GIFT DIFFERENT WITH TK MAXX

{AD | This is a paid collaboration with TK MAXX}

Now that Black Friday is out of the way, it’s time to start talking about the C-word….. Chrissssstmas!  

When TK Maxx recently got in touch and asked if I wanted to take part in their new Christmas campaign ‘Gift different with TK Maxx’ I jumped at the chance.

Tk Maxx is my favourite go-to shop for my personal shopping all year round, so of course it only makes sense that it should also be my one stop shop for all my Christmas gifting too. With a huge selection of unique big brand gifts, Tk Maxx enables me to gift bigger and better whilst still shopping on a small budget.

I’m usually on autopilot when Christmas shopping, and I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I occasionally gift fail-safe presents which are mediocre and sometimes repetitive. Things like new pyjama’s or slippers on repeat. You get my drift. (not saying theres anything wrong with new pyjamas by the way!) But this year I have been inspired to be more thoughtful and think outside the box.

I took a trip to my local Tk Maxx in Watford to be inspired and to see what exciting Christmas gifts I could get for under £50.

As soon as I entered the store I had my head turned by some of my favourite big beauty brands in festive gift boxes at fantastic prices. But then I had to remember that I wasn’t there to self gift, so onwards I went.

At the back of the Watford Tk Maxx store is a huge selection of kids and baby toys. Ideal for all the little people in my life, including my 18 month old son.

I saw my nieces favourite toy brand with a fantastic value price tag. At £10.99 (RRP 19.99). In the bag it went. Then I saw a pink play shopping trolley fully loaded with imaginative faux food which I know my son would absolutely love at a bargain £14.99, so naturally that had to into the trolley too.

I then ventured upstairs in TK Maxx to their mezzanine floor where the menswear and homeware could be found.

That’s where this gorgeous plush pink velvet cushion caught my eye and I knew exactly which friend would love it more than me. At £9.99, it’s the sort of cushion that looks much more expensive than its price tag so in it went into the basket.

the green velvet footstool was only £49.99 and the velvet cushion £9.99- all at tk maxx, watford.

I then passed an aisle of faux foliage, which had rows and rows of faux succulents and house plants.  I then remembered a conversation I had with my dad about his dead house plant and his now empty shelf, so I thought the faux succulent will make a lovely surprise gift that he wouldn’t expect from me. And it certainly looked much more expensive than its £7.99 price tag.

faux succulents from £4,99 at tk maxx.

With less than £10 to spend I started To browse the menswear aisles. Looking at some lovely big branded sweaters and t’shirts for my brother and husband (which I’m going to return to buy at another date).  But then in the backdrop I saw a wall of mens socks. Socks in all different colours and styles in various big-name brands.

I picked up a pack for husband at £5.99. Believe it or not, but I’ve never bought my husband socks before, so I know he’ll be pleasantly surprised with his ‘posh’ big brand socks. And he’ll never need to know that they only cost me £5.99.

So that’s now five Christmas presents, for five different people all ticked off my list.

How will you be doing your Christmas shopping this year? Will you be inspired to gift a little differently?

And if you don’t live near a TK Maxx store, why not check out their website to be inspired to gift a little differently this Christmas.

AD | This post was sponsored by TK Maxx. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. 

MAKING YOUR HOME WARM AND SECURE THIS WINTER

For many homeowners, winter is the cosiest time of the year with the excitement of Christmas and the New Year making everyone feel excited and festive. With so many exciting things happening during the colder months, many people wonder how to make their home feel safer when there’s Christmas presents and family to consider, whilst keeping the house cosy and warm. So exactly how do you achieve a perfect balance?

Invest in your fixtures

The last thing anyone needs around the Christmas

holidays is worry and stress, so make sure that you feel

safe and confident that your fixtures are working

properly. Windows and doors in your home are your

main source of security, so it’s important for them to be

up to scratch. Worn, broken windows or doors with

broken locks can become a serious concern, particularly

around Christmas time when there’s barely a minute to

yourself, so to save you worry, make sure to get them

updated or changed. If you’re look to replace your

windows or doors, sash windows from Quickslide would

be a stylish and secure new addition to your home just

in time for Christmas gatherings!

Light it up!

If you like to go all-out for Christmas, lighting displays

and garden décor are always amazing to look at as well

as doing a great job of keeping your home well-lit. But

Christmas lights and garden displays aren’t everyone’s

cup of tea at Christmas, so you may want to go for a more understated exterior. Lighting around the exterior of your home is a good deterrent for potential burglars. Another good way to light up your driveway and garden is with solar powered lamps or LED spotlights that will add visibility along your garden and drive year-round to keep your home looking light and bright.

