Tag: Inspiration

SOAP & GLORY-OUS GIFTING*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 4, 2018
No Comments on SOAP & GLORY-OUS GIFTING*

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 4! Today’s post is focusing on the latest gifting goodies from Soap & Glory. I’ve always loved their playful packaging and perfect products but their 2018 Christmas range is a whole new level of wow. These items have been sent to me by Soap and Glory. How could I be so lucky? Although they are not sponsoring this review, I’m rewarded enough by being able to share these two gift sets with you! If these look tempting, do have a look at their extensive festive range.

If you’re looking for some gifting guidance, click here to find the perfect presents to suit your pocket.

*Gifted Items & Affiliate Links Included

GLITZ THE GIRL

Here we have the gorgeous Glitz The Girl Gift Set! This twinkling trio retails at £8.50 and it includes a metallic lip gloss, kohl liner and face glitter. Scoop these up and see the sparkle! These are the perfect products for getting glamorous this Christmas!

EYES QUEEN

It’s time to brighten your blinkers with the Eyes Queen Gift Set. This set retails at £18.50 and includes four fabulous products; a 2-in-1 brow pencil, mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow pencil. What more could you need to prepare your peepers for the festive period?

I really hope you enjoyed this post! It was such a pinch me moment when I received these pretty packages and I knew I had to share them with you! Tomorrow’s post is looking at my updated MAC lipstick collection – so stay tuned. If you’re looking for some more gifting guidance, click here to find the perfect presents to suit your pocket.

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, Gift Guide, Gifting, Glitter, Ideas, Inspiration, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Presents, Soap and Glory

2018 BLOGMAS LIFE

4 OF MY FAVOURITE APPS OF 2018

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 3, 2018
No Comments on 4 OF MY FAVOURITE APPS OF 2018

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 3! Today’s post is all about the apps that I’ve been loving throughout 2018. I actually wrote one last year, and since then I’ve been trying out lots of different things and I have a few more favourites to share with you! All of the apps that I’ve included are ones that I consider to be complete game changes and I can’t imagine doing what I do without them.

UNFOLD

Instagram stories started out to be fairly unpopular, as most people were just sticking with Snapchat. However, now, everyone is using them! As someone that works with social media every day, I’m always looking at ways to reach out to people that view my content. Typically, I like to use engaging language and high quality photography. Although I was doing this on my Instagram stories, I was getting bored of the same old features and ending up with the same sort of “homemade” look to all of my photography. That’s when I discovered Unfold! The app offers simple but elegant templates to curate your Instagram Story exactly the way that you want to. You can use it for photos, videos and even boomerangs! My stories now look so much more professional and well laid-out – I’ve even noticed a spike in engagement on my profile! The app is free to use however there is an option to buy some of their premium collections to give yourself some more templates to get busy with!

PREVIEW

This is probably my most used app of 2018 – I use it every single day without fail. Since becoming a blogger, I have recognised the importance of using Instagram to share my content. Not only this, but how important it is to keep it looking professional and organised. I started to use themes this year and with that came the stress of planning what photo to upload next. What would happen if I uploaded a photo and it didn’t look right or fit in? That’s where Preview comes in. This wonderful app allows you to plan your dream feed before anything goes live. You can shift the photos around to get them in the perfect position and schedule them to go up whenever suits you. You can also add hashtags to any of your images as well as being able to upload straight to Instagram without any fuss. I can’t even begin to tell you how much this has helped me, plus I now have a feed that I’m proud of. This is the kind of app that once you start using, you can’t understand how you used to function without it.

BUFFER

I’d heard so much about this app and so I finally caved in to the curiosity to download it. I’m glad I did as I use it all the time and find it so helpful! I’m a student in my final year with a busy timetable, I also post twice a week on my blog. This means that I hardly have time for dinner most days, let alone promoting the things that I write. Buffer allows you to pre-write all of your tweets and schedule them to go up whilst you’re going about your day as usual. It means I don’t have to find the time to sit and compose tweets as it’s already doing it for me! It’s made me a lot less stressed, as it’s taken one less thing of my plate. You can also sync it to other social media accounts too – it doesn’t have to be twitter.

SPROCKET

My boyfriend Kindly bought me the hp Sprocket for Christmas a couple of years ago and I’m so glad he did as I love it! The Sprocket is a wireless pocket-sized printer that doesn’t require ink or any lengthy printing sessions – just an app! The app lets you choose exactly what you want to print from any of your devices, all in a couple of taps. It also has lots of editing features that allow you to add overlays, stickers and filters for any last minute touch-ups. You can even connect it to your Instagram account to print directly from your feed! Obviously you need the Sprocket to use the app, so I’m aware lots of you won’t find this useful, but if you’re considering getting one, or even asking for it for Christmas, you can see that it’s a really handy little system to have for on-the-go use! I love that I can print instantly wherever I am, it’s definitely encouraged me to be more spontaneous and to create a memory out of every day.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post! I usually stick to lifestyle and beauty on my blog, but occasionally it’s nice to talk about something else! I’m always interested to know what apps everyone is using and whether I’m missing out on any! Be sure to let me know in the comments what your favourites are!

Have a read of last year’s post: My favourite apps of 2017

N xxxx

Tags 2018, Apps, BLOGMAS, Christmas, December, Favourites, Inspiration, Iphone, Photography, Photos, Review

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG AUGUST 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 17, 2018
2 Comments on PAPERGANG AUGUST 2018: REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! How quickly has this summer gone by? I’m fed up of blinking and finding that another week has gone by! Either way, one of the perks of the time passing by is that I got my August Papergang box in the post and it might be one of my favourites! I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see the review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

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 stationery 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.

Like the sound of it and want to subscribe to Papergang? Click here to use my invite!

Just look at that design! This box was created by Iraville, a wonderful artist based in Munich! She creates the most beautiful watercolour illustrations and I absolutely love her work. How perfect is this design for Autumn? The browns and oranges are gorgeous together and I can’t wait to whip out the matching stationery when the leaves are turning the same colour outside (call me a weirdo, but seasonal stationery updates is a must)

Follow Iraville –

Insta – @iraville

Every month we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I really love them as they’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame! I can’t bring myself to throw them out so by the end of the year I’ll be swimming in them. I love the little tree illustrations – again, perfect for Autumn!

