Chilling Essentials for a Clear Mind and a Happy Life

 A Sunday Well spent Brings a week of Content.. wouldn't you agree? I spent this past Sunday morning having a bit of me time. I got up as usual to sort my youngest out with breakfast and then headed back to bed with my coffee to work on some things just for me.

I have said this many, many a time on this blog, but taking time out for yourself should be a given. Its so easy to fall in to the loop of constantly being busy, usually for me its mum/wife type duties, and before i know it i can barely remember my own name.

So i just went ahead and nabbed a couple of bliss filled hours to myself filled with pretty things that i love, and d'you know what? I felt like a new woman after it. I felt i had cleared my head, and arranged my thoughts for the first time in weeks.

So after such a lovely Sunday i thought i'd share my chilling essentials with you in hope that you will find time in your busy life to do the same and take time out just for you:

Chilled Essentials

First up: The comfiest and prettiest pyjamas you own

Ok so i've professed my love for comfy pyjamas, but they really are a must for those major chilled out vibes. You can't get all comfy and cosy in a pair of constricting skinny jeans now can you?

And seeing as my pj's are possibly my most worn items (straight after the school run the 'outside clothes' come off and the comfies go on.. anyone else?), i always make sure to treat myself to some beautiful pairs. I wrote a whole blog post about pj's just before christmas, but there is alwasy more room in my drawer for lovely pyjamas.

My current favourite nightwear options are:

Left: Cat Crazy.. Animal lovers must have
Middle: Nice in Neutral (goes perfectly with my bedroom.. is it wrong to match your decor?
Right: Dreaming of Spring in bloom with these pretties

Next essential: Cosy bed socks or slippers

Pom pom slippers are still my absolute favourites, these are on sale and a complete steal! I've just added to my virtual basket! I don't know if i've ever admitted this before , but i don't feel right when at home unless i have slippers on.both my mum and dad always wear slippers, and they've definitely passed the slipper wearing torch on to me. I always have slippers on my feet. They make me feel at home. My husband however, can't stand things on his feet when at home, choosing to go bare foot  as soon as he can.. What camp do you fall in? To slipper or to bare foot.. that is the question!

Next up: For me its my journal or notepad

I've had a real hard time getting back in to writing and blogging in general since the Christmas break. As a family we have had some upheaval, change and also visitors, so my normal routine of writing when everyone is out the house has been really put out of whack lately. I honestly couldn't even process a coherent thought let alone write anything substantial. And as the days ticked on as quickly as they do, I began to panic about never getting my work mojo back and possibly not having anything to write about or say.

I realise now the problem was not not having anything to say, it was just not taking any time to organise those thoughts. A wave of anxiety kept obliterating any creative flow and each time I thought something, that old sneaky anxiety would creep in and gatecrash. Add in crazy schedules and all the other family drama and you have one fried brain.

So in my comfy pj's, armed with a coffee and some head space, i took out my pretty journal and purple pen (colour optional of course) and started making plans. I wrote everything that was in my head, ideas, concepts, one liners even. I then took out my diary and scheduled in dates for posts, meetings and reminders.

Suddenly it felt like a huge weight had been lifted, the fog had cleared and taken my tension headache with it.

I can not stress how important it is to get your thoughts out.

And of course having pretty stationery helps me completely. 

Lastly: A task that relaxes

Once all your thoughts are out and down on paper, so your mind is free to wander, do something that relaxes you. Maybe its a few episodes on Netflix, maybe its meditation, for me its painting my nails.

I find the methodical painting really therapeutic. Maybe its because whilst i'm painting them, i can literally do nothing else. Concentrating on the sole task is a wonderful thing, especially when you're a serial multi-tasker like me.

What do you do to chillax and re-motivate? Do let me know in the comments. 
Also are you a crazy pyjama lady like me? Or do you opt for fancy sleep wear?

Christmas Preperation.. How do you decorate?

When i was a kid we used to have a few traditions at Christmas: We would always have a chocolate advent calendar, we would put our tree up on the 15th December, and we went all out with the decorations, with big foil garlands across the ceiling and dangly hangings, and tinsel everywhere!
Christmas was a big deal in our house, which i think is the reason why, even as an adult, i absolutely adore the festivities. To me it really is the most wonderful time of the year;)

Needless to say, as soon as Halloween is out of the way, I am already singing Christmas jingles in my head and planning my Christmas decorations.

Would it surprise you if i said, its actually only 46 days until Christmas! That's less than 50 days to get in to the festive spirit, get everything organised and have a jolly good time. Hence why i start so early. Preparation is key.. especially as a family of 5!

