Wicker Chair Upgrade

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Why oh why did nobody tell me sooner about the wonders of spray paint?!

I bought this wicker chair for Darcy from a vintage emporium (see blog post and pictures of it HERE) for about £15 and whilst the colour is inoffensive, it didn't look very special in my living room.

Add a can of spray paint and some elbow grease and wowee, wowee, brand new chair. 

Before you spray, it's best to lightly sand (or get your little sister to do it for you, heh heh), wipe off any dust and debris and take it into a well ventilated space. 

The spray paint I used was from a craft store and under £10. Be sure to check the label to see if it is suitable for the surface you are using it on, ie. wood, metal etc. 

I decided to leave it at one coat but if you wanted a completely covered look, with no natural wood colour showing through, I would go for two. I prefer the shabby chic, slightly aged effect. 

The chair now fits perfectly into our lounge which is where we spend the majority of our time. Darcy feels very special to have her own little place and if we decide it doesn't work for the space anymore, it's small enough to fit in lots of other nooks. 

This was such a fast, affordable project that I am now continually on the hunt for new things to paint. I have been doing more and more projects around the house lately and can't wait to share a full tour with you soon. 

This last tour I did was Darcy's room whilst I was pregnant (link), so I am well overdue!

What do you like to do to spruce your rooms up? Have you done any projects lately?

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Toodlepip!

xx

Very Special Things

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

I'm typing this from my hotel room in LA. Fancy. 

Just a reminder that a new video went up this week and since it was a very special one, I would love for you to give it a watch. 

Aside from the video, here is a little list update of my first trip away day-

Flight was OK but had a cry on the plane because I feel so awful for leaving Darcy.

The man next to me was a farter. Nice.

I have sampled the delights of In n Out Burger, although not an actual burger since I don't eat beef.

I skyped Marie who is officially the closest she's ever been to me!

My hotel is lovely.

I am blessed to have very great friends.

I will continue to do more updates like this as we go along. 

Enjoy the video and feel free to leave requests for future uploads below!

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Toodlepip!

xx

Micro-Tour Of New Digs

Hey Ya'll!!! How's it going in your world?

The hubs and I are settling into the new digs... well, at least we are trying to. Its been just about three weeks and things are still in shambles. Don't dare open the closets... the horror people, the absolute horror!

When we moved into this condo, we made a conscious decision to downsize. Buuuuut, I don't think either of us thought we were going to feel the pinch quite like we are. We are pinched like a big dog! Ouch! The hubby tells me everyday to get rid of my "junk." Ummm excuse me, I don't own junk! It's called patina, thank you very much. Anywho... I just need to implement some organizational systems and we should good to go.

Today I'm going to show you three of the spaces that will be my primary focus over the next few months. First up the kitchen with significantly less cabinet space then out last place, its freshly remodeled. I don't mind less cabinet space, you know me I'll make it work... that's what I do!

Notice the popcorn ceilings... yuck!

On the other side of the kitchen is the "nook." Why the use of quotations? This is where I am going to put my office... oh the plans rolling around in my head. Just grand I tell ya! Notice how the current furniture doesn't even begin to fit... suck in those stomachs people.

And in the interest of showing you the real deal... look at all the kitchen boxes left with no home. One day this space will hopefully house barstools and not boxes.

Standing in the family room looking into the kitchen and the nook area. You can kinda tell the family room is a dark space from this picture, that part drives me crazy. The brown door on the left is the coat closet... uh lets bypass that for now, shall we.

The dark family room... the upside everything is neutral, lots of brown. I'm gonna need some help bringing in light elements to brighten the space. Be prepared to offer some suggestions please. Oh, don't pay attention to the mess, focus on trying to find the photo bomber on the couch instead.

Here is the other side of the family room. Please ignore the mess again. Lots of plans for much needed "built-in storage" on the wall next to the corner fireplace.

Well, that's it for now... I'll show some other rooms soon. Gotta go make a trip to IKEA now.

Till next time...

The Best Of July

This month saw an almighty heat wave hit Britain and I certainly made the most it! I spent time exploring some lovely treasure spots in the sunshine, as well as enjoying quality time with my favourite people from the comfort of my own garden.

Having had such a productive month, I thought I would reintroduce ‘The Best Of’ monthly feature, revisiting some of this month’s posts before we introduce August and all it’s excitement with open arms. Let’s go!

 At the beginning of the month I documented HERE the joys of having a couple of house guests in the form of my chums Zoe and Tyler. We made the most of the sunshine and took a trip to the park with Darcy in tow, enjoying big bubbles, ice cream trucks and vintage tea cups!

