Monday, 28 December 2020
Reflecting on 2020 and What It Has Taught me
2020 has been a year like no other. It'll be no surprise that I've been pondering the content of this post for weeks already; wondering where on earth to begin and how to phrase a year that has caused us all so much distress, sacrifice and pain in a positive light. Although it's been a tough year, with each year passing there will always be lessons to learn, things to be grateful for and reflections to be had.
Like others, I've had my low moments this year and at times, I've felt guilty for it. A key lesson I've learned this year is that all feelings are valid. We'll all be going through our own troubles, some will be worse than others but that doesn't mean your problems hurt you any less.
As our normality shut down back in March, I began working from home full time for what I thought would be a maximum of 12 weeks. This time last year, if you'd have told me I'd be working from home for 10 months and still ongoing until further notice, I'd have never believed you. What it has taught me is that I am much more resilient than I give myself credit for, so much so that despite it all, I received a promotion this year. I also recognise the privilege that is working from my home when others may have much tougher conditions to cope with. It may be small, rented and claustrophobic at times, but it's quiet, clean and facilitated with all that I need to continue working. For that, I am very grateful.
In 2020, I realised the sheer strength of my love for my family and friends. Prior to this year, I'd travel home to see my family every 2-4 weeks on average. Due to the several lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions, I have hardly seen them this year. I've had moments of pure frustration. I've felt upset and angry at the time that has been stolen away from us to be together, but my care for them is greater and stronger than anything. Keeping them all safe and healthy is a priority and once the pandemic is over, I'll give them the biggest hug ever (probably sobbing everywhere at the same time).
I'm incredibly lucky to have had my partner by my side this year. He's been the one picking me up in those challenging moments and getting through it all together has been a testament to our love.
Throughout the ups and downs of the last 12 months, the support of my blogging community has remained. Sometimes I find it tough to share my vulnerability online but each time I have shared my soul with you, you've shown me kindness and I am extremely thankful. At times when I've felt alone, you've reminded me that I am not and I hope that I remind you of that too.
It wouldn't be right to talk about 2020 without dedicating thanks to our frontline staff and essential workers. You've really carried our country through this year. Your resilience, hard work and bravery is admirable and no words will ever express our gratitude for the heroes that you are. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for others.
Who knows what 2021 will bring for us but what I do know is that we will face it with the same courage, strength and togetherness that we have faced this year with. I pray for brighter days ahead and I wish you a safe, Happy New Year.
Love,
Evie xxx
Saturday, 12 December 2020
Christmas Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces
Decorating your home for Christmas is such a joy but it can be a challenge within itself, especially if you only have a small space to work with. We live in a one bedroom flat, just the two of us. It's lovely but it's not great on the storage side of things and it can feel a little cramped at times. Although, that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the festive season and Christmas decorating.
Here's some Christmas decorating ideas for small spaces that have helped me decorate our small apartment...
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WREATH DECORATION, FROM FRONT DOOR TO FESTIVE CHEER!
One of the most heart warming decorations to enjoy at Christmas is a festive wreath. Whether you buy a wreath already decorated or decorate it yourself, they're such a delightful, neighbourly sight when you come home at the end of the day. One of my favourite things around this time of year is seeing houses with their festive decorations up, each unique with a personal touch. I don't see why apartments should miss out on that?
I decorated our wreath this year using a wreath kit. I loved every second of getting my creative juices flowing and decorating it exactly how I wanted. Discover my guide, 'How to Decorate a Christmas Wreath' here.
OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE
Coming home to the smell of a real Christmas tree is such a privilege but when you have a smaller space, it makes much more sense to invest in an artificial tree that is easy to set up and store each year. We bought ours from B&Q a few years back and it has served us well so far. I must admit, it was one of the most affordable options and it's a bit dark in colour for my liking but it does the job and looks lovely once decorated. To give it a frosted look, I have invested in a snow spray in the past which worked really well. Having a smaller space, we couldn't invest in a proper tree base because we can't store it easily and it would be wasteful not to keep it for years to come. As a solution, I wrap my faux fur blanket around the base. The blanket is light brown in colour, almost replicating soil and is lovely to lay the presents on.
NUTCRACKER NOSTALGIA
Bringing character and cheekiness are my Christmas nutcrackers. My parents bought us these as a gift and I completely love them! They take me back to being a little girl watching the film 'Barbie In The Nutcracker' on an old school chunky TV. From mini ones to giant ones, just sit them on a shelf or alongside your tree for instant festive fun.