A5 (ish) NOTEBOOK – £9.95

I love a notebook so I’ll never complain when one turns up in my Papergang box. You can never have too many right? To be honest, if I can’t fit anymore into my drawers, I can give them to friends and family as gifts instead! This one is particularly lovely though, and I’ll definitely be using it for planning my Autumn content! The cover is soft but I can tell it’s still high quality. I always get stressed when there’s a blank space on the cover a notebook, just incase I can’t write neatly enough on it! The book is filled alternating blank and lined pages which I find handy for notes and sketches.

3 x PENCILS – £3.95

As sad as it sounds, I was so excited to receive these. I’m a collector at heart and one of the things that I love about Papergang is that a lot of the items are the same but with different designs on them, so I’ve managed to collect quite a few of these pencils and they all just look so good together. I did warn you, I’m a weirdo. If ever things start to spiral out of control, at least my desk has got it’s shit together and I’ll have a lovely pot of pretty pencils there to support me. I always use them to write up my blog statistics, as they change every day so this means I can edit them easily! I love all of the little illustrations featured on them too – so cute!

WASHI TAPE – £2.50

Well, you should all know by now, that I have a stupidly large collection of Washi Tape. I apparently keep justifying buying more and more but hey I could be collecting worse. I love using these tapes in my bullet journal and scrapbooks. I love the illustrations on this one and I reckon I’ll be using it a lot during October and November in my notebooks. I tend to look on Pinterest for washi tape ideas and there seems to be hundreds of different ways to use them!As usual, they’ve been incredibly generous with the tape size – it’s 10m long!

GREETING CARD – £2.50

How gorgeous is this design? I always seem to have a stash of cards ready for any special occasions thanks to Papergang! It’s always nice to be prepared and the cards are always such lovely quality that I genuinely look forward to sending them! I might sound fairly old school but I love receiving cards from people, it’s sometimes nicer than receiving a text.

In conclusion, this was another great Papergang box. I love everything that I received and I know I will use everything too! I like that this box was seasonally themed too, which makes it easier to imagine myself using all of the wonderful products inside when Autumn comes! The box values at £18.90 and considering that I pay £13.90 per month, that still works out at great value. You really do get your money’s worth, and usually a bit more too! I love that every month is a total surprise and each time, the products are always amazing.

I really hope you enjoyed this post and I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

Want to subscribe to Papergang? Click here to use my invite!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blogger, Bullet Journal, Design, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Notebook, Ohh Deer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Review, School, Stationery, Student

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 PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG APRIL 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date April 27, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG APRIL 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

I hope you’re all doing well and that you’ve had a great week so far! I am not a fan of how speedily these last few months seem to have gone by. One thing I am a fan of is April’s Papergang box! I was so delighted with these bits and pieces and I can’t wait to share them with you so keep reading! I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

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 £2.95for 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.

I was so impressed with this packaging, its absolutely amazing. I love anything abstract so this was an immediate winner for me plus I really like the bright neon colours used, I’m digging the fresh out of art class vibes it has. This month’s box was designed by Arthouse, which was started by Becky Sheridan in 2005. It’s a fantastic place where anyone with severe epilepsy, learning and physical difficulties can attend art workshops in order to express themselves creatively. I couldn’t be happier to support this cause as I’ve personally seen the amazing things that art can do for people that don’t find self-expression as easy as others. £1 from every box goes towards supporting these artists!

Follow Arthouse –

Insta – @arthousemeath

Website –http://arthousemeath.com

A5 NOTEBOOK – £9.95

If there’s one thing I can’t resist – it’s notebooks. I am always looking for new ones to add to my collection and since starting a blog I’ve been getting through so many! I absolutely LOVE this notebook. The print on the cover was designed by Dom and Christ, who are artists at Arthouse (their work is also featured on the box too). It’s got a hardback cover so it immediately felt like it was a high quality product. It has a cute little white box on the front for you to personalise (I’m always too scared to do this incase I mess up). The notebook features a sticker sheet with adorable little messages and icons to decorate the pages (which have lines on the front and are blank on the back – I really like this design)

STICKY NOTES – £3.50

I really love using sticky notes! Particularly for reminding myself to do things and for leaving notes for my boyfriend – they’re just a really quick and easy way to make notes. The little animal doodles featured on these sticky notes are ADORABLE and I’m not sure if I can bare to use any because I don’t know what I’ll do when they run out.

WASHI TAPE – £2.50

Now, you all know that I have a serious washi tape addiction (I’m literally running out of space to store them but is that stopping me? Absolutely not) Of course, I was delighted to find this adorable tape in my April box! I love the little doodles and I cannot wait to decorate my bullet journals and notebooks with them! It’s such a unique design too – I’ll have to use it sparingly because I never want it to run out!

GREETING CARDS £5.00

We were sent TWO cards this month and I was so happy about this! I really enjoy receiving greeting cards in my Papergang boxes and I’ve been sending them to friends and family and I seem to be prepared for any occasion! I love that these cards are quirky and personal as I think they will feel extra special to send.

Overall, I’m extremely happy with my April Papergang box. I love all of these items and I know I will enjoy using all of them. I particularly love the fact that it was created by the artists at Arthouse which is such a fantastic organisation. It’s amazing that Papergang uses it’s platform to give organisations like this (and many more) the exposure that they deserve! I love the bright coloured prints and my desk will look flipping fantastic now. This box values at £20.95 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) and as usual, that’s amazing value! I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

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

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

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, Bullet Journal, Design, Inspiration, Office, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, School, Stationery, Student, Washi Tape

LIFE

HOW TO STYLE AN EASTER TABLE: PERFECT PASTELS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 30, 2018
No Comments on HOW TO STYLE AN EASTER TABLE: PERFECT PASTELS

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!

I 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.

I 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!

I 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!

I 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!

These 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!

