Erstwilder With Love Valentine's Day Brooches

Happy belated Valentine's Day!

I hope you had a lovely one, and were spoiled rotten by your Valentine (or yourself, if you didn't have one).

I didn't have a Valentine, either, but who cares? I decided to be my own Valentine this year! I bought myself some chocolates, and the week before, I treated myself to two brooches from Erstwilder's new Valentine's collection, 'With Love', as an early Valentine's present to myself. If you can't buy yourself jewellery for Valentine's Day without feeling guilty, when can you, eh?

I wanted to review my new brooches for you on Valentine's Day, but I spent all last week struggling with some of the worst chronic pain I've experienced in years, and just wasn't able to finish this post in time. Things haven't been much better this week, and I only managed to take the photos for this post yesterday. so I hope you'll forgive me for posting about something partially Valentine's related a week late because the brooches I have to show you are ridiculously cute.

With Love is the most adorable Valentine's jewellery collection I think I've ever seen. Based on cutesy vintage Valentine's Day cards, and designed in Melbourne by Carmen Hui, it features twelve brooches, one necklace, and two pairs of earrings, each even cuter than the last.

There were half a dozen pieces I desperately wanted (although, I could've happily bought the whole collection), but I somehow behaved myself, and limited myself to two to stop myself buying them all. I impress myself with my willpower sometimes. Gold star for me! Surely that level of restraint deserves another brooch??

Just kidding. I'll be good.

Would you like to see which pieces I bought?

The first brooch I have to show you is my favourite piece from the collection- an adorable skunk brooch called Stinkin' Cute. I've always loved skunks (they're just so stinkin' cute), so I fell in love with this brooch the moment I saw a preview of it on Instagram, and I didn't need to see the rest of the collection to know I'd be buying one. Thankfully, I managed to snap him up before he sold out, because, unsurprisingly, he sold out from every UK stockist so fast. I'm glad I did, because he's such a gorgeous piece.

He's been made from glossy plain black and pearlescent marbled white resins, with a glitter red resin used for the big red heart he's carrying in his paws for his Valentine. You could not find a more perfect skunk brooch. I wore him on Valentine's Day and I've got him pinned to my PJs again today, and I fully intend to wear him all year round. A skunk is for life and not just for Valentine's Day.

It was hard narrowing down my other favourites to just one, but for my second choice I went with a pink kitten brooch called Feline the Love.  I didn't previously have a cat brooch in my collection, and I thought this pretty pastel pink kitty was the purrfect piece for a first time cat brooch adoptee. The design is too cute, and the colours and resins used to make her are so pretty that I found her impossible to resist. She's made from stunning white and pale pink pearlescent marbled resins, with a plain rose-pink tail and leg, dusky pink markings, and black detailing to her paws and cute little heart-shaped face. Like the skunk, she's also carrying a big red heart in her paws, but rather than being glittery, this one is made from a textured resin, so it has an amazing rippled appearance, which shines in multiple shades of red. It has such a retro, vintage look, and I think it will look particularly adorable pinned to pastel-coloured mid-century style outfits all year round.

The great thing about both brooches, and the 'With Love' collection in general, is that while they are the ideal finishing touch for any Valentine's Day outfit, they're subtle enough to be worn on any other day of the year, too. I'll definitely be wearing them in all seasons, anyway.

If these brooches weren't cute enough already, every piece has been packaged in special red polka dot heart-shaped boxes, like a little box of novelty Valentine's chocolates! How cute is that?! They're so much cuter than the regular Erstwilder packaging, and make them even lovelier to give as gifts to brooch-loving ladies (or yourself!) on any other day of the year to show you care.

There are still lots of pieces from the collection available, which you can buy direct from Erstwilder in Australia, or from their stockists around the world here. I've still got my eye on the dalmatian and the donkey.

Have you bought anything from the With Love collection? Which pieces are your favourites?

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Love Hearts and Scarlet Kisses

On Valentine's Day, I decided to gather up all of the love, heart, and lip shaped belongings I could find, and turned them in to one big visual collage. I had hoped to do this in time for a Valentine's Day post, but life got in the way, so I only managed to share a photo on Instagram before the day was through.

