Category: LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

CAPTIVATED BY CASEAPP (AGAIN)*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 8, 2018
No Comments on CAPTIVATED BY CASEAPP (AGAIN)*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 8! Today we’re revisiting the wonderful world of CaseApp, who kindly gifted me two of their cases to share with you guys on my blog. I worked with CaseApp earlier this year (read that post here) and I have been hooked on their products ever since! For those of you that haven’t seen my post or heard about CaseApp, I’ll explain how it all works below!

*Gifted Items

One of the things that I love about CaseApp is that the whole website is super easy to navigate. Straight away, you know what your options are. They offer hundreds of pre-made designs or if you’re feeling creative, you can create your own personalised phone case or laptop skin from scratch. CaseApp have accessories for Iphones, Androids, Macbooks, Ipads – there’s just so much choice.

Here are some of my favourite designs! There’s such a variety to choose from. You can go for abstract, tropical and even watercolour! There’s literally pages and pages of different designs to look at, so there’s bound to be something you’ll love. It’s also perfect if you’re picking out a gift for someone too! You can even choose between a matte or glossy finish and there’s a “tough” option too, for those that have been known to drop their devices from time to time…(guilty)

I ended up going for a case for my iPad and a new case for my phone. Blogging often means that I’m travelling with lots of different devices, so instead of risking them getting damaged, I always make sure they have cases on them. I’m all about bright colours and patterns so of course, I went for two vibrant designs. I needed something that I could spot when my bedroom is at its messiest! I opted for the glossy finish, just because I think it looks nicer than matte – I quite like the shiny look.

CaseApp send their cases in the cutest little bags and I love this little extra detail. Mine came in a marble pouch, which I’ll have to find a use for because it’s so pretty – any ideas? I chose the “Blue Peacock” iPhone 8 case because I love the design and I think it looks so quirky! I love the tropical vibes too.

How cute is this? This is the “Abstract” iPad mini case and I think it’s my favourite design on the site. I love the combination of pastes with the black dots! It’s so much more interesting to look at than my old, plain red case. I’m obsessed! They actually have a great range of abstract designs on their website so if that’s your thing, definitely go and have a look for yourself.

How cute are these? I’m so happy with them! Both were easy to snap onto my iPhone and my iPad – no faffing necessary. They keep my devices protected and they look cute at the same time! I really recommend using CaseApp if you’re considering purchasing some amazing cases or skins for your devices. Their products aren’t just easy on the eye but they are also made really well. The quality is great!

What do you think of these cases? Which ones would you choose? Let me know in the comments! I’ve linked all of my social media below so come and say hi as I love to hear from you! If you decide to order some goodies, go ahead and use my discount code 20NINALOUISELAW for 20% off! Check out CaseApp here!

N xxxx

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Tags blogger, BLOGMAS, CaseApp, iPad, Iphone, Photography, Photos, Review, Technology

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

GET ORGANISED WITH THE MINKY STYLING DOCK

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 6, 2018
14 Comments on GET ORGANISED WITH THE MINKY STYLING DOCK

This product was sent to me in exchange for a review

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m counting down the days before I go on holiday and I’m so excited! Are any of you going on holiday this summer? Today, I’m going to be talking about a very cool storage solution that I was kindly sent in exchange for a review and as usual all thoughts are my own! If you’re looking for something to keep your life more organised, keep reading…

This is the Styling Dock by Minky Homecare! It’s the perfect storage solution for anyone that hates tangled wires and derelict hair tools. It’s heat resistant silicone body helps to prevent any accidents, which is super important, particularly if you have any kiddies running around. It’s made up of three storage compartments for hairdryers, tongs, wands and brushes and it includes two storage pots for any small accessories like clips, grips and hair bands! I’m always unsure of what to do with my straighteners or curlers after I’ve turned them off as they’re still extremely hot so it’s really helpful to have something to put them into whilst they cool down. Fun story – at Christmas, I stood on my straighteners and I couldn’t walk properly for a week – AGONY I TELL YOU – so I can’t stress enough how much I love this product (plus how much I need it obviously).

The dock also includes removavle cable reels – perfect for travel and a hook that allows the entire unit to hang from a rail. I love that I can tidy my cables away without having them all over my floor. I’m possibly one of the most clumsy people that I know and I’m always tripping over, so it’s definitely for the best that I’m using this to keep everything out of my way!

CHECK OUT THE STYLING DOCK HERE

This is such a fantastic product. It doesn’t look clunky or ugly and it stores all of my tools in one space. It’s meant that my dressing table is clear and tidy and it’s also made my bedroom floor a much safer place for my feet! I love how versatile it is and how easy it is to adjust to my needs. I use every compartment and I can chop and change what I’m storing, whenever I want to! I really recommend this to anyone that needs to keep their hair tools safely stored and out of the way, it’s a 10/10 from me. How do you store your hair tools? I’ve linked all of my social media below so come and say hi!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags 2018, BEAUTY, Bedroom, Hair, July, Lifestyle, Organisation, Photography, Photos, Storage, Style, Summer

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

CAPTIVATED BY CASEAPP*

Hey Guys,

If you didn’t already know, I am a tad obsessed with phone and laptop cases. I know it sounds weird but I just love the idea of chopping and changing what they look like! I’ve always had about ten different cases on the go but I think I’ve found the best place to go when I need some replacements! Today’s post is in collaboration with Caseapp, a brand who offer hundreds of different designs for cases but also allow you to make your own custom cases. They kindly gifted me two lovely acccessories however all opinions are completely my own!

*Unpaid AD & Gifted Items

The homepage is so straightforward and it’s super easy to navigate your way around the site. I love the idea of being able to customise your own laptop and phone cases as well as being able to choose from hundreds of pre-made designs! CaseApp have accessories for Iphones, Androids, Macbooks, Ipads – there’s just so much choice.

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Here’s a mini selection of my favourites – look how gorgeous these designs are! There’s literally pages and pages of different designs to choose from (this is just a tiny amount of the iphone cases available) so you’re bound to find something that is perfect for you.

I even tried designing my own case too which didn’t turn out too badly if I may say so myself. It was SO quick and easy. I just uploaded a photo that I loved and then bam it was made into a phone case ready to order!

I ended up going for the “Banana Leaf” Iphone 8 case and the “Green is Mean” Macbook skin. I have a thing for all things tropical print so this was a no brainer for me! There’s so many other prints available and yet I was immediately drawn to these.