This 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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Tags April, Art, Decorations, Easter, Family, Flowers, Friends, Inspiration, Lifestyle, March, Party, Pastel, Photography, Photos

LIFE

HOW TO STYLE AN EASTER TABLE: EGGSTATIC ENTERTAINMENT

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 30, 2018
2 Comments on HOW TO STYLE AN EASTER TABLE: EGGSTATIC ENTERTAINMENT

Hey Everyone,

I’m always looking for an excuse to host something and occasionally I’m lucky enough to do so. I reckon I can throw some tips into this blog post as well as where to get everything you’ll need! I’m a decoration hoarder and I definitely take after my mum with that. When we were little, mum used to decorate the whole house with all kinds of goodies and she would throw little themed tea parties. We would come home from school to find a table in the hallway with the best seasonal display you ever did see. For Easter, the house would be full of pastel eggs, bunting, chocolates and tiny chicks (obviously not real thank god). I absolutely cannot wait to do the same thing for my kids when I’m older and I’ve already started collecting some little bits and pieces (call me keen I don’t care it’s in my genes). I’ve been thinking of the best tips, advice and decorations that I can recommend if you want to throw a little event yourself!

I raided some of my Mum’s old Easter decorations (I’ll show close ups) as well as buying some of my own. All of the snacks are from local supermarkets and pound shops – as you might expect! Most of these bits and pieces cost no more than a couple of pounds each so it’s super easy and fun to find! Everywhere has different bits and pieces on offer so make sure you shop around and scan every shelf!

This tree was found years ago by my mum in a party shop and it came complete with tiny decorations (carrots, eggs and bunnies). The great thing about these is when you’ve got little ones to entertain, you can all hang them on the tree together. One thing my mum used to do was pop the decorations inside hollow plastic eggs for my brother and I to find as part of an easter hunt. We would then be involved in decorating the tree with each little goodie that we found! It’s such a simple activity but I remember being extremely entertained! Even now, at 20, I love to see this stuff!

I bought lots of bags of Easter themed sweeties (I recommend going to poundshops for these as there’s so much available). These are perfect for adults and kids alike!

This wreath is another one of Mum’s, it was bought many years ago. This year I filled it with polystyrene eggs, bought from Home Bargains and pound shops. I decorated them by pushing a cocktail stick through each egg. Then I filled a small bowl with water and dropped blobs of old nail varnish onto the surface. I dragged the varnish around with a cocktail stick to make a pretty pattern. Then I dipped each egg into the water, making sure they were completely covered in the varnish. If you don’t want to use nail varnish, you can also use acrylic paints. It’s super easy and quick to do and the results are fab! I will keep hold of these to use each year.

These cornflake bites are from Asda, just stick on a few mini eggs with some icing and you’re set! I never got round to sticking them on, but you can see what it would look like!

This gorgeous cake was kindly sent to me by the team over at bakerdays! They offer stunning personalised cakes of all different sizes for every occasion! I really recommend checking out their beautiful website and if you need a cake for a special day or a special person, you can get 15% off with my code NINALOUISELAW15.

CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE

I chose to place my mini eggs in some Asda Easter nests. Little characters made the perfect props to add a playful touch. These can be found in most supermarkets and pound shops. It’s hard to avoid them at this time of year, they’re everywhere! However, have a good browse, as a whole farmyard is out there for the finding!

You can see from the photos, I’ve assembled my own take on an edible Easter wreath by layering different goodies! Again, propping characters up against them added a bit of fun to the table!

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it gave you some fun ideas for Easter entertainment! I would love to hear any of your tips and tricks in the comments as you can probably tell, Easter is my thing!

N xxxx

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MY “PASTEL PERFECT” POST FOR MORE ADULT FOCUSED FUN

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Tags April, Art, Children, Easter, Family, Inspiration, Lifestyle, March, Party, Photography, Photos

INTERIORS LIFE

INTERIOR EDIT: GEOMETRIC DESIGN

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 23, 2018
2 Comments on INTERIOR EDIT: GEOMETRIC DESIGN

Hey guys,

I’m back with a new Interior Trends post and today we’re talking about Geometric designs that seem to be popping up everywhere. I have always enjoyed looking at anything abstract or geometric. My mum and I once spent a whole summer holiday photocopying those mandalas you can get in adult colouring books and then we would trace them onto watercolour paper and paint them! We created some amazing paintings – remind me to do a post about these at some point! Anyway, I have been noticing so many geometric prints and even furniture that I just have to share with you! Also, If you want a fashion version of this series, let me know as I’m wanting to do something in that area, probably a couple of “trends” posts per month?

Anyway, bring on the hexagons and triangles (nerdiest thing I’ve said? Yep)

This post contains affiliate links

GEOMETRIC DESIGN

In terms of shapes, it’s definitely the year of the hexagon or triangle, they’re absolutely EVERYWHERE. Whether it’s in terms of shelving, rugs, wallpaper or mugs, every homeware and interior company seems to have caught onto this trend. If you were hoping to protect your bank account and run away, you’ve got no chance I’m afraid. Blocks and pops of colour are also everywhere at the moment. I’m a sucker for contrast/colour block t-shirts and jumpers so I absolutely love that it’s also coming into the fashion world too.

Dunelm – Geo Charcoal Bath Mat

I absolutely love this bath mat from Dunelm. I pretty much always love their homeware collections but this one is so me! Although the design is bold the colour scheme is quite subtle, so it could work anywhere. I like my bathroom to be a relaxing place, so had it included any more colours, it might have been a bit too much – I don’t want to get dizzy on my way out of the shower. Also I was expecting it to cost more than £14?! Yes Dunelm, I appreciate this! Continuing with the nerd talk, there’s also matching towels available which is perfect if you want to deck out your bathroom with a fresh set of decor!

Swoon – Kay Side Table

Another one of my favourite places to stalk the latest trends in the interior design world, is the Swoon website! I love this table! The hexagon-shaped surface and the legs make it so quirky and different. It’s quite pricey but it’s just so nice to look at I had to include it! I also just love the marble as it makes the whole table look so luxury. I reckon there are some cheaper alternatives are available too, let me know if you find any!

Made – Sienna Marble Coasters

I LOVE these. Again, the marble makes them look so luxe and glamorous. I think they could jazz up any coffee table in seconds! If you don’t fancy them for your own home, they’d make a lovely gift for any marble addicts (me) and for £12, that’s ideal for a Secret Santa or as a small gift for someone that’s just moved into a new home!

