MY NEW BIKE: RALEIGH PIONEER GRAND TOUR

One of the highlights of last year was the time I actually got to go outside - I live in a flat without a garden, so the first lockdown felt particularly hard - I longed for outdoor space of my own, and I've never appreciated fresh air more! When I look back at last year my best days were definitely the ones where I made an effort to get out and go exploring.

For the last 7 years (!) I've owned a Dutch-style bike (this one!). It looked very beautiful, but it was very heavy and only had 7 gears which meant I was pretty limited whenever I wanted to cycle up hills. Living in the city, it's too risky to leave my bike locked up outside at night, which means whenever I want to use it, I have to carry my bike up and down three floors of stairs - not fun!

I've been swithering for a while, but as the weather has got nicer I decided it was time to finally bite the bullet and buy a proper bike - so say hello to my new steed, a Raleigh Pioneer Grand Tour!

My beaut new bike parked outside lovely Filmhouse Cinema

I hadn't planned to buy a bike online, but I went to a couple of bike shops (which are actually open, even in lockdown) and both had barely any bikes left in stock - apparently there's been a massive demand for them since last year, and manufacturers are struggling to keep up! I knew I wanted to buy a good bike (which meant spending a bit of money), so I really wanted to make sure I wasn't settling for whatever was left in stock, and I took time to find the right bike for me.

I've always like Raleighs, I've had them before and the brand has a great rep for making high-quality bikes. I knew I wanted something light (to make lugging it up stairs a little easier), that I wanted something with a low bar (I'm pretty short and I want to be able to cycle in a skirt if I want to!), and importantly, something with lots of gears to make it easier to get around Edinburgh's hills. My last bike had been beautiful but impractical, so I was trying to look past aesthetics, but obviously I'm a sucker for a nicely designed bike. 

I also needed a bike that was good for both city cycling and country adventures - so decided that a hybrid bike was the way to go.

Looking like a happy potato

I spent AGES looking through all the options, watching videos, reading reviews, and obsessing over the difference between a 14kg bike and a 15kg bike. It was also tricky trying to work out what frame size I wanted - it would have been nice to be able to try some bikes out, but I just had to make do with sizing guides online.

In the end I took the plunge and bought the Pioneer Grand Tour in Low Step. It pretty much ticked all my boxes: it's got a light aluminum frame; 24 gears; big grippy tyres that are happy on pavements and country paths; and it came with mudguards, a pannier rack and a bell, so I didn't have to pay extra for those. It was £525, which feels quite expensive to me and was definitely the top of my budget, but I know I'll get years of use out of it (and we don't have a car, so it really is my main mode of transport these days!).

The bike is an absolute DREAM. I was worried that I'd get carried away imagining how much better this was than my old bike - like, how much difference can a few extra kgs and gears make? Turns out, it's LOADS. The gears are a life-changer! Hills are so much easier, I'm much faster, and I feel so much more confident cycling in traffic. The bike doesn't have suspension, but the seat is fitted with mega springs, so it's much comfier going over cobbles or uneven ground. It looks great too!

Now the weather's improving, I've been able to go out for a few rides already, and I love it. Such a great decision to buy! I'm really looking forward to going farther afield on warm sunny days - bring on the summer! 

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA OUTFIT WISHLIST

Like most teenage girls in the 90s, I was pretty obsessed with Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She had magical powers! Cool aunts! A super sassy feline sidekick! Aaand a weird obsession with pancakes? (Teenage Juliet used to dream of going to IHOP in America, thanks to that pancake episode). It was great.

So, when Netflix announced they were producing a dark reimagining of Sabrina, I was here for it! It follows the same premise as the original series: Sabrina Spellman is a half-witch, half-mortal, who struggles to find a balance between living her human high school life and discovering her new magical powers. But this time round, it is CREEPY. Gone are the pastels and pancakes, this time there's murder, demons and dark arts.

