Gardénia
I burn this scented candle from The Shop all year long, summer and winter, because it just smells so good.
I READ SOMETHING recently that stated that the sales of colour cosmetics dropped 33% in 2020, and that sales of cosmetics overall dropped by 15%. While I did buy a few new eyeshadow palettes during that time despite not having anywhere to go (perhaps it was for the odd Instagram selfie), I did actually reduce spending on these items. We focussed instead, on gym equipment for the spare room upstairs, folding bicycles, and a new sofa. There were a few other items that I ordered here and there as well, and since I’m stepping back from Instagram for a while, thought that I’d share a few of my favourites here with you…
Alpaca Blend Knit Sweater
I bought this yellow long sleeve sweater a few months ago (it’s now on sale) and I absolutely love it. Made of an alpaca and wool blend knit with a diamond pattern, it’s comfortable and super cosy to wear and looks great with jeans or a pair of pleated trousers.
Veja Venturi Trainers
I ordered these trainers from Paris-based VEJA after coming back from London, where I couldn’t find the New Balances I was looking for in my size. I am so happy that I ended up with these instead of the NBs. These are the most comfortable trainers I have ever worn and I love the height provided by the high outsoles made of wild Amazonian rubber. I wear them on our long bicycle rides in the English countryside and their huge tread help grip the pedals and keep my feet from slipping. They are great for gallivanting around the city as well.
Natural Hydrating Sunscreen
I just bought Australia-based Grown Alchemist’s Natural Hydrating Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF30 and am so surprised by how lightweight it is and how nice is smells. It gives a slight white cast as first, and does seem a little shiny (and maybe a little greasy?) but then sinks into the skin nicely with a few pats. Once I added the tinted serum that I wear in the summertime, it settled down and blended beautifully. The company uses organic ingredients (powerful botanicals and natural peptides) that work wonderfully together to create the most luxurious experience. This sunscreen is 100% natural, reef-safe, vegan and cruelty-free.
Baroque Pearl Earrings
These Keshi Baroque Pearl and 18k Rose Gold Dangle Earrings are from thisisglamorous.com/shop and they are one of my absolute favourite earrings to wear. They are (of course) glamorous, but they are also versatile, working equally well with dresses as with blue jeans, and make every outfit feel special.
Quilted Jacket
I bought this Barbour Fairsfield Quilted Jacket at the beginning of the summer because I wanted something between my Burberry Trench and my heavy winter coat. It is bar far one of my favourite jackets–it’s belted, which makes it flattering, and it effortlessly gives any outfit polish. This exact style is sold out many places, but if you can’t find it anywhere, Barbour has quite a few other long quilted styles that are similar.
Pink Cardigan
I bought this Pink Alpaca Blend Knit Cardigan a few months ago, at the same time that I ordered the yellow one (above), and it’s one of my favourite pieces to wear because it’s super-soft, comfortable and flattering. You can wear it open with a camisole underneath, or buttoned up like a sweater. Plus, the colour is a really lovely shade of the softest pink.
Oversized Scuba Drawstring Trousers
I bought these Oversized Scuba Drawstring Trousers over a year ago, at the start of the pandemic, thinking that they might be a bit more presentable than the cosy grey cotton ones that I drink coffee in every morning. Presentable to whom, I’m not sure, as I’ve never worn them out of the house, but they are made of a certain type of viscose that is very similar to scuba material and are actually quite comfortable, as you would expect trackie bottoms to be.
Multipurpose Oil
I used to use Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multipurpose Oil every night before bed when I lived in Spain. I first discovered it in Paris and fell in love with it and put not only on my skin, by on the ends of my hair. I fell out of the habit of using it over the past while because there are so many other skincare products on my vanity now due to (over) skincare shopping during the 2020 lockdown. I recently ordered it again and remember why it’s a cult product―it smells wonderful and has a lovely texture.
