Pinspiration :: Blinds

Images sources 1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4

Window treatments are not something I get excited about. Painting, adding in textiles and hanging things on the walls are all things that I love to look at and gain inspiration from but curtains and blinds are merely a necessity. Lately I've realised just how much they can transform a space and I've been looking at blinds and curtains everywhere to bring a little more texture to a room.

All of the windows in my house either have a plain white voile at the window or a lace net. The voiles are great because they let in much needed light and you can see out but people outside can't see in. With Autumn approaching I'm thinking they just may not be warm enough and so I'm looking into blinds and curtains to go beneath or over the voiles.

Blinds in the kitchen is where I'm beginning. I have a back door with a window in that freaks me out every time I walk past it at night (too many horror films, I guess) and so that's the first job. I love the selection at VELUX and Dunelm but I'm also going to look at how to make my own because I have some beautiful fabric just sitting in my office waiting for inspiration to strike.

What do you prefer: curtains, blinds, nets, voiles or a combination? Leave me some inspiration in the comments!

Explore || Essex

Image souce: here

When you mention Essex most people think a fair few things: The Only Way Is, Educating, tans, Sugarhut, vajazzles, near London. I'm not kidding, those are what my friends and family members came up with, six of whom have actually been to Essex for more than a few days. Of course, it isn't fair to judge an entire city on a few stereotypes, clubs and TV programmes and really, there's more to it than that. There are some great days out to be had in Essex whether you're all for family trips, weekend breaks or off on a photography venture. The photo above? Taken in Essex. Beautiful isn't it?

Image source: here

PLACES TO STAY

► Warners Farm is a luxury B&B that looks just the place for a cosy weekend away.
► Zig Zag Cottage looks so inviting with its country aesthetics.
► Little Hallingbury Mill is definitely on my must-stay list.

THINGS TO DO WITH CHILDREN

► Clacton Pier.
► Mistley Place Park.
► Colchester Zoo.
► National History Museum.

WALKS & PHOTOGRAPHY

► Belhus Woods Country Park.
► Lexden Earthworks & Bluebottle Grove.
► Hadleigh Country Park.
► Cudmore Grove Country Park.

Essex are running a competition called Rural Escapes to celebrate the great Essex countryside and this weeks prizes include a luxury weekend break including staying in a boutique hotel and a game of four ball golf and a short break of up to ten people at a luxury lodge. All you have to do is explore a map of Essex and answer a question about rural Essex to be in with a chance of winning one of these prizes! Sound like something you'd be interested in? Visit Rural Escapes to enter!

The Boyfriend Style Venture

Source: 1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4

Boyfriend is twenty eight and is stuck in a little bit of a style rut. He favours wide cut trousers,  t-shirts and trainers all in a size or three two big so much so that you can fit another human in there with him. He favours comfort over style and when he has to dress up a little more you can see the discomfort in the lines on his face. His go-to is a pair of black trousers cinched in to the correct size with a belt, an oversized white shirt tucked in and a tie and he does look good but often we both wonder if he looks good only because it's such a departure from his regular look as it's so ill-fitting.

So I'm on a mission to carve him a wardrobe that looks stylish and put together without being restricting or making him feel uncomfortable. Skinny jeans and slim fit trousers are out, anything with big brand logos are out and shoes will need to be plain and practical as he hates a good old pointed toe or a classic pair of boat shoes. Thinking ahead to A/W it's all about layers so coats, jumpers and boots are on the agenda and I'm turning to Pinterest for inspiration for the shopping basket while boyfriend has been browsing Espirit.co.uk for some new purchases.

He's built like a rugby player with broad shoulders and a broad chest but slim muscular legs and a lot of styles that he thinks look great on other people just don't suit him when he puts them on as he's a very different body type.
Whatever comes of boyfriend's new style venture, I've learned that dressing men can be just as difficult as dressing women. Their sizes may be better organised but when you're a body type that doesn't fit categorically into the standard sizing it can be just as difficult for a good fit as it can for me when I try to dress my rather annoying body shape.

But the big no? "Strangle-some scarves". They're a thing.

Pinspiration :: The Boyfriend Style Venture

Source: 1 :: 2 :: 3 :: 4 Boyfriend is twenty eight and is stuck in a little bit of a style rut. He favours wide cut trousers,  t-shirts and trainers all in a size or three two big so much so that you can fit another human in there with him. He favours comfort over style and when he has to dress up a little more you can see the discomfort in the lines on his face. His go-to is a pair of black trousers cinched in to the correct size with a belt, an oversized white shirt tucked in and a tie and he does look good but often we both wonder if he looks good only because it's such a departure from his regular look as it's so ill-fitting.
So I'm on a mission to carve him a wardrobe that looks stylish and put together without being restricting or making him feel uncomfortable. Skinny jeans and slim fit trousers are out, anything with big brand logos are out and shoes will need to be plain and practical as he hates a good old pointed toe or a classic pair of boat shoes. Thinking ahead to A/W it's all about layers so coats, jumpers and boots are on the agenda and I'm turning to Pinterest for inspiration for the shopping basket while boyfriend has been browsing Espirit.co.uk for some new purchases.

He's built like a rugby player with broad shoulders and a broad chest but slim muscular legs and a lot of styles that he thinks look great on other people just don't suit him when he puts them on as he's a very different body type.
Whatever comes of boyfriend's new style venture, I've learned that dressing men can be just as difficult as dressing women. Their sizes may be better organised but when you're a body type that doesn't fit categorically into the standard sizing it can be just as difficult for a good fit as it can for me when I try to dress my rather annoying body shape.

But the big no? "Strangle-some scarves". They're a thing.