It's based in the present day, but the styling is a 1960s dream, with a gothic twist. The outfits are amazing! Sabrina's dressed in peter pan collars, lace dresses and satin slips. Michelle Gomez (always amazing) plays a teacher possessed by the spirit of Satan, in femme fatale dresses and vintage looks. Sabrina's cousin lounges about in silk robes. It's all a treat!

So, with that in mind, I've put together a wishlist of Sabrina-inspired looks. I know it's not the most Spring-like of outfit wish lists, but I live in Scotland, and it takes a little longer for summery days to roll around here. Look at that green dress! Those boots!

Top row

Green pleated dress | Lace midi dress | Red utility jacket

Middle row

Bee (!!) print chelsea boots | Spellman Mortuary tee | Striped bow headband

Bottom row

Polka dot shirt | Sabrina Spellman pin | Check skirt

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE

This week's weirdly warm weather means it definitely feels like Spring is here! I loved the big snow we got this time last year, but it is so nice to see some blue skies and spring bulbs coming up (although this cartoon very much sums up my feelings about the unseasonably nice days we've been having).

Spring also heralds the month of many presents I have to buy! In March it's my mum, sister and niece's birthdays, followed by Mother's Day, so I've been on the lookout for cool gifts for the women in my life (that aren't going to annihilate my poor wallet). So, take this as your annual reminder that Mother's Day is just around the corner (March 31st! Mark your diary), and please stop reading if you are likely to get a gift from me in the next 4 weeks (mum! This means you!).

For everyone else, here's some mum-friendly gift inspiration.

Top row

Canvas make up bag | Salted honey caramels | Mini hand creams

Middle row

Knitted cowl | Double crescent necklace | Wreath workshop

Bottom row

Succulent planter | Paper Parlour gift box | Personalised watercolour biscuits

QUIRKY VALENTINE'S CARDS

Despite my general apathy towards the hype of Valentine's Day (which genuinely feels like the worst day to go out for a meal?), I cannot help but continue to love Valentine's cards. I'm a sucker for cards in general, really. I think it's just SO nice to take the time to write something special and give it to someone you care about. Cards are cool!

Valentine's cards are also, on the whole, pretty twee (and so pink!). So here's some cute and quirky ones I found! It's a great way to support your local maker/indie stationery shop, and get that sweet dopamine hit as you spread some love and think good vibes towards others.

Top row

Pow! Right in the Feels | Mr Spock | To the Moon & Back

Middle row

Are Ye Dancin? | Valentine Shmalentine | Jaw Dropping

Bottom row

Tetris | Annoying Dinosaur | Buffy

BLACK & BEECH

For the last few years I've tried to make an effort to buy more from local and independent brands, and I'm always impressed by the number I find that are on a mission to do great things and support great people, as well as making super cool products.

Fuck the Male Gaze embroidered tee

Enter Black & Beech. Initially making teething jewellery aimed at style-conscious mums, the brand has expanded to celebrate empowerment and intersectional feminism, making jewellery, stationery, apparel, prints, and other merch to their range.

Black & Beech support equality and donate to Abortion Support Network, and have raised funds for Together for Yes, Terminations for Medical Reasons and In her shoes:Women of the 8th, amongst others. In other words, they are good eggs! And their products are pretty, powerful and packed with important messages.

Liberté, Egalité, Sororité tee

As it's January (and ergo, I have no spending money) I'm stuck with just eyeing up the things I like until payday rolls around. But when it does, I'm ready! I love this Do No Harm pendant, it's pretty and subtle, but is such a good mantra! I love this tee (and this one, oh and that one too). I think 2019 is a good year to shout about the things you believe in, and this is a nice way to do that with your wardrobe!

THE HOLY GRAIL OF TIGHTS: SNAG TIGHTS

Like many women/tights-wearers, I feel like I've been on an eternal hunt to find tights that look nice and, more importantly, fit properly! For years, I've been plagued by irritating tights. Tights that fall down, tights that bunch around your ankles, tights that ladder immediately, tights that sit too low or too high, tights that need pulling up ALL DAY LONG. AAARGH.

