STYLE SPACE AND STUFF

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sat, 6 Jul 2024 17:21:00 +0100

Ways to lift your mood during LockDown.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:59:00 +0100

Neom Candle Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary oil

Hello everyone, hope you are doing well, how have you been coping in these unsettling times? I think myself so lucky that we have a garden to sit out in and soak up the sunshine (when we get it) and we live in an area where we can take walks without having to dodge people.! But even with our outdoor space (particularly when it's raining), I've had days where it has been difficult to lift my low mood, on those kinds of days I've tried different things to bring a little joy and lift my spirits, so I thought I would share with you a few things that I have been doing while at home.

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1.Online shopping! yes, I did succumb to a bit of online shopping, a girl needs a little bit of retail therapy especially when all the stores are closed in town, my wish list on Amazon is a mile long!
I bought a few things to pamper myself, the first item is the Elemis Pro-collagen Cleansing Balm smells amazing and can be used as a face mask while soaking in the bath as well as a cleanser. Perfect for a bit of a pamper and self-care time.
My hair is currently being saved by L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary oil until I can get a trim at the hairdresser, honestly, I didn't realise how dry my hair has been getting until I started using this. Total hair saver. And last but not least a Neom Candle entitled Happiness, well how could I not go for one named Happiness, all organic and clean burning.

2. Next flowers, a bunch always lift my spirits when I'm in a bit of a funk, they add a pop of colour to the home and really lift my mood, nothing fancy, just some bought ones from the supermarket, or even some wild hedge flowers and tree blossoms placed in a vase to bring a bit of the outside in.
I also had a look at online flower subscriptions such as Freddies Flowers, I personally love their style and how every delivery comes with a little guide to arranging the flowers, sadly they currently do not deliver to my area, but worth a look, if you are in the UK.

3. I've really missed just popping to a tea room for an afternoon cake and cuppa while in lockdown so yes, I made banana bread, hasn't everyone?
A little therapeutic baking is good for the soul, and while it may not be the same as an outing to the tea rooms, we made do sitting in the garden with our tea and cake. It's also great for entertaining the kids for a while too. (I was sure to do a few sessions with Joe Wicks on YouTube to balance things out though)

4. Speaking of Joe Wicks, yes I have been doing my fair share of YouTube exercisers, this is a sure way to lift the mood, I always feel so much better after doing some form of exercise, either a walk around where we live or a workout in the lounge. You can pretty much find a work out for all levels
on YouTube, something for everyone so no excuse!

Amazon Gift Ideas for that Special Mother.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 12:25:00 GMT

Stackers Blush Pink Sleek Necklace Travel Jewellery Box

If you are fortunate enough to have a fabulous loving caring, will do anything for you kind of Mum, then you don't know how lucky you are, (or maybe you do) free taxi service, your number one supporter, shoulder to cry on, chief baby sitter, and the list goes on, my Mum was all of the above and probably also my best friend, she was truly the glue that held our family together, sadly she is no longer with us any more and this time of year always makes me feel a bit sad seeing all the gift ideas and card in the shops, no matter how old you get you always need your Mum.

Don't forget to show your appreciation daily, and once in awhile spoil her, you don't have to wait for Mothers Day, but if you need a little help looking for something special, then Amazon has got you covered, and a lot of items are free delivery with in the UK.

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS

I think flowers always go down a treat no matter what time of year it is, to see the delivery van pull up outside with a big bouquet is always going to make Mum feel special. Personally, I love a wild slightly free-spirited bouquet, and this Cerise & Pink Alstroemeria is so pretty. But check PostaBloom Flowers on Amazon for other arrangements.

My daughter recently bought me this bracelet by Fossil so delicate and pretty, but I also picked out the one above in the picture also by Fossil, rose gold is very popular at the moment, and sure to finish off any outfit perfectly, and this bracelet also comes with a unique gift box.

