pay day wish list..

so i've been spending some of my wages before they go into my bank account, now some of these are my future uniform choices from miss selfridges and the others are an absolute must have..roll on next week!

1. miss selfridge slinky tunic tee £22 2. topshop suede pouch bag £28

3. topshop blue bobble jumper £36 4. h&m gold ring set £2.99

5. miss selfridge velvet cami dress £45

6. h&m glitter nail varnish £2.99 7. stila black eye liner £13

8. george chelsea boots £20

has anyone ever tried the stila eye liner? is it worth the money? anyone else spent their wages before payday?

samantha xo

anthropologie drool list..

i made the mistake of visiting the anthrpologie website and now i want everything! being in england i've only ever seen it featured on other blogs and diys on pinterest! to be honest i saw a few things which i thought would be very easy to make! so until i have the time to try my hand at a project.. heres some of the home stuff i fell in love with! 

samantha xo

DIY Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland for under £1..

so I thought i'd have a go at making some tissue pom pom's after seeing some at a wedding the other weekend! they were easy and i found everything i needed to know about making them on pinterest (of course) and here is the result..

i won't add a tutorial because there are so many good ones about but the basic principle is to pleat seveal sheets of tissue paper (i used 6 which measured 9x13" which is a little bigger than an A4 sheet of paper) tie a piece of string around the middle, i added a bit more length so i could tie it to make a garland, and then using some sharp scissors cut a rounded petal shape to each end and then carefully so not to tear the tissue paper, unfold it until you are happy with the end result!

the tissue paper i used was from the works and i bought 100 sheets for 99p! in lots of different colours! bargain! this tissue paper is quite thick so i would definitely recommend the thinner stuff and using more layers you'll create a more fuller look! so after i had made my pom poms i just tied them all to a length of string and popped it up and i'm super happy with it! i used colours of similar tone to they compliment each other but would look just as lovely all in the same colour or a mix or three etc! 

hope you like it! 

samantha xo

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good..

I went to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and it was AMAZING! I'm going to post one or two photos when my batteries have charged! I won't post too many as I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't been but.. WOW. It left me feeling a little inspired so here you go!

what do you think? i might have to print this off and put it in a frame! 

samantha xo

lusting after my long lost fringe..

so i've been attemping to grow out my fringe because i wanted a change ie a centre parting but truth is i'm bored and miss my old blunt fringe! and i'm debating cutting it back in again so i had a little look on pinterest (no suprise) and after having to embrace the tiny bit of american within i searched for bangs and this was the result! i didn't pick brunette ones on purpose but guess you are attracted to styles similar to your hair colour.. who knows!

now where did i put my scissors?

samantha xo

to be creative that is the question..

so i just found a job vacancy i think i'll be really good at! now i've been unemployed since i returned from travelling and i HATE it! i hate not having anything to do and no money, on one hand its been amazing to have some time to feel creative but on the other hand bored bored bored! i have however in my recent failures of not getting interviews from my CV, done lots of research, spoken to some lovely careers advisors via webchat on the national careers website so after i spending a few days working on the perfect way to sell my accomplishments in the workplace and make myself sound amazing i still really wanted to have an aspect of me on my cv, sooo i stitched my cv and cover letter to some beautiful coloured paper, as soon as i sent it in the post i thought maybe i should have played it safe and just sent it on normal paper, but either way i'm hoping the hiring manager will think wow how lovely of her to take all the time to do this and give me a call for an interview..i have everything crossed! so here is a little snippet of the result..

what do you think? has anything different like this got you a job you were perfect for? any opinions would be amazing! 

samantha xo

these are a few of my favourite things..

after seeing some wonderful posts of people showing off their homes on a beautifulmess it made me sad, for one i'm living with my mum, which i appreciate 100% but until i have some money i can't afford to move out and put my mark on somewhere! for now though, i can collect and show off things around my bedroom and cannot wait to display them somewhere special when me and the boy move in together! so for now heres a little look at the colourful things that brighten up my room..

this frame was a gift from my boyfriend on our first valentines day i think and the rabbit has underwent a little makeover when its 'furry' skin when i bought it (ages ago from paperchase ) was falling off, its actually a money box but i love him!