I would have given up on tights a long time ago, but I a) wear dresses all the time, and b) live in Scotland, so going bare legged just isn't an option. I had accepted my irritating existence, then one day I spotted an advert for Snag Tights, and it got my attention. Their tights were only £6.99 too so, not expecting anything, I ordered them. And reader, at the risk of hyperbole, they changed EVERYTHING.

I can hand on heart say they are the comfiest, best fitting tights I have worn in my entire adult life. They don't fall down! You just put them on, and they are comfy, and you don't think about your tights all day. That should be the norm, but it made me realise how uncomfy I've been on a daily basis, and how I've just accepted that it's the only option for me. No more.

Normal tights vary in length, but not by width, which is why it can be such a struggle to find tights that actually fit if you don't have a cookie cutter body shape. Snag tights are genuinely different sizes, which are sized based on your dress size, height and body shape.

They are a small UK-based brand, and bit-by-bit they've been expanding their range so now they offer 80 denier, 50 denier, sheer tights, fishnet tights, shorts and kids tights, plus all of their products are really affordable. I've thrown out all my old tights and won't look back, bye baggy denier, hello (not so) holy grail!

QUIRKY CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE VOL. 2

It's Chriiiiiiistmas! Well, obviously not quite yet, but there's a chill in the air, Christmas lights are sparkling all over town, and I've already scalded myself on glühwein.

With only four weeks to go, it's time to get cracking if you've still got Christmas shopping to do! I've put together a list of lovely things, with ideas for most budgets, to give you some Christmas inspo.

Stocking fillers

1. How cute are these sleepy moon pin badges? They come hand-stamped with your choice of initial for a personalised touch.

2. These are aimed at new mums, but as someone who is a fan of staying up late and dozing all day, I loooove this So Tired pin.

3. Got a coffee lover in your life? Get them hand-roasted coffee beans from all female coffee company Girls Who Grind.

4. Fusing art and chocolate, you won't go wrong with beautiful chocolates from Glasgow-based Sugarsnap Chocolate.


£15 and under

1. An adorable gift for anyone with jewellery or trinkets to store, this ring dish is personalised with your choice of name or word.

2. I got this Prick Book last Christmas and it is brilliant! It looks beautiful, is packed full of interesting information about cacti and succulents, and is a great guide for your green-fingered friends. 

3. You can't go wrong with a really pretty mug, and this celestial print mug is lovely.

4. Featuring artwork from the first edition of the book, buying this Wizard of Oz tote bag helps to fund literacy programs and book donations to communities in need, so you can get a gift and help others out! What a wonderful wizard win/win.


£30 and under

1. How cute is this chubby ceramic rhino planter? Very cute, that's what.

2. I'm a big fan of  indie jewellery label Wolf & Moon's aesthetic, and this eclipse necklace is particularly pretty.

3. I love dinosaurs, so I'm a big fan of this lasercut T Rex necklace. It comes in gold and silver too!

4. Okay, have you guessed I like personalised things? I think it all stems from having a slightly unusual name, and never being able to find anything with my name on it when I was little. Anyway, Papier have a beautiful range of stationery, including this beaut 2019 diary, which can all be personalised!


£50 and under

1. I'm a sucker for anything rainbow, and this bright orange bag ticks a lot of boxes. It's got compartments! Everyone likes bags with compartments!

2. I'm pretty pleased I've managed to only pick one thing from Anthropologie on this list, I am obsessed with that whole shop (although I can never actually afford it, weep). This statement necklace looks giant and great.

3. Brighten up wintery days with this adorable handmade fair-isle knitted hat. The pom poms are detachable too!

4. Perfect for the book lover in your life, this Joanie Sense & Sensibility jumper looks cute and cosy.


£100ish 

1. You can never have enough plants, and geo-fleur's Plant Post Club is a super cute way to surprise plant lovers each month. This subscription delivers an exclusive package of an unusual and beautiful plant, in a handmade pot, or plant related accessories each month. Everything's made in geo-fleur's Yorkshire studio.

