Rainbow Fan

I practically laughed out loud the other day when I saw this fan (apologize for the dustiness - it's been in the garage for a while - you'll learn how). Why? Well, begrudgingly she says, I will relate, but you have to realise this was a ages ago (last year) and I can't say the embarrassment has quite worn off.

I was all excited. I had started my blog, and was searching around for fun DIYs to share. Pinterest, my trusty friend, provided ample inspiration. Project after project was tossed around in the air, and then my oh my, I saw this:

Goodness me, what a state I was in! I knew we had an old fan upstairs, and some primary coloured paint. It was one of those rare moments in life where I actually had everything I needed for a DIY. I allocated the whole of my saturday morning. Yup, dedication right there.

So I was taking photos to MAKE SURE I documented everything. First stroke of paint SNAP second stroke of paint SNAP holding my snack SNAP third stroke of paint SNAP.

Oh, and something no one ever tells you is that you shouldn't turn a fan on when it has wet paint on it. That's partly why the paint is slightly spotted - and why my grey t-shirt has tiny flecks of paint on it. Actually, that could be something that people TELL you to do! Because who doesn't want a cool rainbow spotted shirt? Genius (and in case you're wondering, it comes off hair and skin just fine).

My half sanding attempt was an absolute fail, so I did have to do several coats of paint. Finally (I believe it was a Tuesday) the time came to turn it on. What spectacular sight was I greeted with?

Brown. Poo brown. You know the colour poo? Well that was it. Where was that "fantastic rainbow," eh? POO BROWN. POOOOOO BROOOOOOOWWWN.

So shortly after this episode the fan returned to it's loyal spot in the garage, no questions asked.

Occasionally the poo fan comes out of hiding on a hot day, but mostly it likes to lie low where no one can see. I don't blame it.

Putting my pride behind me, I am really writing this a year later to warn other nieve diy-ers. Don't be fooled by some fancy-fancy-woo-lop on pinterest saying THE WORLD IS A GREAT PLACE LOOK AT ME WITH MY RAINBOW FAN. Well I give up - how? How did they not end up with a poo fan?!?!? It is beyond me.

You have been warned, my friends. I would love to hear about your adventures in the world of crafting - I promise I won't laugh - ok maybe a little - comment below :)

Yours truly.

X

The Social Etiquette of Perfume | Clarins Deodorant Review

I wonder what the world would think of me if they knew that this classy chick is actually wearing deodorant. As a perfume.

!!!!!!

Before you judge, let me explain: the Clarins perfume is my absolute favourite. A few christmases ago I got given a little bottle, and it has been sitting on my dresser table ever since. A couple of weeks ago I popped it into my bag thinking what a smart and clever organised woman I was to think ahead (I know what you're thinking - wow). As the evening wore on, one of my friends remarked "Something smells like lavender?" Another agreed "Yeah, where's it coming from??" I had completely forgotten my devious plan about the perfume, so I joined in too. We vigorously used our olfactory senses on anything and everything around us (except the bag) and still couldn't figure it out. As we were leaving, I picked up my bag only to find, to my dismay, the bottom of it being soaked. Cautiously I lifted it to my nose, and almost sneezed in fright at how strong the smell was. Gotcha.

I waited till it had died down a little, but I think people began to suspect something when the smell followed us into the car. We laughed it out, but no slick jokes could gloss over my annoyance. My favourite perfume. BOOM. Thankfully it was only a little bottle and it was (as aforementioned) a few years old.

My heartbreak only lasted till a few days later when my amazing mother came home with a bottle of "Clarins Doux Deodorant." Or deodorant if you're not french. Apparently they did not have the little bottle in stock, and this was the next best thing. My little fingers clasped the bottle, and went through the perfume-testing-procedure: easy to open lid. CHECK. Suitable sprayer. CHECK. Spraying amount. CHECK. Smell. CHECK.

If there was any shame in using a deodorant as a perfume, it was washed away with that first spray. Ooh, I'm rhyming? Cheeky. Seriously though, it smells very close to the actual perfume, and it's cheaper too. It has a slight deodorant smell (very slight) which is not bad at all, it must just be an ingredient used in deodorants.

