A Peek Inside my Wardrobe

Friends and readers have often asked me if I have an overflowing wardrobe. The answer is no, I am constantly editing and refining my wardrobe in keeping with my evolving style. Ever since the move to Edinburgh, we've had a open wardrobe system which has helped with this editing. The first flat we rented had a floor to ceiling clothes rail so *everything* was on display. As I could *see* all my clothes, I started using my wardrobe much more effectively. Our current flat has a nicer feature, an additional room attached to our main bedroom which felt like it was crying out to be a dressing room. It is just over two months since we've moved in to the flat and the room is still a work in progress but I wanted to share what it currently looks like.

My wardrobe is an eclectic collection of good quality building blocks (white cotton shirts and t-shirts, silk shirts and t-shirts), a small collection of skirts/trousers and dresses, plus a handful of special items sourced from vintage/charity shops, designer and designer collaborations. My wardrobe choices, whilst sometimes whimsical and quirky, include good tailoring and bright colours, all put together with some moderation. I love oversized shapes, tongue-in-cheek designs, metallics and bright colours.

My clothes are a mix of high street (Cos, H&M, Zara, Uniqlo) and designer ( Isabel Marant, Alice Temperley, Theory etc.) items.  My accessories are much more widespread  with silk scarves from Moschino, Hermes, Valentino, jewellery from our travels all over the world as well as Bottica and Etsy, bags and shoes from Longchamp (I love them!) Mulberry, Ash, Bloch, Charlotte Olympia, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade and Louboutin). I am eternally grateful to Net-a-Porter sales, flash sale sites such as BrandAlley and Vente Privee, TKMaxx and charity shops (!!) for being able to afford most of my wardrobe. Most of my wardrobe was bought at over 60-80% off marked prices!!

I bought a mannequin off eBay a few years ago (for craft and sewing) and it had been a great addition to my little dressing room. It currently wears a tulle skirt and a few hats. The room also has bits of craft, art and fashion books. I am trying to create a space that inspires me in the morning and somewhere I can go to chill out after a stressful day.

I like displaying some of my favourite wardrobe items on rotation as it's a shame to have them hidden away. Brooches, a couple of bags ( currently it is my Margiela Candy Clutch and Lulu Guinness Lips Bag) and a favourite pair of shoe or two (currently vintage Vivier and Charlotte Olympia) are currently adding cheer to this space. I also use Orla Kiely and Net-a-Porter boxes to store jewellery and other accessories.

I use clear storage boxes to store most of my shoes, except those whose boxes add value ( mostly the designer ones). Also, I've used a coat rack to hang my handbags for years (in their covers) except for a couple of display/utility ones. I use a few clear plastic boxes and a couple of vacuum bags to store out of season clothing and my woolly jumpers. As an added precaution, there are a number of moth-repellent lavender sachets all over the place. 

And, I am constantly travelling and living out of a suitcase  so a nearly-ready suitcase always lives in the room. Whilst travelling, I choose multi-tasking wardrobe items that I can mix and match so i don't need to carry much more than a small suitcase even when if I'm away all week. As an aside, one of my pet peeves is seeing people put used shoes straight into their suitcases ( it drives me nuts!). I am always carrying shoes in their bags and if they don't have bags, I use canvas totes instead.

Finally, I am still on the journey to a proper capsule wardrobe so the next time I do a wardrobe update, I'm hoping there will be fewer items in there.  I'd love to hear how you manage your wardrobes and any tips you may have! Ann x

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The Quick & Easy Way to Make Glass Sparkle

It's been a while since I've done a DIY post and this isn't exactly making up for it. However, it is a super quick, easy and effective DIY to make all your glassy possessions sparkle. Cleaning our lovely wine glass chandelier can be a challenge as it tends to get dusty and at times a little grimy depending on its kitchen location ( it's been in three different homes with us now). I've tried used regular cleaners but they either made the glass cloudy or left it streaky.

I eventually decided to give distilled white vinegar a go and it proved to be a marvelous cleaner. All you have to do is mix equal measures of vinegar and warm water in a washing up bowl and gently rinse the glass. Drain and dry as you would your regular dishes. The difference is remarkable. I've also noticed that the glass tends to stay cleaner for longer after a vinegary wash.

You can also make a spray of the vinegar-water mixture and use as a very effective window cleaner! I've also used it to clean the windows of our old car. Vinegar also deters frost so a spray of this mixture could help either prevent or de-frost your car quicker! And the best bit of all is that this is 100% organic and dirt cheap!