2. I know this is a massive list of actual presents, but I am definitely of the opinion, that if you are going to treat someone, there's nothing better than gifting a trip or experience. In Edinburgh, we're lucky enough to have beautiful artisan florists dotted around the city, and I've always wanted to do a Flower School workshop - you get to learn a new skill and take home a beautiful bouquet!

3. Okay, back to commercialism! I can't help being a sucker for MAC, and I'm clearly a makeup magpie, so look, look at the shiny pretty things advent calendar! 

4. Like octopuses? Like being cosy? I do! I'm obsessed with this giant octopus blanket, hand-knitted by illustrator Kristina Micotti.

HALLOWEEN WISHLIST

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm a big fan of Halloween (which you'll see if you scroll through my old Halloween tutorials), and I always love it when October rolls around.

October means ghost stories, scary films, dark, cold nights, witchy dressing and spooky accessories, so with that in mind, I've put together a wishlist to celebrate the creepiest time of year...

1. Who you gonna call? I love this ghostbusters-inspired tote bag, which is perfect for this time of year!

2. I have long had my eye on a pair of beautiful Rogue Matilda brogues, but look how beautiful (and perfectly Halloween themed!) this black patent pair are.

3. Award-winning poet Amanda Lovelace muses on the magic of women in the witch doesn't burn in this one - a collection of poems mixing mysticism and lore. It's been called a "fiery, accessible call-to-arms in a time where young women need every rebellious spark", which sounds pretty magical to me.

4. One of the best 90s Halloween movies, I love Hocus Pocus! Put a spell on everyone with this cute slogan sweatshirt.

5. Some people don't like the clocks changing, but I'm a fan of properly dark, crisp nights. Perfect for lighting candles and cosying in, so what better than a smoke & musk candle - a bespoke blend of green balsam fir, with wood smoke and deep, musky patchouli.

6. Tatty Devine have a whole range of halloween-themed jewellery (that anatomical heart brooch!) but I'm very into their witchy magic hands necklace, inspired by protective charms.

7. Lasercut wonders Black Heart Creatives have an full Season of the Witch collection, with shadows, shrines and crescent moons. I like these tiny cat earrings, a sweet nod to the season.

8. Show your love for everyone's favourite paranormal duo with this cute Mulder & Scully collar clip set.

9. And finally, how adorable is this tiny bat enamel pin? 

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Have you remembered it's Mother's Day this Sunday? March 11th for everyone in the UK! If you haven't, don't panic - there's still a week to get something ordered and pretend you were prepared all along.

I'm lucky in that my mum (who I very much hope isn't reading this post and seeing all my present secrets!) is pretty easy to shop for. She's always delighted when she gets flowers, doesn't seem to mind when I gift her endless candles (which in my opinion, you really cannot go wrong with), but she's also into more quirky styles and gifts, which means picking presents for her is really fun (and I can pretend that I'm shopping for me).

Here's a few mum-friendly gifts that caught my eye, and will hopefully inspire you if you're a little bit stuck!

Top row

Knitted scarf | Wolf & Moon wildflower necklace | Kinska planter

Middle row

Larue vase | Edward & Irwyn salted caramels | Laboratory Perfumes candle

Bottom row

Lucky Cloud gift set | Cross-body bag | Beautiful Puffin books set

STATIONERY WISHLIST

Let's get organised! As with most lifestyle bloggers, I am a sucker for beautiful stationery, and I definitely feel ten times more motivated if I have beautiful things to write in. I'm trying to not spend much money in January (because it's January, and I spent it all in December), but come payday, I am treating myself!

Here's a look at some of my favourite stationery and desk accessories out there... all super cute, and guaranteed to help you get your life in order!

1. I'm a big fan of ban.do in general (everything they do is so cute and sassy), but I seriously love this colour block notebook. It's filled with graph paper, making it a pretty perfect bullet journal, or good for people like me who hate large lined notebooks with a burning fury.

