The Shopping List
An inaugural edit of the homeware/fashion/travel I'd happily spend my money on.
Much like glass bricks as room dividers; my old shopping round-ups have made a comeback!
Let me take you back to 2020 when I first began to share weekly shopping edits on my Instagram Stories. I gave these round-ups of 10-15 items the deeply imaginative title of ‘Sunday Best’ and I dedicated every Sunday to working on them for around 18 months, by which point neither the frequency nor the accompanying stress was working for me and my work schedule anymore.
I didn’t make any money from them but I know those edits were the reason my social following grew steadily from that year onwards, they were also the reason I previously had a Wednesday shopping column in the Evening Standard newspaper. I still get messages now asking if I’ll ever do them again. The short answer is yes, right now, in fact!
The joy of Substack is these edits can be revisited at any time, making it much easier for people to use them (unlike the one-day lifespan of an Instagram story), and for me, the permanence of this platform makes it feel worth the time and thought I put in. I’m extremely picky and I don’t like to rush my recommendations, so it’s normal for me to spend a full day or more researching. Pretty wild for something that previously expired after 24 hours, or was hardly seen if the algorithm decided it wasn’t their day…
I’ve been cursed with expensive taste (devastatingly, without the budget to match), so you should expect a broad mix of price points – from affordable high-street bargains to special purchases that I could only dream about. Some things will be new and readily available, and others will be one-off antiques or secondhand finds on eBay. Either way, it’ll be the good stuff. Keep scrolling for the first edit and spread the word if you know a friend who might like it!
Inclusion in these edits can never be bought but I will occasionally use an affiliate link, which means I will receive a tiny commission from the retailer if you choose to buy something.
I have two of Autumn Sonata’s thick double-sided bath mats and they’re about 300 times more stylish than any of the other options I’ve seen recently. The Amsterdam-based brand ships worldwide and their large pool towels are also brilliant (I love the red and blue stripe). Alma bath mat, €82.
Book a cosy Autumn stay at The Lodge in Cheltenham, a new holiday home owned by antique dealers Anton&K. Their involvement means there’s zero predictable Cotswolds tweeness, instead, it looks more like a chic spot in Belgium. Sleeps two, from £185 a night on Airbnb.
Wilson bag in coffee suede, from Anya Hindmarch. I spotted this bag in store yesterday and it’s the perfect everyday size, with multiple compartments for the plentiful crap I carry around London. It comes in black leather too but I like how battered the suede will get over time. £1,295.
It’s been hard to find paper plants in the UK that compare to the more established US brands, but Plants for Shade changed that. They’re made using hand-marbled paper and they’re truly works of art, I know because I have one. Visit their Instagram or founder Georgia’s new website for available pieces and commissions.
Blanket stitch coat in indigo from Toast. As soon as I get a chance, I’ll be going to try this on. I love the collar proportions and patch pockets, plus it’s a warmer alternative to the seen-everywhere Toteme jacket. £655.
Just spotted this set of four Brutalist oak chairs on eBay for £80 and you can’t say fairer than that! They’re collection-only from Cambridge and the auction ends on Monday 4th Sept.
