Category Archives: inspiration

Finding A Job In 2016*

25th September 2016
In this day and age it may seem that it is incredibly hard to find a job in such an over-saturated market. If you are a recent graduate it can feel like you will never find a job in your field of interest or that you will need to go back to education just to land a job related to your degree. The reality is that yes, it is hard to find your dream job but it has always been this way. What has changed is that technology allows you to look for jobs more easily than ever. Sites such as Jobrapido allow you to access thousands of job openings and to apply to hundreds per day. Here are some tips on how you can maximise your job search to begin your dream career and find a job you’ll love.
According to new trends there is still a plethora of opportunity in the mobile, analytics, health care technology and automation industries. What do all of these have in common you may be wondering? They all are being innovated through technological advances and need skilled employees who are on the pulse of this new age. Anything within the healthcare field is also growing due to the ageing population and is also being merged with innovative industries.

When we talk about an over-saturated market we are pointing out that there are many people entering the workforce with degrees. However skills and experience are always more helpful on top of a good education. When you have graduated it is important to never stop developing your skills to make them more applicable to real world scenarios and careers. If you are pursuing a masters degree for example you may want to find a more specific program in order to allow yourself to stand out from the crowd.

There are many job boards and websites to start your search for a job but you will also want to check out talent communities. These are interactive discussions between employees and potential employees as well as employers. You automatically have to specify which industry/industries you are looking for a job in return you’ll have a platform for future opportunities. It is also a great way to network and learn more about jobs before you decide to take one.

Mobile devices allow you to stay connected no matter what and apply for jobs on the go. When you have free time during your current job or are commuting you apply to any number of jobs per day. These job applications have the interface and interaction people crave making job searching more fun than scrolling through descriptions and trying to pick the best opportunity. There are so many ways to make job hunting more interesting and more effective try out all of these suggestions and you may find yourself landing your dream job in no time!

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Posted in inspiration, work

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2016’s interior trends and how to make them work for you*

31st July 2016
I’ve always had a passing interest in interior design and would quite happily flick through Mum’s pile of home decor type magazines to while away some time. Since moving in to the flat I’ve taken an even keener interest, especially in how to incorporate some of the latest trends in a budget friendly and suitable for rental way. Baytree Interiors have been looking in to some of 2016’s biggest hits for the home and there’s a great feature on the Real Homes Magazine website too. With this as my inspiration I’ve popped together my thoughts on those trends and how they could work for me and my home.
The first thing to mention is colour. Ben and I are far from colour shy which is just as well as it’s set to continue being big news when it comes to the home. From Pantone’s colour of the year through to Dulux’s colour forecast for the year it’s clear to see that white and magnolia has been banished for the time being. Rich colours paired with metallic golds and coppers are the top picks and un-wittingly we already have a lot of this in our living room (nicknamed “the amazing technicolour living room”) with our mis-matched furniture, most of which we bought second hand for a very low price then painted up with a coat or two of Annie Sloan’s infamous chalk paint. I think a bright home using rich and warm colours makes for a cosy home and our living room is my favourite place to relax.
Patterns are also still going strong with world travel being the main influence. It doesn’t have to be limited to the walls either- a colourful rug on the floor, reupholstering a dining room chair or adding a Moroccan inspired runner to a table are great ways to embrace the trend with minimal commitment and without breaking the bank.
Metallics are having a moment with everybody and their dog going crazy for copper. I’m no exception and around the flat you’ll find lots of metallic elements dotted around- from silver herb planters hosting bright and bold flowers to the copper pan taking pride of place in my kitchen. From my experience places like Home Bargains and The Range are good places to pick up inexpensive decorative bits that will certainly last the duration of the trend if you’re likely to change your mind. Slightly more pricey are H&M, Urban Outfitters and Oliver Bonas- I have a massive wish list for all three of these stores and keep a close eye out for sales or discounts! For bigger pieces of furniture and decor you can strike gold on sites like gumtree and ebay or by scouring charity shops and car boot sales. We picked up a massive filigree mirror for about £20 via gumtree when we’d previously seen them in a reclamation yard for over £200!
Have you embraced any of these trends around your home? What have been some of your homeware best buys?