CANDLES FOR FESTIVE AROMAS
When dressing our space for Christmas, I like to consider experience as well as appearance. Although the sight of Christmas decoration ignites such a warm and cosy feeling, the smell of Christmas is equally unbeatable. The warm festive glow and satisfying scents of candles are certainly a key element of festive decor not to be missed.
FESTIVE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
Flowers at Christmas are such a delight! Festive greens and deep romantic reds are one of my favourite combinations for this time of year, along with snowy whites and pretty pinecones. Whether they're a centrepiece for your Christmas Day dinner table or a special gift from a loved one, flowers are a very special touch. Seasonally, you'll find most florists combining beautiful roses with bountiful chrysanthemums, festive foliage and berries at this time of year.
Sunday, 6 December 2020
How to Decorate a Christmas Wreath
For the first time this year, I got stuck in and decorated my own Christmas wreath. Despite the perfectionist in me, I found it surprisingly straight forward and effective. Having a hand in the creation process and personalising it myself certainly made it even more special too.
HERE'S HOW TO DECORATE A CHRISTMAS WREATH...
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You'll need:
- A pack of thin wire (like this)
- A pre-prepared wreath base or wreath kit (I got mine from Bloom & Wild, get £10 off your first order here.)
- Items for decoration
- A bunch of mixed foliage
- Ribbon (I used this one here)
- Floristry scissors (like these)
1. Firstly gather up all your decorative items and separate them into clear piles by type. I used gold sprayed seed heads, pinecones, guinea fowl feathers and a collection of different foliage for mine!
2. Trim your foliage into sprigs around 3-6 inches long in length. You can bunch 2 or 3 sprigs together or keep them separate.
3. Next take one wire and tie it around the base or stem of your decoration. Leave one end of wire two thirds longer than the other and twist the shorter end around the remaining wire so it's neatly concealed. If you're using feathers like me, you should be able to poke these in without needing wire.
4. Placing your wreath on the table in front of you, position the first foliage or decoration pointing clockwise. Once you're happy with the position, feed the wire through the back of your wreath, fixing it around the back with the remaining wire.
5. Carry on adding your decoration and foliage around your Christmas wreath. A good tip is to add your decorations pointing the same direction and evenly space out the different types.
6. Finally tie the ribbon in a bow on the top or bottom of your wreath. You can also tie a smaller length of ribbon in a small hoop at the top on the reverse side to hang your wreath to the door or wall.
If you gave wreath decorating a go after this post, let me know in the comments or tag me at @evieroselane on Instagram!
Saturday, 5 December 2020
Gift Guide for Him: 15 Gifts He'll Love!
Buying for the men in your life can be difficult, especially when they already seem to have everything they need! Find the solution to your gift buying confusion with this gift guide and treat him to a present he'll love this year.
Ad - This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. You can read more here.
15 GIFTS HE'LL LOVE
1. BOSS 'THE SCENT' EAU DE TOILETTE
BUY AT JOHN LEWIS
2. AMAZON FIRE TV STICK
Ideal for every TV lover, this gift allows you to watch catchup TV, Netflix, Prime films and more all on your TV. It's super easy to set up and an essential for any film buff.
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3. REVERSIBLE LEATHER BELT
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4. ALLSAINTS SLIM FIT SHIRT
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5. FITBIT HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER
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6. ADIDAS RUNNING SHOES
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7. MOLTON BROWN SHOWER GEL
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8. BRAUN ELECTRIC SHAVER
9. FIFA 21 XBOX GAME
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10. KEEP CUP STAINLESS STEEL REUSABLE CUP
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11. ACCENTUATE GAME
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12. HUGO BOSS LEATHER STRAP WATCH
13. APPLE AIR PODS & CHARGING CASE
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14. DAVIDOFF 'COOL WATER' EAU DE TOILETTE
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15. ALLSAINTS T-SHIRTS PACK OF 3
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If you've ordered one of these gifts for a loved one or have any gift recommendations you'd like to add, let me know in the comments below or tag me at @evieroselane on Instagram.
Friday, 27 November 2020
Gift Guide For Her: 20 Gifts She'll Love!
Whether you're shopping for your sister, your Secret Santa, your best friend, or your partner, it can be a struggle to find a gift that you know they'll love within your budget. This gift guide for her presents 20 gift ideas for the lady in your life at a range of price points to help you find the perfect present this year.
Ad - This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. You can read more here.