Who doesn't love a scented candle to enjoy the aroma of while relaxing with a cuppa or wallowing in a bath? I remember buying a candle for my Mum while on a French school trip visiting St. Malo, and while all the other girls in my class were busy checking out the french talent, you could find me visiting all the little Homes and Interiors shops looking for something for my Mum to thank her for letting me go on the trip. To this day if I get a whiff of a candle that smells the same, it takes me right back, my Mum kept it for years without burning it.

If your Mum likes Jewellery and travelling then the Stackers Blush Pink Sleek Necklace Travel Jewellery Box is sure to be a winner, the perfect size for slipping into a travel bag, and you can also buy other options to stack together!

And the final gift is the Elemis - A smoother-looking You - Dynamic Resurfacing because let's face it, who doesn't want to look smoother and younger, and Mums deserve a little pampering after all the running around they do.

So there we are, no excuse now, and Amazon even makes buying easy for you! I hope I’ve given you some ideas even if you don’t get anything I mentioned! :-)

Top Row Cerise & Pink Alstroemeria Letterbox Flowers £29.99 with Free delivery (UK) - Fossil Women's Bracelet £33.00 with free Delivery - Neom Organics London Real Luxury Scented Candle £16 Bottom Row Stackers Blush Pink Sleek Necklace Travel Jewellery Box £50.00 with free delivery - Elemis - A smoother-looking You - Dynamic Resurfacing £40.11

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for any item purchased.

Spring Wish List.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 11:51:00 GMT

Hello everybody! Are you as sick and tired of all this wind and rain as I am? I can not wait for spring to come, and the shops would have us believe that it's tantalisingly close, what with all the lovely floaty dresses that are flying in and out of the store so quickly, I feel that if I don't strike while the iron is hot I'm going to miss out on them all! I'm such an indecisive shopper alway leaving it too late. So I'm going through my wardrobe and seeing what I need then creating a spring wish list. I had a bit of a de-clutter a couple of weeks ago and donated a few bags to our local Hospice charity shop who have been running a campaign with New Look, (I wrote about it here) so now I have a bit of a gap to fill clothes-wise.

To be honest, I'm more of a Jeans and top sort of girl (mum/nanny uniform, I'm always crawling around on my hands and knees with little ones) and I kinda feel overdressed in a dress, but popping on a pair of comfy trainers and a faux leather jacket, well I think I could do that, and it would be a nice look for a lunch date with girlfriends.

What are you loving about the new spring styles this year?

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Click on the image below to shop 👗

Declutter your wardrobe and get 20% off your next New Look purchase.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:50:00 GMT

I don't know about you, but I love clothes shopping, (New Look is my second home) every time I buy something new it's like I'm reinventing my self all over again, and don't even get me started about how that new silky blouse (probably tried on by 100 people before me) feels against my skin or the smell of newness about it, ah yes just breath in that new acrylic/cashmere blend, second only to sniffing a new magazine or book, you know what I mean?

Yes, our insatiable appetite to get that dopamine rush when we purchase something or be fashionable in the latest must-have item is having a huge impact on the environment, but by rethinking how we shop, and discard our unloved items, we can all do our little bit to help. Buying second hand, for example, or selling unworn items on various platforms such as Facebook, eBay and Depop, or just donating to charity all help towards stopping clothes going into landfill sites.

And with this in mind, between the 16th of January and the 31st of March 2020, New Look will be partnering with Hospice UK and their members, to inspire people to donate their pre-loved clothes, so that they don't end up in a landfill. As a way of saying thank you, you’ll receive a 20% off New Look voucher, how cool is that! I picked up my two vouchers and will be heading to New Look to spend them very shortly. The question is can I find items that I will love for longer than just a season or two? The challenge is on.

See details here as to how you can take part.

