Categories
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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Categories
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 youย so that you can grab them in time for theย occasion!

IMG_1244.JPGPrimarkย 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_1249Primarkย 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 –ย I was so shocked at how discounted so much of the Christmas homeware was! I couldn’t believe this was only ยฃ2.50 given it’s of a reasonable size and can fitย 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.ย They smell amazing.ย I have been a fan of Dunelm’s Churchgate Fragrancesย 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 Bowlย – 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 leadย meย 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 ยฃ2.99 PEOPLE. This is why Homesense is my favouriteย store (I actually have a post about this).

IMG_1254

Primark – Copper Christmas Tree Light –ย 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_1256PoundLandย – Ceramicย Santa Decorations –ย 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 –ย 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

Categories
LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS

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 weย 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.ย Nottingham is the host of amazing seasonal andย fairground-esqueย 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


Withย all these memories of Halloween shindigs and a fully decked out city centreย 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.

PIC 1
TABLE 1

Poundland – Lenticular Photo Frames ยฃ1, Largeย Chocolate Eyeballs (9PK), Casper Candy Sticks (28PK), Casper Marshmallows, and Fruitella Mix – ALL ยฃ1

Poundworld –ย Webbing & Spiders, Chocolate Coins, Orange Serving Tray (2PK), Large Chocolate Pumpkins, Paper Bowl (x 10) Haribo Mini Mix All ยฃ1 Cadbury’s Mini Rolls (15PK) ยฃ2

Tiger – Black Spiderweb Bowl & Coffin snack holders (6PK)ย ยฃ1 each,ย 

Sainsbury’s –ย Skeleton Wind Up Walker ยฃ1


BeFunky Collage-12

Poundland – Gel Letter Stickersย ยฃ1 ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย 

Poundworldย – Webbing & Spiders ยฃ1

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TABLE 2

Sostrene Grenes – Paper Skeleton Cups ยฃ1.57 and Paper Ghost Plates ยฃ1.39

Poundland – Green Trick or Treat Bowl, Ceramic Handled Tealight Holders (differing designs) All ยฃ1

Poundworld – Purple Paper Ghost Cups (far right), Orange Table Cloth, Chupa Chups (in green bowl) & Spooky Straws, Fanta, Coke, Sprite, Table Confetti (4PK)ย All ยฃ1 ย Swizzels Sweet Pack (also in green bowl) ยฃ0.75ย Popcorn Holders ยฃ0.50 each

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Poundland – Pumpkin Decoration (2PK) ยฃ1

Poundworld – Chewitts Vampire Fangs, Black Table Clothย ยฃ1

Wilko – Maynards Bassetts Chews (red sweets bottom left) ยฃ1.75 –ย These are amazing

Sostrene Grenes – Skeleton Cups ยฃ1.57, Chocolate Foiled Sweets All ยฃ0.81ย 

TescoCocktail Sausages ยฃ1, Mini Breadsticks ยฃ1, Cheese Twists ยฃ0.99ย 


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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