Wednesday Wishlist #1 | Homeware

A new thing here on AMB. What I’m currently coveting from the worlds of wellbeing, beauty, interiors, fashion and everything in between.

This week, it’s all about doing some serious purchasing for the home. We’ve been in our flat over 3 years now and are in desperate need of some updates. That whole back-to-school mentality hasn’t just got me craving a fierce new Autumn wardrobe but a new look in our flat too - like the complete opposite of a Spring clean haha.

One thing we’ve already purchased is a stellar new rug for the lounge which we can’t wait to arrive (we searched high and low for the perfect grey rug, and La Redoute came good - who knew they did homeware?)

Here’s what else is on the wish list to spruce things up:

1. Copper Photo Frame from Posh Totty Designs (also loving their Copper Hexagonal Mirror, pleeease come back into stock!)
2. Metal Framed Mirror from West Elm. Many heart-eyed emojis for this beaut
3. Gold-toned Hangers from Zara Home
4. Braided Storage Baskets from H&M Home 
5. Yet another copper mirror (vain much?) from the always gorgeous Rockett St. George

Definitely having a copper love-in at the moment accessory-wise. And who says you can’t have chic clothes hangers? Those Zara versions maybe a bit pricey are a damn sight better that their plastic counterpart and will actually keep some shape to your clothes.

Are you sprucing up or switching up your home look? Having a major copper moment like me? Hit me up with items you're loving. 

Weekend Treats

Me and the boy ventured to Tynemouth Market yesterday. We haven't been for a while so I was looking forward to getting some new bits! However, a lot of the usual traders weren't there which was disappointing, so there were only a couple of stalls selling what I usually go for. We ended up getting this very small St. Peppers alarm clock and Joe got some new records including The Beatles' White Album (which had some amazing individual portraits of the Beatles inside, so we're going to frame them when we find a flat and hang them on the wall.

The rest of the weekend has been spent making soup for the week ahead and having a nice relax; have a busy week coming up at work then off to London for the Top Drawer show on Friday, where we're creating physical trend features to showcase trends for Spring/Summer 2011 and Autumn/Winter 2011/12, so I've had a very busy couple of weeks sourcing props, sorting press samples for the show and designing a trend guide for the show. Can't wait to see everything in place! Expect to see some photos next Sunday.

Inspiration: Miss Capricho

Images © Miss Capricho

Found these beautiful images (via Oh Joy) of Miss Capricho's absolutely stunning illustrations. I especially love the Louis Vuitton girl with the bunny ears. Love the simple lines and fantastic use of colour. These will now be adorning my studio wall - feeling very inspired by them!

Image © Miss Capricho

Resolute and Resolve

It's that time of year when we all make New Year's Resolutions...and then instantly seem to break them. This year I'm not so much as making resolutions, but more like having goals and ambitions for the year ahead. So here are a few of my plans for this year...

1. Complete the Great North Run - have always wanted to run this, for Help for Heroes or Asthma UK, and the run goes past the end of my road in South Shields, so I'm going to start training very shortly, which be be a killer but all worth it in the end.

2. Be fit, happy and healthy.

3. Push on with my blog - I've gained a fair few followers over the past couple of months and really want to start a regular document of what I'm up to.

4. Redesign my website and portfolio - these need SERIOUS attention, as haven't really touched them since I finished uni.

Sorry this is a bit of a boring post, but I need these ambitions cemented so I actually achieve them!

2011 Celebrations: Cafe 21 and Hotel Du Vin

Happy New Year all!

For the end of 2010, and start of 2011, me and the boy booked a posh night out in Newcastle: dinner at Cafe 21, followed by MANY drinks and a stay at the absolutely fabulous, Hotel Du Vin on Newcastle's Quayside.

Neither of us had stayed in Hotel Du Vin before, and as it is a bit further up the Quayside than most people usually venture, we weren't sure how busy it would be. 

The hotel itself is set in the industrial bit of the Quayside; I absolutely loved the setting! It has views over an old ship building yard and some of Newcastle's architectural gems can be seen from this end of the Quayside - beautiful Victorian buildings which aren't often seen!

After our meal, we ventured back to the hotel bar for a couple of drinks and it was VERY busy - alot of people were waiting to go into the bistro for their New Year's Eve meal. The menu looked lovely but as we booked quite late, the restaurant was fully booked.

Here are some photos I took of our room, the grounds and surroundings of Hotel Du Vin, Newcastle.

How did everybody else celebrate New Year?

Happy New Year!

Google Images

Tonight I'll be bringing in the New Year with a meal at Cafe 21 in Newcastle, followed by drinkies and a stay at Hotel Du Vin with my amazing boyfriend. Can't wait to see what 2011 brings! Have a lovely night everybody

Mistletoe and Wine.

I have had a festive filled couple of weeks and been working very hard, so haven't had any time to update my blog!

Have had 2 lovely weekends in Corbridge with my parents stocking up on Christmas goodies from The Corbridge Larder and of course RE: (where I pretty much bought all of the shop!) including beautiful wooden heart gift tags for presents, which I also used last year, and some lovely things for myself! Well it is Christmas.

Had some very good news this week as well - my boyfriend was meant to be working away for Christmas but his company let him finish early so he's now back and I have him for Christmas, New Year and my birthday in January! Ecstatic beyond belief - really wasn't looking forward to Christmas knowing he was away on a barge in the cold Baltic sea but now he can enjoy the festive season properly.

Work has been super busy - we have a big trade show next month which we're creating 4 physical trend features for so I've been sourcing props and trying to scrounge free expensive wallpaper from big companies! Not doing too badly at the minute but will still have lots of work to do on it after Christmas. It's going to be a fantastic show and I'll reveal more in January.

Hopefully, will have some more pictures up tomorrow of Christmas Eve festivities in the Barnes/Millican household :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

xxx