Showing posts with label prints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prints. Show all posts

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Making a House a Home



Living in a two-bedroom flat where one of the rooms is full to bursting with miscellania, I try not to acquire too much in the way of non-essential homeware. We haven't got a lot of space for ornamental or decorative bits and pieces, and when we moved in here, I had a bit of a struggle with trying to find homes for the pieces I do have. I'm quite selective with the items I want to have on display in my home, as I like things that add a bit of character and identity without creating too much clutter. This Christmas, I ventured into the Debenhams home section in search of a present for my mum, and ended up making a few finds of my own. Despite my better judgement, they eventually found their way into my Christmas stocking, and I can't deny than I'm thrilled to bits with them all.

I tend to gravitate towards anything mint, and there's a distinctively mint and cream colour scheme going on in my home. When renting, there isn't a lot you can do to the property itself in order to whip it into shape and display a bit of personality, so I tend to add what I can to it in other ways, with things like mirrors, photo frames, candles and prints. Some of my favourite pieces are a beautiful cream bird cage which currently sits on my mantlepiece, and an ornate mint photo frame, but at the moment neither of them are displayed to their best advantage. In our old place, there was a deep shelf that was perfect, but currently I have little more than a mantlepiece in my living room on which to arrange things. The frame is still empty, too, so a minor new year's resolution of mine is to find the right photo - having pictures of family and friends around the place always makes things feel that little bit more like home.

The new additions to my collection are a pretty, patterned bird ornament which doubles as a moneybox, a carved wooden jewellery box - in a shade of mint, of course - and this beautiful cream and mint ceramic jar, which has a rabbit sitting atop it. Currently, the bird is sitting on the mantlepiece along with my other pieces, while the jewellery box and jar have made it into the bedroom, as I could do with a little more storage in there.

I also picked up a gorgeous cream and mint print with the words 'All you need is love' written on it, and I'm really annoyed that I didn't take a photo as it ties in with all the other items beautifully. It's bound to be popping up on the blog at some point, so I'll be sure to point it out to you when it does. Sadly, it's no longer available on the Debenhams site - a huge shame, as I know that some of you would have loved it.

Currently, I can't get enough of the interiors posts on Gh0stparties. Kate's blog has long been a favourite of mine, initially winning me over with skincare, but since moving into her new flat she has given me a huge amount of inspiration when it comes to decorating my own place. With a palette of cream, mint, light pink and gold, her living room has gone from a blank canvas to a thing of absolute beauty, and I adore her minimalist walls and wooden floors, hanging plants, spray-painted DIY pieces and ashi-tape wall collages. If you need some inspiration of your own, then I'd definitely recommend following her on Facebook and Instagram, as she is always rearranging things and posts regular updates on what she's changed.

What are your favourite pieces from around your home? Do you have any favourite places to collect new and unique pieces which will add a bit of character to your nest?

xx







Saturday, August 11, 2012

Weekend Wishlist

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A bit of a crowded Wishlist for you this weekend!

Studded Eagle Jumper, £36, Topshop
Cutwork Peplum Top, £40, Warehouse
Floral Lace Jumper, £40, Warehouse
Studded Shopper Bag, £60, Oasis
Facehunter Book, £14.90, Topshop
Phoenix Jumper, £39, Miss Selfridge
London Studded Belt, £18, Topshop
Chunky Star Ring, £12, Warehouse
Petites Studded Maxi Dress, £49, Miss Selfridge
Horse Print Scarf, £18, Warehouse
Nude Studded Boot, £65, Miss Selfridge
Union Jack Clutch, Accessorize
Indigo Studded Jeans, £45, Miss Selfridge
One Ginger Morning Shower Gel, Treacle Moon (available at Tesco)
MUA Going for Gold Eyeshadow Palette,

I've been bit greedy this week. Once again, there is a plethora of treats in the 'New In' sections of almost every online store I frequent. The chilly weather has got me lusting after cosy knits, particularly printed and studded ones, and I am also loving the patriotic 'London' belt and the Union Jack clutch, as I am feeling quite proud to be British at the moment thanks to our wonderful Olympic Team. Go GB! It's also a great excuse to get my hands on the 'Going for Gold' palette by MUA - well, better late than never, eh? Anyway, the Olympics are still going, so the way I see it, it's still completely relevant.