The following week saw me prancing around in my favourite floaty summer skirts and dresses for my 'Plus Size Lookbook' video over on my Youtube channel. I decided to include a helpful ‘this is where I got it’ POST for you lovely lot, in the form of fancy screen shops and fashion galore.

I then shared THIS fun activity I have been enjoying with Darcy from the comfort of our own home, patio decoration! We certainly brought out our creative side with a pack of chalk and it was exciting to introduce Darcy to new ways to draw and play. Our patio has never looked better! 

This month also saw a change in the hair department, I have embraced being blonde, but felt a spice up was needed for the summer months and the ombre effect was reintroduced to my golden locks. Blondes do have more fun, but not as much fun as blondes with a pink ends! I am in love with my colourful ends and decided to share a few SNAPS with you to fully appreciate the brilliance of my new daring do.

We also decided to embrace our outside space more in July, favouring more time in the garden over indoor activities and electrically. Mid month saw an overload of coloured glass wear, tasty cocktails and a bundle of friends and tea lights as we celebrated our open space with a BBQ, chatting and laughter of which I shared with you lovely lot HERE. A night which showed me how truly ‘rich’ I am. 

And finally and the end of this fun filled month, Matt, Darcy and I decided to take THIS trip to our chum Zoe to explore her neck of the woods. Once again the weather was beautiful and we spent the day both at the park with ice lollies, and in Zoe’s garden with paddling pools and hedgehogs before heading home late evening with a very tired baby. 

Phew! A fun filled month in Sprinkle of Glitter land!

Have you also been a busy bee in July? Tell me all about it. 

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

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Toodlepip!

xx

Honesty

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

You might have found your merry way to my blog to read my latest 'Motivational Monday' and be wondering what is going on. If that's you, I hope you won't mind a rare change of plan.

In the last few weeks I have been doing a lot of blog thinking, What do I want from my blog? What do I want to give you via my blog? What do I want my blog to be? Why do I want my blog to be that?, and I don't yet think I've found the answers.

Sprinkle of Glitter started it's early days in September 2009 as an instructional craft blog. Wild times. After six months of growing tired of a glue gun, I steered it toward beauty, where it happily stayed for a good couple of years. In February 2013, I set myself the challenge to upload at least one blog post every single weekday and succeeded. It was such a buzz to be organised and regularly interacting with you and being really creative that I decided to carry it on for March. And April. And May. And June. By July I needed a couple of days rest. 

August is just around the corner and I have possibly my biggest month of the year. I'm going to be in LA for 10 days for Vidcon (I fly out tomorrow woop woop!), back for a couple of nights, off to Wales for a weekend, back for a week, off to London for a few days and then I have the annual round of family birthdays that fall in August to celebrate. I'm exhausted just listing everything!!

Poncy poncy.

This month we're having a change. Aside from the posts I already have lined up for you this week (I was organised a few days back), August will be ad hoc. I will upload when I want, what I want. I know, it's selfish, but surely that's what this blog was when it was born? A selfish creative outlet to talk to new people and discuss topics I might not be able to broach with my Husband (he could care less about taking 600 photos of everything or the latest hair serum) and friends. 

That's not to say I won't consider you, I always do, but I think it's going to be less of what I should and more of what I fancy. Like going to a restaurant and ordering three desserts just because you can. 

So, Motivational Monday is being put on hold. I will still reach #25 before the year is out but I need to build my own motivation before I can offer it to others. There will be a lot more lifestyle posts since those are my absolute favourites. There will still be weekly video updates because my OCD won't allow me to not share them here (haha) and with any luck, by September there will be a happy, focussed, rarring to go Louise. 

Less work, more play. Lucky me. 

Whilst we're on the subject of being honest, I have something to ask of you as well. Who are you? You know so much of me and I so little of you and sometimes that feels a little unbalanced. I would love to know the following things:

How old are you? (Answer in decades, ie. twenties, if you prefer)

Where in the world roughly do you live?

How did you find Sprinkle of Glitter?

How long have you been reading?

When do you read? (ie. On your way to work/school, at night, on a Sunday at 3am etc)

What posts are you most excited to see when you arrive?

What would you like to see more of?

Aside from Sprinkle of Glitter (ho ho), what is your favourite blog?

Those might seem like a lot but it your answers will really help shape the direction I take Sprinkle of Glitter in and will help me make some important decisions. 

Leave your answers in the comments and any other thoughts you have about today's blog post. 

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - Made Up by Makeup. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx

PS- It's 11.30pm on Sunday night and I just his half a million subscribers on my YouTube channel. I'm so thankful and SO HAPPY!

