POCKETS OF SPRING AND HOUSEOLOGY GIVEAWAY

I don't know about you but for me March brings hints of spring, sunshine and all things green and it couldn't come sooner. I am soooo over the grey that's been lingering and super excited for bright starts and ditching the winter wardrobe. Over the last few days I've been pottering around the house, trying to create pockets of happy and investing in a few more succulents and cacti – I mean, can you ever have too many?! – and what better way to display my new green babies than in these gorgeous Pleasure Domes from Houseology *swoon*

I love the simple yet beautiful scandi design and natural wood, they certainly make my desk look spring ready! Also they're perfect for displaying treasured items in too, I've used the large dome to showcase one of our favourite books which would normally be stuck on a shelf out of eyesight, and I know I'll have lots of fun creating different displays depending on my mood.

I've teamed up with the wonderful Houseology to offer you lot the chance to win a £50 to spend on the Wireworks range, so you can style yourself a succulent dome or maybe even choose something for the kitchen range or bathroom. All you need to do is use the options below to enter. Good luck! x

*Term & Conditions
Prize: £50 to spend on Wireworks at Houseology.com
You must be a UK resident to be eligible for this competition; This voucher code is valid on items within the Wireworks category only; Free UK delivery will apply for your purchase; Voucher code is valid for one single transaction only, even where the full available balance is not met. Any value not used within one transaction will be forfeit; This prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for monetary value; No cash alternatives to the stated prize will be offered; Valid until 31st December 2016.

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RAINY DAY STYLE WISH LIST WITH JOULES

So far February is set to be a blustery affair with all the showers that April tends to delight us with, however for a certain small person this is causing much delight and a never ending supply of puddles to splash around in, and I'm left generally soaked. I was hoping for those fresh crisp winter days bathed in sunlight, a girl can dream ay!

As it seems this weather is going nowhere fast I thought I'd pull together a little rainy day style wish list for the family. I'm loving the new rain wear collection from Joules, with a splash of summer colours for him and her and a graphic striped coat for the kiddo, what's not to love! Now to team them up with a cool spring dress and wellies and I'm good to go.

What rainy day weather style do you love to wear?

A JOULES CHRISTMAS GIFT LIST FOR HIM

When it comes to the kiddo I'm never short of ideas for Santa, but when it comes to the big ones in my life I need a little help. So when I was asked to make a Joules Christmas Gift List for Him I thought it would be easy, but with so many great products in the accessories, underwear and nightwear ranges, it was hard to narrow it down to create one stocking full.

I'm quite a fan of Joules women's range – you can always find me rocking their rather gorgeous wellies and Raincoats – but it was rather fun shopping for the men in my life instead, and bring them Christmas goodies this holiday season c/o Joules. I had to make sure I didn't get distracted with the new arrivals full of stylish shirts and festive knits!

So here is my top for him selection:

1. Everyone needs some cosy Lounge Trousers for kicking back and relaxing in. I can imagine these Plum Plaid lounge trousers looking good on Paul beside and open fire, book in hand and leaving lots of room for his post Christmas feast belly. Plus they're made from brushed cotton making them soft and warm for those cold winter months.
2. Treat the man in your life to this Manton Tweed Wash Bag, perfect for those weekends away or keeping all his thing together at home. I can imagine a romantic getaway to the highlands with this sitting in the washroom, and for all those business trips away he can travel in style.
3. I love cosy toes and can see myself sneaking off with these, even if they are for him. I think these blue Homesteadm fluffy slipper socks are super fun with their stripy patterns would make a great stocking filler for the one you love.
4. Whether he's into winter walks or a man about town, then this beautiful wool blend Grey Fleck Travishat Knitted Hat is just what he needs, and will be making an appearance under our tree *shhh* it would look great paired with a chunky knit, distressed jeans and walking boots.
5. You can't have Christmas without gifting a pair of socks, right? Especially ones with stags on! In fact it’s become a bit of a tradition in our house to get at least one pair for Christmas and these Brillbamboom Bamboo Socks will definitely fit the festive mood, especially as they are hypoallergenic and thermo-regulating...oh so good.
6. It's not only the girls who like to feel good in their underwear. Made with super soft cotton and added stretch for comfort, the Crown Joules Stripe pants even come in a gift box making them the perfect package.

Now all I have to do is get all my presents ready with the perfect gift wrap and this year we're making our own; think traditional brown paper, paint and mess and you get the general idea. F is super excited to help out and is feeling very proud at making gift tags for his daddy! Are you rushing to find some last minute stocking fillers?