 Have you got any organic cleaning tips you'd like to share? Ann x

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DIY Summer (Tin Can) Candles

As regular readers will know, I've been making candles for about a year or so now.   The old formula still works but I was keen on experimenting a little. A few weeks ago, I noticed the guys at Panda and Sons (my favourite Edinburgh speakeasy) serving cocktails in tin cans and that got me thinking. I did not like the idea of drinking cocktails out of tins cans (and flirting with tetanus) but I did like the concept of using tin cans for something interesting......like homemade candles! All you do is soak off the labels and dry the tin can thoroughly before using it. Alongside these, I also used old Diptyque candle jars and jam jars to make multiple candles. The other twist to my original candle DIY was the use of multiple fragrance oils to recreate the smells of my favourite coffee and of vanilla cupcakes. 

To make these yourself, follow the instructions here but double the amount of fragrance oil. For the special coffee flavour, I used the following combination: 2 tbsp coffee scented oil, 1 tbsp vanilla oil and 1tbsp frankincense. For the vanilla cupcake flavour, I used 2 tbsp chocolate scented oil and 2 tbsp vanilla oil.

Other mods include making the candles in three stages rather than two. I filled the tin can and jars halfway and let it cool. I then used a chopstick to break the surface and release trapped air and topped to three quarters full. I repeated the procedure till the container was filled with wax. I found that the candles seem to last better when made this way.

Will you give candle making a go this summer? Do let me know how you get on! Ann x

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Luxury Scented Candles: Reviews and Buying Tips

Around this time of year, our house is filled with scented candles. I love making our home cosy and fragrant whilst masking the smell of the spicy food we cook regularly. Needless to say, over the years, I've built a reasonable amount of experience around sniffing out not just a great candle but also a really good deal. I've also learnt that you often get what you pay for but not always; there are a few really good but accessibly priced candles out there.  Also, whilst I am partial to natural wax and organic fragrance, this doesn't always result in a great scent.

Cire Trudon: I might as well start with a true luxury candle and my current absolute favourite.  Cire Trudon is possibly the oldest luxury candle maker in the world. I've waited a long time to make this splurge and the recent Selfridges sale was a good excuse. I've read mixed reviews of Cire Trudon so I really wasn't keen on simply 'burning' my hard earned money on a candle that fails to deliver.  The Cire Trudon website lists the fragrance notes in the candle to give you a sense of what to expect. After my online research I was mulling over Spiritus Sancti and Carmelite. I ended up buying Bartolome and it is *divine*! It reminds me of Christmas mass from my childhood in India with its sweet smell of frankincense along with notes of vanilla and vetiver. It is a very comforting smell that quick permeates the room.  It smells wonderful even when unlit. Whilst I cannot claim experience with many more Cire Trudon numbers, this one is most certainly the best candle I've ever tried.

Diptyque: I've been a long time fan for Diptyque because of their great fragrances as well their fashionable containers. However, not all my purchases have been that great. For example, I simply hated the very popular Figuier  candle. However, Baies, Noisetier and Feu De Bois are super fragrances ( in my opinion) and will continue to be popular choices for my home. Diptyque candles generally have good 'throw' and make stylish containers once they are finished. I usually tend to source mine from the Liberty of London sale or in the Selfridges sale.

Rituals: I like the Rituals brand a lot. They are non-flashy and make really good quality, luxurious products at accessible prices. Their Spring Garden candle is a favourite and I had high hopes for the Under the Fig Tree Autumn/Winter candle. However, I was terribly disappointed as it smelt of nothing all the away till the end. I even ask my husband and friends if they could smell it ( just in case my nose was playing up) and they confirmed it smelt of nothing. So, give that one a miss but worth giving the other fragrances in the brand a try.

Jonathan Ward: I discovered Jonathan Ward though a combination of TK Maxx and Achica. The reviews were excellent and they use really good natural products. The containers are beautiful too. I bought Katryusha and Gypsy from the Russia collection, Kiss in Rio and Santissimi Amalfi. Whilst they are all very nice scents in their own right and last well and quickly permeate the rooms they are burning in, the fragrances are rather masculine. I don't mind them in small doses but not something I'd want to burn for too long. However, if you like musky, woody scents, this is well worth trying.

True Grace: My first True Grace candle was an impulse purchase Manchester Trafford Centre. It was called Sacristy and evoked a sentiment similar to that of Cire Trudon's Bartolomeo. It was a beautiful fragrance but not very powerful. It would work in a small cosy room but not necessarily effective in large spaces. That said, I think the candles are reasonable priced and worth checking out. John Lewis stocks them too and it is worth stalking them in the sales.

