MSH Backup

With spring, well, springing up all over, I’ve taken the opportunity to spruce up my skincare and overhaul some aspects of my regular routine. I always tend to forget just how much of a toll winter takes on my skin, and the arrival of the warmer weather is always something of a welcome relief from the chillier months (although I am seriously concerned for the planet after the warmest February day on record..!) I’m also trying to be a little bit thriftier with my pennies in advance of some trips which I’ve got on the horizon over the coming months, so have been shopping around for a feasible alternative to a facial at a salon, and have discovered the perfect products in the shape of a new cleansing combination from Charlotte Tilbury:  This Goddess Cleansing Duo is a combination which I’ve had my eye on for a couple of months now, and has proved to be a payday treat well worth waiting for. Sold as a spa-in-a-jar, it well and truly does what it says on the tin, with the first step inc...

Although I’m writing this post sitting outside in the glorious sunshine (without even wearing a coat!), I’m still quite cautiously optimistic about the arrival of spring- particularly as I remember it snowing in March last year! Having said that, I’m so happy to see the sun and to feel properly warm after far too many months of gloominess, and I’m really excited to switch things up in the wardrobe stakes over the coming weeks and months too- fingers crossed it won’t be too long before I can pack away my winter wardrobe in favour of some spring staples. Until then, however, I’m bridging the gap with some transitional essentials, which are proving perfect for the current climate:  Jumper- Marks and Spencer  Trousers- lululemon  Coat- c/o Very  Bag- & Other Stories  Shoes- Adidas  This knit from Marks and Spencer was a purchase which I made at the same time as buying their leopard print skirt of dreams which I featured a few weeks ago, and, for £20 it’s a...

As spring slides ever closer, it’s lovely to start getting inspired by the sense of renewal which the start of the new season brings with it. I love spring more than any other season, I think because of that special sense of revitalisation which it brings with it; it's so lovely to see things bouncing back into life after a long winter of lying dormant, and a welcome contrast to see little spurts of colour popping up after months of dark evenings and dreary skies. I’ve also added a splash of colour to every day with a new addition to my jewellery collection from Olivia Burton:  I’ve loved more or less everything which Olivia Burton have created since the label started, and their latest drop of goodies is no exception. In anticipation of spring, last week I was very kindly sent these beautiful Rainbow Bee hoop earrings, which feature a colourful collection of Swarovski Crystals alongside the signature Olivia Burton 3D bee design. As well as being perfect for special occasions, these...

Now that the weather seems to (at long last!) be co-operating, I’m really enjoying mixing up my day to day selection of wardrobe staples with some new favourites. Whilst it’s not quite warm enough to be leaving the house without a coat just yet, the fact that the days are getting lighter little by little each day is really encouraging, and has definitely given me a push in the right direction in the motivation stakes too. Over the last few weeks I’ve been adding some new printed pieces into my regular stash of essentials, and one in particular is proving to be a real winner: Coat- c/o Very  Jumper- H&M  Skirt- Marks and Spencer  Bag- & Other Stories  Shoes- Vans  This skirt from Marks & Spencer was a post-payday purchase which I made when I spotted it online at the end of last month, and so far it’s definitely proving to have been well worth the investment. I love the leopard print as it’s not too in your face, and ruffled detail adds the perfect fi...

If I'm being honest, it's usually only a fair few months after Christmas has been and gone that I get the chance to road-test most of my presents, particularly if they're beauty bits and bobs. I'm always keen to use up old products before cracking on with something new, particularly if it's make-up as I usually find myself too much a creature of habit to vary what I use day to day. Having said that, a treat which I found under the tree a few months ago has been well and truly worth the wait: This eye gloss from Violette's range for Estée Lauder is an absolute dream in a little glass pot, and a product which is as versatile as it is long-lasting. From the La Dangereuse collection, this gloss is perfect for dabbing on eyelids, cheeks or browbones for a dewy finish (think a less solid version of Glossier's Haloscope), and it's also a brilliant base for pigmented eyeshadows too. I've been wearing it on my eyelids both alone and with some of my favourite ...

