My Go To At Home Workouts

Thursday 16 July 2015 ·


A couple of months ago, in an attempt to save some money I decided to cancel my gym membership and instead try out some at home workouts and finally get some use out of the exercise bike which had previously served only as a clothes horse in the corner of our living room. 

It's taken a while to find a routine that works for me and I can assure it's still far from perfect but I've found a select few workouts that seem to work for me and I genuinely enjoy - I never thought I'd see the day. 

This is a quick and easy work out so it perfect for fitting into your busy day. It works pretty much every muscle group in your body and gets your heart rate going too! It also needs no equipment other than a chair which means there really are no excuses! I have Anna Saccone Joly to thank for introducing me to Lucy's YouTube channel! 

Although this isn't technically a 'challenge' in the more typical sense in that it is laid out in a way that you increase the number of reps you do each day, it is super easy to adapt it to make it more like this. Having said that, I've just been doing the full 100 reps every 2 days, with the above workout on the in between days. If, however, you wanted to do the squats everyday it might work well to do it every day and increase your number of reps each day. 

Now, yoga is one of those things I've always really wanted to enjoy and be good at - it just looks so graceful - and so when I discovered Adriene's YouTube channel (through Vivianna Does Makeup) I just had to give it a go. I'm still pretty limited in my yoga skills and flexibility but I've taken to doing 30-60 minutes of yoga on days when I just can't face a more 'energetic' workout. 

Last but not least I also try and go on the exercise bike 2/3 times a week as a more traditional form of cardio. Usually I do 15km in around 25 minutes, so not super quick but quick enough to get my heart rate up and a good sweat going! 

Don't get me wrong I know this isn't exactly the most hardcore workout routine and I could definitely up my game but I've only really been getting into the groove with it in the last month and as it stands this is working for me. 

What are your favourite workouts to do at home? 


Top 5 Documentaries on Netflix

Tuesday 14 July 2015 ·


If you didn't know this already, Netflix is an unhealthy obsession of mine, there's nothing I love more than curling up on the sofa and relaxing with my latest Netflix addiction! As much as I love to get lost in a good TV series my true love lies in the documentary section and Netflix really does have an amazing selection which I'm slowly working my way through. 

Here are some of my favourites: 
  • Ivory Tower
    This gives a really interesting and unique insight into the American collegiate system and reveals a lot of elements that you wouldn't usually hear about.
  • Chef's Table If you love food as much as me this is a must watch - a look behind the scenes of some of the best restaurants in the world and how they started and developed.
  • Life
    Let's be honest you really can't go wrong with a bit of David Attenborough. I'm pretty sure I've watch everything he's ever done and it's always my go to when I'm not sure what to watch. It never gets boring (plus he has the most soothing voice!).
  • Blackfish
    As a child I always dreamt of going to Seaworld and seeing the orca perform but having watched this (three times!) I can safely say that I would never go there now. A shocking look behind the scenes of this world famous attraction.
  • Fed UpA fascinating documentary about the amount of sugar in processed foods and the extensive damage it is causing to our health. I warn you though, by the end of it you'll be going through your cupboards checking ingredients and throwing anything unhealthy away! 

This is just a little snapshot of some of my favourite documentaries on Netflix so if you want to hear about some more that I've enjoyed let me know in the comments section!

Do you enjoy documentaries as much as me? What are some of your favourites?

If you haven't already then head over here to check out the TV shows I've been binge watching. 

Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup

Sunday 12 July 2015 ·


No matter what the time of year, soup is always my favourite lunch option. There are endless variations, in the winter its warming and comforting and in the summer it's such a  great light option. Without a shadow of a doubt this Deliciously Ella recipe is my ultimate favourite and barely a month goes by where I don't whip up a batch (or two) of this! 

I know there are lots of options for fresh soups in the supermarkets nowadays but with how quick and simple this is to throw together there really is no excuse. Plus by making it yourself you know that all that's in it are beautiful, healthy ingredients! 

