Saturday, 5 November 2016

Decorating The Bedroom - Homemaking - Decor 2016 / 2017




Some of you may or may not know, that my little family live in an appartment.
At home, its just me, my partner and our beloved cat, Frodo.
While we would love to live in a house one day, right now thats just not on the cards
for us. An appartment here sets you back about the same as a 3 bed house up north and
we are in a beautiful quite area in a small seaside town.
So for now here we are, and I love it here.

We have been living here for over 3 years now and never really been 
invested in the decorating of our home. Sure we had everything we needed
in here but it was pretty bare in the way of decor.
As of November Ive left my job, for a number of reasons but one big
perk is I get to be a full time homemaker. 
So I decided to step up to the challenge!


 

Decorating The Bedroom

 Our bedroom was cream and blue and boring. No pretty bits to be found and cheap looking bedding thrown on at the last moment. I couldnt bare it. I honestly bloody hated every bit of it.
No bedside tables, no rugs, no lamps - nothing to look at apart from our bed, witch crappy covers on. Great.

I decided enough was enough and started playing with colour palettes.






I later decided to add grey into the mix too and wooden pieces to go with the browns.
I wanted the colours warm but cool and quite dull. I hate anything bright in bedrooms.
Sometimes I struggle sleeping (to the point where I have to have sleeping pills) and that
meant it was very important that I chose a relaxing palette to work with.

Next I started finding inspiration, and I fell in love with a Classic hunting lodge... but of course this is the UK, so no guns hanging from the walls and taxidermy seemed a little too Norman Bates for us.
So I started looking at texture. Furs, woods and rich cottons.






Faux furs were important to add a animal warmth to the room. So I picked up a brown fluffy rug, furry throw and chair drape all in shades of browns and creams.


Next I needed to choose an animal to focus on, and typically I chose a stag. How could I not? There are so many stag themed items around at the moment. They are majestic and beautiful creatures.

After mush searching I ordered some Catherine Lansfield stag print bedding sets - And yes, they look amazing on!






I found an artist who works with wood and he made me a stags head. Now I dont like the look for traditional solid stags heads made to look real. The last thing I want hanging over me is a dead animal. I wanted something modern but traditional and he came up with this.





Next thing you know Ive got stags in frames up on the walls, a faux stags antler holding a candle on the window seal and they are everywhere.

I am just adding in a few finishing touches, I bought an expensive pillow set and a memory foam mattress topper to go in there yet. As well as some throw pillows to add to the bed.
December it will be in my blogmas home tour I expect, as I plan on having a few christmas decorations in there this year.


Wednesday, 26 October 2016

Poundland Christmas Range 2016 - What an unexpected surprise!






When it comes to Christmas, poundland never enters my mind for decorating.

We have had one in our local town for a while and to be honest I dont really use it. Every now and again I might pop in for some cooking foil or deodorant if im outside there anyway.

October I heard a rumour that the ornaments Ive had my eye on from debenhams were in there and almost identical. I imagined this rumour was a exagerated but as I was in town anyway a few days later, I thought I might check it out. I was in town very early so the hoards of parents and types hadnt managed to take over the store, it was empty apart from myself and some elderly couples.

There they were sitting on a high shelf. Now, they were not identical but very close. I had to pick them up.



Sweet arent they? So after my success, I decided to do a bit of digging to find out if they would be doing any nice bits in a festive theme. I was shocked to find that they have actually pulled together a catalog with -get this- ranges. They have christmas ranges... and they are... bloody cute!





What do we think?

Monday, 3 October 2016

My Christmas Wish List 2016 - My Early Blogmas -







Anyone who read and remembers my blog from last year will have known that I was well and truly spoilt rotton last Christmas.
I have loved and enjoyed all of my wonderful gifts throughtout the year and want to take the chance to thank everybody so much.

Last year was a blast, the party that lasted days, the friends, the drinking games. Gift exchanges that took all day and evening. It was intoxicating and I will always treasure it.

This year, however, If anybody would like to buy me anything, please consider token and inexpensive gifts. Purely based on the fact that I will love them just as much. I know I am difficult to buy for, so I am happy to put a list bellow of potential ideas that I would adore this year!
Most of them are under ten pounds and some are only a couple of pounds.

This year I would love little "Yay!" moments. Its cheaper for you, its lots of little bursts of pleasure for me. Its a win-win!


 
This cute sets contains one of those cute penguin bubble bars
I am always going on about. Also a butterbear, which I never got to try 
last year, and a scrummy santa head.
It costs £12.95 and will most likely be one of the most expensive things
on my list this year. 
Saves wrapping too ;)





I bought this last year in the sales and fell in love
with the scent, colour and magic of this.
Its costs £3.75 and I would adore it.
 
 
 


Even the little one goes a long long way on a sponge!
It smells like candy and to be honest, that's the dream.
 
 
 






 
These are so bloody cute. Every year we a have a little tradition
that he buys me jarmie bottoms. I look forward to it all year.
£7.00
 
 
 
 
 


If magic were real, I would think we would find 
it in a new fair of fluffy socks...
Or better yet 3.
 3 pairs.
 £6 (size 4-8)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I would love this on my bedside table.
Anything that has sparkles in is mine.
£3.99
 
 
 
 

If someone buys me this I promise 
I will always shake it.
Always.
£6.99
 
 Supercute hair ties
 99p a pack!!!!
 
 
 
 
 
£3.99 from Amazon.
A girl can never ever ever ever have
enough notebooks.




 

More of them! £3.49
Amazon
 
 
 



And if you just happen to be passing a Tesco...