So i thought i would bring some festive cheer today and talk all things Christmassy and will hopefully bring a Christmas instalment each week or so, on the run up! Hopefully it may help, even if its just trigger a thought that will help you, or even point you in the right direction of a great tree or the perfect lights.

Preparation at the ready, I am already sourcing some Christmas pieces to make this the best Christmas yet, and wanted to show you some of my festive essentials.

Starting with the focal point of the decorating process. ..The Christmas Tree. High priority, the Christmas tree has to look good. Whether you buy real or artificial, your tree will always be one of the most important decorations. Did you know, when people move house and view potential properties a woman will walk in to the main living room and try and picture where the Christmas tree will go, Its true, it is that important to us. I think it signifies festive fun and love and happiness.. I know, shut up Rachel, its just a tree, but without it, Christmas would not be the same. We have an artificial from here and it is glorious. I would always say, if you're buying a tree, spend a little extra and get the best your budget can afford, especially if its artificial, as it will truly be an investment.

 Again.. an integral part of the festive process. I love sparkly lights, so much so that it doesn't have to be Christmas for me have them up, i indeed have some form of twinkly light up all year round. But come Decemeber, i really up the ante.
These beautiful christmas lights are my absolute favourite. Cox and Cox have some perfect christmas pieces... i was sat for ages flicking through their catalogue that dropped through my door last week.
For me its all about the stars, i love that even though they are super christmassy, i would actually keep a lot of these up all year round. Why not bring some sparkle with you the rest of the years also? The white lights mean these can work any time of year and are perfect for spending a little on, but also getting your monies worth.

 I will confess. I am not a themed decorator. As much as i would love to have a Christmas theme throughout my decorations, i just don't. And the reason for this is that we (the husband and I) have always always let the kids choose all the decorations and where they want to put them. They help decorate the tree and the room and their rooms just how they want it, and they love it. Each year i let them choose out a couple of new pieces each, (there are some amazing items at Matalan), and then we bring out the past years choices also, so that we keep adding to our crazy eclectic collection. Yes it sometimes looks like Christmas threw up all over our house, but they love it. And that's what its about (mostly), the kids.. seeing their little happy faces with what they have decorated.
One day when my children are grown, maybe i'll get to have my own colour co-ordinated Christmas decor ;)

I always have to start at the door, with a festive door mat and wreath, each time I come back to my door i feel a fuzzy festive feeling of home and happiness. I also love that it greets our visitors and neighbours with welcoming warm sentiment.

Image via

This is the first time I'm actually doing this after seeing it on Instagram last year and it looking so cute! Have you ever done Elf on the Shelf with your kids? And if you're like me and lived under a rock not knowing what this whole Elf game is, well google tells me this:

"By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, the scout elf and the family play an on-going game of hide and seek. The Elf on the Shelf explains that scout elves get their magic by being named. In the back of each book, families have an opportunity to write their elf's name and the date that they adopted it."

There are some fantastic ideas on where to put the little chap, i was looking for hours recently, giggling at all the cheeky little elves and what they get up to;)

Now, I may need ideas, as creative i am not (well not in that way). But for my youngest, Neo, I can't wait to see his little face each day when the elf has been up to something funny again.

So tell me.. Do you love Christmas? Do comment below what you love about Christmas and what you start preparing first? A friend said to me last week that shes starts with the Christmas cake and it is her first step in to the festive spirit.

How do you decorate? Is it crazy like me, or do you stick to a lovely theme?

What makes you feel festive, and do you recommend anything for this Christmas fan?

Capsule Must Have: The Shirt Dress

So with thoughts fully in Autumn Capsule zone  I wanted to do things differently this time, instead of the (not so) Grand Unveiling, this time I'm going to focus each week on one particular thing that's in my capsule.

This week it's a style very close to my heart:

SHIRT DRESSES

Oh how I love shirt dresses. Is there anyone that doesn't? They suit so many shapes and sizes, can be dressed up or down and come in a vast array of colours and patterns. 

What's not to love?

My obsession with shirt dresses is simple. 

I like being comfy. I don't like overly tight constricting clothing, it just doesn't sit right with my day to day lifestyle (i.e. sat at my laptop on my lonesome typing away to you dear reader ;). Plus not to sound like a broken record, but any item that is in my #Capsulewardrobe has to work really hard for me. And as i mentioned above, with lots of shirt dresses you can dress them up or down.

Here are some of the shirt dresses from previous capsules.. D'you know what's good? I still love each of these shirt dresses, and two of them are actually in my latest Autumn capsule.

Shall we take a look at some great shirt dresses on the market right now, perfect for an autumn purchase.