Ingredients

  • 8 tomatoes
  • 3 red peppers
  • handful fresh basil leaves
  • handful fresh rosemary
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 tbsp lime juice
  • 3 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tsp worcestershire sauce


Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.
  2. Roughly chop the peppers and tomatoes into large chunks.
  3. Coat the bottom of a roasting pan in oil and place the peppers and tomatoes in the pan along with the basil, rosemary, bay leaves and thyme, another drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper.
  4. Give it all a quick mix around and then pop into the oven for 30 minutes.
  5. After 30 minutes place the roasted vegetables and any juices into a blender but make sure to remove the bay leaves and any rosemary stalks.
  6. Add the lime juice, tomato puree and worcestershire sauce to the blender and blitz up until you get your desired consistency - feel free to add a little water if necessary.
  7. All that's left now is to tuck in and enjoy!! 
You can keep any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4/5 days so this makes the perfect lunch option for the week! 

I can't get enough of this soup at the moment so I hope you enjoy it as much as me! 

H&M Home Wish List

Thursday 9 July 2015 ·


I think it's clear by this point that I really can't resist the opportunity to do a little virtual window shopping, especially for homeware bits and pieces. Lately I've been using the excuse of moving house in the not too distant future as an excuse and I'm loving putting together mood boards for each room! 

I didn't really have too much of a plan in mind when I clicked onto the homeware section of the H&M site but in no time at all I'd filled my online basket and when I looked at it, it pretty much summed up how I want my living room! I'm planning on it being fairly neutral with a charcoal sofa and then pops of colour from soft furnishings etc. There are also going to be quite a lot of shelves either side of the chimney breast so there are quite a few bits which I think would look great up there! 

Mirror, £14.99
In my opinion no room is complete without a mirror or two as it adds so much light  and can make the space seem much bigger which is crucial in a cosy London flat! 

My candle obsession is well and truly out of control. I already have a cupboard full of ones I'm 'saving' for the move (crazy I know) but I can't resist. I love love love the grey and white geometric patterns on these ones! 

We're desperately in need of some new crockery when we move and I can't get away from the idea of having mix matched bowls! The contrast between the teal (one of my favourite colours) and the pop of metallic around the rim is so beautiful. 

Ceramic Plate, £6.99 
Every blogger on the planet seems to own something from the marble collection at H&M but with good reason! Marble is so simple, understated and chic and I for one cannot wait to incorporate some into our new place. The real question is what would I actually use this for...? 

Cacti appear pretty much everywhere throughout my flat, as does copper so why not combine the two!?

Candles and metallic combined, need I say more? 

To add a pop of colour to our charcoal sofa we're going to have lots of brightly coloured cushions which we can switch around throughout the year and this mustard yellow one will be perfect! 

Where's your favourite place to shop for affordable homewares? 

Breakfast Ice Lollies

Monday 6 July 2015 ·


I don't know if you've heard...but at the moment the UK is going through a pretty epic heatwave and with temperatures getting up to 34 degrees celsius in London finding the perfect breakfast option can be pretty tricky! 

The majority of my favourite breakfast options are all hot and include pancakes and a full English, none of which are what you want in the hot weather! So I put my thinking cap on and came up with a super simple, quick and refreshing breakfast option which I can guarantee is going to be my go to option throughout the warm summer months. 

Say hello to the most delicious yoghurt, berry & granola ice lollies! Yes that's right I did say ice lollies for breakfast but they're healthy so you can justify it I assure you.


Ingredients

  • Natural yoghurt / greek yoghurt
  • Mixed berries
  • Granola 
  • Runny honey (optional) 
In all honesty this recipe doesn't really need any instructions but why not! 

Method

  1. Spoon some of the yoghurt into your ice lolly moulds - you want it to go about an inch of the way up each one. If using greek yoghurt I would recommend thinning it out with a little bit of water. 
  2. Sprinkle in a thin layer of granola followed by some fresh berries - you can stew these down quickly in a pan if you would like to create a quick jam. 
  3. Top up with more yoghurt up to the top of your moulds. 
  4. You can either stop at this stage and put the handles in and pop them in the freezer overnight. Or, if you fancy it you can grab a knife or skewer and mix together all your layers like I did. 
  5. All that's left now is to make space in the freezer and  leave them overnight for you to enjoy tomorrow morning! 
It goes without saying that these are super customisable in terms of what fruits you add in, flavoured yoghurts etc and I can't wait to play about with this some more and see what I can come up with. 

TV Shows I've Been Binge Watching

Saturday 4 July 2015 ·


Binge watching TV shows has always been a bit of a naughty habit of mine but when working a full time job, or looking for a new job I haven't seemed to find the time. However, I'm due to start my new job at the start of August and so after a few months off I'll be back in an office full time! 

