April Lifestyle Favourites

Rather than focus on beauty for this months favourites, I've decided to share a handful of books, TV shows and apps I've been loving. As we've been spending a lot more time indoors over the last four weeks, I've racked up quite a list of lifestyle favourites. 


House plants has to be up there in my favourites as I've loved caring for them and watching them grow over the last month or so. I've added a few new additions to my collection, supporting small independent businesses online, but it's been a little dangerous as my wishlist keeps on growing. I've been using the Planta app since I Covet Thee recommend it and it's great for making sure you're up to date with your watering and care especially if you own more than a handful of plants. 

If you don't know about it now then I don't know where you've been, but I'm now officially on Tik Tok! Follow me for lots of videos of cosy baking and day to day life as well as houseplants and room tours. It's really got my creative juices flowing and I've loved creating little videos that I would usually just keep in my own camera roll and not share with anyone. 

Next up, I've been loving getting my head stuck into a book and I decided pretty early on in lockdown that I wanted to dedicate time each day to re-reading my A Court of Thorns and Roses series as I loved it the rest time. It's great to escaping into the world of Prythian and it feels oh-so-magical too! 

Lastly, I've been enjoying my Mood Boosters Spotify playlist that I shared a month or so back, but I've been listening to it whilst I've been baking bread, cakes and brownies which has really perked up my mood. It's a great playlist to dance around your house too! 

What have you been loving this April? 

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Does The Oskia Renaissance Cleanser Still Live Up To The Hype?

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

Let's talk about the elephant in the room, I don't think anybody has left a cleanser review this long to do. I started using the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel* over three years ago now and despite going through several bottles of it, I've never done a full review. After being kindly gifted it the other month, I thought it was about time I did one as I put it to the test of living up to it's original hype years on - so how did it do? 

I've been using this cleanser a lot recently as I find that it's great for when my skin is feeling on the dry side and I need something that will battle my lacklustre complexion. This has been great for when I'm having no-makeup days as I really get to feel the benefits as it's not working to just get rid of the reminiscence of my makeup. The rose scent is dreamy and the gel to balm formula means it feels super luxurious to use too! 

When I first started using this cleanser many moons ago, I had a skin type that was more oily and I loved it back then, so I was excited to see how it'd work on my skin which is currently on the drier side. I'm glad it didn't fail as in fact I can't fault it. When used to remove my makeup as a second cleanse, it does a great job, but it equally can be used on bare skin in the morning to perk my complexion up. 

Although it's on the expensive side, you only need a little amount with each use. I can't believe it's taken me this long to try it again and I definitely feel like this is goint to be a forever repurchase of mine in the time to come! 


Have you tried the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel? 

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Creating A Cosy Fort At Home

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I've got a new obsession - creating forts at home. I've been sharing my efforts on my new Tik Tok page (if you don't follow me, you definitely should!) and I've got a new found obsession and skill for creating cosy spaces that you want to hang out in all day. Although it's pretty self explanatory, I still wanted to share my favourite methods and how to create a den in the comfort of your own home - maybe you can even take it outside!

A sturdy structure is where you need to start and you'll need to find at least one tall pieces of furniture to add height to your fort. I find a clothes horse works best with a couple of pegs and then I drape a bottom sheet or a duvet cover down from it, attaching it to a chair, a lamp and my TV cabinet too. 

Once I've got everything secure, I can do the fun bit which is decorating. I pile in a bunch of cushions, pillows and blankets making sure there's an abundance of cosiness to snuggle up with. I personally find plants super soothing, so I take a stack of books and then put some plants on top to add some colour. 

Then it's onto lighting and I'm lucky to have an electric fireplace that you can turn the faux flames on for without any heat, so it adds such a cosy ambience! It wouldn't be the same if I didn't finish with a couple strings of fairy lights as I love them twinkling especially if you're building a fort in the evening. 

Lastly I add the entertainment in the form of Disney Plus or Netflix, a book and of course some drinks and snacks to delve into. I could easily spend hours underneath there and it makes for a great date night idea if you're looking to spend an evening away from your phones! 

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Easy Gooey Salted Caramel Brownie Recipe

When we go to visit our friends, they always have the best gooey salted caramel brownies ever and although of course we enjoy the company, but it's definitely the highlight of our trip. I've recently been allowed to know the secret recipe and I get the share it with you, so if you're craving something sweet and you want to get your bake on, then these will no doubt tickle your fancy. 

