fake it

When it comes to plants and flowers, there are those of us who manage to keep them alive and there are those of us who forget to water them, overwater them and well just kill them off. Fresh flowers in the home are always a lovely idea but can often be expensive and the pounds soon add up when bought weekly. Plus if you can't keep plants alive then this becomes an extra cost and also such a waste to keep replacing them! We think fake or artificial flowers and plants are an easy option to place around the home to help add some greenery and we say this loosely a 'natural' element to any room. Although we do think this topic is probably like marmite, you will either love the idea of the fake ones or you will hate it and prefer the real, living options. 

If you are willing to try artificial then are lots of fake options available to choose from. These can be easily added to any room without any mess, no need to water or maintain, they are perfect for anyone with allergies and are also pet friendly (although we have seen with our own eyes that cats will try to eat fake plants though!) We would also advise to be quite careful when selecting artificial pieces, as some can often look a little too green or a little too shiny. Try to find some really good quality ones that look as realistic and convincing as a 'fake' plant can look! Most often already come in pots and include gravel and stones for extra decoration. Why not opt for something quirky, like succulents arranged inside a vintage book or a cute hanging glass terrarium. 

So why not try adding some greenery or some brightly coloured flowers to match your room decor, around the house but without the hassle of the real deal!

Peach flowers Not on the highstreet £9.95 / Terrarium globe Fred Aldous £3.96 / 

Succulent mix Blooming artificial £38.39 / Cactus with gravel in glass pot John Lewis £8 / 

Succulents in book Not on the highstreet £29.50 / Succulent in grey pot Farthing £21.50 / 

Grass Ikea £20 

Sarah and Holly

      

a hint of mint

We have to admit that mint has never been a colour we have been attracted to before (and maybe these cold, long winter days at the moment are making us dream of spring) but mint is a really refreshing colour and combined with cooler grey tones and shades creates a great contrast for a bathroom. Mint green for us also reminds us of those vintage bathroom suites you see in old houses (and also ice cream!) These may be out of fashion now but mint isn't and used with other colours and textures can create a more modern look and feel! Most bathrooms or downstairs toilets tend to be on the smaller size (well for us they do!) so 'a hint of mint' might help to create a bright and fresh environment without dominating the whole room with too much colour! Try white and mint for a truly crisp, contemporary and bright look! 

We posted a photograph on Instagram of some lovely mint and grey bathroom accessories, which we spotted in Asda and this inspired us to expand on this theme and search for some other bathroom pieces and items to accompany these! So if you fancy adding a touch of pastel green to your bathroom to add some freshness over the winter months and to take you into the spring, then check out the items we selected below!

Soap dispenser Matalan £4 / Storage basket Cloudberryliving £29 / 
Tiles Etsy $19.95 / Waste bin Red candy £20 / Shower curtain Homebase £14.99 / 
Bath mat set BHS £18 / Wire storage basket This modern life £52 / 
Hand towel Asda £4 

Sarah and Holly

      

let's get organised... in the kitchen

We hope you are enjoying the 'let's get organised' series and today we have some more ideas and hacks for the kitchen! The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home and with this in mind we believe the kitchen is an important room, which should be well organised, clean and tidy. Here are a few ideas to help create an organised space. Clever over the door storage creates more cupboard space and attaching pieces to the wall frees up valuable worktop space, if a kitchen is on the smaller size. Why not try freestanding shelf units or trolleys with wheels, which can be moved around the kitchen and are a great versatile item. If baked goods (home made or shop bought) are consumed and created frequently in your home then opt for a dome cake stand or cake tins, which can display and store tasty treats and once again frees up cupboard space. 

Organised drawers ensure it is easy to find utensils and tools. No one wants to open up a messy drawer with knives and forks mixed up together. There are expandable options to fit different drawer sizes as well as wooden, metal or plastic options. Planing the weeks meals always seems such a chore but a meal planner or a chalkboard hung in the kitchen helps to plan the week ahead and let's everyone know the weeks menu (without the need to ask you!) We have picked out some items we think will help with an organised kitchen and a more organised life as well as a quote to help inspire you! 