2. Colour coding just makes life easier, so I would quite like all of MUJI's highlighters please (I'd also like this gel ink set if anyone's buying. No?).

3. Tidy up your desk by putting your pens in this super cute pencil shaving desk tidy.

4. Make adulting that little bit easier by storing important/boring life stuff in lovely file folders!

5. I know I'm kind of veering into desk accessories here, but you need to make space so you can display all of your beautiful books! This neon letter holder is great, and will help sort your life out.

6. Who knew you needed a desk doughnut? Organise your pins in the sweetest way.

7. So it's not the cutest paper planner out there, but this paper mousepad has honestly changed my working life! I am so much more productive using it, and it has brought sanity to my worklife, helped me handle clashing deadlines and pre-festival panic, and is also mega cheap.

8. I've talked before how much I love personalised things, so hold me back from buying one of everything in Papier's stationery range. I want a notebook for work, and a notebook for blogging, and a sketch book, and aargh it's all really lovely and surprisingly cheap!

9. If you've not got yourself a planner yet, you're in luck as they are all on sale! This A6 planner is undated, meaning you can dip into it at any time of year.

SUDIO SWEDEN WIRELESS HEADPHONES

I've been using the same beat-up sellotaped headphones for years (because I am a scruff), so it was a total treat when super-cool Swedish tech designers, Sudio got in touch and gave me the chance to try out anything from their range (yes, yes please).

I'm a fan of over the ear headphones, so my eye was immediately drawn to their Sudio Regent wireless headphones - which boast cutting-edge Bluetooth tech, 24 hours of battery life, mega sound, and an ultra modern appearance.

Let me tell you now - I never knew how much my life needed wireless headphones until I got these ABSOLUTE JOYS. I use headphones almost every day - I commute to and from work, and occasionally need them in the office (when I definitely have to concentrate, or I can't handle my work pals playing another 80s playlist). And for years, without really thinking about an alternative, I've been faffing around with wires, getting annoyed when my headphone cord gets caught in my jacket, or scarf, or gets twisted around my bag strap, or caught up in my keys in my pocket. Wireless headphones change everything! It's honestly been a bit of a revelation.

I'm also seriously impressed with the sound (I guess that's the important part). I can't tell you the positives in any technical terms, but it sounds really clear and crisp, and you can turn the volume up waaaaay louder than you could with my old headphones. The headphones are also surprisingly great at noise cancellation - it's taken me a few days to get used to how weird buses are when you can't hear your fellow passengers!

The (synthetic) leather is super soft, they are light and comfy to wear, and fold pretty little so they aren't too bulky in your bag. As you'd guess from a Scandi designer, they are simple and stylish - the headphones come in black or white, and also have interchangeable headphone caps if you want to mix it up (including very on-blogger-brand black and white marble).

The Sudio Regents retail at £79, which seems very much on the reasonable end of wireless/noise-cancelling headphones. They also come in a very nice box! (Help me, I'm such a sucker for nicely wrapped presents, I'm an old lady now).

I can't tell you how much wireless headphones are BLOWING MY MIND - has everyone known that they are a cool thing for ages, and I somehow missed it? Either way, I'm glad I've finally found out.

If you're at all tempted by these, or anything else in the Sudio range, you can actually get 15% off using the code eversojuliet. So they're only £67... kinda a bargain? Treat yo' self!

PERSONALISED GIFT GUIDE

How's the Christmas shopping going? After an enthusiastic (and pretty smug) start, I have obviously lost momentum and am feeling a little panicked as all of a sudden it's December (!) and international shipping dates are fast approaching.

In my never-ending hunt for interesting presents, I find I keep being drawn to custom and personalised gifts. Not only are they ace presents in their own right, but you know you're going to get extra brownie points for finding something that's one-of-a-kind!

I've rounded up a few of my favourite things. If you're still stuck for ideas, check out my other Christmas gift guide that's full of nice things for all budgets.