Still, I was really pleased with how my little display came together and how my photos turned out, so I'm blogging about them anyway. It seemed stupid to let the photos and two hours work go to waste just because Valentine's Day has been and gone for another year. Love hearts and red lips are for life, not just for V-Day! 

I'm ever so slightly addicted to all things kitsch and novelty, so I own heaps of hearts and lip print / shaped stuff, and enjoy using many of them on a regular basis. I didn't realise quite how much I had until I brought it all together- and this is only the stuff I had lying around in my bedroom! I know I have more dotted around, including some heart-shaped kitchenware, and a couple of heart-motif jumpers, but I stuck with this lot because I had more than enough to complete my photos.

There are 37 different things included in these photos, and 54 pieces in total, There's a mix of clothes, bags, cases, jewellery, hair accessories, stationery, make up, a bowl, a tea light holder, and even a string of heart-shaped fairy lights. Unfortunately, almost everything is old and no longer available to buy, but I've made a list of everything in these photos below, and linked back to the ones that are.

1. A navy heart and polka dot print dress from Dorothy Perkins.

2. My lovely sky-blue, lip-print Hepburn swing dress from Lady Vintage.

3. A string of red polka dot heart fairy lights from Aldi. I bought them recently for just £2.99!!

4. A large heart print travel case from Cath Kidston.

5. A navy and red lip print dress from F&F at Tesco.

6. A white tea light holder with a heart cut out.

7. A red resin rose bracelet from Cath Kidston.

8. A set of cream hair grips with red hearts from Accessorize.

9. A quilted black heart-shaped cross-body bag from Topshop. (Similar in pink).

10. An old Paperchase postcard featuring two penguins with a love heart above their heads.

11. A Project Life card that says 'love you'.

12. Two black heart hair clips from God knows where. I've had them for years.

13. A white heart-shaped bowl from Morrisons.

14. Two Project Life cards.

15. Barry M Bright Red nail polish. (My favourite nail polish ever!)

16. Two red rose hair clips from Cath Kidston.

17. Lush Emotional Brilliance Lip Stick in Decisive.

18. A gingham bow hair clips with a red heart in the centre.

19. A red heart ring from ASOS.

20. A pink friendship bracelet made up of hearts.

21. A red lip-shaped clutch bag with vampire teeth from ASOS, which is literally the best bag ever!

22. A red flower ring from Evans, with heart shaped petals.

23. Two Accessorize heart hair grips.

24. A red Bourjois Color Boost lip crayon in Red Island.

25. The most adorable penguin necklace from Punky Pins.

26. A jewellery wrap with mother-of-pearl hearts on the front that I've had for about a decade.

27. A heart print travel wallet from Cath Kidston.

28. A heart-print barrel bag from Zatchels.

29. Cath Kidston heart print make up bag.

30. A pink notebook from Paperchase with a romantic Parisian design on the cover.

31. My favourite black heart-print dress from Alice & You.

32. A red polka dot hair clip from Cath Kidston. (I think it was from the kids range).

33. A red resin rose brooch from Cath Kidston.

34. Another red heart print travel case from, you've guessed it, Cath Kidston!

35. A sheet of blue heart-print paper.

36, A notebook from Sainsbury's with a red heart-print cover saying 'notes and nice things'.

37. And finally, a navy and red heart-print fit and flare pinafore dress from Dorothy Perkins.

And that's everything you can see in these photos.

I really enjoyed putting this post together from start to finish, so I might just have to do more posts like this from time to time. What do you think? Yay or nay?

Are you a fan of heart and lip-shaped things? Do you have a collection to rival mine?

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to those of you celebrating it, and Happy Saturday to those of you who aren't. I hope you're having a good one.

I don't have a Valentine, but instead of boycotting commercial love day this year, I've decided to be my own Valentine instead. I'm spending today spoiling myself!

I decided to buy myself some flowers yesterday night when I was in Morrisons. I haven't treated myself to a bunch of flowers in ages. I've never been all that fussed with red roses or expensive orchids; I'm happier with tulips, sunflowers, daisies, irises and yellow roses. Yellow flowers are my favourite; they're so cheerful. I managed to find some tulips among the five hundred bouquets of long-stemmed red roses, and  picked up two bunches for just £3. So inexpensive, but I feel like I've really spoilt myself!