another animal but this one is glittery, this lovely flamingo is from paperchase and what some of my nail varnishes are sitting on is a gorgeous vintage plate cake stand which i got from a lovely art and craft fair the other week and it only cost me £5 from this lovely lady at dawn magpie creations

my lovely ukulele, it's made by a company called makala and i can actually play it, well some chords and only a few songs but one i have mastered is 'you always hurt the one you love'. it's a song from the film blue valentine and ryan gosling does a version and its so pretty and actually the reason why i wanted to get one. a lovely gift from my dad at christmas a few years ago! 

lovely lovely vintage ring box, i got this from my friend skye and it came away with me all around america, thailand and australia..

my little wall display, so so easy to do but as i'm at my mum's house and i've already caused 7 holes in the wall i thought i'd stop. there were more of the pink frames with the blue paper but i replaced it for the lovely heart shaped frame off my nephew and i found the vinyl under my bed, it's by jack penaté i must have got it at a gig but its got a gorgeous floral sticker on the a side so i thought i'd display it! the paper inside these cheap wooden frames was just from a craft shop for about 50p per bigger than a4 square! 

koala plate from australia, luckily i found it in one of those tacky souvenir shops but saw it and loved it! the religious frame was bought from a little stall outside the sagrada familia in barcelona, i'm not particulary religious but a big fan of religious iconography(with thanks to baz luhrman's romeo and juliet)

a small selection of dvd's to put on in the background for when i'm being crafty..think this image pretty much sums up my taste in films..the addition of harry potter is very new after only being a fan for 4 months or so..i told my friend skye who is the biggest harry potter fan i know that i had started reading and getting addicted to the books and she said i'm glad you finally get it-i never had any intention of reading or seeing the films and at uni whilst my two friends spoke about it was just so bored haha, i take it all back. 

some of my lovely little books guarded by a pomeranian, another lovley little gift off my boyfriend when i was in my 'i want a fluffly pomeranian like boo phase!' now I'm much more in wantng a pug with a grown up mans name phase, jeff, bert, donald etc 

another glittery statue money box, anyone would think i'm addicted, this one is off my friend chloe, my friends know my tastes very well! the wooden heart in the background is from typo, its an australian company and it cost me $5 australian dollars(about £3.50) they had all kinds of letters and symbols but i grabbed this just before we left as my suitcase was already bursting at the seams.

and that's all for now! i really do want to start collecting unique items to display in my future house and will post any pictures on here! there is a lime green glass bowl i've seen in a charity shop..watch this space!

samantha xo

getting to know me..Q&A

Well as a new blogger and reading others I feel maybe I should do a little about me post just in case I actually have anyone who reads this and is curious what makes me, me! I just googled for some question inspiration and found these on another blog so here goes..

1. Are you named after anyone? Yes actually, a page 3 model called Samantha Fox, not the most classy of reasons but I like my name so can't complain too much!

2. When was the last time you cried? I cry a lot, well not everyday but I personally feel so much better when I cry and the last time was Monday after the doctor fobbed me off!

3. Do you have kids? No.

4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself? Yes! I'm a pretty good friend so I think I'd like me

5. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Yes sometimes its necessary!

6. Will you ever bungee-jump? Yes! Although I'm a little scared of heights I'd love the rush!

7. What’s your favourite cereal? I don't think I have one? maybe coco pops?

8. What’s the first thing you notice about people? Well working in fashion I think I tend to notice peoples clothes, it's not in a horrible judgemental way but curiosity!

10. Scary movie or happy endings? Happy endings!

9. What is your eye colour? Brown.

10. Scary movie or happy endings? Happy endings!

11. Favourite smells? Freshly cut grass, nice aftershave and bacon!

12. Summer or winter? Summer but I love layering up for winter!

13. Computer or television? Computer..one word! Pinterest! But I also watch my favourite tv programmes online! Convenient!

14. What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home? Australia for 7 months! Was awesome!

15. Do you have any special talents? No particularly, I'm creative if that's a talent!

16. Where were you born? Gorleston, Norfolk

17. What are your hobbies? Sewing and crafting, pinterest, reading and attempting to write my own blog and I've been learning the ukulele!

18. Do you have any pets? No I wish!

19. Favourite movie? All time is Romeo and Juliet, but I have tons of others!

20. Do you have any siblings? Yes.. 2 sisters, 1 half brother and 2 step brothers!

I think that’s the end of it!

