Call it a delayed spring clean but recently I've been having a major interior sort out and refresh. From a few new bits to a bargain new sofa I've been moving things around whilst also heading to Pinterest for some inspiration.
This all led me to want to share with you a few inexpensive decor accessories... which if you aren't that interested in could be used as blog props inspiration or even ideas for affordable gifts for an interior enthusiast.
Believe it or not, I'm even savvier when it comes to homeware because it can all get a bit pricey, so I thought I'd share quite a few of my favourite home-y pieces under £10. Hope you find something here!
Roll My Eyes Rose Gold Framed Print The Range £2.99
The Range is one of my go-to budget home decor stores. If you are looking for a home bargain, whether that be inexpensive art, photo frames, lighting or accessories you will most likely find something in The Range! In their current sale, I picked up this sassy AF copper framed art print which to be honest was worth it for the frame alone - I mean you can't get much better than £2.99, can you?! It hasn't found a home yet but I'm sure it will be going on a shelf somewhere. I still can't believe the price of this and other art prints and canvas's in The Range sale right now! Available both online in the link above and in-store.
Dream Word Ornament Aldi £5.99
I recently picked this up on a whim when checking out the Lacura skin care range in Aldi and decided I couldn't leave without it. Perfect for any room of the house especially on a bedside table this will suit most decors. As I haven't seen anything similar on a budget I was really pleased to pick this up and will pick up more should Aldi decide to expand on them. Basically the budget version of the West Elm signs! Similar gold 'Fabulous' sign here.
Gold Wire Storage Baskets (set of 2) Asda £6.00
Wire baskets are having a bit of a moment, aren't they? But annoyingly they can be quite pricey! Thankfully I came across these in Asda surprisingly in the bathroom accessories section with the toothbrush holders and towels. Coming in a set of 2 I was really pleased to see these at only £6 and found I really liked the gold finish. I personally think these are too nice for the bathroom (I could imagine them filled with Lush bath bombs though) and prefer to have them on display on an Ikea shelving unit I have in my open plan living room/dining room. Availabe both online in the link above and in larger Asda stores.
Decorative Floral Garland ASOS £8.50
I initially picked up this garland to use as a blog photography prop as it was just so pretty. But on seeing it in the flesh I decided it was too nice just to use as a backdrop and now have it on a shelf in my living room. This is surprisingly realistic looking with almost a dusty feel to the spindly branches and can be bent into any position'shape you wish, making it ideal for wrapping around something like ladder shelves or a bed headboard (it's pretty long). A fairly inexpensive home decor find that I really love!
Beautiful Unframed Art Print John lewis £5.00
I'm pretty sure if you were after affordable art prints you wouldn't think to look in John Lewis,. However, John Lewis actually offer a fairly wide range of £5 40x30 cm prints! These, of course, come unframed as you would expect but really are worth checking out. My favourite print is this simple typography art print which I really love. For John Lewis, these really as such good value for money and I really recommend checking out the full range here (searching from low-high) if you are after some affordable prints for your walls.
Matalan Double Sided Mongolian Cushions £10.00
With a new sofa, I wanted to find some affordable large cushions that would be suitable all year round. With a grey sofa I knew I wanted some blush pink cushions and after looking around I went with the popular choice of a pair of shaggy fur cushions. These are not only extremely comfortable but they look good are well filled and even double sided. I'm so pleased with how these look against my sofa and think they may come in handy as blog props in the future due to their texture. One of my favourite new home buys here other than my dreamy sofa of course!
Bird Shaped Gold Scissors eBay £3.49
To stationery now with a pair of stunning dainty scissors. You really wouldn't believe these are from eBay, would you? Perfect for either on a desk or even in the bathroom these are such lovely looking scissors that deserved to be out on display.
You can also find the cute little Miss Etoile Hearts & Eyes Trinket Dish for £5.95 here.
Decorative LED Mistletoe Tree Amazon £9.95
Lastly, I had to include this maybe slightly festive themed decorative tree but because of how inexpensive it is! Now as it's technically a light up mistletoe bush you may be instantly looking at it as a purely Christmas decoration... however I actually think it's not that obvious so I have it out all the time as when it's lit up it looks incredibly lovely. Each branch is totally bendable and the little berry lights are a nice warm white. Of course, the price is so low because it is a seasonal item so I expect it to raise as we get closer to December but for now it's such a bargain.
As I secretly have quite a passion for interiors especially on a budget I really have enjoyed putting this post together, so let me know if you want me to provide a bit more home decor/interior content.
Also, let me know your favourite home accessory here!
