I just got back from what felt like a blink-and-you-miss-it trip to Canada. Visiting family is always such a grounding experience, and I was hoping for a longer stay, but work called—well, Iceland did, technically. One minute I was sipping coffee with my mum, watching the snowfall, and the next I was fumbling for gloves I hadn’t packed, navigating -7°C winds, and marveling at how quickly a country can steal your heart (and your body heat).
Now that I’m back in London, I’ve been easing into the chaos of Black Friday. It’s one of those things I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with. On one hand, it’s a bit of a mad dash, isn’t it? Like the January sales but with more email notifications. On the other, it’s the perfect excuse to invest in pieces I’ve been stalking all year—especially from brands that care about craftsmanship, sustainability, and creating items you’ll wear for years, not weeks. For me, Black Friday isn’t about buying for the sake of buying; it’s about finally snagging those quality pieces that don’t just make your wardrobe—they make you feel like your best self.
Here are the brands I love, what I’m shopping for, and why you might want to join me.
There’s a reason I keep going back to & Other Stories—it’s classic without being boring and trendy without feeling like you’re trying too hard. Their knitwear is especially calling my name this year (think cozy, oversized, and perfect for layering under a structured coat). Black Friday deals make it the perfect time to grab those staples that somehow make you look put-together, even when you’re not. I’ve linked my favorites on:
Ah, Flattered boots. If you’ve ever wondered what footwear could survive London’s rain, Canada’s snow, and my general life chaos—it’s these. I’ve had my Lia Black Leather boots for years, and they still look just as good as the day they arrived. They’re sleek, timeless, and somehow make you feel like you have your life together, even when you’re running late (always me). This Black Friday, they’ve marked down both the Lia and Cass Leather Patent Black boots, so if you’re looking for something durable and effortlessly chic, now’s your chance.
Let’s talk about jeans for a moment. Finding the right pair is like finding the perfect cup of tea—difficult but so worth it when you get it right. For me, Levi’s 501s are the jeans. They’re comfy but structured, classic but cool, and somehow get better with every wear (which is great because I basically live in them). Both the US and UK sites are running Black Friday deals, so if you’ve been searching for denim that will never let you down, this is the time to act.
If there’s one brand that consistently delivers those “where did you get that?” moments, it’s Shona Joy. Their dresses are effortlessly elegant—perfect for weddings, date nights, or just those occasions when you want to feel a bit extra, I wore this powder blue dress to a wedding in Paris back in September, and honestly, I loved every second in it. It’s loose, soft, and ridiculously comfortable—basically the dream dress for dancing, eating, and just generally living your best life. I’ve spotted a few of their classics in the sale section, so if you’ve got a party or event coming up, I’d highly recommend taking a look.
Reformation has a way of making you feel like you’ve got your life sorted—even if you don’t. Their basics under $100 are a dream if you’re building a capsule wardrobe, and their denim-on-denim sets are the kind of cool you don’t have to think too hard about. I’ve been loving their sale picks this year—particularly for those timeless, eco-friendly pieces that you can throw on and instantly look like you’ve made an effort.
This one’s for my fellow swimwear obsessives. Away That Day has been a staple in my wardrobe for years, and their sustainable pieces strike that perfect balance between flattering and functional. With 30% off for Black Friday, now’s the time to grab a one-piece or suit of your choice you’ll feel amazing in—perfect for a holiday escape or just daydreaming about one.
Black Friday can feel like a bit of a frenzy, but it’s also the perfect excuse to invest in pieces you’ll love for years to come. For me, it’s about finding those brands that align with what I value—quality, sustainability, and style that outlasts trends.
If you want more details on my picks, head over to my LTK or follow me on Instagram for more styling tips, sale updates, and a peek into what I’m shopping for this season. Happy browsing—and remember, quality over quantity always!
