Wishlist: Getting Organised

1. Planner 2. Note books 3. Sticky notes 4. Tags 5. Labels 6. Tags 7. Drawers 8. Baskets 9. Box

January is the month for getting our lives in order right!? Well here are a few of the things I have been stocking up on to get myself organised.

Write stuff:  I love this planner from one of my fave stationery places online the Fox and Star, and these little notebooks from the lovely Oh No Rachio, Sticky notes, as you may know are my bag and this yummy set from Paperchase are not only stylish but essential.

Label stuff:  It's all very well tidying up but if you don't make a note of where it all goes how on earth are you going to find it mid April when you need it?  Labels don't have to be dull either, these heart shaped ones from Mail Box Happiness on Etsy are fun and cute but you can never go wrong with Kraft tags, these ones from Wilkos are perfect.  Along with these neon tags from Knot and Bow, that will bring a splash of colour to the dullest of filing systems.

File stuff:  If you want to jazz up your filing system whilst you are at it, think about this acrylic drawer unit from Ryman, or these yummy wire trays from another fave of mine Papermash.  This colourful filing boxes from H&M would be a great disguise for all your boring paperwork if you prefer to keep those bills hidden away until absolutely necessary.

How are you getting yourself organised this year? Are you a naturally organised person like our H or do you need more help like me?  Let us know in the comments and thank you to all of you who filled in our survey last week, the results have been very helpful in our blog planning for this year, so hopefully we can bring you even more of what you love from us in 2015.

Sammy xxx


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How We Wear: Occasions

We are both no stranger to a wedding or 5, we have both seen more than our fair share. When it comes to dressing for a wedding we still enjoy putting an outfit together as much as ever. Finding the perfect day to evening dress that's not too revealing or frumpy can be a challenge, but we think we have found our perfect dresses for at least one of our save the dates this year.

H wears: Dress from ASOS, shoes from Office (similar), cuff from New Look (similar), Ring from Accessorize, Necklace by Alison Lush.

Dress from New Look (similar) belt from New Look (similar) , Shoes from Forever 21, Necklace from Forever 21, Bracelets made myself.

How We Wear... Print Trousers

H and I have both been crushing hard on printed or patterned trousers lately, they are a great alternative to jeans if you want a relaxed day time outfit. We both love wearing ours with statement necklaces and comfy jersey tops. How do you wear yours?

H wears: Trousers by H&M, T-shirt by ASOS, Shoes £3 from Primark, Bracelets from Accessorize (Similar) and Forever 21 (Similar), Necklace by I am Acrylic.

Sammy wears: Neon kimono by BooHoo, Swing top by Asos (similar), Trousers by Yours, Sandals by Newlook (added ribbon), necklace from Forever 21.

How We Wear... Summer Dresses in the Spring

Both of us hate leaving our favourite summer pieces in our wardrobes for the looonngg UK winters. So we have taken to layering up our summer dresses to be able to wear them more often. H likes to wear hers with loose knit jumpers and Sammy throws on a cardi and belt combo. How do you wear yours?

H is wearing: Dress from H&M (Similar), tshirt underneath from H&M (Similar), Jumper from H&M (Similar), Tights from M&S, Shoes from Clarks (Similar), Necklace from Southbank Centre Shop, Ring was Handmade by H,  Watch from Casio, Bracelets: 1, Jade green - Forever 21 (Similar); 2, Black & White - Handmade by Sammy; 3, Flower fabric - from our trip to Liberty's.

Sammy is wearing: Dress from New Look (similar) Vest from H&M, Cardigan from Forever 21, Boots from New Look (similar), Tights from Evans, Belt from New Look, Bracelets all handmade by Sammy supplies from Beads Point on etsy, Amethyst necklace by SPARKLE FARM on etsy and Pisces Constellation necklace by Julie Nolan on Etsy

How We Wear... Black Jeans (and H&M Jumpers)

H and I normally discuss the outfits we are going to wear for these features, this is what happens when we don't, we both turn up in the same jumper!  This month was supposed to be styling black jeans, but has turned into black jeans and H&M jumpers.  As you can see though we still choose different colourways and style them in different ways, if anything it just proves the point of this feature even more. 