My ramblings must come to an end, for one can only talk for perfume for so long. Can they? Don't answer that, I just wanted to sound philosophical.

Short story short: definitely shameless wearing and smells very very near amazing. Give it a go!

Comment below your favourite perfumes (and if you've ever had any mishaps - please tell me it's not just me?).

X

Bloomin'

(source)

Often when I have discovered a new celebrity, I find myself looking out for their failures (also the "no makeup" search - we've all done it). Re-reading this it sounds a little hypocritical. But it's done in all innocence. Why?

Because I can relate. And it makes them seem more real. Everyone has failures. Everyone beautiful flower that has blossomed, has been through the grit. It's almost like a wave of relief floods over me when I realise that it's okay to be going through a patch of dirt...even when it seems like no one else is. 

Mariah Peters is a beautiful christian singer, and she has a song called "Bloom" which fits into my little devotion like pancakes and syrup. 

"Just keep believing you'll see a new season soon
You're turning into something amazing
Baby, you were born to bloom
Bloom, bloom, bloom

I wish you could see
You were made for more
And your wildest dreams
Can't compare to what God's got in store
Someday soon you'll kiss the sky
Like a butterfly"

Let's all have a big group hug, shed some tears, and clink our mugs of chai tea (or insert beverage of your choice), boldly asserting that growing through dirt is all part of the plan. Not my plan (I wouldn't dream it up I can tell you). God's plan. 

Chatty chatty bang bang below, I love hearing your thoughts. Have you been through dirt? Or maybe a storm?

X

I am on Bloglovin'!

Wellll haaaaaaayyy there.

Quick update (and a little shameless self promotion) that I am now on bloglovin', and if you can't tell, I'm kind of excited about it. Just a little.

Bloglovin' is literally a lifesaver for me, because I can now keep track of all my favourite blogs. Dream come true. So go make an account if you don't already have one! (and you may as well follow me while you're there ;) Hahahahaha. But seriously)

Have a nice day, and leave your bloglovin' url down below ♥

X

Ice Lollies

These little cuties are what I like to call, Ice Lollies (the title would suggest).

I’ve seen ice blocks and such floating round pinterest, but since I didn’t really like a full on frozen slab (and it’s still winter), I made ice cubes. The first rays of sunshine have appeared, and if you see someone out there in the wind, ensconced in a puffer jacket and fluffy socks, trying to smile with hair in their mouth and one eye squinting, that might be me.

How to: find some ice cube trays (mine were hearts - SO ADORBS - I think they were from ikea). Fill them with apple juice/lemonade (I preferred the apple juice ones) and insert gummi bears, frozen berries, or simply leave as is. 

I used gummi bears (OOOH CHEEKY). 

I haven’t been able to stop eating them, but I am justifying this with the argument that it is a whole lot better than chocolate or cheesecake, and if you use berries then there is no sugar (apart from natural sugars in fruit obviously). 

Tell me below what you used/will use to make them!

X

August T.O.T.M.

August Thing Of The Month

Raspberry Body Butter from The Body Shop

♥ During the winter months, my skin gets greatly deprived of moisture, regards to this stuff as it has saved me from looking like a crinkly old lady/alligator.

♥ It smells like a freshly opened box of Berry berry nice cereal. If you haven’t smelt that, it smells good.

♥ Although it does take a while to sink in, and my patience is always tried. I can’t say it didn’t warn me. It says “butter” on the front. I can’t be too harsh as this is the case with all moisturisers, it’s my half of the bargain I guess.

♥ All in all I do really love it. The body shop has a ton of yummy flavours, hands up if you're going to try mango next time.. *puts hand up sheepishly*

X

Mondays

"I hate Mondays" seems to fall on my ears a lot. I tried to fight it for a while, tried not to become one of "them," but I came to the steadfast realization that really, it does always seem to rain on a Monday. And not the good kind of rain, the dreary, dull, oppressive sludge.

How do you make a Monday better? Plan ahead. I pull out my notebook and scribble the scramblings of my brain at 10:11 on a Sunday night. Save my best cup of tea as solace for o-so-slow alarm clocks that have no regard for my personal sleep hygiene, and yet still strike an un-charming bell in the morning.