Fee xo.
When it comes to seasons I like to fully embrace them... I also love to change up the decor in my home. So it now seems to be a tradition of mine that I have seasonal decorations!
So as I'm feeling very autumnal and tomorrow is Halloween I thought I would share with you my homeware additions, my little doggy and a few other bits & bobs...
Around the fire
First up is my mantelpiece/fire which I always like to make a feature of even though I don't ever turn the fire on. The main thing here that makes it look cosy and autumnal is my orange maple leaf garland that I purchased from eBay a few years ago (you can find similar cheap ones here). This just brings the outdoors in and the burnt orange shade is spot on. I also like my owls especially the lovely one above, so Oscar Owl (from Homebase last year) takes pride of place on the end of my mantel piece. Next to that I have my wonderful Village Candle in Brownie Delight (£13.24 - eBay here) that I've been continuously burning... I promise it literally smells like you have been baking brownies, I can't even detect a synthetic scent to it!
Then to the hearth of my fire I have a little Halloween sign (a bargain at £1 from Poundworld) and a vintage brass birdcage (found at a car boot) to one side then some white log ornaments (from Homesense) and a pumpkin (£1.50 - Asda) I intend to carve, as long as my dog stops scratching at it!
Cosy soft furnishings
As it gets colder cushions and blankets that double up as throws are a must! My two new cushions where a brilliant buy from Asda (£7 each - owl here/squirrel here) which I couldn't be more pleased with - Mr. owl will be staying out till way pass Christmas. On a side note I highly recommend Asda this year for cushions and bedding - great quality, affordable and just spot on for Autumn and Christmas. As for my very cozy and warm throw this was a bit of a splurge from Homesense as it was around £25, but I figure if it will keep me from turning on the heating as much then it's paid for itself, right?
Little extras
Next to the armchair in my living room I have a simple brown wicker picnic basket that I use as kind of an informal side table. This always has a stack of books on it and a special Believe in Yourself Notebook (£8.49 - Amazon here) which is where I plan all my blog posts. Every other page has a little encouraging quote to it and it's just beautiful. Next to that tends to be a drink of some kind if I'm blogging away... at the moment I love Whittard's Turkish Apple Instant Tea (£5.50 here) during the day - which is in an red owl mug... I told you I liked my owls! Sadly I don't know where it's from as it was a gift last Christmas. Then the little coaster underneath, again featuring owls, were a savvy buy from B&M Bargains at 99p for a set of two.
Hope you've enjoy this slightly different type of post today and I've maybe inspired you to add a few autumnal editions to your home or bedroom!
Fee xo.
Yesterday I felt Spring had finally arrived! After a rainy start the sun came out and it actually felt warm, warm enough to open a few windows, which prompted some tidying that led on to a full on spring clean.
I'm not one for spending the whole day cleaning & tidying on a Sunday but as the sun came out I noticed how dusty things actually looked and how much painting needed to be done (which will be another time), so I decided to give everything a bit of a clean. I then decided to organise quite a lot of things in my kitchen, makeup/office room and then finally my wardrobes. I'm now writing this pretty exhausted but with a lovely clean spring-ready house.
In my dining room I gave my glass console table a good clean (I seem to have a lot of glass furniture!) and added some yellow flowers in a white half vase to tie in with the yellow wallpaper in my living room. The yellow flowers I've had for over 3 years now as they artificial, so I keep re-using them in different areas! I also stacked up some recent magazines on the table next to it and added a lovely new Neom candle (review to come soon).
On my dining table I added some fresh tulips which I think look perfect for spring, though I know won't last long until they are all drooping over the sides of the vase... so I am thinking I may have to track down some artificial red tulips so it can become a permanent feature on my table during Spring.
In the kitchen I decided to stack some cookbooks and the odd gardening book instead of displaying them the usual way and added my favourite white gluggle jug next to them. On the other side of my kitchen I added a wooden wine rack that is from Next.... though it contains more bottles of Malibu than anything else.
For my makeup room I didn't actually have much to do except for add a few new pretty things to my desk such as the lovely Blue Willow tray and my perfume bottle car boot find. I did contemplate cleaning my Muji storage but decided that could be left for another day... hence the no photos as the storage has foundation fingermarks dotted all over it... oops!
