Hair Scrunchie D.I.Y.

My 90s meets 60s scrunchie is finally done.

And if you want to know how to do it, here is my little tutorial. It is perfect if you like to add a personal touch to your style and super easy (I never sew and even I can say that!).

What you will need:

• Material of choice (approx 60cm x 20cm)
• Needle
• Thread of a similar colour to your material
• Plain Hair Band

Firstly, I chose my material and thread. Quite taken in by the whole 60s theme I searched the house for a polka dot material, and there it was, b-e-a-utiful.

I then cut it to size with my teeny tiny material scissors which made a pretty wobbly line, but this doesn't matter too much as it'll be hidden - a vague rectangle does help though...

Then I took one of the long edges of the rectangle, and scrunched all that side together (as below) before putting this scrunched area into my hair band.

Then I started doing a teeny tiny running stitch along the outside seam, with the eges folded in so you can't see the ugly sides. (Unless you're going for a grunge look...)

The rest is just sewing from there, I used running stitch all the way through as that's what's easiest, but feel free to make it fancy! My 'fancy' addition was the bunny ears which I adoreeeee!

What I love about this D.I.Y is that I will actually use it, and it does look adorable on a messy bun!

(but I have to admit, buying one from a shop is much much quicker even if it is easy to make!)

Postage Stamp Paintings

Stamps aren't always a very passionating topic, but wait until you discover Molly Rausch, an artist I had the pleasure of stumbling upon during my art project.

She finds incredible stamps & extends their pictures by painting around them to create some miniature masterpieces.

Here is her website if you want to see some more of her work. Personally my favourite is the monopoly stamp piece, its incredible!

Post-Easter Cooking

Okay, so it might appear to be uber late to start mentioning Easter, but I have good reasoning...

Hopefully, you've all received some delicious Easter eggs to gorge on. But then you're always left with that little bit of extra that you just can't eat or you'll pop. 

What to do? I have an answer.

Cook for yourself & others with it! There are sooo many delightful recipes out there which include chocolate, it would be crazy to ignore them all.

I went for the traditional easter nests you learn to make at Primary school except I added some hazelnuts instead of mini chocolate eggs. (Does that make it healthy? I've persuaded myself it has...)

I've put together a collection of links to recipes which include chocolate & which look scrumptious!

• Millionaire's shortbread - if you have a sweet tooth, this is for you! This was the clearest recipe I could find, but my grandma will always make them best. My advice: include lots of caramel, mmm.

• Mini Chocolate & Ginger brownies - these look very sophisticated & would be great at a dinner party.

• Choc-peanut fondants with chocolate soil & cherries - for those of you who like a challenge, these will be great, you need to cook them perfectly!

• White Chocolate Baba Ghannouj - a savoury dish which includes chocolate, I'm impressed! And paprika is an ingredient - perfection.

• Molten Mug Chocolate Cake - perfect if you're a student or are pressed for time, it's all made in a mug n under 5 minutes - wow.

Supersized Gooey Oreo Cookie

You like cookies & oreos?
I hear you. Here is the perfect way to treat yourself big time, a scrumptious supersized gooey Oreo cookie recipe, mmmmmm.

Ingredients:

• 225g of sugar (I used about half of soft brown & half of white caster)
• 125g margarine
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp vanilla essence
• 225g self raising flour
• Oreos (about 5)

Once your oven is preheated to 180 degrees Celsius, your apron is tied securely & ingredients are ready to go, its time to start baking!

Add your sugar to your margarine & mix until they're one big gooey mess. Then crack & add your egg & vanilla essence.

Once you have once again mixed & created a gooey mixture, its time to add the flour. Your supposed to add it bit by bit as you stir, but I really don't think they taste any less delicious if you don't, plus that method is far too slow. Mix away!

Now its time for the luscious detail. Break your Oreos into eighths & add them to the mixture.

Grease a baking tray & spoon all the mixture out into your preferred shape. 

Then place your heavenly creation into the oven & wait for 10 short minutes until they're ready (the time you leave it in depends on how gooey you like them).

Be warned - this could be the tastiest cookie you ever eat.

With An Extra Day

This video is beautiful. I love the music, the filming, the voices, the conversation, the activities, the ideas, the creativity, the sun, the settings, everything.

Made by Gustav Johansson. What a genius.

If I had an extra day, it would be similar. Making more time for others, fixing the little things, reading more books, start new hobbies, relax more & appreciating the extra day in all its splendour.

Slipper Envy

Pinterest has created a shoe envy within me.

Every time I repin slipper shoes onto my style board, every inch of me is begging to grab my bag & race down to the shopping centre to buy a pair...

But for now, I have to resist that urge & settle with some drawings in my sketchbook.

To buy or not to buy?

Mother's Day Ideas

For those of you living in the UK, mother's day is approaching.

Normally I am impressively late with gifts. My gifts tend to come days, weeks or (usually) months late, however for this occasion I have been incredibly organised. 

So to help you all, along with myself, I have created a small list of ideas in my sketchbook; voila!

Shelf inspiration

There is a new addition to my bedroom. 

I now have my very own gloriously sleek shelf.

This now presents me with a mighty fine task - arranging my books, magazines & stuff! Being a self-confessed Pinterest addict & lover of all things design, I have created a small collection to gather ideas for my room...

These are only my absolute favourites, & they all come from my pinterest board - 'To build a home'.

Here are my absolute top 3 favourite things to put on shelves:

• Flowers & plants
• Piles and stacks of books, maybe even colour coded!
• Art - with beautiful frames, or sketches even can be very pretty

Picking Daisy Petals

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me...
We've all done it as a child, picking petals off those poor little daisies & when you get older, flowers are still a huge part of romance.

And I adore it.

The spectrum of colour flower merchants bring is beautiful.

On the subject of loved ones, here is my list of 10 things to do together:

• Go to a roller disco (yes, retro clothing is a must).
• Make pancakes & fill them with every flavour imaginable.
• Draw / paint each other, let your creativity out.
• Go on a road-trip - get lost & explore.
• Build a blanket fort.
• Go to a zoo.
• Slow dance to old fashioned music.
• Sprint in the night - is there anything better?
• Sing at the top of your voices to your favourite songs.
• Bake yourselves a fancy meal at home & wear your best gear.

And to finish off, here is a lovely quote from a lovely bear:

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."
-Winnie The Pooh

From The Domicile Of Your Own Bedroom

Shopping online has a bundle of advantages. My favourite? You can shop with your duvet still wrapped around you on those cold winter mornings. Bliss.

So to add to the distractions of the internet, here is my own little compilation of products you wish you had.

Moxi roller skates which can be found here. Topshop have just started selling them & they are delicious. Personally, teal is my favourite colour, but they come in several different designs.

This Kate Spade Watch, found here, is utter perfection, as with all Kate Spade items, fingers crossed for Valentine's day?

Both of these art prints can be found at Rockett St George, & I adore the style. In particular the Magpie Belle piece (left), I've always had a thing for her artwork.

And don't worry gents, you are not forgotten.

Of all toys, vintage toys are always the best, & this beauty of a camera can be found at UO.

If you prefer to tackle shopping from a DIY aspect, these top hat pendent lights are your go to! Combining British heritage & class, they are perfection.


That's the end of my snippet of procrastination, but if you want a recommendation of more 'go to' shops, here's a little list:

• Rockett St George for the design & art lover.
• Urban Outfitters for something unique and edgy.
• Topshop / Zara for clothing.
• Etsy for those of you who like to discover new artists.