Waitrose Garden – Geo Tealight Holders

I used to avoid Waitrose like the plague when I started university. I made the assumption that it only sold ridiculously expensive products that I couldn’t afford so I just never gave it a chance. I decided to have a look the other day and I’m so glad I did as I discovered that this wasn’t the case at all! How gorgeous are these tealight holders? Plus they’re only £10! I love that they’re different to the typical flat ones that you find everywhere – they offer a bit of texture! I also love that they can be used in the garden too, because they would look beautiful on a summer’s evening if you were having a BBQ or cocktail evening.

Hay – Kaleido Hexagon Tray – Medium – Peach

I really love these trays by Hay. Not only do I love the shape but I love that they’ve chosen to combine lots of them by slotting smaller ones inside of bigger ones (check out the link below to see what I mean) and there’s literally LOADS of shapes, sizes and colours available for you to play around with. These trays aren’t that expensive either which I was happy to see as I don’t want to spam you with super pricey things in these posts! I just find things like this, particularly when they’re block colours, so satisfying to look at, they’re perfect for all the little bits I seem to collect on tables and in the corners of every room.

Kimono Cushion Pink Red Hexagon Design By Hunted and Stuffed on Notonthehighstreet.com

Although this is extremely expensive for a cushion, I think it captures this trend perfectly: hexagons and bold colours. I LOVE it. I think it looks so luxury and would add such an great pop of colour to any living space. It would definitely stand out amongst an all white/cream themed interior. It is rather pricey, but it’s great for inspiration and I’m sure you could find something similar at a much cheaper cost.

Dunelm – Elements Jaxson Reversible Navy Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set

I own lots of Dunelm bedding and I’m always looking at their new sets. I particularly love their brushed cotton sets for Winter. Their Elements collection is definitely for anyone that loves Scandi vibes (me) and they have a huge range of products available in this range so definitely check it out if it sounds like your thing. This bedding set is so fun and I love the pops of mustard/yellow mixed with the grey and dark blue. I love the pattern as well and the abstract design definitely caught my eye!

Geometric Triangles Drum Lampshade – Minted

I love this bright and contrasting colour scheme and the triangle pattern is fab too. I think it’s got some kind of retro vibes to it, especially within a mid-century modern interior. I also love that it’s reasonably priced too as sometimes buying individual lamps with nice designs on them can be really expensive!

Amazon – Thumbs Up Diamond Glass

Amazon have definitely picked up on the geometric trend by supplying these gorgeous glasses. I really like the minimalist style of them, transparent but geometrically shaped. I think they look really sophisticated and luxe. They remind me of the terrariums everywhere seems to be selling and creating at the moment. These would definitely be my “posh” glasses for a dinner party! They’d also be a lovely house warming gift too!

Right I’m going to stop here before I become addicted to all things geometric! I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think of this series so far! Also, if you’ve found anything that you think deserves some attention, feel free to comment or let me know!

N xxxx

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Tags Decor, Design, Favourites, Furniture, Geometric, Haul, Inspiration, Interior, Interior Decor, Interior Design, Lifestyle, Photography, Photos, Trends

LIFE

MY FAVOURITE WOMEN IN TV*

Hey guys,

Seeing as it was International Women’s Day last week, I thought it was more than fitting to write a female focused post! It’s on International Women’s Day that I’m reminded that I don’t have to settle for the catcalling, pressure or any form of sexism – nor do I have to keep quiet about it! It was so amazing to hear so many men and women promoting and discussing equality. I found myself inspired by so many strong women speaking out and sharing their successes and I thought it was only right that I discuss some women that I love on my tv screen!

*Paid AD

As an absolute Netflix junkie, I thought it would be fun to talk about the iconic female characters in TV that I love the most and how they have inspired me – whether that’s in terms of my attitude or even my wardrobe. Today’s post is in collaboration with Panasonic and I feel that TV and all that it has to offer, is a much more enjoyable experience if you have a great screen to watch it on. Currently, we have two Panasonic TVs at home. We’ve always had Panasonic TVs as we’ve found them to be the most reliable and also have great picture quality!

Don’t forget to check out the amazing HD televisions Panasonic have to offer*

BLAIR WALDORF

Image Source: The CW

Yes, I’m kicking it off with Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf and yes, I’m that predictable. I couldn’t not mention this incredible woman, I just LOVE her. Blair is portrayed by the gorgeous Leighton Meester and is definitely one of the biggest characters in the entire franchise. She’s pretty much every “it” girl in every American movie but ten times better. Blair strives to be the best at everything she attempts and any less than this is simply unacceptable (I kind of like this attitude) and she will ruin anyone that threatens her success. She’s bitchy, snobbish and extremely difficult and she may sound like your worst nightmare, she’s certainly mine, however I’ve completely fallen in love with her and she quickly became my favourite character in the series. Her socio-economic status is normally top of her priorities however she can show a softer side every now and again when it comes to her close friends and family. Blair’s attitude is perhaps not always too inspiring but her fashion sense definitely is. She always wears the most amazing outfits, both preppy and luxurious and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her looking rough (this is most likely down to how unfairly beautiful Leighton is). Leighton claimed she was asked to be “bitchy and nice, ugly and pretty, young and old, stupid and smart, innocent and slutty, blonde and brunette” so she had quite the task on her hands. Blair is a cocktail of all of those things and I reckon you’ll love her if you haven’t come across her yet!

NANCY WHEELER

Image Source: Netlix

Portrayed by Natalie Dyer, Nancy Wheeler has to be one of my favourite female characters in Stranger Things. She’s so determined and she’s so oblivious to her own beauty that she’s just such a loveable character. Natalie is absolutely stunning too – if you’ve seen season 2, you’ll know the jaw dropping moment that is her entrance to the Winter dance (second image). She wore a gorgeous crimson plaid dress and her hair was styled into a messy up-do. I love the 80’s vibes that Stranger Things oozes but particularly in the wardrobe department. I love all of the bright and vibrant colours as well as the hairstyles (not so sure about the mullets though) and I particularly love Nancy’s style. Her outfits are always so cute and preppy, I wish I could pull some of them off.

