SPRING CANDLES FOR 2019

Hello everyone! I don't know about you but i am so over winter now and i am ready for the spring/summer months now, especially as over the last few days we have had some lovely sunshine in the UK. Something we tend to switch up as well as our wardrobe for the new upcoming season is our candle scents, which personally i love spring/summer scents more than winter scents. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share my favourite scents for spring/summer 2019...

1. next spa retreat candle | click to shop |

First up we have this spa retreat scented candle by Next, which i must say they have so many different scents available at the moment and the majority of them are under £10. I love calming scented candles in the spring/summer, especially if they have those beach-y notes to them in the form cedarwood. I also love all of the packaging of the Next candles, as they are simple yet they all have that luxury look to them.

2. skandinavisk OY scented candle | click to shop |

As well as their own brand candles, Next also stock a wide range of branded candles and this candle really caught my eye. OY is apparently Norwegian for Island, which is a perfect name as the scent of this candle is also giving me those very beach/ocean vibes. I love also how neutral/sleek the packaging of their candles are, even if they aren't the cheapest at £29 but you are getting a 45+ hour burn time sized jar.

3. primark sea salt mist candle | click to shop |

Sticking with the spring beach vibes, this time though a absolute bargain of a candle costing just £2 for a 55 hour burn pillar. Primark stores are always fully stocked with a wide range of scents, pillar candles, jars and tea lights. This particular candle also comes in another spring appropriate peony, perfect for anyone who loves a floral scent.

4. yankee candle seaside woods candle | click to shop |
Of course a candle post wouldn't be complete without something from my favourite candle brand, yes you got it Yankee Candle and they have some great new releases for Spring. Starting things off with this new seaside woods scented candle, which is that perfect spring cosy evening time scent because of its fresh, yet slightly fruity and floral notes.

5. yankee candle market blossoms candle | click to shop |
Another new-in by Yankee Candle is this market blossoms candle, which is in fact only a limited edition item so if you are into those fresh yet still floral and slightly sweet scents then i would pick one of these up sooner rather than later. I love the combination of all the notes in this candle, as it is the best of both worlds.

6. the white company seychelles candle | click to shop |
Finally and probably saving one of my favourite more luxury candle/scents until last and one that i will love the scent of all year round, not just for spring. This particular scent is the perfect mix between fresh and sweet, as it has the freshness from the bergamot and the sweetness comes from the coconut, vanilla and almond. If you are ever looking to splurge of a more high-end candle, i would definitely recommend The White Company or Neom.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

THINGS I LOVE TO USE PINTEREST FOR

Hello everyone! So when it comes down to looking for inspiration for anything, what are the two things we always do? Google or search on Pinterest for help of course! Personally i am a Pinterest kind of girl, where i search for help or inspiration with anything. With that in mind i thought i would switch things up for today's post and by switching things up, i mean to share the things i love to use Pinterest for...

1. quick dinner recipes

I wonder if these three words are some of the most typed words in the Pinterest search bar? I ask this as it is probably one of mine! Pinterest is great for being about to type a brief sentence then it allows you narrow down your search (such as: healthy, vegetarian, cheesy, pasta, rice dishes etc). 

2. new/fun dessert recipes

Homemade desserts are just perfection and when it comes to looking for new or fun dessert ideas, Pinterest is the place to look yet again. If you have a specific ingredient or theme you want to go with, you can simply type those things into the search bar (such as: pumpkin cake) and all of the recipes will be there for you to scroll through.

3. seasonal home decor

If you are looking for a cheap/simple way to switch up your home decor for each season, you can simply search the site for different themed decor inspiration and narrow the search down to what colour scheme you want.

4. storage ideas

When it comes to having good or organised storage, there are so many other ways to have good storage and keep things looking organised than just having a boring plastic storage box. Pinterest has so many different ideas for different uses for different things to store your everyday items in, from empty candle holders, labelled jars, custom baskets and more.

5. nail art inspiration

Time to delve into the world of beauty that Pinterest has to offer and one thing that i constantly search for is, nail art/nail colour inspiration. By doing this it not only allows you to have different nails each manicure, rather than opting for the same thing each time and there are also so many easy step-by-step easy nail art designs.

6. beauty hacks

We all love a good beauty hack, don't we? I know i do and Pinterest is definitely one of the best places to search for help and fast. Beauty hacks range from makeup ideas, easy hairstyles, overnight beauty remedies and homemade/diy face masks.

7. coffee or dressing table styling ideas

One of the most simple ways to switch up something in your home is to change up the decor on your coffee table or dressing table. The site has so many different ideas on how to stage your table area for pretty much every single room, by using different candles, flowers etc and what items go together.

8. what to style with a specific item of clothing

Fashion is something we all want a little help with from time to time, not just because we might want to switch things up but also because you might want to search for a new trend. Something i turn to help from Pinterest for is ideas on what to style with a certain piece of clothing, for example what to wear with light-wash jeans and what to or how to style ankle boots.

9. iPhone/desktop wallpapers

Everyone likes to switch up their phone/desktop wallpaper from time to time, me included and Pinterest is definitely the best place to search for a new one. There are so many different wallpapers, with so many different themes, whether that be seasonal, by colour scheme or even by quotes. 

