Category: Fashion

1. 4 Accent Wall Ideas for a Fresh Look

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 31st Mar 2022

   If like me, you work from home, you want to make it a great working environment and one of the hottest interior design trends this year is adding an accent wall to a room. This is surprising since this isn’t a new trend – accent walls have been around for years. And yet, they are still popular.

   This is probably because accent walls are a great way to add a splash of color or a bold statement to a room without overdoing it. It’s the perfect way to dip your toes into the water, and it’s great for both offices and your home. If you need some ideas for what to do with an accent wall, keep reading.

   

   Plaster

   Yes, you can create an accent wall with plaster. Of course, this is a bit tricker than the other methods on the list, but the results can be amazing. However, we do recommend using professionals to do this for you. The type of plaster that you use also matters. Blue Venetian plaster is a great way to make a statement with your accent wall, especially because it has such a unique look. This is also a very durable material, making it great for accent walls because your wall won’t lose its signature look after a few months.

   Paint

   Of course, we can’t have a post about accent walls without mentioning paint. While this may be a more traditional way of creating an accent wall, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.

   Painting an accent wall is also one of the easiest and most affordable methods out there, so it’s certainly a worthwhile option. You can paint the entire wall a solid color, or you can get creative and try painting some patterns. If you’re updating a room, you should certainly consider using paint to add an accent wall to that room.

   Tiles

   We often tend to think that paint and wallpaper are for walls and that tiles are solely for the floor, but there’s no reason why you can’t tile a wall. In fact, this is a great method for adding an accent wall because it doesn’t just add color and patterns to a room, but it also adds texture. While this style won’t be for everyone, finding the right tile and using it on a wall can transform a room.

   That being said, you need to ensure that the process is done correctly, otherwise, it won’t look good. To learn how to tile a wall, click here.

   Add a corkboard

   While this may sound a bit far-fetched, adding cork to an entire wall can make the room pop. You can get a giant corkboard, or you can use tiles made of cork.

   On its own, it creates a wonderful accent wall, but the great thing is that you can also add things to it with thumb tacks. You can add pieces of art for a sophisticated look. If you invest in an instant camera, you can cover the entire wall in photos.

   Another benefit is that it’s not permanent, so you can add different things to it as your mood and style change.

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2. Must-Have Sandals and Shoes for This Spring

   Posted on 11:00am Friday 12th Apr 2019

   It is no secret that I love fashion. Shopping makes me smile, especially if it is boots, shoes or sandals I am buying. So, I love it when the seasons change and it time to update my footwear collection.

   

   My husband suggested that I should get my high heeled shoes reheeled but the other day I was browsing fashionworld.co.uk and came across some fantastic spring/summer footwear. I’ve not quite decided what I will be buying yet, but, thought I would share a few of my favourites. Plus, a few of the interesting footwear trends I discovered, including a few of the ones I won’t personally be following.

   Sliders

   First, I am going to start with the most comfortable looking styles, most of which are flat. Sliders certainly fall into that category. They are practical too. You can just as easily wear them with a skirt or dress as you can with jeans or shorts. The teens LOVE them too! The fact that they cover s significant percentage of your foot reduces the chances of blisters and ensures that they stay firmly in place. But, they are not a good option if you are planning to run around the park with your kids or grandchildren.

   Retro trainers

   For that a pair of trainers is a much better option. I can’t say I am a fan of this type of footwear. But, I know most people do like them, so thought I should include them in my list.

   This year, 90s style Adidas, Nike, Puma and Fils trainers are all the rage. They will certainly be comfortable. If you want something that is more like a regular shoe take a look at the latest Converse range.

   The flip-flop plus trend

   For a holiday or short trips flip-flops are a great option. There is nothing wrong with buying a cheap pair. But, they do not last long. The soles tend to cave in pretty quickly, which means they end up in the bin and ultimately in landfill. If you like wearing them but want to break this negative cycle, I suggest you consider spending a little more and buying a pair that have been made to last. This year, a lot of designers have included leather versions in their collections. These have the potential to be worn for many years to come.

    

   Mules

   If you are looking for something a little more stylish, perhaps with a heel, you are bound to like the mules that are currently available. You can find everything from plain leather versions to delicate crocheted mules. These are available in white or a range of gentle pastels. These would be an especially good option for wearing to a spring wedding. Provided, that is, it is a warm enough day for you not to wear tights.

   Floss sandals

   You really cannot go wrong with a pair of strappy sandals. They look classy, keep your feet cool and can potentially be worn with anything.

   This year, the straps are ultra-thin, which has led to them being called floss sandals. They are certainly worth considering. But, if you have delicate feet that blister and bleed easily you may be better off avoiding them. If you still want to wear them, I suggest you read this article which explains how to toughen up your feet a little.

