BerryWeekly: Hot Chocolate, Candles & Baking

Hello!

"add a bit of whipped cream and marshmallows on top if we're feeling it - you know how it goes!"

It's always nice to reflect on the good things of the week, and hearing about what others did for their week is always fun too (admitting to my nosiness here). Another post I've been loving the idea of is '10 Happy Things' of the week, it's all positive thoughts and reflecting back at the same time. Totally agreeing with the moto 'you've got to look back to move forward'...might have just completely butchered that famous quote but... you know what I mean! 

"I usually just fold the page (shock horror, some people absolutely hate that)"

First of all, I've been loving my bookmark. A bookmark included in a BerryWeekly? What is so special about it? Well, like you can't already tell from the picture, it's personalised with my name on it! I was gifted it as part of a birthday present, and have been loving it. I usually just fold the page (shock horror, some people absolutely hate that), but fear not, I now use this bookmark. 

SNEAK PEAK into a possible BerryReads post in the future!

"what better time than now"

Next, this has been my go-to drink of choice. During this time of year, when it's frosty outside and for some reason the heating automatically turns off, then while waiting for it to turn back on again we make ourselves a lovely hot chocolate!! Occasionally add a bit of whipped cream and marshmallows on top if we're feeling it - you know how it goes!

"These tasted heavenly and you gotta bet I add a couple throughout the day"

Adding to that topic of consuming stuff, I did a bit of baking. I say baking, but it's no-bake chocolate pieces - sort of a dupe for the 9 bar (which is basically a nut and seed bar). These tasted heavenly and you gotta bet I add a couple throughout the day. Definitely good as pick-me-up energy bites. Let me know if you'd like a recipe! 

"all positive thoughts and reflecting back at the same time"

Finally, if you follow me on Twitter, you'll already have seen this picture. A candle always makes me happy and what better time than now to light one?!

Tell me, is hot chocolate your go-to beverage of choice, if not, what is?

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte: The Verdict.

Hello!

"On a cold, chilly evening out last Tuesday, this was the drink of choice"

We're a little Fall Obsessed with this post as it's all about Autumn. Well, this is said to be THE drink for Autumn. This American Fall Classic was first bought to the UK Starbucks stores in 2012. Ever since, the thought of Pumpkin in my coffee did not sound appetising - but you never know unless you try, right?

"Ever since, the thought of Pumpkin in my coffee did not sound appetising"

On a cold, chilly evening out last Tuesday, this was the drink of choice to warm me up - and I am happy this was the one I went for. The PSL was advertised in big posters as soon as you walk into Starbucks and so I went with it. Topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, the initial taste is amazing - then the coffee kicks in! Overall, though, the Pumpkin Spice Latte did not disappoint, and yes, I'd order it again (hoping they spell my name right on the cup again, which, surprisingly, they did this time!).

That's The Verdict: Pumpkin in Coffee is a good idea!
Have you tried the PSL?

Decor Haul: Hanging Ball Lights

Hello!

"bringing that warm fall glow into the room... the kind that warms your heart"

With this cooler weather, it reminds us Christmas is coming - 78 days, people! Christmas is all about beautiful lights, tree decorations, christmas wreaths and snow - although all of this can't be achieved yet, we can bring some lights early. Trust me, they really give a warm vibe (yes, pun intended!). 

"The lights in these last for about 10 years,"

There are so many different shapes, hearts, stars, even flowers that you can choose from on Blaze-On.com (which is where these are from) but these round ones are perfect. They work year round, are neither more feminine or masculine, and suit in any room... they're currently surrounding the noticeboard in the study. 

"many different shapes, hearts, stars, even flowers that you can choose from"

The colour is a off-white, almost yellow - bringing that warm fall/winter glow into the room, you know the kind that warms your heart? Yes, it's that kind!

"They work year round...and suit in any room"

Although the packaging is gorgeous, there was a dent in one of the balls :(. I'm sure they would exchange the box for another, but you can't really see the dent when they're up and running. The lights in these last for about 10 years, so no need to worry about changing them.

The most important part about Blaze On is their ethics, which is great about buying from them - click here for more.

