Who else has grown to love home-wares (thank you Zoella) and designing your own space? Sounds really grown-up doesn't it? I think it can be something that comes with the excitement of your first flat and finally having the freedom to do whatever you want with your new home. Also, maybe, something that comes with spending too much time on Pinterest planning your future house and all it's interiors...

All that fun stuff aside, setting up a house from nothing isn't the easiest venture. But if there's anything I have learned from my fabulous mother, it's that you can always find a way to make it work. 

Collecting items over time is a great way to put together your own style without needing a large sum of money all at once. I get that this may not be an option for everyone, but when Steve and I knew we had months before moving in together was going to be possible, we decided to buy what we need a little bit at a time. We basically had to start from scratch, so we wrote out a big ol' list of all the household items we would need and slowly ticked them off a couple at a time. I would set aside $20-$50 each pay week and before I knew it, we had almost everything we needed for the big move!


While shopping for our house I discovered my new favorite hobby: finding hidden treasures at charity shops! I'm not even joking, you can find some amazing pieces or even just some basic necessities at these stores. People donate some near-new stuff that you can raid for a few dollars. Things like drinking glasses, serving plates, jars, vases, photo frames, or just little knick knacks that makes a house feel homey.
On a similar note, there are a lot of home-ware stores that have a clearance section. Trust me when I say to never underestimate what you can find here! I think the prints we have on our walls came from this section, and for less than $5 a piece. And you would never know that you got it for an absolute bargain.

An important lesson I learned along the way was to always separate your list of needs and wants. For example, as much as I wanted to buy the adorable plant holders and succulents to decorate our house, buying a kettle was what we needed more in the end. It's important to accept that you're probably not going to have everything you want on the day you move in. That doesn't mean you can't pick it up later, but make sure your money is going to everyday items that you know you will use. I know the temptation of wire baskets and marble tables, but you have to resist until you have the basics sorted first.


You would be surprised how many people want to get rid of their old pieces of furniture to be able to buy new ones. My parents actually gave us their dining chairs, foot stools, toaster and even the curtains since they were aiming for an update anyway! I think my Mum used it as an excuse so she could shop for new stuff, but hey! It's a win for everyone. It can never hurt to ask your friends and family if there's any household items they would like to unload or sell that you could incorporate into your own home.

A few other tips that might be helpful:

Don't pay full price for bigger items, wait until they come on sale

Stick to your low-budget stores to buy the basics (Target etc)

Buy furniture from buy-sell pages
 (we got our awesome TV cabinet off Facebook for a steal!)

Ask for more expensive items as birthday presents, like outdoor furniture or a NutriBullet because I could never live without one



I'm pretty proud of what Steve and I managed to put together on a small budget, while still be able to keep our new home looking stylish. We learned a lot over the months we waited to move in and I'm actually grateful that we had that time to prepare. I got savvy with my money, which I'm sure will come in handy when I'm a mom. And then there's that lesson of not having to have the best of everything in order to be happy. Which is true! I'm proud of our home, Kmart items and all. You just learn to be grateful for the house that's all your own and the freedom that comes with it. And remembering that you can always make any budget work by being smart about it.

I hope this helps anyone else who is in the middle of moving or for those of you who may wanna update your current home while facing a budget.

What tips did you find helpful when you moved out of home?
Steph x.

What I've Learned From Re-watching Friends In My 20s

It has to be one of the best things to come out of the 90's and the legend of it certainly lives on to this day. Hell, I still look forward to the re-runs! I have memories of sitting down at 6.30pm waiting for a new episode to air. Of course, when you watch TV as a child you definitely miss some of the adult humor shows like this had going on. When Steve and I decided to watch every season from the beginning, I realized I was the same age as the characters on the screen. Meaning that this would be a whole new experience for me!

I can actually relate to these characters now and what their lives were like going into their late twenties. To be honest, it makes me feel a lot better about my own years. 

Accepting your friends for every weird quirk is the best kind of friendship. Like Phoebe's weird ways or when Joey takes a while to click on to a joke. They love them anyway and do their best to support any venture they go on.

It turns out I grew up to be a lot like Monica. A little bit like Rachael too, but when Monica got worked up over using her expensive wedding plates for the first time, I actually think I would react in a similar way...but hey! We both just like keeping things nice and being a good host.

They never needed alcohol to have fun with each other. If you watch a show like The Big Bang Theory (which I still love) they always have wine or at least beer around when they hang out together. And even though there's nothing wrong with having a drink with friends, I just noticed that the gang doesn't drink all that much. It shows how strong their friendships are.