How pretty are these?! I am obsessed! The laptop skin was so easy to stick onto my Macbook, it literally took less than a minute and it’s there to stay! The phone case protects my phone whilst also looking 10/10 so what more could you want? I really really recommend checking these guys out as they have so much to offer and I reckon you will love them. Their products don’t just look good, they’re really well made and will definitely do a great job at keeping those screens protected!

If you decide to order some goodies, go ahead and use my discount code NINALOUISELAW20 for 20% off

CHECK OUT CASEAPP HERE

What do you think of these cases? Which ones would you choose? Let me know in the comments! I’ve linked all of my social media below so come and say hi as I love to hear from you! I’ll be back on Friday at 6 o’clock with my June favourites post, I hope you’ll be there too!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

Tags blogger, Design, Iphone, June, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Review, Summer, Technology, Tropical

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

ENLIGHTENED BY STUDIO ARNTZEN*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 8, 2018
No Comments on ENLIGHTENED BY STUDIO ARNTZEN*

Hey Guys,

I hope you’re all doing well. I’m officially free from university life for another few months and I couldn’t be happier about it! Second year was incredibly challenging for so many reasons so I’m relieved to have a break to recharge before my final year.

*Paid AD

Today’s post is in collaboration with Studio Arntzen, which is run by an incredible lighting designer, Paula Arntzen. Studio Arntzen caught my eye because Paula has combined a mixture of technology with design and the outcome is just so breathtaking and unique that these products need to be talked about! Not only is the lighting incredible but the website itself is so quirky and creative and it really reflects the style of Studio Arntzen. Lots of you might be thinking okay so why are you talking to us about lighting on your blog Nina? Lots of you will know about my brother Ben and for those that don’t he was disabled and this meant that anything stimulating for his senses was really important. We were always buying him bright coloured lights and toys and most of the facilities that he had access to (schools and playgrounds etc.) had lots of these objects too. These were enviroments that were so rich in sensory stimulation that you felt happy as soon as you walked in. There would be music playing, fiber optic lights, bubble tubes and ball pits and these environments became part of our lifestyle. As a result of this, it’s always been important to me to surround myself with colour and light and Studio Arntzen offers just that! I know that I would’ve practically jumped for joy if I’d discovered this a few years ago and I definitely would have invested in something like this for Ben as it would have made him so happy.

“Pleasure begins as soon as you enter the light- filled space”

Paula’s Paper Process is a series that really caught my eye. Inspired by fireworks, these handmade lights are created with fluorescent paint and exposed with black light which causes the whole thing to light up as opposed to just the light bulb. I really like that Paula studied paper and its characteristics in order to create this collection, it shows how much thought goes into her lighting design.The colours are just breathtaking and I love the way that they make an ordinary space seem to magical and vibrant. It definitely makes a change from the simple yellow or white lighting that most people tend to go for. If I had seen these a few years ago, without a doubt, I would’ve bought them for my brother as they would have been perfect!

LA COURONNE

“La Couronne, ‘the crown’ is an airy chandelier designed from two pieces copper foil material.”

This chanedlier is designed with reflective vertical strips which allow for the colour and dimension of the lamp to be displayed. Paula chose this shape as it resembled that of chandeliers often found in palaces. There’s something so grand and elegant about this however the reflective copper strips give the design a modern twist, making it an amazing piece for home or office enviroments. It looks so different to typical lighting that is on display in stores and homes that you can’t help but be fascinated by the design. It’s the kind of thing that you could buy knowing nobody you know would have anything similar!

TRIAS

“Working within a process to create three-dimensional volumes of two-dimensional sheet material is such a beautiful and poetic process.”

These lights were designed with geometric imagery in mind and by folding strips in two places, the Trias was created! It’s a small pendant light with a triangular shape that makes for the perfect down light. I love how they were displayed in this photo – they look so unique and quirky. For those that aren’t too fused about the bright and vibrant lights that Paula has designed, these would probably be more suited to your taste!

You can buy these wonderful creations and more from the Studio Arntzen’s design light shop. It’s clear that Paula has eye for design and her lighting reflects this with style and impact. Although I usually write about beauty, lifestyle and fashion, there was a point in my life where investing in sensory stimulation was really important. In my opinion, surrounding myself with colour and light makes a huge difference to how I feel and it can really transform the space that you’re in. I really hope that you enjoyed this post and that you feel as inspired as I do by these wonderful products! Let me know in the comments what you think of Studio Arntzen and whether or not it’s your kind of thing. As usual, all my social media is linked below so come and say hi!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

N xxxx

This post is sponsored which means it contains sponsored links however all opinions, as usual, are completely my own.

Tags Art, Decor, Design, Inspiration, Interior, Lighting, Photography, Photos, Review

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

MY FAVOURITE SPRING CANDLES 2018

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 27, 2018
6 Comments on MY FAVOURITE SPRING CANDLES 2018

Hey guys,

I’m back with a candles post and this time it’s for Spring! I’ve written two posts about candles, one being my favourite Autumnal candles and the other features my favourite Christmas candles and another about my favourite Autumnal candles. These are two of my most popular posts so I thought it was only right that I shared the candles I’m loving this spring! I have to say, I’ve been much less of a candle hoard lately, I’ve been getting through my stash and actually using them (wow). What candles do you like to light during Spring? What are your favourite scents for this time of year? I definitely enjoy fresh and fruity scents when the sun starts to come out.

As you can see, I have quite the colourful bunch of scented goodies to share with you. I think the packaging for candles is definitely one of the main things that makes me actually make the purchase.

PECKSNIFF’S – RUBY ORANGE & WATERMELON CANDLE – £2.99

I purchased this candle from my favourite homeware place on earth – Homesense (I’ve written a post entirely dedicated to this, click here for that). Pecksniffs is one of my favourite fragrance companies. My mum and I used to regularly stay at a hotel in Plymouth and all of the bathroom products were by Pecksniffs and we absolutely loved them. We used to take all of the products home and continue the pampering for weeks after! As soon as I discovered that Homesense stocked their products I was straight in there buying them all. This candle has the most fruity and tropical fragrance and I LOVE it. As soon as I sniffed it, I put it straight in my basket, it smells like a fruit salad and I think it’s perfect for the warmer weather (when it actually decides to arrive)

WAX LYRICAL – MEDITERRANEAN ORANGE CANDLE – £4.50

My boyfriend purchased this from Wilko (I didn’t know they stocked branded candles?!) and he particularly loves citrus and orange scented products so I thought this would mainly be for him however I have really started to enjoy these scents for Spring. I’d never heard of this company before but I did some research and I’m loving their scents and the packaging of their products!