As well as lighting up your life (there's another pun!) through the balls, you can also choose a candle. This is the pretty one that came with the box! How gorgeous?!

Let me know how you have decorated for this season?

Autumn Inspiration Board

Hello! 

"it is OFFICIALLY Fall.. even though we've been on about it for a while now on BBXO!"

As of last Monday, it is OFFICIALLY Fall.. even though we've been on about it for a while now on BBXO! We can finally feel the air being crisper when we woke up in the morning, with the sun rising at a later time everyday and the days getting shorter - yep, it's autumn!

Having never been one for Pinterest boards, believe me I've tried but never kept it up for long, this is a different way of doing the same thing. So, here's for fall inspiration:

"finally feel the air being crisper when we woke up in the morning"

Things that spring to mind: Fuzzy Socks, Hot Drinks, Roasted Chestnuts, Grey/Darker Nail Shades, Candles, Acorns, PUMPKINS! :D

What springs to your mind when you think of Fall? 

5 Fall (Autumn) 2014 Fragrance Picks

Hello! 

"the question on everyone's lips: what do I want to smell like?!"

Fall is just around the corner and the question on everyone's lips: what do I want to smell like?!
Well, smells tend to depend on the season, with the summer having more floral scents and winter more vanilla, earthy scents... here are the picks for fall.

"known for the minimal packaging and their amazing candles and colognes."

Jo Malone, known for the minimal packaging and their amazing candles and colognes. This one is the one for the fall season due to the woody notes. It seems very warm and earthy. Available here.

"one with the incredible packaging... known for their signature Daisy Scent"

 Marc Jacobs. The one with the incredible packaging, different to Jo Malone, yet have been known for their signature Daisy Scent. Mentioned previously on BBXO, they had released their limited edition Daisy Delight which smells amazing, with more of a lighter, summery floral feel. Daisy Dream has top notes of blackberry, grapefruit and pear - perfect for the fall scents! Available here.

"not something you're likely to reach for in the summer but perfect for fall"

 Beyoncé, Queen B, the one who dances amazingly, and sings just as good - she's released this fragrance and I was fortunate enough to receive it for a christmas gift last year. The fragrance is definitely warm, meaning it's better for the colder months. It's not something you're likely to reach for in the summer but perfect for fall. Available Here.

"deeper fragrance is just right for Autumn/Fall"

 Viva La Juicy is iconic for Juicy Couture. The bow being it's signature touch has been changed colour into Viva La Juicy Noir. The deeper fragrance is just right for Autumn/Fall and the sandalwood and honeysuckle making the scent seem just as sweet as the original. Available Here.

" super girly, yet elegant, which is exactly what Vera Wang goes for. "

Finally, Forever Vera by Vera Wang. How can I begin to type about this without mentioning the bottle. It literally looks priceless and would look amazing with your perfume collection. The baby pink coloured fragrance is super girly, yet elegant, which is exactly what Vera Wang goes for. Another fragrance to try, even if it's just for the bottle! Available Here.

Well, there you have it - 5 picks for the season! What do you look for in a fall fragrance?! 

October 2014 - FREE Printable Calendar

Hello! 

"Take a look... and download them for FREE if you like them..."

Every month you guys seem to be loving the Calendars. Well, that means there's going to be more if you want more! Take a look at the October 2014 ones and download them for FREE if you like them... 

Click HERE to Download

This one is inspired by the festive season of the month: Halloween! Aren't you excited to carve your pumpkin this year? 

Click HERE to Download

This one is more serene. It's calm and collected. A simple, yet effective calendar!

Which one is your favourite? I hope you like them!

CHANEL Fall 2014 Nail Collection

Hello!

"hello to darker, deeper and neutral shades"

I feel like a broken record when I say this but autumn is literally around the corner now, meaning bye-bye to neon, pastel and bright nails and hello to darker, deeper and neutral shades. 

"Saying bye-bye to neon shades won't be that bad"

Chanel released their new Fall 2014 collection with these three shades, two of which are lighter neutrals and one a navy blue. The neutrals are great additions to any collection as they could easily pass off as summer shades, yet this range has been said to be streaky. They say you'll need a good 3 coats to get a solid good colour on your nails.

