DIY Cottagecore Mushroom Hat

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

With Halloween nearly over, I thought now was the perfect time to share one of my favourite costumes this year - the cottagecore mushroom hat. I've been wanting to create ever since I saw A Clothes Horse share her version of this trend. I thought October was the perfect time as the leaves are still turning brown and real mushrooms are popping up all over the woods. 

When it actually came to DIY-ing the hat itself, I started off with a plan in mind, but after some time I realised it was best to take each step as it came. I started off by cutting a large circle out of cardboard the size that I wanted the hat to be. I then measured around the circumference of my head and cut another circle out in the middle. I then used the spare cardboard to make an sturdy arch similar to this one featured in the blog post. After that we improvised with the next steps, adding some extra structure around the base so that it could withstand the weight of the extra fabric. With glue gun in hand, I started by pleating the underbelly of the mushroom with white fabric and then flipping it over to cover it completely with the red material and white spots - then I was done! 

I was absolutely thrilled with how it turned out and after a morning frolicking around the woods, I felt like an the four evenings making the hat was worth every second - I was officially a woodland fairy mushroom. I knew that I wanted to find the perfect dress to accompany this look, so when I was sent over the Son De Flor Classic Dress* it was love at first sight. I feel like this mushroom is going to get an outing again next year, so definitely watch this space. 

10 Things To Do This Halloween

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With Halloween being on a Sunday this year, it feels fitting to tick something off my Halloween to-do list everyday this week. I always like to keep myself busy on the week leading up to the 31st so that I can fit everything. If you're looking for activities to do this week, then here's my top ten things do in the run up to Halloween. 

Visit A Pumpkin Patch

I've visited a couple of pumpkin patches this year, but if you haven't yet done so here's your reminder to book in for this weekend. It's a great afternoon activity for all the family - just make sure to wrap up and wear some comfortable boots. After you get back from your trip, carve up your pumpkins or even make them into a delicious soup. Don't forget to roast the seeds for a great snack! 

Watch Spooky Films

Whether you opt for a childhood classic or a scary favourite, I love gathering all the snacks, cosy blankets and getting ready to hide behind a cushion. I'm currently challenging myself to watch a different film each evening to get myself ready for the 31st! If you're not really a film person, then there's lots of TV series at the moment to get your teeth (or should I say fangs) into. Squid Game, Only Murders In The Building and the new series of You are all great picks, but there's also old Sabrina The Teenage Witch episodes being shown if you want a dose of nostalgia. 

Make A Halloween Snack Board

I put together this Halloween snack board last year and I want to create a similar one this year. I love the savoury take on this because a cheese board at this time of the year is just the best. Think about wrapping your sausages up like mummies, making some bat shaped crackers and even turning olives into spiders. Whilst that all sounds delicious, I'm also tempted to try out sweet snack board full to the brim of all my favourite Halloween sweets as well as some homemade cookies too! You can find baking inspiration on my Instagram reels.

Decorate Your House

I've already decorated for Halloween, but if you've been meaning to, then here's your reminder! I have put together some of my favourite below if you're looking to pick up some last minute bits. 

Here are some other ideas:

- Check out if any houses local to you have decorated for Halloween. 

- Make a Halloween playlist (here's mine!). 

- Dress up!

- Have a Lush Halloween bath. 

- Go to a corn maize or haunted house.

- Cook with a pumpkin themed dinner (think soup or even make your own gnocchi). 

What are your Halloween plans this year? 

New Autumn Skincare

- This blog post is a paid collaboration with Very.co.uk. - 

Autumn is now here and that means I've gone on a quest to find some new additions to my morning and evening skincare routine to help combat all my skin woes. Very.co.uk have lots of beauty products and brands to look through including Murad, Trilogy and Elemis, so there's something for everybody. I've recently picked out four new products perfect for the new season that all help to fight my dehydrated, irritated complexion. 

