tropical paradise

With Spring just around the corner and the sun starting to shine a little more every day, filling the house with bright, fresh and fun accessories creates a vibrant and radiant atmosphere. We have spotted quite a few tropical and Caribbean inspired pieces in the shops and we are loving these vibes! Vibrant and bold colours combined with colourful and bright prints are inspiring and add vibrancy to the home! Tropical animals, plants and nature adorn homeware items and add a quirky and interesting feature to any room!  

Cushions and soft furnishings are an instant and easy way to inject some 'on trend'  paradise touches. It's time to put away the cinnamon and winter scents and add some fresh and fruity scented candles for that crisp and clean feeling! If bold colours are a little daunting then introduce some natural textures and materials to create contrast, with some baskets (these also offer additional storage as well) Try mixing and combining different materials for an interesting feel and look. 

We love this trend and think adding a couple of pieces will create a 'truly tropical retreat' as we anxiously await the Summer months! 

Parrot cushion Asda £5 / Coconut and Pineapple scented candle Matalan £4 / 
Orange clock Red candy £25 / Pineapple lamp Oliver bonas £80 / 
Ombre baskets Matalan £35 / Pineapple print Not on the highstreet £7.95 / 
Leaf print cushion Matalan £8 / Bamboo bowl Oliver bonas £14 / Giraffe Habitat £20 

Sarah and Holly

      

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

      

let's get organised... the office

A tidy desk and work area helps to keep us focused and motivated and this is easily achieved with the addition of a few simple accessories, which can really make such a difference towards working. Desk decorating doesn't have to be dull and corporate either. Bright colours, mixing materials and textures, as well as quirky more unusual designs can create a fun and motivational work environment. Work isn't always fun or interesting and at times the thought of those mundane tasks can be less than inspiring. Creating a happy and stress free desk might just make work feel like less of a chore. 

Keep your desk top clean and fresh so try to wipe the surface regularly with disinfectant wipes. A pen pot ensures you always have a pen or pencil handy when you need to jot down something important! A box of tissues is also useful on the desk but you could add some whimsical fun and charm, with a novelty tissue box cover. A bright and bold desk lamp instantly adds colour as well as that much needed additional light if working late is necessary (not a fun thought we know!). Stackable trays for letters and paperwork help keep the desk empty with plenty of free space to work. A desk calendar, a novelty stapler, gadgets and other personal or fun accessories can create a positive working space! 

Shop around and find pieces that are personal to you and will create an environment you know you will love to work in! 

Desk calendar Not on the highstreet £21 / Lamp Wilkos £30 / Grass desk tidy Tiger £4 /  

Wooden letter tray Ryman £12.99 / House tissue box cover Red candy £5 / 

Chicken stapler Paperchase £4.50 / Cookie USB cup warmer Prezzybox £10 

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... storage solutions

Today's lets get organised post is about storage solutions. We all start January off with the idea that we want to get the house back into an organised and tidy state. Those cupboards and drawers that have been stuffed to capacity and barely closing for the last year are in desperate need of our attention! There's nothing worse than tipping the whole house upside down in an attempt to find something that we have plonked in the most unlikely of places months ago. So the beginning of the new year is a perfect time to get our homes back on track.

There are lots of ideas for every room, cupboard or drawer. There are practical and simplistic solutions for those items that we just want to be hidden from sight. Or stylish and beautiful ideas that make a nice addition to a room or decor, whilst also serving some functionality at the same time. We usually favour talking about the prettier items for homes, but sometimes we have to accept that looking after our home's is not just about pretty accessories, trends and colours but keeping on top of the basic and everyday tasks.

We have already started to have a January sort out in our own homes. Here are a few ideas that we have picked out that may help. 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!

Wall Organiser Dunelm £59.99 / Set of 2 Wire baskets Habitat £45 / Chest Ikea £65 / Set of 3 Wire House Shelves Next £14 / Flower Scarf Organiser Homebase £1.99 / Storage basket Wilkos £1.99 / 4 Drawer Stripe Unit George £18.00

Sarah and Holly

      

let's get organised... thanks for the memories

Today's lets get organised post is about documenting and recording moments and memories. A year might only be 12 months (and maybe it's just us) but when we look back at 2015 we struggle to remember what we did or where we went! Scrapbooks and photo albums are a perfect way to store and keep those fun adventures and events to look back on in years to come. At the end of each month gather together any items that have been saved or print out some of your favourite photographs you have taken. Sit down, put on a film and start arranging a few pages to reflect the month just gone. Washi tape, stickers, instant photos, patterned papers and alphabet stamps work well combined together to create fun and exciting pages. Pinterest and Instagram are perfect places to look for inspiration to get you started! It's a chance to get creative and if you do this month by month you won't forget what you did! 