No one is perfect when it comes to love and we all have our weaknesses to work on. If you think about it Joey never has a long-term relationship, neither does Phoebe until she meets Mike, Chandler will always be awkward but Monica is there to help him, and he does the same for her. And there's the hot-cold relationship that is Ross and Rachel. The whole show is about the relationships that they have and it brilliantly shows that none of us are perfect and we all have lots to learn.

You can totally see Monica and Chandler getting together from the beginning. When you watch it knowing that they will get together, there are so many moments that show how much they care about each other. Not to mention their chemistry and how much they accepted their quirks. It was so written in the stars guys.

Joey proves you can always be a kid no matter how old you get and I adore that about him. 

Apart from Ross, they were all broke at some point. So don't feel bad about being low on money or struggling with finances, because it seems to be normal for all of us in our 20's. Sometimes jobs don't work out or you switch careers like Chandler, but we will all make it out fine.

Ross falls in love REALLY fast. With every girl. 

They always supported Phoebe's music no matter how bad it was. I think she was happiest when performing and singing the songs she had come up with herself, and they all just liked seeing her that way. I always thought they were awesome friends for being her biggest fans. 

You should hi-five your spouse more often. I noticed Monica and Chandler doing this a few times in the later seasons and I freaking love it for some reason. I think it just shows what a great team they make as husband and wife. That's goals right there. 

So did you guys learn anything new from watching Friends after the 90's?
Or tell me something you adore about watching the series in the comments.

Steph x.

Let's Have A Catch Up

Hello Beautiful People!

It feels like FOREVER since I've been able to sit down with my trusty three-year old laptop and just write away. A lot of things have been happening, well actually one big thing, and it's that me and Steve finally moved in together! Yup, after months of buying house items and complaining of lack of space, we finally have our freedom. The only part of the puzzle that we are missing though, is wifi. As my fellow bloggers can imagine, it's incredibly frustrating to have a head full of ideas that you just can't type out and share. But that doesn't mean that I haven't been making the most of a little digital detox time (which TBH is just binging 4 seasons of Friends...)

Our house is just so perfect for us that I could not be happier. It's cozy and warm, I got my big kitchen that's fun to cook in, and we have our gym all set up in the garage. The biggest thing about moving into a new house is finding the right routine. Thankfully we have been able to do that pretty naturally and it feels like our house in humming along nicely. You have no idea how far my stress levels have dropped since we I moved out of home. My Mum and me are bickering less, I can meal prep properly, and we have a lounge of our own! It's the little things I'm grateful for now.

Some good news is that I've decided to do blogmas this year! I know it's a big commitment to take on with my full-time job, boyfriend, and the four birthdays + Christmas going on, but I have so many ideas that I just can't say no. And since it's the first holiday season that Steve and I are celebrating in our own home, I want to make it one to remember.  I love reading back my blogmas posts from the previous years, it's like a digital scrapbook. So I'm gonna get a head start and spend November working hard on some great content for you guys. It's gonna be fun!

Here's hoping we can get the internet company to finally pay us a visit and I will be back in the blogging game better than ever. I'll still keep reading your blogs when I can and get more posts out ASAP!

Let me know how you guys have been in the comments. And don't worry, I'm not going anywhere :)

Steph x. 

Magical Disney Instagram Accounts You Need To See!

Hello, Everyone!

I've been wanting to do this post for so long now and I'm finally making the time to sit down and write it. You should know by now that I'm Instagram obsessed. I know a lot of bloggers don't feel the same, but it's like a second creative platform for me. Not to mention how many hours I've scrolled through looking at beautiful pictures. I just love it! 

One of my recent favorite things about Instagram has been Disney accounts. I've come across some truly stunning ones and I really wanted to showcase some of the amazing talent in this genre. 

adisneydreamforever 

You don't see many guys running Disney accounts, but Nick has a serious gift! He captures lots of characters and really highlights the happy expressions on their faces. Each row in his feed seems to match in color, which I find really satisfying. He's just started posting Halloween shots and I'm really happy about it!

whereiskirstie

This is definitely one of my favorite accounts I've found so far. It's just so beautiful to look at! She posts a lot of beautiful details she finds at the parks, or even her outfits that she wears. She has a real eye for it and I just love how she edits her pics.

evetaylorr

The special thing about Eve's account is capturing fun moments at Disney. For those of us who have been lucky enough to visit, there's always those moments that make your face light up from being so happy. Her snaps really capture the fun of Disney and why it might be the happiest place on earth.

dolewhipdani

The prettiest feed you ever did see! There's a major color scheme going on and it's so gorgeous to look at. She has a real mix of characters and park details that are just as pretty to look at. There's a lot of effort going into this account and it pays off.

disneywithabi

I really love the tone of color and softness to Abigail's pictures. She shows a lot of different locations in each of the parks, which is awesome. Most accounts focus on the main attractions, but this one's a true explorer.

windsintheeast

For some reason this account just screams magic to me. It might be the combination of brilliant editing and princess' smile at their adoring fans. Lexi also captures the beautiful colors of Disney and what the do for the experience. I don't know how she was able to capture so many amazing moments with the cast, but she rocks at it.

princepogiatdisney

If you're in the mood for some Disney Halloween pics, this guy is for you! He's been capturing some of the great things about the parks in October, and always looks like he's been having the time of his life. I really adore this one for the pure joy of it.