I've been wanting to pick up a new cleanser for the first part of my double cleanse for a little while. Very.co.uk has got a wide variety of skincare to choose from, so narrowing it down to the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm wasn't easy. I wanted something that was going to feel luxurious and get to work quickly to remove every trace of makeup, so this offering ticked all of those boxes. The texture turns from a balm to an oil once mixed with water, so it gets rid of any makeup I have on from the day. Another plus to this is that a little goes a long way and this balm is already quite sizeable, so this should last me a fair few months of use. 

In Autumn, my skin often needs a little TLC to help banish any dry patches I have, so I've picked up the REN Skincare Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask to aid with that. The thick formula helps to combat a dehydrated complexion in just 10 minutes leaving my skin feeling softer and looking plumper. This is perfect for days when you've been out in the cold and you feel like your skin needs some help to feel less irritated. 

My eyes around Autumn tend to get dry and chapped from changing temperatures, so I picked up the REN Skincare Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream to help with keeping them moisturised and soft. The formula is thick, so it feels intensely hydrating, but it sinks in quickly and gets to work straight away. 

The Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser feels like it bridges the gap between skincare and makeup perfectly. When I don't want to wear a base, this moisturiser is a great addition to my routine as it perks up my complexion without adding any coverage, just giving my skin a natural glow! I think this could work underneath a foundation if you want extra radiance, but personally I'll be using it on no-makeup days. 

Have you checked out Very.co.uk's beauty range? 

Three From Lush Halloween 2021

If you've ever been in a Lush shop, you'll know that it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to look first. Checking out the Lush Halloween in a yearly tradition of mine, but there's three pieces I think stand out amongst the rest, so I thought I'd share with you my favourites. 

There's not a year that goes by where I haven't picked up the Punkin Pumpkin bath bomb. Obviously it's adorable to look at, but the subtle cinnamon scent makes it the perfect pick for Autumn. Just sink back into the fluffy orange fizz with a spooky book and candles for the ultimate relaxing evening. I always try and get an extra bath bomb to treat myself to on the 31st October!   

The Ghostie Bath Bomb is one I haven't had before, but it's quickly become a favourite - I just hope they bring it back in 2022! Not only is it adorable on the outside, but as once it hits water it reveals a vibrant rainbow swirl. Of course the beautiful colours are noteworthy, but it's actually the scent that I love the most about it. It's almost like sherbet as it's sweet, but without being sickly - plus it sticks around in your bathroom for hours!  

Bat Art is another repurchase of mine as although I'm not usually a fan of overly glittery bath products, the strong scent that reminds me of blackcurrant which makes the clean up worth it. It turns the water a deep purple hue that glimmers as you swish it around, plus it fills the bathroom with a delightful scent. 

Have you picked up anything from the Lush Halloween 2021 range?

Essie Autumn Nail Picks

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but sent under no obligation to review. All links in this blog post are affiliate links. For more info head to my disclaimer. -

When I want a quick manicure, I always reach for Essie as they have over a hundred colours to choose from for all occasions. If you're not sure where to start and you want to find a new nail vanish for Autumn, then I've narrowed it down to five of my favourites.

Angora Cardi* continues to make it onto every Essie seasonal post I've ever done. It's named as the most Pinterest worthy nail shade and if you've ever worn it, you'll understand why. It's a deep mauve shade that goes with everything and lasts a considerable amount of time on the nails. Perfect if you want a dark shade, but nothing too overpowering. 

One nail vanish that stands out amongst the rest is Cargo Cameo*. If I could sum this up, I would say it reminds me of autumnal woods as the brown with gold speckles reminds me of crisp fallen leaves. Absolutely dreamy if you want a unique looking manicure for this season. 

If you want a nail shade darker than Angora Cardi, then I would recommend checking out Bahama Mama. It's a rich plum colour that feels like the perfect shade to wear with a cosy cardigan and comfy socks. There's something about this that I always come back to and despite rarely ever finishing a bottle of nail vanish, I've gone through a couple of these. 

Now for something a little different and it's Fishnet Stockings*, a classic red shade that doesn't have a blue or orange undertone, so I think it works well with everything. With two applications, it creates an opaque, shiny finish that means you don't have to wear a top coat with it if you're in a rush. I would go as far to say that if you're only looking to own one red shade, then make sure it is this one.  