BUY IT HERE

YANKEE CANDLE – PEONY CANDLE – £1.99

If you read my Valentine’s Day post you’ll know that I received this as part of a gift set. I love how fresh this scent is and I think it’s perfect for Spring. Apparently it’s the fragrance of the month according to Yankee Candle (it’s also on sale right now by the way). I never used to buy floral scented candles but for some reason I’m all about them right now!

BUY IT HERE

DW HOME – PAPAYA MANGO CANDLE – £2.99

DW Home are my favourite company by far when it comes to fragranced goods. I pretty much buy all of their candles every season! I love the variety of scents that they offer and the packaging is always colourful and pretty. I really recommend checking these guys out! This candle smells FAB and I reckon I’ll be repurchasing this for Summer too. It smells kind of exotic too, it reminds me of being on holiday! I can’t wait to light this in the evenings when the sun starts to show itself.

BUY IT HERE

PECKSNIFF’S – PINEAPPLE & KEYLIME – £2.99

I love the smell of this candle! It’s very fresh and fruity (noticing a theme here?) and it’s so reasonably priced that it was rude to walk away from. I love the colour too, it adds a pop of green to my room which is much needed now that Winter is starting to budge slightly. Again, I bought this from Homesense so I can’t provide a link to the products itself but it’s fairly easy to get hold of in store!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! I enjoy writing these, probably because I will use any excuse to go and buy candles, let alone when a new season rolls in. Let me know if there’s any scents you’re particularly loving to fill your home with at the moment!

N xxxx

Don’t forget to follow me on my social media for regular updates:

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Tags Candles, DWHome, Favourites, Fragrance, Homesense, InteriorDecor, Lifestyle, Pecksniffs, Photography, YankeeCandle

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG FEBRUARY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 20, 2018
3 Comments on PAPERGANG FEBRUARY 2018: REVIEW

Hey guys,

Ohh Deer, a company I have SO much love for, was founded in order to allow illustrators and artists to showcase their work and find people that would be interested in buying their designs. The company sells the most amazing quirky and arty products – I simply can’t get enough. I love the fact that Ohh Deer offers artists the opportunity to get noticed and therefore get something back for all their hard work that otherwise we might not have seen. Some of their clients include Paperchase, ASOS, John Lewis and Oliver Bonas (my all-time favourite shop) and some of their collections have been specifically designed for the Tate Galleries and the Science Museum!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

Ohh Deer decided to create a monthly subscription service for stationery addicts, such as myself called, Papergang! Each month you will receive a box filled with brilliant papery goodies and desk accessories. Some examples are notebooks, greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints. It costs £10.95 and then a £2.95 for shipping which in my opinion, after receiving their boxes, is a great deal. Every box has a different design and theme by a different artist and for every 4 boxes, 1 tree is planted in partnership with the fantastic charity, Tree aid. To find out more about their connection with this charity here.

I am a huge stationary addict and this subscription box is probably my favourite out of the many I am a part of. I always look forward to opening my box every month and using all my new bits and pieces! Most of the products you receive are exclusive the Papergang subscribers for a while before they get sold in Ohh Deer’s shop.

This month’s box is all about bullet journalling. If you’re unsure what I mean by this, it’s basically a journal that you can create completely on your own. The idea is that you decide what the pages contain, the layout, the colour scheme, everything is up to you. I started bullet journalling a few years ago and I really enjoy it. If you want a post about my journals do let me know as I will happily do monthly spread posts if you’re interested. This month’s box was designed by Ohh Deer and although it is based on a concept that I love, I absolutely hate the colour. I usually love my Papergang boxes but this one hurts my eyes a bit! I’m all about neon colours in my pencil case and occasionally the odd item of clothing but when I realised neon pink was the theme, I felt a little disappointed. However, when you sign up for a subscription service, you can’t expect every month to be perfect for you – this could be somebody’s dream box!

Now, I do have to say that Papergang work at an odd pace. When you receive one month’s box, you’ll receive a calendar (in advance) for a different month, which can throw you off a bit. I think they do this in order to make sure if your box arrives late, you get a calendar you can still definitely use regardless of when you receive it. However, it’s nice to always have one ready to put on my desk when it’s needed! I like to prop these on a little stand on my desk to add a cute pop of colour to the corner of my room. I like that this calendar has the key/important dates of April as I tend to forget these!

A5 BULLET JOURNAL – RRP £6.95

I actually quite like this even though it’s very pink. I tend to use dotted journals anyway as I find them easier to work with and to keep everything neat and spaced out so I was more than happy to add this to my collection. I will definitely be using it! Unfortunately, I can’t find this exact journal on their website but they do have some other lovely designs so be sure to check them out!

BUY IT HERE

NEON RULER – RRP £2.95

Right I have to say that I just don’t really use rulers. I already have one and I barely use it apart from underlining the occasionally word in my bullet journal or creating margins so I don’t really need another one however it’s cute and I guess I can find a purpose for it. I would have preferred a highlighter or a pen – something I need lots of as I get through them so quickly.

BUY IT HERE

NEON ZIP BAG – RRP £3.95

Again, it’s neon pink so hmmmm but I’m always needing places to store all my scrapbook materials in and all of my bullet journalling supplies so I don’t really mind this one – I know I’ll find a use for it. I also like that it’s pretty big too so I can fit loads in it.

NEON PACK OF 3 PENCILS – RRP £2.95

I wasn’t sure how I would use these at first as they’re pretty crazy colours but actually they double up as highlighters. I will definitely be using these as highlighters as they’re so much thinner than the ones that I use currently so they take up far less room in my pencil case!

BUY IT HERE

1 X STICKERS – RRP £3.95

I am an avid sticker collector. I use them in all of my notebooks, journals and scrapbooks to make the pages more colourful and fun! I was obviously thrilled to discover these stickers as I know I will use them all. I particularly like that there’s little weather symbols and the “To Do” stickers as I reckon I’ll use those in my bullet journal.

