Listening to #18

The recent snow has put me in a chill mood. Spending weekends wrapped in my duvet and doing nothing but catching up on tv shows and reading is my idea of bliss. These are just a few of the songs on my current favourite playlist.

The High Road

The jewellery and homeware at Urban Outfitters is gorgeous. I love vintage inspired things which also look a bit indie. This is just a selection of a few of my favourite pieces at the moment. The mirror isn't usually something I'd go for but the roses are quite simple so it's not too girlie. I can just imagine it stood on a dressing table surrounded by lots of dainty jewellery and beauty products. The spiky silver necklace is unlike anything I own but I'd wear it with a floaty blouse, skinny jeans and heels. You don't need to put much with such a statement necklace.

Rings and bracelets: Both of these rings would fit in with my current collection. I seem to be really drawn to blue at the moment! Both bracelets are very understated and classic. They could be worn again and again but also stacked up with some less expensive pieces for everyday wear.

There isn't an Urban Outfitters in my city. Hurry up and build one!

Blueberry Pancakes

Valentine's day always divides opinion. Some love it and some believe it's too commercial and cheesy. Why should you show appreciation for someone on one day of the year and not do it the rest of the time? Fair point. I'm kind of in the middle. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and if it has to be a particular day then so be it. However, I don't like the thought that you can just pick something up from Asda and hand it over while pretending that you put any thought in whatsoever. There needs to be a good balance between thought and expense. You need to show that you care or it's pointless. Valentine's cards have always freaked me out a little bit. It's difficult to get something right unless you've been together for years and know exactly what the other person views as over the top. Personally, I think a pretty card which is blank inside is fine. A cheesy poem is awful!

Anyway, I know that men get a bit lost around this time of year so here are a few things I've found that might make finding a present that little bit easier. They're all from John Lewis so you won't have to go far because they're all over the place and you can order online. I tried to find a variety of things for different budgets but they're all pretty obvious presents! My thoughts were that you can't go far wrong with any of these things if your girl is a traditional girlie type girl like me.

Molton Brown gift set £35

Lola perfume £41.85

Mulberry purse £150

Ted Baker purse £59

Fairy dust candle £8.50

Nails Inc set £25

Strawberry and Clotted Cream cookies £6

White tulips £55

If none of these things seemed appropriate then have a look on Not on the high street who do some more quirky gifts, including homeware and other things.

I could suggest as many things as I like but ultimately it depends on the girl. After all, it's the effort and the sentiment that counts. If you don't like Valentine's day then make sure you show your appreciation the rest of the time. You don't have to spend tons of money, be inventive!

The Mulberry has landed!

I had the usual Christmas day involving food, a few little presents and general relaxing infront of some good old films. The only thing keeping me slightly on edge was knowing that the What's In My Handbag competition would be ending that day and that the winner would soon be announced. I had entered loads of times and was trying to be careful to stay on the right side of entries and not just spamming the hell out of everyone. The winner was to receive a Mulberry Alexa handbag so it's probably quite understandable that I was desperate to win.

As a teacher but also a massive lover of fashion and pretty things, I don't have much money. Nor could I ever justify splurging on a handbag for hundreds of pounds when in times like these I should really be saving towards my future. I hate having to be sensible. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I won. I screamed. Loudly. My family wondered what had happened and after regaining the ability to talk at a normal volume I explained that I'd won my dream handbag. This was then followed by bewildered stares as my dad and brother thought I had finally gone insane. Boys don't understand these things. Luckily, my mum and auntie were on hand to share in my excitement and sit there with me while I planned what I could wear my gorgeous new handbag with and look at how other people had styled it.

My brand new handbag arrived today and I couldn't even wait to get it home. I sat and ripped it open at the delivery office (the package, not the handbag) and then drove all the way home with it sat on my lap. A little extreme some may say! I also got a lovely handwritten card from the ladies at WIMH to say thank you for entering their competion and being with them from the start. They also put in a few goodies as I'd had to wait a little while due to new year. Amazing!

Unfortunately I don't have an expensive camera to take photos with but I did my best with my phone and they've turned out alright. Here's a few snaps of my pretty new bag and the goodies I received. I think it's safe to say that I'm WIMH's biggest fan right now. Thanks ladies and I hope everyone else loves your site and blog as much as I do.

If you would like to be a member of WIMH then follow this link and get in line. They have plenty of beauty goodies and tips coming your way.