7 ways how to get your home Halloween ready

Create a welcoming entrance hall

Autumn being the season of warm colours like burnt oranges, rusts and reds will help any entrance hall or hallway come alive. Many us decorate our homes with Christmas wreaths, so why not consider an autumn wreath for your front door? The colours of this autumnal wreath are so warming and pleasing to the eye. In similar fashion, string up garlands of autumnal leaves to run up your staircase or over your fireplace, and welcome your visitors with the ever popular Hello Pumpkin door mat, guaranteed to be a frequent sight on your Instagram feed again this year.

Bring the taste of the season into your home

One of the most wonderful things about this season are the magic words: Pumpkin Spice. For a warming taste of autumn, stock up on autumnal themed limited editions like pumpkin spice gin, pumpkin spice chocolate liquor (I've tried the standard Mozart chocolate liquor and can confirm it is divine) and pumpkin spice syrup to give your coffees and hot chocolates an added je ne sais quoi. 

Come up with a table setting 

Laying the table for Halloween doesn't have to mean spider webs and plastic spiders. It really depends on you as a household. If you have young children, you may want to inject some fun and decorate the space together. Otherwise you could always focus on more of an autumnal theme with a pumpkin centrepiece. Decorate with cutesy, miniature, real pumpkins or go artifical for longevity so you can use your pumpkins again year after year. These white pumpkins would suit monochrome, farmhouse or country style decor, or if you fancy something a little glitzier, how about these rose gold light up pumpkins? You can still make a nod to the season by simply changing the colours of your candles to something like these black candlesticks which have great impact. And for pumpkin soup season, why not invest in some cute pumpkin bowls? Whilst many come in traditional 'pumpkin orange', if you fancy something a little more muted, how about this white ceramic pumpkin bowl with lid?

Update your soft furnishings

Autumn cushion cover // Pumpkin spice latte fabric

Pumpkin throw // Hello autumn cushion cover

White and gold pumpkin cushion

Soft furnishings are one of the easiest ways to help transform a space. It's always good to have an excuse to buy more cushions! Alternatively you can seek out cushion covers that will enable you to keep your same cushions, but give them a seasonal refresh. Once autumn is over, cushion covers are easy to fold and put away as they don't require much in the way of storage space. If you're feeling crafty and are good with a needle and thread, why not source some autumnal fabric and make your own cushion covers? I just love this pumpkin spice latte fabric

Give your bedding a refresh

Warm tone pumpkin bedding // Pumpkin spice and everything nice bedding

Dark Halloween bedding // Pastel blue pumpkin bedding

Grinning pumpkins bedding // Black and white Halloween bedding

Alas the Matalan pumpkin duvet cover of dreams has sold out, but there are plenty of other good ones out there. This set is just as lovely as the Matalan one. Alternatively if you and your family prefer the monochrome look, how about a black and white design like this one? If soft pastels are more your thing, these are a little harder to find as everything is so orange at this time of the year, however I located two examples (above). Isn't this pumpkin spice and everything nice set adorable? 

Create a cosy atmosphere

When the temperatures start to plummet and the leaves begin their metamorphosis, it's the perfect time to watch Halloween movie favourites (Hocus Pocus anyone?) with a cosy throw, hot chocolate in an autumn ready mug and a soft lighting scheme. For ultimate cosy vibes, you can't go wrong with fairy lights and a pumpkin spice candle. 

Just have fun with it!

If cobwebs and spiders aren't your thing, there are plenty of alternatives out there that you can hang on your walls. If you have a bar cart or a designated drinks area, this Drink Up Witches banner may be up your street. Or if you want to play more towards an autumn theme rather than Halloween, opt for a farmhouse style sign with a wooden frame like this one. Wall art like this can easily be propped against a wall and doesn't necessarily need fixing to the wall (perfect for if you are renting!). Same story with this crow print which doesn't just have to be for Halloween, and would be perfect all year round on any gallery wall. If birds don't freak you out, these ravens can easily be dotted around your home. At the top of the stairs. On the fireplace. In the bookshelves. Above a wardrobe or kitchen cupboard. The possibilities are endless! If you have children, they can help you place them, otherwise why not have a family game of find the ravens? 

Which items are your favourites?

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9 things you NEED to have in your autumn winter wardrobe

It's that time of year again. The icy mornings where your breath billows out in front of you in fluffy clouds, your favourite Christmas cups are back - even though it's not quite December yet - and the leaves on the trees going through a magical metamorphosis of glorious reds, yellows and oranges. I'm not the most colourful of people, but this time of the year inspires me to incorporate a little autumnal splash of colour into my wardrobe. Be is mustard, rust, tobacco or burnt orange.

