UPCIRCLE SOY CANDLE WITH COFFEE GROUNDS

Since they first arrived on the scene as OPTIAT, I have been a huge fan of the brand that now calls it’s UpCircle - a more fitting name? Personally I’m still on the fence but the products are still just as fabulous and that’s all that matters. 

New to my collection, which I purchased from Persephone Beauty, are the UpCircle Soy Candles with Coffee Grounds. The description was what caught my attention and I really wanted to try them, it’s Autumn and I love candles.

If you are familiar with the story behind Upcircle, then you will be aware that they are known for their repurposing of ingredients, namely coffee grounds. If you are not so familiar with them, then they have an amazing story to tell.  Aside from an incredible beauty range which features cleansers, scrubs, creams, serums, toners and masks there is also an incredible accessories range which I intend to work my way through.

Top up your self-care routine by creating an indulgent ambience, or simply use these low-waste candles to diffuse a luxurious scent throughout your home. Chai Spices is a must-have for cinnamon lovers and those who enjoy a little hygge.

When it comes to candles, UpCircle have taken their use of repurposed ingredients to a whole new level and not one I would have ever thought of, but am glad that they did. 

Creating hand-poured, cruelty-free soy candles, which are plastic free and made with 100% natural ingredients they look incredible and smell even better.  Infused with repurposed coffee grounds, these candles smell absolutely stunning, the scent you get when you walk into a coffee shop who have just finished serving or roasting coffee beans. Once alight, that scent comes to life and quickly fills the room with the most wonderful aroma.

Top Tips For Candle Burning

• Burn on a heat resistant, flat surface  
• Keep away from drafts and flammable items
• Never leave a candle burning continuously for more than 4 hours
• To prevent tunnelling, the first time you light your candle allow the wax to melt fully across the top so that it reaches the edges of the jar and the whole surface is liquid.

These candles are 120ml in size and have a burn time of approximately 20-25 hours. They are priced at £11.99 and if coffee isn't a scent you enjoy, there is also the option to choose Chai Spices which is described as being infused with repurposed chai tea spices. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Neon Sheep Black and Gold Collection

I absolutely love stationary and when Neon Sheep got in touch to say they had launched their sleek black and gold collection, marrying ebony hues with glorious golds, I was a little bit excited and ewe guessed it, that is what I am sharing with you today. My love of stationery goes right back to buying new school books and stationery every term/semester and then when my Auntie introduced me to the world of penpalling, I would spend hours trawling the internet for fancy paper (Diddl being my favourite) to reply to letters on.  As well as stationery, Neon Sheep also sell homeware, party products, clothing, jewellery and other accessories to name just a few items.

I was very kindly gifted a package which contained stationery and homeware and everything arrives so beautifully and carefully wrapped, I actually didn't want to remove anything from the box.  Inside I was greeted with two notebooks, a beautifully designed card, a pineapple trinket tray and a metallic patterned photo frame.

What I really like about this collection is how it comes together and just works.  The notebook which is A5 in size with a hardback features the word 'Notes' in gold writing.  It is very on trend with its monochrome design and inside the pages are lined and in the bottom right-hand corner, each one features the Neon Sheep logo.

I am never without a notebook in my bag.  As I travel too and from work, or if I have a day of meetings, I am a tad old school and like to handwrite down notes and points rather than use my iPad or even Notes on my photo.  During my exams and even through University, I would sit and handwrite my notes and found writing parts over and over again was a way in which to revise and it must have worked well for me because I did get a 2:1!!   When it comes to writing blog posts, I always list which products have come in and from which brand, note which ones I have bought myself and as I use them, I write notes next to each one which helps form the basis of my blog posts. it also costs just £4.

Staying with notebooks and I also happen to keep one beside my bed with a pen. Odd you might think, but as someone who has bouts of insomnia, this is often the time I come up with some blog post ideas.  The Night Thoughts A6 notebook is perfect for this.

Again sticking with the black and gold theme, this A6 notebook, which costs just £1, has lined pages inside and also features the sheep logo.  This is one of the handiest notebooks I have got and it is one which I have almost finished using!

When it comes to photos, I have lots of frames on my bookcase which feature a lot of family photos and a few of the mister and me, but there is always one or two photos that I never get around to framing. I absolutely love this Gold Metallic Patterned frame which now sits on my bookcase with a photo of my year old nephew inside.

