WINTER SCENTS: THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE EDIT

Hello everyone and Happy December! First of all, how is it December already? The months since summer, have just some how flown by! That being said here we are just a couple of days into the final month of the year, as well as on the countdown to Christmas. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my favourite Christmas candles this winter season, that might help you get into the Christmas spirit...

1. bath & body works spiced gingerbread swirl | click to buy |

First up we have such a classic scent when it comes to Christmas, which is of course Gingerbread. I feel like Gingerbread is a love or loath scent but i personally love that balance of both sweet and spice combined. If you are from the UK and you think you can't get your hands on Bath & Body Works candles, think again as you can simply pick them up on eBay new and the pricing is around the same as a Yankee Candle would. I also absolutely love the designs on their Christmas products this year and they would make for the perfect gift, for a friend, loved one or simply yourself.

2. yankee candle all is bright | click to buy |

Next up is a favourite of mine from then new-in Christmas candles last year by Yankee Candle. For me when it comes to candles in winter you really want a scent that is fresh yet gives off that cosy and warm feel to the room, which that does just that. All Is Bright has that perfect mixture of fresh citrus-y notes and warm musk.

3. yankee candle winter wonder | click to buy |

Bringing things back to new-in for this Christmas by Yankee Candle (which fyi i think they have some really great scents this time around), especially with this beautiful Winter Wonder candle. Winter Wonder is similar in a way to All Is Bright has it has a balance of fruity citrus notes with the lemon/champagne and then also the warmth of vanilla musk and then you also get the subtle hint of fresh silver balsam.

4. yankee candle winter glow | click to buy |

Over the past few years this scent has been another Christmas/Winter favourite of mine, as you could say again that this is similar to All Is Bright but this candle has more of a cooling freshness to it rather than the warmth of vanilla notes. This candle all round is very fresh, cooling with that subtle hint of warmth from the amber undertones.

5. neom christmas wish candle | click to buy |

Neom candles are definitely more on the luxury side of things when it comes to candles but if you are looking to pick up more of a "luxury" style candle, then i highly recommend Neom. Neom candles always have that perfect spa-like feel to them that instantly fills a room, whether lit or not. This years Christmas Wish candle is packed full of essential oils all fruity, fresh and warming. 

6. m&s frankincense and myrrh candles | click to buy |

When it comes to high-street finds for me personally it is a toss up between H&M and M&S, that being said i am slightly disappointed with H&M's Christmas candles this year. That being said M&S are stocking a range of different shape/sized candles in their classic Frankincense and Myrrh scent, which i love as it is fresh, warming, very traditional and the packaging is always great to re-use for something else afterwards.

7. yankee candle christmas magic | click to buy |

Next up we have another new-in this season to Yankee Candle and probably not something i would usually opt for visually, as the packaging is red and i am more of a neutral/gold toned fan. That being said Christmas Magic smells like real Christmas Tree as it is infused with fir balsam, pine needle sap and cedarwood birch.

8. yankee candle frosty gingerbread | click to buy |

Ok this is the last Yankee Candle scent for this post, i promise. That being said Frosty Gingerbread is yet another new-in scent from the brand this year and is literally a sweet/baking scented candle lovers dream in a jar. Frosty Gingerbread obviously has that gingerbread scent to it but it also has more of a sweetness to it with the vanilla added in, to allow your room to smell like a fresh batch of homemade Christmas desserts.

9. bath & body works twisted peppermint | click to buy |

Finally we have a candle that really minds me of Candy Cane Lane by Yankee Candle, as it has that beautiful minty/sweet scent that smells just like candy canes do. Just like the Spiced Gingerbread Swirl candle, this would make the perfect gift as the packaging is simply beautiful and can also be picked up on eBay. Bath and Body Works also stock different products with the same scents, from body lotions to hand gels and shower gels, which is great if you wanted to pick up a scent for someone who isn't necessarily a candle lover. 

Catch up on my previous post: here 

xo.

SUMMER FAVOURITES | BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE, STYLE + MORE

Hello everyone! Seeing as autumn is fast approaching us and it is safe to say we have said goodbye to summer for another year, i thought for today's post i would do something a little bit different. The something different being an end of summer favourites type of post, to make up for the fact i haven't posted a "monthly favourites" post in a couple of months now. I have so many favourites from the whole of summer, from beauty products to clothing, accessories, music, movies and books...

1. ps bronze dewy glow face + body butter

Kicking things off with probably one of my favourite beauty finds of the summer, which is crazy as it is a super affordable product. Cream highlighters have been an essential part to my everyday makeup routine this summer, as they are super lightweight on the skin yet they still give you that beautiful/healthy sun-kissed glow. One thing that really made this product a summer favourite (glow aside) was the fact it is coconut scented and what makes a product more summer appropriate than that? 

2. topshop onara lattice white cross body bag

Next up is an accessories favourite of mine from this summer, in the form of this small white cross body bag from Topshop that i picked up for just £10, when they had 25% off a few months ago (not available anymore). This bag has been perfect to pair with so many different summer outfits, especially for going out for a more casual yet still dressy dinners. One of my favourite things about this bag is even though it is super small and compact, you still had a central section to put your money and cards in securely/hidden without needing to pack a purse.

| featured cream highlighter post | featured cross body bag post |

3. nude nails

This next favourite can be an all year round favourite of mine, but even more particularly this summer and that is of course nude nails. I just love how natural they look, they go with every single outfit you are going to wear and i just don't ever get bored of them. That being said i could never narrow it down to just one (even though i do have a top favourite which is included) and i have found myself reaching for a selected few this summer. The nude nail polishes are rimmel 60 seconds let's get nude, barry m gelly hi shine peanut butter, barry m speedy winning streak and of course essie spin the bottle.