This is not a paid post or affiliated in any way with New Look,

Welcome to 2020!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 9 Jan 2020 20:29:00 GMT

Welcome to 2020! it's been a while since I was last here, how the devil are you? Fine I hear you say, how are you and where have you been? (or maybe you're not wondering but for the purposes of this post just go along with it) well, thanks for asking, to be honest, I'm feeling a little frazzled and slightly stressed out, life has been a little hectic of late, we left 2019 with a leaking water tank in the attic, and we entered 2020 with tempory water until we can get a new tank replacement, why do they make attic hatches so blooming small, and how are you meant to get a new one up there?!

Speaking of getting one up there, (going on to a whole new topic now) I booked myself in for a Colonic, never had one before, but the experience was going cheap on a local voucher page so I thought to myself "let's do this" The closest I've ever got to a colonic, is a bowel cleanse that I had to have a few years back for a hospital check-up, a colonoscopy (apologies if you are having breakfast or dinner or something) totally awful experience, but I remember that afterwards I lost a whole lot of weight and my digestion seemed to work so much better, so going off that experience I thought that I would give it a go, plus its meant to have several other benefits to the mind and body. Has anyone ever had a colonic? did you feel the benefits of it? I'll let you know how I get on when I have mine because I'm sure you'll be interested in it. 😀

Summer is here, lets go basket bag shopping!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 2 Jun 2019 19:29:00 +0100

Well, we had a mini-heatwave over the weekend, and it truly felt like summer, which got me in the mood for a little summertime accessory shopping, and nothing says summer more than a straw/rattan/ woven/basket bag does it. Throw your beach stuff in a big straw style bag and head off to the seaside, pack a picnic and sit in the shade of the trees in the park, head down to your local fruit and veg market and fill a basket up with fresh produce, or dress up a cute summer dress with a little rattan structured bag such as this one from ASOS, my personal favourite. The options are endless..

Affiliate Linking.

I Forgot Just How Much I love House Doctor.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 16 May 2019 16:10:00 +0100

Instagram House Doctor

Revisiting old friends, and scrolling through posts on Instagram, I forgot how much I love House Doctor.

My Travelling Beauty Essentials.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 18:31:00 +0100

When it comes to travelling, well let's just say that I'm not very good at travelling light, I like variety and all the comforts of home, and I hate to reach our destination and realise I forgot to pack something! Most of the time we travel by car, which makes life much easier, just chuck everything into the boot, but this year for our family holiday we flew to the Algarve, and I discovered the joys of mini products to take away with me.

Cleansers and Creams

I'm already a big fan of Sanctuary Spa products, when I use them at home I can definitely see a difference in my skin complexion, and if I use a mask at night before bed, my skin looks so much more perky in the mornings.

For cleansing, I packed the Sanctuary Spa Forming Micellar Cleansing Water, the Radiance Exfoliator, which is great for sleuthing away dead skin, suntan cream and general grim of the day, and I also picked up a supercharged Hyaluronic face and Neck cream too, which I used at night, though you can use it during the day as well.

Moisturiser and Makeup

When it comes to makeup, its pretty much the same as it is when I'm at home, I just keep it natural looking, Garnier Ultra-Lift with SPF 15 is my base, then I use Nivea BB cream, and for summer, I had a bit of Benefit Dew The Hoola for a more summery look, a coat of Benefits they're Real Mascara, which is a new found favourite, it's all-day staying power is fab, no late afternoon flacking going on, leading to two panda eyes!

Then for my cheeks, it's my Primark cheap as chips bronzing powder that I bought last summer, it adds a lovely shimmer to cheeks, and comes in three strips, two darker shades and a highlighter.

Body Lotions

If I can't find my usual products in a mini travel size version, I just decant into a smaller pot or bottle, (which you can by on Amazon) I do this with my Nivea Q10 body lotions, which I use after a shower in the mornings, and I do believe that it helps firm the skin, particularly as I've gotten older.