  

10. travel inspiration

Finally i love scrolling through the site to look for travel inspiration, from reading posts on what is best to do in what country, what restaurants to visit and of course what to avoid. Another reason for searching for travel inspiration is seeing all of the beautiful photography taken in so many different countries, cities and towns.

Catch up on a suggested post: here

xo.

THE BEST BUDGET AUTUMN CANDLES

Hello everyone! If you have read a lot of my posts previously or know me personally, then you will know that i am such a sucker for a good candle and i love so many different scents for each different season. Now that we are fast headed into autumn/fall, it is all about those cosy/warming scents and you can get your hands on a bunch of autumn appropriate candles without breaking the bank. So for today's post i thought why not share with you all some of the best budget candles, that you can pick up for this autumn...

1. yankee candle warm cashmere | £17.99 |

This candle was a new release last autumn from Yankee Candle and it became one of my favourites instantly, so i am glad that it is back for another year. Yankee Candles are one of the candles worth spending that little bit more on but you still won't break the bank, they burn even and are guaranteed to fill the room with a beautiful scent. Warm cashmere is perfect for a cosy evening in as it has those beautiful calming notes of cashmere woods, sandalwood and golden amber. The fragrance is the perfect balance of warm, sweet and yet still fresh. Warm cashmere is currently the candle of the month, so take advantage of the 25% off.

2. glade nutcracker delight | £4 |

I have never really been a huge fan of the Glade candle scents but i always tend to love the room sprays, that was until i smelt this limited edition Nutcracker candle. This is another one of those cosy scents this time filled with more sweet notes, especially from the maple and praline. This scent could be one of those candles that would be perfect from autumn right until the Christmas period. If fruity fresh scents are more your thing, over anything sweet then this candle also comes in a Sugarplum Fantasies scent which is fruity and floral.

3. yankee candle autumn pearl | from £1.79 |

The good thing about Yankee Candle is you can try out any new scent without having to make the plunge and buy a larger jar, as they come in many different forms from wax melts, to votives and then the small, medium and large jars. Autumn pearl is a new scent this year from Yankee Candle and it is filled with fresh yet sweet notes like vanilla, creamy orchid, plum and spun sugar. 

4. sainsbury's home black amber + patchouli candle | £8.66 |

Sainsbury's is seriously underrated for their homeware, as they always have so stunning pieces that are an amazing quality for a great price. This candle has that really luxurious feel to it from its packaging to its beautiful warming black amber scent, which when lit gives off the most sophisticated almost sexy scent. Sainsbury's currently have a 1/3 off selected items, this candle includes as it was £13 for a large jar and it is now just £8.66.

5. h&m home no4 sandalwood scented candle | £12.99 |

H&M is literally my favourite place to buy homeware and i always have my eye on something new from them, especially when it comes to their candles. As you can probably tell from the theme one of my favourite cosy autumnal scents is sandalwood or amber, as they really give off that warm/cosy vibe to a room. This particular candle is also available in a cinnamon scent and a fig scent, two other scents perfect for the time of year. The packaging on these candles are also super luxurious and are perfect jars for reusing.    

6. yankee candle radiant autumn | £13 |

Finally we have another new scent from Yankee Candle but this time from their Home Inspiration range which you can pick up at pretty much every supermarket, especially Asda and Tesco. The great thing about this range is they have different scents available and are a lot more affordable, as a large jar is just £13 where as a regular original candle from the brand is £23.99. The scent Radiant Autumn is the perfect balance of sweet but also with a hint of fresh/crisp notes, which to me screams autumn as it is all about that balance with the cosy feel of indoors but the crisp cool air of the outdoors. 

Looking for something to watch on TV this autumn whilst getting cosy? Then catch up on my recent "what to watch on tv this autumn" post: here

xo.  

HOME DECOR TRENDS I LOVE

Hello everyone! So earlier in the month i shared a post on some of my favourite high-street homeware picks at the moment, as it had been a hot minute since i talked about all things home decor/interior on the blog. When it comes to home decor, there are so many different trends that i love for so many different reasons and to be more specific different trends for different rooms. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share some of those home decor trends that i love and why...

1. soft/muted neutral walls (paint) + white walls

So when it comes to decorating walls, i am all for paint over wallpaper especially soft muted neutral shades and of course white walls. This way the room looks not only clean/fresh but it makes it easier for switching out your decorative pieces for each season, without having to re-paint all of the time.

2. statement lighting

You would be surprised what difference can be made to a room simply by adding a statement piece of lighting, whether that be with a ceiling light fitting, floor or table lamp. My personal favourite style of statement lighting is something sleek, clean and metallic to tie in with the rooms theme.

3. modern boho finishing touches

The whole modern boho trend is a new favourite of mine, as it is simple and clean looking but with a lot of different neutral textures/shapes with a pop of colour (usually with a plant) or a small hint of dark furnishing to contrast with the brightness of the room.

