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.

APRIL MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + BEAUTY

Hello everyone and Happy April! Friday's post was me talking all things beauty and lifestyle favourites from the month of March, which you can catch up on here if you haven't done so already. So now that we are into a new month, i thought i would carry on the new tradition and share with you some of my "must-buy" items for April. This month it is a mixture of items that i have already picked up at the end of March for April, as well as a couple of things that i have my eye on and plan to pick up soon...

1. mac cosmetics hyper real glow palette | £35 |

First up is a new release from MAC last week, which i had heart eye emoji faces for from the second that i saw it and i plan to pick one up at the weekend hopefully. I am such a highlighter junkie and some of my favourites are from MAC, so i already know i am going to love this one. It is available in two different shades, get it glowin' (which is the one i want) and flash + awe. 

2. primark beauty nudes collection | from £1.50 |

So far this year i have tried and loved quite a few different products from the beauty range at Primark, they have seriously stepped their game up including launching a cool new range called "nudes". Next time i am near a Primark i am 100% going to nip in and hopefully pick up a few bits to try, i especially have my eye on the contour sticks, lipstick and lip glosses. 

3. h&m reversible powder pink shopper bag | £17.99 |

I have been looking for a larger bag for some time now in like a nude/blush colour and this one from H&M is perfect, especially for what i need it for. This size is perfect for if you are needing to carry a lot of things or when travelling. I can't believe how much of a bargain this bag is for the quality, you seriously wouldn't think it retails under £20 and it is also available in black, grey-beige and yellow but obviously i was looking for this colour.

4. mennace x missguided polka dot shirt | £15 |

Last week i placed a cheeky little order on missguided for a few things that i had my eye on, including this polka dot shirt/blouse from the mennace collaboration. What i really like about this shirt is that it could be worn either dressed up or down, with either black jeans, leather trousers or even a leather/suede skirt and £15 is a complete bargain. I'm also glad that i ordered a smaller size, as it is quite oversized. 

5. rachel vosper essence no2 large candle | £20 |

Another thing that i have an obsession with other than collecting highlighters, is collecting candles and this one from Dunelm is something like what i have been looking at getting my hands on for the longest time and nothing has ever been quite right for not an insane amount of money. I saw this one one someones Instagram post, so i am going to have to nip into my local Dunelm sometime this week and see if they have it. 

6. mac cosmetics prep+prime fix+ shimmer | £19 |

Fix+ has always been a favourite of my from MAC, so just like the highlighter palette once i saw this launch from the same "hyper glow collection" i knew i needed it. This is also available in two different finishes, goldlite (shock horror this is the one i want ha ha) and also pinklite. I love how this range caters to both those who love/suit gold tones more and then those who suit/love pink tones. This is definitely me and my sister, as i have my eye one the gold ones and she has her eye on the pink ones!

7. primark bra's/bralette | £5 |

Something that i recently picked some more up of is bra's and bralettes from Primark, as they do some of my favourites and there is no way you would think looking at them that they are £4-£5. Bra's can be super expensive and not wash nice/last for long but these ones actually do. I have a couple of the black bralette sets shown in the picture above and they are so comfy, as well as looking a little nicer than your standard bra would. Wearing a bralette also looks a little nicer under a shirt/blouse, especially if it has lace detailing. 

8. missguided white oversized striped t-shirt | £12 |

Finally another favourite item from my recent missguided order is this oversized striped t-shirt, which i picked up to wear casually with either some leggings or blue jeans. The model is wearing the t-shirt with a white denim skirt, which makes me think how nice it would look once the weather has hopefully warmed up/dried up with some white ripped jeans. This is also another item that i am glad i sized down on, taking the already oversized into consideration.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

THE TIPS I SWEAR BY FOR SELF-LOVE | BEAUTY + LIFESTYLE

Hello everyone! It can be so easy at times to completely focus all of your time and energy on other people and other things, things that aren't you or necessarily for you. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would do something a little different, by different i mean i thought i would share with you some of the tips i swear by for self-love. Self-care/self-love is so important for any human being for so many reasons but mainly for your frame of mind, especially if you tend to be an over-thinker (which was totally me) until i discovered so many ways to not only switch off but also on how to be so much more relaxed and be a lot less anxious about anything and everything. I don't think anyone with anxiety will ever be fully cured and i honestly think everyone has it and deals with it differently but at the end of the day we can't let it beat us or define us as people...

