Asda Homeware Wishlist

Hi, hope you had a lovely weekend. I've been wrapped up trying to get over this cold. It's not so bad as the weekend was spent doing loads of reading, enjoying baths and browsing the home ware sections online. While browsing I came across some really nice pieces on the Asda website, it's one place I've never thought to look at before. I mainly shop at Aldi or Morrisons just because they are the closest food shops where I live, so I forgot that supermarkets do good home ware selections.

Terrarium £10 | Knitted Pouffe £39 | Arrow Light £30 | Potpourri £4

Constellation Coasters £4 | Checked Throw £10 | Cushion £4

I've picked items with the season in mind and some pieces because they are on trend and I really like them. Terrariums are all over the place at the moment so this one is quite a bargain from what I've seen. They are great to plant up a succulent or you can fill them with fairy lights for a cute lamp.

I've picked orange tones for the throw and cushion which makes me imagine nights wrapped up in front of an open fire, I can dream right? I'm all for bringing the outdoors in at this time of year, so I've picked the potpourri which is orange and cinnamon scented which sounds so good. I'd put this on a display plate with a few pillar candles or use them to maybe make a festive wreath.

I'm really liking these knitted pouffes, they're a great way to add an extra texture into a room and an extra seating option for when you've got extra people round. The arrow lamp is a nice quirky piece that would be really cool to have sat on a shelf. Lastly are the constellation coasters, I've picked these because I think stars are pretty and I like the graphic look of the design with the harsh black.

 What's your must have piece of home ware for this time of year?

Sam

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9 Things To Do When Your Are Bored

Hi, The nights are drawing in and getting darker and darker by the day. The clocks go back at the end of the month giving us a tiny bit of extra light but not for long. Because of this I find it very hard to motivate myself and then the boredom hits. I've found myself feeling a lot less bored since I've started blogging but here are some alternative ideas to beat the boredom this season.

Things To Do When You Are Bored

Play a Board/Card Game
There are so many different kinds of board games there's no reason you can't find one that you love to play. Board games can either kill a few minuets or a few hours depending on what you play. They're also a great way to socialize with friends and family so why not have a games night and invite people over.

Do Some Baking
Baking is a great way to pass the time and at the end of your boredom fix you'll have something super yummy to enjoy. Buns are one of the easiest things to bake and you get the added enjoyment of decorating them as well.

Read a Book
This is my favourite way to dispel boredom. I can easily lose myself in a book for a few hours at a time when the weather outside isn't very welcoming.

Go for a Walk
When the weather is nicer head outdoors and get a dose of nature, it's really good for you. You get a top up of the sun's rays, fresh air and a change of scenery from being stuck indoors. You also have the chance to enjoy a warming drink in the cooler air and take a shoe selfie in the fallen leaves.

Tidy Up
This is kind of a boring option in itself but one which will make you fell amazing after. If you're already bored you've got nothing to lose and a clean area will make you feel so much better in the long run. Pick a small task so you don't regret starting, maybe do something like change the bed sheets because you'll thank yourself later.

Plan Your Weekly Meals
Not only does this give you something to do but will save you money in the long run. I enjoy planning my weekly meals as everything is so much more organised for the week ahead, from not having to think of something on the spot and knowing exactly what you need to buy at the shop, making the buying process much quicker.

Phone Someone
One thing that I should actually make time to do anyway. Be social without having to leave the comfort of the sofa. Catch up with a friend and maybe even make plans for the future to stop yourself from getting bored at a later date.

Organise a Space
Now is the perfect time to have a change in layout around the home. I'm currently trying to make my bedroom more autumnal and get ready for the festive season which will soon be upon us. Freshening up your living space will make you feel better about your environment and might even require you to do a little home ware shopping.

Start a Hobby
Blogging is a great hobby but not one for everyone. There are loads of creative hobbies which are perfect to keep you entertained during the darker months. Why not take up knitting or crochet and make yourself some woolly winter wear. Scrap book your holiday snaps and reminisce about the summer sunshine or create some Christmas decorations to display during the festivities.