H says: I am mostly a blue jeans wearer, but every now and again the black jeans come out, so I like to pair them with something a bit more colourful and obviously I love the colour Blue and so this Jumper had to be bought.  I love the fact is is really long and I can tuck my hands into the sleeves to keep me extra toasty.  I bought the necklace at a Vintage fair in Reading and just fell in love with the shape in it, it always makes a jumper look more interesting too.  The boots were a 'not sure whether they are me' buy, but the biker style is just right.  Sometimes the things you are not sure about, can be just the right things for you.

H wears: Jeans from Dorothy Perkins, Jumper from H&M (similar), Necklace - vintage, Boots from River Island.

Sammy says: I love colour and print with black jeans and of course at this time of year warmth is key, a shirt under a jumper is a great way to add a hint of pattern without it being too full on.  It is in fact H's fault that we own the same jumper in different colours, she persuaded me to buy this one on a shopping trip just before Christmas.  Since then I have worn it non stop, I just love the colour!  I have been teaming it with collared shirts and statement necklaces, I'm not normally a shirt wearer but New Look Inspire have some great prints and colours in at the moment.  Converse are my go-to footwear, this pair are my faves, I love the grey with the coral duo tongue detail.

Sammy wears: Jeans (jeggings) from TU at Sainsbury's, Shirt from New Look Inspire, Jumper from H&M (similar from Oasis), Trainers from Converse (similar), Necklace from Forever 21.

Make it: Children's Robot Jumper

A few weeks ago I thought I would get a bit creative for a friend of mine's little boy's birthday.  There is something so nice about making gifts for children, especially when you know they will really appreciate it.  I decided that instead of making something from scratch, I would customise instead.

So, I thought what better thing to do than to make a robot to applique onto a jumper that I had bought from H&M.  If you want to do something similar, then here is what you will need:  Jumper or T-shirt - you can find this jumper here, Felt - a few different colours, fabric glue, Googly eyes with shanks, scissors, pins, paper, pen/pencil, needles, embroidery thread, sewing thread and a sewing machine or very patient hand sewing skills.

Firstly, design your pattern on paper, I used squared paper to help with the straight angles for a robot, but use whatever works for you and your chosen design.  Then choose the colour of your base layer, I decided to make the robot out of grey and use 2 layers to make it really durable for a child's jumper.

After I had pinned the pattern piece to the felt, I cut it out and glued the two layers together with fabric glue to keep them from moving around.

I then made some buttons and other bits to make my robot a little more fun.  I glued these on and then made sure they would stay on, by sewing them on too.

I then cut two slots for the eyes and pushed my googly eyes through and attached the washers on the back.  I used these type of eyes instead of stick-on as I didn't want them to fall off!

I positioned my robot in the middle of the front of the jumper using pins and then began to zigzag stitch around all of the outside of the robot and over the middle panel to make sure it was all secure.  With hindsight I should have used Bondaweb to hold it in place on the jumper as it did end up moving about - even with using pins.

That's it.  Quite a simple customisation to do in a few hours of an afternoon and it makes a dull jumper look great.

Have you done anything like this recently, let us know in the comments or show us on Instagram or twitter by using #livelovemake.  We would love to see them.

H, xxx

Love it: Christmas Jumpers

Top row L to R: Max C snowflake from ASOS, Black Snowflake from H&M, Christmas Reindeers from River Island.
Bottom row L to R: Polar Bear from Asda, Understated in blue, white and red from Tesco, Snowmen from Vardagen via Etsy.

The Christmas Jumper has been seeing a revival over the last few years.  Gone are the days of worrying about getting a Mr Darcy rudolph jumper, as sometimes the tackier the better!  and, don't even get me started on onesies, but they seem to be in on the act too!

I was looking around at the Jumpers as I was going to take part in Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day, last Friday (what a way to jazz up Friday the 13th!).  The ones above were a few of my favourites and so I thought I would share them with you guys for all your jumper needs.

In the end I decided to give the money I would have spent on getting a new jumper to Save the Children, rather than buying a jumper I didn't really need and only donating £1, I thought I would donate more, go me.

Those who did join in though looked amazing, you can check out the site here for a snapshot of what was worn and if everyone who did it donated £1, then I think Save the Children did very very well.

I love donating to Charity at Christmas as a very worthy cause gets some extra cash and I do get the feel good factor myself.  My family and I do small gifts and then give to charity and so every year I look at a different charity, whether that be home or away.

What's your favourite feel good factor about Christmas?  I know people who help at Shelter and Crisis every year and I used to run an event for older people who would normally be on there own on Christmas Day, which without the volunteers really wouldn't have happened, so there is plenty of feel good factor out there too.

H