Tag Archives: lifestyle

June 21st, I’m Ready For You…

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And all of a sudden, the Covid blues hit me. For all the months spent keeping myself busy, positive and grateful, in the last couple of weeks I’ve fallen into a pretty dark pit of despair driven by the boredom and monotony of my current existence. I know I’m fortunate to have a roof over my head, a loving family (who are now mostly vaccinated,) a dog to give me cuddles and enough money coming in to comfortably pay my bills, but that doesn’t mean the situation we’ve been facing for almost a year hasn’t finally gotten on top of me. I’m fed up.

Fed up of spending pretty much every moment of the last few months in one of four rooms in my house; fed up of not being able to drop in on my family or see my mates for lunch; fed up of walking past pubs and restaurants and craving food and drink that hasn’t been prepared in my own kitchen; fed up of online shopping for clothes I have nowhere to wear; fed up of everything I’ve had in my diary being slowly cancelled or postponed once again.

So, June 21st. I’m ready for you. Like I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.

I don’t need the fancy holidays or big parties to look forward to – a Friday night drinking cocktails with a couple of my girlfriends would suffice. Just a reason to get dressed up and feel like ‘me’ again, after the last six months have been spent predominantly in stretchy loungewear that’s inevitably covered in muddy paw prints. Because I miss spending an hour doing the same hair and makeup that would take me ten minutes on any other occasion, I miss accessorising and I miss tottering about in high heels for the few minutes it takes to stride from door to car to car to booth.

The last twelve months have been tough for all of us, in many different ways, but the last few months have definitely made me feel more helpless and alone than I’ve ever felt in my life. I’ve wanted to be there for my family members who’ve been experiencing some hard hitting moments, and I’ve wanted them to be there for me too – but forced apart by a virus that takes no prisoners, we’ll just have to wait until Boris says some semblance of normal life can resume.

Because will we ever be the same again after this?

I’m worried I’ll forget how to be social, or find myself exhausted by human contact after a night amongst more than six people. I’m worried that we’ll all have health anxiety and will find it hard to do the most menial tasks that we before took for granted. I’m worried that my business will never fully recover, I’m worried that I won’t enjoy being in our capital city like I once did, and I’m worried that we’ll keep making excuses to not get on a plane.

We’re all grieving for the life we once led and the carefree attitude to life we once held, but with June 21st there’s the beacon of hope in front of us – that in theory life will return to ‘normal’ even if it takes a lot longer for us to find ourselves and our sense of balance once again.

So no matter what lays ahead of us, a nice dress and a G&T is a good place to start. See you there?

SHOP THE LOOK

New Look Midi Dress | £27.99 (Now £20.99) |


Topshop Glitter Heels | £35.00 | SIMILAR HERE


Furla Metropolis Handbag | £285.00 | LINK


Primark Fur Coat | £30.00 | SIMILAR HERE

Pictures taken in December just before we went from Tier 2 to 3 (and then 4!) and I managed to squeeze in a birthday meal.

Jo Malone Addict? 8 Super Handy Ways To Re-Use Your Candle Jar

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As a teenager I was captivated by the magic of candlelight; I covered every surface in brightly coloured and sickly scented waxes I found on market stalls and from the ‘hippy shop’ that’s been in my hometown since the dawn of time. Even though my tastes have somewhat progressed since then, as an adult I find them a crucial part of every room and a little indulgence I don’t compromise on. Bringing a subtle flicker during a chilly evening, as well as a scent that either comforts or invigorates the mind, candles are definitely a modern phenomenon – especially the expensive ones. Millions of luxury jars are sold every year, with the UK being apparently the biggest consumer of them in Europe, and they’re proudly displayed on coffee tables until the very last burn.

8 Amazing Ways To Re-use Your Candle Jar (Jo Malone London)

I do love a luxe candle, with being one of my favourite brands (I do also love a classic Yankee Candle, Molton Brown for richness, Neom for calming moments and so many smaller and independant brands for something different.) But when you’re spending forty odd quid on a candle it’s almost painful to chuck away the glass jar when it’s finished – especially if it looks as pretty as the JML ones do. I’ve long been known to re-use candle jars as a way to make the most of the investment while bringing an unexpected twist to my home decor, and right now is the perfect time to ‘make do and mend’.

