5 things to buy in London now

I want to portray the image that I (really) do not enjoy shopping as much as I used to. That COVID-19 is the pandemic I have been eagerly awaiting, so that I may realise the finite nature of life and therefore, live every moment with renewed gusto.

Both are lies, principally because I would have preferred the Spanish flu, as it sounds more affable than the mechanistic sounding COVID-19.

That’s my gratuitous Trump moment of the day.

And I still love shopping.

What has changed is that I engage in less impulse shopping, mainly because I want to keep to a budget and reduce my carbon footprint. 

Also, luxury goods (e.g.) Louis Vuitton’s latest handbag launch, hold as much attraction to me as married men hitting on me.

There are also unexpected benefits of fewer impulse purchases:  I eat less chocolate as most of my grocery shopping is online and importantly, I save on an extortionately priced gym membership.

I hope you enjoy my end of August/September shopping guide.

Inspired fragrances

The Perfume Laboratory, established in 2019, is not even trying to be original in its output. It’s target market is anyone who answers “yes” to these questions:  Do you love Jo Malone’s Peony & Blush Suede? If yes, would you like a candle/fragrance/home diffuser at a fraction of the price?

Perfumes are inspired by most of Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Creed, Chanel and Dior collections.

This niche brand feels and smells like a school chemistry experiment. They think their perfumes are different enough to NOT be sued by big perfume houses. Unfortunately, it is seldom the case that following the letter of any rule or law ensures victory. Just ask African Americans.  I have never tried this brand before, but I will be ordering this parfum.

All hail the Queen of lipsticks

Pat McGrath is repackaging her brand – expanding the lipstick range to sheer colours. You get the picture. The plus side is there is a ton of make up at 50% discount on the PM website. Secondly, everyone needs this purple frosted lip balm….

My favourite colour maybe Temptress

If that doesn’t float your boat, then the clothing brand Supreme and Pat McGrath will collaborating to bring you the reddest of red lipsticks in early September…

Forest Essentials’ latest collection

I have a love-hate relationship with this brand. In my more rational state of mind, I feel we are never going to find happiness together.

I don’t know where I should start with the admonishment. Why did they get rid of the Ojas balm, Mashobra honey & vanilla soaps and the entire Bengal tuberose range?  

It beggars belief that their customer research shows that Nargis and Jasmine with Mogra are what Indian women want.

If I wanted to sell like a cheap synthetic perfume, I would buy said fragrance from a bus-stand vendor in Chhattisgarh. I wouldn’t spend thousands of ruppees for the privilege.

Enough of the vitriol and I am giving Forest Essentials the chance to redeem itself via its latest launch, aloe vera and neem everything.   Yes, I appreciate its easier to get more excited about Fevicol glue, but I remain a romantic at heart (or not) and I am hopeful (or not).

Supporting cultural appropriation

It was only a matter of time before Liberty of London expanded its own-brand clothing line. The only surprise is why it took so long. I am reminded of congregation style sayings, “Cease the day” or “Fortune favours the brave (which is code for risk-takers).” Had Liberty displayed more ambition, its extortionately priced clothing would fair better in a pandemic.

Alas, Liberty’s poor planning is good news for us. I found this beautiful, elegant and summery dress on sale in my size.

Liberty’s scarves

However, it is Liberty’s current season of scarves that have caught my attention. Peacock feathers, elephants and floral designs more at home in South Asian textiles feature prominently.

I cannot help but think that this is not a celebration of my heritage but cultural appropriation. I felt as if my doubts were confirmed when I read that the “hathi” scarf is from Liberty’s 1950s archive. Possibly post or pre colonial independence? I don’t know. But I am truly saddened that South Asian designers do not elevate our traditional designs to the level that they deserve.

The artwork

My office space used to be mountains of paper (research that I never filed) and I had a system of finding it.  Now, I am old.  My home office is the complete opposite – it’s minimalistic to another level – it just has empty space every way.   It lets me work. However, I have been looking for inexpensive art that I can frequently change.  I may have found my answer with “a poster a day” concept.

I love the contrasting shades of purple and pink in these flowers and the bees are so symptomatic of our time.  Who doesn’t feel as if they are carrying the weight of the world, when on closer inspection it may just be hot air?

Who am I?

I am an independent blogger and I am not paid or affiliated by anyone or anything. I write about skincare, shopping and importantly, feminism. I pay for my products and this allows me the freedom to write with complete honesty. If you’d prefer other sales based influencers then that’s ok. I love them too, but that’s not who I am or want to be. Thank you for your time.

COPYRIGHT I wish to remind some of you that I am a non-affiliated skincare blogger. I invest my time in creating original content for my blog. My blog is read in multiple countries and according to my lawyers, each of those countries protects my content and rights under copyright law. If you would like to use my content, do the right thing, and write to me at email@happyskindays.com. Don’t be that person who steals content, because it’s lazy, arrogant and ultimately, a crime.