Ever since I was offered the job I've been able to relax and pretty much do whatever I like which has been a real treat and has inevitably involved countless hours, and even days, being lost into the abyss that is Netflix. 

Here are some of the TV shows that I've been catching up on and some brand new discoveries! 

  • The Vampire Diaries
    I'd watched this in the past but with Nina Dobrev announcing she was leaving the show I couldn't resist watching the whole lot all over again. This one has been reserved for evening/weekend watching so my other half can watch it too.
  • Departures
    I only discovered this one last week and believe it or not I've already watched the first two seasons and I love it! If you like to travel you will love this, although be warned it'll make you want to grab your passport, head to the airport and get on the first flight you can.
  • Pretty Little Liars
    Although this doesn't really count as binge watching, my Wednesday's for the last few weeks have been set with a new episode every week! Who on earth is A?!
  • Fortitude
    I
    f you love a classic crime thriller then you'll love this. Plus, it's set in an isolated town in the Arctic and the scenery is simply stunning and with the added bonus of Stanley Tucci having one of the lead roles it really is a must watch!
  • Scandal 
    I might be a little late to the party on this one but fear not, I've caught up quick! I literally couldn't tear my eyes from the screen with this one and raced through all 4 seasons faster than you'd think possible!
What are your favourite TV shows to binge watch? Are there any other shows I might be missing out on? 


Granny's Chocolate & Lemon Mousse

Saturday 6 June 2015 ·


Lets be honest you really can't go wrong with a chocolate mousse, it just always hits the spot and this is my absolute favourite. This is actually one of my granny's recipes and she used to make this every single time that we went down to Cornwall to visit her and my grampa so it has a lot of nostalgic memories attached to it. 

Since my granny passed away a few years ago no one else in the family had made it until about a month ago when I suddenly remembered about it and fancied having a go at making it for myself. That same day mum sent me the recipe, I picked up the ingredients and whipped up my first ever chocolate and lemon mousse in memory of my granny. 

This is a ridiculously easy recipe and I love the hint of lemon flavour that comes through - lemon is never something I would have paired with chocolate but it really works! 

Ingredients

  • 135g lemon jelly tablet
  • 100g plain cooking chocolate
  • 170g evaporated milk (chilled) 
  • 300ml boiling water


Method

  1. Place the cubed jelly, plain chocolate and boiling water into a blender and blitz until everything has melted and you have a smooth liquid. 
  2. Place the chocolate lemon mixture in the fridge until it has the consistency of unbeaten egg white. 
  3. In a deep bowl, whip the evaporated milk until very light and fluffy and then gradually beat in the jelly mixture. 
  4. Pour into a serving bowl and refrigerate until set. 
See, it really is easy! This is the perfect dessert for any occasion and could be made in individual ramekins as personal servings. 

In the past month I've made this recipe 3 times and I think it's safe to say I ate at least 90% of the bowl every single time...woops...! It's just so tasty though and I cannot get enough. 


New Home Inspiration

Thursday 4 June 2015 ·


It's been a little while since I did a little round up of my Pinterest faves as life kind of got away from me without me realising. I'm in the process of buying a flat so the process of that and all the little bits and pieces that need to be sorted out have taken over my life! But despite all the chaos I always find time for a little bit of Pinterest browsing to brighten up my day. 

We're going to have quite a bit of work to do when we finally get the keys for our first flat and I genuinely can't wait for it. The great thing about this is that now I have a space to personalise is that I can start gathering some inspiration for how I want the rooms to turn out. Before you know sizings etc it can be a little tough - at least thats was my experience. 


Home Office

Some kind of office space is something that is super important to me and yet can be quite a challenge in a small flat. I'd love to be able to dedicate an entire room to being a home office but that's just not an option at the moment so instead I'm going to have to create an inspiring office space in the corner of my spare bedroom. Not ideal but there's so much inspiration online so I know I'll get it just right! 

Kitchen

As is typical in a London flat our kitchen is going to be small, and I mean really small. The photo above looks positively palatial in comparison to what we'll have! But in my opinion this is just a new challenge for us to make the kitchen as user friendly as possible and still have enough storage for all of our bits and pieces. I absolutely love the dark wood floors in the above kitchen and am very tempted to get this type of flooring throughout our whole flat! 