 So there you have it, my boredom busting tips. Hope they are helpful, thanks for reading.
Sam

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The One Lovely Blog Award

Hi, Just to let you know it might be a little quiet on my blog as I've got a horrid cold and just can't get my brain to work, but I'm trying my best. That aside I was really cheered up when I found that Moanymouse had nominated me for the 'One Lovely Blog Award', her blog is also rather lovely so you should go check it out. I know some people aren't always a fan of these chains but I love them because I think they are a great way for people to find new blogs to enjoy. So on to the award, I tried to research a little about this award but I couldn't really find any info on it's origin.

Award Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you & provide a link to their blog.
• List the rules and display the award.
• State seven facts about yourself.
• Nominate 5-10 bloggers for the award and leave a comment on one of their posts to let them know. 

Seven Facts About Me

1. I am really good at saving and been generally thrifty, I enjoy watching my money grow more than I enjoy spending it.
2. I studied Art at University, I now work doing something vaguely artistic but my degree didn't help me get the job.
3. I was a massive Sonic the Hedgehog fan as a kid, I'm talking Sega Sonic the original and the best.
4. I am a Pisces, I'm not super into horoscopes but I do like to read them out of interest now and again.
5. I'm 26 and I still don't feel like a grown up, I doubt I ever really will.
6. I'm afraid of falling signage, like the giant letters on the front of buildings. (A little weird maybe? but it happens).
7. I think the sun is the prettiest in the winter when you crave it more, on one of those really crisp winters days where it seems unnaturally bright.

Now for my Nominations!

Patti - Shiftingtales

Hannah - inthelifeofhan

Megan - Megan Jean

Bethany - Curly and Wordy

Carly - Hazy Lazy Sunday

Sian - The Freckled Fieldnotes

Sarah - Sarah Eliza

Georgia - Love On The Wall

Leonni - Leonni's Little Blog

The blogs I have nominated are either quite new to me or ones I read a lot, I hope you find a new favourite. Have a lovely day!

Sam

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A Little Lush Haul

Hi, Last Sunday I went shopping with my sister in Leeds. We had a lovely time and the sun stayed out so I got to wear my denim jacket for probably the last time this year. One of the places I wanted to visit the most was the Lush store. Last year Lush Leeds relocated into a bigger retail space, with this selling an even bigger range of products. I was shocked by just how busy the store was, with that in mind, it was quite difficult to see everything. I picked up some really nice things, so here's a little haul as I wanted to share what I picked up with you.

I avoided the themed ranges as the store was just too busy and I didn't want to go crazy and spend too much if I could help it. In total I picked up three bath bombs (two of which are new releases) and my all time favourite Lush product the Brightside bubble bar. The bath bombs I choose where Big Blue, Frozen and Intergalactic making my purchase quite a blue themed one. I will be doing full reviews on these products once I've used them.

Brightside - £4.95
I haven't tried that many Lush products, I'm a creature of habit and like what I like. This product has never disappointed me and this must be the 5th bar I've bought. It smells of citrus and creates so many bubbles (the advantage of this product over a bath bomb). I did a full review of this product here. 

Big Blue - £3.50
This product makes me feel like a mermaid. An old favourite which is inspired by the sea. The product contains Arame Seaweed, which softens in the water. I know the idea of seaweed isn't to every ones taste but everyone should try this bath bomb at least once. The seaweed works to help regulate the metabolism and there is sea salt to soften the skin.

Frozen - £3.95
The lovely sales assistant showed us this bath bomb in action. If I wasn't already planing on picking this one up I'd have been sold as soon as the silver luster erupted. It made the water such a lovely shade of blue and there was so much glitter. When you read the description of this bomb on the website it sounds absolutely magical, it's a blatant rip off of Disney's 'Frozen' which is an even bigger reason to love it.

Intergalactic - £3.95
I'm hoping this bomb will make a decent replacement for the Space Girl bath bomb which is now discontinued. Intergalactic from what I can tell is all about the show of colour as it releases different colours into the water. I need to remember to have my camera ready for this one. This one contains gold luster, so yet more glitter.