Ingredients (Makes 15 squares) - 

200g Golden Caster Sugar
200g Butter or margarine
4 Eggs
140g Plain Flour
1 Tin of Carnation Caramel 
100g Dark Chocolate 
100g Milk Chocolate 
Salt 
40g Cocoa Powder 

Method -

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine your eggs, sugar and half a tin of carnation caramel until smooth. 

Melt the butter, but be careful not to let it boil. Stir in your dark chocolate and milk chocolate until combined. 

Pour the butter and chocolate mixture in with the eggs, sugar and caramel until smooth. 

Slowly add the flour to your mixture. Then adding the cocoa powder until mixed thoroughly. 

In a separate bowl, spoon out the other half of the carnation caramel with 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Put the one side to be used later. 

Pour half the brownie mixture into the baking tray and make sure it's levelled out. Then add 3/4 of your caramel mixture on top (I do it in dollops and then spread into stripes).

To finish, pour the rest of the brownie mixture on top. With the remaining caramel, I dollop it on top and then with a fork, I make a swirling pattern on the top. 

Place in the oven for 25 minutes or until it has a slight crack and crust. Let cool and then slice into even squares. 

Will you be trying out this delicious salted caramel brownie recipe? 

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10 Best Etsy Shops To Buy Houseplants + Planters

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I'm back with another Etsy after the success of my last one and I thought I'd make this all about my favourite place to shop independently for houseplants and planters. I'm planning on doing a full houseplant tour at a later point, so today is all about my 10 go-to Etsy sellers that I think you should check out if you want to create your own indoor jungle or are looking to update some of your old plant pots. 

Stupid Egg Interiors | I've purchased from Stupid Egg Interiors a couple of times now and I can't recommend them enough. The plants they have on offer are super gorgeous and I particularly like the String of Hearts that I picked up as it's smaller and I wanted to give myself the challenge of watching it grow over the next few months, but they have bigger and longer options for those of you who don't want the wait. I've also been eyeing up their Hoya Kerrii (the love heart plant) as it's too cute to miss and I think the Mostera Monkey Mask would be great for those who like Monstera's, but they don't want a big one. 

Pretty Cactus Plants | Another shop I can't get enough of is Pretty Cactus Plants, I've actually got the Hoya Carnosa Compacta on order at the moment and I can't wait to get it. The Dracena Compacta was also calling my name, so watch this space. They have reguarly re-stocks, so keep an eye out on their shop for updates! 

The Vintage Parlour | Although this shop on the whole doesn't cater to my exact tastes entirely there definitely are some gems in there if you're looking for a new planter or a shelf to store them on. This Industrial Metal Hanging Shelf got added to my wishlist almost instantly and I'm obsessed with it. 

Beci Callow | If you like cute and quirky designs then look no further as Beci Callow is a seller I stumbled across accidentally and I absolutely love how unique everything looks. The Yellow Blobs Planter would fit my aesthetic perfectly, but I think everything would make a cute gift for somebody if you're looking for one. 

The Northern Jungle | I've had The Northern Jungle's plants on my wishlist for some time now as I'm just waiting for an excuse to treat myself to the Satin Pothos and the Prayer Plant. Definitely check this out if you like "leafy" plants! 

Lisa Angel | Lisa Angel offers a wide variety of products including jewellery and homeware including cute trinkets and candle holders that I'm sure will be included in an upcoming post, but we're focusing on planters today as their Terrazzo Print Mini Planter Stand was too adorable not to feature. 

The Boob Pot Company | If you want quirky, yet stylish pots that can be used to house your plants or to be used for storing other items, then The Boob Pot Company will be right up your street. Each piece is individual and of course they are what you think they are - boob shaped pots! 

Ivy and The Wolf Shop | I check this Etsy seller almost everyday to sell what plants they have on offer. There's lots on there including plants I'd never heard of before and they're all great prices, so great if you're looking to expand or start up your collection. The Peperomia Raindrop and Prickly Pear Cactus are two of my favourite picks. 

Habulous Ceramics | I've been a fan of this Etsy shop for some time as I love their mugs, vases and planters that they have on offer. Their Small Face Plant Pot is just so cute - the wooly jumper detail is amazing! 

My Life Handmade | Having only one shop dedicated to macrame plant hangers was a real struggle for me, so don't worry I'll definitely be sharing more of my favourites in another post soon, but My Life Handmade just does some of the best in my opinion. The Macrame Plant Hanging Kit is the perfect option for now as you can assemble it yourself, making it an achievement once it's up too. 