HANNAH BAKER

Image Source: Netflix

I really enjoyed watching 13 Reasons Why on Netflix. It sparked a much needed conversation globally, about bullying and suicide and I think that’s why so many people enjoyed it. Although the plot is very upsetting and at times difficult to watch, it’s honest and it’s raw and I like that. My favourite character has to be Hannah Baker who is played by the fabulous Katherine Langford. Hannah is a high school student who is struggling to cope with how difficult school has become for her. She’s such a witty, quirky and gorgeous girl, yet she is treated so terribly by so many. Her story is not only incredibly powerful but it’s also telling the story of so many other students across the world that are struggling too. I can relate in so many ways to Hannah’s story, especially when it comes to school but most of all I admire how she stays true to herself and she doesn’t change for anyone. 13 Reasons Why is an incredible series so if you haven’t seen it already, you need to!

CHERYL BLOSSOM

Image Source: Netflix

Cheryl Blossom, played by the goddess that is Madelaine Petsch is one of the main female characters in the Netflix series Riverdale. I love this girl. She owns every scene that she’s in and she could probably run the whole series on her own to be honest. She can be manipulative, rude, nasty and selfish and she can also be sympathetic, loyal and hilarious. Cheryl is practically swimming in years of family secrets and wealth and she’s extremely proud of this. Her lifestyle is super dramatic and extravagant and she’s always extremely entertaining to watch. She’s just too attractive and fun to hate! She wears the most amazing outfits and seems to look good in everything. Red is definitely her colour.

SISTER JUDE

Image Credit: Netflix

Portrayed by Jessica Lange, Sister Jude is the one of the lead female characters in the second season of American Horror Story. I think the reason I love this character so much is because I love Jessica Lange, and this character just shows how versatile she is as an actress. Sister Jude runs a mental asylum (Briarcliff) based on her belief that “mental illness is just the fashionable explanation for sin” so as you can imagine she’s not the nicest of people. However, episode by episode, she grew on me and I begun to wait for the scenes that she featured in. Although she’s extremely stern with the patients she can occasionally show a glimpse of compassion for some of the characters. My favourite scene is 100% the where Sister Jude and the patients sing the name game (look for it on Youtube, you won’t regret it).

I hope that you guys enjoyed this post and that you enjoyed celebrating International Women’s Day, no matter who you are! I would love to know what you think of my choices but also what your favourite characters in TV are! Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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Tags FASHION, Feminism, Gossipgirl, Hair, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Makeup, Netflix, Riverdale, Strangerthings, TV, Women

INTERIORS LIFE

INTERIOR EDIT: TROPICAL PRINTS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 9, 2018
7 Comments on INTERIOR EDIT: TROPICAL PRINTS

Hey guys,

For a while now I’ve been wanting to do a monthly “interior design trends I’m loving” type of post, but there was always just way too much to talk about. I’ve decided to take it one trend at a time so it gives you guys more to read and more for me to write! I’m such an interior enthusiast, I live and breathe this stuff and it just felt stupid to hold it back any longer! I will be writing these posts regularly and you’ll be able to find them by hovering over the lifestyle category on my home page and they will all be under “Interiors”!

TROPICAL PRINTS

I really love the tropical vibes I’m seeing everywhere at the moment, they’re so eye-catching. The combination of bold greens and fresh whites creates a stunning tropical blend. I never thought I would be itching to get my hands on anything foliage focused but here I am!

New Voyager Collection From Dunelm

The above images are all from the gorgeous Voyager collection, new in at Dunelm. I am OBSESSED with this collection. It’s just one of those things I can look at and it makes me happy haha! I just love the dark greens and the royal blues mixed with pops of yellow and gold. The designers claimed to be inspired by exotic creatures and beautiful rainforests and this definitely comes through when looking at this gorgeous range. They’ve used such a vibrant and fun palette and I can’t wait to see what people do with these fab bits and pieces. Although the range appears to be quite playful, it also looks quite luxe and elegant too. I definitely would be surprised if I accidentally slipped and purchased the entire flipping range, HELP.

SHOP THE VOYAGER RANGE HERE

The Palm Digital Print Duvet Set

House of Fraser have also been doing their homework and have introduced a gorgeous new range called “Tropic Thunder”. This amazing bedding (The Palm Digital Print Duvet Set) features a colourful palette made up of navy, teals, jade and pink to give your bedroom the exotic vibe that you’re looking for (that’s if you are looking for it of course). I’m loving this lighter colour palette too as it’s not too dark and this combination of colours probably makes it easier to style than perhaps the bold green and black designs.

SHOP THE TROPICAL RANGE HERE*

Urban Outfitters Tropical Foliage Duvet Cover Set

Again the bright and bold pattern returns but this time from Urban Outfitters! I love the blue background, I think it makes the pattern less “in your face” although I do quite like the darker patterns as I think they look more sleek. This is definitely for those looking for a fun duvet cover set to brighten up their room! I have to say Urban Outfitters do a fab job of keeping up with trends in all areas but they haven’t picked up on how every product practically destroys my bank account.

BUY THE BEDDING HERE*

Hygge & West Nana (Pink) Wallpaper

I love this wallpaper, designed by Justina Blakeney for Hygge & West. I am a huge fan of these green designs on a pink background, there’s something pleasing to look at about it. Apparently it was inspired by the “regal leaf of the banana tree” like so many other patterns in the interior design world at the moment. I think it compliments indoor plants too, it’s making me want to live in the jungle (minus the things that bite).

If you like this wallpaper, you can buy it here.

Image Credit: Hygge & West Cosmic Desert (Teal)

This is the Cosmic Desert wallpaper in teal also designed by Justina Blakeney for Hygge & West. It features a gorgeous and luxe gold illustration on a dark turquoise background. It’s inspired by the shooting stars in the night sky of the desert (what cool inspiration? Beats the “oh I just like the jungle” perspective put forward by so many. I also happen to absolutely love the colour (turquoise) and I’m so happy that it’s become more popular and it seems to be everywhere at the moment. I’m loving these darker colours too and when combined with gold they look so expensive and luxury!