1. You cannot go wrong with a beautiful satchel, and the Leather Satchel Company have been crafting British-made leather satchels since 1966. All of their bags can be made bespoke to your liking and customised with a name or initials stamped into the leather.

2. How cute is this embroidered heart patch? It would be perfect for giving to someone with an anniversary or special date to remember (although you might want to also get them a shirt or jacket to sew it onto!). If you're feeling extra creative, make your own slogan tee, by ordering a customised t-shirt - this site has express t-shirt printing and does all the design for you, so you don't have to be a graphic design wizard.

3. I think this is definitely something you wouldn't buy yourself, but what a sweet gift to get! Ella Masters makes these mini personalised pen portraits for only £10 and they are adorable!

4. Dreamy stationery is ALWAYS a good idea, and these colourblocked monogram journals are beautiful.

5. I've wanted a necklace like Carrie's since I was a teenager and I was glued to Sex in the City. This gold name necklace is perfect (and very affordable).

6. Tatty Devine make loads of personalised jewellery, and I think my favourite is this speech bubble necklace (my best pal & I have a matching Ernest Hemingway quote). This necklace gives you 40 characters to say whatever you want - whether it's a line from pop culture, your favourite quote or a daft in-joke!

7. If there's a booklover in your life, take a look at these absolutely gorgeous bespoke Bloomfield and Rolfe bookplates. These are all hand-illustrated, completely original, and would be such a special gift.

8. I included Karen Mabon in my last gift guide, but I just love her illustrated designs, and this silk scarf is no exception. Perfect to tie up in your hair!

9. Finally, if you're looking for something that's definitely different, boomf  will print marshmallows with your photos - meaning you can give your pal a weird, but tasty gift of their own mallowy face.

Disclaimer: This post contains a sponsored link.

QUIRKY CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE VOL. 1

Did you know there's only six weeks until Christmas? Not to sound like an old cliche, but where has this year gone? How are we half-way through November? How is it 2018 in only SEVEN weeks? Terrifying.

Despite my total horror at the ever-accelerating passage of time, I have (for once!) managed to start my Christmas shopping early this year, so I'm feeling pretty smug that my December can actually revolve around leisurely trips to the Christmas market for hot booze, rather than panicked scrolling through amazon.

I've come across loads of lovely things on my search, so I thought I'd bring back the Ever So Juliet Christmas Guide, and point you in the direction of nice present ideas, with ideas that hopefully suit whatever budget you are on!


Stocking fillers

1. I am a sucker for a lovely mug, and these gilded monogramed mugs are particularly lovely (I also like pretty much everything in Anthropologie's monogram shop, if initials are your thing!).

2. Channel some Palm Springs vibes with this super cute mid-century house enamel pin.

3. I was given a One Line a Day memory book last Christmas, and it honestly has been such a great journal! You write a moment from each day for five years, and it's so nice being able to track the little moments, and thinking about what is yet to come!

4. I also have this and it's the greatest patch I own. Proclaim your love for Jeff loud and proud with this Jeff Goldblum Appreciation Society patch.


£15 and under...

1. Got a slightly geeky pal to buy for? This etsy shop is packed with cute and quirky anime and video game-inspired accessories & art. These Night in the Wood earrings are adorable (the game is also adorable and you should definitely play it if you haven't already!).

2. This cactus ring dish is cute and practical (win win).

3. You'll never go wrong with gifting a candle! This soy candle is particularly nice.

4. How beautiful are these zodiac journals? They're super fancy and made with vegan leather too.


£30 and under...

1. Part of Black Heart Creatives Mid Century Modern collection, this laser cut
cheese plant necklace is so much fun, and would be a pretty perfect gift for a plant lovin' pal.

2.  How cute is this origami hippo lamp? You can get an elephant and rhino too, but obviously the hippo is the best one!

3. Get a Scottish pal something truly original, with this Irn Bru wool cushion made from a hand dyed vintage wool blanket. You can also get an Irn Bru bag to match!