What are your favourite Etsy shops? 

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My Favourite Budget Hair Accessories

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I've got a new obsession - hair accessories. They spruce up any outfit, disguise a multitude of sins and can help you play around with new hair styles too. My new found love started when scrunchie scarves were all the rage and I wore them to death, so since then I've got quite the collection, so I thought I'd share my favourites and some new pieces I'm looking to tick off my wishlist. 

Braided headbands were a trend I didn't think I'd jump on as I thought they'd personally look ridiculous on my head, but after picking up one on a whim, I couldn't get over how perfect they look paired with a cute dress or outfit! I've definitely been eyeing up this ASOS Padded Blush Pink offering as I think it'd look great throughout Spring and Summer. They're good for if you've got greasy hair that day or you need to get the front parts of your hair out of your face, as they keep everything back in a chic way. 

Next up is hair clips and if you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen that I've been wearing the ASOS Gold Leaf Set non-stop. I'm obsessed with these as I think they look rather expensive, but they in fact only cost me £8! I pin back one side of my hair with this trio and instantly I look like I've put far more effect into my hair style that I actually have. Pearl hair clips were also super popular last Summer, but I can see them making a come back as they definitely offer something different to an outfit. 

What are your favourite hair accessories? 

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Lockdown Skincare Routine

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

Although I've only been wearing makeup once or twice a week, I'm not sure if it's stress or the new season, but for the last month or so, my skin has been in dire need of some extra TLC. I spruced up my skincare routine, pulling out some old favourites and I feel like I've got my lockdown skincare routine perfect. This particular post is going to be about my skincare routine when I don't have makeup to remove and instead can focus on my skin concerns and nourishment. 

First up I use the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel* which has a dreamy rose scent that is just a pleasure to use as the balmy texture turns to an oil when it comes in contact with water making it super good at removing any dirt, but hydrating at the same time. I use this with a muslin cloth for a light exfoliation at the same time. 

Then I use the Pixi Vitamin C Juice Cleanser* as it's one of my favourites as it gets rid of any dirt or grime I have on my skin, refreshing the complexion and boosting radiance all in one go. It's great even if you're wearing makeup as this will make you realise just how much makeup you've still got left on your face as this is like a magnet! 

My skin has been lacking adequate hydration as it tends to feel a little drier in-between seasons, so I've been using the Herbivore Emerald Face Oil* underneath my Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream* for the most perfect results. You only need the smallest amount of oil to cover your whole face and a little patience as this is a product that offers great effects short term, but I've noticed a real change in my change with regular use. The moisturiser makes this a dream team as it sinks in quickly and helps to keep my skin looking smooth and feeling soft! 

For an extra treat I've been regularly participating in facial massages with my Gatineau Jade Roller* as well as making sure that I use a face mask from time to time. The Fresh Black Tea Overnight Mask* is a rediscovery of mine, but this thick textured cream leaves my skin feeling great and looking better. When paired with the roller, I'm always surprised with how glowy and supple my skin looks the following day. 

What's your lockdown skincare routine? 

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5 Gripping Netflix Shows That You Don't Want To Miss

We all know the struggle with technology nowadays, you put a new Netflix programme on and before you know it, it hasn't gripped you as much as you thought and you slip back into checking your phone every five minutes - we've all been there. With the world being a little crazy at the moment, I've really turned to TV series to switch off and unwind for the evening and here are X of my favourites. 

The Stranger | I'd heard about this show for some time and after spotting it on Gogglebox, I immediately added it to my to-watch list, but I'm not sure what it was about it, but I didn't think it'd be my thing. I was totally wrong and for the four nights we binge watched it, I barely looked at my phone! 

I Am Not Okay With This | Spontaneously one night we decided to watch I Am Not Okay With This despite neither of us knowing really want it was about and we hadn't heard much about it. It was super gripping and easy to watch as you just wanted to find out what happens. It's a really good series to binge watch on a rainy day or a Sunday. 

Cheer | I put this on Netflix the other week as a last minute decision of what to watch and despite some skepticism, I ended up getting super invested in this docuseries and had to binge watch the lot. It follows cheerleaders in a lead up to their next competition and as an old cheerleader myself, I found it super fascinating, but even if you're not a fan of the sport, it's still entertaining and will have you gripped. 