BUY THE WALLPAPER HERE

Image Credit: Wilko Superfresco Easy Wallpaper Palm Leaves Green

Last but by no means least, we have another rainforest inspired wallpaper from Wilko. It’s pretty much exactly the same as the more expensive brands I’ve shown you today and yet it costs £15 per roll. I’m seriously considering grabbing some of this and keeping it for when I finally have a space to decorate! I love the simple leaf print too – it’s not too overwhelming or crazy, it’s actually quite relaxing to look at. I also love how they styled it with some curvy mid-century modern style furniture to give it a retro vibe. Keep an eye on Wilko as they seem to be on top of all the latest interior trends.

BUY THE WALLPAPER HERE

Let me know what you think of this trend, I personally think it’s really cool and it’s different. I’m noticing it everywhere and it’s definitely arrived in good timing for summer! I hope you enjoyed this new type of post and more will be on their way very soon!

N xxxx

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*Anything marked with an “*” are either sponsored or affiliate links, however all opinions are my own

Tags Art, Design, Dunelm, Flowers, Inspiration, InteriorDecor, InteriorDesign, Lifestyle, Photography, Prints, Tropical

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

MY TOP REVISION TIPS

Hey Everyone!

I hope you’re all doing well! I have survived school (GCSEs and A Levels) and one and half years of university (ish), so I would like to think I can give some decent advice when it comes to revision. However, everybody’s different and this means we all learn differently so what could work for me may be useless for you – don’t feel that you HAVE to do any of these, they’re just some things that have got me through those icky study periods.

START MAKING NOTES EARLY

For most of my exams (we’re talking GCSEs A levels and University) I have written my notes out early on in the term. I come home and write what I learned that day and that way it’s out of the way and you’ve gone over it at the same time. Two birds one stone right? I am also a bit of a perfectionist (when I say a bit I mean hours can go by and I still won’t think it’s neat enough) so starting early gives me time to be fussy and obsessive with colour coding and highlighting. I’ve definitely learned from leaving my notes until last minute and I would waste so much time making them look pretty that I barely had time to learn them! I like to use these packs of revision cards for all of my notes!

REMOVE PHONE/LAPTOP/TABLETS ETC NO TV OR MUSIC

I know this is such an obvious one but it’s true. I remember scowling as my parents and teachers lectured my year group about putting phones away but my God it makes a difference. I’m so much more productive without constant reminders that so and so favourited a tweet or that someone’s typing on snapchat – you’d have thought I didn’t need to figure this one out the hard way but hey ho. If you like to study with music, I would definitely recommend listening to instrumentals or music without actual lyrics because I have found myself writing down the lyrics to Thinking Out Loud as opposed to Freud’s Oedipus Complex, so cheers Ed, but not right now pal.

STICKY NOTES

I started using these last year as the amount I had to learn for first year was HUGE. I made maps on my wall using sticky notes and colour coded them to make it clear where everything was. I found this super helpful for learning dates! In the exam I was able to visualise the map and so the facts were easy for me to remember as I could still see them in my head! I love to use these post-it notes for my revision!

LEARNING IN CATEGORIES

With most of my modules or subjects there’s lots of tiny topics within these and sometimes it can be overwhelming when trying to get it all down and in one place. I recommend grabbing some small clear plastic wallets, (I use these) and using one per subject, that way everything is in sections and is organised. I find this really helps with making things easier to learn in chunks rather than as a huge great big pile of information.

COLOUR CODING

I learn from colour and I always have done, I’m not sure why but that seems to be how I work. I tend to colour code certain things, for example if I’m learning a theory, I will write it all in blue and then a different theory in red. This way, it seems clear to me what is associated with what and this stops me getting things muddled in exams which can be easily done if you’re stressed or panicking. I use a variety of pens but my favourites are the Maped Assorted Fineliners, Staedler Fineliners and Crayola Supertips!

HIGHLIGHTING

I remember when I thought revising meant writing the whole page out from a textbook. DON’T DO THIS! It wastes so much time, you won’t be able to take it all in and it’s more than likely you only need a fraction of it actually written down. This is where highlighters come in super handy. You can write as much as you need to and still highlight the key points so they stand out to you on the page. I personally like to use the Stabilo Boss Original Highlighters and also their pastel range of highlighters.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANYONE NOT DOING ANYTHING – PARENTS/FLATMATES/BROTHERS/SISTERS/ANYONE

Last year I was in a flat of 6 people so I was asking everyone to test me which helped loads. I also absolutely rinsed my dad during my study weeks. We would sit down for hours going over the same stuff to the point where he knew it too so he could help me revise. I would learn some of my revision cards and then give them to him to ask me about. This helped so much and we wouldn’t give up until I knew everything.

WASHI TAPE

I love using these to decorate my work, bullet journal and scrapbook pages. They’re so cheap and easy to get hold of too. I tend to buy mine from Etsy or Amazon but I’ve found a few in craft shops and stationery shops too! There’s also a photo (scroll up) where you can see I’ve put tape at the top of my revision cards. I find this helps with colour coding everything and keeping organised as well as making it all look nice too!

EAT PROPERLY

I honestly didn’t think much of this until last year. The difference in my productivity and motivation between when I was bingeing on snacks and crisps and eating proper meals everyday was HUGE. I was able to concentrate for longer and I didn’t crave any snacks. I also noticed that I lost weight too when I wasn’t snacking constantly (surprise). A great alternative so salty snacks are edamame beans! You can get them in little pots ready to fry up – they’re one of my faves!

Did you find these tips helpful? What helps you with revision? Let me know in the comments! I hope this post helped some of you that are preparing for exams, I know I will be working hard over the next few months as exams are fast approaching (no thanks). If any of you have exams soon, good luck and let me know how they went!

N xxxx

Tags Advice, Art, blog, blogger, Exam, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photography, Revision, School, Student, Tips, University

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 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

HOPING FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS? … A COLD CHRISTMAS?

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 16, 2017
16 Comments on HOPING FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS? … A COLD CHRISTMAS?

BLOGMAS DAY 16:

I recently visited Edinburgh with my boyfriend. One thing I didn’t talk about in my post, was the number of homeless people I saw. I felt so helpless, as many of us do, debating as to whether I should give them money or not, uncertain as to how they might spend that money. So how can you know, for sure, where the money is going? One way is to buy some food or water and just hand it to them with a few kind words. In doing this, I have had some amazing conversations with people over a sandwich and a hot chocolate. If you don’t feel this is something you can do, for whatever reason, here’s something you might consider.

