Christmas Bedroom

This year I went searching for a Christmas duvet set and there are lots available!  I ended up getting this stag duvet set from Matalan.  It's 100% brushed cotton, which was important as I don't like poly cotton duvet sets.  It is soft, comfortable and makes my room look very festive!

I was given this Christmas Bear a couple of years ago from my boyfriend and decided it would go well with my christmas themed bed this year.

I got this stag cushion last year from Cargo, but there are so many great Christmas cushions around this year too.  I've seen quite a few in Sainsbury's, and in lots of shops online quite cheaply.

The checkered pyjamas set are a favourite of mine as they are super soft and warm, and they were from Topshop.  I also love red at Christmas as it is so jolly!

These curtain fairy lights were £9.99 which I think is a good price for fairy lights and you can usually get them in most shops like Wilko or Homebase.

I hope you enjoyed my Christmas Bedroom and it helps you feel a bit more festive this year!

Weaving Project

This is one of the weaves I have produced recently for a project.  In this weave I used lots of rya knots to create a fringed effect, and wove the rest with a plain weave but changing my yarn colour often.

I made my own loom using a canvas frame and hammering nails in the top and bottom where I could thread my warp threads ready for weaving.  Ensure that the nails are not too far apart, you want the warp threads to be quite close.  I staggered my row of nails so the warp threads could be closer together.

I think using the traditional weaving techniques you can create really beautiful and tactile pieces that look much more modern.

Makeup Favourites for the Christmas Season

Here are some of my favourite makeup products that I will be using all through this Christmas season.

1. Chanel Lipstick - Rouge Allure 98 Coromandel

A red lipstick is a staple part of my Christmas makeup bag, and this one is the perfect shade for winter this year.  It is smooth and hydrating, not drying out your lips which is important in the cold winter months, and will be perfect for a Christmas party.

2. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder - 1 Fair

This powder sets my foundation all day with a smooth matte finish, and is as light as air.  It is not a powder foundation so don't expect a lot of coverage, but it gives a beautiful setting finish to your makeup look.

3. Essie nail polish - Fishnet stockings

More red - it is Christmas! I love having festive red nails at this time of year, and I have to say this Essie nail polish is one that has lasted on my nails without chipping for much longer than most, and is a cheery red shade perfect for Christmas.

4. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - Blackest black

This is my favourite mascara and has been for a number of months now, it sweeps through every single lash, and gives incredible volume whilst still lengthening.

5. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

I use this palette all year round, however I have particularly loved the colour Half Baked recently as it is a warm golden colour that is perfect for the Christmas season.  This palette is brilliant as you can use it for everyday makeup but also create a smoky eye for the evening.

Let me know your favourite makeup products for Christmas time!

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Christmas Sugar Cookies

The other day I made this enormous pile of Christmas sugar cookies that I have since been gradually eating my way through.  These are fun, quick, easy to bake and taste delicious.

I used the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook sugar cookies recipe, and it made a lot more cookies than I expected!  I used different cookie cutters keeping the christmas theme with an angel cookie cutter, a snowflake, two sized stars and a mini gingerbread man.  I decorated the gingerbread men with red and white striped icing like candy canes, and the other cookies with a pale icy blue colour.

As christmas is coming up, you could make a large stack of these delightful biscuits and wrap them in cellophane bags with a big bow.  These would make a wonderfully tasty gift for a friend or family member.

What I'm Wearing Today - Everyday makeup

This is my everyday makeup look at the moment for Autumn/Winter this year that is quick for me to put on in the morning and is filled with some of my favourite products right now.  I often go for a nude pink lip colour for everyday makeup but am feeling festive as the christmas season is on it's way so I opted for a slightly darker berry shade.

Products I'm wearing:

Face:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in the colour Buff

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair Shade 1

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder in Fair 1

Nars Blusher in the colour Orgasm

Collection Speedy Highliter

Eyes

From the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette the eyeshadow Half Baked

Kiko Eyeshadow Colour Sphere number 30

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in 01 Blackest Black

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara 

Brows:

Maybelline Brow Drama in medium brown

Rimmel London Eyebrow Liner in the colour Hazel 002

Lips:

EOS Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry

Topshop Lip Bullet in the colour Cherry Tree

Patchwork cushions

A friend gave me a pile of fabric samples the other day, and so I decided to create these beautiful patchwork cushions out of them.

Makeup Bag

I had a productive day in front of the telly the other day and made this makeup bag!  It is perfect to store all of my everyday makeup, and will be good to pack on holiday.

I created two zipped compartments, the bottom with a gusset to allow extra space, and at the top i created a space to store my makeup brushes.  I did not use a commercial pattern, I just created my own as I made it and it turned out well!

Sunday Lunch

On Sunday I went on a bike ride with friends to a pub and had this delicious burger and chips by the canal!

Porridge Breakfast Topped with Banana and Agave Syrup

This morning I wanted something sweet, so I made porridge topped with banana and agave syrup - a healthier alternative to golden syrup.  It was a tasty start to the day!

Mango and Banana Smoothie

Last night I wanted a yummy energising drink to get me through the evening and I made this mango and banana smoothie which was delicious!

Toy Story Alien Costumes

It was recently my last day at school where everyone in the year dresses up.  I went as the aliens from Toy Story with eleven other people (only eight of us in the photograph below) and created all of the costumes for the group.

In order to make the hats, I stitched felt shapes onto the green beanies we had ordered, before glue gunning half polystyrene balls onto the front and drawing pupils onto them.  Lastly I stuck a pipe cleaner through the top for the antenna.

For the rest of the outfit I ordered green gloves and blue dresses and leggings.  I then make a belt with a tie back out of blue fabric and stitched a felt buckle onto the front.  I also made purple felt collars which I stitched to the necklines.  I also printed out the alien's logo, laminated them and added a safety pin to the back so we each had badges!

Here is a closer view of one of the outfits.

The outfits were such a success and we all had a great day!

1960's Coat

Almost a year ago now I made a 1960s coat for part of my first year in Textiles A-level.  I used a grey wool herringbone fabric with a pink patterned lining.  There are two large pockets on the front, bound button holes and a large collar.

Here are the photographs of my finished product!

Last Night's Salmon Dinner

A simple, hearty meal last night.  I baked sweet potato fries which were delicious and served them with a salmon fillet and tender-stem broccoli.  A perfect end to the day.

Salmon fillet, Sweet potato fries and tender-stem broccoli drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Brown Rice and Chicken Salad Lunch

Lately I am trying to be more healthy, and this lunch I had today was simply delicious!  I had this in between revising for my exams (which are next week!) and it feels great to fill my stomach with meals like this one rather than junk food as I and many other teens going though A-levels turn to on a regular basis.  It doesn't take long to whip up a scrumptious salad like this one and you will feel healthy and energised afterwards!

Brown rice, chicken, feta cheese and lots of greens.