As I’ve posted about in the past, there are few little luxuries more enjoyable than a new bottle of perfume. Now that we’re slowly seguing towards spring, I’ve been keenly spritzing a fresh fragrance which I picked up a few weeks ago from Miller Harris, with a whacking 50% discount thanks to their bottle exchange programme which took place during January. Swapping an empty bottle for a new scent at half price was a total winner, and (after much deliberation!), I opted for Rose Silence:  As well as being presented in a beautiful bottle, the fragrance itself is a real treat too. It goes without saying that it’s a veritable floral fiesta, with rose blended perfectly with notes of mandarin and patchouli. It’s a little bit heavier than some of the other floral fragrances which I’ve tried and rested before, but it lasts all day and has a wonderfully warm feel too. Definitely one which was well worth the investment!  Have you tried any new scents recently? (Image credit: Sarah Farrel...

Although there’s something really (and wonderfully) comforting about reaching for a regular rotation of pieces during the winter months, there’s no denying that living in the same staples week in week out can get, well, a little bit boring. Don’t get me wrong, I love my usual uniform of jumpers and jeans, but for the sake of a little bit of variety, it’s always nice to have an excuse to switch things up a bit. Luckily, some spring styles are slowly trickling into the shops, and last week I snapped up a piece which I’ve had my beady eye trained on for a little while now:  Dress- Oliver Bonas  Coat- c/o Very  Shoes- Vans  How gorgeous is this dress from Oliver Bonas? They are absolutely winning with all of their spring pieces, and I spied this frock in store a few weeks back. Post payday, I snapped it up, particularly as I know it’s going to be a brilliant investment for the next few months and into the summer. The length is perfect, and I love the contrasting prints, ...

It always makes a really refreshing change to have somewhere new to explore, particularly if it’s somewhere which can brighten up a dreary January day in a flash! Such was the case when I ventured into the recently opened Covent Garden branch of Free People and discovered a beautiful bounty of clothes, jewellery and accessories on offer. Their first permanent London home, the Floral Street shop is a perfectly designed pocket of inspiration, replete with a series of signature pieces and lots of new prospects, including some lovely summer style options. I’m holding off from snapping up any clothing until I get a beach break booked in, but I did walk away with some goodies- as well as an arm full of flowers for spending £50 on opening day! Whilst I’ve got a collection of (as yet) unused candles sitting in my room, this pine and eucalyptus option is definitely a great addition to the collection- particularly as it smells wonderfully fragrant just sitting on my bookshelf. After getting a fr...

With spring slowly but surely creeping towards us, it's wonderfully cheering to feel the days getting a little bit longer and to see sudden bursts of colour after a very long and dreary start to the year. Spring is my favourite season, and there's something wonderfully reassuring about things renewing themselves after the winter. Similarly, over the last few weeks it's been lovely to see lots of new season lines in the shops- and I'm particularly keen on what the wonderful people at Oliver Bonas have got in store for the next few months: Whilst it might be a little while before we can divest ourselves of our winter woollies and even think about leaving the house without a coat (aka the happiest of days!), it's always lovely to have a sneak peek of what to expect in the shops over the coming weeks and months- and for spring Oliver Bonas are celebrating love. Just in time for Valentine's/Galentine's day, they've got a lovely crop of gifts, as well as some ...

Over the last eighteen months or so, I've found myself really getting in to podcasts. Whether it's as a welcome distraction from the loud phone calls on the train first thing in the morning, or as a leisurely way to spend a weekend morning, there's something really lovely about being able to dip in and out of such a variety of topics and issues at the touch of a button. There are so many fantastic podcasts out there to listen to, and more or less a guarantee that almost every interest or hobby under the sun has an accompanying listen! I've curated a handful of favourites which I listen to regularly- which make me laugh out loud, as well as reduce me to a blubbering mess at times too! Desert Island Discs - The undisputed queen of podcasts, and perhaps broadcasting in general. I adore this programme! The premise is so simple, but really illuminating, and it's always amazing to hear from such a broad spectrum of guests- particularly people who I might not be too famili...