Hair

My pet hate about holidays is bad holiday hair, so I do tend to take my own hairdryer, (hotel hair dryers are never strong enough for my locks) and my GHD's to keep my hair straight, and L'orel Elnett to hold it in place, if for some reason I can't dry and straighten, for instance after being in the swimming pool, then I run some kind of curl serum or jelly through to tame my wavery/curly hair.

Shampooing is always a bit tricky when I'm on holiday because you never know what the local water is going to be like, so I pack a couple of travel size shampoos and conditioners with me, again hotel shampoos just don't make the grade for my hair, Pantene smooth and sleek is my usual, but I also packed Charles Worthington Every Day Gentle conditioner, and Diamond Shine.

Do you have any travel must-haves that you swear by and think are worth a try? We are off to France for a long weekend in September, so will be packing it all with me again. I could do with a good travel makeup bag for it all to go in though....

.

click on an image below to check out products.

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Interiors Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 20:52:00 +0100

These pictures have been sitting in the draft box for, I don't know how long, and I have just literally been checking out the link to see if it's still working, and it does! If you fancy a bit of Nordic/Scandi interiors inspiration on a wet Sunday evening, go check out the rest of the site, it's a Swedish estate agents called 55 Square, specializing in small spaces.

The top two photos caught my eye as my Daughter and son-in-law have done something very similar in their bedroom using old pallet boards

here 55 square feet

A Few Summer Favourites...

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 8 Jul 2018 21:42:00 +0100

This Post contains affiliate links and items gifted for review, marked with a *

Hello, folks how you doing? So here I am with my first real post in a long while, and I'm calling it a 'Summer Favourites' post, I've just come back from a lovely family holiday in the Algarve, with my family, seven adults and one toddler to please, (maybe I'll write about it all) going away with your adult children and their other halves, and a toddler in tow is not the same as a normal family holiday I can tell you, so many people to please, anyway, we survived, and it was while in the Algarve that I found this lovely little classic red stripe T in Primark, there's a huge shopping Mall in Albufeira right next to an IKEA, (which I didn't get to visit, just as well really because we flew, and not much room in a suitcase for flat packs) so we did a bit of retail therapy while there, I should have bought two of these lovely stripe t's as I managed to pull 3 small holes in it! but its become a summer favourite holes or not, I also like it because it has a lovely loose fit, not clingy at all, and a ridiculous price of something like £6, a bought a size 12, which I usually find runs small in Primark, but this one is just perfect, did I mention it has become a summer favourite?

T-Shirt Primark

Earrings and Bangle *Perditi*

White Jeans Oasis

Body Washes *Molton Brown*

Plant B&Q

When it comes to jewellery, I go with the 'less is more' look, and like to keep it simple, with something small and dainty, plus my ears are allergic to anything other than gold, so the new Danish brand, Perditi is right up my street, with these little minimalistic Amoti earrings. are perfect for me. They also have a collection of leather shoppers and wallets too, as well as watches, the brand is slowly growing, so is one to watch if you like quality at an affordable price.

Our local Molton Brown store in Jersey has recently undergone a complete shop makeover, and now has the best air conditioning on the high street! It also smells divine when you enter, due to all the lovely Fragrances and candles available, and with a need to feel fresh and fragrant in this lovely summer sunshine, (it has reached a sticky 27 degrees here in jersey) these body washes are perfect for home, and also for holiday travel as the miniature ones contain 30ml, which in most cases can be carried in your hand luggage.
There are so many Fragrances to choose from its hard to pick a favourite, but the Coco and Sandalwood, and Gingerlilly are mine, and not forgetting the men, there is a dedicated men's range to keep the chaps happy too.

White jeans and summer are a perfect marriage, aren't they? but does anyone else have a problem with white jeans like I do, or am I just fussy? I couldn't find a pair that didn't look like leggings on me, and cling to my inner thighs in the most unflattering way, I can get away with it in blue denim jeans, but not in a white jean, but I finally found these ones from Oasis, (now on sale) a skinny leg that wasn't like a legging, and didn't cling in all the wrong places. Winner!