Zoe, Heatwave and Hedgehogs

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Last week Matt and I took a little road trip to visit our best friend Zoe. Since we have the space and the babsicle, she usually comes over to us, but since Matt has started his summer holidays now, it seemed like to perfect opportunity to explore her neck of the woods. 

Heatwave = sunscreen. 

We drove down to a little village where we had a super relaxed lunch in a shady pub garden and Darcy made friends with kiddies, wandered round quaint shops, got way too excited noted that parts of Harry Potter had been filmed there, played in the playground and bought a crazy amount of ice lollies- Zoe likes Zapps. 

After the boiling heat had hit us all we mooched about in Zoe's garden, filled up the paddling pool, played inside, watched films, ordered pizza, listened to Darcy sing us countless song (to which we had to cheer and clap for every single one) and fed the hedgehogs who have taken up residency on the Zoella estate.

We left about 10.30pm, got home shattered but happy at 1am and felt glad for the time and friends we have.

Lazy days with loved ones are to be cherished.

What would your ideal summer day include? Share and inspire in the comments. 

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my disclosure policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - It's A Blondes Life. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Lately in Glitterland #1

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Something I do a lorra lot is instagram. I've been obsessed from the get-go.  There is something so pleasing to me about taking snapshots of everyday life and sharing them with other people who are excited for the small things.

I don't know why I haven't done it before but every now and then I'd like to whip up a jazzy collage and share them with you. Would that suit? I like to document.

Memorable moments from the last few weeks have been ::

Dying my hair pink.

Teaching Darcy to 'Grace-Face' (google it).

Reunion drinks with my uni girlfriends.

Having a Tyler and Zoe slumber party.

Being brave with DIY.

Splurging in IKEA (man that felt good).

Filming my lookbook (link!).

Aside from the heatwave that slows me down to the pace of a dry snail, things have been good. If you would like to follow me on instagram, search 'Sprinkleofglitr' 

What has been your most memorable moment this June/July?

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - It's A Blondes Life. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Fluffy Bunny Challenge

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

This week in YouTubeLand has been CRAZY. I've uploaded two videos and attended a film premiere for The Lone Ranger. I would try and be cool about that but I can't. Johnny Depp was there. I breathed the same air as Edward Scissorhands. Need I say more? No. Pictures on twitter and instagram. 

Aside from being miss jazzy premiere goer, I uploaded a fun video with my good friend Mark, who really kindly agrees to be my on-screen Husband. I do love him for being such a good sport.

You won't learn anything from this video but you might just have a little laugh. 

More videos coming soon!

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - Made Up by Makeup. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Amazing Advertisers || July 2013

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Despite the heatwave, the lovely ladies of the sidebar have been providing us with brilliant blog posts and giving us all something lovely to read.

Today is the day to learn a little more about them.

Source

Made Up By Make Up

Made up By Make up is written by the lovely Kat who is new to Sprinkle of Glitter this month! Kat is an absolute beauty who has recently started her beauty blog and Youtube channel. This month I have particularly enjoyed Kat’s Hollywood glamour look (who doesn't love vixen red lips?) and winged eye liner tutorial, she’s a clever one with her make up tools I tell ya! I'm excited to see what tutorials Kat has up her sleeve to share with us in future so let’s all hop on over to her blog and show her some new blogger love!

Nars Obsessor 

This month Sarah has been a busy bee with her education and extracurricular activities and has therefore taken some time away from blogging, let’s hope she did swimmingly in her exams and shall return to us soon! Sarah has advertised with me previously and her blog has been a joy to read, if you enjoy reading a blog with photos that make you go ‘oooooh’ and ‘aahh pretty’ then Sarah is the one for you.

Cider With Rosie

 I fell a little bit in love with Rosie’s blog back in October last year, and she has not failed to disappoint this month either! Her photography and writing style is right up my street and she’s also adopted her own “30 Day Snap”, posting a photo every day for 31 days (this excites me.) Rosie has also graduated from university this month so another big well done to her! If you’re a fan of the lifestyle blogs then Cider with Rosie is your go to.

Amy Grace

Amy Grace is another returning advertiser with me, and once again her blog has been a joy to read! Amy has provided some lovely beauty and lifestyle blog posts this month, with a yummy cooking recipe thrown in there too! It was refreshing to read a post about playing in the snow this month given the heat wave we’ve been having here in Britain! If you’re in need of a cool down, hop on over to Amy! 

