Tag: Decorations

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2019 BLOGMAS

WHAT’S ON MY CHRISTMAS TREE IN 2019?

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 10! In recent years, my mum and I decided to embrace the weird and wonderful when it comes to Christmas tree decorations. We’ve ditched the traditional reds and greens and opted for something a little bolder and I love it! Today I’m going to be sharing what’s on my tree in 2019 with you. I’ve linked all of the items that I could plus I’ve provided some alternatives too!

I was originally inspired by a rainbow tree that had been styled by the Christmas geniuses at John Lewis. Essentially, it’s still your average green tree but the decorations move through a spectrum of colours from top to bottom, creating a beautiful rainbow! So we started collecting bright and colourful decorations to help bring our tree to life.

I can’t remember where this little guy was from but he’s absolutely adorable!

How flipping cute is this little guy? I love having a bright pop of yellow on our tree!

I think this little snowman is probably one of the more “traditional” decorations in our collection. He looks like those classic glass ones that you’d find at your grandparents! I love his little face and the tiny gingerbread man in his hands *awww*.

We bought this decoration because it reminded us of my brother who was a Leo! He actually had a little teddy bear (a lion) called Leo that he had in his bed with him every night. This bauble originally came from John Lewis but Paperchase have a really similar one. They always have an incredible range of quirky decorations available at Christmas.

My mum is responsible for sourcing this masterpiece! It’s just the right amount of bulky too, it fills any gap! I love the detailing of the snow and the windows. To be honest, I think this just fuels my addiction to buying miniature objects …

Of course, we have an ice cream truck on our Christmas tree … not weird at all. It’s so retro though, I love it!

The most festive little guy ever! I like that he resembles the classic Santa Claus that you see in books as a child – he’s so sweet!

How cool is this? I never knew we needed a hippo on our tree until we had one! I love that her little tutu sticks out and that she has some feathers coming from her hat!

If you read my post about my favourite Christmas decorations, you’ll know why I love this one so much! He’s adorable! I found him in Homesense earlier this year. They have SO many decorations at the moment, I might have to browse for some more to add to our collection!

This is another one of my favourite decorations. It looks good enough to eat!

I mean, look at it. You need it in your life, don’t lie to yourself.

You’ve got to have a candy cane in there somewhere – real or glass!

How gorgeous is this? He fits in nicely within our orange section! I didn’t even know sea life baubles were a thing?!

Another miniature that I’m totally obsessed with! This is what I think my gingerbread houses will look like, when in reality the walls are falling down and the windows are dribbling onto the table…

This funky (do people say that anymore?) decoration was originally from John Lewis but sadly it isn’t available this year, I’ve linked their telephone box bauble below as it’s equally as gorgeous!

Did you know you can get all the ingredients of a full english in bauble form for your tree? Neither did I.

What theme have you gone for this year? Do you prefer traditional decorations or do you like to mix it up with a bit of everything? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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2019 BLOGMAS LIFE

MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 8! As soon as the nights start getting darker and the echo of Wham’s Last Christmas can be heard in every department store, I simply cannot resist but to deck the halls. Today, I thought it would be fun to share my favourite Christmas decorations with you!

We’ve had these little sequin stars for years! I have no idea where they came from but they’re always on our tree every December.

I bought this little guy (and a few more of his pals) a couple of years ago from Primark! They’re actually selling him again this year as well as a little polar bear and a snowman design, both of which I need in my life ASAP.

I bought this gorgeous little snow globe back when my boyfriend and I went to Edinburgh a few years ago. He’s actually responsible for spotting it in a Flying Tiger store as he knew it would go with my gold room decor!

You know those decorations that have been in your house since you were a child but somehow nobody knows where they’re from or how they got there? That’s the best way to describe these stars! I’m pretty sure they’re handmade though. We have them in a few different colours and they all have little specks of gold on them which look gorgeous as they catch the light! Also when we do a multi-coloured tree, these come in very handy!

Sven (don’t judge me for naming him) was another festive find from Flying Tiger! I’d told my boyfriend that I was thinking of buying him one year but I was beaten to it! He was in my stocking all wrapped up as a Christmas present! It doesn’t feel like Christmas unless he’s sat on my windowsill. Also, can we talk about how cute he is – just look at his fluff and his tiny legs! I wish I’d bought the other sizes now…

I bought this little sunshine for my mum as an early Christmas present! I spotted him in Homesense and simply had to get him. He reminds me of my brother, as his favourite colour was yellow and people would often describe him as little ray of sunshine. He fits in perfectly with the other quirky glass decorations that we’ve collected over the years!