4. gold (metal) mirrors and frames

I have been such a fan of gold metal frames and mirrors for the longest time and i don't see the love for that going anywhere, any time soon. I just love how yet again such a small amount of metal can make such a huge difference to a room, i am such a sucker for a gold frame with a monochrome quote inside.

5. mixed textured cushions (velvet, faux fur)

Another thing i am a sucker for is cushions and i am not a one cushion will do kind of girl, i like multiple cushions to be paired together. I love the way different textured cushions look paired together, usually a mixture of plain block coloured velvet and faux fur with one patterned cushion thrown into the mix.

6. a hint of black furnishing

Kind of going back to the modern boho vibe, i am really loving the way a hint of black furnishing looks paired with a lot of neutral shades in a room. One of my favourite type of pieces has to be thin legged coffee tables, entry tables and side tables.

7. statement flowers + plants

Any easy way to switch up the theme of your room with different colours is to changed up statement flowers and plants, a favourite of mine is something soft yet stand out like a pale lilac or pink bunch of flowers. 

8. soft blush tones (materials)

Sticking with the soft shade theme, i love the whole soft blush toned furnishings trend at the moment more specifically arm chair upholstery. These tones are super clean looking yet they still add a statement to a room, as the colour isn't anything too crazy you can still switch up the rooms theme easily without having to re-cover your chair, put it in storage or buy a new one each season.

9. textured/mirrored decorative items

A simple way to add not only a touch of luxe to your room/home but to also add more light, is by opting for mirrored/textured decorative items such as vases, lamps or decorative storage trays. You could choose pieces to match or store your other decorative items.

10. wicker (place mats, plant pot/storage)

Finally another one that kind of fits into the whole modern boho theme, is wicker pieces. If you have read some of my recent style related posts, then you will know i am loving the whole wicker accessories vibe at the moment and that also extends to home decor. I am especially loving H&M home for the wicker place mats and the homeware pick favourite from my recent high-street homeware picks post, the storage basket with pom pom details.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

HIGH-STREET HOMEWARE PICKS

Hello everyone! So it has been a hot minute since i last talked about all thing homeware/home decor. Seeing as at the moment i am seeing a bunch of beautiful different items available, on the high-street both in-store and online i thought today's post would be the perfect time to share with you a selection of my personal favourite homeware picks. At the moment i am loving very neutral toned pieces, with a little black added in there too and i feel like this is a very strong/beautiful decor trend this summer...

1. primark madagascan vanilla large kilner jar candle | £5 |

So first up is a favourite bargain candle of mine which i purchase over and over again, because not only is it only £5 for this large jar but also because the smell is absolutely incredible. The scent is actually really powerful unlike some other affordable candles, you get a really beautiful warm vanilla with a hint of freshness to it and it is perfect for all year round, not just summer.

2. h&m home 2-pack blush guest towels | £3.99 |

Fun fact these are actually my favourite bathroom towels, as they come in so many different colours, are super affordable and they wash so nice/stay soft. These towels comes in so many different sizes as well from this guest towel size, to bath towel, hand towel and also face clothes too i believe. 

3. h&m home storage basket with pom poms | £12.99 |

Sticking with the h&m home theme and if you have read some of my posts recently, then you will know i am loving the whole wicker/pom pom combination and this storage basket ticks both of those boxes. These type of storage baskets are not only good for storing washing, but also you can pot plants in them or even display your throws/blankets in them too.

4. graham & brown elle blush pink cushion | £23 |

When it comes to cushions, the high-street is pretty much the place to be and you can either pick up full cushions or just the covers to add your own insert in at home. That being said i am so in love with this particular cushion from Debenhams, which is a little more on the expensive side for a cushion but this shade of blush is stunning. 

5. new look home black floral painted wide mug | £6.99 |

New Look is always that place i forget stock homeware but when i remember and take a look, they always seem to have so many nice pieces and quite a wide variety of things too. I am such a sucker for a good mug, especially this particular vintage style wide mug style at the moment. New Look also have a bunch of different other patterns in this style as well as h&m.

6. primark etched mini faux plant pot | £2.50 |

Who doesn't love a good Primark find? Because i know i do! These mini faux plants in pots are perfect for if you want to add a little green/plant look to a room, without having the responsibility of remembering to keep it alive. Primark actually have a good few different styles of faux plants in different pots, which are only £2.50!

7. yankee candle a calm and quiet place large jar candle | £24 |

Finally would this be a home decor post from me without including something from Yankee Candle? Probably not ha ha! I actually haven't seen this candle on the site before, yet it did catch my eye in Debenhams. This candle has all of the notes which i love in a candle, from it's warming feel to it's amber musk scent with a hint of freshness.

Catch up on my spring/summer must-try candles post HERE...

xo.

JULY MUST-BUYS: CLOTHING, BEAUTY, ACCESSORIES ETC.

Hello everyone! Seeing as now we are a few days into July, i just couldn't not keep up with my new monthly tradition this year of my monthly must-buys post. Just in-case you didn't know what i mean by must-buys, it is basically all of the things i have either purchased or want to purchased towards the end of the previous month/the upcoming month from clothes to homeware and even books...