I made myself a late breakfast / lunch (at 3pm...) of peaches and pineapple, and it was delicious.

I've not been well enough to stray from my bed today, but I've been relaxing with a bunch of movies. I've already watched Valentine's Day and Letters to Juliet (pretty much the most romantic film ever made), and it's been an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon / evening. I think I might watch The Fault in Our Stars next.

I've added The Women to the pile because it shows us we can be smart, successful, beautiful women with love in our lives, whether or not we're loved up or single! (And also because it's a great film!)

I put together some treat bags for my family to enjoy this evening. I filled these cute chevron paper bags with a variety of chocolates- I used peanut butter M&Ms, Malteasers, Cadbury's Buttons, Ferrero Rochers, and tea cakes. The pic 'n' mix of champions. Why wait for a Valentine to bring us chocolate?

I've been relaxing in my PJs and slippers all day. I was planning to get dressed in a Valentine's inspired outfit and take photos, but I didn't wake up  until 2:30pm, by which time it was already dark and dreary from the rain. 

I was intending to wear my favourite heart-print dress from Alice & You, and would probably have dressed it with red pieces, like the heart print Zatchels barrel bag. I have blogged about both before, though, so you're not missing out on much. I'll be bringing you a real outfit post really soon- promise!

Now I'm going to go start another movie, put a face mask on, paint my nails a festive red, and kick back with a magazine or two before I start working on tomorrow's post.

How have you been spending Valentine's Day this year?

Review | Lush Valentine's Day Collection 2015

I've been a big fan of Lush for almost a decade, but until recently I never knew that they carried a Valentine's Day collection every year! Where have I been?! Their seasonal collections- Christmas, Easter, Halloween- are ranges I look forward to every year, and I have no idea how Valentine's slipped past me. 

Thankfully, last month I learnt all about it and made it my mission to get my hands on a few pieces when I popped in to town last weekend.

Unicorn Horn Bubble Bar (£3.25 each)

I fell in love with this magical pastel-coloured bubble bar the very first time I saw a photo of it last month, and was determined to get my hands on one. I may be twenty-nine, but I just couldn't resist those shimmering pastel stripes, or the cute little stars dotted through it like freckles. It's the prettiest bath product I've ever seen; so pretty I haven't actually had the heart to use it yet, but I just know the most perfect, relaxing bath awaits me. It's filled with lavender essential oils that, I'm sure you know, will help you relax after a long day. and I'm pleased to say the lovely lavender scent isn't at all over-powering, like some lavender scents can be.

Heart Throb Bubble Bar (£3.65 each)

If there's one thing that just screams "Valentine's Day" it's a classic red love heart, and this bubble bar is as quintessential as they come. Naturally, being a novelty design, I was all over this one and bought it without a second thought. (I never change!) Heart Throb is a "bubbleroon" made up of two red hearts sandwiched together with vibrant gold glitter, that will turn your bath water a festive red, and leave you with the silkiest soft skin. It contains skin-softening shea butter and essential oils, and a fragrance I can't quite put my finger on. It has a faint floral scent, but after that my senses fail me. If you're familiar with African Paradise, it's said to share the same fragrance, although I've not personally tried it yet.

Lonely Heart Bubble Bar (£3.50 each)

Lonely heart? Well, I'm not pining for love or anything, but that does sum-up my love-life, so... I can only conclude that this red glittery bubble bar heart was meant for me! All that gold shimmering glitter drew me in from fifty paces; I picked up this bar, inhaled the fragrance, and with it came a wave of nostalgia. The rich scent of jasmine and ylang ylang, bergamot and lemongrass combined smell just like the B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful (Lush's late sister company that specialised in beautiful make up) stores that I used to enjoy visiting on day trips to London in the late noughties. The fragrance used to linger in the air in their stores, and it would feel like you were browsing a souk somewhere in the middle east. That is how Lonely Heart smells to me; rich, exotic, and familiar. It turned my bathwater a bright shade of red, left me with incredibly nourished skin, and somehow covered me in glitter from head to toe. (Though I can't decide if that's a pro or a con!)