BUT..maybe there is a bright spot. Sure, Monday will never be my chocolate day. But it might still have some good qualities in there somewhere.

"How could he have considered taking Monday off? Monday was the diving board poised over the rest of the week. One walked out on the board, reviewed the situation, planned one's strategy, bounced a few times to get the feel of things, and then made a clean dive. Without Monday, one simply bombed into the water, belly first, and hoped for the best."    ~Jan Karon

X

A walk in the countryside

“I don’t think then of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains. This is one of the things that Mummy and I are so entirely different about. Her counsel when one feels melancholy is: ‘Think of all the misery in the world and be thankful that you are not sharing it!’ My advice is: ‘Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy!’

     I don’t see how Mummy’s idea can be right, because then how are you supposed to behave if you are going through the misery yourself? Then you are lost. On the contrary, I’ve found that there is always some beauty left - in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you. Look at these things, then you find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance.

     And whoever is happy, will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery!”

     ~The Diary of Anne Frank, pg 146

X

Habitual hummus.

Welcome! To thy humble abode-ence.

So, you want to know how to make hummus. REAL original hummus. It’s a homemade recipe so I will make it up as I go. Bear with. (I have made it before and it is yummy don’t worry)

You will need:

-1/2 a lemon (or lemon juice)

-1 can of chickpeas (or garbanzo beans I think they are sometimes called)

-garlic 

-vegetable oil

-salt

-tahini (I have heard you can use peanut butter instead but have never tried it myself)

This is an optional step, but if you want really SMOOTH hummus, then you can "skin" the chickpeas. How to: squeeze a pea between two fingers until it pops out of the skin. All up it takes approximately 10-15 min, which isn't as bad as it sounds in this world of me-want-NOW. It comes out perfectly fine if you omit this step, but doing so does make it a lot better. Make sense?

Stick* them all in the blender with a tablespoon of tahini and a generous squirt of vegetable oil. Bleeeeeeeeeend.

Now add all the things that make “taste.” So squeeze some lemon juice in there, add a clove of a garlic, and salt to your liking.

It should be a smooth consistency, not too drippy, just normal hummus like i.e. add more vegetable oil if it is too thick, etc.

Scoop it in a container, and store in the fridge. Best eaten with toasted pita bread or crackers ♥

Have a spectacular day and remember that professionals were once beginners.

X

*Weird fact about me: I say “stick” in terms of…everything. “Stick those plates in the draw” or “stick that banana in a box.” So I don’t mean anything. Just “stick.” 

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The Liebster Award

Hey lovelies, so, low and behold, the Liebster Award has found me. *dramatic mock shock* I know, I know, you can stop your applause, no really. To be honest, I had no idea what this was. I didn't even know what "Liebster" meant (I spelt it wrong when I googled it - thank goodness for auto correct). It has several definitions - sweetest, kindest, welcome, boyfriend (?). Basically, it is an award given to bloggers by other bloggers, for blogs with under 200 followers. It's pretty much a chain link, if you think about it that way. I was nominated by Rebecca :) Anyway on with the show. 

Rules 

1. Answer the questions given and then come up with 10 new ones to ask your nominations.

2. Nominate 8 other blogs, let them know you have nominated them and put a link to their blog in your post.

3. No Tag backs.

4. Nominations must have under 200 followers.

5. You must tell all the blogs that you nominate that you have nominated them.

So, the questions I got asked (and my answers woop woop):

1.What do you find hardest about blogging?

Haha probably just getting the stupid photos to get on to the stupid computer! Not that either are stupid, it’s probably just my IT skills.

2. Favourite Meal?

PIZZA UNDOUBTEDLY. 

3. If you could move anywhere in the entire world, where would you live?

Waaaay too hard. Switzerland? New York? I’m pretty happy where I am, but I’d love to visit a lot of places. 

4.  Who are your favourite music artists/groups?

Five Seconds of Summer. Bastille. Taylor Swift. Francesca Battistelli. The list goes on. It changes all the time really.

5.  What is your Holy-Grail Beauty item?

Ooh, maybe a bobbi brown lip gloss? They’re purrrtttyy.

