I’m in routine limbo. It’s almost the end of my kid’s summer holiday, and I’m ready for some big back-to-school energy in my life (literally). But at the same time I’ve found far more enjoyment in this loosey-goosey approach to work and life in general than I thought I would. I’m a Virgo; routine is my middle name!!! At the beginning, I resisted, and everything felt hard. I sent out ‘HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS?’ messages to my friends who are further down the child-rearing path and logged the school summer holiday childcare juggle in my long list of things that no one warns you about before you have kids. However, as July and August have ploughed on, I’ve quite liked the slowed-down pace and soaking up life with my four (very nearly five)- year-old. He’s great. He knows the words to Blur’s ‘Parklife’ and is just an all-round dude with personality by the bucketload.
All of this to say, thanks for hanging in there with me. I wasn’t really sure how the summer holidays would work with well… work, and it’s taught me time management lessons by the bucketload. It’s kind of incredible what you can do with very little (read: no) kid-free time. I love what I do and never wanted to desert it for the entire summer, and although I’m gagging to put some time into posts that feel a little meatier, I hope you’ve enjoyed the lighter summer entertainment schedule. Give me a week or two, and I’ll be back to my usual programming. But today? Today, you’re getting the newsletter equivalent of verbal diarrhoea.
This past week I visited my mate Ruth Crilly (fun fact: we’re distant relatives!), stayed in Bath for two nights, then travelled up to the West Midlands to see my husband’s family, before returning home to a big ol’ tower of parcels. I shirked my unpacking responsibilities to do a live try-on on Substack, which so many of you asked me to repost, that I thought instead of saving it for paid subs, I’ll post it here, with the added CliffNotes.
But it’s not just that that you’re getting; I also had a Style Edit prepped for Friday that I didn’t get round to finishing, so I’m adding that too, along with my usual weekly outfit diary. Three posts, rolled into one. ENJOY! A good smorgasbord to get a feel for what’s usually posted behind the paywall. Like what you see? Subscribe, upgrade, make my day. Thank you!!
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I feel like I usually go LONG in these videos, so I'm proud for getting this one in at a cool 38 minutes - I think that’s a record for me. Watch along for my latest DONNI buy (1:38), a Reformation sandal rejig (6:00), a Substack-hyped piece that didn’t work out for me (10:50), a very good dupe for The Row loafers (15:30) and an autumnal ARKET haul (20:18).
Then I mentioned Kelly’s latest post and how I’d like to expand the ‘funky pant’ category in my wardrobe further:
I’ve had my eye on the Sea New York Priscilla Top* for almost two years (!!!). But I didn’t fancy the extra charges of ordering from Sea direct, so when it found its way onto NET-A-PORTER I pounced…
Ok, onto the section I meant to post on Friday, but instead sat in front of my laptop for a solid hour, staring at a blinking screen. Turns out that 4 pm on a Friday afternoon isn’t when my writing energy is particularly high. QUELLE SURPRISE! If you ever want live updates, you could always join my Instagram channel or bookmark my ‘Wishlist’ page on ShopMy, where I always have one on the go.
Each year I try to convince myself that I’m at a place where I finally enjoy summer dressing. I’m getting better at working out what to wear in the heat! Like, it’s fun?! Right?! Then the autumn collections start to work their way into my favourite retailers, and I’m immediately ready for a 16℃ day and a crisp morning. Enter Massimo Dutti’s latest drop*…
The new-in section is worth a browse for the styling alone, but highlights include:
This black blazer feels very vintage Armani*. If I worked in an office I’d snap it up immediately. I’d order this zebra print skirt too*.
Possibly the best leopard print ponyhair bag I’ve seen on the high-street*. There’s a slightly smaller version here*.
A very CBK-vibes jacket*. If you’ve ever eyed up a full-length blazer jacket but it felt a little too formal, this feels like a more casual version thanks to the midi length.
I genuinely cheered when I saw this Argarle-inspired cardigan was 100% cotton*.
All the looks that I really loved are styled with these mid-heel sandals*. Love me a fully covered-up outfit worn with a glorified flip-flop.
…and finally, my usual Sunday outfit diary. As I said, we were away for most of the week, and since we travelled via nine trains over four days, we tried our best to pack light and managed to squeeze everything we needed into just a backpack and two tote bags for me, my husband, and our little one. So I wouldn’t say these outfits were exactly big hitters in the ‘inspired’ department, but they more than got the job done.
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10 Styling Tips for Summer Outfit Fatigue
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Aug 11
I’m bored! You’re bored! I’m hot. You’re bothered. It gets to this stretch of the summer, and we’re all well and truly over summer dressing. The excitement of short shorts, wearing a sarong as a top or a swimsuit as a bodysuit has well and truly worn off. We’re gagging for jeans and jumper weather. Wool! Cashmere! LEATHER BOOTS.
What I Loved This Month: Summer Uniforms, Snack Plate Lunches & Romanticising our Lives
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Jul 29
I love putting these posts together. I keep an ongoing list on my phone that I squirrel away and add to throughout the month, so you’re really getting the good stuff here. Although I mostly write about fashion around these parts, you get something a little more well-rounded in these monthly posts. Still a sprinkling of style, but a decent dose of beauty…
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