BUY IT HERE

GREETING CARD – RRP £2.50

I really love receiving cards in my monthly boxes from Papergang as I like having lots of cards in stock ready to give to people at short notice or for birthdays and events etc. I also happen to know the perfect person to give this card to so I’m excited to get this off into the post! The cards in my Papergang boxes have always been really nice quality and everyone always asks “ooh where did you get this card?!”

So, in conclusion, the box is still of fantastic quality and value for money however I just don’t like neon pink so it just wasn’t for me this month. Even if I haven’t enjoyed some items, it’s still full of lovely bits and pieces and I could even re-gift them if necessary! I still recommend this subscription to all my fellow stationery lovers out there. You’re guaranteed to get nice items regardless of your preferences and I think that says enough about how the company work. I also really like the fact that Ohh Deer are constantly promoting the work of other artists and I think it’s a fantastic platform for those wanting to get noticed! This box values at £23.25 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) That’s pretty good value.

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

N xxxx

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Tags Art, Design, Lifestyle, Neon, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Pink, Review, Stationery

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 16, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s artist Jacqueline Colley, brings us adorable doodles of Cadillacs, dinosaurs, cactuses and more in her Palm Springs range. Her use of bright and feminine colours are perhaps influenced by her background in women’s fashion. Jacqueline travelled to Palm Springs in 2016 and was inspired by the architecture and the cacti varieties – you can tell just from glancing at her prints!

Follow Jacqueline –

Insta – @Jacquelinecolley

Website – Jacquelinecolley.co.uk

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk! This month’s calendar features more illustrations from Jacqueline Colley, but with a succulent theme which I LOVE.

1 x A4 Deskpad – £7.95

I absolutely love desk organisers, I find them so helpful! I’m so much more productive when my tasks and notes are all laid out in front of me on something pretty and patterned compared to when I scribble them down on a post-it that is nowhere to be found a day later. These deskpads help me prioritise what tasks I need to complete and when I need to do them – a much needed service to my student self! I also love the doodles section as I am constantly doodling on notebooks and in margins so now I have o excuse to vandalise anything but this little section every week!

1 x Washi Tape – £2.50

I have quite the collection of wash tapes (check out my January Favourites post to see a few!) so I was super happy to find one of these in this month’s box! Jacqueline’s doodles are featured on this tape, including a flamingo pool float, a dinosaur and a variety of cacti! I use washing tape to make my notes stand out, to decorate scrapbook pages and to make my bullet journal pretty!

1 x Pack of Stickers – £3.95

I’ve always loved stickers, as a little girl I used to put them on EVERYTHING. My walls, my drawers and even my bed frame! Now, I’m quite picky with them. However, these are ADORABLE. I absolutely love the warm toned illustrations on these and they make my bullet journal look so pretty and colourful. I’ve found myself using these more than I thought I would too! I’ve received sticker sheets in a few of my Papergang boxes and I’m yet to be disappointed!

1 x Pencil – £5.95

Back at home, we’ve always had those wind-up style pencils and I’ve always thought they looked a bit ugly and mechanical. I mean, they do the job but they don’t look pretty on my desk (haha yes, it’s the small things in life for me, I’m wild aren’t I?). I also tend to write with a finaliser or a black biro, however when I need to sketch, I need to use something that can be erased asap (my skills are next to none when it comes to drawing). I was delighted to find this pretty little pencil in this month’s box (might have something to do with the whole pink and rose gold design…). I also love the phrase engraved on it too! This idea of quirky messages on the sides of pens and pencils seems to be trending and I’m loving it! Last month’s box also had a set of three pens with little messages on too – check out my review here!

1 x Enamel Pin – £5.95

I’ve been meaning to stick some pins on my denim jacket for quite some time now and this made me actually do it. I was so excited when I saw this pin inside my January box, I literally went and stuck it on straight away! I think pins add a sense of identity and quirkiness to your clothes, especially if you want to make something look slightly different and more your own.

There wasn’t a single item in this month’s box that I was unsure about, I love everything. I also adore Jacqueline Colley’s illustrations and I’m more than happy to have them on my desk now! This box values at £21.30 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) That’s pretty awesome value!

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

N xxxx

Tags Art, blog, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Review, Stationery, Subscription

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG DECEMBER 2017: JADE WALSH REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 15, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG DECEMBER 2017: JADE WALSH REVIEW

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s box, created by Jade Walsh, combines two trends; tropical leaves and primary colours. I am LOVING tropical leaves designs at the moment. There’s something relaxing about them and they look good in any room. The main reason that this trend has come about, is due to he famous banana leaf wallpaper by Don Loper, for the Beverly Hills Hotel. Primary colours return every Spring, which makes for a refreshing start to a new year after the darkness of December! I’ve always loved bright and colourful stationery so I was thrilled to discover that this would be a main theme in this month’s Papergang box!

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk every month! The patterns are also so cute too.

1 x 2 Pack A5 Notebooks – £5.95

I love a notebook and I get through at least one a month – especially now that I’m blogging more regularly as I need to plan posts in advance (I try to anyway). The designs on these are so cool – they remind me of painting in school with all of the really bright coloured poster paints. One is plain paged (left) and one has gridded paper – maths book style (right).

3 x Pack of Pens – £7.95

I have an ever-growing collection of biros however I can never seem to find any – can someone tell me where all the biros get to? They’re like hair bands they just seem disappear… I was really excited about these as I am currently lacking black ink pens – somehow a pink highlighter just wouldn’t do for writing revision notes. These pens all look so pretty too which as I’m more likely to take care of them (hopefully they’ll stick around for longer too)

1 x A6 Notepad – £3.95

This might be my favourite item from this month’s box. I constantly need lists and things like this make it so much easier and they also encourage me to be far more organised. The pad consists of 60 pages which allows for a fair bit of list making! It’s a great sized pad for travelling with as it fits perfectly in my bag!

1 x Greeting Card – £2.50

The design is the same as one of the notebooks – a colourful tropical print. I love receiving cards in my Papergang boxes as it means I always have a stock of cards to choose from when needed, I rarely have a last minute panic anymore as these boxes ensure that I’m always prepared!

As usual, this box really impressed me. These products are all really lovely and are of high quality too so I feel like I got my money’s worth for sure. I also love the theme of this month as I definitely need some more colour in my life right now. Let me know what you guys think of these products and whether or not you would enjoy using them!