   More style-related articles

   I trust that you have enjoyed this fashion-related article and found it useful. If you have, you will probably enjoy reading this one too.

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3. It’s the Party Dress Season

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 19th Nov 2018

   It’s that time of the year again. The holidays are once again upon us, which means it’s time to bring out your favorite party dresses, get them dry cleaned and head out for a night of fun and enjoyment. Or, (as I love to do) you can go shopping for a new one. There are many great places to shop for a party dress and it never hurts to have an additional one in your closet should the need arise.

   

   Whether you’re getting dressed up for your office Christmas party or letting it all hang out for New Year’s, there’s something to be said about having a party dress (or party dresses) that makes you look and feel fantastic.

   Of course, on of the best things about heading out to parties for the holidays includes making the decision about what you’re going to wear. It doesn’t hurt that you get to treat yourself to a new dress in the process. Holiday parties are the ideal excuse for spending a little extra on a few special outfits that will make your family, friends, and co-workers sit up and take notice.

    

   Our top tips for finding the perfect party dress:

   1. Try it on, things ALWAYS look different on a hanger
   2. Know your body and what suits you.
   3. Make sure you know the dress code
   4. Accessorise .... where necessary.
   5. Be bold .... it is Christmas after all.

   It’s fun to dress up for parties, but finding the perfect outfit can be a painful process. There is no shortage of options from which to choose, and you want to make sure you select the one that looks best on you. Don’t forget think about the location and theme of your holiday party. It won’t do you any good if you’re under or over dressed. The most important thing, however, is to have a good time while you're picking out party dresses. Keep a watchful out for any dresses you think will be great for your holiday parties.

   And don't forget, while shopping for everyone else this Christmas, you could also be on the lookout for your own perfect party outfit.

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4. The Mum Challenge : Finding the bottom of the laundry basket

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 4th Apr 2018

   It is half term here. There are no school runs for a couple of weeks, it is time to wind down, kick the nine-‘til-five in the shins, crack open a bottle of wine and spend the time … tackling the never-ending pit of dirty clothes, in an attempt to reach the allusive abyss that is the bottom of the laundry basket.

   

   Over the years I have actually wondered whether the bottom of the laundry basket even exist? Is it actually a thing? If anyone’s ever witnessed its existence, you know where the comments section is. Let us know!

   I am joking obviously. 

   What we need to do to get us through the monotony of the family's washing, is to dream of more enjoyable tasks. Mix it up a bit. It’s a mind-over-matter coping strategy that makes doing the laundry a dream.

   No, honestly, stay with me.

   From one mother to another, we know that the washing isn’t on the top of your ideal weekend to-do list. You work all week, battle over hump day, and reach the weekend falling asleep on your feet, only to be greeted with a laundry basket to rival Mary Poppins’ handbag.

   So, how do we get through it? Focus on the good stuff. Half the problem with weekend chores is feeling as though the take over your weekend. Don’t let that be the case. None of us want to be tied to the washing machine when we can be spending time with our children, so what we need is a laundry service and dry cleaning with free pick-up and delivery that can turn our laundry round within 24 hours. That is exactly what they do at Laundryheap, they come to your address, pickup your clothes and take them to their facility. Less than 24 hours later they bring clean clothes ready for action back to you. It's simple, affordable and convenient. Some call it magic, I am just seeing it as common sense.

   

   If you fancy a day of doing the whole ladies who lunch thing with your friends, while the kids enjoy the soft play, Laundryheap means that you don't need to be tied to the house, you can send it off to the washing fairies, which means you can also let the kids play longer (and have a longer lunch).
   

   There are so many challenges that we face as a Mum but freeing up a little more time to spend with the children over half term (or indeed every weekend) gets a big thumbs up from us. We will definitely be trying the Laundryheap service and if you want to be in with a chance to win a voucher to put towards their services, all you need to do is enter below:

    Laundryheap

   •  The Prize : £20 Voucher to redeem at Laundryheap.com
   • It is a discount offer of £20 for a single winner of the competition. If you provide me with the winner's e-mail address, once the competition finishes, he/she will be contacted with the details of the offer and how to redeem it. Once the winner places an order, £20 will be deducted from the winner's account for authorisation purposes but this will be refunded to him/her. £20 will be deducted from the final billing amount. The winner may exceed the billing amount of £20 or choose additional services, in which case any amount in excess of £20 will be charged to the winner's account. The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator and notified within 7 working days by email

   • There is no monetary equivalent.
   • Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   • If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   • UK Entrants only
   • End Date 02/05/2018 at 12am
   • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram or Facebook.

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