1. take a break from the internet (mainly social-media)

2. go for a walk (this helps to not only get exercise but also clears your head)

3. listen to your favourite music/songs

4. have a netflix/movie/tv show day now and again

5. light/buy your favourite scent of candle (this helps to feel calm)

6. take a bath with a bath bomb or aromatherapy oils

7. get a diffuser with a relaxing oil scent

8. read a book of your favourite genre or re-read a favourite book

9. treat yourself to a few new things (either makeup, clothes or accessories)

10. cook or bake your favourite meal/food

11. set yourself a routine, allowing time everyday for yourself

12. dress for you and only you

13. don't let people dictate to you or walk all over you

14. get yourself or give yourself a mani/pedi

15. do a face mask

16. get at least 8 hours of sleep a night

17. drink plenty of fluids

18. but limit your intake of caffeine

19. invest in a calming scented body lotion (i use the lush sleepy lotion before bed)

20. tidy room/house = tidy mind

21. don't take things to heart or take things too serious when there is no need

22. wear as much or as little makeup as you like

23. eating healthy 6 out of 7 days a week (always allow yourself that one treat or day)

24. read/learn what other people find useful when it comes to self-love tips

25. always believe that you are good enough!

xo.

NEUTRAL NAILS | THE NAIL POLISHES I COULDN'T BE WITHOUT

Hello everyone! The title of this post probably will not come as a surprise to some, especially if you already know how obsessed i am with nude/neutral shades, whether that be neutral clothing, nude lipsticks and of course nail polishes. We all having those moments i am sure when we either think about it or are asked what products we couldn't be without, if everything was to go except for a select few. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you the nail polishes i couldn't be without, which are basically my go-to polishes.

barrym gelly hi-shine nail paint in the shade peanut butter

I am a huge fan of Barry M nail polishes in general and i have an overly obsessive amount in my collection, but of course it is the nudes that are my favourites. This is actually the shade i have been wearing on my nails recently and it is the most beautiful caramel/peachy-y nude shade perfectly named Peanut Butter, this is a shade i mentioned in a limited edition products i wish were permanent post as this polish is almost identical to the shade i mentioned i love called Beachy Keen, also by Barry M in collaboration with Boots. 

barrym coconut infusion nail paint in the shade surfboard

Another ultimate favourite of mine from Barry M is one from their coconut infusion finish collection, this time in the shade surfboard (which always makes me want to sing drunk in love by beyoncé). Surfboard is more on the light pink side rather than a true neutral shade but it is still a very wearable shade. What i love about this particular formula is that it is super hydrating/nourishing on your nails, as it is infused with a mixture of coconut water and coconut oil, with a gel-like glossy finish.

essie nail colour in the shade spin the bottle

Ok, so this is probably the nail polish i have re-purchased the most over the years, as it is such a classic/staple nude or neutral polish to have in your collection. Spin The Bottle is the most perfect pale creamy-beige nude and is one i always reach for, if i am lacking inspiration or can't decide on a colour. The thing i love the most about Essie, is that they are the polishes that probably last the longest on my nails without chipping.

essie nail colour in the shade ballet slippers

Talking of classic nail polish shades this particular shade is another classic, in fact so much so it is the Queen's polish of choice (how cool is that?). Ballet Slippers is more on the sheer side when it comes to the finish of the polish, but it can be built up to be the most beautiful super pale pink shade and just like the shade Spin The Bottle is super long-wearing on my nails. If you are looking for the perfect bridal/wedding nail colour, i would highly recommend opting for a shade like this one.

rimmel rita ora 60 seconds super shine nail polish in the shade too cool
Finally i have two nail polishes from Rimmel and both are perfect for achieving that super quick manicure, as they dry in 60 seconds (per coat). The first shade is from the Rita Ora collection, named Too Cool and it is the most gorgeous pale creamy baby blue shade. What makes me love this shade so much, is how amazing it looks with a tan and it is always handy to keep some quick dry polishes for the times you need to paint them in a rush.

rimmel 60 seconds nail polish in the shade let's get nude
Another dry in 60 seconds polish from Rimmel but this time just like the Spin The Bottle polish by Essie, we have another true nude shade and one that would be perfect for any occasion. The only difference between the two polishes is that this one is a slightly paler nude, but still has a warm undertone to it. Rimmel nail polishes are such a steal for the quality, as they retail for only £2.99 and more often than not, Superdrug/Boots have them on a "buy one, get one half off" or "3 for 2" offer.

xo.

