how to be savvy on Black Friday and my picks

So Black Friday - it's on lads. I try and use it for useful purposes, which I'm going to explain in this post for ya, as well as show you a few of my favourite pieces! I've also strewn a few little shoppable banners throughout the post so go wild!
Hover over the above edit to shop, or see the widgets throughout the post.

ASOS

Mango

1. Only buy what you would full price It's entirely not a bargain if you wouldn't have thought about purchasing it in the first place. Think carefully before you impulse buy and make sure you'll get your wear out of it. I like to see if it would go with at least four outfits before I purchase.
2. Use it for Christmas presents! Black Friday is great for treating yourself, but also fab for sorting those Christmas presents (fairly) early! I always buy for my sisters, as well as my Mum as they're pretty hard to buy for full price and it's nicer to be able to get a bit more for your money!
3. It's great to get furniture/bigger items you've been saving for Perfect if you've just moved etc, but with retailers such as MADE offering discounts - why wait?! Items such as furniture don't often get reduced as they're not seasonal so consider buying whilst the discount is high.
4. See if any luxury items on your wishlist are reduced Again, make sure you wanted it in the first place but BF is a great time to make that big purchase you've been saving for. A new handbag, or a pair of shoes might have a couple of hundred pounds off, which is a huge saving for anyone!
Missoma

& Other Stories 

A full list of discounts:

• & Other Stories 20% off site wide
• All Saints 30% off everything
• Anthropologie up to 20% off
• Astrid and Miyu 25% off everything 
• ASOS 20% off with code 
• Arket 25% off selected items
• COS free shipping and returns
• Dear Frances 25% off site-wide with code BF25
• Farfetch 20% off with code BF20N
• Glossier 20% off everything 
• H&M 20% off
• Look Fantastic 15% off with code HURRY
• La Redoute 40% off everything
• LuisaViaRoma 30% off over £300 with code RS1130
• Monica Vinader 30% off everything
• Monki up to 50% off
• Mango 30% off with code BLACK18
• Missoma 25% off everything with code BF25
• River Island 20% off over £75
• Reformation
• Topshop up to 50% off everything
• Oliver Bonas 25% off selected items
• Nobody's Child 50% off everything
• Selfridges 20% off sitewide with code SELFCCE
• Sweaty Betty 25% off with code CHEERS
• Space NK buy one get one 50% off
• Urban Outfitters up to 50% off
• Weekday up to 25% off selected items
• Whistles 30% off everything

Some more of my top picks from my favourite retailers:

La Redoute

Selfridges

lots of love xxx

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my summer dinner ideas

Hey guys, back at you with something a bit different from my usual but something I really enjoy so I hope you do too. I’m such a home-bird and as I’m sure you’ve guessed from my interiors posts, I love buying bits and bobs for the flat so whenI was selected to choose products from the House of Fraser homeware range to create a dining setting ready for Summer and a meal to match, I jumped at the chance!

I decided to cook a big spread for my Mum and boyfriend (they met on Sunday – all went well, totally putting that down to my cooking though!) with a loosely based Lebanese theme and thought I’d share the process, recipes and everything else along the way with you!

Firstly what I made: 

I decided on lamb kofta ‘things’ as Kim (boyfriend) had made these for me recently and they were amazing so these were the main per-se. Alongside those, I made flatbreads using just three ingredients – they’re honestly amazing so read on for the recipe, as well as a big salad, lemon and garlic couscous, some hummus and sweet potato cubes. Naturally I couldn’t make a dinner without including halloumi and chargrilled sweet peppers so they were thrown in for good measure.

I picked out some new pieces to serve them all on. I wanted to go for a Summer, indoor al-fresco vibe (London living means no outdoor space, sob) so I went for neutrals and mismatched colours to compliment them. I absolutely adore random pieces coming together to make a collective when it comes to the dinner table to that was definitely my theme throughout. I managed to find these Celier assorted glasses too, which come as a set of six but are three different designs so they have a real vintage feel to them. But, it’s worth taking a lookat the House of Fraser glassware range to browse through more lovely pieces. Lastly I finished the table off with this amazing LSA globe shaped vase and some LINEA neutral coloured cotton napkins something I’ve weirdly never owned but look lovely spread across the table!

Now, onto the recipes. I won’t explain everything, as a lot is fairly self explanatory, for example I just cubed the sweet potato and drizzled in cumin, paprika, salt, pepper and olive oil then popped them in the oven to roast, but I’ll explain the trickier bits and do feel free to pop me a message if you get stuck as most of these things are just my own recipes! 