1. l'Oréal chocolats matte liquid lipstick in the shade sweet tooth | £7.99 |

So i had actually spotted these on Instagram last month and as soon as i saw the shades i was like, yep those are for me (once a nude lipstick hoarder, always a nude lipstick hoarder ha ha). I actually placed an order yesterday on Superdrug and picked myself one up in the shade sweet tooth, which is the most beautiful shade.

2. missguided pink pom pom and tassel wicker shopper bag | £20 |

I have mentioned in a few other fashion related posts how much i am living for the whole straw/wicker style bags and i think i found the one that i love the most, out of all the others i have laid eyes on. This bag from Missguided to me literally screams summer/beach bag, as well as being slightly different and also £20 is such a bargain!

3. worth the risk by k.bromberg (kindle) | £2.99 |

So if you caught my goodreads summer/beach holiday romance must-reads post, then you will have read me talking about this specific book by K.Bromberg (aka one of my new favourite authors). I am completely obsessed with the Driven series, which i have completely binge-read as it was that gripping and addictive. So this is book by the same author, which is her latest release is definitely at the top of my next book purchase list.

4. yankee candle sandalwood vanilla large candle jar | £23.99 |

Yankee Candles are by far my favourite brand of candle, so naturally i am going to be intrigued by their latest launch/limited edition candles. This particular candle Sandalwood Vanilla, is that perfect summers evening scented candle as it has all the notes that scream beach days, mixed with the vanilla notes that throw off a warming scent.

5. asos cami tops (upto 70% off sale) | from £2 |

So for a couple of weeks now ASOS have had a upto 70% off sale on selected items, with new items being added daily and i of course decided to take advantage of that by picking up some new cami style tops for summer. I picked up a total of 6 tops all ranging from a sale price of £7-£15 each (majority out of stock now). I definitely recommend visiting the site, because you could bag yourself some bargains.

6. dyefor personalised marble iphone case | £9 |

I was in desperate need of a new phone case and i wasn't feeling any on the Skinnydip site, so i decided to look else where and i came across the dyefor site and what sold me was how much variety they had, as well as being able to personalise your case. This is the particular case i went with, i love the mixture of marble and light pink design and obviously i had Katie written on it because that is my name ha!

7. shein kimono tops | from £5.99 |

Another one of my favourite clothing pieces for summer and also holiday are kimono's, as they can not only easily change the way a plain outfit looks but they are great just to cover up if you don't want to burn your shoulders yet they are still super lightweight and not hot in the slightest. You can get so many different styles from so many different brands but this year Shein have so many beautiful ones, that are super affordable.

8. shein gold plated buckled open bracelet | £2.25 |

Finally also when i placed an order recently on Shein, i had a quick look at their accessories section and i noticed how many great affordable versions of high-end bracelets they had. I am all about simple jewellery and i love different gold bracelets, that are simple but i don't want to break the bank doing it. So Shein is a must-look place if you are looking for something similar to this, as well you must look at their bag section.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

MAY MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and Happy May! Firstly if you didn't catch my april favourites: beauty edition post,
then you can catch up on that here and second of all i still can't seem to get my head around the fact we are already five months into this year already! Keeping the new month in mind i thought for today's post i would share with you some of my must-buy items for May, as i have actually been splashing the cash quite a bit because there has been a ton of great spring/summer pieces at the moment...

1. boohoo evelyne crochet trim cold shoulder top | £15 |

So i picked up a few things from Boohoo last week that i am loving, two items especially and everything else was just basics. First up was this cold shoulder almost bardot style top, i really love the whole crochet vibe for summer and i think this will go with a ton of different things. When i ordered it i wasn't sure if it was going to be see-through or not but it isn't, i also got some money off my order as there was a 20% off everything discount.

2. boohoo petite holly western black denim jacket | £25 |

I know i already picked up a new denim jacket last month, which i will get to but i also decided to pick up this black one i saw on Boohoo, as i thought it would be something a little more casual than always opting for a leather jacket when i want to wear something black. This jacket was a bargain at just £20 with the 20% discount, saving me £5 and i also got this in the 5ft 3 and under fit.

3. topshop sade chain shopper bag | £26 |

If you read my recent topshop lust list post then you will probably know that i featured this bag in that post and of course i had to place an order to get the bag. I recently took it for a spin on a shopping day and it comes in handy, as it is super lightweight to carry either on your arm or shoulder and you can fit a ton inside of it. 

4. asos chunky round milky tort flash lens sunglasses | £10 |

This purchase was one of those where you didn't need to put them in your basket but somehow it just happened, stuff like that happens. If you love the whole flash lens vibe when it comes to sunnies, then ASOS is your place to pick up an in-expensive pair. I love a good tortoise print, as i feel like it is the print that always suits me because of my dark brown hair. 

5. topshop hush two strap black sliders | £22 |

In my Topshop lust list post i originally shared this pair of slider sandals in the nude shade, that being said when i went in-store i decided to go with the black pair instead as i just liked the way they looked more. They are super comfy to wear, so i have a feeling i am going to be getting a lot of wear out of them this spring/summer.