There are lots of types and styles of scrapbooks out there as well as a brand called project life, which is a simple and easy way to document your life. There are kits and packs available containing postcards and insert cards to help and aid you to easily add text and images to pages. These are great as they add colour, design and fun to page layouts and can be easily incorporated alongside your own photos and keep sakes. Why not give it a go and see how your scrapbook looks at the end of the year. And if a scrapbook doesn't seem like your idea of fun, then why not try out some magnetic photo frames for the fridge and switch the photographs each month. Whatever you decide to do make sure you have something to look back on fondly in the future to remind you of the fun times had and the adventures taken over the years!

Project life pack Hobbycraft £25 / Planets scrapbook Paperchase £16 / 

Camera scrapbook Paperchase £12 / Washi tape Papermash £2.50 / 

Letter stamps Hobbycraft £12 / Polaroid instant camera Argos £119.99 / 

Holographic alphabet stickers Ohh deer £5.50 / Awesome tape Ohh deer £3.50 / 

Magnetic photo frames Red candy £11.50 

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

     

and a happy new year

Christmas is over and done with for another year. Why does it go so quickly? All that fuss for just one day but we had a lovely time with our family. Now it is the awkward time in between Christmas and new year, the slightly depressing realisation that the big day is over and the decorations just start to irritate us slightly. We have a few days back at work (back to some normality for us) but we still have the new year celebrations to look forward to. We are not wild party animals so we tend to enjoy a nice evening at home but this doesn't have to mean a boring or dull night. We like to watch some good films, make some cocktails and drinks (why not treat yourself to a posh shaker) and choose a selection of snacks and treats. Or if we want to ensure we stay awake until midnight (this is much harder now) we like to play some party games and we are currently loving the Obama llama one, which we featured in our last blog post! 

Staying in doesn't mean scrimping on the decorations or the fun. Bake a celebration cake or some party buns! Or opt for a disposable camera, which is a good talking point too, to capture the celebrations and fun in a more traditional way (no instant photos!) Some banners hung up, party poppers at the ready and some novelty accessories create the perfect party to welcome the new year! And if you can't be with friends or family then why not send out some happy new year cards to them! Whatever your plans or however you decide to spend the evening make it special and say goodbye to 2015 and hello 2016!

Cocktail shaker Paperchase £18 / Cake topper Not on the highstreet £17 / 
Happy new year banner Folksy £18.90 / Lets party card Urban outfitters £3.50 /
Gogglebox game Amazon £18.41 / Disposable camera Urban Outfitters £12 / 
Metallic paper cups Paperchase £4.95

Sarah and Holly

      

merry christmas

Thank you to everyone who reads our blog and follows us on our Instagram page we hope you have a lovely Christmas and a fabulous New year too!

Sarah and Holly

      

dasher, dancer, prancer...

... vixen, comet, cupid, donner, blitzen and not forgetting rudolf! (who else thought of jingle all the way as they read that!

Reindeers we believe are one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas. As children we always looked out of our bedroom windows on Christmas Eve, with the expectation of hopefully getting a glimpse of Father Christmas and his reindeer as they flew through the sky and listening out for the jingle of the sleigh! Now we are older we are glad to say we don't spend our Christmas Eve this way but we still love the idea of the reindeers! 

Sometimes shopping for Christmas decorations can be daunting! The shops are saturated with some many themes and styles (sometimes too much choice can be overwhelming!) and it can be difficult to select multiple items and imagine them all pieced together without it looking like a jumbled up mess or a mix and match! So often it can be easier to choose just one single element and roll with it! Luckily there are lots of different variations of reindeer out there! Realistic and wild, cute and adorable, simple and figurative or as part of a farisle print, it is easy to incorporate these creatures into your Christmas decorating. We think reindeers are a timeless, classic, familiar and simple choice that can be repeated and replicated Christmas after Christmas. The best part we think is that you can build up a vast and varied collection and pick up new pieces each year to add to it, so there is no need to rush out and buy everything you can find in your chosen theme! Collections take years to build up and that's the fun part! Here are few ideas to inspire!