"A place for everything, and everything in its place" - Mrs Beeton (The book of household management) 

 Cake tins Lakeland £36.99 / Trolley Ikea £49 / Steel container Ikea £15 / 

Cutlery tray Habitat £10 / Utensil pot Lakeland £15 / Storage jar Habitat £15 / 

Steel rail Ikea £3.50 / Wall basket storage Ikea £22.50 / Chalkboard Ikea £17

Sarah and Holly

      

let's get organised... for the year ahead

Happy new year and hello 2016! Well 2015 flew by! We thought we would start off our first blog post of 2016 with a practical theme. Today's post is all about getting ourselves ready and organised for the year ahead. A lot of technology today allows you to plan and log events and manage your year using different devices and apps. But we still prefer the good old fashioned and traditional methods. There is something satisfying about turning a calendar over each month and looking at the events, birthdays or holidays that the month has to bring. Keeping a diary or journal is a sentimental way of looking back on a year and reminiscing on the memories you have made. Helping to keep our life's a little more organised should make the year seem much easier and enjoyable (well in theory). We are all guilty of ignoring the ever increasing to do list so why not make the process pretty and fun and pick out quirky items like the fish paper clips. Or you can keep it stylish and modern with on trend copper and marble.

Here are a few ideas and our favourite picks, we hope you like them. Don't forget to follow our blog (just click the follow button on the right side just scroll down you can't miss it!) so you can keep up to date with all the exciting posts we have planned for this year!

Marble notebook Ohh deer £6 / Fox diary Paperchase £4.50 / 
Copper in tray Paperchase £10 / 2016 calendar cards Not on the highstreet £17 / 
Sardine paper clips Ohh deer £6.95 / Storage tin This modern life £9 / 
Sticky tabs Paperchase £3 / Owl highlighters Paperchase £3.50 / 
Peg board This modern life £30 / Sticky notes Not the usual £3.95

Sarah and Holly

     

autumn glory

We have really embraced autumn on our blog and have posted quite a few seasonal posts recently (we just love this time of year). You might think we are been a bit premature with a post about wreaths (bear with us). But, with Halloween and bonfire night approaching and the season now in full swing we have seen more and more autumnal inspired items appearing on the high street. We think wreaths in particular would be perfect way to to decorate a home. 

Using natural materials and warm autumnal colours these wreaths add a hint of this nostalgic season to both inside and outside the home. We love the mixture of leaves, twigs, fruits and berries.

We think its a nice way to celebrate the change of seasons, the warm and rich colours and materials that represent this time of year.

Here are a few we have picked out...

Leaf wreath Etsy £35 /  Berry wreath Tk Maxx £19.99 / Apple wreath Tk Maxx £24.99 /

 Heart wreath Wilkos £5 / Mug Emma Bridgewater £17.95 / 

Tray Habitat £28 

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

they call it puppy love

Growing up we had a pet dog and she was a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a Caine terrier. We had her for 17 years and it is safe to say she was a huge part of our childhood and our lives growing up. We haven't had a pet dog since and instead we have ventured into the world of cats! But this doesn't mean we have lost interest in dogs and in fact in the future we can definitely envisage two (one each) long haired miniature dachshunds, which would be our dream companions (one day!) 

A few weeks ago we published a cat themed blog post and we thought it was only fair to post a dog themed post too. It is safe to say there are many unique items for mans best friend on the highstreet and online. Home ware seems to be inundated with pugs, dachshunds and other pooches. So if you don't like the idea or the responsibility of a real dog, why not indulge in some dog themed home ware instead. We know we will be sneaking in some dachshunds themed pieces in our homes (just don't tell the cats!) 

 Towels BHS £8 / Cushion Anthropologie £39.95 / Totally dotty print Duck and dog £49.95 /

Notebooks John Lewis £6 / Candle holder M&S £12 / Oven glove Debenhams £7 / 

Tea towels Debenhams £14 / Cushion Urban outfitters £50 

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

cosy up: winter essentials

We thought for our post this week (and because of the change in weather, its getting pretty chilly out there) that we would pick out some winter essentials. Things that we think will help us to embrace the looming dark nights ahead. So here are some ideas that might help.

Adorn the fireplace or side board with some nostalgic and seasonal candles. We love lighting candles, especially in Autumn and Winter. Our favourite scents are vanilla, cinnamon, cherry, well we like lots really. 

 Add lanterns or fairy lights to a room and make it feel atmospheric and warm. Oliver Bonas have some really pretty copper ones. 

Cuddle up with some big, fluffy cushions or throws (a hot water bottle is also a must!).

Pick out a favourite mug and enjoy a hot drink (we love hot chocolates).

Here are a few of our favourite items that we have found to help us prepare for the cold nights ahead.