Okay, let’s talk hair. It’s been a minute since my last update, and I’m so excited to share what’s been happening on this journey. If you’ve been following along, you know that my relationship with my hair has been a bit of a rollercoaster (cue flashbacks of bad hair days and some questionable styles). But after my most recent trip to the Michael Van Clarke Salon, I’m feeling so good about where we are.
1. Blonde Refresh and the Perfect Trim at Michael Van Clarke Salon
The Michael Van Clarke Salon is the place for me. I’ve been coming here for years—even planning trips to London around my hair appointments—because no one else does blonde like this. Every visit is like hitting the refresh button on my hair, and this time was no different.
First up, I saw Bryn, who is a genius when it comes to color. We added lighter and brighter highlights, especially around my face, to give everything a fresh glow. He’s always so careful with the bleach, making sure we get the blonde without compromising the health of my hair. Honestly, it’s the best of both worlds—blonde but healthy.
After that, Lamphane stepped in for the cut. I’d been long overdue for a trim, and he knew exactly what my hair needed. We cleaned up my ends and added some soft layers, which gave my hair back its movement without losing the length. You know how a good cut can make you feel like a completely new person? That’s exactly what this was. The salon experience with Alan by my side was a total vibe too—he’s practically a regular at this point.
Check out my reel to see the whole experience and transformation here!
I’ve kept my product routine simple but consistent, and it’s really paid off. I’m still using Vegamour’s GRO+ Advanced Hair Serumdaily, and if you’ve been following my hair journey, you know how much of a difference it’s made. The growth around my temples, where I once had some serious thinning, has been incredible, and I can finally see my hair getting fuller.
Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oilhas been essential for keeping my blonde hair hydrated. I use it after styling to add moisture and control frizz, and sometimes I’ll work it into my hair before bed when I braid it. It’s the little things that help keep my hair soft and shiny, even after lightening.
My hair is just as obsessed with this oil as I am, this product has really helped tame my frizz and keeps my hair moisturized after styling. I also like to apply a generous amount before braiding it for bed, ensuring it stays hydrated overnight.
I use this mask once a week in the shower, and honestly, it’s a little self-care moment. I slather it on after shampooing, leave it for 5+ minutes (perfect for a quick scroll), then rinse it out and follow with conditioner. Sometimes I mix in a few drops of oil to really amp up the hydration.
One of the biggest changes I’ve made is reducing the amount of heat I use on my hair. Instead of blow-drying it fully, I let my hair air dry about 50% before going in with myDyson Airwrap to add volume and give it some life, when I need I want to style it if I am going out, but otherwise, I try to limit the amount of heat on my hair. I use the round brush attachment to lift the roots and create soft, face-framing waves with the curling barrel. It’s all about getting a little extra bounce while being kind to my hair, and it’s made a world of difference for its overall health.
4. Patience and Consistency: The Real Keys to Healthy Hair
Hair growth and health don’t happen overnight, and there’s no one product that will magically fix everything. For me, it’s been all about finding what works and sticking with it. The results have been slow but steady, and I’m finally seeing the payoff. The combination of good products, regular trims, and being mindful of how I treat my hair has made all the difference.
If you’re on a hair journey like me—struggling with thinning, breakage, or just trying to grow out a bad cut—remember that patience and consistency are key. It gets better, and you’ll get there.
So that’s where I’m at with my hair right now—healthier, blonder, and a little bit more in love with it every day. If you’ve been on this journey with me, or if you’re starting your own hair care routine, I hope this update gives you some helpful tips (and maybe a little hope that things do get better with time). Plus, follow me in Instagram to keep an eye out for my new mini-series on what I wear for my dog walks with Alan—comfy, practical, and a little bit chic (depending on the day and weather, lol), perfect for braving London’s unpredictable weather.