WHAT I ATE IN A DAY | JANUARY

Hello everyone! So since around last September time, i finally began to share "what i ate in a day" type of posts again after quite some time. Ever since then i have made the commitment to do an updated version at least once a month (occasionally twice). With that in mind for 2018 i have decided to share one of these posts per month, because some if not most of the time what i am eating on a everyday basis isn't too different (breakfast and lunches) except maybe for dinner times. Also if you aren't too sure on what a "what i ate in a day" post is, it is basically a food diary of every single thing you ate on a particular day.

For breakfast i am still loving granola and yogurt now and again in-between having porridge, just to switch things up. Unlike in my previous what i ate post i am switching up the Rachel's organic yogurt for a dairy free alternative, which i actually prefer and this is a vanilla flavor. Just like last time i am having it with granola which has oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, cacao and also some honey. For coffee i had a cappuccino with oat milk in my new Cath Kidston doggy mug, which i got as a gift for Christmas and i love it! 

Lunch time and at the moment in the UK it is absolutely freezing, so i wanted something warming for lunch and something to fill me up for longer. With that in mind i opted for a spinach and chickpea soup, which at first i thought it doesn't look the most appealing thing but it tasted so yummy.

So i always used to have soy milk or almond milk in my coffees/ice coffees, whether i am at home or out and about until recently when i decided to give oat milk a try. Ever since then i am a complete convert, it is just so tasty and i heard they do it at Starbucks as well now. That being said as a mid-afternoon "snack" i just had an iced oat milk latte, to help me get through the rest of the day.

Finally for dinner time i gave something a try that i had never tried before and that is something from the Linda McCartney range, so i was intrigued to give something a go as i have seen so many people having things from the range. I decided to try one of the vegetarian mozzarella burgers which i had with some chilli chutney and pea shoots and i really enjoyed it, i would definitely have it again.

Catch up on my previous what i ate in a day post HERE...

xo.

MUA LUXE LIGHT LUSTRE LIQUID HIGHLIGHT

Hello everyone! In general i am definitely a self-diagnosed highlighter addict/hoarder, just as i am with any nude lip product. That being said for the past year or so i have become obsessed with using highlighter in liquid form, just as much as a powder finish and i have put a fair few to the test. Recently MUA launched a range of new liquid highlighters as part of their Luxe collection, which i have tried and loved so many products from before and therefor of course i just couldn't refuse giving this new launch a go.

If you saw my previous post talking about my 2017 beauty favourites then you will have probably read how last year was the year of the liquid highlighter for me (like i mentioned at the beginning of the post) and also how before then i had a fear of reaching for liquid highlighters, oh how things have changed and now i just can't put them down. I just love how a liquid highlighter can transform your face from looking matte/flat to looking naturally glowing and slightly dewy, it also couldn't be simpler to achieve by applying a small amount to the needed areas and blended out with a damp beauty blender/sponge. Liquid highlighters can also be used in several different ways other than straight to the area, such as mixed in with your foundation or applied before as a base and i tend to switch between these different methods.  

Moving onto my first impressions/review for the new MUA luxe light lustre liquid highlighters, which are available in three different shades and i have been putting two of them to the test between Christmas and New Year. When i first saw the packaging i was so shocked how beautifully chic and high quality it is for the price point, as they retail at £5 for 30ml of product (currently £4 at Superdrug saving £1). Just like a lot of liquid highlighters this particular one also comes with a pipette applicator, which was a winner for me as this one actually works perfectly unlike some i have tried previously. I love the combination of frosted glass bottle with the chic black font and gold accent on the pipette lid, which makes the product look like a £30+ more high-end type of product rather than drugstore/affordable. Beautiful packaging aside the product inside itself is simply just as beautiful, as the formula is highly pigmented yet lightweight feeling on the skin that blends out effortlessly and flawlessly. Unlike the usual powder highlight the finish of a liquid highlighter is more of a healthy glow, that looks natural and skin-like rather than overly shimmery and sometimes more obvious.

shop the shades:

| mua luxe light lustre in the shade marvel (rose gold) | mua store | superdrug |

| mua luxe light lustre in the shade sublime (gold) | mua store | superdrug |

| mua luxe light lustre in the shade opulence (pearl) | mua store | superdrug |

xo.

