What I've Loved This Month: The Best Basics & An Acne-Safe Moisturiser That Stopped Me In My Tracks
Plus, my New York shopping list....
I’ll admit that I had to scramble to write this post as a last-minute addition because I’d completely forgotten to program it into my editorial calendar. WHERE DID FEBRUARY GO?! I’m not mad that it flew by, because we can all collectively agree that we are very much done with wool coats, warming soups, and weather alerts (22 days till spring!!!). Brighter days are coming, literally. But until then, allow me to bring some light entertainment with my favourites from Feb…
You thought I’d get through a post without mentioning the MOTHER Biggie Concert Sweatshirt*?. It feels physically impossible right now. The minute it gets out of the wash, it’s back on my body, and I pledge to wear the outfit above weekly once the weather allows. It’s got just enough bagginess around the body without being too long or having too much volume around the upper arm, which I find can often be the case with oversized tops. It’s not the cheapest grey sweater, although it is 100% cotton, unlike this Everlane Lightweight Terry Blouson Crew*, which has been touted around as a solid alternative.
The same can be said for the AGOLDE 90’s Mid-Rise Straight Jeans*. If you’re a fan of their OG 90’s Pinch Waist style*, these are very similar; they just sit slightly lower on the waist and are a little more eased out around the thighs. Personally, I’ve gone up a size from my usual measurements just to wear them looser and more relaxed. I never want white denim to fit too tight around the crotch - this is the vibe I want. If you fancy more denim chat, I went in DEEP in this post.
I feel like I’ve had a real return to basics this month, thanks to all my recent styling sessions. Spending five hours with some of the best Stylists in the biz really did work. I detailed my biggest lessons and takeaways in this post…
In the Black Friday sale, I bought myself a LESET Margo Long-Sleeve T-shirt* in a size up from what I usually wear (I usually wear a medium for a closer fit), and it really is the perfect white long-sleeve for me. There’s just a touch more space in the armpit area, but it’s no longer in the body, which I appreciate, as I love that it doesn’t require tucking. There’s still that heft and that boxiness. If you’re looking for something thicker, give the WNU Bessette Waffle Jersey* a go, which I’m desperate to try. Code ANNA10 gets you 10% off.
There aren’t any makeup faves this month as I’ve just been reaching for the same ol’ things again and again, but I did get around to filming myself chatting through the entirety of my makeup drawer if that’s your bag…
There is a very highly endorsed skincare favourite, though - the Sophie Pavitt Omega Rich Moisturiser*. I had some IPL earlier in the month, and, combined with the crappy weather, my skin felt drier than usual. I’m wary of adding new products into my routine as my skin is pretty reactive and acne-prone, but it needed some serious juice. I remembered that I picked up a tub of this when I blacked out in Sephora last year (it’s currently only available in the U.S), so one night I slathered it on, and MY WORD, it’s so rich and comforting on the skin. The texture is tricky to describe aside from ‘heavenly’. Sophie’s whole thing is that her line is non-pore-clogging, so I haven’t broken out, but I do feel like my skin is actually hydrated for the first time in a while. I’m desperate to try her SPF, which is good news because…
…New York, baby!!! I actually cried when I left last autumn because it really is my happy place, and I didn’t know when I’d be back. But the stars have aligned, and I’m all booked in for a trip mid-March (so technically end of winter - I’ll be packing my Heattech, don’t worry!). I’m hoping to make trips there a more regular thing, thanks to this newsletter’s primarily U.S.-based audience, and would love to eventually get some events planned so I can have the chance to meet you lovely lot! The upcoming four days are going to be pretty meeting-heavy, but that doesn’t mean I won’t have a few little breaks here and there to stop by my usual haunts. This is my current shopping list:
Thank GOD I had this trip booked in before I started watching Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette (on Disney+), Ryan Murphy’s latest series detailing one of America’s most iconic couples. I mean, it’s not great, but it’s also not terrible either (the Guardian review was pretty savage!). It’s a little bit of fluff to snuggle up with on a rainy Tuesday evening, you know? I’ll admit I was lacking quite a lot of knowledge of the Kennedys’ family history, so some things definitely went over my head, but I feel like the casting is pretty spot-on, the music GREAT and actually, the wardrobe much better than expected (if anyone can ID CBK’s white tank at the end of episode 3 I would greatly appreciate it). The world-building of ‘90’s New York and the Calvin Klein office is beautiful. If you want to watch a real edge-of-your-seat show, opt for The Night Manager (BBC iPlayer) instead.
…and finally, taking dates where you can get ‘em. Even though I do this as my job, I treat my Mondays to Fridays in a pretty regimented way. But this year, I really want to make the most of a flexible schedule, and that includes squeezing in some day dates from time to time during the week. We don’t have many options for childcare in the evenings, so we just don’t leave the house together all that often after 7 pm. Actually, a lunch here or an early morning cinema trip there is a far better option with our current set-up. This month, we went to Knepp for lunch (get the chips and thank me later), watched two films at our local Everyman (you know I can’t stop raving about this cinema), and had a Valentine’s Day meal delivery from Loam (10/10 would recommend).
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At your recommendation I got the Mother sweatshirt and… it’s perfect. Just like you, I cannot stop wearing it. Immediately perfect.
Have you tried the M&S speckled egg cookies!!! I’m in love with them but sadly only Easter special 🫤