At 4 x 6 inches, this frame holds a normal sized photo and it is incredible sturdy and has a really well-made stand so it doesn't have to be propped up to stand up. It is priced at £6 and what it has done to my photo frame collection is add a bit of colour and it really stands out.

If trinket dishes are something you love, then this is one you will love.  The Ceramic Pineapple Trinket Tray is as fabulously fun as it is handy.

Until now, I never knew I really needed one of these, but I have it sat on my bedroom table and I put all kinds of knickknacks in it, including my house keys, lipsticks and jewellery from the day.  It is priced at £4 and I now have my eyes on another one from the range which is in the shape of a cats face!

The final item from within my box is the Star Chalkboard Card.  I am someone who sends a lot of cards, whether it is a birthday, anniversary, Mothers Day or more likely, just something to let someone know I am thinking of them, am thankful or grateful for something, then I think a handwritten note makes a lot of difference and shows appreciation.

This 'You're a Star' card which costs just £2 is blank inside so you can write your own message and it comes with its own envelope.  This card has already been sent to someone who I thought needed a little bit of a pick-me-up, so hopefully, she isn't reading this blog post, but it is the perfect card for her!

I have loved my introduction to Neon Sheep, a site and brand I had never come across until an email hit my inbox and I am really glad of the introduction.  I am debating whether or not I need everything within the beauty section and just how many notebooks is too many or whether that is just not a thing!

Have you ever used Neon Sheep before?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Getting Your Home Ready for Summer

I think it is fair to say that we are all sick of the horrendous weather we have seen so far this year and even if we haven’t seen many hours of sunshine yet, there are other things that we can do to get into the mood for summer and to start feeling a bit more cheerful and bright. Whilst we are waiting for the lighter evenings to come along, it is the perfect time to start preparing the home and changing things around in readiness for a bit of nicer weather. Here are some of the things you should have on your checklist:

New candles – Some nice new candles with fruity, zesty scents will soon get you in the mood for summer. Put your winter theme scented candles away and fill your rooms with summer aromas.

Seasonal flowers – In spring and summer, we get to see all kinds of beautiful flowers growing in the garden and with lovely yellows and bright colours surrounding you, you will soon feel all summery. If you don’t have the luxury of a garden bursting with flowers then treat your home to a nice bouquet such as ones at this florist in Edinburgh, Scotland. Flowers can create a beautiful summer ambience for you to enjoy.

Garden ready – Schedule some time to get out into the garden and take care of any work that needs doing before you are able to enjoy sitting outside with a book and evenings sat under the stars. Make sure that your garden furniture is ready for you to relax on and give it a clean or a coat of paint if it needs it. If you have a BBQ then check whether it is okay to use or whether it needs any parts replaced, so that you don’t ruin your spontaneous BBQ on the first warm day of the summer!

Wardrobe changes – It will soon be time to put those big coats, gloves, scarves and hats away. Create some extra space by rearranging your wardrobe so that it is ready for the warmer weather. Those winter boots can go into hiding for a few months at least. If you are looking to refresh your wardrobe with some new fashions for the summer, then take a look at some of the hot fashion trends for the summer. Even just investing in a few pieces of summer themed jewellery and accessories will help you to get into the spirit of summer. You should also have a look at the more summery shades of makeup.

Repairs and paint jobs – The exterior of your home may well have been affected by the bad weather, with peeling paint and wood that needs treating. Make a list of all the little jobs that you need to do and then have a trip to B&Q to pick up everything you need to get the house into shape and ready to invite people round for garden parties. If you have decking then there is a good chance that you will need to treat it and keep it protected for another year.

Summer toys – If the kids will be spending more time in the garden then at least the house will be a bit clearer. Now is a good time to sort through any older toys and maybe a trip to the charity shop could be on the cards to make way for summer toys and games. You also want to clear some storage space in the garage or shed so that any new summer games have got a home to go to after being used!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Paid and Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Uncommon Goods

I am obsessed with Pinterest and anyone who follows me on there will have probably noticed that I have an obsession with household accessories and have a whole board dedicated to them. To that end one of the sites I spend hours procrastinating on sites such as Uncommon Goods. Founded in 1999 with its headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, UncommonGoods is a privately owned retailer that endeavours to feature unique jewellery, designer décor, tabletop items and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment without harm to animals or people.

Having pinned many images to my Pinterest boards, I thought I would share with you some of my favourites and some I would actually quite like to have at home and they are slightly kooky but very me.