Add Festive touches

To keep your home warm and cosy in time for Christmas and New Year gatherings and family visits, take full advantage of festive décor throughout December. A roaring log fire is a must, but cosy blankets and warm tones such as oranges, reds and browns will add the same amount of holiday magic and a snuggly feel to your living area. As well as the classic Christmas tree, decorations such as wreaths, displays and wall hangings will add a party feel and get the whole family feeling festive and excited.

Eliminate hiding places

If there is access to the back of your home, it may be difficult to spot potential burglars which can be an unnecessary worry around the holidays,

particularly when there’s presents, and sometimes more valuables than usual kept in the home. Where you can, block access to the back garden overnight as

well as keeping all fixtures locked for guaranteed peace of mind. The last thing you need around such a busy and hectic time is stress and worry, so be sure to follow these tips to make your celebrations stress free this year.

This post is sponsored by Quick slide Windows .

A STYLISH AFTERNOON TEA WITH SPODE

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50

We are half way through the summer and even though it should all be sunshine and picnics, the weather in the UK has had other ideas. So what do you do when it’s raining outside? You dust off your best china, bake some scones and have afternoon tea in your lounge of course! How quintessentially British of me. And did I mention that its Afternoon Tea week?

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50

I’ve been a fan of Spode’s Italian Blue range of China for a long time. I was bought up on chintz and Chinoiserie (just ask my mother), so I can appreciate a good tea cup and saucer like the best of us. Especially one in a classic design like Spode’s Italian Blue range. I swear I must have been Italian in a previous life, as this range has my little vintage heart.

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50; Blue Italian Jug (Larger one as vas) £42.50 All from Spode.

Spode is one of those iconic British brands which I’ve been a fan of of for a long time. Founded in 1770, this Italian blue collection was inspired by classical Italian architecture back in the 16th century when wealthy British aristocrats and those with new money would take off for months at a time to tour as much of the known world as possible. They’d bring back with them magnificent tales, and lots of sketches and paintings, which directly inspired Spode’s company founder Josiah Spode.

And now it’s in my kitchen cupboard looking pretty, and coming out for rainy days (and most days) like today.

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50

Some of my favourite pieces from the collection include the huge 200th anniversary platter which I’m excited to host a big soiree just to use it and the Italian blue jug which also doubles up nicely as a vase.

I’m also slightly in love with the plastic sandwich platter which at £8.50 is a bargain and is even useful just to bring tea in bed in the mornings.

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50 Blue Italian Jug £42.50 (larger vase with flowers in) All from Spode.

Now back to the scones. I’ll be honest, I’m not the domestic goddess you might think I am. We actually have a compartment of our oven which has never been used. But, I do love baking (and eating cake) . So in case you fancy making some fruit scones, I’ve attached my simple fools proof guide. And both my husband and toddler will agree that they were rather very tasty.

Fruit Scone Ingredients

• 350g self-raising flour, plus more for dusting

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• 85g butter, cut into cubes

• 3 tbsp caster sugar

• 175ml milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• squeeze of lemon juice

• 100g sultanas

• beaten egg to glaze

• Jam of your choice and clotted cream, to serve (I chose raspberry, naturally)

The Method

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

Tip the flour into a large bowl with the salt and baking powder, then mix with your hands.

Next I added the butter, and rubbed it in until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.

1. Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, then set aside for a moment. Put a baking sheet on a tray in the oven.

2. Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and sultanas and combine it quickly with a cutlery knife – it will seem pretty wet at first. Scatter some flour onto the work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it’s a little smoother. Pat into a round tin about 4cm deep.

3. Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. You may need to press what’s left of the dough back into a round to cut out another four.

4. Brush the tops with beaten egg, then carefully place onto the hot baking tray.

5. Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top. Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream.

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50; Blue Italian Jug £42.50 (larger one with flowers in. All from Spode.

SPODE Products used in this post ….

Blue Italian Sugar box £44;

Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110

Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50

Blue Italian Cake slice £15

Blue Italian 200th Anniversary platter £121.50

Blue Italian 200th Anniversary Bowl £100

Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50

Blue Italian Buffet plate £21.00

Blue Italian 5 piece bowl set £100.50

Blue Italian 6 inch Tea plates - set of 4 £52

Blue Italian Jug £42.50

Blue Italian sandwich Tray £8.50

On the table Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian 6 inch Tea plates - set of 4 £52 All from Spode.