THE PERFECT GIFT FOR GIN LOVERS

There's a reason why the phrase Mothers Ruin comes into play after a hard day with a small new person, and when F was tiny my news feed was full of the cry for glasses of wine or gin to numb the sleepless nights and long days.

A sophisticated Gin & Tonic was my tipple of choice in my mid-twenties and after arming myself with a concoction of celebratory cocktails and fun nights out, the classic G&T is making a come back in my house and gracing the drinks trolley at my Christmas parties.

So I'm excited to share with you the perfect gift for gin lovers in your life with this beautiful Gintuition Set.  I love the presentation box that contains three glasses; a classic highball, anon-trend copa stem and the always stylish martini cocktail, which will have you feeling all James Bond.

Endorsed by makers of premium mixers Fever –Tree, the set comes with an expert guide to each glass with mixing tips and gin cocktail recipes. Making it the ultimate accessory to your gin loving nights and if you want to switch it up why not try a winter version using Sloe Gin?

What's your favourite tipple? Do you find yourself reaching for the glass when the little ones are asleep?

*This is a collaborative post.

10 THINGS TO DO IN LONDON WITH KIDS AT CHRISTMAS

There's only one more weekend before the man in red makes his overnight haul bringing gifts to kiddo's around the world, and I'm determined to fill each day with magic in the run up to Christmas. This month we've been trying to enjoy all the family festivities: the Christmas markets, hot coco and marshmallows, feeding reindeer, singing carols and even a trip to the big city to see the lights.

We had such a great weekend in London that I thought I'd share my top 10 things to do in London with kids at Christmas – in case you're stuck for any last minute ideas. Some people think heading to the UK's busiest city might be a crazy family day out, but I really love the buzz and bustle during the festive holidays.

WINTER GLAMPING WITH CANOPY & STARS

Last weekend was full of chunky woollen jumpers, scarves wrapped tight and red noses warmed by sips of hot coco. Buffalo skins and starry skies, warm glowing embers and candlelight as we took the plunge into the world of winter glamping with Canopy & Stars! As part of the #CSCollective we were invited to a weekend stay at the Eden Pod at Loveland Farm.

We arrived in night, winding through small country roads and navigating the Cornish countryside until we came upon a small sign indicating our destination. Due to the local Nature preservation order  there are no floodlights, so we ventured out in the dark to meet our host and be taken to our Pod.

As soon as we stepped inside we were taken aback at the sheer size of it, housing an enormous tipi – our bed for the weekend – and a single bed for F as well as the option of a pop up camp tent bed. F darted around in excitement not knowing what to do first as Paul brought in the bags, while I nestled by the fire already was lit to welcome us and keep the chill at bay.

Due to the unusual weather and high winds I spent the night tucked up, cosy with three in a bed but alert from the raging storm outside while the boys snoozed softly. Daylight brought a whole new perspective to our stay, as open fields rolled before us through the large dome windows and the burning embers died slowly after keeping us warm throughout the night. Wrapped in blankets, I stepped outside our dome and into the wood cabin housing a small but perfectly formed kitchen with bathroom facilities attached. With only coffee on my mind I lit the stove and used the whistle kettle for my caffeine fix.

I love all the detail of the Eden Pod, apart from the beautiful log burner and plentiful Griffin Studio throws, the attention to detail was delightful. From the neon bulb wiring to the quirky photos, skateboard wall art and yellow plastic curtain sheeting, it really created a unique place to stay and rest our heads. We'd never used a natural toilet before and even though it was a bit chilly to use, F loved the how different it all was, and I loved that this was camping made easy! The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you might needs and the wood decking comes with its own BBQ and loungers, making it perfect for a summers night. 

Although rustic, the bathroom comes with a shower and robe, and the use of a private facilities to each of the four domes on site makes a welcome change from the usual campsites we've stayed at and the hanging bunches of lavender gave off a delicate scent. 

Aswell as a playing on the full size football table in the Dome, we brought some of F's favourite travel toys to make his stay fun. He spent almost an hour with his Janod Story Grand Prix Suitcase c/o the beautiful Wooden Toy Shack creating race tracks and taking his cars on adventures – perfect christmas gift for little ones right there!

On stoking the fire and with the table generously laid we sat together and chatted about the winter costal walks we had planned and F told us of the adventures he would have. Unfortunately a phone call with some family news meant we had to cut the weekend short and with heavy hearts we packed our bags ready to head on the road to Wales.