I bought this copper Christmas tree light from Primark years ago and it’s still going strong. I just like how simple it is and, of course as most of you will know, I’m a sucker for anything rose gold! I also love the exposed bulb-look. Primark Home is where it’s at people!

How flipping gorgeous is this Cotton Candy machine decoration? My mum bought it for our tree last year and it’s the perfect addition! Personally, I’m all for this new trend of weird and whacky decorations – what about you? Are you more of a traditional decorator or do you like mixing it up every now and again?

These two were another Primark purchase. You’ll find them perching on my bedside table every December without fail – they’re so cute! I’ve seen that they still sell them and they’re now available in other colours so I’m sure my little tea-light holder family will be expanding soon.

Where do you like to get your Christmas decorations from? Have you bought any new ones this year? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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LIFE

STAYING IN FOR HALLOWEEN

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! After three years of finding any excuse to celebrate just about anything at university, it’s safe to say that my days of going out-out for Halloween are well and truly over. In all honesty, I think I found myself tagging along mainly to please others and to avoid being called “boring”. I’m actually so much happier hosting a cosy movie night with some pals (squad ghouls am I right? Sorry, I had to) involving lots of sweets, snacks and spooky decor. There’s no hurried pre-drinks, no sweaty crowds and there’s certainly no queueing for the toilet! I thought I would share my top tips and must haves for the perfect Halloween night in-in.

SNACKS

It’s just not Halloween without snacks now, is it? So be sure to grab some bags of sweet treats for you and your pals. Most supermarkets and places like Home Bargains and Wilko etc. start selling spooky themed goodies during the build up to Halloween. I like to buy a mixture of sweets and chocolate just so that there’s something for everyone! Another nice ideas is a popcorn bar. You can fill trick or treat buckets with different flavours of popcorn and your pals can choose their favourite to snack on during the movies. You can do the same with crisps and dips too! Obviously don’t go filling a whole bucket with salsa unless you want to sweat your way through Annabelle more than the average person. If you have a little hunt around the shops you can usually find some quirky flavours as well as the traditional ones! I risked it and went for Toffee Apple and Cinnamon popcorn and have no regrets whatsoever – it was delicious!

CANDLES

Candles can completely change the atmosphere in any space. I light them all year round but when it gets to Autumn, the scents that start coming out are impossible to resist. I usually have a browse in my local Homesense to pick out a few that I can use throughout the season as well as for Halloween! This year I went for a Candy Corn candle and a Caramel Apple candle, both from DW Home (my absolute favourite brand) and they made the house smell incredible. I believe that the two of them together cost me less than £10 too and they’re pretty chunky! Candles always make me feel really cosy, so they’re perfect for a movie night. If you don’t like using candles (can’t relate) you can always buy some fake battery operated ones so that you still get that warm lighting without the scent or flame!

DECORATIONS

The decorations are probably my favourite part about all festive occasions. I just love putting little bits and pieces around the house to give it those extra touches! You can find so much in craft shops and bargain shops – you don’t have to spend a fortune. I’d recommend getting some plastic spiders, fake cobwebs and other little props to spread around. The great thing about most of these pieces is that you can use them over and over again! I would also recommend purchasing some big bowls or trick or treating buckets to pop the snacks into. I also like to provide something for people to throw wrappers into (unless you want your bin in the room with you). This saves you having to give everyone plates or bowls as they can just grab on the go. It also means you have less cleaning up to do afterwards! This year I used a few letter boards to display some Halloween themed quotes around the house!

MOVIES & BLANKETS

I know scary movies aren’t for everyone. Some people prefer actually being able to sleep at night which is totally understandable. However, I’m personally an eager member of team terrified. I do think it’s important to include something for everyone though. Go for a combination! Something tame like The Nightmare Before Christmas (still pretty creepy actually) usually goes down really well. You can then switch it up to Sinister (bloody terrifying) which will leave you unable to go anywhere in the dark alone for at least a week! Why do we do this to ourselves?! So that you can prepare, it might be a good idea to ask your pals if there’s anything people really want to watch or avoid. Blankets are an essential! Not only might you need something to hide behind but they make for a really comfy set-up. Pop some throws and cushions around so that people can make themselves at home and get cosy! I hosted a Halloween gathering a couple of years ago and I put a basket of blankets by the door so people could grab one on the way in!

