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

      

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

                 

      

alternative advent

December is fast approaching and now is the time to consider the advent calendars that are on offer and which one we want! Advent is not a modern concept and once consisted of families drawing a chalk line every day of December until Christmas Eve! Needless to say advent calendars have developed considerably since then but the essence of the festive countdown and the anticipation of each day remains the same! Each day in the run up to Christmas provides a glimpse and taste of the festivities and the big day ahead! 

Now we are older we feel like advent should be a little more grown up! Advent calendars are now available from a variety of different markets which has allowed for a break in the traditional and the usual. From make up and beauty to beer and candles the selection out there is huge! 

The unconventional calendars that are now available, allow you to try out different brands or high end products with more expensive and luxurious surprises each day! (even better in our opinion!) These alternative advents are often a lot pricier than a standard chocolate one but why not indulge.. 'Tis the season' and all that! (well that's out excuse!) 

The 12 days of Christmas Lush £49.95 / Yankee candle Clintons £24.99 / 
The nutcracker Oliver Bonas £18 / 12 beers of Christmas Not on the highstreet £49.50 / 
Nail varnish Ciate £49 / No 7 25 days of beauty wonders Boots £38

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

                                 

      

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