Bedroom

Onto the main bedroom, as with the kitchen, storage is going to be super important to us here and I'm hoping that my amazing dad will be able to put together some built in storage for us which will take the worry out of that element. This means I get to focus on the fun stuff, making the room cosy and relaxing so it's the perfect place to wind down at the end of the day. I'm obsessed with upholstered headboards which add a little bit of luxury to the space. I also love the colour combination of the teal and grey so this will definitely be making an appearance somewhere. 


Living Room 

The biggest space in our flat is going to be the living room and so I can't wait to get in there and start to style it so it's perfect for us. A corner sofa is an absolute must for us as we want it to be a super comfy space with lots of space for everyone to put their feet up and relax. Essentially the above living room is pretty much my dream and I will definitely be trying to recreate it! My only addition will be a dining table but I'm hoping to find a beautiful extendable reclaimed wood one that will go perfectly with the style that I have in mind. 

Bathroom 

Last but not least, the bathroom. I'm a huge fan of a long relaxing bath so I would love to have a big bathroom with a free standing bath, big shower and beautiful sink & counter top. Unfortunately at this point that is going to have to remain a dream as our bathroom is the size of a shoe box... The one thing I will be able to have is a big rainfall shower which I am ridiculously excited for. I'm hoping that despite its small size we can still make the bathroom a luxurious space although at this point I'm not entirely sure how to do it... 

This whole process of buying our first property has been a rollercoaster. For months and months we were looking at flats and putting on an offer only to have it be declined as someone offered more. It was incredibly upsetting - particularly for me as I get emotionally involved pretty quickly. So, when we finally had an offer accepted and everything started to proceed with the solicitors I finally got the opportunity to get excited and I am loving it. All that's left now is to exchange contracts and pick up the keys!

Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

A Coastal Weekend

Monday 1 June 2015 ·


Last weekend, due to it being a bank holiday here in the UK, was the perfect opportunity for Matthew and I to escape from the hustle and bustle of London and get out into the countryside. With having that extra day we decided to head down to Cornwall as usually it's a pretty long way to go just for 2 days! 

My grampa lives just the other side of Plymouth and I've been going there 2/3 times a year since I was born so it's very much a home away from home for me, and since my parents have moved house this secluded little Cornish village means so much more to me. It truly is my favourite place in the world. 

I got a little bit distracted for most of the weekend and completely forgot to take any photos for the majority of it so I apologise for that... But I did remember to crack out my camera when we headed over to Polperro, a beautiful fishing village on the south Cornish coast. The weather was incredible that evening and so the light was just stunning so I couldn't resist taking a bunch of photos of the quay and some of the winding passageways. 

The views speak for themselves so I'm going to leave this post here and let you enjoy them in peace and quiet. If you're ever down in the area I highly recommend going and seeing this place for yourselves. 






Made.com Wish List

Wednesday 27 May 2015 ·


I can't believe it's less than a month until we are due to complete on our new flat! For months and months it felt like we were never going to find anywhere even close to our budget and then all of a sudden we have an offer accepted and they're talking completion dates! This is without a doubt the most exciting thing that I have ever done although also a little scary... 

But one of the many joys of buying your own place? Having a valid reason to spend altogether too much time browsing homeware sites to get inspiration for your new abode. As a Pinterest addict I already have lots of ideas in my head as to what I want the rooms to look like so now all I need to do is find the perfect affordable pieces, affordable being the operative word! However, after getting lost in the depths of the internet on more than one occasion, affordable homeware, or more specifically furniture can be more difficult to find than you might think! 

One of my favourite places to browse for furniture and home accessories has been made.com which although not altogether 'affordable' does stock some beautiful pieces and has given me a lot of inspiration and I'll be looking for dupes wherever I go now! 

  1. Bourbon Vintage Storage Bench (£249) - the perfect hallway ottoman / bench! 
  2. Cullen Marble Clock (£49) - no home is complete without a touch of marble and copper. 
  3. Miller Floor Lamp (£129) - I have an obsession with tripod floor lamps so this is a must. 
  4. Bari Corner Sofa Bed (£949) - a dark grey corner sofa isa must have for me and it would be such a bonus for it to double as a bed too. 
  5. Tilt Rug (£249) - this would look beautiful on a dark reclaimed wood floor. 
  6. The Rodnik Bank (£249) - cover up flooring you don't like with large rugs until you can afford to replace it. 
  7. Stroller Desk (£379) - a home office area is a must for me but I'm also lusting a vanity table so this one that works for both is perfect! 
The next month cannot come fast enough in my opinion. I may have a million things to do between now and then to make sure that it all goes off without a hitch but it is so going to be worth it! I can't wait to share the transformation of my new place with you guys - I love interior design so finally having my own space is going to be the best! 