Cupid's Love Soap (From £4.25/100g)

Cupid's Love soap is another product I'd hoped to pick up, mostly because of the fact it was red with white hearts running through the design, and looked so lovely. When I realised how expensive it was (£4.25 for 100g), I only went for a small piece; I wanted to try it, but with soaps from Christmas still to use, I couldn't justify buying a big slab. I'm pleased I bought a piece, though, because it leaves me with the softest, moisturised skin, and also smells divine. It has a fruity fragrance, which reminds me of red berries or those cherry-shaped penny sweets, but that's not really a helpful or accurate description, is it? Haha! It contains bergamot and rosewood, which gives it a rich, uplifting fruity scent, and fresh figs, passion fruit juice, and soya yoghurt, which work to soften and nourish the skin. It sure does what it says on the tin, and I'm loving this one so much I'm left wishing I'd invested in a bigger piece! 

Maybe I'll keep my eye out for the Valentine's sales!

I wanted to buy more products from the Valentine's range, but it wasn't all grouped together and the shop was packed with shoppers, so I picked up what I could, paid, and got out fast. My local Lush is tiny and it's practically impossible to browse around it when there are more than six people on the shop floor- even when you know what you're looking for. I get really stressed and claustrophobic in those situations, so I never hang around.

You can find the rest of the range online or in your local store if you want to see what else it has to offer.

Will you be spoiling your Valentine (or yourself!) with any of these products this Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: Cath Kidston Heart Print Collection

I've been a big fan of Cath Kidston and their amazing novelty prints for many years, but I think their new heart print collection may be my favourite yet.

The print features big white love-hearts on a bold red background, and I am loving it! I don't think I've been this smitten over a Cath Kidston print since the red and white star print came out in the late noughties... and I've loved most of their prints to date. (Well, you know me, I can never resist a novelty print!)

I just had to share this collection with you because it's made up of the most perfect pieces to treat your special someone to this Valentine's Day. Single? Don't wait for Prince Charming to arrive on a white horse and spoil you rotten; why not treat yourself to something  this year? There's no reason why loved up couples should have all the fun! Unconvinced? Just take a look at these twenty-one gorgeous heart-printed beauties.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21

I saw the range in store for the first time last Friday, and it's even more gorgeous than it looks through a computer screen. I could've bought it all on the spot... y'know, if I was actually rich, which sadly I am not. I didn't leave totally empty-handed, though; I treated myself to a make up bag (#9) and a key fob (#12), both of which I needed. The rest will just have to wait until I've had a clear out to get some extra cash together. I wonder how much I could get for a kidney... hmm...

I really want the wash bag, travel cases, and coffee mug, and I'm sure I'll collect them over the next few months. I'm hoping that Cath Kidston will also make more products in this beautiful print, particularly wallets and coin purses, and perhaps some pretty homeware accessories. My bank balance would be thankful if they didn't, but my heart would be happy if they did!

All of these pieces are currently available to buy online, and you should be able to find them in your local Cath Kidston store, too. The items are well worth a purchase if you or your loved one is a fan of novelty prints and / or Cath Kidston. You can't go wrong!

Have you bought anything from the new heart print collection yet?

Friday I'm in Love

Happy Valentine's Day lovelies!

I know the day is almost over, but I hope it was a good one, and that you were able to spend it with your special someone or favourite bunch of people. Did any of you get swept off your feet this year? And not just from the gale-force winds!

My Valentine's Day has been spent curled up in bed with a headache and painful stomach cramps, on top of an angry back. I've mostly been watching rom coms and scrolling through Pinterest, so it's not all bad. I was hoping to dress up in something heart shaped for a Valentine's OOTD, but realistically, I think there was more chance of an alien invasion than that happening today. I couldn't even execute this post on time!

I've instead rounded up some of my heart-shaped outfits and accessories from previous posts for a little Valentine themed collage. I may be single, but I couldn't resist embracing a little of the love this Valentine's.

Black and Red Outfit // Zatchels Barrel Bag // Red and Navy Outfit // Topshop Bag // Punky Pins Necklace

My collection of heart print or heart shaped clothes and accessories isn't substantial, but I do love the small amount that I own. They're all so different but lovely.

I've blogged about each of the items before, apart from the adorable penguin necklace which I'll be blogging about properly in the next couple of days. You can read each of the posts for the other pieces via the links below the picture.

Happy Valentine's Day, guys!