We would go winter glamping again? Yes I think we would as nothing is cosier than a roaring fire and kid's love the adventure. It would be great to try it out in summer too, so I could make use of the outdoors in the evening *swoon*

*We'd like to thanks Canopy & Stars for providing a stay at Loveland Farm as part of this review. All works and opinions are 100% my own.
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INTERIOR GIFTS WITH HOMESENSE

I've been writing a list and checking it twice, ticking off presents from family and friends wish lists. Yep just call me Santa! I've even started wrapping a few gifts which is very unlike me as I'm more of a Christmas Eve type of gal. This year I'm eager to get organised so when school breaks up on Friday I'm ready to have fun with my beautiful boy is oh so excited. If there's one thing I love as much as choosing gifts for people, it's choosing gifts for the home.

To give you ideas for the design lover in your life,  I've created my top interior gifts with HomeSense. If you have one of these stores near you it's so worth popping in, it's like Aladdin's cave with so many treasures to be found at super affordable prices. I tend to go there once a month and even picked up F's Eames kid's table there.

From cute and quirky, to being on trend, I'm loving this selection of affordable gifts and wouldn't mind finding them under my tree on Christmas Day. 

I love the packaging of this Hazelnut Coffee - £3.49

This beautiful copper lamp would look great on any desk - £49.99

Who doesn't need a doughnut Christmas bauble? - £7.99

I love these slim glass storage jars with copper lids for the kitchen - £5.99

This handwoven rug would be cosy under wriggling toes - £49.99

Jot down all your ideas in the A5 Winston Church Notebook

How about snuggling down in this grey and pink Aztec throw - £24.99

I really love the geometric shape of this vase -£12.99

This cute boxed Pearl Lowe candle would make the perfect stocking filler -  £7.99

Swooning over this copper and glass lantern - £14

Have you got your Christmas wish list wrapped up? I've only a few things left to buy and it's not long now until the big day *exciting*!

*This is a collaborative post. 

A FESTIVE WEEKEND IN BRISTOL WITH KIDS

Are you feeling festive yet? It's been a little quiet over here as December proves to be a busy month for us, and with clashing schedules I've been determined to make the run up to Christmas as special as possible for the kiddo. So on Saturday we decided to stay local and enjoy a festive weekend in Bristol with the boy. 

Every year, outdoor ice skating is high up on F's wish list – skating wobbling around the rink holding hands while squealing with delight – making it a perfect excuse to visit Bristol Harbourside for a Christmassy outdoor adventure and to check out the local Christmas Market.

As we wandered around the stalls before lunch, F took the time to enjoy the live music and show us his moves much to our entertainment. I love local markets, independent artisans selling their wares and a mix of fragrent spices and homemade mince pies, the sound of Christmas cheer. I was even able to pick up a few stocking fillers *yay*.

10 CONTEMPORARY PENDANT LIGHTS AND WIN £500 HOUSEOLOGY VOUCHER // INTERIOR INSPIRATION

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Move over floors, sofas take a seat, there's a new show stopper in town and this trend is stealing the limelight. Gone are the days of bland ceilings, instead there's a celebration of contemporary pendant lights gracing our interiors with no signs of stopping, and no matter what size space your working with there's always room to create dramatic focal points with stylish lighting at home. 

Whether it's on Pinterest or in glossy magazines, I'm seeing a huge rise in the humble ceiling light, and as more homes strip back and declutter this is the easiest place to invest money for the most impact. Lighting has always been an important factor when creating a cosy atmosphere and although floor and table lamps are peoples go-to light solutions, it seems interiors are getting more creative in dressing the fitting that's constantly on show.  

I'm excited to announce that I have collaborated with the wonderful online interior store Houseology to offer one of you lovely readers the chance to win a £500 voucher so you can light up your home in style 

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Think cosy sitting rooms with a touches of colour, creative kitchen lighting with fun pendants and seriously stylish sculptural looks to add the dramatic impact to your home. I love these lights against metallic kitchen tiles and the black hanging wires add attention to detail in the blush pink room.

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I love how this bold over sized simple light pendant creates impact in this modern living space, perfect for high ceilings and it adds a touch of luxury when mixed with tall vases and modern urban furniture.

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I've pulled together my top 10 Contemporary Pendant Lights from Houseology and all of these beauties are under £500! Some of these have been on my Wish list for a while *ahem number 3/7/9 in particular* so I'm excited to share them with you. You can check out the full Pendant Lighting range here.