Mustard tulle maxi skirt //  Burgundy skinny jeans //  Fluffy slouchy jumper // Fit and flare skirt

Imagine twirling in the leaves with this skirt... oh this skirt was made for twirling. The jeans however a little more on the vampy side - perfect for wintery nights out where you can't fathom wearing a skirt or dress. The jumper looks super cosy for the chilly mornings and evenings dawning in on us now. And another skirt. A little more structured this one, which wouldn't look out of place worn in the office or for client meetings.

Camel trousers //  Lace panel blouse // Sixties coat //  Insect detail red bag //  Burgundy boots

These trousers... because camel <3 Aren't they so much more interesting than standard black or blue jeans?! However this burnt orange blouse would make any pair of blue / black jeans extra special. I don't own anything yellow, but this coat would help lift the darkest of outfits. And for rich reds, I love this bag with quirky detailing and this pair of knee high boots.

What items are your favourites?

Feeling festive with Debenhams

It feels weird to be talking about Christmas in July, but today I headed over to Debenham's Christmas press event where fair isle, gingerbread, knitwear and sparkles were left, right and centre.

 I can scarcely believe that it's less than five months until Christmas!

As ever, Debenhams had unique and interesting ways of presenting their collection

I recognised a few items from their other press event but there were plenty of new products on display too. There was certainly lots of Christmas gift inspiration

I know someone who would love these drone sets!

These glittery retro sweet cups are right up my sisters street! 

And one of my best friends would love this bunny cushion!

Debenhams also featured a personalised selection of gifts, hampers and bouquets

Seeing their festive season party dresses got me all excited for Christmas and NYE!

.... however Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas jumper!

... or Christmas pyjamas. How cute are this gingerbread man pair?

... and let's not forget festive table decoration inspiration. I loved their silver woodland theme!

Also on the agenda for today was a Christmas cookie decorating session - the finished designs hung up as Christmas decorations, or for the less patient.... nibbled upon there and then!

I loved this next use of visual merchandising. The whole ideal of waking up on Christmas morning and finding gifts around the fireplace, feeling like a kid again. Anyone would be excited to wake up and find these particular knee high boots and bags on Christmas morning!

MOST WANTED

And the award for my favourite item goes to... I'll take these in a UK size 6 please!

Oh I do love a cape

Copper pans. Need I say more?

Imagine receiving one of these beautiful boxes tied with with a red bow on Christmas day and inside finding one of these beauties. I love the plum set and the red (bottom centre and right)

Those leather gloves though

This red dress with the beautiful lace overlay. LOVE

And more of my favourite.... lace. But this time in my favourite colour!

I was literally about to leave when a lady came over and asked if I'd like a bouquet of flowers to take home with me. The bouquet in question was composed of the most beautiful red roses and what looks like thistles. These were on display on the day so was a lovely little memento to take home.

A huge thank you to the Debenhams team for inviting me. Never did I think I could feel festive and excited for Christmas as early as July, but I've been proven wrong! Roll on Christmas!

What are your favourite items from the collection?

Debenhams AW press event

I know what you're thinking - it's wayyy too early to be thinking about autumn winter. It's barely summer as it is. Although with the gales and rain we're experiencing in London at the moment, I'd forgive you if you did think it was autumn. The Debenhams AW press day couldn't have come at a better time. I was especially excited when the invite read fashion AND homeware - for reasons perhaps best explained here.

My first impressions of the Debenhams press day? Complete awe over the autumnal decor.  Warm lighting with an orange hue, autumnal leaves, arrangements of wild flowers, flower pots and crates upcycled with gold and copper detailing... the visual merchandising of the event was genius.

The homeware department was really inspiring and got me even more excited about the prospect of owning my own place. I loved the neutral colour palettes - however the pink flamingo lamp was - and still is - is a brilliant statement piece.

 I loved the Mad Hatter tea party feel of this dining table set

... and my dream kitchen would be filled with copper pans like these

The homeware department was full of inviting looking beds that I wanted to slip under the covers of

I loved this end of the bed feature with the candles and champagne flutes - perfect for a night in!

 In terms of fashion, Debenhams presented my ideal wardrobe - capes, coats and beautiful boots.

 

... along with a whole host of party dresses ideal for party season in December

MOST WANTED

This coat. The warmest of shades. So autumn, don't you think?

The softest and cosiest sheepskin aviator jacket

Another must have for autumn - rust shorts

The camel coat - an autumn winter classic

And let's not forget these Mary Jane shoes. Very Alice in Wonderland.

... and then most of their lingerie. It was housed in the most atmospheric of settings with dim lighting, a white fluffy rug and a glass table (the latter two I seriously need in my life!) My favourites - as ever - are lacy affairs

Thank you so much to Debenhams for inviting me over that day to preview such an incredible collection. Is it so terrible that I'm willing summer to be over just so it's autumn...?!