Where are your favourite places to browse for furniture and home accessories? 

Quick & Easy Overnight Oats

Sunday 24 May 2015 ·


Breakfast is one of those meals that I know is super important to fit in but at the same time it leaves me so utterly uninspired that sometimes I just don't fancy it. That was until I finally tried out overnight oats and yes I know that I'm a little late on the bandwagon with this and I have no excuse but my gosh am I glad I finally tried them! 

This is probably one of the easiest things to throw together for breakfast and my favourite bit? You can whip up a few batches of this on a Sunday evening and it'll last you throughout the week so you don't have to think about it again! On top of that it's incredibly versatile so you could never possibly get bored of it. 


This recipe is so easy it really doesn't need to be broken down into ingredients and method like I usually would. 

In an airtight container, simply combine together 1/2 cup rolled oats, 2/3 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk), 1/2 plain fat free greek yoghurt and 1/2 tsp honey and pop in the fridge overnight. 

The overnight oats alone are tasty but can get a little boring so this is where the fun comes in - the toppings. You could top your overnight oats with anything you can think of but some of my personal favourites are stewed apple, mixed berries, or if I'm feeling naughty then maybe a few chocolate chips! 

What is your favourite breakfast to whip up? Have you ever tried overnight oats and if so what do you like to add to it? 

Let me know if you try this out this week as I would love to hear what you think. 

Mini Beauty Haul

Friday 22 May 2015 ·


It always seems that I run out of products at the same time which inevitably leads to a trip to Boots to stock up again and will nearly always include something I didn't actually need sneaking into my basket. So last week, after rooting about in my giant basket full of spare products to work out what I actually needed, I popped out to boots to stock up on some essentials. 


Do you also find that all your products, be it beauty or skincare, run out at the same time? What are the products you repurchase time and time again? 



Homemade Rocky Road Fudge

Sunday 17 May 2015 ·


Despite trying to be as healthy as possible and not having snacks in the house (or not too many at least...) I still can't stop myself craving sweets! I'm standing strong and not letting myself have any in the week but at the weekend I let myself have a treat or two. This weekend I had a real urge to bake something so I took to Pinterest for some inspiration but instead of a baking recipe I instead couldn't resist the look of some fudge. 

Having never made fudge before I was intrigued as to how complex it was going to be but I was pleasantly surprised by just how simple it was and how few ingredients were needed. You can mix it up a lot with this recipe and add in whatever extras you like for example raisins, dried cranberries, honeycomb or biscuits - the options are endless! 


Ingredients

  • 215g sugar (granulated or caster) 
  • 2/3 cup fat free evaporated milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 340g plain chocolate
  • 1 cup marshmallows
  • 1 - 1.5 cup Malteasers 


Method

  1. Grease an 8x8 inch pan and line with greaseproof paper. 
  2. In a medium non-stick pan, mix together the sugar, evaporated milk and butter over a high heat until boiling and then reduce the heat to medium-low and stir constantly for about 3 minutes. 
  3. Add the chocolate and stir until completely melted and smooth and then remove from the heat. 
  4. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then mix in the marshmallows and Malteasers until evenly distributed and then transfer the mixture to the lined pan. TIP: You may want to cut the marshmallows in half so they're a little smaller. 
  5. Refrigerate until firm - at least 2 hours and then remove and cut into squares (this should make around 36 small squares. 
I hope that you enjoy this fudge as much as me! Let me know if you make it and if you add anything different in! 

Fabietta Designs | What's New

Saturday 25 April 2015 ·


If you saw this post then you'll know that not too long ago I finally got around to opening a shop on Etsy. I'd had this on the cards for a while but life kept running away from me and I never had time to actually make it happen, until now that is. 

I've always been quite a creative person and really enjoyed making beautiful things from scratch both for myself and others so it made sense to take this one step further and start selling. 


I'm still very much in the early developmental stages of putting my store together but when I've made something new I get so excited to share it with people that I can't stand the idea of waiting until I have a lot of stock until I share it with you all. I've never been the most patient of people what can I say! 