Ten Heart Print Dresses For Valentine's Day

Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is less than a day away. Hurray! Meh? Hiss? Sob? [Delete as applicable]. 

I know the mere mention of the V-word brings out mixed feelings in us, no matter our relationship status, and many of us choose not to acknowledge it, but for those of you who do- have you got your outfit sorted yet?

No? Of course you don't! How many of us really plan our outfits for Valentine's Day? I sure don't. I just couldn't resist the chance to share some of my favourite heart-print dresses with you today because there really is no better day to wear a heart print dress than on Valentine's! You don't even have to be loved up or looking for love to embrace one!

Here are ten of my current favourites.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10  

Each of these dresses has been on my wish list for a while, and I repeatedly find myself returning to my saved lists and Pinterest boards for another peek at them, just to check they're still there. Is that sad? Probably.

There are so many beautiful heart print dresses available in both plus size and straight size collections, with ASOS, and New Look both stocking a particularly good selection of them at the moment. Most of these dresses are plus size, but a few cater to straight sizes as well. Sadly, frocks 6 and 7 only go up to a UK size 20, but cater well to smaller sizes.

My favourite is the Alice and You skater dress (1) which I recently treated myself to. It's one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever owned (in every way), but it's selling out fast now, so hurry on over for a look! I also love the look of the cupid heart ASOS Curve skater dress (3), and the beautiful bold Kimberley Walsh heart dress from Very (7)... What I really want to say is that I want one of each, please!

You might still be able to get one of these heart print dresses in time for Valentine's if you use a next day delivery service, or pop in store, (where possible). Or you could just consider the purchase a Valentine's Day gift to yourself to enjoy afterwards! Heart print dresses aren't just great for Valentine's Day!

Would you wear a heart print dress on February 14th, and are you already planning to do so?

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

Just a Touch of Love

Happy Valentine's Day... or Happy Over-Commercialised Love Day, if you prefer... which I do.

Sorry, Valentine's Day devotees- I've just never been a fan of this highly commercialised holiday.

That's such a 'single-girl' thing to say, isn't it?

 It's not that I'm a forlorn single girl who sits at home listening to soppy love songs sobbing in to a pillow longing for Mr Right; nor am I the bitter single girl who curses men, swears off love forever, and spends Valentine's Day scowling at every loved up person that looks her way. I'm not either. If I had to say, I guess I'm the single girl in the middle of melancholy and hatred who's comfortable with her own company, and doesn't reject the idea of love.

I just don't think it should take a recognised holiday to show the person you love how you feel about them. It should be something that is shown every day, minus the tacky trinkets and paraphernalia, in what ever way is  right for each couple. It shouldn't be forced for the sake of showing society you're spoken for. But, hey, that's just me... Of course, if Valentine's Day is right for you, then that's absolutely fine, too!

Anyway, in honour of Valentine's Day, I've put together some of the best heart and love themed clothes and accessories I've discovered lately. 44 beautiful love-shaped pieces, to be precise. It doesn't matter if you're single or loved up, why wait for somebody else to treat you to something inspired by St. Valentine today? Use today as an excuse to show yourself you care by buying yourself some love!

First up, how about something darker than your average Valentine's treat?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

Valentine's presents are traditionally deep red or pink, sexy or delicately pretty, so I wanted to compile a selection of more unconventional designs. I sought out blacks, greys, navys, and skulls with hearts for eyes. I particularly love the heart shaped bags, the snood, dress, and knitwear. I also have to note how fabulous the Iron Fist heels are, with ditsy heart prints in their designs. Amazing.

Or, perhaps you prefer more traditional Valentine's colours?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

Valentine's Day wouldn't be Valentine's Day without lashings of red, pink, and gold, so I decided to include this little lot, too. I'm totally head over heels with the three Zatchels satchels which all come in red, pink, or white. My favourite is the red heart print barrel bag (no 8), which is affordable at just £45, and just my style. Again, I also really love all the knitwear, and I can recommend the heart-shaped earring holder which I have on my dressing table.

What do you make of Valentine's Day? Do you love it, or do you hate it?

How are you spending this Valentine's Day? Have you been spoiled rotten, or are you planning to treat yourself to something above?

Which is your favourite?

Thanks for reading,