And that’s it! I’d love to know what you think of my little afternoon set up, and if you try my Scone recipe, do let me know what you think? And… most importantly, are you a cream first then jam? Or jam then cream? It’s one of those things we can never agree on in this house.

A x

Blue Italian Sugar box £44; Blue Italian Tea cup and saucer set of 4 a £110; Blue Italian Tea Pot £102.50; Blue Italian Cake slice £15; Blue Italian Cream Jug £34.50 all from Spode.

[AD] This post is part of a collaboration with SPODE. All styling, images, thoughts and opinions are my own.

HOW MY DATAFLEX BENTO BOX FITS WITH MY WORK LIFESTYLE

Dataflex Bento box $99 ; West Elm mid Century desk £319; John Lewis office chair £399;

Life is complicated. Life is busy. Life is 100mph. Work; presentations, meetings, supplier dates, strategy days, factory visits, inspiration trips, travelling, then juggle parenthood and all that entails; 6am starts, nappies, breakfast, lunch, dinner, get dressed (more than one outfit per day), bath time, get ready for bed, story time, nursery, pack the buggy, stock up the buggy bag, remember a change of clothes for nursery – just in case! keep the house in a respectable state; clean, polish, hoover, empty bins, recycle, wash down and disinfect worktops, seeing the family; pack the buggy – the other one, the one that is more durable over terrain owing to it’s oversized, chunky, mud grip wheels, in case the in laws decide on us all going for a walk in a field. Nursery commitments – bubba can be taken in from 8am and must be picked up before 6pm or its gonna cost ya. Oh and if bubs gets ill, you need to drop everything immediately and collect bubs asap. Remember what days bubba is booked in at nursery. Remember when nanny has bubba and if nanny is picking up bubba or we are dropping bubba. Grocery shopping so we don’t go hungry. That list is just what pops into my mind as I begin to contemplate writing this post. So much to do. So much to remember to do. Or, in my case, so much to forget. It’s easy to get lost in the thick fog that is my daily life admin.

Dataflex Bento box $99; West Elm mid Century desk £319; John Lewis office chair £399;

That’s why the Dataflex Bento box fits with my work lifestyle. It’s the little shining light that is breaking through the thick fog of my daily life admin. It’s only a little bitty box. Lightweight and sleek. But it’s beautifully compartmentalised into neat, organised spaces that I house my essentials in. It’s a sense of order. Everything is laid out in front of me. It’s simple. It’s the clarity, versatility and accessibility which I crave that helps to make my work and my life admin achievable without giving myself a permanent migraine and hitting high stress levels, or reaching for the gin bottle at midday

Dataflex Bento box $99 West Elm mid Century desk £319; John Lewis office chair £399;

Dataflex Bento box $99 West Elm mid Century desk £319; John Lewis office chair £399;

Dataflex Bento box $99 for all my home office needs; West Elm mid Century desk £319;

I’ll give you an example. My work laptop. It’s nothing fancy, it’s a laptop. I compose emails on it. I read emails on it. I occasionally design some clothes on it. I google on it. I read the DM on it.  You get the idea. I can do all of that naturally without ergonomically challenging my body using the Dataflex Bento Box to hold the laptop in position. I don’t need to adjust my posh study chair. I don’t need to plump the height of the laptop with 10 issues of Living Etc so that I’m over extending my neck and spine to do my job. Thinking about it, the Dataflex Bento Box is improving my work posture too.

West Elm mid Century desk £319; Dataflex Bento box $99; John Lewis office chair £399;

It’s a neat lunchbox sized ‘Addit Bento’ box organizer for my life. Room for notebooks, stationary, post its, to do lists, the lot. If I’m WFH – working from home, or at the office hot desking, the Dataflex Bento is my little pressure release valve for life. When work is super busy and life is 100mph, you need a little pressure release.

West Elm mid Century desk £319; Dataflex Bento box $99 John Lewis office chair £399;

Dataflex have recently added to the beautifully designed family of ergonomic desktop accessories, allowing you to get comfortable and organised at your desk, from the office or from home. It doesn’t matter whether you like to work using your favourite devices or with printed documents and notes; Addit Bento supports the way you like to get your work done.

This post was sponsored by Dataflex, however all opinions are 100% my own