Lou's Cosy Autumn Weekend | Lifestyle

Autumn is my most favourite time of the year. I love the chilly weather for everything from the food ( risotto and stews and a good English roast) to fashion with cashmere jumpers and warm coats and cosy evenings under a throw watching movies with scented candles and a negroni. I think it’s my Swedish blood, but I really do love the cold.

Weekends are a time to slow down after a busy week and I try to use this time to switch off, carve out some me time but also nurture both my body and mind.

Here’s what I’m coveting and enjoying at the moment on my weekends.

Brunch – Ollie’s House

Nothing screams weekend more than brunch. I was so excited to hear about Ollie’s House opening up in Parsons Green. Inspired by Ollie’s travels to Indonesia and the Philippines, they offer a delicious twist on Asian food and a quirky brunch menu. From classic brunch staples to innovative creations. Whether you’re in the mood for buttermilk pancakes, Nasi Goreng ( A traditional Indonesian Breakfast) or an English Breakfast Bao, they have you covered and lots of options for kids.

We were totally obsessed with the Nasi Goreng as well as the amazing Halloumi and Avo Bao which we are eager to go back and eat again. As a huge fan of Asian flavours, this really was my perfect brunch. My son had the buttermilk pancakes which really did not disappoint and kept him quiet and occupied for a long time… a sign of an amazing meal is a few minutes of silence from my little one. Not only was their food amazing but their Bloody Mary was possibly one of the best I have tried in a long time. With an extra kick from Wasabi it was the perfect way to start our weekend as a family.

Weekend Wardrobe

I love a cosy weekend wardrobe vibe but since having my little one I feel I need to get more out of an outfit. It needs to take me from chasing him around the playground to either brunch or lunch with friends or facial. I am more focused than ever on a capsule wardrobe.

Paloma

A white shirt has always been a staple in my wardrobe and my favourite right now is The Paloma Shirt, with its perfect oversized fit. Launched in July with just one shirt Paloma was born out of the need to create the perfect white shirt which also has as little impact on the planet as possible. From the softest sustainable fabric, the perfect oversized shape to the stylish deep cuffs this shirt is designed to stand the test of time and redefines the concept of an effortless minimal wardrobe.

Citizen Of Humanity Jeans

Jeans are the ultimate weekend vibe and I have recently come to love Citizen Of Humanity for their Ayla jeans, which you have probably seen everywhere and are best known for being styles with wide turn-up. Jeans can always be tricky to buy ( honestly I hate buying jeans and have lived in J brand Maria Jeans for over a decade) but these are the most versatile, and comfortable jeans you will find and I am obsessed. As someone who has been a long-standing member of the skinny jeans club I am converted to the baggy jeans look and these are the ones which are perfect for my weekend vibe this Autumn.

Self-Care

I think it’s so important to take a little time out for yourself on a weekend. I spend a lot of time with my son, who I adore, but amid the terrible twos it can feel like hard work with the daily battles. For me, some time to myself is the most restorative.

I had the ultimate treat of getting to try a bespoke facial with the amazing Lisa Franklin and it was the most incredible experience. Not only is Lisa the most knowledgeable and interesting person, but she is also utterly divine. I could have chatted with her for hours. The passion she pours into her brand, from the product development of her skincare range to understanding your own skincare needs is second to none. It is not a facial for the faint-hearted but a facial which will give you immediate results. And the results are amazing.

Lisa Franklin provides high-performance, personally tailored treatments to treat your skin in the most effective way possible. Through the use of her award-winning products to steaming, extraction, exfoliating, LED light and lymphatic massage, no stone is unturned to ensure your skin will look and feel its very best.

Evening Rituals

We don’t go out much these days and much prefer to spend our evenings at home and nothing beats a cosy movie night as the evenings are getting darker and colder. It’s all about Netflix and chill. Autumn signals a time for throws and scented candles. We don’t have a fireplace, so I love making the room cosy with lots of candles and my new favourite has to be Ostens – Illumination Cashmeran Velvet which is perfect for creating a cocoon of comfort and warmth. The scent has subtle smoky notes with amber and soft woods so if you close your eyes you can pretend you are sitting by a roaring fire in the countryside..I also think the mouth-blown scalloped glass is just stunning. Time to cosy up in a blanket, light my candle and watch Barbie ( am I the only one who hasn’t seen it yet?).