Fashion for the office - on a budget

So here we go for round two!

This week we have a classic, black pencil dress. And let's be honest - you can't go wrong there..

To add an interesting element, it's styled with pink accessories.. It's a bit outside my comfort zone, but I really like the idea of it! What do you reckon?

Dress £20 // Scarf £12 // Belt £5 // Heels £29

Make it a good one

Morning!

Hope you're feeling good and ready to take on another week..

If not, I found some words of wisdom for you:

It's up to you, but I'm going to do my best to make this a great week!

Happy thoughts and all that jazz..

-C

DIY key holder

My love of simple, yet clever DIY ideas is endless!

I've seen something like this before, but thought I would give it a go, and here's the result!

I actually had this frame already, as I had planned to give it to my sister. The fact that it has keys on it is just a bizarre coincidence. But hey, it works, right?!

All you need is a picture frame, a small hook and somewhere to hang it on the wall - unless you of course have a table to place the frame on.. That would be my choice... If I had a table...

Hope you liked it :)

-C

Fashion for the office - on a budget

So we all want to look good at work, right?

We sure spend enough hours there.. But am I the only one begrudging money spent on "business attire"??

Hoping I'm not, I figured I would make a weekly feature - called fashion for the office on a budget..

First up; this little number from Sainsbury's.. The dress and earrings comes in at less than £30.. throw on some black heels and a cardi if you're cold and you're good to go!

I also love how you can wear this dress now, while it's still nippy, but it'll also be perfect for spring and even summer. For spring, style it with a belt and heels in a lovely camel colour..

What an all-rounder!

Dress £22 // Earrings £6

-C

DIY mani with a twist

I never get my nails done as I am simply too much of a control freak.

I don't like the way they file my nails and I'm never happy with the result!

For the most part, I have natural looking nails - I swear by Rimmel Stronger double duty base coat and I get lots of questions and compliments.. So as I am venturing outside my comfort zone, I thought I would show you this DIY mani..

You can use whichever colours you want, but I've opted for a nude base with a black crackle effect varnish, both from BarryM.. And I've finished it off with a coat of the base coat I mentoned - it works like a charm :)

So get your nails prepped, then apply however many coats you need of your main colour.. Then get your crackle effect varnish and apply to the tips of your nails. If you want, use some nail tape to get an even look on all your nails - I didn't have any at the time so you can easily go without...

Easy peasy, and oh so cheap!

-C

That Monday morning feeling

Enough said!

Nostalgia

As I was in Mauritius for my 25th, this gift was waiting for me at home in Norway when I went for Christmas..

Isn't it lovely? It's a porcelain jewellery box which my great grandad picked up in London in 1953!

He bought one for my great grandmother and one for my nan, and she decided to give hers to me..

I absolutely love it and it is such a great keepsake! It's even more special as I was fortunate enough to have my great grandad until I was in my teens, so I remember his pink shirts, his black plastic framed glasses and his smell very well..

Take care of those you love!

-C

Sunday tips

Oh how I love Sundays!

Lazing about in bed, catching up on blogs, drinking too much coffee <3

If you plan on not leaving your house today, why not wrap yourself up on your couch for some tv drama? I know I will..

Just stopping by to share some of my favourites really - maybe you'll find something you haven't watched yet?

White Collar

I mean, check this guy out..

Enough said, really.. But I'll give you some info; 

Neal Caffrey, is a really good  thief. But when Neal is captured after a three-year game of cat and mouse with the FBI, he makes a deal with agent Peter Burke: a work-release program. Caffrey will work with the white collar section of the FBI as a consultant in exchange of probation.

Nashville

Now this one is way out of character for me.. I HATE country music, but somehow this really works.. I am totally addicated!!!

Set against the backdrop of the Nashville music scene, the new drama revolves around a 40-year-old superstar Rayna Jaymes, whose star begins fading. She is forced to team up with Juliette Barnes on tour in order to maintain her label's support for her latest record, whose sales have been underwhelming.

Suits

You need to watch this one! It has it all - wits, drama, love triangles... Love it!

While running from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant young college-dropout, slips into a job interview with one of New York City's best legal closers, Harvey Specter. Tired of cookie-cutter law school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after he recognizes his raw talent and photographic memory.

Enjoy!

-C

Planning

Well hello, how are you?

I'm flying solo today, as my very important boss man of a boyfriend is busy working..

So today I've sorted gifts out for my beautiful little niece's very first birthday, tidied my flat and am now planning some weekends away.. I've got all the essentials; Lonely Planet, coffee and Ferrero Rocher..

In the next couple of months, I will be going to Shrewsbruy, Edinburgh and then Paris :)

Oh, my heart skips a beat just thinking about Paris, it's just so romantic! Last time we went, though, it was pretty much pouring down the whole time, so I am definitely hoping for some better weather this time around!

Laduree, I am coming for you!!! And I'm staying right around the corner <3

Hope you're enjoying your Saturday afternoon!

-C

Simple DIY candles - What boredom can do to you

You know what I said the other day about getting back in touch with my creative side?

Well, this is what happened the other night, when I was extremely bored, and generally unmotivated..

All you need is a pair of scissors, a few candles and some washi tape and bish, bash bosh, you've got yourself a customised little treat.. Gotta love a simple DIY idea, right?

Well, if nothing more, it kept me occupied for a little while..

Hope you liked it..

Later!

-C

Home office inspo

Whilst working from home yesterday (from bed for the most part), I was daydreaming of a time where I was running my own business from the comfort of my own dream house..

Oh, I'm sure I would be rich, talented and very, very important if I just had an office like this:

Or this:

Or this:

Oh a girl can dream!!

One day..

For more inspo, why dont't you visit my home office inspo link on Pinterest..

-C

Today's mantra

I know it's bad, with us not being half way into the first month of the year and all, but I am SO unmotivated these days!!

I seriosuly need to sort myself out, so I've decided to make a pact with myself;

I mean, come on - it's Friday!!

There's only a few more hours until I can relax and enjoy two days of peace..

Have a great one!

-C

New beginnings

Hi all,

That means, if there's anyone still out there reading my blog.

I must admit that I fell victim to corporate preassure last year, and pretty much lost track of my personal life.. Oh well, that was soo 2013. New year, new beginnings, right?! What a cliche

Anyways, I figured I should find a new creative outlet to get my work/life balance back on track.. So besides revisiting this blog, I've listed a few  photographs on Etsy, so head on over and show some support, why don't you :)

Amongst others, you'll find this picture of a Hindu God, which was taken on a recent trip to Mauritius. I'm actually quite proud of it! Let me know what you think..

Hope you're all having a great start to the year!

See you soon..

-C