MSH Backup

As I touched on in my last style shaped post, by the time the week is winding down, I can usually be found in various different combinations of jeans and jumpers. With the weather proving so changeable at the moment, I’ve had to put the brakes on fully embracing any sort of spring style, and have instead reverted to combining some of my winter essentials with some fresh favourites. Again, it will probably come as no surprise that most of my go-to pieces at the moment are more or less various different iterations of blue- but as a practical alternative to darker hues, I’m all for it: Jumper- Mango  Jeans- Whistles  Coat- c/o Very  Shoes- Adidas (c/o Spartoo)  Bag- & Other Stories  This jumper from Mango is a piece which I snapped up towards the end of last year, and it’s served me really well over the last couple of months. Not only is it really cosy, but the vivid colour makes it the perfect piece for contrasting with lots of other day-to-day essentials to...

I don’t know about you, but I tend to find that by the time it gets to the end of the week (and as the prospect of a two day work-free window approaches!), I get quite lazy in terms of style choices. At the start of the week, I’ll tend to reach for dresses and skirts, but by the time it gets to Friday and the weekend, it’s very much a jeans and jumper situation. Luckily, over recent months, I’ve amassed a pretty solid combination of styles which are perfect for more dressed-down days: Sweatshirt- Kitri  Jeans- Whistles  Sunglasses- Ray Ban (c/o John Lewis)  Bag- & Other Stories  Shoes- Adidas  I love this sweatshirt from Kitri as it’s full of character without being too in your face, and it makes a welcome change from some of the slightly less subtle sloganed styles in my wardrobe. I love the sentiment of the graphic too, and have already been wearing this piece on a more or less weekly basis since I bought it. Here I teamed it with some of my favourite jean...

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...

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...

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, ...

The start of the year, again! Time flies, doesn't it?! To be honest, the pre-Christmas weeks have all sort of merged into one in my very tired mind, but here we are again with the first few working days of 2019 under our belts- and a whole new year of potential ahead of us. I've got a fair few posts planned and scheduled already, and am really keen to get these pages redesigned at some point too- watch this space! Anyway, before I get ahead of myself, here's a little look back at my last outfit snap of the last year: Dress- Whistles (via John Lewis) Coat- c/o Very  Shoes- Gap This dress from Whistles is perhaps one of my canniest recent purchases, and a piece which I'm really chuffed to have snapped up during those Black Friday sales with 20% off- winner! The style and print instantly caught my eye and I'm really happy with how it looks on too- as well as being a really easy smart option, it probably goes without saying that I love the opportunites for swishing whic...

Brr! Things have definitely taken a turn for the chillier over the last few weeks, haven't they? Whilst I've been using as much spare time as possible to hibernate, sadly I've also been battling to and from work too, contending with cancelled trains and trying not to turn into a block of ice waiting on the platform! At this time of the year (and particularly bearing in mind the eating-centric activities in my diary of late!), I've been keen to combine the practicalities of keeping warm with staying as comfortable as possible too. Luckily, some recent additions to my wardrobe are practically perfect for both purposes: Hat- Oliver Bonas Bonas Jumper- J.Crew  Dress- Monki  Coat- c/o Very  Shoes- Gap This pinafore dress from Monki is the darker wash of the style which I featured in my last style post , and I'm not exaggerating when I say that they are probably the most worn pieces in my wardrobe at the moment- they're just so easy to sling on first thing in the morn...

In terms of day to day dressing, I’m very much a fully paid up patron of the comfort is king school of thinking- especially given that I always tend to find myself in something of a rush when I’m getting ready first thing in the morning. Now that my alarm is going off when it’s still dark, I’m regularly rotating between a steady selection of staples, bolstered by a new addition to my wardrobe which I’ve been living in of late: Coat- c/o Very  Top- Commes des Garçons at Dover Street Market  Dress- Monki  Shoes- Gap  This dress from Monki is a real find, and just the sort of addition I’ve been searching for for what feel like ages now. Usually I find that anything pinafore shaped is a tad too small around the hips, but no such problems with this style, which is loosely cut and super comfortable. The pockets are a really practical added bonus too, and as well as this lighter wash, I’ve snapped up a darker denim style too- I’ve genuinely been living in them morning, noo...

At this time of the year, you're most likely to find me wrapped up from head to toe in a combination of knits and thermals, but up until quite recently we've been really lucky with the weather, with mild temperatures and bursts of sunshine prolonging the mild autumn just that little bit longer. In the sartorial stakes, this has afforded me the perfect opportunity to inject a splash of new colour and character into my seasonal wardrobe, thanks to a new piece which has become a real firm favourite over recent weeks: Dress- Oliver Bonas  Bag- Zara  Shoes- Gap  Sunglasses- Ray-Ban (c/o John Lewis) How lovely is this dress from Oliver Bonas? I held off snapping it up until the payday before last, by which time of course it had sold out online! Luckily enough, I tracked one down in store and am so happy to have found one in my size- with the perfect winter floral feel I can see why it's been so popular. As well as the lovely print, the style is a dream too, with the midi design...