End Of The F***ing World  | If you enjoyed I Am Not Okay With This then you're more than likely going to enjoy End Of The F***ing World if not even more. This series in one of my favourites and knowing there's only ever going to be two seasons makes you want to savour it even more. 

Tiger King | Everyone is talking about Tiger King right now and rightfully so as it's one of the craziest things I've ever seen. It wasn't what I was expecting at all, but since watching the series, I've recommend it to a number of people who also came away from it in complete shock. If you're looking for a series that will have you gripped, then look no further!  

What have you loved watching on Netflix recently? 

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10 Etsy Shops To Check Out

- All links in this post are affiliate links. For more information head to my disclaimer. - 

I've always been rather fond of shopping on Etsy, there's some dreamy homeware pieces on there that always entices me in and I feel like now more than ever, we need to support small businesses too. I often scour the Editors Picks page for new-in pieces or just items that I think I'll enjoy. Here are 10 UK Etsy shops to check out: 

My Life Handmade | If you're a lover of macramé like myself, then you'll appreciate how much time and effort into creating those beautiful pieces. As most of us have a little bit of extra time on our hands, My Life Handmade's kits like this Macramé Plant Hanging Kit looks like it'll be just perfect to have a go at! If planters aren't your thing then they have Wall Hanging Designs as well as even Mini Embroidering Hoop Kits. 

Annie Dornan Smith | I've admired Annie's work for some time now, her Collection of British Bees Print, not only being a personal favourite, but also a favourite amongst everybody. Each of her designs are as gorgeous as each other, but her La Peche Peach Print is just dreamy - just look at it! She also sells stationary, cards and pins, so it's a great shop to check out if you have a few birthdays coming up as there's a great card selection that could even double up as wall art. 

Pretty Cactus Plants | As a plant collector, I love scouring Etsy for new plants to own as you can often find rare offerings or just simply green beauties that you've been eyeing. Pretty Cactus Plants is one of the shops I check regularly as their Hoya Carnosa Compacta (hindu rope plant) is probably going to be my next plant purchase. They're reasonably priced with this Dracena Compacta being only £5, so it's tempting to add even more to your collection. 

Things With Passion | Although Things With Passion is an Etsy shop that I've only just recently discovered, I'm absolutely obsessed with everything they have to offer. It's mostly macramé again (don't worry there's other things to come!), but the Rainbow Weaving Wall Decor and the Ferns Botanical Embroidery are both too beautiful not to mention. That being said, I feel like it's the One Line Face Wall Tapestry that would get the most love online - just look how Instagrammable it is! 

The Minty Mountain | Finding The Minty Mountain on Etsy was a total dream find as her handmade ceramics are just so beautiful and you can totally tell how much effort goes into each item. The Leggy Stoneware Planter is a favourite, but she also offers plates and mugs like this Galaxy Night Mug which is a total splurge, so I'll gaze at it in awe from afar. 

Sew Botanical | I found the Etsy shop, Sew Botanical a few days ago now and I'm so glad I did as I've been looking for embroidery kits for a while. They're great if you want to start a new hobby or if you want to perfect a new skill, plus you got a something that you've made all by yourself at the end of it. The Beginner Mini Plant Embroidery Kit and Plant Lady Coral option are my two favourites as they look like they'd fit in when put on display in my house. 

BBIllustration | I personally love incorporating nature into my home decor where possible, so I stumbled across BBIllustration when I was looking for a bee print and I found their A-Z of Bees which is just the cutest! They have other alternatives like birds, butterflies and even biscuits, so it's a cute little Etsy shop to check out if you're into these kind of things. 

BarrelandBirdCo | Something a little different now as BarrelandBirdCo focuses more on rustic furniture, but the pieces are gorgeous nevertheless. The Wooden Blanket Ladder is a personal favourite as I think it'd look so cute and has lots of different uses, but their Rope Hanging Shelves have made me lust after new places to put trinkets and houseplants. 

Stupid Egg Interiors | An Etsy favourite of mine that I keep coming back to time and time again is Stupid Egg Interiors, a shop that sells gorgeous houseplants alongside great planters that can be dotted throughout the home. The Hoya Kerrii (love heart plant) is just too cute to miss and the String of Hearts is just as pretty. 

Nest Candle Co | I've mentioned Nest Candle Co on my blog before, but this candle shop is ran by a fellow blogger and her candles have the cutest names. I know a lot of people will be pampering and having cosy evenings in, so if you're running low on your favourite candles, then I'd recommend checking out independent stores as they have some great picks for good prices too like their Fairydust Luxury Soy offering! 