Copper string lights Oliver Bonas £9.50 / Large Jar Candle Primark £3.00 / Chevron Throw Next £25 / Hedgehog Mug John Lewis £10 / Cushion Not on the high street £65 / Lantern Wilkos £12

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

light up, light up

The darker nights are looming and soon when we get home from work it will be pitch black. The house will feel cold, lifeless and gloomy. It's not Christmas yet (despite the fact it is already everywhere in the shops!) so we don't have the satisfying and fun treat of switching on all the fairy lights just yet! We think lighting helps to create a cosy and warm feeling in the home. Not just the standard floor lamps and table lamps (these are obviously vital) but other fun and interesting pieces, which can be switched on to create an uplifting atmosphere in the evenings. Plus any excuse to add twinkles and sparkles before the festive season is fine by us. 

Decorative light bulbs are an easy way to add a fun feature to an open lampshade and are super on trend! Another affordable item has to these scrabble lights as these are extremely versatile as the set contains 60 interchangeable letter stickers for the 10 light up tiles. These are perfect as the letters can be changed and altered to suit your own personal preference and wording requirements. These would also make a great moving in present or gift. 

These are some other pieces we selected below to add some brightness to your home. 

Tree Next £50 / Scrabble string lights Tesco £19.95 / Decorative light bulb Habitat £10 /
Constellation lamp Asda £15 / Cactus Etsy $125 / And sign Primark £9 / 
Cotton ball string lights The modern life £22.95

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

marble mad

Marble is definitely having an impact within homeware at the moment. Combined with coppers and metals this trend can look contemporary and chic. When we think of marble we automatically associate it as an luxurious and expensive item.

But, you can introduce this trend into a home in a more affordable and realistic way. If you fancy embracing your DIY side, why not use a mock effect vinyl or paper and cover an old table top or frame.

We have selected some items from the high street that won't leave you feeling guilty for adding a touch of this classic stone into your home. 

Tables Oliver Bonas £195 / Cushion Not on the high street £22 / Mug Not on the high steet £11.50 / Lamp House of Fraser £120 / Clock Not on the high street £49.99 / Towel Dunelm £5.99 / Plate H&M £6.99 

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

a b c it's as easy as, 1 2 3

A Etsy £33 / B Asda £2.50 / C Not on the high street £22

It seems like everywhere we look there are letters and numbers dominating the shops. 
The most iconic and well know copper Oliver Bonas letters spring to mind? Don't we all have one? Or at least want one. But it seems this trend features heavily throughout home ware items. Maybe its a way of personalising your home? Using your initials as an example in your home creates a special and intimate detail. Your home is a way of show casing yourself and your family and letters and numbers are an easy way to add that detail. Or perhaps it is the familiarity of words and letters which is comforting. 

                               

Oliver Bonas £10

Letters and numbers are also interesting in shape and form and can be introduced 
with other items to create a bold statement. It's not just letters individually. 
Typographic prints can create a strong and adventurous element to your home. 
Abstract and graphic interpretations of letters and text often take on a new form.  Letters which are created into geometric shapes can make exciting pieces of design for your walls.
Take a look at some of our favourite pieces we think would be a great addition
 to any home. 

Yellow poster The modern life £19 / Candle Asda £2 / & Wilkos £5
Love print Etsy from £7.28 / Panda The modern life £20 / Cushion Next £10 
Thanks postcard Paper chase £0.70

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

pets at home

It is estimated in the UK that 8.5 million households have a pet cat (or so Google tells us). As cat owners and cat lovers ourselves we are drawn to all things feline. It seems only fair to adorn the house with tributes to our furry friends. Our pets are an important factor of our home and our home life. They are a part of the family after all. So a few pieces in the house shows appreciation and praise for our beloved companions. 

Lets be honest though, our cats do not really care if we embellish the house in their honour. The truth is they will probably end up scratching or coating any new items in a thick layer of cat hair. However, it seems we are not able to resist these kitty themed pieces.

We are the first to admit though that this might not be to everyones taste but to the 8.5 million of you out there, we think the important factor here is to use humour, joy and fun in your home. 

But on a more serious note, try using some simple, modern and graphic designs and pieces to keep this tasteful and stylish. 

Here are a few of our purrfect picks we found! (Yes we did just say that!) 