StreetLink

There is an app called StreetLink, which “exists to help end rough sleeping”. It enables any member of the public to connect local support services and those who are sleeping on the streets. This is what you need to do. It’s straightforward. It’s easy.

Here’s how it works:

If you pass someone who is sleeping rough in England or Wales and this concerns you, you can send an alert to StreetLink. You can alert the local authority or local outreach service so that they can find the person you have seen and give them the support that they need. All you have to do is say where and when you have seen the person and include some simple details like gender, age, clothing etc. Within 10 days, if you wish, you will receive details of any action taken by the local authority, in response to your alert.

There’s no risk, there’s no commitment, there is no further responsibility on your part. Yes, it’s that easy and the app is free. Doing what I’ve described above will not cost you a penny, but, why not also donate to help this fantastic organisation here.

Why not let this be your Christmas donation this year?

Download it and start helping a homeless person now.

I would find it heartwarming to hear of anything you do, so please do share it in a comment.

Let’s do this together. Let’s make a difference.

N xxxx

Tags App, BLOGMAS, Charity, Christmas, December, Donation, England, Homeless, Homelessness, Inspiration, StreeLink, Winter

2017 BLOGMAS LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG NOVEMBER 2017: ALLISON BLACK REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 14, 2017
22 Comments on PAPERGANG NOVEMBER 2017: ALLISON BLACK REVIEW

BLOGMAS DAY 14

WHO CREATED PAPERGANG?

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.

This month’s box is all about the amazing charity of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and it was illustrated by Allison Black. (Insta – @AllisonBlackIllustration). The packaging is so colourful and fun I absolutely love it.

So let’s take a look at the first product!

Six Christmas Cards – £10

This month we were treated to SIX Christmas cards, all pet related. The card designs are so fun and unique, perfect for sending to family and friends who are animal lovers! The card with the grumpy looking cat is perfect for a friend I have, whose cat frequently gets caught in all of the fairy lights at Christmas! There’s also something adorable about a bulldog in a Christmas sweater, I love this design! However, my favourite has to be the Daschund card which I will be sending to my nan as she has a little sausage dog and I reckon this will make her smile. There’s also an offer on – buy 2 cards and get the 3rd one free.

Notebook – £7.95

I was most impressed when I spotted this ‘perfect bound’ A5 notebook. It’s thick too, with lined pages which I actually prefer to plane pages as I find it’s easier to make notes and keep everything organised and neat. Nice quality notebooks like this are usually quite expensive as well!

2 x Gift Wrap – £3.50

I often find that buying sheets of wrapping paper can be expensive. In this month’s box, we received not one but TWO sheets of gift wrap and given the other items that we received as well, this box works out at incredibly good value. Each sheet is printed onto 100% recycled paper and is 50cm x 70cm.

Gift Tags – £0.95

I love making presents look like I spent lots of time on them as I am quite a perfectionist with giftwrapping. I’ve started to love using ribbon and bows and so I was super excited to see three gift tags in this month’s box. Each label is 9.5cm x 4.5cm and some candy cane style (red and white) string was included to attach them with.

Once again, Papergang has really impressed me. These products are, as usual, of the highest quality. The illustrations on each product are super fun and creative, I will definitely be buying some more of Allison Black’s work! I love this month’s theme as I think Christmas is a great time for giving and helping out others – even if they have bark

If you’d like to buy 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 Art, Artist, BLOGMAS, Christmas, December, Design, Holiday, Illustration, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Review, Stationery, Subscriptionbox

2017 BEAUTY BLOGMAS

URBAN DECAY: NAKED HEAT PALETTE – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 3, 2017
45 Comments on URBAN DECAY: NAKED HEAT PALETTE – REVIEW

BLOGMAS DAY 3

So although I reckon I’m pretty late to the party with this, I thought a review was still owed to the undecided out there. Cutting to the chase, this palette is truly AMAZING. I have green eyes so I have always been drawn towards warm-toned shadows as they make my eye colour pop more than any other shades. Although the palette was dropped in the UK on the 27th July, I only just managed to get my hands on it, but I am so glad that it’s now safely tucked away in my makeup bag.

This post contains affiliate links

There have been a variety of Naked palettes released by Urban Decay over the years with some gorgeous gold-hued, cool toned and smokey shades, however, this palette is very different. It contains 12 amber-hued neutral shades (seven mattes and five shimmers) and its sold at a rather terrifying (but absolutely worth it) £39.50. It also comes with an amazing duo-ended brush but it’s in the process of being cleaned after thorough use (so, unfortunately, it won’t have its moment in the photos.)

From top to bottom,

Ounce – “Ivory shimmer”, it’s creamy & pearly – I use it most days for a brow bone highlight or for my inner corners, haven’t found much use for it on my lids.
Chaser – “Matte light nude”, with a tiny hint of coral, it doesn’t have a huge impact but I’ve been using it as a transition shade and to define my crease more.
Sauced – “Soft terra-cotta matte”, a red-toned matte fudge shade, I love buffing this into my crease to warm up my look.
Low Blow – “Brown matte” (A yellow-y baby poop matte as described over on Theannaedit) although it’s quite a natural shade, I love using this to slightly buff out my look – it blends like a dream.
Lumbre – “Copper shimmer w/gold pearl shift”, this rose gold shadow is great for a natural shimmer on the lid especially if you’re into more subtle looks. I’ve worn this mostly during the day as I prefer more intense and pigmented shadows for nights out.
He Devil – “Burnt red matte”, I like this shade a lot, it’s perfect for creating a simple warm look as its so easy to blend out into something more subtle. It’s a buildable shade so it can be used for an intense look too.
Dirty Talk – “Metallic burnt red”, This. Shade. Is. Amazing. I do love a good copper shadow and this is a massive 10/10 from me. It’s such a stunning shimmer shade, with a bronze base. I use it for going to uni, clubbing, a quick trip to town (the lot – I can’t get enough) it can work with a more subtle sultry-daytime look as well as a full beat looks for a night out. It’s definitely a buildable shade with incredible pigmentation if you want to go all out.