When I was seven my mother put me in a floral dress for a day of sightseeing while on a family holiday in the Saskatchewan Prairies. It was forty-odd degrees out, no breeze, no cloud in sight, just heatwaves radiating from the dry, flat land. My Uncle had rented an 11-seater van from a budget company called Wheat Country Van Rentals. The air conditioning didn’t work, the radio was patchy, and the windows opened outwards instead of down. Every seat was accounted for between our two families and our grandmother – who, despite the Saharan heat levels inside that vehicle, sat with her trench coat on and complained.
In retrospect my mother’s outfit choice for me was purely practical, an act of heat survival really. I however felt victimized.
How could she force me to wear this? She knew I had a ‘pants only’ policy. Coerced to conform to the female gender role I so adamantly rejected there was only one thing I could do. Protest.
After four stifling hours in the van we pulled up to a park for lunch. My ten family members scampered out to freedom but I, anchored by my own morals, would not budge. I would stay in that miserable vehicle until they worried for my safety. I would show them how they had compromised my identity and ruined my day. I would make them pay for the floral nightmare I’d been straight jacketed into.
Unsurprisingly this protest wasn’t the success I’d imagined. My mother simply shrugged her shoulders, popped a window and left me there, in the hell of my own making.
I’ve thought about this day a lot over the years. How upset that dress made me. I think it’s my first real memory of outwardly acknowledging that I didn’t want to be ‘a girl’. Not from an anatomical standpoint, but rather a systemic one. As far as I understood, being a girl was synonymous with sacrifice. It meant being cut from the boy’s hockey team, not because I wasn’t good enough but because I was taking a spot away from someone’s son. It meant staying in to help my Mum wash dishes while my brothers got to help Dad in the yard. It meant being called ‘obstinate’ by my teacher for standing up to him in class while my male classmate was referred to as ‘confident’.
I wanted to dress, act and look like a boy so that perhaps I may be treated like one. One time I even tried peeing standing up, which quickly backfired and showed me there were practical limitations to my efforts. Nonetheless, I stayed the course.
When I’ve told this story to friends I’ve been asked when it was that I stopped wanting to be a boy. But I guess thats not the right question… I haven’t ‘stopped’ wanting to be a boy. Instead I’ve learned to define my own gender identity. What I was rejecting as a child was not the floral dress, not my gender but the social constructs surrounding them.
It’s crazy to think that at the age of seven I had such a deep impression of male privilege within society and that I so strongly associated that floral dress with female oppression. I think about what it will mean to one day put my own daughter in a dress and I can only hope that she will look down and simply see clothing.
Well it’s been about 8 months since I bought this apartment, and slowly but surely I’ve been piecing it together. Heavy on the slow… I mean, the wall mural I received for my bedroom 13 weeks ago is still in it’s box…
Do you ever have a moment where you’re just like, “How am I even allowed to be doing this?” I’m still working out the answer to, “when I grow up, I want to be…” …alive? I still forget to buy toilet paper, I run out of milk ALL. THE. TIME. I don’t open my bills when I don’t want to know whats inside (Dad don’t read this) and I make ‘To Do’ lists that say “finish yesterday’s To Do list”.
But low and behold, here I am, in my very first apartment, with no roommates, actual working appliances and slightly less IKEA furniture than ever before.
I’ve shared a few photos of my place on my Instagram but as the decorating vamps up, I wanted to start documenting it’s progress. So, here we are, my bedroom…
Pre wall mural, post new sheets from Splendid LA. I’m not sure the duvet cover is going to suit the wall mural once its up, so I’ll probably switch it back to the plan white. But for now, I love that it adds a little more to the otherwise basic space.
I bought this Birds of Paradise plant a few months ago and have been moving it around the loft trying to find the right place for it. I think next to the bed works best. And it’s meant to be good to have living things in your sleeping space, no? I would also like to add that the plant is still alive, which counts for some adulting.
TRENCH COAT | JEANS | SHOULDER BAG 
Claude Lace Back Bias Maxi Dress
La Lune Cross-Draped Maxi Dress
La Lune High Neck Twist Maxi Dress
Mentone Half-Zip Knit Pullover