WHAT I ATE IN A DAY: FESTIVE EDITION

Hello everyone and welcome back to another "what i ate in a day" instalment! Since picking this type of post back up again in September, i have been so proud that i have remembered to do updated versions monthly and in fact last month i did not one but two (which i will link at the end). Before that i thought i would share with you a festive themed "what i ate in a day", which is not an all healthy food post but it is Christmas right?

So for breakfast this particular day i didn't have the most "winter-y" breakfast, like porridge as i usually would but i fancied something different and it is super quick to make. I had some mixed berries which were frozen and i warmed up in the microwave, with some homemade granola (cacao, almonds, oats, mixed nuts, dried fruits) and then also some Rachel's organic greek style honey yogurt and to top it off some more honey on top. As i had not had my coffee first thing when i got up, i had it with my breakfast instead.

Lunch time and i mentioned in a previous what i ate post that i had wanted to try smashed peas on toast for the longest time, then i finally did. Since then i have found another amazing recipe from Jamie Oliver, which is smashes peas and broad beans on toast with chilli the only thing different i did to his recipe is that i didn't add cheese as we didn't have any in ha ha. This is a great alternative to avocado on toast, especially if you are like me and aren't the biggest fan of avocado. 

Dinner time and i was actually at Meadowhall doing some last minute Christmas shopping, so we decided to get some dinner whilst we was there as it would be a little late to be eating dinner once we got back home. There is also finally a GBK (gormet burger kitchen) opened in Meadowhall, so of course we had to give it a go. I opted for burger, skinny fries and a sparkling elderflower drink, which was amazing!

Seeing as it is Christmas (which has been my excuse for the whole of December) i had dessert in the evening and i can never refuse anything mince pie related. With that in mind i had a options (low calorie) salted caramel hot chocolate and a viennese-mince pie, which was so yummy!

Catch up on some previous "what i ate in a day" posts...

| what i ate #1 | what i ate #2 | what i ate #3 | what i ate #4 |

xo.

CHRISTMAS BAKING #3: CARROT AND GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment of my "Sunday Christmas Baking" series this December! When it comes to Christmas is it honestly Christmas without something Gingerbread related, whether that be a Starbucks gingerbread latte, a gingerbread man/house or a delicious gingerbread scented candle. With that in mind i wanted a different type of cupcake rather than just gingerbread, then i saw Nigella make a carrot and ginger cake on TV and decided to go from there with an added twist.

to make the carrot and gingerbread cupcakes you will need:

| 165g grated carrot | 160g caster sugar | 150ml sunflower oil | 2 large eggs | 150g plain flour | 50g dried mixed fruit | 1tsp ground ginger | 1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda | 1/2 tsp baking powder |

method:

First things first, you are going to want to pre-heat your oven to gas mark 4/180c/350f and then line your baking trays with the cupcake cases. Then you are going to want to start on your cupcake mixture, take the caster sugar, sunflower oil and eggs and place them all in your mixer or bowl whichever way you prefer to mix your mixture. Then you are going to want to start mixing the ingredients on a low speed and gradually add the flour, ground ginger, bicarbonate soda and baking powder, then slowly start to speed up the mixer. Mix all together until combined and smooth. Once combined you are going to want to take your dried mixed fruit and grated carrot and fold the two ingredients into the mixture. Before baking you are going to want to take your mixture and spoon an amount into your cupcake cases and place in your pre-heated oven for 22-25 minutes, once out of the oven leave to cool completely.

to make the frosting you will need:

| 300g icing sugar | 50g softened butter | 125g mascapone | gingerbread men sprinkles |

method:

For the frosting you are going to want to take the softened butter and place it in a bowl/mixer, beat slightly before adding in the mascapone and beating the two together. Slowly add in the icing sugar (it is better to sift in the icing sugar) and continue to mix until combined. All that is left to do is spoon or pipe on the frosting onto your completely cooled cupcakes and decorate with some little gingerbread men sprinkles (or any sprinkle of choice) or you could simply lightly dust on some ground cinnamon.

Catch up on my previous "christmas baking" posts here...

christmas baking #1: chocolate holly cupcakes

christmas baking #2: mincmeat, pecan and cinnamon crumble bars

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 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.