If you fancy re-using your candle jars, then the easiest way to clean them up after you can’t get any more burn is to pop them in the freezer; leaving them for 24hrs hardens the wax and allows you (with a firm tap) to release it from the bottom. Pop your jar either in the dishwasher or give it a good clean out with soapy water if there’s a label you don’t want to damage, and you’re good to go. And once you’ve done that, here are a handful of ways you can put those old candle pots to good use and re-use your candle jar in a creative and luxurious way…

8 Amazing Ways To Re-use Your Candle Jar (Jo Malone London)

1. Store your makeup brushes. The perfect way to tidy up your brushes while looking fabulous; the pot is just the right width and depth to hold pretty much my entire daily collection.

2. Pop in cotton pads, buds or contact lenses. It’s a pretty and more convenient way to store all those messy bits and bobs that are lingering in your bathroom or on your dressing table.

3. Use it as a bedside tidy. Keep all your bedside essentials in one place – ear plugs, lip balm, tablets and so on.

4. Decant your bath salts. If you’ve got massive bags of Epsom salts that take up too much space, decant a little into a candle jar and proudly have them on display.

5. Add some flowers. A makeshift vase for either freshly picked or fake flowers; such a simple but effective idea that can really lift a simple space.

6. Re-use it as a candle holder. Keeping it simple, why not add a tealight or pillar candle to breathe new life into your favourite jars once again.

7. Store matches or lighters. Rather than having them stuffed in a drawer or in tatty old boxes, decant your matches or pop your favourite lighters into a jar to keep them looking part of your candle display.

8. Use it as an accessories pot. Tidy up your most worn pieces of jewellery or accessories (I’m thinking hair clips and slides too) and put them in one place.

8 Amazing Ways To Re-use Your Candle Jar (Jo Malone London)

Have you ever re-used a pretty candle pot? Let me know if you’ve found any other genius ways to transform, upcycle or re-use your candle jar….

SHOP MY FAVE JO MALONE LONDON CANDLES

Read my post discussing whether spending £50 on a candle is a ridiculous over-indulgence here.

Jo Malone Addict? 8 Super Handy Ways To Re-Use Your Candle Jar

  , , , , , , , , , ,
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As a teenager I was captivated by the magic of candlelight; I covered every surface in brightly coloured and sickly scented waxes I found on market stalls and from the ‘hippy shop’ that’s been in my hometown since the dawn of time. Even though my tastes have somewhat progressed since then, as an adult I find them a crucial part of every room and a little indulgence I don’t compromise on. Bringing a subtle flicker during a chilly evening, as well as a scent that either comforts or invigorates the mind, candles are definitely a modern phenomenon – especially the expensive ones. Millions of luxury jars are sold every year, with the UK being apparently the biggest consumer of them in Europe, and they’re proudly displayed on coffee tables until the very last burn.

8 Amazing Ways To Re-use Your Candle Jar (Jo Malone London)

I do love a luxe candle, with being one of my favourite brands (I do also love a classic Yankee Candle, Molton Brown for richness, Neom for calming moments and so many smaller and independant brands for something different.) But when you’re spending forty odd quid on a candle it’s almost painful to chuck away the glass jar when it’s finished – especially if it looks as pretty as the JML ones do. I’ve long been known to re-use candle jars as a way to make the most of the investment while bringing an unexpected twist to my home decor, and right now is the perfect time to ‘make do and mend’.