Lamb Koftas:

500g lamb mince

1 red onion

3 garlic cloves

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt & pepper

1 tsp harissa (you can buy this everywhere as a paste now!)

Fresh parsley – a big handful

Finely chop the onion and garlic, and then combine all the ingredients in a bowl! This is pretty simple in that it all goes in a bowl and gets mixed up – but remember to get your hands in there! Once it’s well combined, form into small flattened balls and then fry in a splash of olive oil on a high heat. I like them a little bit charred as I don’t have a way of chargrilling them but that’s up to you!

Flatbreads:

Plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

Natural yoghurt

Welcome to the best thing you’ll make all week. I haven’t put the amounts as I find working by eye is best with this one. I start with three tablespoons of yoghurt and flour and add until the consistency is a light dough. Flour up the side, and roll into small, thin circles and then dry fry in a very, very hot pan. Expect some smoke from the flour so pop the extractor fan on!

Garlic and lemon couscous:

1 cup of couscous

3 garlic cloves

1 head of broccoli

2 lemons

1tsp of harissa

Salt and pepper to taste

Another super easy dish, cover your dry couscous (so nice they named it twice) with boiling water and cover with a lid for two minutes to puff up. Boil your broccoli to taste in a pan. While this is happening, juice your lemons and finely grate your garlic and combine – it’s pretty pungent so feel free to lose a clove if you’re not as keen as I am, but I do find that couscous needs a real kick as it’s so bland otherwise! Once the couscous has puffed up, pop your harissa and lemon/garlic in and give it a big stir, adding salt and pepper to taste. Finally, toss the broccoli through to coat it. Ta-da!

And that’s it, a pretty big Lebanese spread that would happily feed 4-5 people. Kim took a packed lunch the next day (and the cat nabbed a kofta) so it’s perfect for leftovers too. Do let me know if you need any help with any of the recipes, as I said – I tend to make things up as I go along and hope for the best so I’m not the best at explaining it!

Anyway, have a fab day and send me pictures if you make anything – or equally if you have any amazing crockery I need to know about!

Post in collaboration with House of Fraser, but all thoughts and recipes my own!

lots of love xxx

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interiors: art and plants

Post in collaboration with Desenio, all mess my own
Prints featured: Eucalyptus, Faces, Kissing and Desert
I really love interior posts, but I find it so hard to get the real feel of the room across - so I hope I've done ok at portraying it! I've gone for a slightly more colourful version of my previous rooms, adding in some colour with neon lights, rugs and of course my millions of plants. I thought I'd share some snaps of my bedroom in my current flat as I like to do these posts sporadically and it's fab to look back at when I move.
I'd been after some art for my walls for ages, so when Desenio popped me an email I naturally jumped at the chance and went straight to their site to pick out some of my favourites. I ended up going for the four pictured, and I love them! I decided to frame three of them and hang one using a gold clip, which is an idea I pinched from their website. I quite like that it looks laid back amongst the other bits and bobs on my desk. There are definitely a few more on my wishlist so expect some gallery wall going's on very soon.
For now I've adhered them to the wall using Command strips which are so good as they don't require holes etc and come off clean - perfect for renting (not spon - just fab!) and they've worked with Desenio's frames perfectly.
Finally, the code “GLAMERAMO” will give you 25% off posters* between May 22nd and May 24th, so hop on it ASAP! *Except for frames and  handpicked-/collaboration posters


So what do you think, wall art - yay or nay?

lots of love xxx

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a new home wishlist

So as you may have seen on my Instagram stories, I'm in the midst of moving house. While it's a stressful experience I'd rather not have to go through - my current tenancy was up and it was time to move on. I'm vlogging the whole fiasco here, so keep an eye out for that!

Nonetheless, I'm still excited about the prospect of decorating a new space so here are a few things I'm buying. I'll be sure to do a post on my new space when it's done!

Also, I'm really sorry about the lack of outfits posts of late. I feel terrible about it and I promise once life has settled down a little bit I'll be back on it. I'm also planning a massive blog refresh so it's all go here.