I also added some magazines to my magazine stand which is actually an old shop fitting, but does the job perfectly of holding my many magazines that I can't throw away. I also gave my wardrobe a good clear out and placed all my winter clothes in a huge plastic container to go up into the attic so I have more room for summer clothes (this is something I started doing a few years ago now and it helps so much with space). I also added some new gift bags to my clothes rails (just A4 sized paper gift bags) that I use for holding underwear, scarves and accessories. Plus I attached a canvas shoe rack to the rail which I actually place rolled up t-shirts plus shoes in as I actually don't have any drawers, so hanging organisers really are a great way to create some type of extra shelving in a wardrobe.
Another little trick I did to finish of my spring cleaning was to add some verbena & lemon perfume/essential oil which is meant for a burner onto some cotton wool pads and placed them down the back of every radiator, so when my heating is on the scent will be released more.
Really hope you have enjoyed this slightly different interior post and hopefully it has given you a few ideas if you are planning a little spring clean yourself.
Fee xo.
Recently as the weather has got more dull and will only continue to do so as we go into winter I have been thinking about changing my bedroom around, so that I get the maximum amount of natural light possible when applying my makeup. So I thought I would have a bit of a ramble here and show you some images that have been inspiring me.
Plus, also share a few tips on how to maximize natural light and also how to chose the right type of lighting/bulbs for when natural light is non-existent i.e when you have to wake up early in winter (urgh)!
Now the best thing you can do in winter is to move your desk/dressing table/makeup mirror under the window (well it's the best place anytime really) as you will get the most amount of light onto your face, it will be natural and most importantly it will be even - so no making one eye darker than the other. However for me this just isn't possible as my window sill is quite low and I also have a radiator under it so don't fancy placing my mirror on the window sill when getting ready and the feeling too hot or burning my knee on the radiator?!
However what I am thinking of doing instead is...
...placing my mirror on the wall opposite the window so that I still get the benefits of the window, as the light will bounce off the mirror and will be more even than if I kept my mirror and vanity area were it is currently, which is kind of far left of my window and doesn't get a lot of light. I should of really taken some pictures, but will make sure I take before and after images when I change it all!
Also ideally it is best to have a hung mirror on the wall so you can see your entire face and neck and then also a stand-up mirror, like in the beautiful image above. So that you can pick it up and see what your face looks like in different lighting and so you don't apply less make-up to the side of the face that is more in shadow.
Bathroom Lighting...
However if you get ready & apply your make-up in the bathroom and you can't be moving a mirror cabinet around or the natural light is limited because the size/position of the window, then artificial lighting it what you want to tackle.
So firstly if your lighting makes you look all yellow or it warms your skin up, then you should think about changing it for cool lighting and what I mean by that is going for a full spectrum bulb that will be a lot cooler and look more like daylight. Also these types of bulbs are used for indoor product photography and come in all different sorts of fittings.
So firstly if your lighting makes you look all yellow or it warms your skin up, then you should think about changing it for cool lighting and what I mean by that is going for a full spectrum bulb that will be a lot cooler and look more like daylight. Also these types of bulbs are used for indoor product photography and come in all different sorts of fittings.
Next is the position of the light(s), if you are lucky enough to have tilt-able down lights/spot lights then you want to direct then so the light is bouncing off the walls and not directly downwards as lighting that shines down on you will cast so many ugly shadows and just won't look at all good. But if you just have a single light fixture then you could consider changing the bulb for a higher wattage (and full spectrum) or purchasing a new wall mirror with built in LED lighting on either side of it, which will give the idea of natural lighting.
When space & natural light are against you...
I just had to include this image as realistically this vanity idea is limited for space/the appearance of space and it also has no natural light source at all. Yet it appears that there is enough space and the lighting looks more than adequate.
The reason for this is because of the huge mirror of course which really opens the corner of the walk-in wardrobe instead of it being a dead end effectively which would of made it look quite claustrophobic. But also the mirror reflects the lighting in the room actually making it brighter than it is. I actually did this in my bathroom as the room is quite narrow and dark so I had installed two large pieces of mirror glass - one in the shower area and one sink to ceiling for getting ready in the morning and it really opened the space. Plus it is very cheap to do... a lot cheaper than buying a mirror that size in fact.
Also the strip lighting either side of the mirror really helps balance the light in that area so less shadows are cast!
Contemporary bedroom design by new york photographer Alexander Johnson Photography
Lighting for small corners...
Back to the bedroom now and if you are limited for space then half the time your dressing table gets stuck in the corner or in an alcove, which really isn't the best place for it. But there are solutions. Like the image above - a vintage-esque 3 mirrored vanity mirror can help so you can see your face from all angles and all the mirrors will bounce the light around in that area a bit better than just a single mirror. Or you could invest in two matching table lamps to place either side of the mirror - you don't want anything that gives of a glow though so no cream shades and again look for light bulbs that state 'full spectrum' on them or atleast go for daylight light bulbs.