6. h&m home glass dispenser | toothbrush mug | from £6.99 |

I am loving the whole coloured glass style in homeware at the moment, especially in this pink colour and paired with gold hardware. My sister actually picked a couple of the toothbrush holders up to use as makeup brush holders and they look so nice, as well as being able to fit so many different sized brushes in them.

7. yankee candle coconut splash candle | from £1.70 |

If you want a candle that screams tropical summer vibes but still has a cosy vibe to it at the same time, then you need to give this candle a smell. I have honestly not smelt a candle so good in a long time and i love a lot of candle scents. This candle isn't straight up coconut scented, you also get notes of fresh water and warm vanilla.

8. asos design denim shrunken jacket | £32 |

Finally this is the denim jacket that i was talking about before and the one i mentioned in my things i'm loving on asos right now post. I love how this denim jacket is cropped, which is what i was looking for and i got just that. I also love how it is super lightweight and not too heavy, unlike some denim jackets. 

xo.

COSY SPRING HOMEWARE FINDS

Hello everyone! Spring is just around the corner now and the shops/websites are starting to be stocked with all the new season items, it is always nice to slowly update/transform your home from winter to spring. That being said currently in the UK it is still extremely cold and you still want that cosy feeling to your home, so for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my favourite cosy-spring homeware finds...

1. eBay home decor blush fluffy fur cushion cover

The easiest thing to do whenever you want to switch your home/room up for a new season, is to replace your cushion covers and this blush number from eBay (who would of thought?) is perfect for doing just that. Blush/pink is such a perfect warm and cosy spring colour, so with that mixed with the shaggy faux fur finish it is the perfect cosy spring staple to have arranged on your sofa or chair. RRP £5.88

2. yankee candle sun drenched apricot rose candle

The second easiest thing which once lit will instantly make any room feel and smell cosy, yep you guessed it a candle or two. I am loving the scents of the new "enjoy the simple things" spring collection from Yankee Candle, especially this particular scent which is floral for spring yet it has those super warm notes to it and of course it is this same blush colour that screams spring to me. RRP £23.99

3. sainsbury's home gold vase

Of course when you thing of spring, you tend to naturally think flowers and what is the perfect accompaniment to flowers? a vase of course! There are so many available at the moment, but i am absolutely obsessed with this gold one from the Sainsbury's homeware section. I love gold during any season but for some reason the mixture of warm floral colours and gold metals, just work so well together. RRP £14

4. sainsbury's home faux peony vase

Sticking with the floral/vase theme and again another item that i am loving from Sainsbury's (they have some amazing homeware pieces for a supermarket), if fresh flowers aren't your thing then this type of faux flower vase is perfect to keep your room looking vibrant permanently. Peony's are definitely my favourite! RRP £8

5. oliver bonas floral doodle tumbler

Another brand that i am loving at the moment is Oliver Bonas, especially the cups, mugs and glasses. A simple cosy touch to your home is a spring inspired item of drinkware (which is great if you want to inject some spring into your home on a budget). During the cold weather we do tend to drink more hot drinks, which is why i am also obsessed with this hello gorgeous mug. Although this tumbler would work great as a tealight holder, instead of a cup to drink from. RRP £6 + £10

6. h&m home powder pink textured box

If you have read any of my homeware posts before then you will already know i love H&M for homeware and there is constantly always something i love in that section. For this spring collection so far there are a ton of different items from vases, to trinkets and plant pots in this textured porcelain finish in either a yellow or blush pink colour. Adding something such as this or a vase to your vanity or side table is another easy way to add a touch of cosy spring to your home. RRP £8.99

7. primark home led standing dome light

Finally this complete bargain, which you would never think is from Primark to me this looks more like an Oliver Bonas number and a great alternative to having a traditional lamp or set of fairy lights. When it gets dark in the evenings simply switching a lamp or some fairy lights on is a great way to make the room feel instantly cosy, just as it would if you lit a candle. RRP £6

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

eBAY MAKEUP STORAGE IDEAS UNDER £40

Hello everyone! When it comes down to having so much makeup/beauty products sometimes, is that you run out of storage and places to put things. Another issue is having things looking untidy because nothing is organised well, so extra storage pieces are always the best solution. Some storage pieces can be really heavy in price, but there are also a ton of different storage ideas that won't break the bank so much and the place for great in-expensive pieces is definitely eBay. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you, some great makeup storage ideas from the site for under £40 each.

1. beauty blender drying/holder stand | £1.27 |

When i first saw these floating around online, i thought why does this beauty site have egg cup holders? Well i was wrong it is in fact a genius holder for storing and drying your beauty blenders, which come in various colours/metals to fit in with your decor preference. They are also super in-expensive!

2. makeup/jewellery box acrylic x3 drawers w/ dividers | £19.99 |

This particular set of drawers is by the brand beautify and they have a huge selection of makeup storage products for great prices and quality, they can be found on eBay and also tesco direct stocks the brand too. This 3 drawer set is perfect for smaller products, such as lip products, pencils etc and the pink drawer insert/dividers are also removable, but it does give you the option to use for makeup or jewellery.

