Upcycling With Currys

I was pretty apprehensive about heading to an upcycling event. I always have grand ideas of crafting and DIY but they generally go no further than my bazillion Pinterest boards, my shelf full of scrapbooks or an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition marathon. But hey, being challenged with something new brings out my stubborn side and so I headed out in a horrific rain storm to trek all the way to The Old School Club in Battersea to upcycle washing machine drums with Currys*.

[Home Decor] Sheridan Australia SS15 Preview

It's been three months since I took the plunge and moved in with my boyfriend. We're still renting as it's completely impossible for us to buy somewhere in London, which means my Pinterest boards full of beautiful wallpaper and amazing sofas are still merely a pipe dream. But there are small things I can do to make the flat a bit more palatable and it very much involves one of my favourite thing: soft furnishings.

Sheridan is an Australian interiors brand now available in the UK, focusing on quality fabrics with a decorative twist; basics that look plain but feel beautiful, and bolder prints for those of us who fancy a bit more of a statement in our bedrooms. Floral was the dominant theme in the patterned fabrics, relying on pale blues and pinks - the pastel hues reminiscent of all the coats available in stores right now, just proving that trends aren't only a thing for your wardrobe. The piece I loved the most was actually in the kid's section: a brightly coloured chevron blanket. I'd definitely have that thrown over a rocking chair in a bay window in my dream house. The nautical feel for the 'safe' bedding included some great quilted pillowcases and cylindrical cushions that I could fall asleep quite happily on.

Sheridan is going beyond furnishings now and has introduced loungewear and bathroom basics. The jumpers are slubby and comfy, perfect for lazing around the house but I know I'd wear them with skinny jeans and trainers on a blustery London morning commute. The robe could make you feel exactly as though you're in a five-star hotel and about to hit the spa, I don't think I'd ever take it off it I owned it.

What do you think of my little Sheridan bird pillow* as a new addition to my bed? Perfectly suited, don't you think?

Cushion covers: Dunelm Mill
Bird cushion: Sheridan*
Bed sheets: Ikea

(I was invited to the Sheridan press day and kindly given the pink bird pillow in a gift bag. I was not paid to write this post and all opinions and my own and completely honest!)

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Life: January 2014

One month in already! Isn't January the longest month in the whole year? Six weeks from payday, miserable weather, everyone detoxing; it's essentially a 31 day countdown to February. I didn't get up to much this month, but believe me I have some big plans coming up this year and I need to keep this blog going to record it. Watch this space!

T-R: It took 24 hours and a lot of elbow grease but my apple and cinnamon rolls actually turned out really well! You can find the recipe on my Pinterest board here
T-L: This month I joined my colleagues to volunteer at a homeless shelter and it was extremely eye-opening. I heavily encourage everyone to help out at their local shelter
B-R: I've fallen in love with a sofa. It's 'only' £10,000, would you like to buy it for me?!
B-L: My mum's tea treats are awesome. Homemade fudge and chocolate chip cookies, banana, honey and pecan bread, and rock cakes

T-L: Delicious salt beef bagel from Nana Fanny's in Borough Market
T-R: I finished all of Gossip Girl on Netflix. My new aim in life is to be Blair Waldorf
B-L: Dinner in one place and dessert in another - a habit I've got into with my wonderful friend Claire
B-R: Ultrabalm from Lush is the best thing for sore noses that have been spending too much time in tissues

Shop: Age UK Furniture Store

I live in London, but I am born from the concrete jungle of the name Milton Keynes, most famous for its copious amount of roundabouts. When I went home last weekend we went to visit the furniture store of the charity my mum works for, Age UK.

This isn't your run of the mill high street charity shop, this is a huge warehouse on an industrial estate full of items donated second hand, or brand new from stores like Argos and Ikea. Like any charity shop there's hit and miss pieces, but plenty of gems both large and small.

Drop into the store 7 days a week and check out their website for opening times.

DIY: A New Use for a CD Rack

I've come to the realisation that I have too much stuff. It's not a recent realisation, I've known it for years. So moving house is always a bit of a challenge: both moving the actual items and finding somewhere new to hide them so my room doesn't look like a bomb site. 

Being in the rental market means I still don't have the room for my full DVD and CD collection, so this CD rack has become a bit useless, so my mum had a great idea to create some extra cosmetics storage for my new place.

All you need is a handy stepdad with his own saw and hey presto!

In the bottom I have a really cute vanity case that used to belong to my mum, and I bought two wooden baskets from Dunelm Mill for £6.99 each for the other two spaces. 

Simple DIY for more storage! What do you think?

Shopping: A Vintage Armchair

In 6 weeks time I'm moving into a flat with one of my best friends and for the first time ever, we're going into a place unfurnished. Since moving out of the family home, I've lived in shared housing, with furniture provided. This is convenient if you're moving year to year as I was at university, but now I want to put my stamp on a place and make it more of a home then just a house. Ms O and I are far too over-excited about colour schemes and decorations and it means that we're getting to buy furniture, something completely new for me.

In a moment of nonchalant eBay browsing I found this incredibly kitsch and undeniably perfect armchair and I knew it would fit our new lounge like a glove. 

I can't wait to curl up on it with a hot chocolate in front of a classic DVD box set in winter. 

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