6.  Who is your favourite blogger?

Man, these questions are hard! I really love Mel at www.pieinthesky.blogspot.com. She’s so inspirational and her design and taste in life are tops.

7.  What do you like to do in your free time? (Other than blogging)

Music, dancing, reading, walking in sunshine, dancing, singing, writing, dancing. Did I say dancing?

8.  What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?

Probably just my best pair of jeans. Boring but come on, there’s nothing better really.

9.  Do you think you will continue to blog in the future?

Yes! Despite the fact the I have trouble imaging where the internet will go in 20 years.

10.  Morning person or Night person?

Well. Officially night person, because I love staying up late and I thrive in the evenings. But I love mornings so much and get a lot done, it’s just I don’t like waking up early. It’s a life crisis everyday. 

Mwahahahaha, now it’s my turn to ask you guys questions. 

Blogs I nominate:

EnchantedDesertMinnie

SomerNelson

BuckeyeMomsMeet 

MOMentous 

FloralAndFreckled 

DaniellaXO 

FoxAndFeather 

HawksAndHoney 

And the questions I ask thee:

1. Favourite blogger? 

2. Why?

3. First thing you do in the morning?

4. Something that makes you happy?

5. What do you do to clear your head?

6. Favourite food?

7. Olives: yes or no?

8. Favourite place you’ve travelled to/place you want to travel to?

9. Best advice for your 14 yr old self?

10. Finally: do you say “muesli” as “moooooo-slee” or “mwewww-sleee”?
BONUS QUESTION: Why should people read your blog?

Thanks beautiful humans, hope you're having a great day. Please comment if you've done it, so I can come check it out. Smile Jesus loves you!

X

Tea towel cushions

my kitty ♥

Welcome, beautiful.

My favourite colour is teal/duck egg blue, so naturally these cushions are exactly what I had in mind for my room. 

The best part is…I made them myself. (well, with quite a bit of help from my friend who is the QUEEN of cushions - she did the first zip, and then I was like “Ok, I’ll try this next one!” Five restarts and unpickings later, I decided she could finish that one too. If you see her in the street say hi!)

The tea towels are from Wallace and Cotton, the zips just from Ikes. The great thing about making your own cushions is that you can make them exactly how you want. 

Because (as stated above) I didn’t really knock the zips out of the park, I think if be better if someone else taught you. Just use google, let's be honest, I'm sure there will be some cushion expert out there. 

I bought a square cushion inner from Spotlight, and because the tea towel (folded over) is rectangle, I sewed in the sides so as to have flaps and a tight cushion. I think they look fab, but you could cut the material or have a looser cushion. Up to you!

YAY, have a great day, and remember that (I find) a nicely made bed clears your mind and makes everything seem more organised. 

X

Little Things

this is my little sis ♥

I love bubbles. I guess I'm not one of those people that are overly crazy about them, but when I see a kid bubbling away and cracking up with that giggle that comes all the way from the stomach, I can't help but smile.

Do you wanna know a secret?

Fine I'll tell you.

One of the keys to happiness is appreciating the little things. 

No, I’m not talking about that One Direction song, I’m talking about just being happy because this morning, you were the first one to use from the new tub of marmite (that’s always a good thing for me). Or your favourite pair of socks came out of the wash matching. Maybe you got to see a rainbow on your way to work.

Thanking God for all the small things in your life (as well as the big things). Just being truly grateful, I guess.

On pinterest they have these "little reasons to smile" pins, which I just get lost in for hours. Have a looky at this board. Or you can just search "little reasons to smile" in the search bar. You're welcome. Need I say more? Just click that link and you will know EXACTLY what I mean. 

So really that's all I wanted to say. This week has been better. I'm over that mid-year crisis (haha if that's such a thing) and trying to stress-less-ly get to 2015, successfully. 

X

I hate mice.

Warning: this photo has nothing to do the post. It actually is like the opposite of this post. I mean, if you wrote a post about nasty spiders, would you put a picture of a nasty spider? *shiver*

I hate mice. Maybe fear is a better word, but when a little 5 year old girl asked me “Why are you afraid of cute little mice?” I really didn’t have a satisfactory answer. “Uh, because they run fast..” Well done Madison that is a totally sensible reason to be afraid of something. NOT.