Who doesnt want these? Koorr I havent had
them since last christmas *self gift*
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Black Raspberry Liqueur
I used to drink one similar to this at my
grandparents house everytime they went 
to France and bought loads back.
I LOVE IT!
£6.50








Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Positive living - PLUS GIVEAWAY How I live well for less part one: Having nice things for yourself because you are mindful of what you have.

In living well, there is one very important first step.

1) Be awear of what you already have and thankful.

Its so often in life we find ourselves wanting more. They say its part of human nature, to want what we do not have. I choose to live my life being thankful for what I do have, and once I embraced that, the more blessings seemed to be bestowed upon me.

This first step is so important because if you cannot appriciate what you already have, the having more things will not change that. Its just more things for you to ignore while dreaming about more.

Once you understand and make use of what you have, you will become more appriciative of new things that come your way.

Lets keep this simple-

For example:

 I could look into my beauty supply and think to myself that I dont have every piece of make up id like, perhaps ive got my eye on a high end blusher set, I would then look at whats in my make up bag, pull one of my blushers out and feel pretty pants about the contents, as I could have better and these are not as good as what I want. Other women have this and I only have this. That casts a very negative view on what I already have.

Or I could look into my beauty supply and see what shades I do have. Is there anything I could mix to make a similar colour to the one I love? No? Well could my old blusher collection perhaps be cute summer pastel eye shadows or highlighters? 
Worst case senario perhaps I could use up and ejoy what I have now until I can buy the set I would like or a similar alternative.

How on earth can you every be happy if you are looking for the next big thing constantly? There is nothing wrong with wants, but dont ever let them make you feel unhappy with what you already have.


Got it? That positive mind set is everything. I promise you, think positive and good things will happen.

Want an example?

Ok, so this time last month I decided it would be really nice to thank the companies of beauty products I enjoy. I pulled a bundle off of my shelf and made a list of the companies. I sent each an email explaining that I love the products and why.
I got so many lovely emails back, full of beauty tips, links to offers and clubs which were great.
I also got sent a HUGE amount of free items from them as they were so grateful for my positivity.

Mac, Benefit, Burts Bees, Elemis Spa, John Freda, Tresemme, Simple are just a few of them. I got loads of mascaras, lip balms, a huge spa set with enough in there to last me the rest of the year, shampoos, hair treatments, face wipes and so much more.




I put out positive vibes and they came right back!





Sometimes you have to make your own luck, all I know is this has proved itself in my life time and time again. So go ahead and pay it forward.


I will start:


I will give one of my readers a brand new set of soft and beautiful make up brushes, a Mac eyeliner pencil and some spa goodies this month.

Just leave me a comment and I will choose at random september 1st. Open worldwide.


Anyone had anything happen from putting good vibes out there? Id love to hear from you!
 










Thursday, 28 April 2016

Monthly Goals - MAY 2016





Eating better
Cook healthier meals useing a variety of meats and vegetables, as well as making sure
we have a selection on tropical and garden fruits on the go at all times.

I aim to buy almost no processed foods apart from perhaps the odd sauce jar. I want my little family to eat as close to nature as possible.
By the end of summer I want to be able to say we eat clean 90% of the time.
The occasional pizza or takeout is going to happen and thats ok, its all about moderation.

I cant help but feel our bodies would run better if we ate well and ate a good mix of foods.

...


Living more frugal
I have an addiction. A shopping addiction. Its a real thing and I have it. 
I have a problem that I need to manage better. Every month I spend hundred and hundreds on myself on things I do not even need or will use.
We are talking hair extensions, costume wigs, expensive clothes, make up, accessories, bath products.
Its becoming an issue and I am tired of living this way.
I was brought up in a low income hosuehold, I always worked hard and wanted better out of life, but this has gone much to far.

While its lovely to have all these wonderful things I am starting to wonder if I would appriciate it more if I were to treat myself "now and again" rather than every other day.

So here goes. For May I am cutting right back and looking to change this spending pattern.

...

Reading more
My wonderful partner bought me a kindle as one of my chirstmas pressies and I have hardly used it as I just havent been in the mood for reading. So this month I plan on reading serveal books that I paid for a while ago that I have been meaning to read.
...


For me this month is all about self improvment.
What are your goals this may?

And if you dont keep goals let me know why?

Id love to hear! :D

Meals we will be having this week - End of April - The Menu



Gammon
slow cooked in coke
and Jack Daniels bbq sauce.

Served with
Fresh apple, red grapes, panini bread
cheddar, spring onion and side salad.

...

Beef
served in a red wine sauce
including shallots, leek, carrots, mushrooms and onions.

Served with
French bread and soft dumplings.

...

Spaghetti bolognaise
Including mince, onions, carrots, tomatoes and mushrooms

Served with
Classic spaghetti and cheese assortment for topping.
Alongside homemade cheese garlic bread.

...

Grilled pork loin steaks
In traditional gravy

Served with
 creamy mash, mixed cabbage, sweet carrots and garden peas.

...

 Classic beef lasagne
Made with steak mince, sweet onions and mushrooms.
In a light red sauce, with white sauce smoothered pasta layers,
topped with mixed cheese.

Served with
 light side salad and crispy beer battered onion rings.

...

Mexican Fajita wraps
Made with chicken breasts, red pepper and onions.
Wraped in a palin tortilla.

Served with
Cheese nachos and cream chive dip

...

 Pork roast
Including
 Dripping cooked roast potatoes, sweet honey carrots, salted leeks,
crunchy broccoli, mixed cabbage and garden peas.

Served with
Homebaked yorkshire puddings, sage and onion stuffing balls
and traditional gravy.




Let me know what you are having this week!? :D