3. lipstick holder storage case | £14.81 |

If you are a big lipstick fan, collector or hoarder like myself and more specifically MAC/bullet lipsticks then this is the perfect storage for you. This holder case comes with room for 24 lipsticks, keeping them compact, organised and on display. As this holder has a lid it is so much easier to keep clean/dust-free, unlike some holders where they are in the open. A great tip if you want to find a lipstick in a hurry, display lipsticks upside down with the names at the top!

4. bath + body works spring '18 candle | £24.49 |

I have spoken quite a few times in the past about how great used/empty candle jars make great brush/pencil storage holders, as they not only look great and decorative but they are also the perfect size especially the bath + body works ones. You don't have to be in the U.S to only pick these candles up, eBay has such a huge selection including new product launches like this spring '18 white barn candle.

5. mirrored effect decorative metal tray | £12.99 |

Another type of item i have spoken about a few times before and that is something that is perfect for different display/decorative storage ideas, especially beautiful looking products like your perfume collection. eBay is a great place to find more affordable alternatives to items you would find in-stores for a lot more.

6. six drawer acrylic makeup storage | £36.99 |

This is the storage of all storage and perfect for anyone who has a large amount of makeup, or if you simply want somewhere to store the products you use on a regular basis rather than being stored in a drawer somewhere. Some brands charge over £100 for something super similar, yet this one is under £40 from the brand beautify again for great quality and if not better than some of the more expensive brands!

7. blush pink professional storage case | £19.99 |

Something like this storage case (also by beautify) is great for so many different purposes, starting with being super compact and being designed to look nice on display. This is also great for travel, whether that be if you are a makeup artist or if you are off to a friends house to get ready for a night out.

8. large acrylic vanity makeup storage box | £21.99 |

Finally is another storage box/case, this time the ultimate storage box. The thing that makes this one different from the other is that it is not only larger in size, but it is also acrylic, easy to clean and see what product you are looking for before you open it. This comes with four different compartments and is lockable!

Catch up on my February must-buys post HERE...

xo.

CHRISTMAS PINTEREST DIY INSPIRATION

Hello everyone! For today's instalment i am back with another Pinterest inspiration post but rather than being a spooky theme like last times, i am talking all things Christmas and more specifically DIY inspiration as there is so many great different little DIY/Hack ideas on there. Also if you want to check out some of my previous Pinterest related posts, then i will link them all at the bottom of this post.

| how to DIY your holiday mantel/fireplace | 

On Pinterest there are so many different great inspo posts for DIY'ing your fireplace/mantel area, so many of them are so simple to create/re-create and can be quite in-expensive to do. This year i am loving the whole, real foliage and some simple wire lights weaved throughout. 

| DIY Gift Tags |

By DIY'ing your own gift tags or gift wrapping is a great way to add your own personal touch to any gift you are giving away this Christmas, this can also be less costly than buying wrapping/tags as alot of items can be found in a garden or with some paper and a pen.

| DIY christmas gift wrapping ideas |

Sticking with the whole gift wrapping theme, on Pinterest there are so many different wrapping ideas and what different themes to go for, from adding baubles to foliage and homemade stamps. One of my personal favourites is a simple white paper, with ribbon or string.

| DIY snowy mason jars |

A lot of Christmas inspired DIY's on Pinterest are great homemade decor/gift ideas, that can be used in so many different ways and all starting off with a simple empty jar. These snowy mason jars are such a beautiful way to add a little touch of a festive feeling to your home, simply pop a tea light or led light inside to add a finishing touch.

| DIY hot chocolate bar/station |

If you are looking for inspiration for a Christmas party and something that is a little different, something that seems to be a huge trend right now is a hot chocolate bar/station. That being said on Pinterest there is so many different great ideas on how to decorate/set up your station. This is also great if you love hot chocolates in general.

| 30 DIY christmas gifts |

Finally there is one type of gift that always seems to be the most thoughtful type of gift and that is a homemade DIY'd gift. My personal favourite has to be either baking kits/hot chocolate kits, filled with the correct amount of ingredients for the person you are giving the kit to create and all from that one jar.

Catch up on my other Pinterest related posts...

| pinterest recipes i want to try | pinterest recipes i want to try: autumn breakfast edition | pinterest halloween treats inspiration | ways to find home decor/interior inspo |

xo.

CHRISTMAS BAKING #2: MINCEMEAT, PECAN AND CINNAMON CRUMBLE BARS

Hello everyone and welcome to the second instalment of my "Sunday Christmas Baking" series in December! Mincemeat/Mince pie is such a cult classic when it comes to Christmas time and i swear if i am near a mince pie, i just can't seem to say no i love them that much (i mean i guess it is justifiable as calories don't count at Christmas right?). That being said for this instalment i wanted to do something a little different using mincemeat and i came across with this yummy take on a Christmas classic, including two other flavours i love nuts and cinnamon.