So there you go my summer favourites so far, what's top of your list for summer, have you tried the jumpsuit yet? I tried but think it was a big fat fail, maybe I'll share it on Instagram for some constructive criticism.......😁

Hello there, yes its been a while

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 16:21:00 +0100

Hello there, yes its been a while, what can I say, I've procrastinated for long enough, now its time to take the blog by the horns and jump back in!

Actually I've written and re-written this post more times than I can remember, I've toyed with the idea of starting a whole new blog, changing the name of this one, or just giving up altogether, because I'm not sure in which direction to take this blog any more, mostly because a lot has changed over the last couple of years, my interests have changed, and my family life has changed, particularly since becoming a grandmother nearly 20 months ago, (althougth I dont go by the name of Granny or Nanny, that sounds far too old, I prefer to go by the name of Meme) and now my home is full of toddler paraphernalia, and a packet of wet wipes on every surface, (they have many uses you know) not that I'm complaining, I love being very hands-on in my Granddaughters life, (I look after her 4 mornings a week) it just means that my priorities and interests have taken a slightly different turn, I'm no longer obsessed with interiors and decor, (well not completely anyway) these days I find myself shopping for toddler toys and clothes, and spending my days running around after a soon to be 2-year-old! But I have other interests that I want to pursue, such as keeping fit, anti-ageing products and makeup in general, and practical budget-friendly fashion, to name but a few, and so I have decided to stick with this blog, but don't be surprised if it's not all about interiors any more, and so I hope you will stick around to see how it all unfolds. xx

I love freebies in Magazines + Current Favourite Beauty Products.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 14:25:00 +0100

I don't know about you, but I do love a freebie in a magazine, and let's face it, you pay next to £5.00 for one, so it's an added bonus if there is a decent gift tucked in the plastic cover to sway you into parting with your money.

Which brings me on to today's first beauty favourite of the moment, Radiance Facemask by Balance Me, it came with a magazine as a freebie and I love it, it polishes, hydrates and smoothes all in one, and can be used as a face mask as well, just leave it on the face for an extra few minutes. It contains walnut shells to exfoliate and fruit acids to brighten the skin. I find it's a great skin pick me up when I'm looking a bit dull and those wrinkles are showing up more.

The Second product is by Sanctuary, The 1 Minute Radiance Flash Facial that does what it says on the tube basically, leaves your skin with a lovely healthy glow and tone to your skin. It contains no less than 3 different kinds of vitamin c including the extract from the superfruit Kakadu Plum, (never heard of) apparently the worlds highest source of vitamin C, and I like to use this after taking off my makeup at night, my skin always looks lovely after using Sanctuary products, love them, I must invest in some more.

Have you tried any of these products?

Thank you whoever you are!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 18:01:00 +0100

Hello folks, how the devil are you? Yes, I know its been a while since I was last here, (apologies) so I was totally surprised when I got an email to say that I have been nominated for this Years Amara Interior blog Awards! No badgering of family members this time around to enter me!

It's been a busy year this year, since my daughter had a baby last August, and just getting involved in Family life has taken much of my time, but I haven't totally forgotten or given up on my blog, in fact I have been toying with the idea of starting a new blog, as over the years my focus has shifted and changed, (which I think happens to many bloggers along the way) and I now find my self enjoying other topics such as beauty products and skin care, and of course thing like finding a handbag which can accommodate baby paraphernalia, and buying baby car seats and buggies etc.(I'm a very hands on Nanny who goes by the name of Meme )

Anyway, when I finally get myself sorted out, I'll be back here or here, or both, sharing projects, styling and recommending products to you, some to do with interiors and DIY some to do with babies and some to do with beauty!

Who doesn't Want a Whiter Brighter Smile? Review.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 29 May 2017 15:08:00 +0100

I think ideally we would all want to have a natural white bright smile, for one, it can knock years off you, making your smile look brighter and fresher, and another, it can boost your confidence no end even if you don't have the perfectly straight Hollywood set of teeth.

