Support Your Local

Last night when I was getting ready for bed I noticed that my room smelt of the bolognese I had laboriously cooked for dinner several hours earlier. I was slightly surprised by this, but as my bedroom shares a wall with the kitchen (it’s a small flat) it’s not totally shocking for my culinary delights to seep through the brick and plaster. However, this wasn’t the smell of ridiculously good bolognese (like the kind you get at Terroni of Clerkenwell, if you know, you know) - this was the smell of me following a BBC Food recipe for too long in an attempt to work some sustenance into my weekly lockdown diet.

After opening my window, I began to clear my bed of books, phone cables, chargers, bags, keys and any bits of clothing I had discarded throughout the day that now required folding. When I was down to the last item, I held in my hands a beloved wardrobe staple (a piece in my collection that I actually want to wear) from AYM, formerly Boom Boom The Label. Once back on its hanger and tucked away for the night, I thought about all the other independent stores I love, and that deserve enthusiastic attention at this time, so I’m going to share them, right now, with you. Drum roll, please.

Bourne T-shirt £39 // Bourne Long-Sleeve Top £49

AYM
This brand is how my sexier, more extrovert side would dress if she had parties to go to, places to be and was heading out on a stream of dates that all took place at different rooftop bars where the drinks come in quirky glasses. Alas, I don’t have any of these experiences under my belt, but I do own a fair few pieces from AYM to wear during my regular shmegular life. (FYI: the fit is amazing).

Lightning Studs £12 // 13mm Hoop Pair £30

SEOL + GOLD
My ears are overly sensitive (just like the rest of me) and I’ve therefore always, always struggled to find earrings that don’t cause crusty, gammy ooziness to seep from my piercings. You’ll be pleased to know the search is over and has been for some time. Thank you Seol + Gold.

Image is from here

GOODHOOD
According to one of my closest friends, this store is ‘the best thing about Shoreditch’. It’s edgy, somewhat intimidatingly so and stocked to the brim with things you don’t need but also kind of do. I’ve lost track of the times younger me applied for a job at Goodhood, and how often I’ve considered buying a HAY toothbrush in ‘soft rose’ for £4 when I’ve been browsing their shelves. An essential, but not really, but also yes.

Cross Necklace £160

LILY & ROO
My St Christopher is the most precious piece of jewellery I own, I am never without it, but after a while, I realised he needed a friend. After searching 'minimal gold jewellery' and 'simple gold jewellery' for what felt like days, I found Lily & Roo and now my St Christopher is lonely no more.

What are some of your favourite independent brands?

HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL,

Bye, buh bye, adiós,

Lauren x