Candle John Lewis £12.00 / Candle holder Ebay £19.99 / Heat changing mug Boots £9.00 / Pom Pom decoration Oliver Bonas £4.00 / Draught excluder M&Co £10.50 / Reindeer names print Not on the high street £9.10 / Metal Reindeer Habitat £45.00

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

christmas around the home

Another Christmas inspired post today (we hope you are enjoying them so far). By now most of us have decorated the tree (or trees) in our homes and hung our stockings by the fireplace. But what about adding that festive touch elsewhere in the home. Christmas is about indulgence and celebration so we think it's worth going all out and adding the christmas cheer around the whole house. Why limit Christmas to just one room or just have a tree? What about using a seasonal scent, a diffuser, air freshener or soap, so the house not only looks Christmassy but smells like it too. If you enjoy the festive season as much as we do then these ideas could really make this Christmas extra special in your home. 

We love finding something special each year to add to our collection of Christmas decor. Year on year when you open the boxes full of Christmas treasures and unpack those exciting items it adds something special to the whole occasion. From mugs to cushions to bedding or prints there is a massive range of products available. Disgard the boring tea towels and pick out something fun and festive, it is Christmas after all. 

Here are a few of our favourites.

Tea towel Not on the hightstreet £8.15 / Hand towel BHS £8.00 / Santa tea pot Next £12 / Oven gloves Asda £4.00 / Mug Emma Bridgewater £19.95 / Cinnamon diffuser Matalan£3.00 / Santa bedding M&S £13.65-£34.65

Sarah and Holly

                 

                                                              

it's a wrap!

Once the christmas shopping list is ticked off and complete its time to start thinking about how to thoughtfully wrap those important gifts. Just as much thought is needed in wrapping a gift as well as buying it, thats part of the fun of giving. Lets face it, buying the presents is the easy part but starting the mammoth task of wrapping all those presents is not one we look forward to. So why not get creative and enjoy it! There is a huge choice of paper, tapes, bows, tissue paper, string and tags, so you can get as creative as you like. You could stick to traditional colours and imagery or pick on trend designs that use hints of luxurious coppers and metallics. Character based designs, typography, there really is a massive range out there. 

If you are feeling really ambitious what about creating your own paper designs or crafting home made gift tags. If you are not as ambitious as that Sarah & Bendrix did a blog post about their printable designs, check the post out by clicking on the link. You could even incorporate small gifts into your wrapping. Tying a christmas decoration to a bow adds a thoughtful and sentimental touch to a gift. 

We have picked out some of our gift wrapping favourites below. 

Washi Tape Hobbycraft £5.00 / 2M Wrap pack Next £6.00  / 

Large gift bag Paperchase £4.00 / Red film bow John Lewis £2.00 / Personalised gift stamp Not on the high street £17.50 / Sticker Roll Wilkos £1.00

Sarah and Holly

                                                             

the christmas jumper

In recent years Christmas jumpers have become extremely popular and we really do mean popular! Before the new craze began a few years ago Christmas jumpers for us conjured up visions of cheesy 80's Christmas music videos, crazy patterned prints, itchy fabrics and families in matching jumpers on Christmas cards. These stereotypes are long gone with the jumpers back in force in the shops with new, edgy, modern and interesting designs to choose from. 

Now you can pick up a jumper during your weekly food shop at the supermarket. Jumper designs range from the simple and the understated to the kitsch and the bright with all the trimmings, sequins and sparkles you could dream of! We have spotted a few with witty quotes and text too! It seems the Christmas jumper is now a festive staple and makes the perfect and easy outfit choice for office jumper days, parties and of course Christmas Day! (or why not all of December!) 

If you can't find a jumper you like (and you have a spare afternoon) then why not DIY one yourself! Pick up a plain, cheap jumper and head down to your local craft shop. Pop on a Christmas film and go wild with hot glue and decorate to your hearts content! But if you don't have the time or the patience to make one, check out the below items we have picked to help you with this years jumper decision. We have selected a few different styles and designs on the market this year!

Let's 'jump' in! 