Also a hand held mirror is very handy so that you can get up and check your makeup in front of the window.
So none of it is rocket science but it is all about reflecting the available light in winter and going for the right type of bulb and not just the one your hand lands on in the supermarket!
You can view my current dressing table set-up in my Through the Keyhole post here. But hopefully when I next come to do an inspiration/interior type post everything will be in a different place and most important in better lighting conditions for me!
Fee xo.
Fee xo.
After quite a few of you seemed to enjoy having a nosey at my home I thought I'd do something similar but just in the bathroom... as I definitely spend enough time in there, pampering and preening myself! Plus I recently picked up a few nice new products that I wanted to share.
As I'm sure you will notice my bathroom is on the plain/simple side, though I like to think of it as more on the contemporary side and a bit spa like! But if definitely needs afew more green/lime accents to make it look a little more fresh and zingy!
 |
| Towel in Lime from Next Home, Tam Tam Stool from Habitat |
So last week I went shopping at the Trafford Centre in Manchester and picked up a Tam Tam stool from Habitat - which I haven't made my mind up if I want it for under my dressing table or in the bathroom. I've been wanting a Tam Tam stool for the longest time as to be honest I wanted the most expensive one which costs around £120, but I instantly came to my senses when I saw the one above in Habitat for only £15 - they came in all different colours; red, pink, teal, purple and black but I decided to pick the white one as it could suit any room that way.
I just love how it can be used for so many different things - outside as seating, as a side table, under a dressing table and of course it doubles up as storage! It surprisingly stores quite alot which makes it perfect for extras such as cleanser, cotton pads, back-ups of products and other products you don't want filling up the counters and shelves of your bathroom.
 |
| Muji Refill Bottle by Muji Selfridges, Botanics Face Brush from Boots |
You are all most likely wondering what the strange concoction above is, right? Well it is in fact the best eye makeup remover ever (well in my opinion) and is totally home made! It's basically 3/4 water, 1/4 olive oil and a splash or two of rose water (which you can buy in the baking section of most supermarkets). I've been using the mixture for around 4 months now (with cotton wool pads) instead of the Botanics eye makeup remover (as I started to find it abit too greasy) and it's perfect, just so great and fresh, just the best remover I've tried. Though I have to thank Muhsine from Bubblegarm for mentioning the Muji dispenser (£2.95) as I was using an empty travel bottle and it just wasn't great.
The Boots Botanics Facial brush (£6.10) is another favourite which is always on the side of the sink as I use it twice daily with a foaming SLS-free face wash in the morning and a cream cleanser at night and it really has transformed my skin so, so much!
There are definitely afew more extras that I want still, namely the tiny artificial orchids from Bloom which are only £3 each and would look perfect in a row of three on my bathroom window sill. I'm also looking for a new quirky toothbrush holder as I'm just using a crackled mirror candle holder that's looking slightly shabby now which is why I thought the Sparrow Bird Vase from Graham & Green could make the most perfect holder if the holes are big enough to fit a toothbrush and of course if the item goes on sale, as £19.74 would be a crazy amount to spend on a toothbrush holder/vase!
Onto more beauty related products I'm on the look out for a nice new cosmetic bag which is harder than it seems - just so many horrible textures and patterns! But I'm either going to go for the one above from Paul & Joe that comes in a set of two or spend a tiny bit more and get one by Anya Hindmarch. I'm also obsessed with scrubs at the moment in all forms so I'm dying to try the Korres Guarana Exfoliating Body Soap (£5.00) and also the gorgeous smelling Boots Extracts Mango Sugar Scrub (£7.92).
Though I have been loving using The Breakfast Scrub from Soap & Glory (£9.45) on my upper body which I got last week and the strange slightly bird seed looking Exfoliating Sponge (above) which I bought from Tesco for around £4.50 which is just so good at exfoliating the legs and feet and more rough skin.
As for what I keep next to the shower/bath... basically too much! Even more scrubs - the Naked Rice scrub and a lovely hot butter fudge scrub from N-Spa that is very similar in scent to The Breakfast Scrub. Also quite a lot of sodium lauryl sulphate free shampoos and body washes, some Veet shaving foam and a lovely Cocoa oil from Palmers which can be used on damp skin after a shower or in the bath instead of bubble bath.
Overall my bathroom is stuffed full of lotions and potions but I don't think it too obvious which is what I love about it - it's just simple and fresh!
Really hope you have enjoyed this type of post!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)