If you want to grab this month’s box click here.

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer as a company, click here!

N xxxx

Tags 2018, Art, Bullet Journal, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Product Review, Review, Shopping, Stationery

2017 BLOGMAS INTERIORS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

CHRISTMAS HOMEWARE

BLOGMAS DAY 18

I love making my bedroom feel warm and cosy, especially when it’s so cold and dark outside! As you all know, I am a lover of all things homeware and decor so Christmas is my excuse to buy some more! Christmas is only a week away and I have bought some festive bits and bobs to jazz up my room and I thought I would share these with you so that you can grab them in time for the occasion!

Primark Glitter Tealights -These tealights are so glam looking and they make a nice change from the normal ones I use. I love the colours they come in too as they match the copper/gold aesthetic of my room perfectly!

Asda 3ft White Christmas Tree – I have always wanted a mini Christmas tree for my bedroom so when I saw this I had to get it. I specifically wanted a 3ft tree, so there were enough branches to decorate but it wouldn’t be towering over me. I went for a white tree because it looked so pretty with my rose gold/pink baubles!

Primark Pack of 25 Rose Gold/Gold/Pink/Purple Baubles – I thought that these might look quite tacky but once on the tree with some fairy lights an tinsel, the overall effect was actually lovely and really luxe!

Sainsbury’s Polar Bear Tealight Holder – I was so shocked at how discounted so much of the Christmas homeware was! I couldn’t believe this was only £2.50 given it’s of a reasonable size and can fit four tealights in! I would really recommend having a look at the home sections near you as there are loads of great bits and pieces!

Dunelm Cinnamon Cake Tealights – As you know, I am a candle addict and when I saw these I couldn’t leave them behind. They smell amazing. I have been a fan of Dunelm’s Churchgate Fragrances range for a long time, particularly the salted caramel candles! They also have Chocolate Orange, Frosted Mint, and Winter Berries! If you want to see what else I recommend, check out my Autumnal and Winter candles posts!

Homesense – Glittery Glass Bowl – I love a good trip to Homesense, it’s very rare that I don’t end up buying something either. After about an hour of browsing my local store, my boyfriend was desperately attempting to lead me to the tills in order to actually leave. All was going to plan until I spotted this. It’s so beautifully made, I haven’t seen anything like it. I looked at my boyfriend and we both thought the same thing “this is going to be expensive” IT WAS £2.99 PEOPLE. This is why Homesense is my favourite store (I actually have a post about this).

Primark – Copper Christmas Tree Light – I actually got this light quite a while ago. They still have it in stock – do not fear! I love how industrial it looks and of course, it’s has a copper finish so it’s win-win.

PoundLand – Ceramic Santa Decorations – I thought these were so sweet and they look adorable on my windowsill! I like the handmade element to them as well, it looks like something I would’ve made to put out for Santa when I was younger.

Tiger – Mini Gold Snowglobe – This was something my boyfriend held up in the air from across the store – he chose right! I’ve never actually had a snowglobe, I’m not sure why as they’re so sweet and festive. You may also see a miniature mushroom and some suspiciously small berries in the photo. These are actually part of a candle ring that I also bought from Tiger! I also have a post about why I love Tiger so much too!

I’d love to know if you have bought any little bits and pieces for your rooms/homes so do let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

Tags Blogmas2017, Christmas, December, Decor, Decorations, Design, Homeware, InteriorDecor, InteriorDesign, Lifestyle, Photography, Shopping

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

MY FAVOURITE PODCASTS

BLOGMAS DAY 17

This year I have really enjoyed listening to and discovering new podcasts. For anyone unsure of what I mean, a podcast is a digital audio file that’s available on the Internet that you can download on your phone/computer/tablet and many other devices. Usually, they’ll be available as a series that you can subscribe to. It’s kind of like an audio-Netflix. They’re so simple and easy to use, especially on the train, whilst walking into town or even to fall asleep to.

I thought I would share some of my favourites with you!

TO MAKE YOU LAUGH:

My Dad Wrote A Porno – Jamie Morton reads a chapter a week from the erotic novels that his 60-year-old father has written. His friends James Cooper and Radio 1‘s Alice Levine join him. If the thought of your parents even thinking about sex is enough to make you shudder this podcast takes the humiliation one step further. In each episode, Jamie expresses his feelings about his father’s erotic fiction saga, Belinda Blinked. His father, Rocky Flintstone (yes that is his pen name) shares the lecherous adventures of Belinda Blumenthal, a pots and pans saleswoman (the most random career title I’ve ever heard). This podcast is truly the funniest thing I have ever listened to, it actually makes me laugh out loud in public. There’s currently 3 series available, however, we were treated to, “My Dad Wrote A Christmas Porno 2” which has just been dropped, apparently involving a festive skiing trip. There’s laughing fits, confusion, and of course an understandable amount of ranting from Jamie. The three fabulously witty millennials are currently on tour and you can grab yourself tickets here!

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 “The Now Show” – Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis along with many other guests treat us to hysterical comedy sketches and satirical commentary galore. This is another podcast that has me laughing out loud. I love the intelligent nature of the jokes and the speediness of each comedy sketch, it’s like being at a live show. The hosts frequently poke fun at politicians and celebrities, making it relatable, relevant and topical.

FOR A CALMING HOUR OF INSPIRATION:

At Home With… – This is one of my favourite podcasts to chill out and listen to. It’s hosted by Lily Pebbles and Anna Newton, two lifestyle content creators, and together they visit the homes of people they admire. Each episode is recorded in a different person’s home, where you get to find out all sorts about them and what inspired them to design their home the way that they did. Some people that they have featured in the podcast include Zoe Sugg (Zoella), Liz Earle, and Giovanna Fletcher!

THOUGHT PROVOKING:

Ted Talks Daily – Every weekday, this podcast delivers the most fascinating ideas on absolutely every subject imaginable. I’ve heard talks about Architecture, 10 Ways to have a better conversation and artificial intelligence! The talks are usually given by the world’s foremost thinkers and opinion leaders. You find yourself learning about things you never even knew existed on your everyday commute. It’s such a fantastic idea, I strongly recommend giving this one a go.