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

If you’re looking to turn your movie night into something more special you can always include some sleepover essentials or girls night must haves. I like to offer my pals a face mask as that always makes them feel pampered and relaxed. Even if we’re going to be jumping out of our skin for all evening! You don’t have to spend a fortune on these bits. You get cheap masks in sachets from drugstores or go for something in a tube that everyone can use. If your friends are staying round, consider leaving some essentials out like toothbrushes and toothpaste, moisturisers or chocolate! I would also recommend plugging in some phone chargers so that nobody has to ask and you don’t have to go searching! It can also help to have your Wifi password written down somewhere. I like to use my letter boards for this! Of course you don’t have to do any of these things but I personally enjoy going the extra mile!

Do you prefer going out-out or staying in-in, like me? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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LIFE

HOW TO STYLE AN EASTER TABLE: PERFECT PASTELS

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Hey Everyone,

This post is for anyone tempted to indulge in a bit of Easter excitement on a slightly more sophisticated level, perhaps for a small group of adult friends or family! Pastels are everywhere at the moment and I used this as a theme to create a more mature and     chilled-out vibe. I raided my Mum’s Easter decorations and I also managed to find some fab bits in supermarkets and homeware shops too!

I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN A POST FOR CHILDREN-FOCUSED FUN TOO, SO CHECK THAT OUT HERE!

C5C3F743-312D-406A-9944-EA33F6BB6A0E.JPGI bought this gorgeous pastel and gold egg tree from Homesense. I’d had my eye on it for ages and I managed to find it reduced! I sat it on top of a wreath my Mum bought years ago, however things like this are available everywhere at the moment.

C6CB306A-2712-4688-9FE0-47CE3EF6AB56.JPGI found this gorgeous faux floral “Hop” decoration in Sainsbury’s. It’s definitely something that will stand the test of time and I’m sure I will be using it year after year, so I can justify paying a bit more!

22F0106F-7074-4135-B669-96353960094E.JPGI was given this heart-shaped ceramic bowl for Christmas and it was perfect to use for this Easter display! I filled it with shredded tissue and glittery mini eggs which I found in craft shops (The Works etc.) and then I added some truffles that I bought from TK Maxx!

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Processed with VSCO with hb2 presetI also picked these candles up in Homesense. I often buy DW Home candles and they’ve just released a pastels range – perfect! These add such a nice touch to a tea party and they also make the room smell fab!

IF YOU’RE ALSO A CANDLE LOVER, CHECK OUT MY FAVOURITE SPRING CANDLES POST!

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Processed with VSCO with hb2 presetThese polka dot plates are something my Mum bought years ago, there’s loads of things like this around, I also used plastic plates too which are easy to find in your local pound shops etc. The faux white roses are from Dunelm and are probably the most realistic ones I’ve seen! I’ll probably use these in lots of my posts so if you’re a blogger, I strongly recommend grabbing some!

0BD556EB-0D66-4946-A90A-563827B3FB70.JPGThis pretty little wreath is another Homesense find! It’s perfect for a centrepiece or even to make a little nest with. I like to stick faux flowers in it to make it look more realistic and colourful!

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it helps some of you out if you’re wanting to host a little shindig! If you have any tips or tricks, let me know in the comments as I’m always looking for new things to create and do when it comes to hosting and decorating!

N xxxx

CLICK HERE FOR MY OTHER EASTER POST FOR CHILDREN-FOCUSED FUN

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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!

IMG_1244.JPGPrimark 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!

IMG_1245Asda 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!

IMG_1249Primark 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!

IMG_1251Sainsbury’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!

IMG_1252Dunelm 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!

IMG_1253Homesense – 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).

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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.

IMG_1256PoundLand – 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.

IMG_1258Tiger – 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

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2017 BLOGMAS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS CANDLES

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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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2017 BLOGMAS INTERIORS LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

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.

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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.

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So from left to right,
24 x Gold baubles £1.50
8 x Red baubles £1
24 x Red baubles £1.50
(Front/Centre) 18 x Mini gold baubles £1

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18PK of felt hanging decorations £1.50

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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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