So I've been drawn in by all those facebooks photos and reviews showing their before and after photos of how this Toothpaste AP 24 from Nu Skin can help create a whiter brighter smile without using bleach or abrasive ingredients, and I bought myself a tube or two, one for myself and a couple for other family members who wanted to give it a go.

I must admit at first I was sceptical as to whether it would work or not, but after a week of using it, my smile did appear to be brighter and fresher, my teeth feel and look like I have had a really good scale and polish at the dentist but for a fraction of the price. Even my Husband noticed my smile was brighter, and he didn't know I was using it!

If you have a natural milky white tone to your teeth like I do, I don't think you are going to get a truly whiter smile, but certainly an improved brighter smile, which does make them appear to be whiter, and this is down to the light reflecting particles in the toothpaste.

My other family members who have also tried it, one a heavy coffee drinker who has a bit staining from the coffee and the other a coke-a-cola drinker who has a similar problem, both have noticed improvements in their teeth over the course of a month or so.

The only negative about it, is that it's not as minty as most kinds of toothpaste, but all in all, I would recommend this, maybe a bit pricey as far as toothpastes go, it comes in at about £10.00, but when you think how much a scale and polish costs, then maybe it's worth it to have that just been to the dentist feel to your teeth every day. :-)

Product review. bought myself.

Bank Holiday Ikea hack

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Wed, 24 May 2017 16:41:00 +0100

If you’re looking for a quick and effective IKEA hack, to do over the long bank holiday weekend, then look no further! With some simple flat-pack building skills and a can of Rust-Oleum, the plain metal and tempered glass Ikea Vittsjö can go from mass-produced cheap to bespoke and unique in no time.

Shimmering metallic tones give this desk a high-end edge, but if silver isn’t your thing and you’re ready to go beyond gold, why not update your desk with Rust-Oleum’s trend-setting millennial pink hue, Rose Gold Metallic.

No one will ever guess where you got this pretty little number after this quick and easy DIY…

What you will need:

Rust-Oleum Rose Gold Metallic
Rust-Oleum Surface Primer
Ikea Vittsjö
Clean cloth or sponge

Instructions:

1. Assemble the Ikea Vittsjö laptop table leaving the glass top to one side.

2. Move the metal frame out to a well-ventilated space and place on top of a large dust sheet or some old newspapers. You may want to cover the surrounding area with additional dust sheets/ newspaper to protect from spray mist.

3. Wipe the frame with a clean with a damp sponge or cloth and allow this to dry before proceeding to the next step.

4. Holding the can approximately 30cm away from the metal frame. Apply up two coats of Rust-Oleum Surface Primer, leaving at least four hours in between each coat.

5. Take your can of Rust-Oleum Rose Gold Metallic and shake thoroughly. Hold the can approximately 30cm from the surface of the frame and spray in a steady back and forth motion, slightly overlapping with each stroke. For best results whilst spraying keep the can the same distance from the surface and keep the can in motion. Apply several light coats a few minutes apart.

6. Leave to dry in a well ventilated place for 24 hours.

7. Place the glass top on the finished frame and admire your brand-new expensive desk.

This article is brought to you by www.makeityours.co.uk

Kitchen inspiration.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 3 Apr 2017 09:29:00 +0100

Well, I'm still dreaming of my ideal kitchen, (you may recall this post) and I'm still gathering ideas for when the magic happens, we have just bought a second-hand one that we are keeping in storage, and when the weather warms up a bit, we hope to get started on it, so many needs doing, I'm dreading all the mess, but hay oh.

Our house (actually the house belongs to my parents) dates back to the 1800's according to the old marriage stone above our front door, (probably even older than that) so I don't want anything too modern, but on the other hand, I don't want anything too oldy worldly either. Rustic touches with a modern contemporary feel to it, but still within keeping with the house and its age, which is why I love this kind of styling above, it blends old and new together perfectly.