  

to make the mincemeat crumble bars you will need:

| 225g cold unsalted butter diced + extra for greasing | 225g plain flour | 100g semolina | 100g caster sugar | 75g chopped pecans | 450g mincemeat | 1/2 vanilla extract | icing sugar + cinnamon for dusting |

method:

First things first, you are going to want to pre-heat your oven to gas mark 3/136c/275f and grease a rectangular, shallow baking tin well with butter. Next you are going to want to put the plain flour, semolina and the 100g of sugar into a bowl/mixer then add the butter and vanilla then mixing until the mixture just begins to stick together into pea sized lumps to form a crumble mixture. Put half of the mixture into the well-buttered baking tin and press firmly over the base in an even layer using the back of a metal spoon. Next you are going to want to place your mincemeat over the crumble mixture in an even layer. The with the remaining crumble mixture, stir in the chopped pecans and remaining sugar before sprinkling evenly over the top of the mincemeat. All that is left to do then is bake in the oven for 50/60 minutes or until golden brown.

Catch up on last weeks Christmas baking instalment HERE...

xo. 

CHRISTMAS HOMEWARE PICKS FROM H&M + M&S HOME

Hello everyone! So this year i am a little late on sharing my "homeware picks", as i would usually share this post at the end of November but other things got in the way. That being said i did pick up a few pieces during Black Friday and i have to say there is so many great decorations/decorative items again this year available on the high street and online especially from H&M and also M&S. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you my Christmas homeware picks, i will also link some previous homeware/interior related posts at the end.

| H&M Porcelain Cup | £3.99 |

Available in both black + white, great alternative to a traditional mug/glass cup. 

| H&M Christmas-Print Cushion Cover | £6.99 |

Subtle joy print cushion, this looks festive without being too much or over the top.

| H&M 2-Pack Christmas Tree Baubles | £3.99 |

Such a bargain for only £3.99 for 2, they would look great inside the glass dome.

| H&M Jacquard-Weave Cushion Cover | £8.99 |

This cushion would look perfect styled alone side the joy print cushion.

| H&M Star Christmas Decorations | £6.99 |

Not the cheapest of decorations but it adds a touch of luxuriousness to the tree. 

| H&M 2-Pack Gold Christmas Decorations | £6.99 |

Same with this 2-pack of decorations, can you tell i love me some gold?

| H&M Glass Dome | £17.99 |

The glass dome that would look beautiful, styled with baubles or fairy lights inside.

| H&M Scented Candle In Glitter Glass Jar | £3.99 |

I mentioned this in a recent winter candles: the best scents blog post.

| M&S Small Ceramic House Tea Light Holder | £12.50 |

This would love beautiful all lit up when it is dark, i love how it is available in 2 sizes.

| M&S White Nutcracker | £25 |

If you know me then you know i love nutcrackers, especially when white + gold.

| M&S A-Z Gold Alphabet Mugs | £8 Each |

These mugs would look great at Christmas + also year round.

| M&S Frankincense & Myrrh Scented Candle | £12.50 |

I loved this scent of candle last year + this year it is available in so many ways.

| M&S Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon Diffuser | £22.50 |

I love how this comes in smaller + larger sizes, also great to inject a slight red touch.

| M&S Baubles | From £4 (3 for 2 decorations) |

M&S have some beautiful baubles, made even better that they are on a 3for2 promo.

| M&S Textured Faux Fur Cream Cushion | £25 |

Another cushion that would look great for Christmas + all winter too.

Catch up on my recent Homeware related posts...

| my favourite ways to find interior/decor inspiration | black friday buys: boohoo, h&m home, beautybay etc + discount codes | winter candles: the best scents |

xo.

WINTER CANDLES: THE BEST SCENTS

Hello everyone! So back at the beginning of Autumn, i shared a post talk all about autumn candles: the best scents and seeing as we are now into Winter and the festive season is upon us, i thought it was time i did an updated version for the season. I am a complete candle addict (as i have mentioned on several occasions) and i have different favourite scents for every single different season.

1. yankee candle all is bright candle

So this candle just had to be first as it was my favourite candle last Christmas/Winter time and it was a new candle to the Yankee Candle range also. This candle has a slight citrus-y scent with musky notes, which when burning it adds a really warm and cosy feel to your home. 

2. yankee candle spiced white cocoa

I believe this is a new scent to this Christmas, if it isn't i haven't seen it until recently. When i was out shopping recently i gave this a smell and i fell in love, now it is definitely on my next to buy candle wishlist. The best way to describe how this smells is like a white chocolate hot chocolate from Starbucks with hints of spice nutmeg and sweet salted caramel, so the perfect balance of both sweet and spice.

3. bath and body works cinnamon caramel swirl

Sticking with the sweet and spice mixed scents, this eBay find of a bath and body works candle is simply beautiful and smells deliciously sweet like Christmas. If you are from the UK then ordering from Bath and Body Works can be a long process, save shipping time and take a look on eBay. Cinnamon Caramel Swirl smells just as it suggests on the jar, the perfect sweet dessert scented candle with a hint of spice with the cinnamon.

4. yankee candle winter glow

This candle is quite similar to the All Is Bright scent and was a favourite of mine a couple of years back now, the way that they are similar is with the freshness that both scents have rather than your typical sweet Christmas scents. Even though it suggests it would be more of a "cooling" scent, it has the opposite effect and gives your room a warming ambience. 