Desert Island Discs – Kirsty Young asks her guests to choose, 8 tracks, a book, and a luxury, what would they take to a desert island? Some of this podcasts fabulous guests include Ed Sheeran, David Beckham, Sue Perkins and Bruce Springsteen. Kirsty talks to her guests about their lives and what the reasons are behind their musical, literary and luxury selections. I love this podcast as it gives you a bit of detail behind the public personas and a chance to find something out that you didn’t already know.

Stuff You Should Know – Hosts Chuck (Charles Bryant) and Josh Clark explore a vast range of topics, from how population works to how much money there is in the world. It’s a fascinating listen and I would strongly recommend giving it a go as you can learn so much in such a short space of time! Not only does this wonderful podcast give you creative conversation starters, it also gives you an insight into how the world works.

Do let me know if you also enjoy any of these podcasts or if you have any other suggests for me as I’m always looking for something new to listen to!

N xxxx

Tags Audio, BBC, BLOGMAS, Blogmas2017, December, Inspiration, Lifestyle, MyDadWroteAPorno, Podcasts, TEDTalks, Winter

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

FAVOURITE APPS OF 2017

BLOGMAS DAY 9

So, I have always loved reading blog posts and watching youtube videos where people talk about the apps they love to use. I thought I would share something similar with you, as I seem to have accumulated quite the collection of apps on my phone!

VSCO

I’ve used this app since I got an iPhone years ago, it’s definitely my favourite. I use it to edit my photos before uploading them to Instagram, as the VSCO allows you to upload straight from the app which is super handy. I also use it before I put pictures into my blog posts. You can upload images straight from your camera roll and edit them using different filters and by adjusting the brightness and exposure etc. VSCO also lets you create a profile within the app, which allows you to upload photos for others in the community to see. You can also see what others have managed to create using the amazing filters that VSCO provides. You can download some of the presets for free and you can also buy packs of them which I have done and found to be really worth the money! These filters get permanently added to your collection. It’s such a great app for editing your own work and looking at what others have been able to do with the app. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys editing photography or being creative in their spare time.

DESIGN HOME

So this app is technically a game and it is truly the most addictive thing on earth. There’s something so therapeutic about it. The aim is to design the interior of the rooms given to you in challenges, and the higher you score the more rewards you win as a result. You can buy new items for your game that actually exist in the real world, so if something takes your fancy, you can also buy it in real life. There are new releases of furniture in the in-game shop every single day. There’s also the option to view other peoples designs and vote for your favourites to earn some of the in-game currency. It’s a great game for anyone that loves interior design and it never gets old due to its frequent updates and makeovers. The company that created the game, Crowdstar Inc, also have a game that’s extremely similar but focuses on fashion, called Covet Fashion, which I also play!

21 BUTTONS

21 buttons is such a unique app, it feels like one of those things you would have described as your dream app a few years ago, but it seemed impossible at the time, but it’s here and it’s brilliant. 21 buttons allows you to view a never-ending feed, full of fashion trends tailored specifically to your taste. You can view other people’s outfits and save them in ‘wishlist’ style folders. You can even share your own outfits, tagging each individual item and wait for it…you can earn money doing so! You earn a small commission every time someone purchases an item that you’ve provided a link for. Great idea, right? You can withdraw the money from your balance every time it reaches £10, which can add up quicker than you think if you upload frequently. I would love it if you could follow me on 21 Buttons: ninalouise

DAY ONE

The best way to describe Day One is that it’s like a diary. Day by day you can write about what you get up to and add photos. It’s a great way to store loads of memories for a rainy day when you feel like reminiscing. I’ve been using this since summer and it’s so nice to have all my memories in one place. I’m looking forward to spending part of New Year’s Day going back over what I have been up to this year! I would recommend this to anyone that never gets round to using a diary (me) as you’re likely to have your phone on you anyway and it’s quick and easy to do.

TASTY

So I’m sure lots of you are familiar with the super speedy and quirky recipe videos that have been circulating Facebook, however, if you aren’t, this app shall reveal all! Tasty is basically a recipe bank (1700+ recipes) all on your phone, with all of the handy little videos available at one tap of your thumb. The videos demonstrate how to make a delicious meal ingredient by ingredient, which just makes life that little bit easier. You can filter what recipes you’re looking for with options like “weeknight” or “under 30 minutes”! There are literally HUNDREDS of recipes to choose from so you’re bound to find something that suits you and to top it all off, it’s FREE!

FREEPRINTS

My boyfriend and I started scrapbooking when we got together and we like to print photos out and make pages representing special days or date nights we’ve had so we can look back on a year’s worth of us! I originally used to go to Boots, plug my phone in and print a load of photos out and I would pay the price they were charging as I didn’t know where else I could get photos printed for any cheaper. I ended up paying £20 for 40 photos! I then found FreePrints and it changed my life. Every month, the app gives you 45 free photos to print out and you only pay for the delivery. If you want or need to print more than 45 photos, you will then be charged based on how many extra prints you pick. You can edit and adjust the photos before they arrive (crop etc) and then you’re done! Just like that and no it’s not too good to be true!

POLYVORE

Polyvore is such a great app. It’s still fairly new to me so I’m still figuring bits and bobs out BUT so far so good! You can keep on top of the latest trends in the fashion world, search for specific items that you’re interested in and create sets for other users to find and like. You can share your sets on social media too so others can see your creations! It’s great for getting outfit inspiration too, I really love seeing what other people have come up with. It’s also free!

INFLUENSTER

Influenster is an app that allows you to review products, read what other people have to say and also, receive some fantastic products from brands. When you create an account, you can connect Influenster to your various social media platforms. The app then calculates how many people you can reach and then brands may or may not see you aa suitable influencer to publicly review their products. It may sound easy but you really have to work hard when reviewing products and making sure you build up a following in order to get noticed. However, the app is great just for finding reviews and checking out the latest products in the beauty community. There’s even a whole community of people reviewing food! There’s something for everyone and of course, it’s free! I would recommend this to bloggers as it’s a great way to review bits and pieces within a huge community.

I would love to know what apps you guys use and love, I’m always looking for something new to try!

N xxxx

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: NinaLouisex

Find me on 21 Buttons: Ninalouise

Tags 2017, Apps, BLOGMAS, Christmas, December, Iphone, Lifestyle, Photography, Review

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CANDLES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 5, 2017
34 Comments on FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CANDLES

BLOGMAS DAY 5

You guys seemed to really love my Autumnal candles post, as it proved to be my most viewed! I thought I would follow up with a Winter candles post as this is my favourite time of year to stock up on candles and have cosy days in with flat smelling as festive as Whoville.