21. What do you want to be when you grow up? Happy! Career wise I want to aim for a position in the creative department of the head office of a well known fashion brand

And that's all for now..

samantha xo

The Great Gatsby and me..

so i've seen and fallen in love with the film and soundtrack, been reading the book and in a few weeks i have a wedding to attend that is 1920s theme..i couldn't be happier! its been so fun trying to find an outfit that isn't too costume like! so far i've made a lovely bow tie and pocket square for the boy so he'll look handsome in his green suit and for myself, i've settled on a pale peach sequin and chiffon maxi number with a long string of pearls for a necklace, a cute little black beaded bag and shoes perfect for shaking my imaginary tassles to! 

so tonight after watching some great videos on how to do pin curls and make up (the video i liked the best is at the end of the post) i thought i'd have a go at it myself and show you the results! i haven't attempted my hair yet and as I have a lovely old headband from primark that matches my dress perfectly, i don't think i'll bother curling my hair like that though it looks like too much fun not to try! the only thing i didn't really add when i did my make up was the fake lashes and lipstick! i really loved the smoky effect with the gold eyeshadow! 

so here is the result..with the help of sepia effect photo filter..not even ashamed to admit it!

so here i basically gave myself a side parting, added the headband and went round and tucked the ends into the headband and secured the annoying bits with hairgrips! the video shows the hair style on longer hair that you fake into a shorted bob by curling and gripping it under, luckily my hair is only shoulder length so i i'll have less hair to hide as such..super happy for how quick and easy this was!

heres a kind of close up of my make up, you can't see the colour so much but its just really smokey black all around my eye and some gold on the eyelids, the black eyeshadow i used had some sparkle in it, on the day i think i'll just use a plain one to avoid all over face sparkle!

i would love some feedback or any links to any great tips you've read!

here is the video as promised..

samantha xo

Adi Ulmansky..

i just spotted this new music act via the topshop blog and although it's not my type of music i think i have a new style/hair crush! she comes across really cool and has inspired me to dip dye my hair again..here are a few pictures of her! i especially like the last one! 

samantha xo

floral crowns and vintage buttons..

the bearded chap shop is still up and coming and this weekend i am dedicating every hour and second to taking pictures and launching the webiste! my lovely friend skye featured me on her blog and it given me the motivation to get my butt into gear. although i love the bow ties and other wedding bits i thought it would be great to make some lovely bits for the bride, headbands, garters etc all handmade!

the headband is made of organza flowers all cut out by hand, all attached on organza ribbon with a mix of vintage buttons, pearl and clear beads and crystals. this one in particular is a one-off but i really want to make some others in diffeent colours and with different beads! watch this space!

and this is the result so far..everything is just tacked into place for now and will be sewn on securely when its perfectly filled! if i was getting married any time soon i would love to wear this in my hair!

hope you like it!

samantha xo

The Bearded Chap..(almost open for business)

Floral Bow Ties make me happy, and so does listing them on my etsy page! 

Very close to launching it! How exciting! 

Samantha xo

sneaky peek..

so here are some pictures from the shop that i will hopefully be launching this weekend-i will keep you informed..

the top two are table decorations, they will hold table numbers made out of either lace effect or glittery cardboard..i really want any future brides or party throwers to ask me to custom make something where they might choose their own fabric or colours! how exciting to get involved and make me do all the hard work!

the bottom one is a ring bearers pillow, perfect for the cute page boy (in matching bow tie) to hold whilst walking down the aisle..

fingers crossed something lovely will come of this.. trying to line up some wedding fairs for september so will give me plenty of time to prepare and sell before then and get a feel if this is just a hobbie or something more!

any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

samantha xo

outfit of the day: red pleated skirt

top and skirt: primark

necklace; peacocks

shoes: h & m 

white orb on photo: my dirty camera lens

this was the best of the bunch, i'm pretty new when it comes to blog poses! i'm sure i'll learn more with practise ha! 

samantha xo

new shop, appropriate logo?

well i've been super busy sewing lots of different things for my new little business idea, as i mentioned in my last post i came up with the idea of a little online menswear accessory company! at the moment ive made some bow ties and pocket squares and going to start making some wallets and ties too for both men and boys. as i want to target it at the wedding market ive also started making some cake toppers, ring bearer pillows and mr and mrs chair signs! its all very exciting and as i'm not currently working its been amazing to get stuck into a project and feel creative again! 

