April is normally a busy month for me with a number of family and friends birthdays but this year I had another birthday to add to the mix which was my Blog Birthday! I have to admit I didn’t make a big deal about it as I wasn’t sure how to make the occasion…giveaway in May anyone??
There were a number of nice things that happened in April but starting back to work full time unfortunately wasn’t one of them. It was and still is, a shock to the system, however I am grateful to be back to a normal routine.
I apologise for not doing a “Best of March” blog post but I think I covered the creme de la creme of the month in rounding up our holiday to NYC and I am pretty sure I brought you all up to speed in those posts!
Best Of The Memories
This April my Aunt hit a milestone Birthday and there was no better way to celebrate it than afternoon tea at the Merchant Hotel. The Merchant holds so many happy memories for me as we’ve had some lovely times there such as my Sister’s wedding, my own wedding, Valentines Day spa breaks and birthday dinners and brunches in the Jazz Bar so it’s always exciting to get to celebrate another special occasion there.
After my Aunt’s birthday a couple of weeks flew past and then boom, it was my Birthday. I am heading rather swiftly towards my 30s (sometimes it feels a bit more swiftly than I would like). Unfortunately, I had to work on my actual Birthday (Note to Self: Book it off next year) but we celebrated at the weekend instead with dinner and cocktails at Neptune & Prawn on the North Coast which is fast becoming one of my favourite spots.
Any birthday wouldn’t be complete without some prezzies. You know those occasions when hubby gets it right? Well, say hello to my new Christian Louboutin clutch. An instant classic and a bag I will reach for again and again, day or night.
Isn’t it a beauty?
Although big presents are lovely, it’s the little things that really make the day special.
Hubby surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of Sweet Avalanche roses delivered to me at the office. These were the flowers that I had on my wedding day and are forever my favourites.
Talking about weddings it was our 2 year wedding anniversary on the 24th April, I have already blogged about what we got up to. you can catch up here.
Best Of The Outfits
I had a few outfits which I loved this month. My favourite purchase was a classic navy blazer, it’s my personal highlight from the range ‘Archive By Alexa at Marks & Spencer’. I have lusted after this blazer since I spotted it on a press release a few months a go and it hasn’t disappointed! You can purchase it online here.
‘That coat again?’ I hear you ask… no joke I am in love with my blush pink Topshop truster. Its pastel hue just promises of fresh sunny spring days. It works great with my 9-5 or combined jeans and converse at the weekend and I just flipping love it. True story.
Best of The Rest
Every so often you come across a cupcake that rocks your world. How lucky am I that a friend of mine makes said cupcakes! Not only does she make them super fluffy and light but she’s also got a serious knack for decorating them too. You know who you are!
I had the absolute joy of attending a Benefit make up master class in Moore’s of Coleraine. (please pardon how awful I look as I rolled in after a long day at work). We were shown a gorgeous make up look and how to recreate it at home. I picked up some amazing tips on how to use some of the products and even made a few sneaky purchases.
How glamorous is Amy Lou Faulkner btw?? I had to be a fan girl and get a photo.
So what has May got to offer? Well there is the excitement of having my home getting featured in a local interiors magazine as well as a few dinner dates on the cards and maybe even a surprise or two. Until next month…
When I first started decorating my home 3 years ago I did not anticipate my style would change and develop as quickly as it has.
Travel, art and experience of living in my space has helped me build what I hope to be an eclectic, yet timeless style for my home. I often ponder what that style is and I suppose it’s a bit of a ‘Frankenstein‘ style. Bits and pieces of a number of different looks to create my own individual sense of what style is to me.
I always think of the quote from Oscar de la Renta, ‘Fashion is a trend, style lives within a person’.
One of styles from which I draw the most influence is ‘Scandi‘. The clean, simple and stylish look always catches my eye in magazines. Whilst I know this look wouldn’t work exclusively in my home, I still admire and draw inspiration from it.
We all have our go-to beauty products so I thought I would share with you a few of my beauty favourites that I use again and again.
1. Rosie for Autograph, Eau de Parfum
My favourite scent are anything with roses, which also happen to be my favourite type of flowers!
This Rosie for Autograph Eau de Parfum has the most beautiful vintage rose scent and lasts all day. I go as far as to compare it to Chloe Eau de Roses.
Unfortunately I can’t find it on the Marks and Spencer website, but it is in most stores.
2. Science Of Skin, Solution for Scars.
Following a few surgeries I have some annoying little scars on my abdomen which are not fading quickly enough for my liking.
I recently have switched from bio oil to this Solution for scars , (who kindly sent me a bottle to try) to see how it performs in comparison.
I massage the cream into and around my scars for about 30 seconds and it doesn’t leave any residue plus there is no obvious scent that I am aware of which is great! .
It has active ingredients including green tea extract which helps sooth and lessen the appearance of a number of different type of scars and stretch marks. You can find out more here.
I have found that the appearance of my scars are a lot smoother, so hopefully with more use I will see improved results!
3. Fifi Lapin Nail Files, Boots UK.
How cute are these!!
I was given these nail files as a little present and they are fantastic! Perfect for the FiFi Lapin fan in your life, almost too cute to use aren’t they? The FiFi Lapin range is part of the Boots Christmas range, you must check it out.
If you want to learn a bit more about the chicest bunny in Fashion click here.
It only takes two tiny drops to do your face and neck, this bottle looks like it has never been opened..!
I rub it into my hands and pat it onto my skin before i moisturise and I have to say, it definitely makes my skin brighter plus it helps make up go on a lot easier.
All the fabrics are designed, painted and printed by Catherine who owns Peonie Cole.
I first became aware of Peonie Cole through Instagram and I have since ordered a few things as gifts.
When I seen this fabric I just fell in love and Catherine kindly offered to make me a little pouch for my bits and pieces when I am travelling here and there.
What are your beauty favourites at the moment or are you loving any of my favourites too?
Happy weekend Frenchies, and it’s a bank holiday…yay!
We all have our own little corner at home, where we love to sit (or just admire).
My favourite little corner is in my living room. I have my favourite chair and butlers table in the little nook beside the stove.
This fabric, I could actually look at all day, it is so pretty. I also love how it changes with the seasons, depending on your scatter cushions it looks right in summer or winter.
The scatter cushions I currently have are the Orla Kiely, Linear stem in duck egg (£40 from website) and Dragonfly cushion from M&S (Currently out of stock online).
I like duck egg blue and greens, as I feel the chair is just asking for nature inspired pieces, and if you look at the fabric in detail, as below, there are tiny blue birds scattered throughout! It also breaks up the Grey, which I love so much.
The chair itself was a generous wedding present from my aunt from a furniture shop in Ballymena, Northern Ireland called Woodgreen. I’m unsure of the brand of the chair, but the fabric is Lorton Ebony, if you do some googling it will come up!
Where is your favourite corner? Or do you have a trophy piece which you know you will never tire of?
French Grey Lifestyle | NI Blogger | Home and Lifestyle Blog | Irish Blogger 