I like the simple lines, nothing too fussy, with lots of light reflecting surface's white walls, natural flooring and worktops, rustic touches using accessories and to add a modern twist, a kitchen table and chairs such as the Aver Oak and White Extending Dining Table and chairs available from Danetti

or the Eva 8 Seater White Gloss Dining Table. i particularly like the shape of the legs on this one.

Images heidihallingstad.com Ikea Life at home coco lapine Design Still inspiration Pinterest

Mood enhancing superfoods.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 13:30:00 +0100

Generally speaking, if you follow a good healthy balanced diet, drink plenty of water and take regular exercise, then that should keep you in tip top condition, but sometimes the stresses and strains of modern day living can take its toll on the body and mind, causing all kinds of problems, from sleep disturbance, hormone imbalance and weight gain/loss, and anxiety.

When this happens, it's time to give our bodies some extra love in the form of supplements and superfoods, and having been suffering from anxiety of late that has left my hormones a little haywire I've been checking out what's available, and here is what I have been stocking up on.

Maca Powder: Made from the root of the Maca plant that originates in the Peruvian Andes, Maca is a superfood said to have many benefits, including improving mood, balancing, hormones in both men and women, boosting fertility, sex drive, energy levels, and is even said to help create a curvaceous bottom when combined with exercise!

Dried Maca root contains 1 protein, 19 essential amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and D, minerals iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, several glucosinolates, 20 free fatty acids, and a whole host of other nutrients. Add it to smoothies, or use in pancakes, and other cooking, it's got a bit of an acquired taste, which takes some getting used to, but also comes in tablet form.

Omega 3's, An oldy but a goodie, Classed as a good fat, it helps the body in a number of ways, ranging from cardiovascular, development and functioning of the brain, strengthening bones, and supporting the reproductive system and much more.

The best source of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, comes from fish. Top choices are salmon, (my personal favourite, not too many bones) mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, anchovies, and tuna, but can also be found in these superfoods, walnuts, broccoli, edamame beans, chia seeds, and flaxseed oil.

Cacao powder, good chocolate, in its raw state, taken from the bean before the nutrients are lost due to the heating process, is packed with magnesium, and said to be one of the most complex food substances on Earth, A guilt free treat!

use to Sprinkle over porridge, muesli, granola or other cereals, Blend into smoothiesUse in place of commercial cocoa powders to make a healthy drink. And who doesn't feel in a better mood after consuming chocolate!

What superfood do you turn to in times of need.

Healthy oats pancakes with a little naughty topping...

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 16:51:00 GMT

I'm a big fan of these porridge oat mix pancakes, but after working so hard on our table makeover yesterday, I decided to have a bit of a naughty topping on my healthy pancakes, a sprinkling of icing sugar and golden syrup....

Dinning table make over.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 16:45:00 GMT

Before

Well finally after their last property let down, my daughter and her little family will be moving into a new flat in a few weeks time, so they have been on the lookout for some cheap furniture, and during the week my daughter was lucky enough to get this table for free!

Over the weekend we got stuck in and I helped her give it a makeover. The black stain was sanded back using an electric sander, then we added an Annie Sloan wax to the top, and painted the legs in an old white. Needless to say, we think it looks so much better than before!

After

Plant of the Moment, the Sophora, and a charity shop find.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:23:00 GMT

I've only ever seen these dainty little plants on the internet, that is until this week when I happened to spy one in my local Garden Centre, Ransoms, and seeing it up close in its perfectly petite form did not disappoint, though I'm not sure what I loved the most, the packaging it came in or the plant its self! So I decided to keep the little brown paper bag as well.