THINGS TO DO THIS DECEMBER

Hello everyone and Happy December! So a couple of months back now at the beginning of Autumn, i shared a "things to do this autumn" post which you can catch here if you missed it first time round. With that in mind and seeing it is the first of December today, i thought i would an updated Winter edition in the form of a "things to do this December" and the countdown to Christmas is officially on.

1. make a spotify/music playlist, filled with you favourite Christmas songs.

2. buy yourself an advent calendar (if you haven't already).

3. buy/light your favourite scented Christmas/Winter candles.

4. visit a Christmas market.

5. treat yourself to a Starbucks or Costa Christmas drink.

6. put up some fairy lights.

7. decorate your Christmas tree and house to feel all festive.

8. go late night shopping.

9. go for a family winter walk to a Christmas tree forest.

10. do some Christmas baking (lots of recipes coming this December).

11. go ice-skating.

12. treat yourself to a festive bath bomb or bubble bar from Lush.

13. reach a Christmas/Winter themed book (books i want to read this winter).

14. watch all of your favourite Christmas movies.

15. plan your Christmas party/Christmas day makeup and outfit.

16. visit a stately home that has Christmas activities and decorations.

(if you live not too far from Derbyshire, then Chatsworth house is a good one).

17. plan a Christmas party/night-in with family or friends.

18. paint your nails in a festive colour or glitter.

19. watch all of the Christmas themed cooking shows on TV.

20. take a last minute weekend away to either explore or do some Christmas shopping.

21. buy or dig out a Christmas cup, to help you feel festive,

22. write out a Christmas wish-list or gift giving list.

(check out my tips & tricks to save money/get organised for Christmas post).

23. take a trip to a garden centre that has a Christmas display.

24. visit a Christmas lights switch on or display.

25. go for a Christmas meal out at a cosy pub or restaurant.

26. have a family games or movie night in.

27. search for local events in your area or somewhere close to you.

28. wrap your Christmas presents, either listening to Christmas music or movies.

29. visit a local or close by Winter Wonderland.

30. do some Christmas themed DIY's.

Even though i am not doing "blogmas" this December, i am still posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as well as posting Christmas baking recipes every Sunday up until Christmas at 5PM GMT.

xo.

FIVE AFFORDABLE NOVEMBER FAVOURITES

Hello everyone! I swear this month has gone by with a blink and December is just a few days away now. With that in mind for today's post i thought why not do a spin on last months monthly favourites spin, which was five october favourites from superdrug. That being said this months affordable favourites products can all be purchased at Superdrug, except for one.

 brush techniques makeup brush cleansing spray

First of all i thought i would start with the only item that you can't get at Superdrug and it is this makeup brush cleanser that i randomly picked up from Home Bargains of all places. I didn't expect anything from this as it was only £1 (what a bargain) but that being said my trusty baby shampoo costs the same. It works in the exact same way as higher end/more expensive brush cleaners do, if not better than some i have tried and is great for those in-between brush cleaning days.

mua prism strobe cream in the shade golden ray

Next up is a product that i first featured in a huge mua highlighter haul and probably my favourite thing from that haul, as i have been reaching for it every single day pretty much since first trying it out. If you are a fan of MAC's strobe cream, then this is the perfect affordable dupe for it and to be honest i think i actually love this one more now. Ever since using this as a base underneath my makeup, i have had so many compliments on how healthy/glowing my makeup looks.

batiste naughty dry shampoo

Kind of a boring one that we all probably know everything about, as the majority of the time our hair is probably 75% dry shampoo am i right? That being said i recently picked up a different scent, which i think might be new and i really like the scent over all of the others that i have tried before. Batiste is probably one of the best dry shampoos i have used, which is probably why it is the UK's number one best selling dry shampoo as it never lets me down when i need some serious hair help.

maybelline x gigi west coast strobing liquid gold

The last couple of products are both from the Maybelline x Gigi Hadid collection, which first of all can we take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this packaging is! The first product i have been loving from the collection is this strobing liquid gold, which is kind of a similar product to the MUA one i shared above but this one is slightly deeper in colour but still equally as beautiful. This can be used either underneath foundation, mixed into foundation or simply applied to the highest points of the face and blended out.

maybelline x gigi east coast lip kit in the shade mccall

Just like the strobing liquid gold and the rest of the collection, the lip kits packaging is equally as beautiful with its pale nude-pink matte packaging with holographic writing. The formula of both the lip liner and lipstick in the lip kits are super creamy yet pigmented and not to mention hydrating on the lips. My favourite lip kit shade is McCall, which not only reminds me of Scott from Teen Wolf but also shock horror it is the pale nude-pink toned nude from the collection. 

