Lifestyle | Pumpkin Decorating tips!

 

Happy Sunday! 

It's the week before Halloween and I know what you're probably thinking if you read my post of the Hallotober tag. 'You don't celebrate Halloween why are you pumpkin picking'. Well the honest answer is, I don't really know! But it's become somewhat of a tradition over the last couple of years and something I wasn't going to let COVID ruin this year too! Unlike last year I wasn't able to visit a pumpkin patch as normal as annoyingly my local and favourite patch were working on a booking slot schedule and they sold out understandably very quickly. But I wasn't going to let that be the end of my mission and managed to get one in our weekly shopping from Tesco. I won't lie, it's not the best pumpkin in the world but let's be honest it does the job! 

Once you've got your pumpkin there's a couple of options for you to decorate. You can go old school like me and carve into it. Or you could go down the different route and decorate by painting, sticking or embellishing them. I've found a couple of great examples of this on Pinterest that you can find below! I've linked the ideas which you can view by clicking on the images! 

I decided to go for a classic design for my own pumpkin and used a pen to draw the rough shape of what I wanted it to look like. After some careful carving and scraping out of the insides I was left with a cute little pumpkin that lights up exactly how I had imagined it too. Next year I might try to be a little more creative, although I'm also hoping we will be able to easily get to a proper patch too! What do you think of my little creation?

Until next time, 

Beauty | Glossybox October 2020

I always get so excited whenever one of these gorgeous boxes lands on my doorstep. It's truly the best birthday present as it's a gift that keeps on giving. This month's box is probably the prettiest one I am yet to receive and I can't wait to repurpose it for other uses. Let's take a look into what was inside October 2020's Glossybox. 

This month's box was themed around a magical storybook 'The Beauty Tales' with two box designs, 'Enchanted Spirit' and 'Magical Fantasy'. The box I received was the gorgeous lilac design and I love it. I'm secretly chuffed to have got this style as I prefer it over the blue! This month's box includes 3 full sized and 2 delux mini samples which I think is always generous when the products are from well known brands. 

The products included in this month's box are, as always, super cute and very useable. I think I mentioned this before but I used to be a subscriber of Birchbox and as much as I enjoyed the treats received in that each month, it was getting extremely repetitive. Now don't get me wrong Glossybox has also had it's previous repeated products, but they usually get it right! Now onto this month's box...

First up is the Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer. I've never heard of this product before but I love the information and the potential of it! It states that the primer hydrates and smooths skin by working together to help maintain skin hydration levels. The texture of the product on first swatch feels like it will do all of the claims, but we will have to see! Next, Bubble T Cosmetics Fairy Dust Foaming Bath Powder. There's nothing better than relaxing in a warm bubble bath, especially at the moment so any bath products are always greatly welcomed in a box! This product is lavender scented which is going to be perfect for the ultimate before bed chill. Then I received Luna By Luna Pixie Lipstick. If you're a long time reader of this blog then you know how much the name 'Luna' means to me, so whenever I see a product with moons, stars or the name included I'm always game. This lipstick is no different and I'm obsessed with the colour. It's not quite a deep red, but it's not quite pink either so it' a nice in-between! Next up is the Eyesential Under Eye Enhancer. I'll be honest, I'm not 100% sure whether this product is for me, or if it's one I will be likely in trying. I have very sensitive under eyes so I tend to be careful when applying any products in that area. Basically this product is applied to the under eye forming a 'web' like texture that smooths out and kind of glues your skin. I'll let you know how I get on with this one! The final product is The Beauty Crop Stargazing Blush Duo. I love a makeup palette that can be used for a variety of uses. This palette has a gorgeous pink blush and light brown shimmer for bronzer. I think the bronzer colour would also look gorgeous as an eyeshadow too! 

So that's this month's box - These posts seem to becoming more and more regular, so not sure what that means in terms of the weeks going quickly I know this year deffo has! Is there anything that you think stands out from this month's box? For me it would have to be the lipstick or blush as makeup products were one of the main reasons for joining glossy box in the first place! 

Stay safe! 

Until next time, 

Lifestyle | Hallotober Tag

Couldn't not include this photo of my gorgeous Luna! Still wish she was with us - Coming up to 2 years missing soon!

Happy Sunday - I'm loving getting back into a routine with posting on my blog! Such a shame it took a global pandemic and redundancy to get me back into the flow but here we are. 

This weeks post is something I am super excited to get involved in albeit a little different from my usual uploads! My lovely friend and fellow blogger Katie tagged me in the Hallotober post and I couldn't wait to get involved! (Make sure you go and give her post a little read as I loved her answers!) 

The Rules

1. Thank the person who tagged you and link to their post 
2. Put the rules at the beginning or after introduction
3. Answer the 13 questions 
4. Tag 13 people to do the tag 
5. Delete Question 13, add a new number one question of your own

The Tag!