Have you been to Lush lately?
Sam

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5 Things I Can Not Do

Hi, Happy hump day! Something different for you today, a little personal post about some of the things that I can not do. None of these are serious things, I've just put the list together for a bit of fun. These are the first things that come to mind, I'm sure there are loads more but I'll save them for another day.

Things I Can Not Do

Draw from my mind
Do you know when you have an amazing visual in your mind that you want to get out on paper in a perfect translation, well that never happens for me (I'm sure it's actually impossible, but my attempts are not even close). I can only draw if I have an image to copy which annoys me greatly, but I am super appreciative that I have any artist skill.

Speak a different language
I struggle with English most of the time and I'm constantly checking my there, their and they're (but who isn't). I had German classes in high school but nothing stuck. I'm just grateful that English is my first language and that it is spoken by most of the world. I'd love to speak another language but it just isn't going to happen.

Not get stressed when packing/planning
I can't help it! I don't think I'm even that bad at getting things organized, I just always panic about silly little things, even when everything works out fine. It's something I would really like to work on and I'm sure I'm not alone on this one.

Go a week without cheese
This might be a bit of an odd statement but cheese is one of my favourite foods ever. I can leave chocolate and other sweet things, it's all about the savory for me and cheese goes well with so many things.

Go up really high places
This developed in my early 20's, high places trigger a kind of survival instinct that tells me I'm in danger and I'm overcome with an irrational fear. It's so annoying as the best views are always in high places, but I'm not letting it become an issue.

Is there anything you can not do?

Sam

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Why We Need To Fight The Microbead

Hi, Today I'm talking about the issue of Microbeads in our beauty products. These microscopic pieces of plastic are added to beauty products as an exfoliating aid, bizarrely even in products that contain a natural exfoliant anyway. These plastics aren't always adding anything extra to the product, just bulking it up to make the product cheaper to produce.

The issue with these Microbeads is that they are entering into the food chain. Tiny marine life are eating these microscopic piece of plastic thinking they are a tasty treat unable to tell the difference between them and other natural marine food. These tiny marine animals are then been eaten by bigger and bigger fish until inevitably they end up on our own plates. I believe scientists are currently trying to work out if there will be long term damage and whether the plastics are toxic in the long run, but personally I'd rather do my bit to stop the ever growing problem now.

To see if a product you are using or intend on buying doesn't contain these harmful plastics you can use this dedicated website: www.beatthemicrobead.org

Types of plastic in products

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Nylon

Today in England single use plastic bags will now be chargeable at the price of 5p per bag to try and stop the over use of plastic (already happening in Scotland and wales). I won't feel the effect of this too badly as I shop in Aldi where they already charged for bags. The change only applies to chains which employ over 250 full time employees but it's a step in the right direction. So if you're off shopping make sure you take your own bags if you don't want to incur extra charges. All the money made from the sales of the plastic bags will be going to charity so it's kind of a win win situation.

Will you make the switch to plastic free products?

Sam

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Month's Mini Goals | October

Hi, I'm so excited for the Halloween/Bonfire season. After I've written this I'm off to research all the local bonfires so I can go see a really good firework display. I'm going out for Halloween and it's been that long I'm already excited, just need to work out what to wear. My goals are very seasonal, but it's hard to ignore the change in temperature. At least with the cooler weather comes some of the best seasonal events.

Mini goals for October

• Plan a fancy dress outfit for Halloween - I'm really after trying out some face paint.
• Buy some seasonal candles - I need a cinnamon fix.
• Do a Lush Haul - Well if I'm going to buy the store, I better share it with you.
• Go conker hunting/seasonal walking - I need to make the most of the season before it's freezing.
• Buy winter stuff for my car - I always forget! I need anti freeze as well as other items.
• Wear something I have forgotten about - Pushing myself to make the most of my wardrobe.
• Review a board game - I own too many for them to not feature on my blog.
• Do some more colouring - because it's super relaxing.
• Tidy my room - Once again it's a mess.
• Read as much as possible - I've read 20 books so far this year and would love to see how many I can read before the end.

What are you dressing up as for Halloween, I need some inspiration?

Sam

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