If you want Halloween in a bottle then look no further as Sole Mate* is just that! It's a deep plum colour that upon glance looks almost black, but the purple hue makes it a super unique shade to have in your collection. I think this would be the perfect pick to pair with nail art at this time of the year, but I personally love wearing it on it's own too especially on the 31st October. 

Five Books To Read This October

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It's officially the season to get cosy underneath blankets with a book in hand. There's so many books to choose from in October, but I thought I would help narrow down your to-read list by recommending some of my favourites. Perfect for the season of Halloween, these books should get you in the mood to be spooked! 

Silent Companions 

With mixed reviews, I went into Silent Companions with low expectations, but I was completely gripped by this spooky read. Immediately I got engrossed in the setting and characters as the story flicks between three time periods. If you're a fan of stories set in a classic haunted old house like Haunting of Hill House, then you'll love this. I can already imagine it getting made into a horror film - it's made for it. 

It's Behind You

Five contestants of a reality game show make their way into the claustrophobic Umber Gorge caves which are famed for it's ghostly presence called the Puckered Maiden - creeped out yet? It incorporates characters who all have secrets mixed with old folk tales, so it's a gripping read that will have you page turning. Maybe leave the light on whilst reading this one...

The Haunting of Aveline Jones

I don't always want to spooked or not be able to sleep when reading a book, so around Halloween time I like to focus on the books more tailored to children or young adults. The Haunting of Aveline Jones is a great pick for those who want a quick read on the 31st, but still with all the spooky elements. Despite let the middle gram aspect fool you as this makes your hairs stand up on end. 

Vicious 

If you're not wanting to be scared too much, but rather intrigued, then I would recommend reading Vicious. It's an anti-hero book with lots of  super villains references throughout which make for a compelling read - great for snuggling up under a blanket as the wind and rain tap on your window. 

Frankenstein 

I feel like with the month of October being the home to Halloween, I have to give a quick mention to a classic. I think everyone should add just one Halloween classic to their to-read pile at this time of the year whether it's a delving into a Stephen King novel or exploring the world of Dracula, sometimes the old favourites, like Frankenstein that are the best. I've got the Barnes and Noble edition which is beautiful, so definitely adds to the spooky feel.

What's your favourite books to read in October?  

Etsy Halloween Shops To Check Out

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Decorating my home for Halloween is one of my favourite seasonal activities and although I've put up most of my decorations already, I'm still keeping an eye out for some new additions. Etsy is always a great place to start as they tend to have unique pieces for the home, but you can also fill your wardrobe with some spooky pieces at the same time too. 

For the home, I've been eying up this Ghost Tassel Garland as they're so adorable - plus they can fit in multiple places around the house. If you want something a little bit more obvious then these Ghost Window Stickers are perfect and so cute for putting out on the 31st. 

I feel like velvet pumpkins have been all the rage this year, but they're so hard to get your hands on because they sell out so quickly. This Plush Orange Pumpkin comes in a variety of sizes meaning they can go throughout the home with ease and they're reusable meaning you can bring them out year upon year. Another pick that I think would be a favourite for years to come is this Hanging Cauldron Burner which would look so cool on a mantelpiece. 

When it comes to clothing, Etsy have a lot to offer around Halloween. Their t-shirts and jumpers are unique, the only downside is deciding which one to choose. I think this Pumpkin T-Shirt is my favourite and I feel like it can be easily worn with anything, but I also think this Floral Ghost Shirt is adorable. Another one I like the look of is this Ghost Bat T-Shirt which comes in an array of colours and is great if you're a fan of the understated Halloween look. 

If you want to stay a little warmer, then definitely check out this Dancing Screams Sweatshirt or Pumpkin Embroidered Jumper as they both look super snuggly - plus I feel like you can get away with wearing these outside of October. 

For accessories, I also find Etsy is my first port of call. I've mentioned these Maple Leaf Earrings before, but I have to feature them here as well as they're just so Autumnal and pretty. If you're looking for more Halloween accessories, then these Cute Little Ghost Earrings or these Pumpkin Polymer Earrings are great too. 

Have you checked out Etsy for Halloween?