Summer Shopping Edit

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Our resident blogger Lucy Young @_Oceancityliving heads out in the warm weather and goes shopping for some new seasonal purchases. 

Summer seemed a long time coming this year with rain and freezing temperatures lasting well into May. I had to wait until at least the Whitsun Bank Holiday to do my winter to summer wardrobe swap and I know I wasn’t the only one wrapped up in cosy layers and boots with the wood burner lit of an evening.

But finally, flaming June arrived and it was time to ring the changes. So, I headed out to shop the city for some summer switch-up pieces for fashion, beauty and home to see me through my favourite season.

The sudden arrival of the sunshine meant serious potential to burn our post-winter bodies and on inspection at the bottom of my sandy beach bag, last year’s sunscreen was a gloopy mess. So I chucked it all out and headed to Boots in Drake Circus to treat myself to a 3 for 2 selection of No.7 goodies. I wear SPF moisturiser all year round, but during the summer, with plenty of beach time and lots of extra sea swims, I want to make sure my skin is well protected. Hands off hubby and son, these little luxuries are mine!

Holland and Barrett also do a great selection of natural, cruelty-free, organic products and Marks and Spencer and Lush have some fab summer beauty buys to sort out sun kissed skin and frazzled hair as well as waterproof, lightweight make up that’s perfect for minimal fuss sunshine days.

I forget every year what summer clothes I’ve got hiding in storage and also what I donated to charity or sent to be recycled the previous autumn. Cue ‘late-for-work’ panic as I dig around for the sandals I’m after only to remember that I got rid of them in September when they fell apart!

All the major shops in the mall – including Next, Fat Face, Schuh and H&M – have some fabulous footwear collections. I found some vegan gladiator flats in New Look, versatile enough to go with lots of different outfits, including a sustainable cotton shirred gingham dress and straw shoulder bag I picked up in Primark.

I also refreshed some beach essentials in Two Seasons – a Billabong t-shirt and flip flops to compliment some vintage jean Mom shorts – so now I feel good to go from beach to BBQ or pool to party (albeit still a socially distanced one for the moment!)

As the summer hopefully brings warmer weather and lighter evenings, I like to make some seasonal homeware changes too. At this time of year, I pack away the chunky knit throws, blankets and darker colours and add some summery tones and accessories to freshen up my home without breaking the bank.

I found some perfect boho, tropical touches in B&M, who have a new city centre store on Cornwall Street and bought some bamboo lanterns, candles and a tasselled cotton throw to go with a cute mirror from Flying Tiger in Drake Circus.

After hitting the high street for wardrobe staples and beauty essentials I wanted to visit some of my favourite independents to pick up some unique and individual buys. I’m passionate about supporting small businesses and love the personal experience that comes with shopping in indie shops. It’s great chatting to the owners who’ve turned their passion into a purpose and you can’t beat the knowledgeable service and advice you get as you browse and shop their beautiful products.

With that in mind, I headed to the Barbican to visit some my favourite stores. Nook Houseplants opened their Southside Street shop in April after a hugely successful online presence, delivery service and plenty of pop-up shops and local markets since their launch during the first lockdown in 2020.

Plant pals Becca and Nieve have all the expertise to give you the leafy lowdown on how to look after your plant purchases. They have a huge selection of stock as well as hand thrown clay pots, plant care books and gorgeous gifts so they were my go-to place to add some extra summery, jungle vibes to my living room.

This weekend, from 25 to 27 June, Nook are celebrating their first birthday and are offering 10 per cent off everything in store to mark the occasion. Even more reason to treat yourself to a green gift because you can never have too many, right?

After enjoying the spicy scents of autumn and winter warming candles I like to opt for some lighter home fragrances to enjoy on balmy summer evenings. Artisan wax melts shop Elsie Boo-tique has a fantastic selection of hand poured fragrances and cute candles to choose from. Owner-maker Paris Cooper also opened her Southside Street shop in April after successfully trading online and at Plymouth Market since October 2020.

Paris has created some fabulous summer scents to transport you to far off places and evoke happy memories of holidays past. Embracing the local, staycation vibe this year, I opted for marine scented Barbican Breeze and Cypress and Sea Fennel melts, which reminded me of a favourite family trip to Italy. Equally popular is best-seller 9 Minute Holiday with its rich coconut fragrance and the sweet and sugary Seaside Donuts which conjures up the smell of the classic British bucket-and-spade holiday. Elsie Boo-tique also has some super cute shell shaped candles to celebrate summer and plenty of wax melt burners and accessories to make your home smell divine this season.

Sticking with the local maker vibe, I headed over to Ocean Studios in the Cooperage building of the Royal William Yard to check out their Think Big Shop Small selection of jewellery, prints and ceramics by South West artists and makers. The curated collection includes some beautiful and affordable pieces that are originally designed and lovingly made and would certainly help you or your home stand out from the crowd this summer.

I was spoilt for choice but opted for a gorgeous palm tree print from Cornish-based artist and illustrator Claire Paul Draws that goes perfectly in my living room. Not forgetting that some of these makers, plus a whole lot more besides, will be at this Saturday’s first Native Makers market of 2021, taking place at Ocean Studios on 26 June from 10am to 3pm. You can book your free time slot appointment online at Real Ideas Organisation, who are hosting the event and also upcoming markets in July, August and September.

Finally, a shopping trip to the Yard wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Identity Fashion boutique. Owner and designer Denitsa Avramova-Bastable has a fabulous collection of unique, fashion forward designs, beautiful accessories and handmade jewellery.

I love browsing the colourful rails and have bought some gorgeous items and outfits for special occasions. Denitsa is brilliant at advising you on styles and colours for a more personalised shop and I found the perfect day to evening earrings to top off my shopping trip and many a summer outfit I’m sure.

Happy shopping!