I really hope you find some new favorites among these! They really are some of the most stunning accounts I follow on Instagram of any genre. They're just so fun and remind me of why I need to go back as soon as I can. 

Who are some of your favorite Disney Insta/bloggers to follow?

Steph x. 

What Notebooks I Use: Blogging, Food Plan, & Bullet Journal!

Hello fellow journal lovers! 

I think my obsession with blank notebooks has only gotten worse as I've grown older. Keeping up with the notebooks that I have is like a hobby for me, and a relaxing one at that. I operate better in my day-to-day life when I have plans, goals and lists all written down for me to look back on later. And it helps if I have some pretty notebooks to do it in. 

Since I'm always curious about how other bloggers use theirs, I thought it would be fun to show you what journals I use and how it helps me with my blog and everyday life. Most of these travel in my backpack with me wherever I go, just in case I get a wave of inspiration. What can I say, I'd be lost without my notebooks!

Bullet Journal

Before I get your hopes up, I don't have a super-creative BuJo with cute writing and colors. This is my interpretation that works best for me. This journal is my go-to for almost anything I want to write down. From blog post ideas to packing lists for trips away. I just flick to the next empty page and start writing! I think it's one of those controlled messes that only I know makes sense. This is where I write out my 365 Days of Happy posts and brainstorm other ideas. I would be so lost without this journal! I've actually almost filled it up, so I'll be popping out to get a shiny new one soon.

• Budget plans for my pay
• Meal ideas
• Wishlists
• Lists of cafes to try
• Travel ideas
• Hashtags to use on Instagram 
• Goals for the future
• Blog post drafts

Home-Planning

When it comes to projects or goals, both Steve and I can't operate well without writing down a list first. It was months ago now when we started talking about us moving in together. It seemed like a natural progression in our relationship and we were both so happy and excited to start thinking about it. I still remember the cloudy Sunday afternoon we grabbed this Jetsons notebook I got from Typo, and made a master list of all the items we would need before we made the move. In here I also have:

• Moving plans and tips for when the time comes. 
• Inventory of what we already have
• Questions to ask our landlords 
• Chores I'll need to do and when
• Layout plans for kitchen storage and furniture 
• Notes from when we stayed while house-sitting
• Grocery master list (so I never forget to buy milk!) 
• Budget tips for saving money while flatting

Blogging

Not gonna lie, I mostly bought this journal because it has pizza on it and The Girl Gang is one of the best things about the blogging world. This is the newest edition to my journal collection and I've dedicated it to anything blog related: goals, drafts, blogmas planning etc.

I've been trying to get back into the habit of writing out 2 blog posts per week for each of the coming months. I like making sure I have back up ideas if I get stuck or just need to remember what plan I had for my blog. This time of year is the best for being creative, with Halloween and Christmas right around the corner. Half the fun for me is planning what themed posts I want to put up, so I'm gonna be using this one A LOT very soon.


Meal Plans

I think it's safe to say that I work best with a plan. Lately I've been spending ten minutes or so writing out what meal prep I want to make for Steve, and what we will have for lunch/dinner on the weekends I stay over. It makes me happy knowing I have a plan in place and I know exactly what I need to buy at the grocery store. So it saves me money too! I write out a week ahead and leave a blank page for a grocery list. I love having this in a small notebook, so I can take it with me anywhere.


Calendar Diary

I found this beauty at Paperchase last year and it's still one of the most beautiful journals I own. I think the use for this one is pretty obvious. I don't always stick by it day-to-day, but more use it as a reassurance should I need to know any events coming up. I've been using it lately to plan out our big move into our first home. Just so I know when to pack up certain things in my room. I will definitely keep my calendar handy for when we do move in so I can keep track of when to pay bills etc.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I stay organized, as well as a little a look into my journal obsession. Let me know if there's any other planning posts you wanna see in the future. 

What notebooks do you use? 

Steph x. 

Weekly Blog Appreciation #2

Hello, Everyone!

I'm back with some more awesome blog posts for you to browse. I don't know about you, but lately I have been really impressed with a lot of the content that bloggers are putting out onto the web. There's so much creativity and bravery (a perfect combo) that's going around and I freaking love it. All of these incredible beauties are inspiring me daily and I can't thank them enough.

