MSH Backup

Now that the temperatures have well and truly plummeted, I've hit refresh on my beauty routine, incorporating a selection of essentials which are ideal for combatting the cold as much as possible. As well as ticking all of the right boxes for some of my seasonal skincare concerns, I've also made a repeat purchase of a fragrance which is proving to be well worth the investment: Back in the summer, you might remember that I posted about song new skincare discoveries from The Ordinary, including their Hyaluronic Acid. Having used up my stash, I repurchased this Hylamide Booster from The Abnormal Beauty Company, which is slightly lighter and a lot faster absorbing. I find it wonderful for using after cleansing and toning, and it's definitely helped to give my skin a much needed pep up over the last couple of months. Another favourite from The Ordinary comes in the shape of their primer, which acts as the perfect base for everyday makeup, and a much needed extra barrier against ...

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...

Brr! I don't know about you, but this sudden chilly snap has caught me slightly on the hop- cue frantic scrabbling around at the back of my wardrobe to find the warmest items of clothing I own! I always forget just how much this time of the year zaps all of your energy too- with darkness setting in at 4pm the days feel so much shorter, and a serious lack of sunshine makes it very tricky to find the motivation to do anything other than hibernate. Luckily enough, I've recently rediscovered some comfortable winter style essentials which lend themselves really well to clasping onto that cosy sensation although it might be freezing cold outside: Coat- Ganni  Jumper- H&M  Jeans- & Other Stories  Shoes- Vans (c/o Spartoo) The return of the most slouchy, blanket-like coat in my wardrobe! This Ganni number is a piece which I picked up about three or four years ago in their post-Christmas sale, and it's one of those perennial favourites which is perfect for this time of th...

As far as Saturday pursuits go, there are few things which I tend to enjoy more than enjoying a spot of lunch before heading to the theatre for a matinee- the stuff of dreams! Last weekend, Hannah and I headed to the Young Vic to see The Suppliant Women (via the Tate Modern and their swings!), and although we'd originally planned to head to Flatiron Square for some food, a sudden deluge meant we had to find some lunch a little bit closer to London Bridge. Luckily, El Pastor in Borough Market had a table for us, and was a dining destination which definitely didn't disappoint: Nestled under a railway arch in the heart of the bustling market, El Pastor offers a menu bursting at the seams with flavoursome Mexican dishes, from signature guacamole and corn chips to freshly made tacos and expertly seasoned sides. We ordered a selection of small plates, including chicken and prawn tacos, the house special El Pastor taco (the best of the bunch) and grilled corn. Suffice it to say that ...

At this time of the year I usually tend to find myself more or less living in a steady rotation of knits (as well as fleecy pyjamas!), which, whilst being hugely practical, doesn't really lend itself to much in the way of wardrobe creativity. In an attempt to switch things up just a little bit, I've been keeping the cold at bay by layering some of my favourite fair-weather tops and blouses over thermals, and so far it's proving to be just the antidote to a woolly washout: Coat- Marks and Spencer Blouse- & Other Stories Trousers- ASOS Shoes- Vans (c/o Spartoo) Bag- Oliver Bonas This blouse from & Other Stories is a recent find, and is proving to be something of a staple at the moment, especially as it's such a versatile, easy to wear piece. I love the statement sleeves too, and I'm sure this will be an investment piece which carries me right through to next season. Here I teamed it with a staple pair of trousers from ASOS and another old classic in the shape ...

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...

Week to week, it's really rare that I get a chance to explore some of the lovely locations right on my doorstep. If I've got a free weekend, the likelihood is that I'll be so tired from the week just gone that I'll prioritise recharging my batteries above heading out of the house, but last weekend I was determined to make the most of some unexpected free time and visit some close-to-home-comforts. Reigate is a lovely market town just a short hop away by bus or train, and as well as being beloved as a location where I spent some of my most formative years (at college!), it's home to some great shops, a wonderfully comfortable cinema and a selection of delicious dining options too. One of my favourites is The Tea House- a favourite bolthole during my college days- so I was really excited to return over the weekend: Needless to say, The Tea House is my idea of heaven. With a plentiful supply of tea and cake, as well as a really wonderful selection of staple favourites ...