Shop the post:

lots of love xxx

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at home

ASOS top, BDG jeans*
Photos by Hannah
Hannah came over to shoot last week and we thought we'd try something different seeing as it was raining, so we gathered every plant within reachable distance and thought we'd kick it back indoors. Admittedly, they're not the best photos I've ever shot but I do quite like the overall vibe.
I picked this top up on ASOS in an XS (I never buy anything in my actual size) and low and behold it was tiny, so unfortunately it's since gone back, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a bigger size as I think it's so cute and Realisation-esque.
In other news, I'm off to LA & Vegas next week so I'm getting mega excited for that. I'm planning on going content cray as I've been feeling a little bit uninspired in London lately so hopefully that'll give me the kick up the ass that I so desperately need.
Shop the look:

lots of love xxx

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some interior updates

So, as I mentioned a while back in my updates post - I was putting some energy into updating my bedroom. I mean, I say this but to be honest it was more "buy new plants and upgrade some things". Either way, I'm happy so I thought I'd share it with you!
First up was to tackle the bed. Something about it being mine again meant it needed to be new, and what better way to celebrate but a new mattress? Eve kindly gifted me their double mattress and honestly (not spon) IT IS GREAT. I've struggled with back problems for years, and obviously my sleep is compromised because of my M.E and it's just an absolute delight to sleep on. I really do notice the difference when I stay away from home, even just for a night. If the mattress is a bit out of your price range, they also offer a topper as well as pillows, so get comfy.
Next up, was some more/new plants. I counted about six months ago and I had thirty six. I think we're nearer to fifty now. Either way, I nabbed both these and these from Next as I really fancied some tall planters. I tend to pick plants up in local florists and markets, but if you aren't lucky enough to have any near you - head to Ikea! They always have good house plants that are fairly low maintenance. I'd totally steer clear from bloody ferns though. Look at the state of mine!
I also swapped out my 6ft rail for two of these from Ikea (not pictured) as I liked the idea of them being slightly more stylish and also allowing me to put all of my bags/expensive shoes etc on them.
I've always fancied some art but never really found much I liked. Cue these Henn Kim illustrations popping into my sights. I haven't chosen where to put them yet, so I've just propped them up in various places.
Next I'd like to get a new desk chair, as well as some more bits and bobs to make the room feel as 'me' as possible. I'm due to move early in the New Year so I think that'll be the time to refresh!
Shop a few bits I'm lusting after here:

lots of love xxx

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mothers day gifting

iris diffuser by the white company*
So, Mother's Day - a day in which as a child, I always wondered if it meant that Mum's do everything or nothing on said day, but knew that they usually got gifts or similar for some reason. Being 23, I'm now fully aware that Mum's do everything every day so they deserve at least one day of relaxation!
The White Company have kindly sent me this beautiful diffuser which will be in my fab Mumma's possession come Sunday from their range of Mother's Day gifts. I picked it as I think diffusers and nice candles and such are something a lot of Mums forego in favour of more practical items. i.e my Mum would never spend money on a 'luxury' like this when she's got four kids to entertain and run around after (even if we are all nearly old enough to look after ourselves). I always tend to think 'what would she *not* buy herself?' when looking for gifts, as I think it's part of the fun - giving something that she'll really love and view as a complete treat. I also loved the white bottle from this set, as it's perfect to re-use as a vase or ornament when the scent runs low so essentially two gifts in one.
In terms of The White Company's other offerings, I think these slippers are pretty adorable and this photo frame is perfect for gifting with a photo of you and your lovely mumma in. If all else fails, as there's always one Mother figure who's a pain to buy for, go luxury - I'm thinking this chic bath robe or some luxe cashmere socks, the ultimate in comfort.
Lastly, a little thanks to my wonderful Mum for being the god damn best cheer-er upper, a really damn good listener, the gal who went through everything I am way before me and helps me along the way and just the best all round lady who ever did live. She's spent the last 20 years without her own Mum, so I think it's made her all the more special. I love ya mumso.
post in collaboration with The White Company, all thoughts and feels for nice things and my mum are my own
lots of love xxx

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interior updates

most plants from IKEA/markets, H&M pineapple candle holder/pineapple candle/metal candlesticks/wire basket, TIGER small wire baskets in rose gold, silver and black/rose gold cactus house/silver metal tray/cotton wool bunny, IKEA candles, DIPTYQUE candle/s, M&S alphabet pillows, URBAN OUTFITTERS terrarium and OLIVER BONAS rose gold letter
I did a post with UO on some interiors a while ago, and you guys loved it. I've since moved house (and moving again soon!) so I thought I'd show you some bits I've picked up along the way, as well as a few of my favourite corners. It's nowhere near what I'd do with a property I owned, but thats the 'joy' of renting!
I've tried to list a lot of what's pictured, but if there's anything I've missed or anything you're particularly interested in; please Tweet me! lots of love xxx

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