First up  Shirt Dresses from House of Fraser

Some absolute beauties here, I was literally spoiled for choice and spent a little too much time picking dresses out. These 5 above and below are my absolute favourites.
All of the above are  your slightly more dressy options, pair with heels or heeled boots and you've got an evening look. Also smart enough for office wear. Pair with some flat loafers and a trench and you have instant weekend wears.. I am absolutely smitten with the white and black polka dot.. isn't it pretty!

Below we have your more day-to day casual dresses. Comfy, classic, never goes out of fashion. The levi's black denim is such a great staple. Its made me think that would be perfect in my capsule.. a piece that could be worn again and again (I'm picturing it with tan boots now and white sneakers come spring!)

Shopbop next bringing us some casual offerings!

 Left: Madewell

Centre: Rails 

Right: Sundry

Picture a cosy weekend in, with a snuggly cardigan on and a lovely checked/plaid dress, al a above.. There's something so endearing about a checked casual dress that symbolises the perfect weekend outfit. My favourite (and one of my favourite brands) is the Madewell dress in buffalo check, red and black: pair with more black, grey or tan.. that is cosy casual done right!

Marks & Spencer are on their A game this season. I have found so many great items in general, and they offer a few shirt dress options too

Left
Centre
Right 

I've picked out smarter options here and all are belted. Perfect for nipping in the waist or creating more accentuated silhouette. The centre is just screaming DVF wrap dress and would like great as office wear or evening wear, the geometric print keeping it modern. I am in love with the boho vibes of the left dress, with tan boots and a fringed bag its a great autumn piece. 

And for the minimalists, the right is perfect. Clean classic and easy to wear.

So you've heard me wax lyrical about Shirt dresses a lot over the years, but tell me, do you love them like i do? And do you own any that you love to wear?

Summer Bags: Think Fringing

Every summer that rolls around see's a more relaxed, casual vibe from myself. I guess it's the ease of dressing, the undone, effortless look, and sometimes the heat, that sends me to an informal style of attire. But i love it; I love the loose layers, those bohemian vibes satisfy my inner Hippie chick.
I have the peasant tops and floaty dresses down pat, but once dressed and heading out the door, I stood for a moment contemplating the perfect summer handbag to accompany the easy-summer look.
Turned out I didn't have one!
And as i grabbed a sub-par bag choice out of necessity, I got to thinking what would be perfect. Something that can be used all year round, but is especially perfect come summer.
The Fringe Bag
Oodles of boho vibes, fun and definitely worth investing in. Fringing has been around for seasons and is quite simply a bag staple these days.. So why don't I have one??
Cue shopping..
I feel like this is a bag I could potentially be using for a long time to come. These days when something is added to my downsized wardrobe, it has to have longevity and be able to withstand multiple seasons and serve many functions ( I mean, its just a bag, but it has to be able to be used a lot)

So I'm starting with a great neutral option for summer that could be used again and again...
Tan. I love a great tan bag. Great with everything including and especially black.

Label Lab Tan Fringe Bag (only 1 left at time of posting.. had to include it though as its so pretty)

It's more satchel version  than I would usually go for but equally appealing on the fringe front. And a pretty small price tag to boot.

Next up and possibly my favourite

 Miss Selfridge Tan bag

Side fringing, crossbody and tan. love, love love. Small price tag too making this a great option for dabbling with fringing.

Backpack versions

Label Lab Black or Khaki Backpack

Infinitely useful through summer. As a mother, having a bag that can carry a lot of stuff(for the kids, for the dog, for me) is always advantageous. Adore the khaki colour-way, it would transcend in to autumn so well.. but then the black is also pretty timeless too.

New season and a pop of colour from Whistles now

 Whistles

Beautiful, right? Being New Season goes to show that once again Fringing will be following us in to autumn and this will make a rather fabulous transitional bag. The red is just divine. Love a red bag. Endless possibilities. Slightly smaller, so perhaps more for those moments when you find yourself sans kids (or all the time if you don't have any ;)

From Small to Big Bags now.. There's a fringe option for all.

Left: Label Lab Black Tote

Right: Kenneth Cole Burgundy bag

Both pretty perfect, but the Kenneth Cole is particularly fabulous, with its deep maroon hue and its also cross-body(my favourite) and has the top handle, so tick tick there.

From big to small but this would make the perfect evening out bag.

Label Lab Black Fringed Clutch

Love the idea of this bringing some interest to an outfit. Gorgeous little bag.

And finally finishing on the wild card..

Canary yellow anyone?

Just Cavalli

Less than half price, but still an investment. Yellow bags just bring such a great pop of colour. I have one (no where near as fabulous as this) and it always makes me happy when I wear it. Instant outfit update and conversation starter.

So there we have the cream of the crop of the Fringed Bags.

What are your thoughts on fringed bags? Love or loathe?

I am now utterly desperate for one as i think it could be a little work horse for me.

Which is your favourite?