I've been back to work this week and I can't tell you how shattered I am feeling now! After four weeks of rest, going back to being on my feet all day (in heels, of course!) has more or less done me in, and that's not to mention the mental fatigue my job seems to give me! If you don't already know, I teach English as a foreign language, which has it's moments, but you can imagine what it's like having to deal with pupils who are not interested in learning, or unruly groups of teenagers! Ha. I have actually been so tired that I have fallen asleep at 9.30pm every night this week, and believe me, that is NOT like me at all - I usually go to bed at around one or two in the morning! And it's not that I sleep all day either, I actually get up quite early too, but as my husband works until late, we usually stay up to spend some time together, as we work very different hours.
To be honest, I can't say that I've been up to much else this week, as I haven't really had the time! But I plan on a nice relaxing weekend consisting of snuggly jumpers, cups of tea, hazelnut lattes, homemade facemasks, deep conditioning hair treatments, nail art and magazines. I would say blogging and blog reading, but that very much depends on my unreliable internet!

Hope you're all having a splendid weekend!
What's on your Wishlist this weekend?

xx






Saturday, July 28, 2012

Weekend Wishlist



Catseye Sunglasses, £16, Topshop
Spiked Gilet, £75, Topshop
Head Piece, £7, River Island
Lace and Floral Print Top, £18, River Island
Ikat Print Dress, £36, Topshop
Studded Millicent Boots, £40, Topshop
Rabbit-print Satchel, £45, Accessorize
Lampshade Print Peplum Top, £18, River Island
Print Shirt, £37, Miss Selfridge

Continuing along with the theme of prints and studs, the high street once again has some fabulous key pieces in their 'New in' sections this week. If I had actually bought all of the things I have featured over the past few weeks, then my wardrobe (or closet, for some of you) would be full to bursting with gorgeous printed chiffon shirts and, of course, studded bits and bobs. Miss Selfridge have been doing some great long-sleeved shirts with more sophisticated prints, which will take you right through into A/W, whereas River Island has been awash with pretty summer florals on short-sleeved pieces, which are pretty perfect for wearing now that the sun has been making the odd appearance.
I have got millions of pairs of sunglasses already, but I am horrific at looking after them and the majority of them are scratched or bent! I'm the sort of person who likes to have a choice when it comes to eye-wear, and I enjoy mixing and matching different pairs with whatever I happen to be wearing on any given day. The cat-eye shape is a particular favourite of mine, and I really like Topshop sunglasses - I feel that they are actually doing something to protect my eyes when I wear them, whereas ones I have bought from some other high street shops might just as well be clear, as I still have to squint when I step outside.
I'm still loving the animal print trend (as in, prints featuring actual little animals), and this rabbit print bag from Accessorize looks spacious enough to hold my folders as well as my makeup and other essentials when I go back to work next week. And as for the headpiece, well, isn't it just the perfect boho-style finishing touch to any Summer outfit?

I absolutely loved watching the Olympics opening ceremony on TV last night, and thought that the organisers had done an amazing job. It was really nice to see it all go off without a hitch in spite of the negativity that has been surrounding the event in recent weeks. The amount of uncomplimentary news stories that have been splashed across the papers has been bordering on ridiculous (although some of them were certainly in need of being written), and I am really glad to see that people are finally getting behind the games and entering into the spirit of things. I must admit though, I was surprised to see how bored the royals looked at the ceremony! The Queen, who appeared to have come dressed as a flamingo, bless her, could barely raise a smile, and Wills looked completely disinterested when the British team came out!
I'm going to be honest here - I wasn't all that bothered about the Olympics myself until I watched the event last night, but now I am quite looking forward to it all, and am going to make an effort to watch some of our athletes in action!
Did you watch the ceremony? What did you think? And are you excited about the Olympics?

What's on your wishlist this week?
Please leave a comment, I read every last word and love hearing your views! It really brightens up my day.

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