So far the majority of my shop, Fabietta Designs, is made up of a range of cosmetic/wash bags which come in a range of beautiful cotton fabrics and each has 3 different sizing options, or of course you can pick up the whole set. These are my favourite things to make and so the range will definitely continue to expand with more fabrics so just check back regularly if there isn't one that takes your fancy at the moment! 



I've also started to add some cushions that I've made out of a beautifully soft high quality cotton fabric. Soon I'm planning on picking up some other fabrics for putting together some more cushions so if your in need of something particular please let me know and I would be happy to custom make something! 


I can't even begin to tell you how much I am enjoying the creative process involved in developing Fabietta Designs. My intention is to spend the rest of the year building up my stock and refining the range so that come November/December I can start selling at some markets in and around London. 

Have you had a browse of Fabietta Designs yet? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Got your eye on something but not quite got round to clicking the purchase button yet? Use the code 'Spring15' for 15% off your next order, valid until 31st May! 

Craft Projects I Can't Wait To Try

Thursday 23 April 2015 ·

There's something incredibly therapeutic and satisfying about spending a Sunday afternoon surrounded by craft supplies and creating something beautiful and unique. Admittedly in recent months I seem to be spending more time browsing Pinterest for craft ideas than actually making anything. So I decided to narrow down my list of things I want to make and finally pick up all of the necessary supplies and sit down to make them! 

Here are my top picks... 

1. I can't wait to spruce up some of my old cushions using fabric paint as seen here on The Lovely Drawer. I also love the pop of colour by adding the pom poms to the corners! 

2. There's nothing more frustrating than not having somewhere to put your drink when your sitting on the sofa so I can't wait to knock up a couple of these drinks perches.

3. Cacti are such an easy way to add a pop of colour to your home and they're also super easy to keep alive which is always a bonus. I love the contrast of the vivid green against the white of these adorable pots!

4. I've had a basket of leather scraps sitting on my shelf for goodness knows how long and not known what to do with it! Now all I need to do is pick up some screw on button-studs and I should be able to knock up some of these leather pouches in no time! 

5. These wooden trivets would add a unique personal touch to my kitchen and have the added benefit of being beautiful as well as practical! 

Do you enjoy crafting as much as me? 

What are you favourite DIYs that you've come across or made yourself? 

eBay Selling Tips & Tricks

Wednesday 15 April 2015 ·


I've been using eBay on and off for a few years now and it's one of my favourite ways to get rid of unwanted clutter that I inevitably collect around my house, what can I say I'm a little bit of a hoarder... 

It's a super easy system to use and a great way to make a little bit of money, and the best bit? You don't have to stand outside in the cold at a car boot sale trying to flog your wares! Here are some tips and tricks that I've learnt from my experience. 

Pictures

  • Always take pictures in natural light
  • Take close ups of fabric, textures etc
  • Try and take some of someone wearing the item if it's clothing
  • Take photos of any faults, defects, labels etc
  • Use a clean bright background


Description

  • Use keywords in the description - don't forget this is how your item will be found!
  • Make as detailed as possible
  • Include full measurements of any clothes as well as the size
  • Put brands in capital letters
  • Give as many item specifics as possible


General

  • Take advantage of the 20 free listings a month
  • Look out for free listing weekends - usually once every couple of months
  • Auctions are more popular than Buy It Now - start low - it will attract more views
  • Answer all queries as quickly as possible and post them on the listing so others can see
  • When wrapping the item up to post make sure to wrap in tissue paper as well as packing paper
  • Put a little note in the package when posting to say 'Thank you for buying, I hope you enjoy it' - good for feedback. 
  • Give feedback on all buyers as it encourages them to do the same for you
  • Short on time? Use Turbo Lister to draft listings in advance 

eBay can be very time consuming at first but once you get used to it it'll be much quicker, especially if you take advantage of Turbo Lister. You'll be amazed at just what you can sell on here and how it all adds up. If it doesn't sell you can always just take it down to the local charity shop. 

Have you ever sold anything on eBay? What was your experience like? 