I also found this lovely wicker/grass tray in a local Hospice charity shop which seems to be the perfect partner for the Sophora plant. A quick tip for bringing a tray like this back to life is to spray liberally with some furniture polish, then use a soft bristle paint brush to get in between all the gaps getting rid of dust and debris, and it will come up as good as new. 👍 (I just discovered blogger has recently added emoji thingies too)

Styling tip, add trees to you interior.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sun, 6 Nov 2016 19:29:00 GMT

Clemtinedaily Photography by Sarah Lou Francis

Alvhem

Instagram

My latest interiors obsession is large plants/trees for indoors.

Living room updates for the change of season.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 11:38:00 +0100

I feel a change coming on in the living room after a recent visit to Guernsey and a chance to check out one of my favourite shops, Indica, which has seduced me many times before and have written about here in a previous blog post.

While on a recent stay to see my daughter I popped into Indica and found some lovely cushions by one of my favourite online Danish Lifestyle stores Time K Home, the products are a mixture of bohemian living, and elegant simplicity, inspired by travel and nature, I haven't seen any Tine K products sold at home, so was really pleased to have found this cushion while Island Hopping!

Decorate for a Party

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:55:00 +0100

Photography Samantha Stansbridge

Last month went by in a total blur, and I can't believe that we are already in September! We have had our own celebration here at home, we welcomed into the world a new granddaughter! It's been very emotional, exhausting and exciting all rolled into one, nothing went to plan, as is sometimes the case with babies, but maybe I'll save that for another time.

Today I'm looking at a new book, Decorate for a Party by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring, and as you would expect from the pair, it is a beautiful book, filled with stunning imagery, simple DIY, inspiration, and decorating tips for creating a lovely welcoming and relaxing backdrop to any celebration or gathering for friends and family.

As the summer fades this book provides the perfect excuse for moving your gatherings and get-together's indoors or tips for creating a portable party in the great outdoors taking shelter under the trees.
The book is very easy to follow, with simple and stylish ideas for adding a personal touch to your parties and celebrations that are totally doable, and affordable. The introductory chapter entitled First Thoughts, looks at Choosing a Theme and Setting the Scene, then we move on to Types of Party, Location, Buffet, Small Space etc, and Creating an Atmosphere, then the book goes on to explore 10 different styles and settings, ranging from a subtle Pure and Simple theme to a Sparkle and Shine theme.

Credits Holly Marder

For a simple get together in early Autumn, this Pure, and Simple theme is perfect, taking its inspiration from autumn fruits and flowers, soft linens and mismatched china, as the evening light fades you can imagine switching on the overhead festoon lights and soaking up the romantic light.

Credits Holly Marder

Personally, I think Autumn is a great time of year for exploring woodland walks and forests with little ones, still warm enough to enjoy being outside, but with the added magic of the changing season, perfect for getting some friends and families together and having an outdoor celebration.

Credits Holly Marder

Having a girly night in? perhaps a baby shower? why not add a bit of sparkle to your evening, sharing cupcakes a bit of fizz and girly chatter.

Credits Leslie Shewring

You can also find some lovely simple DIY projects to try for your room and table settings, such as these tins transformed into tea light holders, or the diamond mobiles made from drinking straws, very effective and striking when clustered together. I also tried my hand at making the mobile, which I have used as a mobile over the baby changing unit!

Credits Leslie Shewring

Credits Holly Becker

Image Samantha Stansbridge

Decorate for a Party by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring is published by Jacqui Small (£20). available to buy here, there is also a lovely video to enjoy which helps bring the book to life beautifully. Enjoy!

Decorate For a Party Book Trailer from Holly Becker on Vimeo.

This post is a review post, the book is provided for free in return for my opinion, which is mine.

Instagram inspiration.

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 16:43:00 +0100

The temperature has been up in the 30's this week, so I'm staying out of the heat and finding some cool interiors inspiration on Instagram instead.

P.S we have a new baby in residence, my daughter gave birth by emergency c section on Friday the 19th, it has been quite a traumatic week all round, but they are both home now and on the mend! xx