m not the only one thinking about a seasonal switch up with my beauty routine. Although I’ve definitely got my tried and tested favourites, at this time of the year it’s always worth taking stock and adding in some fresh favourites, whether that be a pop of colour or some new skincare staples. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve amassed a quite the crop of autumn essentials: I picked up The Wet Detangler from Tangle Teezer towards the end of the summer, and it’s been a real godsend over the last few months- especially as my hair has been growing steadily more and more unruly. Not only is the pale pink hue perfect for decorating my dressing table, but the addition of the handle to the tried and tested Tangle Teezer brush makes it just that bit more robust and perfect for reaching for in a rush. Next up, a slightly more luxurious addition to my beauty stash in the shape of Chanel’s Sea Foam nail varnish- how lovely is t...