4. summer music favourites

This summer i have been loving a lot of music, from the music that i listen to on an everyday basis and then also the music that keeps me motivated during workouts. I always listen to my music on Spotify which is perfect to keep track on what music is new, as well as making your own playlists and also listening to other already made playlists. Some of my favourite playlist's made by Spotify are the this is: playlist's, as well as the release radar playlist which is tailored to suit the style of music that you personally listen to.

| this is: dvsn playlist | this is: majid jordan playlist | are & be playlist |

5. my summer reads

This summer i have read so many books, well like i have been doing for the most of the year as i made it one of my new years resolutions, to read as many books as possible this year. Of course i have some of my ultimate favourite reads from the summer, starting with Driven. I loved every single page of all three books from the Driven series, which i mentioned i wanted to read before the series was released in movie/tv series form on Passionflix. Next up and two books part of a two book series by my favourite author and that is of course Jodi Ellen Malpas and her fantastic Smoke & Mirrors series (The Controversial Princess and His True Queen). 

6. protein world slender blend

I have mentioned how this year i have been super motivated and have been a lot stricter with my diet and my lifestyle. One product that i have been loving reaching for a lot to help with that this summer is the Slender Blend protein powder from Protein World, as it is not only a perfect quick meal especially after a workout but also great for adding into smoothies or even porridge. The Slender Blend is packed full of protein, fibre and is also low in sugar, calories and fat.

| august must-buys post | six books to binge-read this month post |

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.

HOW-TO | FIFTEEN WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR HOME FOR EACH SEASON

Hello everyone and Happy Monday! So i recently shared a "how-to" post, on how to update your wardrobe for summer on a budget (which you can catch here) and keeping that in mind i wanted to share a different "how-to" post but this time focusing it on home improvement/decor. There are so many different yet easy and affordable ways that you can switch up your home, according to the season and i want to share with you some of my personal favourite tips on how to do just that...

1. switch out your cushion covers

Simply switching out your cushion covers either on your bed, chair or sofa is a simple way to make a huge change to a room. Buying cushion covers is easier than a whole new cushion, as just the covers don't take up much room at all in storage. (h&m home have some great options).

2. seasonal scents

Changing your home for a new season is much more than changing the way a room looks, it is about how a room smells too. Switch out your candles, diffuses and plug-ins, replacing them with your favourite season appropriate fragrances.

3. change your bedding/bed accessories 

A simple way of switching your bedroom up for a different season, is by changing your bedding to a pattern/style perfect for the current season. If you have a plain (un-patterned) bedding, you can also simply switch up your beds accessories, such as cushions and bed throw/runner.

4. fairy lights

Fairy lights are an instant cosy room fixer for pretty much any season, but you can display them in different ways according to the time of year.

5. ditch food packaging for personalised jars

Don't you just hate the way opened packets and boxes look in your cupboards? Ditch the packaging and place food items in a clear jar, which you can personalise either just with the title of the product or with a seasonal design.

6. seasonal flowers/plants

Another quick yet effective seasonal room changer is to add some season appropriate flowers or plants to a room, whether that be as a dining room centrepiece or kitchen island feature. 

7. change your decorative items to match the current season

Different seasons call for different decorative items, like a beach theme for summer, harvest for autumn and winter wonderland for winter. This can also apply to number 2, with switching up the seasonal scents.

8. room switch around

If buying new pieces isn't in your budget yet you want to make a change to your home/selected rooms, simply have a room switch around. This could be as simple as moving a rug, a piece of furniture or even move your decorative items to a different room. 

9. change your photos/quotes in your frames

If you have prints/photos/quotes placed around your home, an easy way to change the way your room looks is to switch up the image inside of the frame. If you have quotes, change them to a season appropriate quote.

   

10. add different coloured metals/schemes

By adding different coloured metals like gold, silver or copper and a season appropriate colour scheme that compliments either one of the metals.

11. DIY paint/re-cover furniture pieces

Bored of the same furniture but you don't want to rid yourself of it? Simply give it a DIY makeover, either by simply painting/spraying a piece of furniture or re-covering a chair, cushion or even your headboard.

12. Switch out original door/drawer handles for decorative ones

Another simple furniture DIY you can do to upgrade an item is to switch out the original door/drawer handles to a more decorative ones. This is super simple to do and in the end you are left with a very different looking piece of furniture yet you haven't broke the bank.

13. mix textures for a cosy vibe

Mixing different materials/pieces with different textures is going to instantly make a room look/feel more inviting and cosy. A great example for this is mixing faux fur/shaggy cushions, with a suede or velvet finish cushion.

14. switch up the colour or your towels

Just like the cushions, if you have a neutral bathroom for example by simply switching up the colour of your towels/bath mat according to a season. This is simple yet effective, especially if you don't have the time to re-decorate.

15. make temporary changes to your walls

If you want a huge room change but don't want to make a full commitment to adding a more bold wallpaper to a room, simply by using temporary wallpaper or wall tile stickers. This way if you get tired of it within a few months, you haven't got to go through the effort of completely stripping/re-decorating.

Catch up on a suggested post 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.