Catch up on last weeks blog posts here:

six high-end products i probably couldn't live without | my favourite ways to find interior/decor inspo | black friday buys + discount codes | what i ate in a day 

xo. 

BLACK FRIDAY BUYS: BOOHOO, H&M HOME, BEAUTYBAY ETC + DISCOUNT CODES

Hello everyone and welcome to a little bonus edition post for the week! Seeing as today is Black Friday and there are so many amazing deals on this weekend (some companies have had deals on all week), i thought why not share with you some of my Black Friday purchases along side some other amazing deals. I also picked up a bunch of Christmas presents, which i am obviously not going to include in this post just in case my family/friends are reading, more likely than not they will do and i don't want to spoil the surprise...

beautybay: olaplex, laura gellar baked swirl illuminator, milani foundation, lagirl foundation, ofra apricot blush, morphe paint the town nude liquid lipstick trio, zoeva brown eyeliner.

h&m home: jaquard patterned towels, amber soft blanket, gold wire storage, porcelain mug 

boohoo: dusky pink faux fur gilet, black cold shoulder jumper, black suede chain bag

miss selfridge: scarf

house of fraser: michael kors bag

public desire: black suede block heel ankle boots

my black friday discount code hot picks/deals:

| beautybay.com | 30% off everything |

| lookfantastic | save 25% extra on your order + offer price code: LFBF25 |

| mac cosmetics | 10% off all orders code: BLACKFRIDAY |

| H&M | 20% off everything + free delivery (join the club) |

| boohoo | up to 50% off everything + free delivery |

| house of fraser | up to 40% off everything (15% off beauty) |

| public desire | 30% off everything code: 30CYBER |

| missguided | 50% off everything code: CYBER50 |

| prettylittlething | up to 50% off everything + free uk delivery |

| miss selfridge | up to 50% off everything |

| asos | 20% off everything code: WIN20 |

| zara | 20% off selected items |

| nespresso | get machines from £59.99 |

Catch up on this weeks posts so far (six high-end products i probably couldn't live without and my favourites ways to find interior/decor inspo), before an all new post coming later today at 5PM UK time...

xo.

MY FAVOURITE WAYS TO FIND INTERIOR/DECOR INSPIRATION

Hello everyone! So when it comes to homeware/interior, i always tend to have a few places where i go to in search of that inspiration. I could also spend hours scrolling through looking for different ideas and by the end my camera roll or the particular app i am using is filled with images. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you, my favourite ways to find interior/decor inspiration. I also thought this would be a great way to share the ways to get inspiration, if you are looking to change up your decorations this holiday season.

1. online homeware/decor stores/apps

One of the best ways to begin to look for inspiration is probably to look where you can buy actually pieces from, whether that be the online store or app. One of my favourite places to shop for homeware is definitely on the h&m home app, what i love about the app is you can view the items how you could style them (such as how you could style your dining room table). I also love how everything is split up into categories, making it easier to search what you are looking for. Another great thing about downloading the app to your phone, is that apps tend to have more offers/deals on or discount codes than the website. 

2. visit department stores/homeware stores (such as homesense or h&m)

Sticking with the shopping for inspiration theme, this time actually visiting a homeware store and looking at items as well as how products in the store are displayed. By doing this it will give you a rough idea on ways to style different things, whether that be what cushions to add to your bed or armchair, or even how to colour co-ordinate things to match. Some of my favourite places for this are homesense, h&m, john lewis, next home, zara home and debenhams. Catch my four simple ways to switch up your home for autumn post here.

3. pinterest

Pinterest is my go-to app for more than just homeware, i am constantly searching for food inspo as well as nail art patterns and you can even discover/shop prints from etsy on the app. That being said if you are looking for homeware then pinterest is where to look, you can save images to your camera roll, create your own pinterest boards and read blog posts/try out things. When it comes to my own pinterest boards i like to keep things in different categories (such as christmas decor, homeware inspo, dinner recipes, desserts, beauty) which is much easier to go back and find what you are looking for.  