In total blogger cliche, I love Avocado on toast with a poached egg and a few chilli flakes for good measure, I don't apologise for liking it and in truth, had never tried it until Instagram photos tempted me that way. Then came the notion of trying to grow my own Avocado Tree, again, inspired by Instagram, but to date, I have continually failed in this task. Then I came across this Avocado Tree Starter Kit which only costs £16.50 and apparently all I need to do is "simply insert the shiny seed of your last avocado into the pod, float it in a water bath, and patiently watch your windowsill set-up sprout signs of life". Genius.

As a glasses wearer, I am forever putting my glasses down and forgetting where I left them, so something as cute as this Owl Eyeglasses Holder on my bedside table might just encourage me to store my glasses more carefully. Priced just under £20 it is an absolute bargain and if an Owl is not for you, there are many other options to choose from.

I am known as being the crazy cat lady at work, Stephen and I have three fur balls who mean the world to me and naturally I treat them as though they are human, often insisting that Hector is my youngest son to those in the office. So a black cat pillow which is knitted from 100% baby alpaca wool, would look just amazing on my sofa, joining an Owl cushion that we have, which Hector absolutely adores. Again, this pillow is handmade and is just adorable.

Staying with the cat theme there are a couple of necklaces that I also have my eye one for being unique and for the same reason above. The first is a heart shaped intertwined feline necklace which depicts two cats curled up together to form a heart. The necklace was modelled in clay, cast in sterling silver and bronze and it is just super cute. The second one was created using non-working antique watch parts from the mid-1800s and then cast in sterling silver and hand-finished with a beautiful darkened patina. is quite different to anything that I have seen or own but it jumped out at me.

So from crazy cat lady to avocado loving cliche blogging all in one post and if you have never looked at Uncommon Goods then honestly, go procrastinate and see what delights there is to discover.

*this post contains PR samples/Affiliate Link unless indicated otherwise

Stylish Lighting Tips to Modernise Your Home

Lighting plays an often under-appreciated role in interior design. In fact, how you feel in a space is often derived by the amount of natural light it receives. Similarly, a room can even feel larger when the right tricks are implemented. In order to create a room that combines the best aspects of modern interior design, you’ll need to understand the role lighting plays in the home. Here’s what you need to know.

Understanding the Basics of Lighting

Before you start decorating your home, it’s important to learn the basics. There are three main types of lighting that you should be aware of: ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting refers to the main source of light in a room, typically using overhead fixtures like pendant or recessed lighting. Task lighting is designed to help you with certain tasks, like a bedside lamp that enables you to read at night. Finally, the role of accent lighting is to highlight a specific object or feature of a room.

How You Can Use It

LED lighting is becoming more popular as a cost-effective alternative to traditional bulbs. As well as saving you money, it’s also much more practical when designing certain parts of the home. When designers want to illuminate a wardrobe or bathroom vanity area in a stylish fashion, they’re using a row of small, recessed LED bulbs because they last much longer.

Image Source - Pinterest

Similarly, installing small lights along the steps of your stairway can help to create a contemporary, sleek design. These are available in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colours so you can easily create match it with the look of the rest of the room. Not only does this look great, it could also help to prevent accidents late at night.

When decorating a young child’s bedroom, Christmas or fairy lights are a great alternative to a night light. They’re also flexible enough that they can be incorporated into a more mature, modern design as they grow up. LED lighting also has a number of safety benefits that’s perfect for a child’s room. Take a look here for all the details you'll need, but the main benefits are that it’s cool to the touch and shatter resistant.

How do you use lighting to create the kind of look you want in your home? Let me know about some of your tricks in the comments below.

*Guestpost

My fabulous cupcake mug

I work in an office with a seven other people and we have a vast amount of mugs, many of which have been donated by companies wanting to sell us something over the years. One member of the team decided she was bored of using a mug that everyone else had and promptly went and bought one for herself that has become her mug, if you use it, you are in trouble.

When I was asked if I would like my own mug in the shape of a Cupcake, obviously I said yes and it is this one is from Hawkins Bazaar, how cute is it? I absolutely love the design and what I like about it even more is that when it is on my desk of waiting to be washed, everyone notices it and now knows it is my mug. It also has this cute little lid which comes with it.

The Cupcake mug costs just £3.49 which is actually a bargain, if this isn't quite your cup of tea (see what I did there) then you can find a few more designs on the Hawkins Bazaar website along with a wide selection of gifts, toys and gadgets.

Do you have a mug that you call your own?