I think there's a lot of belief going around that people don't read blogs as much as they used to. Maybe it's true, but I thoroughly enjoy spending my time checking out posts that people have put their heart into. We have to support each other in this community and reading blogs is the easiest way!

Gemma Louise 
What Being A Single Parent Has Taught Me

Yes! This is the post I needed. I see so many harsh truths being published about parenting (mainly from my sleepy friends with their toddlers) and I so wanted to read something about what you gain from having children, instead of focusing on what you lose. Louise does touch on the challenges, and I take my hat off to her for being Wonder Woman. But the fact that she's turned this situation into something that's made her stronger is amazing. Whether you're a parent or not, this is so worth the read.


Year of You 
I Quit My Career Today 

What an inspiring post! It's basically the story of an unhappy girl who left that horrible job to pursue what would make her happy. She writes so well and really captures how great she feels for making the bold move to go back to study. If you need a kick in the pants this week to make your life the way you want it, go read Hayley's blog.

HelloMissJordan
Can I Be An Instagrammer AND A Blogger?

I don't think there will ever come a day when I don't love one of Jordan's posts. Isn't she great? The title really called to me on this one. I've been loving Instagram a lot lately and see it as an extension of my blog, and I'm not the only one enjoying it. Jordan writes about the role Instagram plays in the blogging world and how she uses it personally.


Sunday Chapter 
10 Instagram Worthy Brunch Spots In London 

I stumbled upon Angela's blog on Instagram one morning and quickly followed her on Bloglovin'. I found this post and had to click on it immediately! Not that I'll be traveling to London any time soon (one day!) but if there's one thing I'm obsessed with, it's cute cafes. And WOW does she share some good ones! Can someone go check them out for me please?


What Cat Says
Haul l Primark X Harry Potter 

As if HP in the title wasn't cool enough for this nerd, Cat and I also share the same house! You always see Gryffindor and Slytherin themed goods, so I'm happy brands are finally acknowledging the other houses too. These items are beautiful, especially the pajamas. Cat has some amazing blog photography skills to capture them all too.


The Nerdy Me
How To Throw The Perfect Movie Night 

This is the coolest post! Since I will so have my own space, I'm really looking forward to actually being able to host movie nights. Leta shows how to make a super-cozy setting, with inspiration from Pinterest to get your creativity running. Her photos are amazing for this post too, I really love seeing all the little details. This has given me so many ideas for upcoming movie nights!

I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I did! Make sure you leave me a comment telling what blogs you've been reading lately. 

Steph x. 

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How To Have A No-Spend Weekend

I think no matter where you are in life, at some point or another money is gonna get tight. Finance has been on my mind a lot recently, owing to some exciting life changes happening soon. It's easy for me to start to freak out and wonder if I can even conquer this adult thing. 

BUT I decided this morning that instead of worrying (because as Newt Scamander says, it means you have to suffer twice) I am simply going to handle it. Like the girl-boss I know I am! 

We can all agree that the weekends is when we spend the most money. With shopping trips, going out to lunch, or buying a feast of takeaway food, it all adds up. But I am here to give you a big ol' list of ideas for saving your pennies and still enjoying your time off too. The idea is to spend your weekend being productive, which for me means happiness. Having a no-spend weekend means you're one step closer to that holiday, new car, or maybe just to have a little more cash up your sleeve for when you need it. Spending less doesn't mean you can't have fun on the weekend, you just have to get a bit creative. 

Bake with ingredients you already have

Plan a dream holiday

De-clutter areas in your home that bother you

Have a picnic 

Play board/card games 

Read that book that's been sitting on your shelf

DIY something from Pinterest

Go to the beach; take photos or just go for a walk

Re-design a room

Give your garden a little love

Watch Netflix documentaries 

Plan a weeks worth of meals

Make your car look shiny and new again

Make a vision board

Plan your dream holiday

Try YouTube Yoga

Organize your pantry

Watch the sunset

Give your dog a bath and make them all fluffy again

Take bulk blog photos for the week

Clean your fridge

Tuck up on the couch and read blogs

Start a journal project 

Make a scrapbook of happy things from 2017

Create a wish-list (never too early for Christmas)

Have a duvet-day in your living room. Building a fort is optional

Update your bucket-list

Plan a party you want to throw

Go to a botanical garden and have a photography day

Organize your closet and plan outfits for the week

Start a recipe book

Have your Mum around for a cup of tea

There you go! Plenty of ideas to fill your weekend while you save money. You really don't need to spend heaps to have fun. There's also a lot of activities that mean you get to spend more quality time with loved ones. That is what's most important, right?

How do you have a no-spend weekend?

Steph x.