10 Things I Want to Learn

Monday 13 April 2015 ·


I've been out of education for coming up to 3 years now and I really can't believe how the time has flown by. I never thought I'd say this but I genuinely miss the process and satisfaction of learning something new. It can be so easy to sit back on your laurels once you've finished school/university and forget the need to learn anything new. Not only that but as soon as you get a job the easiest excuse is that you're just too busy! However, my aim for 2015 is to correct this and finally get around to learning some new skills and keep developing myself. 

Here are some of the things I want to learn: 

1. Spanish - stereotypical I know but I was pretty good at it at school and a language is so useful. 

2. Photography - I have 2 (yes 2) really good cameras but in all honesty I have no idea how they work beyond the Auto settings...this needs to be sorted out! 

3. Yoga - fitness is far from my favourite thing but if I could work out at home that would be a big step towards encouraging me to do exercise more often. 

4. To do a smokey eye - no matter how many YouTube videos I watch I can't get the hang of it so I'm going to practice until I have nailed it. 

5. To use Adobe Photoshop - I'm ok with the basics but I know there are so many other things I could be doing with it and it's about time I learnt - if you know of any good tutorials let me know. 

6. To be a more confident cook - I'm competent, but only if I have a recipe... 

7. To use a sewing machine - my sewing skills are fairly basic so I'm going to get myself along to some classes until I'm a sewing whizzkid! 

8. More about world affairs and politics - I'm pretty ignorant as it stands and at 24 that needs sorting out, I can only live in my little bubble for so long. 

9. To chop like a professional - this goes along with no. 6 but I want to perfect 'finely chopped'.

10. To parallel park - I've avoided this since the day I passed my driving test and in London it's kind of a necessary skill. 

Is there anything that you want to learn to do? Have you started any good classes lately? 

Whilst I Was Gone...

Friday 10 April 2015 ·


I read all the time how people hate when bloggers apologise for not posting consistently but I feel incredibly guilty for neglecting my little corner of the internet over the past few weeks and so I am sorry. 

As you know I was made redundant a little while ago and unsurprisingly I could only put a brave face on it for so long before I cracked under the pressure. Living in London with a drastically reduced income (eBay can only get you so far!) is incredibly stressful an the pressure of it  hit me all of a sudden and I somewhat retreated into myself, hence my disappearance over here! 

I've been ploughing pretty much all my time and energy into job applications (more than I care to count), eBaying and Etsy just to try and keep myself going. It seems that I forgot how making a little bit of time every few days to update you guys or just distract myself with the things I love can make me feel  sooo much better! 

I'm going to do my best to get back into the swing of things over here but I still don't know if I'll be able to get my usual schedule back up and running so I'm hoping that you can forgive me for this an stick with me. The comments from all of you are what cheer me up when I'm down so fingers crossed I can keep you interested! 

Sunday Saying {10}

Sunday 5 April 2015 ·


This is my favourite place in the world, literally! I've been going to this quiet little village multiple times a year for my entire life and it's very much my home away from home. Look how beautiful it is - how could I not love it here! Whenever I'm having a bad day or just feeling  a bit down, imagining myself here always makes the biggest difference to my mood. So, whether it's a place, person or memory, think about something positive and see what a difference it makes! 

One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.


Previous Sunday Sayings: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Sunday Saying {9}

Sunday 29 March 2015 ·


Laughing is infectious, it's a rare occasion that if someone around you is laughing you'll be able to resist the urge to join in and that can't be a bad thing! Not only will laughing, and in turn smiling, brighten your day but it's also good for you!

Life is better when your laughing. 


Previous Sunday Sayings: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Sunday Saying {8}

Sunday 22 March 2015 ·


You won't get anywhere in life by simply following the crowd and avoiding going out on a limb and doing something a bit different. Being different can be pretty daunting whether its in your professional or personal life but it's time to turn over a new leaf and have the courage to be yourself or stand up for what you believe in. Take the risk and see where you end up - it could just be the best decision you've ever made...

It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone.


Previous Sunday Sayings: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Etsy Wish List

Monday 16 March 2015 ·


I've always loved Etsy but a couple of weeks ago I went one step further and opened my own Etsy store, Fabietta Designs (see my post here). Since then I've been spending countless hours browsing through the incredible things being sold on there partly for research but more just because I can't resist beautiful handmade goodies! Here are some of my favourites so far... 

Above is a stunning geometric pottery bowl incorporating two of my favourite colours - mint green and white! I need this in my life! 


What bathroom doesn't need some adorable wall art? I love the natural look of the twine and hessian.  


