// Sooooo....this happened!

Newly Engaged

So you may have noticed I haven't posted in a little while. Me and Mr F finally managed to book a last minute getaway to the Algarve two weeks ago. 

We found the most perfect hotel far away from all the tourist hot spots and spent our days lounging by pool and driving along the coast finding remote beaches and traditional fish restaurants.

To top off an already perfect trip together, my best friend of almost 9 years and my childhood sweetheart asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. 

Since our return, our days have been filled with celebratory drinks and dinners with friends and family. Things are finally starting to settle down now, so I will be returning to more regular posting with the hopes of including a little wedding prep ;)

Helena xx

// Dorm Room Decor

How to style your uni room on a student budget

1.// Quote Pillow 2.// Fluffy Pillow 3.// Jacquard Pillow 

4.// 'Get Shit Done' Notepad 5.// Art Print 6.// Throw 7.// Light 

8.// Rug 9.// Laundry Bag 10.// Door Mat 11.// Basket

Whether you are just arriving this weekend or have already had the past week to settle in, you will have quickly realised that your student room is seriously lacking in style and comfort.

But don't fret, with a few co-ordinated budget buys, you can quickly transform your dull and lifeless room into a homely and comfortable place to hang with your new friends and start your studying. 

Here are my tips on styling your student room:

1.// Pick a style/colour and stick to it - 

As in the above picture, you can see that choosing co-ordinated pieces can quickly bring a small room together. 

2.// Buy lots of cushions and throws - 

Make your room inviting to friends with comfy cushions and cuddly blankets for box set marathons (trust me, you will have lots of these). 

3.// Stylish storage -

Lots of clutter can make small rooms seem very messy, very quickly. Try and keep your surfaces clutter free with some stylish storage. Buy or DIY some statement boxes or baskets to keep your nick-nacks in on top of your selves. Or even make a display out of your accessories with a quirky jewellery stand. 

4.// Statement walls -

Perk your wall space up with some on-trend prints or posters. Either stick them up with washi tape for an extra bit of pattern or colour, or frame them and 'hang' them up on the walls with this amazing invention (super strong, but easily removable sticky strips)

5.// Extra seating -

Bean bags and pouffes are great for when you need some extra seating when your mates hang out in your room but also as the perfect reading spot when you don't want to sit at your desk a minute longer!

6.// Mood lighting - 

Buy a statement desk lamp for an added wow factor or string up some fairy lights over your bed for some evening ambiance.  

Enjoy the best three years of your life!

Helena xxx

// Amara Interior Blog Awards - I've been nominated!

Just a quick post today (but very exciting none the less!) - I have been nominated for an Amara Interior Blog Award under the category 'Best Newcomer Blog'.

If you have enjoyed following along so far then I'd love it if you spared a few seconds to enter your vote for me - it would mean the world.

PS. If you have yet to make plans for this weekend I would seriously recommend allocating a good couple of hours to scrolling through their website. I have found so many amazingly talented new bloggers to add to my Bloglovin feed! 

Helena xx

// Pattern in the Powder Room

Would you go bold in the bathroom?

My partner isn't quite as adventurous as me when it comes to decorating, so I tend to relegate the crazy prints and colours to artwork, cushions and accessories.

But I just can't keep the need for a big expanse of pattern at bay.

So this was my thinking..letting myself go crazy with the downstairs loo! 

It's the perfect plan.

(birds, dalmatian)

Can you imagine the wow factor your guests would get?!

And look at that dalmatian print paired with the malachite mirror. I die.

(zebra, flowers)

I mean who doesn't want zebras all over their walls right?

Here are a few of my favourite wallpaper prints:

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.)

Which one is your favourite? 

I'm in love with the bees. Can someone make me a notebook in this print?! If you've got the skills, seriously, let me know. 

Helena xxx

// DIY: Mongolian Faux Fur Stool

How to make a Mongolian Faux Fur Footstool

Instructions//

Mongolian Fur stools have been cropping up over the internet for the past few months now and I just love the way they add a bit of glamour to a room. 

However, these bad boys will unfortunately set you back a fair few bob. But why shell out your hard earned cash when you can whip one up of your own in under an hour?!

I'm honestly not exaggerating when I say this really is the easiest DIY piece of furniture you can make. 

You will need:

Foam pad - here

Ikea Frosta stool - here

Mongolian faux fur cushion/faux fur fabric - here

Staple Gun

Adhesive Spray

Bread knife/scissors

1.// Take the seat of the stool and place it on top of your foam pad. Using a marker pen, trace around the edge. Either using scissors or a bread knife, cut out your circle of foam.

2.// Remove the filler pad out of the faux fur cushion. Take the cover and cut off the back piece so you are left with just the front faux fur panel.

2.// On a flat surface lay the square of fabric front side down.

3.// Place the newly cut foam and the seat in the middle of the fabric and trace around perimeter 4 inches from the edge. 

4.// Ensuring your seat and foam is in the middle of the fabric, pull one side of the faux fur up and over the edge and secure to the bottom of the seat with your staple gun, making sure not to cover any of the screw holes where the legs will attach. 

5.// Now take the fabric on the opposite side and pull up and over and staple down again. You must make sure it is pulled nice and tight so you get a good rounding of the edges on the foam pad. 

6.// Once you have completed the top and bottom, repeat for the sides.

7.// Now fill in the gaps, pulling tightly and stapling down so all fabric is secure and flat to the bottom of the seat (as it is a circle, you may need to make tiny folds as you go, but these won't be seen once you flip it back over). 

8.// Trim off any excess fabric.

9.// Finally attach your legs following the instructions provided by Ikea.

Helena xxx

// Cocktails for the Weekend

Keeping-Summer-Going Cocktails

Word on the grape vine is that temperatures are set to rise again this weekend. Something about high pressure coming over from the Caribbean...sounds pretty good to me!

Anyway, I thought I'd take advantage of the good weather by spending the weekend out in the garden with friends drinking cocktails before the UK finally admits defeat and succumbs to Autumn. 

Here are a few of my favourites from around the web:

Blackberry Bramble

Blackberry Gin Sparkler

I don't know about you guys, but near me there are an abundance of early ripened blackberries in all the local hedgerows. So that basically makes these cocktails free, right?

Lava Flow Cocktail

 Strawberry Grapefruit Mimosa

The Ultimate Bloody Mary

And this one is for the morning after....

Have a good one!

Helena x

// Marble Bathrooms

Dayyyyyyym. 

Can these marble bathrooms get any more drool-worthy?!

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Topps Tiles

I found the most amazing herringbone marble tiles from none other than Topps Tiles! Who would have guessed it? They look seriously high-end. 

But I've got an even better surprise....they are currently 15% off too. 

Try to remember to recompose yourself after you've rushed down there. We don't want the sales person thinking you're weird or anything.


Helena xx