4. Perfect as a seriously swish toiletries bag or a quirky clutch, Tatty Devine's dental bling bag is ace.


£50 and under...

1. Everyone needs a good statement necklace, and this pearl necklace is very pretty.

2. Is there someone in your life with a penchant for hipster homeware? This Oliver Bonas filament table lamp should do the trick! 

3. How gorgeous are these earrings? This etsy shop is packed with the most incredible beautiful and bright leather jewellery, I'm super into this tassel necklace and this geometric necklace too!

4. I am pretty rubbish with skincare, but I have been using Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil for the last few months, and it is so good and makes my skin feel happy and glowy! Kiehl's have a great gift set (featuring this very product) that is packed with their favourite essential products.


£100 ish

1.  Edinburgh designer Karen Mabon is queen of the whimsical print, and her range of silk pyjamas are no exception. I'm a big fan of the koi carp print and imagine how fancy you'd feel, sleeping in silk veg sleepwear?

2. If you want a gift that keeps on giving, a monthly subscription is a great choice. Everyone should have fresh flowers in their home, and Bloom & Wild's letterbox flowers are gorgeous, and mean you never have to worry about scheduling delivery times.

3. You can't go wrong with anything from MAC's Snowball Holiday Collection, but if you really want to impress, this MAC Classics lipstick kit is the way to go! If your budget can't stretch to that, the mini kits are cute too.

4. It's got bees on it! It's vegan-friendly! You can personalise the strap! Did I say it had bees on it?! (I love bees, this Olivia Burton watch is wonderful).

AUTUMN WISHLIST

I know Autumn doesn't officially start until next week, but I am ready for it! I am a bit hopeless at this in-between time, where nights are getting darker, but it's still weirdly warm and humid. How do you dress for 23 degrees, when it's also cloudy AND raining AND 85% humid? Aargh. Bring on crispy leaves, cold days and cosy scarfs, and rainy Sunday afternoons.

This Autumn I'm planning to properly embrace the art of hygge, and I've put together a bit of a wishlist to help me do just that.

I want to curl up in my cosy flat with millions of candles burning (I bought the pine tree version of this candle last year and it was amaaazing), and if I have to leave the flat then I want suitably autumnal clothes - a silk woodland creature scarf to tie round my hair, a galaxy-themed dress to pair with thick tights and silver boots, and a fluffy bobble hat!

Top row

Amber & moss soy candle | Galaxy shirt dress | Flora & fawns scarf

Middle row

Glitter ankle boots | Yellow mac | Cactus pyjamas

Bottom row

Denim tassel jacket | Knitted beanie | Fluffy cloud jumper

CACTUS WISHLIST

I have always been a sucker for cacti. They're one of my favourite plants (so cute! so easy to keep alive!), they're surprisingly tasty (prickly pear margaritas are ah-mazing), and thanks to being the hipster's current plant of choice, there are now loads of ways to show your love for all things small and spiky.

As with all my wishlist posts, this comes at a time when I'm a bit skint, should be saving, but instead I'm daydreaming about what wonderful things there are in the world to buy. My very, very favourite cactus item is the adorable cactus garden chair from Oliver Bonas. I don't have a garden, nor do I need another chair, but look at it! SURELY I deserve that in my life, right? They are due to be released this month, so I'm keeping my eyes on their website and counting down to payday...

Top row

 Cactus vase | Cactus garden chair (coming in March!) | Planter bag

Middle row

Enamel pin badge | Make up bag | Cacti coasters

Bottom row

Ankle socks | Jewellery holder | Terrarium necklace

THE PAPERGANG BY OHH DEER

I feel like I write about subscription boxes CONSTANTLY on this blog (current count: here, here, here, and here), but I love getting nice mail and surprises through the post. They're like buying yourself an ace present every month!

I've been a fan of stationery wonders Ohh Deer for a while (they sell everything!), so it's fair to say I was quite excited to see that they are launching a brand new stationery subscription club, the Papergang.