- Honorable mentions - 

I feel like I need to shout from the roof tops about this BeeBoutiqueStore Chunky Knit Blanket which they do in a variety of colours (including blush pink!) for an affordable price as I feel like everyone will want one. This style of blanket used to be all the rage, but I've been looking for something similar for a couple of years now and then I stumbled across this shop and honestly they're just dreamy to drape over your bed or sofa for extra cosiness. 

Another piece that I found that I thought would be great for those who like Instagrammable pieces in this Knot Cushion that comes in a variety of colours that would suit anywhere in your home! 

If you've ever wondered where my Mustard Macramé was from it was from an Etsy seller called Rocket and Pearl which I've previously mentioned before. It's the one that's featured in the above images and it makes for great wall decor if you have a spare space that needs filling. 

Who are your favourite Etsy sellers? Did you like my top picks? 

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3 Products Making My Skin Feel Better

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

I'm not sure if it's stress, lack of sleep or the transitional period between seasons, but my skin isn't looking the best at the moment. I've been struggling with texture and enlarged pores, alongside random blemishes and dry patches too. That being said, I've been relying on 3 products that have been significantly improving my skin over the last few weeks and I just had to share them with you. 

First up is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel*, a product that was recently sent to me after I hadn't used it in over a year and as it's one of my all time favourite cleansers, I'm very happy to have it back in my routine. When messaged into the skin, it nourishes and makes my complexion feel super clean, but without stripping it of any nourishment. As I'm not wearing makeup as regularly as I usually would at the moment, I particularly like using this on my bare skin days. 

As I've said before, I'm not sleeping well as of late, so I've been loving the Pixi DetoxifEYE Eye Patches* to help perk up my under-eye area. Despite being skeptical when I first tried them, I do actually see a difference when I use them especially in how hydrated my skin looks under my eyes. 

After reorganising my makeup and skincare products, I found the Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask* that I hadn't used in a little while and I'm so glad I rediscovered it! Although it can be used overnight, I tend to just leave this on for a couple of hours whilst I read and run myself a bath. It gets to work by intensely moisturise and leaves my skin feeling smoother and less irritated in general. 

What skincare products have you been loving lately? 

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Spring Outfits To Wear To Your Garden

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I know we aren't going to anywhere soon, but I've been filling my wishlist with Spring and Summer appropriate outfits for when we can finally enjoy the sunshine outside our four walls. That being said, I feel like I'm still enjoying fashion on a daily basis, I'm just wearing it to my garden instead. I thought I'd share a glimpse into my current fashion wishlist. 

You'll probably notice a lack of handbags and shoes, but that's because there's not a lot to carry to your back garden except a G&T and a book. That being said, I really like this Pimkie Moc Croc Moon Bag as sage green isn't a colour I'd usually go for or have in my wardrobe, but it'll no doubt add a pop of colour to my outfits. 

Loungewear is all the rage at the moment and there's some amazing pieces out there if you're looking to treat yourself. This H&M Pink Ribbed Long Sleeve Set is just adorable and I can see myself living in it, but it's the ASOS Smock Polka Dot Jumpsuit that I think is the cutest - look how comfortable it looks and it could be worn outside the house easily too! 

Did you like the outfits I picked out? 

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A Delicious, Easy Cheese Scone Recipe

Easter weekend feels like the perfect time to dig out an old favourite scone recipe that I've ben using since I was little. They're delicious paired with a picnic and they can easily be adapted if you want them plain or with a vegan cheese as I currently use vegan margarine and almond milk to make these scones. Crumbly and utterly moorish, you'll be wanting to make another batch as soon as you've devoured the last ones. 

If you're new to baking savoury snacks, this one is perfect to begin with as it's all mixed in one bowl and then rolled out on a floured service where you can shape the dough into anything you want and little can go wrong in the process.  

Ingredients - 

225g Plain Flour
2 1/2tsp Baking Powder 
55g Butter Of Choice
115g Cheddar Cheese 
80ml Milk Of Choice 
Paprika
Salt

Method - 

Preheat the oven to 200degrees and line your baking tray with parchment paper. 

Start by weighing out your flour, baking powder and butter. Put them into a mixing bowl together and work them together until they resemble breadcrumbs. Add salt and paprika to taste. 