1. What’s your favourite thing about October? - October has always been the month that I begin to feel excited about the weather turning cold and the autumn colours begin. Nothing makes me happier than being able to wrap up warm in a cosy knit, boots and winter coat and October is usually when you can properly do this. (It also means Christmas is just round the corner, kinda!)
2. Are you a big celebrator of Halloween? - Not at all. I feel in the minority with my next statement but I have never been trick or treating or ever dressed up during the Halloween season. I personally don't get it or see the attraction to it, but each to their own! Growing up my parents were very anti Halloween so I guess that's why it doesn't bother me much. I do however LOVE to decorate for any season and any excuse to put up some pumpkin fairy lights or burn some wax melts!
3. What’s your favourite horror movie? Ermmmmmmmm... Sorry to say but I don't watch scary movies! So if we could switch this question to favourite Halloween movie then it would have to be the classic Halloweentown! I'm too much of a wimp to watch anything scary!
4. Would you rather a cosy night in watching horrors or a big night out in a costume?-  This answer will probably come at no surprise whatsoever, especially in the current 2020 lifestyle, but cosy night in 100%. Add a takeaway, fresh pjs and a blanket and I'm there!
5. Which has been your most favourite costume to date? - I'm having to think back long and hard at any time in my life where I was to have dressed up for Halloween and can only think of one! I believe I was meant to be a witch but got scared of my costume aged 6 so ended up going to the Halloween school party as a Barbie wearing normal clothes and a witches hat. Original I know!
6. Bobbing for apples or pin the hat on the witch? - Bobbing for apples! Although again, this won't be happening this year lol! I remember the only other time bobbing for apples was at Disneyland Paris! So if we could go back to then that would be great!
7. How do you celebrate Halloween? - I read Katie's response to this question and couldn't stop laughing as my family are the exact same minus dad getting sweets for the incase knock scenario! My road doesn't tend to have anybody knock, but if they do we tend to ignore it. We're just not into it and would rather just let the night go by!
8. What’s your least favourite horror? - I can't pick a favourite! I'm scared of them all haha! 
9. Do you have a favourite trick or treating memory? - I can't comment on this question as I've genuinely never been trick or treating!  
10. What’s your favourite thing about Halloween? - I love all of the themed Halloween treats you can buy in store during the month of October! My faves are the spooky French fancies! So yummy!!
11. Scary costume or Silly costume? - I would probably try to do a mixture of the two! Perhaps a normal-ish looking dress with a scary makeup look? That counts right?!
12. What’s your favourite Halloween candy? - I kind of mentioned this already but the Halloween French fancies, love me a bag of Rainbow Drops and any sour sweet!
13. What are you most looking forward to this October? - This year is going to be much different from the last couple as I suddenly have lots of time on my hands due to furlough and redundancy! So it will be nice to be around to enjoy the evenings at home. Going for walks in the autumn weather, bobble hat and coat on. Also my brother has just got a new puppy and I am so excited to get to know him too! 

Tag People to Join the Hallotober Tag

I would like to tag the following people:

1. Izzy - https://www.lebellelavie.com 
2. Eloise - https://www.eloisewrites.co.uk

Share The Questions and Change Question 13!

1. What’s your favourite thing about October?
2. Are you a big celebrator of Halloween?
3. What’s your favourite horror movie?
4. Would you rather a cosy night in watching horrors or a big night out in a costume?
5. Which has been your most favourite costume to date?
6. Bobbing for apples or pin the hat on the witch?
7. How do you celebrate Halloween?
8. What’s your least favourite horror?
9. Do you have a favourite trick or treating memory?
10. What’s your favourite thing about Halloween?
11. Scary costume or Silly costume?
12. What’s your favourite Halloween candy?
13. What's your favourite Halloween inspired drink? - PSL, Hot chocolate etc...

And there we have it, that's the tag! What do you think about my answers? Let me know if you would like to be tagged and I can add you onto my list for others to go over to read! 

Until next time, 

Lifestyle | DIY Bedside table

There's nothing I love more than a little DIY project, especially if it means up-cycling something that needs replacing but can have a little bit of extra life squeezed out of it. I was watching Stacey Solomons Instagram story where she showed a complete renovation of her bedside tables from something plain to chic and fresh. Being inspired I decided that I too could do this, lol. I initially thought it would be harder to do but in reality it took a day, a few supplies and a lot of patience. 

What you need

• Marble vinyl
• White wood paint
• Silver wood paint
• Decorative drawer knobs

The steps for this little project are so easy and need little explanation, but I'll briefly let you know how I did it. First of all I cleared my side and gave it a complete wipe down. Depending on what material your side is made out of you might need to sand it down too, but I didn't need this step and was able to apply the vinyl directly to the top and paint to the surfaces. I would say the vinyl application was probably the hardest out of everything to do. My only advice to make it easier is to roll it onto the table whilst rubbing it down and smoothing. The great thing about vinyl is if you make a mistake it is relatively inexpensive to replace, or you could just pull off and try again. Next I decided what colours I wanted to use for the sides and drawers. I went for white and silver to match the jewelled drawer knobs I had found in TKMaxx. After removing the old drawer knobs I started to paint a couple of layers to the drawers until I was happy with the colour. The final step is to add the new drawer knobs and to put into place. 

Overall I was super happy with the outcome of this little project! I was planning to replace the unit completely but as money is now a little tight thought this was a great alternative for now.

Let me know if there's any other DIY's that you've been up to and are as easy as this one!

Until next time,