Harry Potter gift guide

I was going to post today about housewarming gifts as I'm in the process of buying one for my friend who has moved into a new place, but I got really sidetracked by all the Harry Potter stuff I found on Pinterest. There are so many gems and I just had to share, as I think I basically have a gift guide for every interest and it's never too late to start with the gift guides now that we're on the final bank holiday before all the Christmas planning comes in!

Bedroom inspiration - bohemian themes

I love Pinterest for all the wonderful ideas it can give you for just about anything. Although I'm not largely fussed about interiors I do have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to the ones I come across because they can always be saved for future use. The one thing I have found myself gravitating towards recently is bedroom interior, particularly those with a  bohemian theme. The colours and the patterns are just so warm and inviting to me, I've always been admirer of these things but it's something that never translated through to my personal style or living area because I just prefer to keep things simple. However after looking at loads these designs, I've decided it's time for a little rehaul. I'm starting small though and just starting with my bedding, in all of the ones I've come across it's the bed area that's always got me. It makes jumping into bed much more inviting!

IKEA MALM drawers in white + Ikea Haul

So ever since I got my new bed, wardrobe and dressing table last year, I’ve been itching to get the final bits I needed for my room. My room is a good size, but the one thing I felt I lacked was storage. For someone who basically wears the same clothes day in day out, I have A LOT of clothes and it was getting so annoying to keep my room clean because I just had nowhere to put my clothes. I also didn’t have much storage in terms for any other stuff I had in my room. Back in January I got myself a bookcase and threw out my table, I assembled it together and was super happy to get some of my books on there and use some of the space for storage. But something was still missing.

I decided a chest of drawers was the next step. It would give me more storage space for my bits and bobs and store my clothes. I ordered this from Wilko (never order from them, they gave me the biggest headache when I wanted to return it) but when it came it was too small. I really wanted to buy something I could afford but also something I didn’t have to assemble myself. But after seeing the size of that, and the prices of assembled furniture I decided I had to buy one to assemble myself. I knew that loads of people have the MALM drawers so I knew what they looked like and that they were a good size. I ended up going to Ikea with a friend one Friday and purchased the MALM 4 chest of drawers in white.

IKEA MALM Chest of drawers in white - £49

I was also dying to get my hands on the mini cacti pots that Ikea do, I think I found out about this through Linamar. I drove my friend crazy talking about it haha but I finally found it at the end of my trip. I don't even know why I wanted them so badly because I'm not a huge plant lover, but they have definitely made me very happy! I also fell in love in the candle isle; my friend was like “I’ve never seen you so happy.” I basically went mad picking up loads of candles and then remembered I’m not made of money and I just wanted to pick up the necessities. So I settled on these three and they just smell like chocolate and caramel and just so nice. I don't know what the actual scents are, as I can't find the translation for the title for some reason. I picked up the tea light holder but I actually wanted to put my rings in it. I did empty it out and put a tea inside and it was beautiful so I’ll have to pick another one up for that. I also got some organisers to go inside the top drawer which I’m really happy about, but I totally need more for my dressing table! 

Cacti pots - £4.50

Scented candles (set of 3) - £3.50

Tealight holder - £2.25

I’m super happy with this the drawers and my mini purchases. I also purchased a garlic crusher and I’m totally in love with that too. Having the chest of drawers also means an actual place to photograph the products that I buy and I like the current set up I have going on with the cacti and candles. I also got to try the meatballs from Ikea and I concur with everyone else – they are yummy! 

I pretty much think my room is complete in terms of storage. I’ll probably pick up a bedside table at some point but I am super happy with what I have at the moment. For ages I didn’t want to buy anything because I thought I’d be moving out, but as it looks like that won’t be happening for a while I thought I’d make my stay much more comfortable. 

Have you picked up any furniture bits recently? Or even better any homeware?

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5 things you need this November

The Essentials: Blankets, Electric Blankets, Candles, Hot Water Bottles and Hot Drinks

Seeing as we've arrived in November and there's a chill in air, I thought I'd talk about keeping warm and cosy in the colder months. You'll probably see a theme developing as you read, but I'm all about light and warmth right now, the season just calls for it! 

1. A blanket – If you don’t own a blanket, then I don’t really know what I can say to you, apart from GET ONE. They are so perfect in the winter, from keeping you warm in bed to keep your legs warm when you’re lounging on the sofa watching TV (admittedly I don’t watch TV, but watching it with a blanket sounds good). I actually only have one blanket that I love; I don’t even know where my other one is. My blanket was actually a present from my ex when he went to Ireland so I’m terribly afraid for the day when it has had its time, as I don’t have the slightest clue where he got it from! But it’s purple (my favourite colour) and just incredibly warm, it’s not fluffy like a lot of blankets (which I hate). Make sure you get a feel for your blanket because not all blankets are made equal! They are just perfect for keeping you cosy and warm. 