Add the milk slowly into the mixture. You want the dough to be easy to work with, but not too dry nor wet - it shouldn't feel too sticky.

Once you've got the texture of dough you want. Before rolling out, add your cheddar cheese and work until it's mixed it. 

Flour your surface and roll out the dough until 2 inch thick. Use your cutter of choice and place the scones out your baking tray. Before putting in the oven, lightly brush the tops of your scones with milk - this just ensures that they go golden brown.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they have colour on the top. 

Leave the cool or have warm with melted butter - delicious! 


Do you think you'll try this cheese scone recipe out? 

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30 Things To Do At Home Right Now

During this uncertain time, I think it's important to focus on yourself and only do what you want to do. For me, I've been trying to exercise everyday, do something that will make me smile and also complete a handful of productive things a day, that being said, there's other days where I just want to stretch out on the sofa eating and watching Netflix. There's no perfect way to go about this lockdown life, so do what's best for you and don't feel bad for it! If you are looking for ideas on what to do when you're in a rut or you've got a case of cabin fever, then here are 30 things that you can do at home right now. 

• Watch Your Favourite TV/Film Box Set.
• Practice yoga. 
• Sit in the garden or in a comfy spot with the sunshine shining. 
• Bake scones, biscuits or cupcakes. 
• Spend 30 minutes colouring in an adult colouring book.
• Ring a family member or friend.
• Pamper yourself from head to toe. 
• Care for your houseplants. 
• Play a video game. 
• Make your own exercise routine. 
• Organise that cupboard you've been meaning to for ages. 
• Get lost in a book. 
• Learn how to french braid your hair. 
• Make a to-do list and tick everything off. 
• Complete a puzzle. 
• Do An Online Exercise Class. 
• Learn a Tik Tok Dance. 
• Deep clean one room of your house. 
• Learn how to cross-stitch. 
• Go for a walk/run/cycle. 
• Run yourself a relaxing bath.
• Try a new recipe for something you've never eaten before. 
• Re-edit photographs from last Summer.   
• Play around with makeup. 
• Listen to a podcast. 
• Spend all day watching Netflix under a blanket (with candles!). 
• Open all your windows and dance to your favourite music playlist. 
• Clear out your old phone photographs/apps you don't use. 
• Start a blog or read your favourite bloggers!
• Re-arrange your house/room. 

What your favourite things to do whilst at home? 

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Three Essie Nude Spring Favourites

- All links in this post are affiliate links. For more info head to my disclaimer. -

Now seems like the perfect time to learn a new skill and for me, getting better at nail art is one that I want to tackle. I dug out three of my favourite Essie nail vanishes and decided to play around with them and I really liked the results, so thought I'd share them with you too! It's just a simple, geometric design that can be created with any variations of colours, but these are my go-to three. 

I start off by coating every nail with Essie's Spin The Bottle, a nude hue that is quite light, but I've loved this colour as it's always a fail safe when I want a sleek looking manicure. After it dries, I go in with Essie's Bare With Me which is still on the nude scale, but it leans more to the coral, peachy side which is great to contrast with the first layer. I started by gently (and slowly) just applying this shade to the top left hand corner of my nail, similar to a traditional french manicure and then I started to experiment a bit more with precision and do the same but towards the nail bed. 

If I wanted neater precision, I could wait for the first layer to dry, apply a bit of cellotape across the nail and peel off when dry. Repeating with each layer I wanted to add until I get the geometric shape I was looking for. For the third and final layer, I opted for Essie's Angora Cardi, a long time favourite of mine especially in Autumn as it's a gorgeous berry hue that compliments the other nudes perfectly. I simply repeat what I did with Bare With Me, but instead concentrate on the other half of the nail, overlapping sometimes and leaving negative spaces when I can. 

All three nail vanishes are perfect to be worn at this time of the year as I find that all three of these have great longevity and the colour stands the test of time too. 

What's your favourite Essie nail vanish shades? 

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5 Body Creams You'll Actually Want To Use

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

I don't know about you, but I always have the best intentions when it comes to moisturising my body, but post-shower, the anticipation of standing around in the cold as it dries makes me want to skip the moisturising part and jump straight into bed. Saying that, I've really been on top of it recently and I'm not sure if it's because I've not got a good excuse to skin the step, but I think it's down to finding a handful of body creams that I genuinely really enjoy and look forward to using. 