1. Moooi Non Random Light Black Pendant 2. Flos Aim Small Pendant Light 3. Tom Dixon Melt Pentant Gold Light  4. Muuto Under The Bell Pendant 5. It's About RoMi Cadiz Hanging Seven Light 6. Tom Dixon Mirror Ball Light Pendant  7. Lee Broom Crystal Bulb Pendant 8.Tom Dixon Beat Wide White Pendant 9. & Tradition Studio Vit Marble Light 10. Len Bjerre Nadia Pendant Light

I would be happy to find any of these on my ceiling on Christmas Day and I'm a huge fan of marble, concrete and gold. Also the Tom Dixon Melt light has the most amazing surprise when switched on, creating a Hubble telescope effect of far off galaxies. 
For a chance to win a Pendant light of your choice from Houseology, all you need to do is enter the giveaway using the options below. Be sure to head over to Apartment Apothecary, Ana Mum Diary and The Ordinary Lovely for a chance to win some other gorgeous prizes in this mega interior giveaway! Good Luck! x a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and Conditions: You must be a UK resident to be eligible for this competition; This voucher code is valid on items within the Houseology Pendant Lights category only; Free UK delivery will apply for your purchase; Voucher code is valid for one single transaction only, even where the full available balance is not met. Any value not used within one transaction will be forfeit; This prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for monetary value; No cash alternatives to the stated prize will be offered; Valid until 31st December 2016.

CHRISTMAS WRAPPED WITH THE KID WHO

I've been quite organised this year in getting the gifts ready for the big day, hiding them away from little hands and prying eyes, but I'd forgotten about the little details when it comes to gifting and  making them look pretty, whether using ribbons and bows or handprinted paper, presentation is a big thing when it comes to giving out presents. Thankfully I've got Christmas wrapped with these cool products from online store The Kid Who.

Each month I've been collaborating with cool the independent online retailer The Kid Who to showcase some of their gift ideas, so with Christmas on my mind – think stylish decortarive wrap, cute gift tags, cards full of festive wishes – I was excited to share everything you need to get your gifts looking stylish this holiday.


I'm totally in love with all the cute cards that from The Kid Who and have stocked up this season. Normally we try to buy a big batch of cards that donate to charity for his friends at school and then we choose some stylish cards for close friends and family as an extra special touch. I love Ingela Arrhenius illustrations so it's no surprise I was drawn to this cute Christmas Reindeer card and this stylish foil Santa card, also this Snow Sledge card from UK illustrator, Ben Jarvens, reminds me of having fun in the snow! You can find the full range of cards here.

When it comes to gift wrap we always try to get a bit creative, in the past we've printed our own, we've gone crazy with colour and always try to make it as personal as possible. As soon as I saw these OMY Coloring in City Food Mats I knew they would be great for Christmas. F has been colouring his heart out and bringing to life city scenes, and we're going to use the finished sheets as wrapping paper to decorate the gifts given by him. We've kept a few spare sheets as these will be great at the dinner table on Christmas Day to keep him entertained as the family tuck in to the extensive Christmas feasting.

How cute is this Noodle Masking tape! I've hidden this away from F as I'm planning on wrapping his presents with this. Not only has it got the cutest little characters on the tape, it's also masking tape making it easy for him to tear open presents under the tree. I also love the cute little presentation screen printed box it comes in and the free bunny bookmark!

I'm always drawn to geometric shapes, minimalist design, and gold/whites colour combination, so when I saw these super stylish gift tags from Scandinavian brand Ferm Living I knew they would be high up on my must have list! I love the simplistic design and can't wait to see the smiles as I hand over Christmas wishes written on these beauties. 

When all gifts are wrapped and the finishing touches are in place, all that's left is to hang the stockings and wait for Father Christmas to do his thing. Every year we unpack the boxes, hang the baubles and get the house all twinkly, but this year one of our boxes has gone missing – along with our nine year old Christmas star – and the stockings are nowhere to be found. So I snapped up this gorgeous Scandi stocking from Ferm living, I love the gold splatter effect and it will look perfect hanging from the mantelpiece. 

For those dear ones too far to send presents by post, then why not send a decoration. I think I'm going to invest in a handful of these beautiful pop out card decorations by Studio Roof to send over to our friends in Australia. They are super stylish and affordable, being the same price as a Christmas card.

Have you got your Christmas wrapped or are you a last minute shopper? If you want some more gift wrapping ideas then why not check out my pinterest board for some last minute inspiration.