2014

Hello & Happy New Year!

How was everybody's Christmas? Mine was fairly enjoyable; all my family, including my elder sister who we haven't seen in months, got together and it was nice just spending lazy days with my family instead of being home alone all the time.

Here are just a few of the many lovely gifts I received that I thought I would share.

Deciding to stick to a budget this year for our gifts turned out to be great decision for me and my boyfriend. I quite enjoyed having to narrow down my ideas until I decided on something fabulous rather than trying to compensate with several mediocre ones, and it meant he couldn't spend ridiculous amounts until I had Bear Factory teddy bears and chocolates coming out of my ears. I'm delighted to say I received a lovely Lush set and two of their fresh face masks. I have been pretty obsessed with Lush recently, but unfortunately I was only buying for other people, so this was a lovely surprise!

The set was filled with their Christmas goodies and smells incredible when you open it, I keep going back! To top it off, all the products come in such a cute little tin that I can't wait to use for other bits and pieces in my bedroom.  

The mug is in the sale at the Disney Store! I'm not really one for hot drinks, but I couldn't resist and it has been great for odd bits and pieces!

From my parents I received this eye make up set which I was particularly please with because I'm not too skilled with eye make up and tend to give up and just leave it. The guide comes with this set will hopefully come in useful alongside the YouTube tutorial videos I aimlessly watch. 

It is these tutorials that brought make up brushes to my attention, and so the Real Techniques Core Collection brushes (pictured on the right) were another exciting addition to my small make up collection courtesy of my grandparents. 

As you can see, Saphi has also taken a shine to them!

Another of my favourite gifts were these cake tins as, despite all my baking, I have never actually had a cake tin and I just think these are so cute! One for storing, and one for sending goodies away in (if I'm feeling generous). 

These last two were of particular importance to me. Though I try to remain positive, it gets hard for me not too get down about the decision I had to make to stay at home this year. I have felt this even more so as my friends have come home for Christmas with all their tales, whilst I feel as though I have done nothing for the last 3 months. 

Though I am still working on getting myself out of the dumps, these two gifts have definitely helped me on my way back up by reminding me of the months I have left and the plans that I have - it is up to ME to make them happen in that time, and fingers crossed I can and will. A new year is the perfect time to move away from regrets and focus on the things you want and the things that make you happy and prioritising them completely.

I hope everybody had a fab Christmas, a fab 2013, and has an even fabber 2014. 

xx

Cosy cave for Winter

Hello!

So one of my favourite places in the world is my bedroom. I love to change it up all the time, adding or taking away different pieces or completely changing the entire vibe, and naturally I decided to have another change of scenery as winter/Christmas draws near. Feel free to adapt these ideas to your own bedroom!

Fairy lights are always in my bedroom no matter what time of year, but particularly in winter I think they are necessary to make a bedroom 10 times cosier. Because I love fairy lights so much, I tend to buy them whenever I see them so I have several sets to utilise during winter. The above were a gift from a friend, and I have found a similar set here. 

Luckily during this time of year Christmas lights are so easy to get hold of so if you don't have a lot of fairy lights then now is the perfect time of year to be after them. I found this set of 20 from Tesco for only £1.80!

I only have a teeny weeny bedroom, so plug sockets and spaces to drape lights aren't highly accessible. Thus I have discovered that your curtain pole or your  bed frame are not the only places you can drape your lights; use small pieces of blue tack and hang them along the wall, drape them across the shelves or wind them down your bookcase and across your books like this. These are actually outdoor dragonfly lights from B&M. 

I am also a sucker for lights that are also wall pieces, like this one from B&M for £12.99.

Alternatively, if you want another way to get that cosy glow in your bedroom on these cold nights, instead of (or with!) lights, candles are an ideal purchase. 

These three candle holders are from a cute shop in St Ives, Cornwall, that I visit every year. At £3 each I couldn't resist and have them in my bedroom every season. However, to make them that little bit more autumnal I bought these small dark purple candles from Asda, a pack of 3 for £1. 

For some variation in sizing, I also have this larger pastel pink candle in a birdcage that my friend bought and entwined with roses for me. 

Though probably much more suited for spring or summer, I love it too much to put it away, and alongside the other candles and fairy lights it is still lovely and cosy. 

And though it might not be December just yet, I couldn't resist this candle from Primark for £1.50. I thought the snowflake was so cool and it also smells super Christmassy and adds a bit of subtle festivity without raiding the Christmas decs.

Another way to do this is by adding either bedding or, as a cheaper alternative, a Christmas throw from Primark for £5. Not only is it so soft and warm, but it is does the job of being festive and saves buying an entire duvet set. Of course, any throw or blanket at this time of year will also be fab for keeping warm in your bedroom! Add some cushions for extra cosiness. 

 And lastly, no cosy winter bedroom would be complete without a pair of PJ's. Though I've found it to be too warm to wear the usual thick Winter PJ's, I did invest in some Christmas Santa/Snowflake leggings from Primark for £10, that are fleece-lined and perfect for lazying around the house and bedtime. Paired with this long-sleeved black t-shirt (£5) and dark blue slippers (£3), I am super snug without being too hot or too cold. As you can see I have spent quite a bit in Primark recently, but there really is nowhere like it for Christmas at the minute as you get what you want without spending too much for things you may not use for too long.

Any other ideas for how to cosy up a room? Who else is getting excited for Christmas?

xx