This is such a versatile, simple necklace and would look great as a pop of colour to a chic all black outfit! 


Who can say no to some brightly coloured chevron washi tape? No one really needs it and yet we all want it.  


This mini planter would look fantastic on my desk whenever I actually get round to getting one. It's clean and simple and you can't really go wrong with an air plant!


Monochrome is the one fashion trend that will never die and therefore a staple clutch like this is a must have in your wardrobe! Pair it with anything and you're guaranteed to look chic. 


As a self confessed berry addict I'm not really sure how I don't already have some of these porcelain berry baskets


We all know how easy it is to break an iPhone and so a cover is pretty much compulsory unless you like the smashed glass look! So why not go with a beautiful wood print phone case like this one? 


Gold accessories are a must have for any desktop and this giant paperclip desk organiser would look perfect next to my mini planter! 


These pedestal tables would look perfect in my flat although I don't think I'd be able to decide if I should have them as side tables, stools or bedside tables!

These are just a few of my favourite things I've found on Etsy in the past week or  so, there are lots more here but I don't think my bank account would like it if I got them all!

Do you ever use Etsy? What are the best things you've bought from there? 

Sunday Saying {7}

Sunday 15 March 2015 ·


Blogging is an ever growing industry with thousands of new blogs starting up each and every day. Thanks to this, no matter how passionate you are about your blog it can be the hardest thing in the world to actually get noticed which can incredibly demoralising. 

If there's one thing I've learnt in a year of blogging its to ignore the number of page views or Bloglovin' followers - if I didn't I'd have stopped doing this months ago! Instead I keep going because I genuinely love this little corner of the internet and I don't need credit from some anonymous person on the other side of the world to give me motivation to keep going. I'm going to keep going because I want to!

Never stop doing your best just because someone doesn't give you credit. 


This can be applied to everything in life and I think it's an incredibly important lesson to learn and it'll make a huge difference, I promise.

Previous Sunday Sayings: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

10 Tips To Make The Most of Your Money

Wednesday 11 March 2015 ·


We're all taught from a young age the value of money and the importance of making sure to set money aside 'for a rainy day' and yet despite this saving money and making the most of the money you have can be incredibly difficult, especially with living costs doing nothing but increasing. It was only when I was made redundant that I truly learnt the value of having some savings to fall back on and thankfully I've been pretty good at setting aside money each month. 

Whether your saving for a week in the sun or to buy a house I have a few tips to try and make saving a little bit easier: 

  1. 'Look after the pennies' - have a jar where you keep your loose change and try not to dip into it whenever you fancy a take away. You'll be amazed how quickly it adds up.
  2. Make the most of your loyalty cards.
  3. Make your own lunch & coffee - head to Pinterest for some delicious recipes.
  4. Be adventurous with your cooking - fancy going out for sushi? Why not try making it instead?
  5. Always make a shopping list and stick to it!
  6. Cancel unwanted/unused memberships.
  7. Have a clear out and sell things you don't use on eBay.
  8. Put money aside each month - set up a direct debit so you don't forget!
  9. Set up a fixed savings account that you can't access for 1/2 years that way you can't spend it!
  10. Discount codes - can't resist the odd dinner out? Download Vouchercloud and make your money stretch a little bit further. 

These are just a few ways to make the most of your money and increase your savings. They may seem like common sense but it's all too easy to slip into bad habits like buying a £3 meal deal for lunch everyday and it's astounding how fast the money adds up! 

What are your best tips for saving money / making your money go further? 

The Transition Nail Polish

Monday 9 March 2015 ·


The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming and the birds are starting to sing - it's official spring is in the air and all I want to do is crack about my bright nail polishes! However, living in the UK it's safe to say we've still got a long way to go until we can pack away our winter layers and get ready for the warmer months so it might be a little premature for the brights... 

So in place of the brights I decided to pick up one of the new Barry M Speedy Quick Dry nail polishes in Pit Stop. This is the perfect neutral grey tone with a lilac undertone. In some lights it looks very plain whereas in others the lilac tones really come through and it's beautiful. My only criticism is that if you don't have a decent base and top coat then it's not got the greatest longevity but seeing as it dries so quickly you can always redo it when it chips! 

I can guarantee that this will be making an appearance on my nails throughout the year. 

At only £3.99 this is a bargain and it needs a place in your collection.