5. yankee candle snowflake cookie

Just in case you haven't noticed before, Yankee Candle scents are some of my favourites as they do such a wide range and Snowflake Cookie has been one of those favourites for so many years now. I love sweet scents at Christmas and this one is literally one of the perfect ones, as it smells like fresh baking without too much of a vanilla scent as i know vanilla isn't a scent for everyone.

6. yankee candle christmas cookie

Sticking with the baking/cookie candle scent theme, another favourite for when i want something with those vanilla-ry notes and that is Christmas Cookie. You might think, aren't Snowflake Cookie and Christmas Cookie the same? The answer to that is no, because what makes them different is the fact that one has that strong vanilla undertone and the other doesn't. Talking of baking scented candles, another favourite this year is a Gingerbread one i picked up from Home Bargains, by the brand wickford & co i believe.

7. neom organics london christmas wish candle

I actually mentioned this particular candle in a post a couple of months back now, which was a the best new-in beauty gift sets post and i mentioned in that post how perfect this particular candle would be for a gift for someone else or for yourself. I love the NEOM happiness candle but this Christmas Wish candle smells super cosy, as it has that Christmas warm spiced scent to it and the packaging is also beautiful.

8. h&m pine scented glass jar candle

Finally we have such a bargain candle that i am loving at the moment, as it not only smells like a forest full of real Christmas trees (which would be great to light if you have an artificial tree but want that Christmas tree scent) but it adds the perfect decorative touch to your room, with its gold glittery glass jar. This particular candle also comes in two other Christmas themed scents which are Black Fig and Rich Ginger, costing only £3.99 each.

Catch up on my favourite ways to find interior/decor inspo post HERE...

xo.

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO SWITCH UP YOUR HOME FOR AUTUMN

Hello everyone! So in Friday's post i shared with you my makeup switch up for autumn and it got me thinking about all the other things we tend to switch up like the decor in our homes, once the seasons change. If you are not one for making drastic changes and would sooner add in a slight hint of something here and there (just like me) then i think these four simple ways to switch up your home for autumn, would come in handy. Also there are so many stunning pieces available already on the high street both online and in-store, which means you don't have to completely break the bank for these changes.

cushions:

H&M home patterned cushion cover (available in grey/white and dark orange/white)

M&S velvet textured cushion (available in teal, silver grey, amethyst and gold) 

ZARA Home knit cushion cover (also available in different knit textures)

H&M home beige faux fur cushion cover (also available in old rose)

Switching out your cushions/cushion covers for something with a more cosy texture such as a velvet effect, faux fur or knitted texture is a super simple touch and quite effective. Another great way to use cushions is to pair a plain textured cushion, with a slightly more patterned or autumnal toned cushion. I think there is something super inviting and cosy about pairing the two types of cushions, that look great on either sofas, chairs or on the bed. 

metal accessories: 

H&M home gold metal candle plate (could be paired with the tall metal vase also)

H&M home gold metal trivet (also available in silver and black) 

George at ASDA copper leaf plate (perfect side table piece or key/jewellery tray) 

Oliver Bonas gold metal hexagon wine rack (also available in copper metal) 

Adding something simple as a metal accessory can transfer your home to an autumnal wonderland in an instant, especially because on the high street at the moment there are so many cool leaf/acorn designed decor pieces. Adding something with a warm gold or copper metal finish, will help warm up the room to add towards the whole "cosy vibe" especially a candle plate stocked with your favourite autumn scents. 

candles/scents:

Yankee Candle warm cashmere scent large jar (village candles also do great jar scents)

The White Company autumn signature candle (perfect autumn candle to splurge on)

Neom tranquillity scent to sleep candle (another splurge worthy candle)

M&S patchouli and clove potpourri (great way to add a decorative colour and scent)

Talking of scents, autumn scented candles are probably my favourite accessory and there is nothing cosier than snuggling up watching some tv, with a candle or two lit. When it comes to candles you can either save or splurge, all depending on how often you are going to use them. Yankee Candle and Village Candles are great for a slightly more budget candle, ranging from sweet autumnal scents to fresh/musk-y autumn scents. Another great touch to add both scent and colour to a room is potpourri, yes potpourri quite a traditional homeware piece but still one that looks great mixed together with a slightly more modern piece for some edge.

wall decor:

ETSY hello fall autumn printable quote (great to add a little autumnal colour)

ETSY black hello fall print quote (perfect print to pair with a metal frame)

George at ASDA copper wall clock (the copper metal adds a slight autumnal vibe)

H&M Home gold round wall mirror (both metal/wall decor perfect for a slight change)

Finally we have wall decor and adding a simple print with a more autumn inspired quote couldn't be easier, in fact you could even do this without leaving the house. Pairing the simple wall print with a metal frame which could match other metal decorative pieces you already have in your room, would really help tie the whole theme/vibe of the specific room together. If wall art isn't for you then adding a couple of different wall pieces, such as a simple copper clock to add warmth and a mirror for some dimension and light.