I have already shared my love for DW Home candles and I’m afraid there is only more love to come! I am also including a candle by Sand + Fog, a company that claims to be inspired by “the California coast” who also sell beautifully scented candles around this time of year. Their online shop is still in the making, however, I am able to buy their candles from Homesense or TK Maxx.

This first candle, Christmas Morning has got to be my favourite candle that they’ve produced so far (which is saying something). It smells of sweet roasted coffee with hints of vanilla. It’s such an incredible smell, it’s perfect for a cosy day in! It’s honestly good enough to eat! The packaging is also gorgeous, which makes it nice to have on display at home.

Tobacco Noir is a candle I actually bought for my boyfriend but seems to have found its way into the living room with the others. DW Home seem to sell this candle all year round. The candle gives off the most amazing combination of smells; vanilla musk and subtle tobacco and topped with tonka beans which adds a scent similar to Woodruff. The Sand and Fog candle is also amazing and smells of white cranberry. I love berry scented candles for Christmas as they’re so festive and warming for Winter!

The sparkling champagne candle is incredible! There seem to be candles everywhere with prosecco or champagne in them for Christmas and I am very happy to comply with this trend! It smells so tangy and sweet, it’s perfect for freshening up the room after some cooking or even before you have friends over for drinks. The packaging is so beautiful and sparkly! I definitely will have to find a use for this pot once the candle has disappeared, it’s too pretty to throw away.

Snow Day is a beautifully fresh scent, with rich hints of peppermint and spearmint. There’s definitely some Winter berries in there too which makes it another festive must have for your candle collection.

Peppermint Snow smells like heaven. It has fresh undertones of Eucalyptus and spearmint too which reminds me of candy canes! I love the packaging for this candle too, it looks so adorable, in a kitsch sort of way, which I’m all for. White Christmas is another super minty and fresh candle. It’s so sparkly and pretty to look at, I love lighting this candle when I have people come over as it always catches their eye and makes the flat smell so delicious!

I can’t believe it’s already Day Five of Blogmas?! I hope you guys enjoyed this post, let me know if you did in the comments as there’s plenty more of where this came from! I’ll be back tomorrow with another post for Blogmas Day 6!

N xxxx

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Tags blogger, BLOGMAS, Candles, Christmas, December, Decorations, Favourites, Festive, Haul, Holiday, Homesense, Interior Decor, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Shopping

2017 BLOGMAS INTERIORS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

DECK THE HALLS: CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 1, 2017
25 Comments on DECK THE HALLS: CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET

BLOGMAS DAY 1

December has arrived! I still don’t know how it’s rolled around so quickly, I feel like I blinked and half of the year has been and gone. Christmas can be quite a stressful, there’s so much to organise – buying presents for family and arranging where to place the twiglets on the snack table is already enough to deal with let alone finding and putting up a tree. When it comes to getting your home festive, it can be another added stress, especially when you consider how expensive decorations can be. However, do not fear, I can show you how to buy and decorate a tree for exactly £30.50 and I can assure you it won’t look like the homemade disaster you’re probably picturing.

So here we have it, people, the answer is an artificial tree. (I’ll get it out the way now) A warning for those out there that buy real Christmas trees religiously every year. Although a real fir tree is apparently the epitome of festivity, in my opinion, it’s a nightmare. The thought of finding the right one, paying a small fortune and being able to bring it home, clean up after it and then do the same thing year after year just isn’t an appealing prospect. So I personally feel artificial trees are the way forward, as you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg and it isn’t so high maintenance. Also, even if you do buy a more pricey artificial tree, it’s reusable so you get your money’s worth year after year. Back at home, my family has used the same one since I was a toddler and it looks just as good! You have to tweak the branches and fill any gaps with decorations but that’s super easy.

Believe it or not, this tree is from Tesco, and only cost £20. I share a flat with my boyfriend so we split the cost, so technically it only cost a tenner which if I may say so myself is a pretty good deal. I literally typed into google “artificial tree” and it was one of the first ones listed. There were some different heights and some were pre-lit however we knew 6ft was just about right and we were able to buy fairy lights cheaply elsewhere. It was so simple to set up and only took about ten minutes! The gold beaded tree garland came from Poundworld and cost £2. The red and gold tinsel cost £1 and this came from Poundland (what a surprise).

In terms of decorations practically everywhere sells them now not just trusty John Lewis and M&S. I found some amazing decorations in pound shops (what a surprise, they really should sponsor me). Even Primark is selling some fabulous decorations in all sorts of colours. We decided to make the colour theme gold and red, as we wanted it to warm up our living room. We decided to mainly focus on baubles as the larger ones can really make a statement and the smaller ones are perfect for filling any areas looking a bit sparse.

BeFunky Collage-4 — 18PK of felt hanging decorations £1.50

I don’t believe the job is done without adding some of these to my tree, I feel like they’re so traditional and sweet I definitely couldn’t miss them out, this pack of 12 cost £1!

So in total, we paid £30.50 (£15.25 each) for a tree and all of the decorations (74 baubles, garland, tinsel and hanging decorations) which will all be ready again for us next year! Which goes to show how much you can get with your money even when budgets are tight with Christmas getting closer. I hope this was interesting to my fellow bargain hunters out there and helped save those struggling with any last minute Christmas decoration buying!

N xxxx

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Tags Christmas, December, Decor, Decorations, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photography, Tree

INTERIORS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

FAVOURITE AUTUMNAL CANDLES

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date November 26, 2017
48 Comments on FAVOURITE AUTUMNAL CANDLES

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! As you might have figured from some of my other posts, I absolutely love candles. I use them every single day! As soon as October rolls around or the slightest hint of orange starts appearing on the trees, I am practically sprinting to my nearest Homesense or T.K Maxx to stock up on autumnal candles. I talked about T.K. Maxx/HomeSense in my homeware post and they have some amazing candles for this season. The fact that autumn comes with its own specific scents is merely an excuse to fund my addiction further.