If you fancy re-using your candle jars, then the easiest way to clean them up after you can’t get any more burn is to pop them in the freezer; leaving them for 24hrs hardens the wax and allows you (with a firm tap) to release it from the bottom. Pop your jar either in the dishwasher or give it a good clean out with soapy water if there’s a label you don’t want to damage, and you’re good to go. And once you’ve done that, here are a handful of ways you can put those old candle pots to good use and re-use your candle jar in a creative and luxurious way…

8 Amazing Ways To Re-use Your Candle Jar (Jo Malone London)

1. Store your makeup brushes. The perfect way to tidy up your brushes while looking fabulous; the pot is just the right width and depth to hold pretty much my entire daily collection.

2. Pop in cotton pads, buds or contact lenses. It’s a pretty and more convenient way to store all those messy bits and bobs that are lingering in your bathroom or on your dressing table.

3. Use it as a bedside tidy. Keep all your bedside essentials in one place – ear plugs, lip balm, tablets and so on.

4. Decant your bath salts. If you’ve got massive bags of Epsom salts that take up too much space, decant a little into a candle jar and proudly have them on display.

5. Add some flowers. A makeshift vase for either freshly picked or fake flowers; such a simple but effective idea that can really lift a simple space.

6. Re-use it as a candle holder. Keeping it simple, why not add a tealight or pillar candle to breathe new life into your favourite jars once again.

7. Store matches or lighters. Rather than having them stuffed in a drawer or in tatty old boxes, decant your matches or pop your favourite lighters into a jar to keep them looking part of your candle display.

8. Use it as an accessories pot. Tidy up your most worn pieces of jewellery or accessories (I’m thinking hair clips and slides too) and put them in one place.

8 Amazing Ways To Re-use Your Candle Jar (Jo Malone London)

Have you ever re-used a pretty candle pot? Let me know if you’ve found any other genius ways to transform, upcycle or re-use your candle jar….

SHOP MY FAVE JO MALONE LONDON CANDLES

Read my post discussing whether spending £50 on a candle is a ridiculous over-indulgence here.

15 Empowering Girl Boss Quotes

 
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I love a good motivational quote. So much so, I have pinned thousands of them over on my Pinterest account. I know some people find them to be a little cringe, but I really enjoy perusing Pinterest for a boost of inspiration if I’m in a funk.

Seeing as it’s the start of the year, and we’re all focusing on goals and resolutions, I’ve got 15 empowering girl boss quotes to help give you a motivational boost.

15 Empowering Girl Boss Quotes

None of these quotes are ones I’ve written myself, but they feature in a lot of inspirational quote books and guides, and if you ever feel in need of some more inspirational quotes, Pinterest has an endless supply.

  1. Little girls with dreams become women with vision.
  2. Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.
  3. Supporting another’s success won’t ever dampen yours.
  4. A wise girl knows her limits. A smart girl knows she has none. 
  5. Never let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big.
  6. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
  7. It’s OK if some people dislike you. Not everyone has good taste.
  8. So far you’ve survived 100% of your worst days.
  9. At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.
  10. Old ways won’t open new doors.
  11. But if you never try, you’ll never know.
  12. It’s a beautiful day to go after your dreams.
  13. When you start seeing your worth, you’ll find it harder to stay around people who don’t.
  14. You’re busy doubting yourself while some people are intimidated by your potential. 
  15. Invest in yourself. It pays the best interest.

If you’d like to check out my Pinterest board featuring over 6000 inspirational and motivational quotes, you can find the board right here.

Transitioning to Cloth Nappies

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We purchased our first cloth nappy (from Asda of all places!) when Oliver was 10 weeks old, it was a Bambino Mio Miosolo nappy with a cute bumblebee print. I didn’t know too much about cloth nappies, but after that first purchase I dived right into research and have been obsessed ever since. They’re just so much better for the planet, it’s got to be done. Oli is now 7 and a half months old and we’re not 100% cloth over here, but we are getting closer. We don’t currently have enough nappies for full-time use and have only one nappy really suitable for night time use. But I’m working on it!

The Cost of Cloth.

Yes, when you see the cost of one cloth nappy it can make you gasp. The premium, more expensive brands charge £20 for one nappy! But you can also buy cheaper brands, buy pre-loved or buy a different system which might be more economical.