From top to bottom,

Scorched – “metallic deep red w/gold micro-shimmer”, there are hints of rose gold and copper, I’d say it was just slightly rosier and more coral toned than Dirty Talk so I still love it, how, ver it works more with pink or orange based eyeshadow looks.
Cayenne – “deep terra-cotta matte”, such a gorgeous chocolatey brown shade, it’s really pigmented and looks so nice in the outer crease when buffed out. It works so well with He Devil when creating a simple warm-toned look.
En Fuego – “burgundy matte”, burgundy is one of my favourite colours to wear as an eyeshadow as in terms of my wardrobe, it really compliments the green in my eyes so I’m always on the lookout for shadows like this. It’s been great when creating more dramatic and intense looks.
Ashes – “deep reddish-brown matte”, the colour of this shadow is so beautiful, it’s perfect for autumn with hints of warm purple and burgundy. However, the shade is difficult to blend as it’s quite powdery in consistency.
Ember – “deep metallic copper-burgundy”, a stunning shimmer shade with undertones of purple, copper and brown, with even some tiny flecks of pink here and there. I have used this with every smoky eye makeup look that I’ve done since this palette entered my life. I haven’t found anything like this before, it’s so unique.

In conclusion, if you’re into warm-toned eyes looks, this palette is definitely for you. The matte shades blend so easily and the shimmers add a beautiful dramatic yet elegant hint to any look. It can be used for so many different eye looks, which means I get the most out of my money, as I can use it more than just every once in a while. Overall, I would recommend this palette – it’s definitely my favourite Naked Palette by Urban Decay as of yet!

BUY THE PALETTE HERE*

If £39.50 screams HELL NO to you, here are two dupes to help you achieve similar looks without breaking the bank…

NYX – Ultim ate Shadow Palette Warm Neutrals – £16 – full of warm neutrals

Morphe – 25B Bronzed Mocha Eyeshadow Palette – £19 – 25 shadows, including deep browns, burgundies, coppers and golds as well as some more subtle shades too.

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, eyeshadow, gold, Inspiration, matte, palette, Photography, Review, rose gold, shimmer, Shopping, urban decay

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

LIFE PLACES

ITALY, OH HOW I MISS YOU

During the summer, I went on holiday with my parents for the first time in YEARS. We went to a beautiful spa town in Italy, called Abano Terme, close to Padua. It was such a relaxing holiday and the heat wasn’t too overwhelming for a majority of the time we stayed there, meaning we could to a bit of ‘touristing’. I thought this would be a nice way to reflect on it and have it all written down somewhere rather than relying on memories staggered around my head.

The hotel we stayed at was incredibly beautiful and although some may argue, a tad dated, I found the traditional decor so charming. The bedrooms had chandeliers and old white wooden wardrobes which I instantly fell in love with. There were also incredible spa facilities and a large pool area, connecting the indoors, outdoors and spa. The pools were warm! This was because they contained thermal water which was sooooo relaxing and surprisingly refreshing given the heat. I spent most of my days in the lounging area, sprawled out on a sun-bed with a book (The Girls- Emma Cline).

One thing that this holiday influenced massively was my diet, as there was such a huge variety to eat here. We ate SO MUCH but it was all fairly healthy stuff, disguised by bright colours and decorative arrangements. The hotel provided a ‘serve yourself’ salad/starter bar which had beautifully prepared fresh vegetables and seafood every day. I had never really been a huge fan of eating cold seafood and arguably have stuck by the “fish are friends, not food” that finding Nemo taught me. However, if I catch a whiff of grilled and lightly seasoned squid, ya girl abandons all childhood Pixar related belief systems and is ready to go IN.

Within a few days of being away, I noticed that my skin had cleared up so much and my tiny little food baby (usually a permanent attachment to my body) had disappeared entirely. I was only really eating salads and fish which meant I wasn’t even eating half as much of the carbs that I usually do back at home or university. The sunlight also usually clears my skin up to (Vitamin D is incred), so as well as feeling super relaxed I was starting to feel so much more confident in my own skin (no pun intended).

That being said, I did spoil myself every few days with a pasta dish. I mean come on, it’s Italy, the home of pasta and pizza (90% of my usual diet). How can you turn down a tomatoey cheesy bowl of pasta?!

Most evenings, we walked into Abano Terme. It has to be said, it isn’t exactly a nightclub or shopping hotspot however it was quirky and different from what I was used to which is what tempted me to return every night. There were a lot of statues of fountains dotted through the streets, making lovely places to stop for a coffee or watch the people go by.

Towards the end of our holiday we got the train to Venice (they were double-decker trains too- mindblown). We realised we couldn’t justify failing to go there given how close it was to our hotel. I can’t even begin to explain how beautiful Venice is so I hope my photos do it justice. I’ve not had the chance to travel much, as my parents had to care for my brother (he was severely disabled) when I was younger, so going away for long periods of time was an extremely rare treat. This completely took my breath away, I have never felt so lucky or grateful to see such a beautiful place. We found a small church off of one of the winding streets (far left below) inside people were lighting candles and it was extremely peaceful. The ceiling was incredibly high up and there were paintings and images of angels and religious figures carved everywhere. It truly was magnificent.

We spent the end of the trip in Piazza San Marc (St Mark’s Square) (above images 2-4) which arguably, is the beating heart of Venice. Despite its vast size, there were also intimate areas where musicians played and restaurants served brightly coloured gelato. There were so many groups of tourists taken aback by the beauty of the square and for once their flashing cameras and stop-start style of walking didn’t bother me because this place NEEDS to be seen.

We crossed lots of tiny bridges and walked along the canal through many streets with stalls and shops selling Murano glass and the normal tourist trap goods. It was amazing to think that this was an everyday scene for some the locals. (Below photos)

Saying goodbye to this beautifully scenic and incredibly relaxing place, was harder than I thought it would be. However, I was so grateful to have been able to go there at all and I hope to return at some point in the near future, perhaps with my boyfriend.

Let me know if any of you have visited Abano or Venice, I would love to hear about your experiences! Also given this is my first blog post, I would also appreciate any feedback that you have to offer (good or bad)

N xxxx

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Tags Family, Holiday, Inspiration, Italy, Lifestyle, Photography, Spa, Student, Travel, Venice