Neom: I really like the idea of Neom. It is all nastiness free and apparently mood-uplifting. It also makes your home smell like a spa. The latter is not always a good thing. I don't mind an 'oily' smell whilst in a spa but I prefer fresher or richer scents for my home. I have tried Inspiration, Restore and Serenity. I *hated* Inspiration but quite like the subtler scents of Restore and Serenity. Thankfully I paid less than half price so I didn't mind the experimentation too much. If you are a fan of spa scents, this is the candle brand for you. Achica does great Neom sales so keep your eyes peeled.

White Company:  I like the airy, minimalistic aesthetic of White Company. I've tried two of their home fragrances and they were both, in keeping with the brands' style, fresh and beautiful. Compared to the likes of Cire Trudon and Diptyque, they are much more accessibly priced. My only disappointment was that they simply didn't last. I used to burn the candles for about an hour a day and they only lasted a couple of weeks. That is about half the recommended lifetime for the candle. Otherwise, they make lovely fresh scents at accessible prices (especially if you buy in the sale).

To wrap up, here are a few tips on candle buying based on my personal experience.
1. If you fancy a certain type of candle, always do your research and read reviews online in advance. I usually look to makeup alley.com and blogs for reviews. This doesn't always work  as people's perception of scents does often vary but it does help you avoid big mistakes.
2. Go to a shop that stocks them and have a smell.  Do this more than once if you are looking to splurge a little. I have found that my perception of smells sometimes differs depending on the time of day and my own mood.
3. The best deals are usually online and the best sales I find are Harrods, Selfridges and Space NK. The best times for these are around the time of the Boxing Day and Spring sales. Harrods and Selfridges release codes a few weeks before Christmas that work on most brands  If you can't be bothered waiting, have a look on Achica, TK Maxx and Secret Sales for flash sales.

Merry Christmas and happy candle buying in the sales! Ann x

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Inside Our Home: Bringing Spring Indoors

Don't we all love bringing some cheerfulness home? Today I'll give a little peek into our home and show you the little things I'm doing to making fun, homely and spring-worthy.  

Homegrown fresh flowers: Nothing cheers up a space like a bunch of freshly cut flowers. I'm reaping the fruits of my labour on the allotment via the spring flower bed. Whilst I was expecting to bring home bunches of daffodils and tulips, I'm actually loving taking cuttings of  dainty frittilaria and muscari instead. They are so dainty and beautiful and look stunning in jam jars. If you don't have a garden or allotment, try picking wildflowers or spring tree blossoms instead.

Rustic accessories and home plants: The one of the many nice things about Spring is able able to have potted flowering plants like hydrangeas and gerberas. Whilst individual hydrangea stems can be expensive, potted plants are better value and last for a long time. In fact, our potted flowering hydrangea with its rustic pot cost less than buying the same number of individual stems! I chose to mount the pot on top of our rustic wine rack  to create a little shabby chic corner.

Miniature cacti in vintage china: Last year, I picked up some gorgeous miniature cacti from the Columbia Road Market. The cacti cost £1 each ( I haggled a teeny bit) and I scrounged charity shops and antique stores for some beautiful china. I eventually found a perfect set ( each bought separately) for a fraction of what they were going on eBay.

Magic shelves: I know having touch accessories around the house. One of my favourites are floating shelves that make the books appear as if they were floating mid-air. I've had some many compliments from friends and family about them. I love it when people try to figure out they the contraption works. My shelves were from Umbra via Amazon and cost about a tenner each.

Travel souvenirs: Ed and I love travelling. We travel as much as we can, within our means and at the peril of our savings account. However, you can't put a price on experience! We've accumulated a number of travel souvenirs through our journeys and they take pride of place in our home. However, you don't have to travel far to enjoy a bit of culture in your home, you can buy souvenirs for very litte from charity and vintage shops and travel vicariously. I know someone who has a home full of travel inspired objects but hasn't

What are your tips for making your home more fun? I'd love to know. Ann x

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Re-upholstering old chairs

I've been wanting to do something about our dining chairs and table for a while now. Its A metal and glass set which works well in our dining area but age is beginning to show. My husband has had them for several years now and the fabric in the chairs had various stains. I was getting tired of the Vanish routine and decided that we either get rid or do something about these chairs. Then in a moment of inspiration, I checked the bottom of these chairs to figure out how they had been put together and to investigate re-upholstering


 

 I have a stash of fabulous fabrics obtained from the remnant sections of John Lewis et.al. These have been waiting for their destiny via my craft projects. I initially toyed with the idea of a different fabric for every chair, using similar fabrics as in the pumpkin pouffe. However, this just made our compact dining area look even busier so after consulting with the husband I settled for this beautiful white silk fabric. They only cost me £2.20 for all the material and I was pleased to find good use for them.

 What followed was a few nights of sewing and staple gunning and voila!. The finished product is as shown in the photo. So much nicer than the original and at very little cost!