Cat lady print Not on the high street £12.50 / Cat cushion Howkapow £34 / 

Black and white double sided cushion Primark £5 / 
Cat mug Not on the high street £10 / Cat bookend H&M £7.99 / 
Cat print Etsy $5.84 / Cat tea towel Hard to find $25

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

lets talk geometric

One of the easiest and simple ways to change or update a room is to introduce new shapes and patterns. This doesn't have to mean getting the builders in to knock down walls or dramatically changing the layout of your home. The geometric trend can help incorporate big blocks of bright, bold colours with an array and variety of interesting patterns and lines. Energetic angles and graphic forms can be exciting and dramatic when used in the right way. Shape and form can help create new and exciting areas. Colours applied together can create interesting contrasts. 

Strong lines and bold shapes can ignite some life into your home. It adds a modern and clean look and can be easily acheived by purchasing one main, expensive statement item or by using multiple, smaller, subtle pieces throughout the whole house. The choice and budget is yours! Picking items you would not quickly tire of would be an excellent investment for your home. Keep it simple and you can't go wrong! 

We had a lot of fun selecting the items below and we have to admit once you start looking for geometric inspired pieces it is hard to stop! It really is everywhere! The array of colours and shapes are fun and inspiring! Hence the multiple pieces we have selected below!

 (We particularly love the grey and yellow vase!)

Photo frame Primark £3 / Light shade Tomic & Daly £45 / Chair Argos £129.99 / 
Cushion Asda £7 / Rug Habitat £250

Vase House of Fraser £30 / Cushion Debenhams £28 / 
Bowls House of Fraser £18 - £20 / Soap dispenser Asda £5

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

fall into autumn

As the nights start to draw in and the summer season comes to an end, its time to start

thinking ahead to those cosy nights in. A new season is the perfect time to introduce some new elements and items into your home.

Autumn is literally everywhere we look now. Fall inspired this... and autumn/winter that... and we have to admit this does makes us very happy! Autumn is our favourite season. Creating warmth and introducing textures from the outside into the home. Making the house feel loved, inviting and warm as you walk through the door. The addition of a few new pieces celebrates the changing weather and prepares you for those cold winter months ahead. 

But do not fear as Autumn doesn't have to be all about those stereotypical oranges and reds. We are not denying this is wrong if it compliments and works with your current decor. However, we believe it is important to make sure your home will still work the rest of the year by using transitional items that are coherent with your current theme or style. 

Adding some new patterns and textures will add some warmth and spirit and a few new soft cushions thrown on the sofa with a new snuggly throw makes the sofa an autumn haven. Woody browns and some earthy tones allow you to embrace the time of year to the full. We can't deny we will miss the long, light, warm summer nights! But this time of year should be embraced with just a few small changes around the home it might not feel so daunting! 

Lantern Matalan £15 / Wallpaper Wilkos £8 a roll / Cushion John Lewis £25 / 
Stag Asda £8 / Owl candle The Range £2.99/ Throws Debenhams £50 / 
Light shade Asda £8

  Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

it all starts with a hello

 Welcome to our blog home on the humber. We are two sisters (who happen to be twins) who enjoy all things home. As proud new (ish) home owners living in Yorkshire, we spend most of our free time in homeware shops and online, pinning images on Pinterest and sending links to each other of items we have discovered and love. We want to share our ideas, taste and the trends we are enjoying with you. We both have degrees in creative subjects so we hope we can use this knowledge and our artistic skills to write interesting and fun posts. 

Now we have hit our mid twenties we have discovered a huge love and interest for our homes. Decorating our homes gives us a sense of pride and satisfaction. Nothing makes us happier than coming home after a long day at work to our little havens. After all there is no place like home.

We thought we would create this blog as a way of sharing our ideas and as a creative space to exhibit our ideas. So as we delve into the blogging world our aim for future posts will include trend posts, mood boards, top picks of the week, our favourite home hauls from YouTube, favourite shops, DIY’s, our own hauls, room transformations in our own homes, seasonal fun along with a wide array of other posts. 

You can also follow us on Instagram for more daily updates and photos. There is a link to our Instagram in the about me section. Just click on the Instagram icon to go directly to our profile. 

So as an introduction to the blog we thought it was only fitting to include some hello inspired homeware items for our first post. We hope you will follow us on our new blogging journey and enjoy the posts and ideas we intend to share.

So a big hello from home on the humber! 

Sunshine cushion Spoilt rotten gifts £19.20 / Metal hello sign Primark £3.00 / 
Plate Not on the high street £32 / Orange hello cushion Primark £5.00 / 
Door mat BHS £10 / Hello postcard The modern life £1.50

  Sarah and Holly