Cocktails And Daydreams 

Cocktails and Daydreams is written by the lovely Lynne from Edinburgh, it’s a charming little space on the internet to read about all things fashion, lifestyle and beauty related. She’s a triple threat that Lynne! I particularly enjoy Lynne’s fashion round up posts of her June outfits, it was summery wardrobe heaven filled with florals, frillies and the most beautiful pink cardigan I ever did see. If you’re looking for a light lunchtime read then Lynne is your gal!

Sophie Jane

 Sophie has been advertising with me for several months now and is continuing to provide lovely posts for us all. Sophie is a consistent blogger offering a variety of beauty and lifestyle posts, including some summery cooking posts this month! I particularly enjoyed learning her recipe for blueberry crumble bars (yum!) She also completed the 30 Day Snap last month, so let’s have a hurrah for Sophie! 

Life Is Worth The Fight 

Firstly, a lot of blogging congratulations are in order for Stacie this month! Not only has she recently celebrated her blogs 1^stbirthday, but she has also been shortlisted for a Cosmo blog award, well done you! Stacie has been a long term advertiser with me and I have thoroughly enjoyed following her journey over the last few months, she deserves a massive pat on the back for her blogging milestones and continuing strength through the highs and lows of being ill. Stacie’s blog is brilliant if you’re looking for a bit of positivity in your life. 

And those are all my lovely ladies for this month! 

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - Made Up by Makeup. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Motivational Monday #23

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Merry Monday! This could be the start of the best week of your life.

I have made the desicion that there will only be 25 Motivational Mondays in 2013 and I will bring back a new series in 2014. I think to do anymore might be too much and by 2014 I will have learnt a few more life lessons to share and reflect on. I just thought I would tell you in the spirit of transparency and so that you don't rock up in a few weeks wondering what's going on!

This week's quote from Pinterest is a beauty. Beautiful sentiments as well as beautiful artwork.

The idea is optimism. I think this is pretty self explanatory but it is about keeping a positive outlook, for the past, present and future.

Looking to the future can be a pretty daunting excersise, especially if your past has left a lot to be desired. It can be easy to feel like history will repeat itself or things won't get better, but the one of the keys to living a happy life is having a positive frame of mind. This means not fretting that the worst is to come, not over thinking things, not constantly worrying that life is going to be rubbish.

If for example your friend asks you to a party that you think is going to be boring or full of people you don't like, turn it around. Envisage it being really worthwhile quality time with her or imagine meeting someone really interesting/funny/handsome (ooer). When you approach a situation with a postive outlook, you come across better to other people, make great lasting impressions and operate at your best.

Next time you start to feel negative thoughts about something in the future popping into your head, note them and see if you can turn it around in some way. If you train your mind to do this every time, it will eventually become second nature and I promise you life will feel a lot brighter.

What are you looking happily forward to this week? Let's be postitive in the comments.

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - Made Up by Makeup. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx

Patio Parties

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Summer is officially upon us and this year we are working on our outside space.

For four years we neglected our garden in favour of things like fixing the electrics, installing a kitchen, getting married and welcoming a new baby. Now though, we feel as though we have the time and energy to make it a more usable place and that is exactly what we are doing. 

To celebrate making a start (and that is all we have done, a start), we had friends over for cocktails and BBQ and as per, I got a little over excited with my glasswear. I don't know if I've ever told you this but I have a real obsession with coloured pretty glasses. They just look like jewels. Most of these glasses were bought from a vintage homestore.

I made a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, left out a heap of glasses and let people serve themselves- far easier than constantly jumping up and down.

To make delicious drinks look even more appealing I used mirrors (which I originally bought for a craft project that failed) as trays. This helps emphasise pretty table wear and adds a touch of whimsy.

As dusk set in I bought out drinks in rinkydink milk bottles (which Darcy couldn't stop playing with) and replaced the big jugs for tea lights. 

It was such a good night. There were about ten of us and we all ended up in pjs and hoodies, grazing on food, chatting and laughing. We lit candles all around the garden, got the fire pit working and stayed out til gone midnight. The great thing was, since this party was at our own house, Darcy's bedtime routine wasn't effected and she thought everyone was there just for her. 

It's at events like this when I look round and realise how very rich we are. No, we don't have amazing cars (we share a ford!) and I don't buy designer bags but we have so much love and laughter, our good health, a beautiful daughter and pay our bills on time. Really truly, I am so happy these days. 

What makes you feel rich? 

*Goes off to shed tear of joy like a lame-ass*

To find new ways to stalk me or learn about my discloser policy, click HERE. 

Ultimate Advertiser - It's A Blondes Life. Click HERE for more info. 

Toodlepip!

xx