MSH Backup

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...

Having worked in Covent Garden for almost four years now, it’s always lovely to make the most of being in the area, whether that be window shopping on my lunch break, or enjoying a new foodie favourite. The area has undergone a really speedy period of transformation of late too, with the sad departure of some much-loved shops (I’m still coming to terms with Marks and Spencer closing!), as well as the arrival of some new faces too. One of the newest, a familiar London brand but new to the area is Chelsea native The Shop at Bluebird: Set across two floors on Floral Street, The Shop at Bluebird is housed in a freshly finished development which has been years in the making. There’s no denying that on first arrival, it’s seriously impressive- light, airy and with plenty of space to accommodate a mixed offer of fashion, beauty and homeware. Look up, and a vast mirrored installation adds to the feeling of infinite space, with carefully considered planting creating a very relaxed atmosphere. ...

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...

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...

Another week, another post all about Glossier! Thankfully for my bank balance, I haven't raided their online shop again just yet, but instead made it along to their temporary store in Marylebone, which appeared at 32 Portland Place for a week from 15-22 November. Much like the UK online launch, the unveiling of this pop up space was hugely hyped, and something which was well worth a peruse one lunchtime: Tucked away just behind the BBC ( W1A quoting a-plenty!), this plush townhouse offered the perfect showcase for Glossier's signature aesthetic, with walls painted in millennial pink and gorgeous velvet sofas in a trendy hue of teal offering the perfect perch. Festooned with fresh flowers, the shop and showroom space spread across two floors, complete with all of Glossier's cult favourites and newly launched debut fragrance too. Although it was a tad on the busy side, it offered a great opportunity to trial some potential purchases in person, and hopefully it won't be t...

It's always lovely when you happen upon somewhere new after a spur-of-the-moment choice isn't it? Sometimes our lives are forward planned so much that it leaves little (if any!) room for flexibility or taking some time to do something which you haven't anticipated in advance. As a result, it's often easy to forget just how enjoyable it is to do things on a whim, and over the last month or so I've been really refreshed with just taking things a little bit more easily. I've made some brilliant new discoveries along the way too- one of which is a destination I'm sure I'll be heading back to as soon as I'm able: The Hoxton is a destination which I'd heard so many good things about, and having walked past the sister venue in Holborn many a time on my lunch break, it seemed like a visit was long overdue. As we were in Shoreditch for Hannah's birthday lunch, we popped in for a quick drink after eating, and as far as first impressions go, I couldn...

Whilst I'm not the biggest fan of heading to east London (primarily because it takes me forever and a day to get there!), there's no doubt that it's home to a handful of haunts which are well worth the trek. One of my most recent discoveries was happened upon following lunch at the Curious Yellow Kafe, and is one of those one-of-a-kind treasures which is well worth stopping to explore. Step forward, Pitfield London: Billed as an eclectic emporium, this unique shop is home to an array of one of a kind homewares. Stocking everything from vintage wallpaper to upcycled furniture as well as offering an array of baked goodies and drinks, it's a must visit destination if you're on the hunt for some interior inspiration. Even if you're just popping in for a spot of tea and some cake, it'll be harder to find somewhere more aesthetically pleasing to enjoy it in!  Have you discovered any new London favourites recently?  (Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not repro...

Another week, another post on a previously undiscovered (for me at least!) corner of London. After enjoying an autumnal wander around Hampstead a few weeks ago, a visit to Fenton House seemed like the perfect way to round off the day. This 17th-century gem not only offers lots of opportunities to explore an extensive porcelain and piano collection, but it's also set in some truly spectacular surroundings too: A climb to the attic of the house is well worth it to take in some glorious panoramic views over London, especially as it also gives you a real sense of just how much the skyscape must have transformed since Fenton House was built. As well as an extensive collection of interior treasures, the gardens which sit at the back of the house are truly stunning, encapsulating an array of different styles, and proving fabulously functional too- with the original orchard still bearing fruit 300 years after it was first planted. Definitely proof of the enduring success of this hidden gem...