Deer jumper Next £32 / Baahumbug Next £32 / Let it snow Asda £16 / 

Mornings New Look £19.99 / Candy cane Topshop £35 / Reindeer Sainsburys £18 

Sarah and Holly

              

      

magic and sparkle

Soon the boxes of Christmas decorations will be brought down from the loft, the dust will be blown away and the boxes opened to reveal the decorations and accessories of Christmas pasts. But as we search for the boxes in the dark and battle with the spiders, there is no doubt that we will start to worry. Will the tree lights work when we plug them in? What if the baubles are broken or were squashed in storage? So each year we like to add or update our existing decorations and incorporate some new pieces to keep Christmas fun and exciting as well as replacing any old or broken items. This will not be difficult as we have spotted so many amazing pieces on the highstreet. 

A new pack of baubles is an inexpensive way to change the colour scheme of the tree and are available in some many different shapes and colours. You could also check out our John Lewis post if you fancy something a little more special and individual! Twinkly wreaths, festive copper star lamps as well as plaques and signs with wonderful festive quotes, work well hung over door handles or swapped with a canvas or picture (no need to put any extra nails in the walls!) Snow globes look great added to shelves or fireplaces alongside current decor. Battery powdered fairy lights (available everywhere!) or garlands draped over mirrors can be easily added for some extra sparkle to a room. Lets not forget tea light holders and candles. These always add some extra Christmas spirit as they flicker away and be sure to pick up some seasonal and festive scented ones too!

Christmas decorating is our favourite so why not go wild, be creative and use Christmas as an excuse to add some magic and sparkle to your home! We have picked out a few examples below to help inspire you! (colour scheme was genuinely unintentional!) 

Noel sign Wilkos £1.50 / Metal star garland Next £10 / Snow globe Next £14 / 
Reindeer tea light holder Habitat £35 / Star lamp Ikea £8 / Candle holder Ikea £2.50

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

by the fireside

Living in a new build or modern home can sometimes be tricky when it comes to furnishing and decorating. Often the rooms can lack features and focal points. Older buildings offer beautiful original and historical features, which add character and charm. Don't get us wrong we love our houses, they are modern, fresh and bright! However, it can be hard to decorate or arrange a room when there is nothing to act as a centre piece! If this is the case then why not treat this as a blank canvas and an opportunity to make your mark and create a space that's right for you. 

A fireplace can be an easy and simple way to add focus within a room as well as creating a much more cosy atmosphere. There are many free standing electric fires to choose from in varying sizes (compact ones are available if you have a small room) as well as various different styles. These are easy to assemble and install as they don't require a chimney and many come already assembled! Just unpack, plug it in and wait for the room to get toasty!

As Christmas approaches we have spotted various images on Pinterest and in magazines of magical, dreamy rooms with roaring fireplaces adorned with stockings and beautiful garlands! (you always want what you don't have) But whatever shape or style room you have, a fire place can be included to create the perfect homely living room. And yes we know these may not be the traditional roaring open fires with logs that we all wish we had but this a good compromise, that is quick and easy to do yourself!

Smeg fire John Lewis £444 / White compact fire Argos £149.99 / 

Black traditional style fire Homebase £399 / Walnut shelf fire Fireplace world £499 /

Stove and surround Very £499 / Cube shelf fire Next £399

Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

put the kettle on

Now we are heading towards the colder months and the winter season, hot drinks for us become a must and necessity. The perfect way to warm up! Cups of hot tea, coffee, cappuccinos... well you get the idea! (we don't need to list them all!) Now we know kettles may not seem like the most exciting or interesting item to talk about but without these appliances we wouldn't be able to snuggle up and enjoy a nice hot beverage on these now darker, cooler days!

Kettles are a functional item but this doesn't mean they can't look stylish sat on the kitchen worktop. If you shop around you can find a variety of different shapes and colours to match your kitchen decor. There is a huge array of kettles out there depending on taste, ranging from copper / rose gold effect to bright and bold colours. Pretty patterns adorn some, while others use a more traditional shape and style! We even found some that change colour as they boil! The choice is yours! Just remember kettles don't have to be dull and boring and you can have a lot of fun deciding which one you want! The humble kettle is used everyday so why not pick one that is just a little bit more exciting! (the smeg one though how cute and available in lots of other colours too!)

Copper kettle Debenhams £110 / Red heart kettle Next £32 / 

Colour change kettle John Lewis £46 / Cuppa kettle Argos £29.99 / 

Smeg pink kettle Currys £99.99 / Cranberry kettle Asda £54.99 

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