The Power of Colour: Written for Semple Magazine Issue V.

Read the rest of Semple Magazine Issue V here.

Stupid and Contagious: The Destructive Celebrity Mind. Written for Semple Magazine Issue V.

Read the rest of Semple Magazine Issue V here.

Flamingo Favourites: High Tea Collection

Environmentally aware companies are often criticised for failing to appeal to mass market consumers: their eco-friendly products being purchased largely by those who commit to a somewhat alternative and planet friendly lifestyle, whilst leaving your average shopper looking elsewhere.  However, when certain companies emerge offering goods that are simultaneously irresistible and earth conscious, then their business plan successfully provides customers with a guilt free, indulgent shopping experience – what’s not to like?  Flamingo Candles is one of these rare brands.  Combine the look and smell of their adorable flamingo adorned gifts with the knowledge that each of their candles is handmade in Britain, and you know it’s time to get shopping… to help boost the economy of course.  Stockists include JOY, Asos, Spoiled Brat and various independent boutiques. 

Based in Porth, South Wales, Flamingo Candles have become known for their selection of tempting candles and scent melts, made from fair trade, non-toxic soybean oil and natural cotton wicks.  Each candle comes in a charming reusable jar with a contrasting acrylic ‘Florrie the flamingo’ silhouette perching proudly on the front.  After the popularity of ‘The Candy Shop’ products, which include mouth watering candy floss, bubblegum and vanilla milk bottle scents, a new range has recently been released inspired by the traditional British custom of socialising over a selection of sweet treats and drinks.  The ‘High Tea’ collection adds five new scents to the Flamingo Candles product range, currently available as either classic square jar candles for £12 or scent melts for oil burners for just £2.  Choose from Blackcurrant Jam, Darjeeling Tea, Lemon Curd, Macaroon and Almond, and Earl Grey Tea and Cucumber, depending on which flavour most takes your fancy. 

 I chose to order the Macaroon and Almond candle, thinking that this was highly likely to be the most saccharine of the newly released scents, in order to satisfy my undeniably sweet tooth.  Ordered directly from Flamingo Candles, my purchase arrived well packaged to protect the delightful candle complete with its whimsical rose coloured signature flamingo.  Not too sickly or overpowering, the fragrance is delicate and delicious.  Without the unsightly stickers, bar code and company jargon that litter the containers of many other scented candles, this makes a fanciful, and pleasing addition to my home that I would recommend to anyone wishing to add a little flamingo frivolity to their life.    

   

Friday Fancies: Neon Watches

Take a look at my latest blog post for Fashion Fox, 

featuring the latest limited edition neon collection from Olivia Burton.

  

Summer Trend: Unicorn Motifs

My second blog post for Fashion Fox is now live!

Click the image below to read the full post.

Bookworm

Towards the start of the year, I wrote a post about my personal challenge to read 52 books before the end of 2014.  By the end of January I was on my fifth book, and am now creeping up to the half way mark at the beginning of reading my 23rd.  Here are the reads that have got me to my current total:

5) The Flavours of Love - Dorothy Koomson           6) The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd

7) Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock - Matthew Quick  8) The Shock of the Fall - Nathan Filer

 9) Dreams and Shadows - C. Robert Cargill             10) Broken Dolls - James Carol

11) Perfect - Rachel Joyce                                           12) Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher

13) My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece -                   14) The Summer We All Ran Away - Cassandra
Annabel Pitcher                                                           Parkin

15) Where'd You Go, Bernadette - Maria Semple     16) Burial Rites - Hannah Kent

17) Savages - Shirley Conran                                    18) Will Grayson, Will Grayson -
                                                                                   John Green and David Levithan

19) The Last Quarter of the Moon - Chi Zijian         20) Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

21) The Vogue Factor - Kirstie Clements                   22) Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch 

Every Day I'm Tumblin'

Lately, I've been busy researching and writing the two articles I contribute to each issue of Semple magazine.  Due to be released early next month, the upcoming issue is based around the theme of 'the mind' and I really enjoyed writing my two features that are to be included. 

I thought I would create a quick post to share some of my favourite images that I have reblogged on my Tumblr page lately.  As with all social media, there are times when your feed can prove to be decidedly uninspiring but photographs like these have got me hooked again.