Stationery Favourites

For as long as I can remember I’ve been obsessed with stationery. Going shopping for a new pencil case and it’s contents was the one consolation to the end of the long Summer holidays and over the years I’ve amassed quite a collection of pens, notebooks, pencils, stickers…you get the idea! I’ve recently added a few new items to my stash which I’m really quite taken with so I thought I’d do something a little different and give them some space on the blog.
Crazy Cat Lady Pencils (get them here): What can I say? I just couldn’t resist this set of true to life pencils from La La Land. If cats aren’t your thing (although I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be) then there is a whole host of witty designs to choose from, the perfect addition to your desk, or for a cheeky little gift to someone.

Kate Spade Note Pad (get it here): I’ve developed a bit of a thing for Kate Spade stationery since spying it pop up on several blogs recently. I treated myself to this “short list” note pad as a pick-me-up during a not so easy time, it’s perfect for setting small daily goals and feeling accomplished. There is something so charming about the entire stationary collection, I may have added some pens to my collection since photographing this, oops!
Paperblanks notebook* (get yours here): My real weakness is a beautiful notebook and they don’t come much more beautiful than those by Paperblanks. I’ve admired their designs for years, and owned more than a few in my time- as soon as I fill one up with my random notes and musings I instantly replace it, feeling a teensy bit guilty each time for ruining something so easy on the eye. My most recent addition is the perfect size for carrying in my handbag and contains everything from shopping lists to inspiration for my next blog post.

Paperchase Organiser (get yours here): Essentially the only hope I have of ever remembering to do anything! I can’t get to grips with keeping my schedule on my phone, I much prefer the old school approach so when I saw this beautiful owl organiser in store I had to snap it up to replace my mid-year diary that was due to run out. I love that you can customise the inside of these- mine has a standard 12 month diary, plus note paper, a to-do list section and a handy plastic wallet for storing bits and bobs.
Fellow stationery addicts, where do you shop for your supplies? I can’t be alone in being a pen hoarder to the extreme!

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Casual Monochrome

Yeah, I know this week has been a heatwave and I should be embracing bright colours…for the most part I HAVE been embracing bright colours but sometimes comfort calls and all I want is old faithfuls, an outfit I can rely on for slobbing around doing not much at all which pretty much sums up my life lately.

Top: New Look (last year) | Trousers: New Look (similar | Shoes: Primark (alternative) | Necklace: Ebay (partners in crime)

These trousers are probably as close as it gets to me wearing joggers around the house, loose and light they keep me cool whilst the elasticated waist means I can snack on ice lollies and drink litres of icy cold diet coke without feeling the pinch. These sandals are my most worn shoes of Summer 2015 so far, I didn’t have high hopes for the comfort factor but actually I can wear them all day long without a hint of a blister. Last time I went to Primark these ones had sold out (in Bristol) so I’ve linked an alternative above, the New Look ones are also getting rave reviews!
How is July treating you so far? It’s been a slow star here but I have everything crossed that things are going to get better soon.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to enter my giveaway with Lee Renee jewellery!

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(Insta)life recap: 6

Half way through the year already? I almost refuse to believe it…it’ll be Christmas again before we know it (sorry, just putting it out there!).

Anyway, here’s some of what I got up to in June, which was a quite month by all accounts, as told by my instagram (@daisychaindream if you wanted to follow me).

As ever you can over over the images or click on them for a description. Link to your instagram posts below, or leave me your username so I can take a gander at what you’ve been up to as well.

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#madeinsummer with Quiz Clothing

I love a good challenge, and as festival season rolls around I was contacted by Quiz Clothing about a new campaign they were running called #madeinsummer. The challenge? To take an event from the busy Summer calendar and style up the perfect outfit. The REAL challenge? Picking an event, for someone who doesn’t do much outside of working and blogging I was failing at the first hurdle. Thankfully Quiz were happy to help and picked out the Radio 1 weekend in Ibiza.

Items c/o Quiz Clothing

Having only been to a handful of festivals in my lifetime and never any outside of this country it was a case of going in blind when picking my outfit. I knew I wanted something pretty yet practical for the hot weather and all of the dance action which is where this playsuit comes in. It’s so pretty yet has dignity saving qualities that a mini dress doesn’t. It’s also a bit less revealing that a pair of hot pants and a bikini top- that wasn’t going to happen on the blog, challenge or not!

To keep the sun off my neck (let’s just imagine I’m in Ibiza for this post) I went for a floppy sun hat, essential for 30 degree plus heat- a sunburnt and peeling face is never a good look! Footwear wise I was tempted to go for some cool wedge sandals but in the end common sense prevailed and I opted for some pretty flats which are actually comfortable enough to dance all day and all night in, blister free.

What sort out outfit would you have picked for a beach bum, sun lovers festival? All in all I think I got it about right- all I need now is the plane ticket!

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Seize The Day

I’m not feeling particularly wordy at the moment, so I won’t try and introduce this post with anything witty or funny, let’s just let the pictures do the talking and revel in the delight of one of my favourite colour combinations right now.

Top: Primark (current stock) | Skirt: Urban Outfitters sale (here) | Shoes: H&M a few years ago | Necklace: La Jewellery

You can’t really see it but this top has pretty laser cut detail around the sleeves and on the hem setting it apart from your average summer vest. At £5 I couldn’t leave this cornflower blue beauty behind in store and I instantly knew I wanted to pair it with my burnt orange bargain skirt from UO. My trust H&M gladiators which are well in to their fourth summer now completed the outfit, no matter how many other pairs of brown flat sandals I try nothing can compare to these. I’ll be gutted when they eventually give up the ghost. I pulled everything together with my La Jewellery “Carpe Diem” necklace which seems very apt for life right now.
There’s not much else I can add to this post, life is funny some times and I’ve found myself burning out physically and mentally. A few days rest and a bit of self care will go a long way though, and thankfully I have a stash of posts built up to keep the blog going (therefore keeping me occupied and distracted from a racing mind).

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