Blankets I’ve had my eye on: Fleece Blanket, Pearl Knitted Blanket, Winter Berry Blanket

2. An electric blanket – I know, you’re thinking this is overkill, a blanket AND an electric blanket? But trust me it is needed (plus I'm talking an electric UNDERblanket), if you get cold really easily like I do. Or even worse if like me, you have the coldest room in the house. You can layer yourself like a sandwich with the blanket method I have going on. I stumbled across electric blankets when I was visiting my ex’s (doesn't he feature a lot in this post) family in Ireland. Their house was seriously cold and in the middle of nowhere, so we had blankets upon blankets and then she told me “make sure you switch on the electric blanket before you get into bed to warm it up.” And I was just there like what is this contraption?! Call me dim but I imagined electric blankets to be these crinkly things you had when you went camping, I don’t even know where I got this idea from because I’ve been camping loads and never had one of them. I got given the Morphy Richards Electric Blanket (Double) a year ago and I love. I've had it out for a month, but didn't actually use it until like three days ago. If you live in the UK, you'll know that it is getting super cold. When my nephews come round, they do not move from my bed when this is on. This just a top up to adding some warmth into your life, just don’t sleep with it on all night because you will most likely wake up in the middle of the night feeling like you’re about to boil. 

For you choosing pleasure: Dreamland Double Electric Blanket, Silentnight Electric Blanket (Double)

3. Scented candles - You can just buy normal candles, but I honestly don’t remember the last time I bought a regular candle. Why buy a non-scented when you can fill your room with gorgeous smells whilst having that beautiful candlelight glow? I recently went to Primark to repurchase a favourite Sweet Vanilla & Coconut and ended up picking up Pineapple & Ginger, as well Red Berries & Orchid. I'm a lover of sweet scents and always seem to go for anything that has vanilla in it. I’m a candle whore and have tried a whole bunch, Yankee candles are obviously a favourite but Sainsbury’s have lovely smelling candles, as does TK Maxx. I actually bought the nicest candle from TK Maxx about two years ago which was eggnog scented - It was SO good, but I can't find it anymore. 

Candles I adore: Yankee Candle Strawberry Buttercream, Sainsbury's Madagascan Vanilla, For Every Body Candles (they don't seem to have the eggnog one but they do other awesome scents). 

4. A hot water bottle – Yep I have rounded it all off by coming back the topic of heat. This one is perfect for if you’re at home, at a friend’s house or at work. Obviously it depends on where you work, but I work in an office and there are forever wars about the temperature, which then results in us all working in Antarctica. So it depends on where it’s easier for you to keep one, I’ve taken mine to work because as we can tell from the above, I have enough to keep me warm at home. You can pick up water bottles from anywhere; I’m pretty sure mine is from Poundland and is like 3+ years old. 

Hot water bottles: Nordic Knit Hot Water Bottle and Cover,  Personalised Heart Hot Water Bottle Cover, Hello Kitty Hot Water Bottle and Cover

5. A hot drink – Ah to keep one’s self hydrated. Hydration is super important anyway, but of course you know during the winter you have to really amp it up. I find hot drinks are the best way to do this mainly because it keeps you warm. I am a lover of herbal teas and I'm constantly drinking green tea during the day. I buy the Sea Dyke Brand from Chinatown or my local Thai shop, but I also love camomile tea or just hot water with lemon. Find your drink and hydrate your body, it will keep your head clear and keep you warm. 

Teas I love:  Twinings Jasmine Green, Twinings Camomile & Honey

So that is it for my November needs. Is there anything you can’t do without during the winter months? Let me know, I’m always looking for things to make this time of year bearable!

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A room in a day.

This week has just been busy and soaked in strange feelings. Despite that, today I am showing the updates of my room that mainly happened today - I’m so excited with how it’s turning out. I am taking my time so it's a slow process but I'm loving the project. That and I am lazy. I’d rather sleep on my pile of clothes than sort them out...

1.

There was never a chance that I was going to keep this thing uncluttered...

2.

Tumblr inspired DIY (well hammering a nail into a wall) - I can hang outfits up for inspiration now.

3.

I picked up this piece about two/three years ago in Milan and now I can finally hang it up – inspiration every day.

4.

SO MANY clothes. My friend said his mum would kill him if that was his room. My mum is back tomorrow and I’m sure she will do just that.

5.

Temporary book storage.

6.

I got these lights from Poundland at Christmas and they are still going strong! I added quotes near my dressing table because what better place to put them eh?! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Sunday - it's been so beautiful! 

Operation Room Makeover!

So my room is undergoing a makeover and I am so frikkin excited. Not going to lie, suddenly living at home isn't so baaad.  Like I said, I am so EXCITED; I finally have more space in my room and new furniture (a dressing table with a mirror, a new bed and a new wardrobe). The best bit about all of this is the placement of my bed – right next to light switch (hello lovely level of laziness).

Of course this means I can also redecorate and just put my own touches on the room. Before it was crowded with all my mum’s junk, now I just have space for me!

I absolutely love looking at interiors and of course this means I have a whole Pinterest folder dedicated to them. Because I am still in the process of moving my clothes and everything back I have looking through my folder for bedroom ideas. I thought I’d share some of my favourite ones – just to pass on the inspiration!

P.S a lot of these are white because I love that look and I've chosen all white furniture.

I love how the lights are used in these pictures. 

 I love the colourful pillows in this.  

 I am so in love with the flowers on the wall, will have to look up some craft projects for this. 

 I love the colourful bedsheets here. 

I also love the white sheets and accessories here. 

Add me on Pinterest and check back here for when I do start to put my own personal touches on my room!