4. we heart it

We heart it to me is an app which is a mix between a few different apps, such as tumblr, instagram and pinterest also. But that being said it is filled with so many beautiful images of homeware decor/inspiration, which you can save to your profile by hearting/liking the image (just as you would on instagram). You can use the search bar to search whatever you are looking for, as well as looking at different articles, channels and even discover image suggestions underneath any image you have clicked on.

5. interior magazines

Another great way to search for inspiration is the old fashion way and pick up a magazine, preferably dedicated to homeware/interior. Magazines such as ideal home, elle decoration, living etc and even free homeware magazines/catalogues from stores such as john lewis and next.

6. google search blogs/images

Finally probably one of the most simple ways to search for the inspiration you are looking for, is by typing it into google. By using google you can start off my simply typing something like "christmas interior ideas" and narrow down your search to the colour scheme you are looking for, whether you want a modern or traditional style or even how to decorate a certain piece of furniture/feather such as a fireplace. Also from the image search you can even view different interior blog posts, articles and also click the shopping bar to find similar pieces.

Catch my "how to save money/get organised for Christmas" post HERE...

xo.

SIX BEAUTY TRICKS THAT ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hello everyone! The majority of us at some point along the journey from being a beginner at makeup/beauty to where you are now, we have all tried out some form of beauty hack/trick and we've probably figured out that some work, but some also don't make a difference. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you six beauty tricks that i have discovered and actually make a difference to your appearance.

1. always prep/prime your skin before applying makeup

First up is probably the most self-explanatory trick, but that is to prep/prime your skin before applying any form of makeup. The prep step before makeup being your skincare routine (making sure your skin is completely clean/moisturised before hand) and the prime step be to apply some form of primer cream or spray, by doing this your makeup will apply so much more smoothly, set better on the skin and last for a lot longer. 

2. faking glowing skin

If you are like me and have normal to dry skin, that can need a little help more often than not to look dewy and glowing. By using a strobe cream underneath your makeup, such a the mac cosmetics strobe cream or my new favourite the mua prism strobe cream, by doing this you are giving the appearance of a "glow from within" which looks a lot more natural. Also ever since i have been using the strobe cream by MUA in the shade golden ray, i have had a ton of compliments on how healthy and glowing my skin looks. Another trick is to add in a little liquid highlighter with your foundation of choice.

3. crease-proofing your concealer

If you have a concealer that you love the coverage of but you find it sits a little into any fine lines of appears to crease on your under-eye area. Apply a small amount of your eye-cream with your concealer and this will keep the area extra hydrated/crease-free. Also by avoiding adding too much product (foundation) to the under-eye area, you aren't applying product on top of product therefore your under-eye is less likely to crease. Another tip is to set the under-eye area/concealer as soon as possible.

4. cleaning up your eyebrows with concealer

Another concealer related hack/trick, which is super simple and makes a big difference to the way your brows look. Simply fill in your brows as you normally would, then taking a small amount of concealer and a concealer brush (the morphe Y21 flat definer brush is my favourite) to tidy up the edges of your brows. By doing this you are not only just tidying them up but you are highlighting the brow bone area too, also make sure you set it into place with some translucent powder as you would your normal concealer. 

5. how to get white teeth without using teeth whitening kits
Using a teeth whitening kit whether that be one with a light or strips, can be not only expensive but also you might not want to use anything too chemically based. A cheap and easy way i like to use is simply by brushing my teeth with my regular oral b 3d white luxe perfection toothpaste (which already keeps my teeth pretty white) but then i like to follow up with the oral b 3d white luxe whitening accelerator and by using this it just speeds the whitening process up, as well as protecting your teeth from new stains. It is literally as simple as that by brushing for 2 minutes with each toothpaste, twice a day!

6. even fake tan application
There is so many different hacks out there that claim to help you get "an even" fake tan application/finish and half of them do not work at all, all they do is complicate things and make it an even longer process. Keep things simple by exfoliating your body with either a body scrub, gloves or puff whilst in the shower to remove any left over tan from before and also any dead skin cells. Once out of the shower moisturise your body from head to toe, not forgetting your hands because that is where it tends to cling to dry areas the most. Finally make sure you apply your fake tan right before going to bed, this way you aren't going to need to wash your hands.

Catch my everyday "speedy" makeup for autumn post HERE...

xo.