Our first nappy, the Miosolo was £10 because it was on offer, they’re usually about £15. Our most expensive nappy is the BumGenius Freetime (£19.99) which Oliver is wearing in the photo’s, and typically it’s one of my favourites to use because it’s the easiest of the lot! We also have 3 Little Bloom nappies, which are a cheap brand sold on Amazon and Ebay, the nappies range from £2.50 to £4.50 depending on inserts and fabric. I bought these after my first nappy purchase to see if cloth was for me, they’re cheap, cheerful and have some really cute prints (The yellow cat print Oli is holding below is Little Bloom!) They get the job done but probably won’t last the years and years of use some other makes would. Some brands really hold their value too, so if I decide to sell them after Oliver is out of nappies I might be able to get about 50% of what I spent returned if they remain in good condition. You can’t do that with disposables!

For full-time usage, I guess you would need around 15 daytime nappies and 3-4 night nappies. That’s probably a minimum. Nappy brands are constantly releasing new prints and updating their ranges with new technology so you might find yourself a little addicted to picking up new designs. We have 10 nappies total right now, that gives us 2-3 full days per week of cloth nappy use, the rest of the time we use Naty eco friendly-disposables whilst the cloth nappies are being washed. He also doesn’t use cloth when staying with grandparents on the days I’m at work, but I would like to get them to give it a go.

But What About All The Washing?

For us at the moment it’s two extra loads per week, and as I’m only washing about 6 or 7 nappies at a time (you don’t want to leave them sat about for too long!) it takes 2 minutes to hang them out to dry. Cloth nappies, when you get the fit right (it takes a little practice as it’s not the same as a disposable) are bomb proof, so you probably won’t have to deal with quite as many “explosions” that seep through layers and layers of clothes in those early days! bonus! I thought washing them would be pretty grim, but honestly, it’s not bad at all, I don’t even think about it now.


Cloth isn’t as absorbent as a disposable though so you may need to change more often, but generally a good nappy should last 2-4 hours in the day and night nappies should last all night.

And What About The Different Systems?!`

Now, this is where it can get a little confusing, and it took me quite a while to get my head around. The cloth nappies that you see in my pictures are either all-in-ones or pocket nappies. But there are two other types also, all in two’s or two-part systems. This link describes it quickly and easily with an image of each type of nappy. And it will save me having to bore you with all the differences. All-in-ones are the easiest and pocket nappies dry the fastest but I think it’s good to have a mix! 

I’m going to be purchasing this trial from Tots Bots soon as it will allow us to give their two-part system a go and see what all the fuss is about with their night time nappy, the bamboozle stretch! The pictured funky bright orange nappy with a robot print is a Tots Bots Easyfit Star and it’s great! 

Brands, Styles, & All The Prints!

Another overwhelming part of getting into cloth nappies is the amount of choice! So many brands, so many styles, and so many colourful prints.

My preferred shops are BabiPur and The Nappy Lady, and there are a load more places online, but you can also pick up in person in Asda, and some Boots stores I think. There are also plenty of facebook groups you can join where you can pick up some pre-loved nappies for a couple of quid, this is really great if you just want to give them a trial or test a new brand before investing in new.

The brands we have at the moment are: Tots Bots, BumGenius, Bambino Mio, Close Pop Ins (not pictured) Little Bloom, Little Lamb (The dark teal) and Baba Boo (the cute cacti print). At the moment my preference is for velcro fastenings as Oliver wants to roll and crawl away the second I lie him down, but the disadvantage of velcro is that eventually, he will probably learn he can undo the nappy by his self. Poppers are more time consuming but they are very secure!

Most brands release limited edition prints seasonally and they’re pretty much always gorgeous. The latest Bambino Mio prints are BEAUTIFUL! I gotta get that tropical toucan print asap. Like I needed any more expensive addictions in my life, but hey here we are.

And that’s all for now. There was a lot of nitty-gritty details I didn’t cover like nappy liners and washing powder, but maybe that’s for next time. Hopefully, I can update you if we make it to cloth full time! #goals.

Until then, xo