All but one of the candles I’m showing are from DW home (you’d have thought I was paid me the amount that I bang on about them) and they all cost me £2.99 each. There’s one candle by Pecksniff’s, who are a UK company that sell beautiful fragrances and cosmetics. When I was younger, my mum and I sometimes used to stay in a hotel that provided Pecksniffs products as their toiletries in guests bathrooms. We absolutely loved one of their body lotions, which was made from a blend of nutmeg, geranium, coriander and orange essential oils.

Caramel Pumpkin – I have never been a fan of the smell of pumpkin, however, when it’s mixed with scents that compliment it, it smells so good! There are delicious hints of caramel, toffee and vanilla as well pumpkin in this candle, I LOVE IT.
Blackcurrant Pumpkin – There’s something so warm and rich about a blackcurrant scent, the smell of berries mixes so well with vanilla and pumpkin making the perfect candle for autumn.
Salted Caramel – I feel like 2017 swept in a craze for salted caramel, whether that was in coffees, chocolate bars and room sprays- it was everywhere. When I smelt this, my mind immediately took me to a sweet shop, filled with fudge, toffees and caramels (which kind of reminded me of Werther’s Originals).

Pumpkin Spice – There’s nothing that smells more like a crisp autumnal day than this. The scent is rounded out with buttery notes of vanilla and the warm spices of pumpkin and cinnamon.
Pumpkin & Spiced Maple – This smells unreal and it’s so long-lasting. Walking back into the room after it’s been lit for a while, you are hit with warm and inviting hints of pumpkin and cinnamon.

Pumpkin – I was a little bit terrified of this candle given I don’t particularly enjoy (understatement) the smell of pumpkins anyway. However I was pleasantly surprised, it smells so good and works so well during autumn. It’s definitely one for a cosy evening in, as it’s such a comforting and warm scent.
White Pumpkin – This candle smells like a creamy mix of cupcakes complimented with nuances of toasted nutmeg, spicy cinnamon and of course, even more, pumpkin (surprise surprise)

I hope this inspired all the candle lovers amongst you and I will be posting something similar to Christmas candles as that’s a whole different thing altogether. I would love to hear about what scents you like to have around your house during Autumn- let me know as I’m always looking to try and buy new candles (any excuse).

N xxxx

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Tags Autumn, Candles, Decor, Fall, Homesense, Lifestyle, Photography, Review, TK Maxx

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

HOSTING A HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date November 2, 2017
No Comments on HOSTING A HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT

I am fully aware hosting a small gathering isn’t exactly rocket science, so the aim of this post is to show that you can do so without breaking the bank. I’m a student so I know money doesn’t grow on trees around here (I’ve checked).

For a majority of the earlier years of my childhood, my mum used to host the most amazing little Halloween parties for my brother and I and we absolutely loved them. The house would be decorated with cobwebs, pumpkin lanterns and all kinds of sweets and treats and at that age, it was truly magical to come home to. It was something so simple but yet it brought us so much joy.

Halloween Decorations 2003 — *Some photos from 2003 (what a throwback) of the decorations my mum had on a table in our house.*

Whilst reminiscing over those fond memories, I was also surrounded by Halloween vibes in the city that I live in. Nottingham is the host of amazing seasonal and fairground-esque markets, their Christmas one being my favourite (an entire stall dedicated to chocolate covered marshmallows might have something to do with that). This year they have embraced the spooky season which has come with stalls selling hot foods and drinks and even a catapult ride which nobody would go on with me (I am a self-diagnosed adrenaline junkie)

BeFunky Collage-2 — A fully kitted out Old Market Square in Nottingham

With all these memories of Halloween shindigs and a fully decked out city centre it would have been rude not to participate this year. So I decided to hop on the Halloween bandwagon and threw a movie night for all my friends. I have been trained by the best (my mother) with seasonal decor being something she practically specialised in whilst I was a kid. I knew where to go to find the right stuff and luckily it was fairly affordable. Keeping in mind I also asked for small contributions as I was putting on quite the spread for everyone.

I mainly shopped in pound shops for decorations (if this doesn’t scream student budget, I don’t know what does) and I couldn’t believe how much variety there was in them. I’ve written the prices for everything and I’ve grouped together things that were the same price to make it easier to take in the info! I have labelled some things twice deliberately, depending on what photos they feature in.

Poundland – Lenticular Photo Frames £1, Large Chocolate Eyeballs (9PK), Casper Candy Sticks (28PK), Casper Marshmallows, and Fruitella Mix – ALL £1

Poundworld – Webbing & Spiders, Chocolate Coins, Orange Serving Tray (2PK), Large Chocolate Pumpkins, Paper Bowl (x 10) Haribo Mini Mix All £1 Cadbury’s Mini Rolls (15PK) £2

Tiger – Black Spiderweb Bowl & Coffin snack holders (6PK) £1 each,

Sainsbury’s – Skeleton Wind Up Walker £1

Poundland – Gel Letter Stickers £1

Poundworld – Webbing & Spiders £1

Sostrene Grenes – Paper Skeleton Cups £1.57 and Paper Ghost Plates £1.39

Poundland – Green Trick or Treat Bowl, Ceramic Handled Tealight Holders (differing designs) All £1

Poundworld – Purple Paper Ghost Cups (far right), Orange Table Cloth, Chupa Chups (in green bowl) & Spooky Straws, Fanta, Coke, Sprite, Table Confetti (4PK) All £1 Swizzels Sweet Pack (also in green bowl) £0.75 Popcorn Holders £0.50 each

Poundland – Pumpkin Decoration (2PK) £1

Poundworld – Chewitts Vampire Fangs, Black Table Cloth £1

Wilko – Maynards Bassetts Chews (red sweets bottom left) £1.75 – These are amazing

Sostrene Grenes – Skeleton Cups £1.57, Chocolate Foiled Sweets All £0.81

Tesco– Cocktail Sausages £1, Mini Breadsticks £1, Cheese Twists £0.99

I hope this post showed just how much you can get for your money whilst also being able to have loads of fun decorating and hosting at your place! Although Halloween has passed it’s still not too late for a horror movie night with your pals and these shops are still selling some of the bits I mentioned and have items extremely similar to this every year so keep an eye open for them. It’s also worth keeping in mind that all of these stores do amazing Christmas bits and pieces too. I hope this was useful to all the party planners out there and for those that love a movie night in. Let me know if you would like to see a Christmas version of this post as I have a similar night planned for the occasion!

N xxxx

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Tags Decor, Halloween, Homeware, Horror, Movie, October, Tiger