For Those On A Budget | When I think of affordable body lotions my mind will always wonder to the Soap and Glory selection. Although I love all of them, I decided to opt for the Smoothie Star Body Butter* to show you. It's got a rich feel to it and the almond scent is very potent, which you'll either love or hate. Soap and Glory is just a major throwback for me as I used to buy the miniatures with my pocket money as a young teen and try and stretch the product out for as long as I could. 

For A Good All Rounder | I've been using the L'occitane Almond Milk Concentrate* a lot recently as it's great when I want to quickly nourish my body and I don't have time to wait for it to soak in. It's a regular in my pamper routine as it smells delicious and is light on the skin, which gives a spa-type feeling. I especially like slathering this all over my body post-bath when I'm shaved and exfoliated, but the best part is that it sinks in super quickly, so you don't have to wait half an hour like with some other products! 

For Extra Hydration | When I want an added boost, I opt for the Too Cool For School Egg Mellow Body Butter* as you can tell that it's got added oil in the formula as although it keeps my body feeling nourished, it takes a lot longer than any of the other offerings in this post to sink in. It can be a little irritating when you want to jump straight into your bed sheets, but if you have a bit of time to pamper yourself then concentrating this body lotion on your knees, elbows and any other dry patches is definitely worth it. 

For When The Sun Comes Out | Although we're along way off, a product that I repurchase every year when the sun comes out is the Nuxe After Sun Lotion*, which although it may sound a little boring, the scent is delicious and it makes your tan fade even in the Summer. 

For Luxe Lovers | Another product that is a long time favourite of mine is the Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Body Souffe which is just as good as it sounds. The scent is dreamy and I love pairing it with the Honey Bath for optimum luxe. It's expensive and it does a good job at nourishing your body too - it just feels gorgeous to use when you're feeling extra AF. 

What are your favourite body creams? 

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A Homeware Wishlist + Etsy Shops To Check Out

- All links in this post are affiliate links. For more info head to my disclaimer. -

Now that I'm spending more time than ever in my house, I've been decluttering and organising when I can; rearranging pieces to find a new home for them as well as watering my plants and creating a cosy space to relax and unwind in. It's also meant that I've been lusting after new items and have been adding to my wishlist almost daily as we transition into Spring officially. I want a light, airy space with gold, pink and beige hues to it which pair beautifully with my floral candles and the brass textures I have dotted around my home. Here is my current wishlist and a handful of Etsy shops to check out too. 

I've got some new prints arriving that I can't wait to share with you in an exciting collaboration, but for the time being I treated myself to a fresh new bedding set as I was still snuggling up with my Christmas set most weeks. I've really enjoyed caring for my house plants these past weeks, so I've been scouring the internet for some new sellers as there's lots of independent shops who sell their own plants - I'll share my favourite finds at the end of the post. 

For my coffee table, I've been struggling to decide what sort of display I want for the upcoming months. I've been using flowers mostly, but I think this H&M Rattan Tray would look great with a candle and a cactus in the middle too to add a little colour, but still keep it feeling cosy. 

Throughout the year, I can see myself switching up my cushion covers because that's the joy of having H&M inserts as they can be easily removed and put back on depending on the season and mood. This H&M Lemon Print Cushion isn't exactly coherent with my current mustard theme, but I can't help but think it'd look great anyway! 

H&M aside, I've also been loving Urban Outfitters homeware as it always works with my style. I've been lusting after a Himalayan Salt Lamp for some time now, but I think I need to invest in one now more than ever because they always give off the most dreamy light. 

Etsy is a place that I've been looking through almost daily as I love how many independent shops there on there selling some gorgeous and individual pieces that you can decorate your home too. Now feels like the perfect time to support small business, so I've just linked a few of my favourites below: 

Rocket and Pearl - If you've ever wondered where my mustard macramé hanging is from then it's Rocket and Pearl, a dreamy online shop that sells lots of gorgeous macramé and wall art. 

Hopscotch Candles - They sell the most beautiful candles, I fully recommend Fig and Melon, a favourite that I burn all the time! 

Pretty Cactus Plants - As you can guess, they sell lots of plants and I currently have quite a lot in my basket, so make sure you leave some for me. 

Stupid Egg Interiors - I recently bought a string of hearts plant from them and I can't wait to grow it over the next few months. They have a broad range of others to choose from and they always come packaged safely! 

Nest Candle Co - These beautiful looking candles are made by my fellow blogger, Becky and it's a great business to support if you're looking for new candles to cosy up with. 

What's on your homeware wishlist?

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