Can a timeless wardrobe still be fun?

Plus the best new lamps, favourite UK escapes, and the best thing in our freezer right now!

I’ve been thinking a lot about personal style lately. That might seem a bit odd given I get dressed and document it as part of my job so you might assume I’ve got it nailed but my style is constantly evolving and changing. And I’m a real advocate for that; I feel like we get to change our minds about our style and pretty much everything else in life, that’s the beauty of it. However, now I’m firmly in my mid-30s, I’m at the point where I don’t so much want to be experimenting but tweaking and making every single purchase, whether new, pre-loved and no matter the cost, work hard. Getting to grips with this without slipping into a beige and monochrome abyss, albeit a chic one, is something of a project of mine this year so I’m walking you through it in this edition.

Plus, now is also the perfect time to dust off the cobwebs and see in Spring at one of my favourite close-to-home escapes in the U.K. Even with the clocks jumping forward, the power of a good lamp is undeniable and I’ve rounded up some of the best new offerings (just wish I had more surfaces for them). And as always, amazing TV, another addition for your coffee/smoothie/potion, and the best natural deodorant I’ve tried so far.

1: dinner plate - 2: wallpaper - 3: denim jacket

SPRING FLINGS CLOSE TO HOME [in the UK]

March for me is peak itchy feet season. I’m starting to thaw out from my mental and literal hibernation period and the allure of pastures new starts to rise again. And it doesn’t have to be far-flung shores; so many of my favourite places to see in Spring are closer to home. Case in point, Glebe House in Devon. Nestled in a beautiful valley with stunning views across the greens hills, insanely delicious seasonal food, so much of which is either produced on-site or locally sourced, and cosy, pretty rooms. I also love Aller, Dorset’s beautifully decked out shepherd’s huts for a cosy, country escape complete with lobster cooked on a fire pit, outdoor bathtubs, and a lake for swimming in. Kip Hideaways and Unique Homestays are my two go-to sites for sourcing lovely, independent self-catered places to stay. I rented this incredible house in the Black Mountains last year and it was so, so special and I’ve had some great switch-off escapes with Kip Hideaways like here and here.

I also have a soft spot for The Gallivant on Camber Sands for a quick beach trip not too far from London (and very dog-friendly) with great food and close to Rye and Dungeness for antiquing and seafood. Plus I hear they now have a Bamford spa too which is always a cherry on top. Speaking of Bamford, renting a Daylesford cottage in the Cotswolds and basing yourself at the Bamford Haybarn Spa is one of my favourite spoiling escapes. I think Bamford really does spas incredibly well and as soon as you walk in the door, your shoulders drop, and you feel zen. The treatments are some of the best I’ve had and are all rooted in holistic practices. For ultimate pampering, I adore Lime Wood in the New Forest, mostly for its amazing spa (the hydrotherapy pool is amazing) and The Newt which is an amazingly well-oiled machine with impeccable service, cosy but very contemporary rooms, and a really top-notch spa.

A few places currently on my wishlist that I’ve yet to personally experience include; The Fife Arms and Boath House, both in Scotland (the latter is the latest brainchild from the team behind London’s beautiful and delicious Sessions Art Club); The Suffolk in Aldeburgh, a seafood-focused restaurant with rooms from the chef behind L’Escargot in Soho; and Updown in Deal which I’ve heard amazing things about. Let the daydreaming commence….

LET THERE BE LIGHT

I have a thing for lamps. Lamps and chairs are without a doubt my biggest interior weaknesses (and ceramic vegetation but I’ll save that for another day). And recently it seems as though there’s been a flurry of new lighting I only wish I had a place for. I love seeing some of my favourite ceramic brands like Bettina Ceramica and Feldspar branching out into light fittings, as well as some real wow-factor lamps from Palefire and Rachel Donath. You can’t go wrong with any of the below, just wish I could find a spare room to adorn with these.

1: Palefire - 2: Bettina Ceramica - 3: Feldspa x Berdoulat - 4: Rachel Donath - 5: Matilda Goad - 6: &Tradition

IS MY WARDROBE NO FUN ANYMORE?