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Posted in inspiration, interiors, life stuff, shopping, trends

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Father’s Day Inspiration with Look Mate

24th May 2016
I’m on a bit of a role with my Father’s Day gift ideas this year having previously barely touched on the subject due to lack of inspiration. Today I’m introducing perhaps THE funkiest sock brand I’m yet to come across, Look Mate.

It might be a bit of a cliche or even seen as a bit of a cop out but I happen to think that socks make an excellent gift, especially when they are super quirky and fun (and let’s face it, who doesn’t need more socks?)

Each pair of Look Mate socks costs £10 (and don’t worry, they cater for us ladies too!) or you can sign up for the monthly sock subscription at a cost of £9.00 for one month, £8.50 per month for three months or £8.00 per month for six months. I think the idea of a sock subscription as a gift is a great idea and something I’ve bookmarked for future present purchasing!

I’m a bit of a sock fiend, I can never resist something bright and bold. I’m not quite sure my Dad shares my extremely bright tastes but socks always seem to go down well with him and I have high hopes for these!

Posted in brands I love, gifts, inspiration, shopping

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Father’s Day Inspiration with House of Fraser*

19th May 2016
With Father’s Day looming (19th June FYI) I thought it only right and fair that I do my best to provide inspiration on how to spoil the main man in your life as I always seem to be coming up with female orientated gift guides. There’s a reason for this in that shopping for my Mum is just so easy. We have very similar tastes and it’s rare that I go on any shopping trip without coming back with a little something to stash away for her. My Dad on the other hand is a different story and over the years I’ve become known for my off the wall thinking when it comes to my gifts to him- the policeman mole figurine and 50th Birthday Ant Farm are two that spring to mind as successes in the past. Still, focusing on something a little more traditional I’ve popped together some top ideas from House of Fraser’s selection of men’s accessories which will hopefully help point you in the right direction.

Will I be going down the more traditional route this year? Not likely, but I do know that when my stash of quirky ideas runs out my Dad would be more than happy to receive any of these gifts instead.

On the surface these might all look like quite run of the mill ideas, but with a huge range of quality brands (my Dad for example would love the Paul Smith cufflinks or Ted Baker iPad case) and something to suit all budgets- from £4.00 socks to watches costing hundreds there is something for all tastes and all budgets.

Now I’ve just got to work out if my lovingly handmade gift is going to cut it or if I need to be heading to the shops instead!

Which parent do you find easiest to shop for? I know my best friend is in the opposite situation to me and has a nightmare of a time trying to pick out a present for her Mum!

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Posted in family, gifts, inspiration, shopping

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A Great Night in with Plusnet and BFI

14th December 2015
Call me boring if you like but I hands down prefer a cosy night in to a drunken (or indeed sober) night out on the town, especially in Winter. Give me a fluffy blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, some good company and a girly romantic film and I’m at my happiest…really, is there anything better when it’s pouring with rain and blowing a gale?

Plusnet have recently partnered up with the British Film Industry (BFI) to celebrate their blockbuster “Love” season which will see classic romance films showing in cinemas over the country. To celebrate this they sent out some boxes to bloggers containing everything you could need for the perfect night in.

I think a big part of any night in is a pamper session whether you have company or are enjoying some rare downtime alone. Casablanca is an absolute classic and a total must see- the tissues and eye mask were very much required though (but then I do cry at almost everything!) I think the popcorn was intended to be shared but being the popcorn hoover that I am it didn’t get that far, in fact it didn’t even make it in to a bowl, oops!
What are your girly night in essentials and your favourite romantic movies? If I had to make a list then my top five would be:

Love Actually- who can resist it?

Notting Hill- I went through a phase of being obsessed with watching this!

One Day- I cried so much at this one

Atonement- I loved the book by Ian McEwan and thought the film adaptation was great

Casablanca- there’s a reason it’s stood the test of time

Do you agree or disagree with my picks (oh and what’s your must-have movie snack?)

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Posted in inspiration, life, life stuff

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