Each month you'll get a themed box of papery treats, which could include greeting cards, notebooks, desk accessories and art prints. Each box will be designed by a different artist, so your new collection sits nicely together - which also makes it a particularly nice gift idea!

It's also pretty reasonably priced too - a month's subscription costs £9.95 plus shipping (they ship worldwide too), which is just the cost of a couple of fancy coffees. I mean, yeah, I obviously DO NOT NEED MORE NOTEBOOKS, but when they're that cute? How could I say no?

The first box launches in March, so you've got two weeks to sign up if you're interested, which you can do here! 

SUPER CUTE VALENTINE'S CARDS

Love is in the air! Well, Valentine's Day is round the corner... and while I am a firm believer that love is ace, and you should do nice things all year round, I am a bit of sucker for adorable stationery.

I've rounded up a few of the cutest Valentine's cards I've seen online this year so you can treat your valentine's and your galentine's (ovaries before brovaries)!

Top row

Scottish Han Solo & Leia | Certificate of Awesome | You're Quite Attractive 

Middle row

Foxy lady | I Love the Shit Out of You | Dean Strang & Jerry Buting

Bottom row

Galentine's Day | You've Stolen My Heart | I Pure Fancy You

EMBROIDERED PATCH WISHLIST

Since I stitched up my denim patch jacket, I have suddenly been obsessed with patches - I want them all, and I want them now!

Annoyingly, as I have a) no money (thanks early December payday), and b) nothing that really needs patches added, I'll just have to bide my time by making a wishlist of what I'm planning to buy next! It's totally okay to dress only in denim jackets and shirts covered in patches, right?

Here's a few of my favourites...

Top row

Jade Boylan - girl gang | Sara M. Lyons - whatever forever | Stay Home Club - rude little pig

Middle row

Sushi patches | Kodiak Milly - official pizza inspector | Cuddly kitten

Bottom row

Danny Brito - cry baby | Emoji patches | Kodiak Milly - boozin' & snoozin'

THE TARTAN BLANKET CO

One of my favourite things about winter is that it is absolutely okay to spend your time hibernating, cosied up under blankets, watching movies, and eating loads of carbs. It is perfect!

 

As a long-term fan of cosiness, I already have a fairly extensive blanket collection, but I could not resist buying another from the Tartan Blanket Co's very lovely Christmas pop-up shop which has appeared in Leith (handily, close to my flat!). I got to coo over artfully-stacked blankets (is that weird? They were very beautifully stacked!), eat mince pies, pick a mystery envelope off their fancy Christmas tree (which gifted me a free candle, hooray!), and generally just have a lovely time in a hipster haven of cosiness.

The pop-up shop is on Great Junction Street (near the Shore) and will be open until December 23rd.

If you can't make it down to Leith, they have millions of things online (and they ship worldwide too). I am quite obsessed with this fishbone scarf, but they've got blankets (obviously), cushions, and a surprisingly ace range of home accessories - how cute is this raccoon postcard, or these copper lanterns, and this cloud necklace?  I want it all! 

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

I know the blogosphere is full of Christmas gift guides at the moment, but if you've still got Christmas shopping to do, hopefully a last minute bit of inspiration will help!

I've rounded up a range of lovely things to suit all budgets - whether you're looking for stocking fillers, or splashing your budget. Happy shopping!

£5 and under...

Lucky Cloud lip butter | Camera crew patch

Glitter snap clips | Writing map

£15 and under...

Nikki McWilliams passport cover | Danny Brito pouch

Novella journal | Typography mug

£30 and under...

Tear drop terrarium | Gold leather necklace

Elderflower bath crystal & candle set | Rabbit vase

£50 and under...

Letterpress 2016 calendar | Duffle bag

Neom intensive skin treatment candle | Coco chocolate box

£100 and over!

Lush legends gift set | Aesop Cassiopeia set

Tatty Devine dinosaur necklace | Custom Mango Bike