It feels like years ago now that these pictures were taken, but it was only a few weeks back! I can’t quite believe that the temperatures have plummeted so quickly, and, as I touched on at the end of last week, gone are the days of being able to leave the house without a coat- for now at least. Anyway, back to this outfit from sunnier days, which gave me the chance to give a new colourful staple purchase a whirl:    Shirt- Kitri  Trousers- c/o Boden  Shoes- Marks and Spencer  Bag- Zara  Regular readers will know that I love navy to the moon and back, and I’d even go so far as to say that it’s a shade which takes up the most space in my wardrobe. As well as being a great alternative to black, I find that it works really well with lots of other bright hues, and, at this time, of the year it’s always a good plan to inject as much colour into each day as possible. Here I paired a style staple in the shape of these Boden trousers with a fresh favourite from Kit...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

As I mentioned in my last style shaped post, my current default setting is to reach for all of the knitwear- partly in an attempt to avoid hauling out my winter coat for as long as it humanly possible! Whilst I know that I’ll have to cave in sooner rather than later, for now I’m quite content to live in a succession of one knit after the other, and, as someone who spent most of their formative years living in cardigans, I couldn’t be happier that they’re having something of a renaissance at the moment:  Cardigan- Marks and Spencer  Tee- Kitri  Jeans- Whistles   Trainers- New Balance (via ASOS)  This outfit was one which I rolled out on our final day in Ireland, as we visited Carrickfergus Castle before driving towards Belfast for a whistlestop tour before heading to the airport. With comfort (and warmth!) at the forefront of my mind, I reached again for this Marks and Spencer cardigan- a real new season hero piece if ever there was one. Here I wore it over ...

Now that there’s a definite nip in the air, I’m sure that I’m not the only one with knitwear on the brain. Whilst I’m yet to reach for my coat, I’ve been layering up in a selection of woolen wonders, and rummaging through my wardrobe to dig out some perennial favourites too. Of course, it’s always lovely to treat yourself to some new additions at this time of the year as well, and one of my most recent purchases has been earning some serious cost-per-wear points recently: Jumper- Marks and Spencer  Trousers- lululemon  Shoes- New Balance (via ASOS)  This picturesque backdrop comes once again from the glorious Antrim Glens, and more specifically once we’d conquered the Glenariff Waterfall Walk- hence my elated expression! I’d snapped up this knit from Marks and Spencer in advance of our trip, and it proved the perfect item for stashing in my suitcase. As well as being wonderfully practical (and perhaps one of the most comfortable items in my wardrobe!), the vivid, contrast...

As we ease into autumn and the seasons start to slowly shift, I'm sure that I'm not the only one thinking about the practicalities of some new wardrobe additions. As I've touched on in a few posts before now, at this time of the year, I always tend to get rather swept up in a back to school sensibility, and in the past I've found myself going slightly shopping happy without really considering the practicalities of what I'm purchasing. Perhaps it's a sign of my getting older, but this year I've got a mental list of all of the essentials to make room for in my wardrobe, and, if I'm being completely honest, am largely prioritising comfort above and beyond anything else! Luckily enough, my recent trip away to Ireland gave me the perfect opportunity to road-test some new season staples before deploying them properly on home turf: Raincoat- c/o Cath Kidston  Trousers- lululemon  Shoes- New Balance (via ASOS) How fantastic is this raincoat? I've been in the...

Whilst I’ve never really been convinced that the holiday wardrobe is a thing, heading off on a trip always affords a nice opportunity to treat yourself to some new style staples- especially if you’re in the market for some new additions to your wardrobe. I know that beach breaks are a slightly different kettle of fish altogether, but city trips and active holidays always present the ideal chance to bridge any gaps in any wardrobe, especially at the outset of a new season. So, for my trip to Ireland at the end of the last month, I snapped up some real hero pieces which will carry me through the next few months and beyond:  Cardigan- Marks and Spencer  Top- Dorothy Perkins  Jeans- & Other Stories  Trainers- New Balance (via ASOS)  Sunglasses- Accessorize  Picking up something in green for my visit to Ireland seemed almost ubiquitous, and this top from Dorothy Perkins was the perfect purchase, especially as it ticked all of the right comfort boxes too. Wit...

Whilst the heatwave of last month feels like ages ago now, I'm really pleased that autumn so far is shaping up to be a fairly sunny one too- especially with temperatures which are much more bearable this time around! Seeing in the new season with a spell of sunshine also makes waving farewell to the summer for another year a little bit more bearable, and there's something really special about the combination of slightly chillier temperatures and brilliant weather which I love- especially as it affords the perfect opportunity to get some more mileage out of some summer style essentials: Top- Monsoon  Jeans- ASOS  Bag- Cath Kidston  Shoes- Gap  Sunglasses- Ray-Ban (c/o John Lewis) I picked up this top from Monsoon back in July, and it's become one of those pieces which I've been more or less living in, particularly as the temperatures rocketed during August. It'll come as no surprise that the blue and white striped design has cemented it as one of my favourite pieces,...

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...