I have had to keep my door closed because otherwise my cat will bring mice in in the night.  Each night I will spend a good minute deliberating whether to let my cat stay in my room or close the door in her face. Most nights I let her stay, though this does mean getting up at 2am to let the spoilt cat out.

I was brushing my teeth when I heard my cat miaowing erratically. I turn the corner and I am confronted with a (speedy) mouse in my room – alive. Oh yeah, did I mention that? This cat brings them in alive. My cat then preceeds to get a snack because she thinks her work is done. She plays dumb but really she’s got tricks up her sleeve.

I scream uncontrollably (I would say I can be mostly fearless but this is a different level), and it is not long before someone comes to my rescue. Of course, I’m totally cool, but I did run downstairs to the safety of the foyer.

I turn around.

There is a mouse flying down towards me.

I scream.

And run.

It took me a good 5 minutes before I had the nerve to run back upstairs.

Apparently the mouse just ran and jumped without thinking that THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A HUMAN THERE.

I mean, what are the chances? Geesh. I want to find a really cool moral of the story but how can there be any moral to that, I mean really.

Hope your day went better than mine.

X

Lush Haul July

“Last entry: 3 weeks.”

*SHOCK HORROR*

I’m truly sorry. But, there is still some year left so I shall try redeem my New Years Resolution of blogging more. 

Today is exciting because I get to show you all the things I got from Lush. (this isn’t sponsored by the way) I kinda get blank looks when I tell people that I shop at Lush. “You spent how much on bath bombs??” Yes, I did. And it’s SOOOO worth it. 

First up, don’t be shy, is the space girl bath bomb! Sorry guys, I didn’t manage to take a photo of this one, I meant to, but then whoops, it ‘slipped’ into the bath tub.. It makes the bath go bright red, it’s not as sparkly as it looks, but it smells amazing and my skin was nice and soft afterwards. 

Next is the mermaid water bath bomb. It’s actually called big blue but it makes mermaid water when you mix it with the sunny side sparkly gold bath bomb. It has seaweed in it, and it smells really good, more of a refreshing scent.

Then I have my honey trap lip balm. I love this stuff. I use it everyday, and it has nice and natural ingredients. It even has white chocolate in it! Real, literal, white chocolate. I can’t over it. White chocolate?!

"Dorothy". The Wiz + lush = AMAZING BUBBLE BAR. 

This is the rose argan hair mask. It’s nice, and my hair is definitely soft and moisturised after I use it. I do have to use a lot, then again I have a lot of hair. Only thing is - I like to rinse this out instead of shampoo, because it feels like when I shampoo ALL of the goodness comes out. Make sure you put it on evenly otherwise some parts of your hair will come out smoother than others. Just a tip.

Floating island is the name of this little baby. It has to be one of my favourite scents, it smells so good, and looks like a cute little island too.

This one is called twilight (I think), and it has a candy smell. I can’t wait to see what colour the water turns. Bright pink? Purple?

Then is my ‘aqua mirabilis body butter’. It has a nice soapy smell and it “moisturises, scents and exfoliates your skin” according to the description (I haven’t tried it yet - can’t wait!).

This is a little bath melt (it was MELTing in my hand as I opened it haha) that says “dream time” on the front. So I’m guessing it’s called dream time? It smells indescribably good, kind of like walking into a Lush store (I'm sucking at describing the smells...I guess you'll just have to go and smell them yourself ;). 

This is imperialis, my facial moisturiser. It makes my skin so soft and moisturised. It is for combination skin, so it is perfect.  

This is the Comforter Bubble Bar, it smells like a black jelly bean even though it is pink. So nice :o

That's all. A thought....haha can you imagine working for Lush? Surrounded by nice smelling things all day. Lush, if you are reading this, and in need of an employee, HELLO TO YOU.

Hope you are having a fantastic day. I would love to hear what Lush things you have been enjoying lately so comment below with you faves. God bless and remember that He is always with you no matter where you are.  

X