20 GIFTS SHE'LL LOVE
1. SATIN PYJAMA SET WITH MATCHING SCRUNCHIE
Comfy and cute, this long sleeve pyjama shorts set from Topshop is a lovely gift. With a hair accessory to match, this nightwear combination will make her feel and look great!
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2. MAC LIPSTICK
Another great gift to make her feel fabulous is a MAC lipstick. Available in a range of shades and the ultimate makeup accessory, this gift makes for a great stocking filler or main gift depending on your budget. If you're unsure of shade, I'd recommend sneaking a peek at your recipient's existing lipstick collection to see what shades they like to wear most. Alternatively, opt for a safer option like a nude tone similar to their natural lip colour.
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3. ARMANI 'MY WAY' EAU DE PARFUM
This new perfume from Armani is a sweet floral explosion. This positive scent oozes confidence and sophistication and comes complete with a beautifully designed refillable bottle.
4. BENEFIT 'THEY'RE REAL' MASCARA
Notorious in the make up world for lengthening natural eyelashes, this mascara is a must have! If she's a makeup fan, she'll certainly love this.
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5. TWIST KNOT SHOULDER BAG
If your recipient loves keeping up with style trends and buying the latest garments, she will love this trending accessory. The shoulder bag has made an epic comeback this year and this knotted style is a new fashion favourite!
BUY AT TOPSHOP
6. NUDE NAIL POLISH TRIO
What's better than one nude nail polish? Three nude nail polishes! This cute trio makes a lovely stocking filler or Secret Santa gift.
7. SHOOTING STAR HAIR CLIP ACCESSORY
This dainty clip is a perfect stocking filler or Secret Santa gift for those that love styling their hair. With a bejewelled design, this hair clip will certainly sparkle up their Christmas.
BUY AT ACCESSORIZE
£12.00
8. BOBBLE HAT BEANIE
Available in grey and cream, this knitted bobble hat beanie is a gift they'll love wearing. To keep them warm and cosy, this accessory is a great gift for the colder months.
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9. DIPTYQUE SCENTED CANDLE
Diptyque candles are a luxurious gift. The candles are priced towards the higher end of budgets but their iconic design and range of scents make them a wonderful gift for her.
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10. 'BLOOM FOR YOURSELF' BOOK
April Green's book 'Bloom For Yourself' is filled with poetic writing surrounding the topic of self love and healing. It speaks the words you may not be able to find and is a soothing book that can be revisited time and time again. It's a meaningful gift for anyone going through a difficult time.
BUY AT AMAZON
£8.36
11. 'BLOOM FOR YOURSELF: LET GO AND GROW' BOOK
The second book in April Green's 'Bloom For Yourself' series is a poetic reflection on letting go of the things holding you back, moving forward and allowing yourself to grow. Another meaningful gift for someone special this year.
£9.00
12. DAISY LONDON HOOP EARRINGS
I don't know a woman who doesn't like jewellery! This geometric pair of earrings is a modern take on the classic gold hoops and a beautiful gift for her.
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13. URBAN DECAY NAKED BASICS 2 EYESHADOW PALETTE
A small yet essential eyeshadow palette that allows you to create day to night looks with subtle yet glamorous shades.
A personalised, sentimental gift to be filled and curated with your favourite memories and photos. This will certainly make them feel loved!
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15. MOLTON BROWN FESTIVE BAUBLE
Filled with fragrant luxurious bath soak, this sparkling bauble can be hung on the tree until it's ready to use on Christmas Day. A perfect stocking filler or Secret Santa gift!
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16. HOTEL CHOCOLAT CHAMPAGNE TRUFFLES
This luxurious duo of pink and classic champagne truffles will certainly make their mouth water!
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17. SHEEPSKIN SLIPPERS
Warm and comfortable, these sheepskin slippers are high quality, long lasting and make for a lovely present.
BUY AT JUSTSHEEPSKIN
£60.00
18. CUSTOM MADE PRINT
This is a great gift idea for your bestie, sister or partner. Simply select a photo of you together that you both love and have it made into an artistic print!
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19. NEOM CANDLE
Give them the gift of uplifting scent this year. From Neom's 'Scent to Make you Happy' range, this candle is designed to inspire wellbeing benefits through its mood boosting fragrance.
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20. GARNIER MOISTURE BOMB FACE SHEET MASKS
The pamper queen will love this gift in her stocking this year! This trio of 15 minute face masks are designed to treat tired skin with relaxing, hydrating benefits.
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If you've ordered one of these gifts for a loved one or have any gift recommendations you'd like to add, let me know in the comments below or tag me at @evieroselane on Instagram.
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