so as the title suggests i wanted to share my logo idea with you all! the name of my shop is going to be the bearded chap! bearded because its for men and chap because it happens to be part of my surname, it fits and its personal to me! so fingers crossed it'll go somewhere! so this is the result of the logo..

it was a result of my intial idea of using a victorian era gentleman with a beard and this beauty caught my eye instead after a play on photoshop this it the result! its simple, can be made into a stamp and its pretty unique (i hope). 

any opinions would be amazing! thank you!

samantha xo

old work, new life..

this is an end result of an illustration i made in my first year of university..so 5/6 years ago! it was made from collaging magazine images together on top of an old laura ashley catolgue front cover that i found on the street! i've recently been working on my cv and after a play around with this image on photoshop (got to love happy accidents) i decided to use it in the background to make my cv stand out a little, i know some employers won't like it but if i can't be myself then why would i want to work there in the first place. 

i've also been working on a little business idea that i was thinking about when i was in australia. i've been designing the logo, designing products etc, i will no doubt put some of my stuff to sell on here just so people can see it. it's mainly going to be a menswear accessory shop with ties, wallets, pocket squares, rucksacks etc, going to make them in some really lovely fabrics and theyll all be home-made. hoping something will come of it. i know there are such shops out there already doing this and targetting the wedding market in america, but there isn't much for the UK so fingers crossed i'll fill a gap and just in time for the wedding season(i have three weddings to go to this year)

what do you think of my illustration, brave move putting it on my cv? anyone have any tips for starting up a little business? advertising etc?

samantha xo

i wish i had her wardrobe..

i don't know if anyone else who reads blogs religiously does this, but i feel pretty much a constant feeling of jealousy when i read through my regualr blogs! the hair, the outfits, the photography, the fun etc etc! it makes me want to be more creative in both what i do and how i present myself! i guess i shouldn't see this as a bad thing and use the inspiration i find to make a really likeable blog! 

i think i'll make a post on what are my favourite blogs just incase you haven't heard or seen them before..sharing is caring after all but for now i will share with you my celebrity crushes and who give me major wardrobe and hair envy.

from top to bottom..

cara delevingne, alexa chung, mary-kate olsen and zooey deschanel..sigh.

samantha xo

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page".

Hello and welcome to my new blog..I've had them in the past and if I'm honest found it hard to keep up! They take so much time and dedication but after admiring other blogs I thought I'd give it a go..what's the worse that could happen. I plan to use it to document my love of fashion, travelling, arts and crafts, music and general inspiration!

I thought I'd begin by sharing some of my highlights from a 7 month travelling trip I spent with my lovely boyfriend. In the past 4 years we've been to Spain, Germany, Holland, USA, Thailand and Australia. I'm super lucky to get to travel the world with him and make some special memories and look forward to the next adventure..just need to win the lottery and we're away!

But anyway, in this instance I'll share some pictures from my recent adventure to Thailand and Australia, it was such a wonderful experience and I made some lovely friends and saw the most amazing blue skies ever!


Mosaic detail at the Wat Pho Temple

Wat Pho Temple

Long-tail boats in Krabi, Thailand.

Wild monkey enjoying a stolen pineapple, Krabi, Thailand.

Flowers at the Erawan Museum, Bangkok.

View of the Sydney Opera House(which I was lucky enough to go to as well) from the Botanic Gardens.

Luna Park, Melbourne.

St.Kilda pavillion, Melbourne.

 River Mulwala, NSW

Wollongong Beach, NSW

The three sisters, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

The walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach.

Up close to a Kangaroo at the Featherdale Park, NSW

Wild koala in Quinn Island, NSW

The view from the coogee-bondi beach walk

Floating duck, Sydney Harbour.

Me and the boy enjoying the blue skies on Coogee Beach.

Enjoying looking after this little lame on our farm stay.

The tram in Melbourne.

Kangaroo signs for actual kangaroos.

 Palm trees at St.Kilda beach, Melbourne.

Sorry for the mega long post, I just really wanted to share some of my thousands of pictures. Hope you enjoyed them!

samantha xo