Saying bye-bye to neon shades won't be that bad, as the deeper, darker and neutral shades are more my cup of tea! Which do you prefer: neons or darker shades? 

*Images from Chanel.com

Autumn '14 Reading Wish List

Hello! 

'colder weather meaning we're less likely to go out.. so more time for reading? '

Although it may not be Autumn according to the calendar yet we all know September is basically Autumn! This means it's a new season with colder weather meaning we're less likely to go out.. so more time for reading? 

The last reading wish list was released and it's true to say I didn't read all the books, yet if I read at least one book of the wish list, I'm happy! Also, this way you can get ideas, too! 

"I hope you find some ideas for reading this Autumn"

So, to give you a bit of an idea of the books chosen, here's a summary of each:

The Husband's Secret
A lady whom is very successful and married found a letter that her husband wrote which was meant to be read after his death. The lady found it while he was alive - it contained his deepest, darkest secret and would change their lives forever...  see Good Reads version here.

#GIRLBOSS
This aspirational book doesn’t patronize young women the way many business experts do. Amoruso shows readers how to channel their passion and hard work, while keeping their insecurities from getting in the way. She offers straight talk about making your voice heard and doing meaningful work. see more here.

Freakonomics
Through forceful storytelling and wry insight, Levitt and Dubner show that economics is, at root, the study of incentives—how people get what they want, or need, especially when other people want or need the same thing. In Freakonomics, they explore the hidden side of . . . well, everything. Link to Good Reads for more.

Thinking, Fast and Slow
(from Good Reads: ) In the highly anticipated Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. more here.


I hope you find some ideas for reading this Autumn, and tell me: your favourite book at the moment?

September 2014 Calendar - FREE Printable Download

Hello!

Actually, this was a calendar that was requested, and what you want, you get! You may have noticed the JULY 2014 Calendar and the AUGUST 2014 Calendar that was posted for FREE Printable Download here on BBXO, well, here's the September one:

Click HERE to Download

Click HERE to Download

I went with two colours this time, a burgundy more autumn-y one and a pretty pink and girly one - choose whichever you fancy! How excited are you for autumn/fall?! It's my favourite season!

Candle Crazy!

Hello!

I don't know if you feel the same, but candles are a slight obsession for me - I have one in practically every room and everyone that really knows me knows that they make me happy!

Being in England I haven't found the perfect place to buy candles. I mean in the US, I know there is a store called 'Bath and Body Works' which I WISH was available here!
They sell what seem like the best candles ever! Call me weird but I went onto the site and picked a few of the ones I would probably buy if I could:

Leaves is probably the most heard about candle from Bath and Body Works, especially for this time of year! People stock up for the entire year because they love this candle! Does it really smell that nice?! Let's just fly to America and smell it! This is number one on my Bath and Body Works list (okay, you caught me, I just made that list right now!)...

 I love the smell of cinnamon now - I used to hate it but nowI love it! I actually have a cinnamon and mulled wine candle (shown here) which is ALMOST finished :(

 First of all, can I just say, doesn't this look just GORGEOUS! It looks so girly and totally my style! I love the smell of vanilla too - who doesn't?! - and the rose image just tops it off - this would be #2 on my B&BW list!

This one looks pretty and like it would smell nice! You know there is no description on the website so your guess on how the candles smell are as good as mine! 

Lastly, this is a candle holder! Isn't it just the cutest thing ever!! So festive and it would look lovely! Oh, and watch out for more festive posts coming out next week on Wednesday! 

Okay, enough with my weirdness with candle obsession!

Images and products from here. At the moment you can save 45% by buying 2 of these candles!

Are you lucky enough to live near a B&BW?! 

Or if you live in England, where do you suggest a good candle place is?

Haul: New Bag!

Hello!

This season brings about more reds, deep greens, black and.... camel!
Remember when camel/mustard was THE colour, like it was EVERYWHERE! Anyway, so I decided that although camel is not THE colour, it's still a colour for the winter months and whats better than a bag to spice up any outfit with the colour?

The quilted bag reminds me of the Chanel bags, yet a LOT less cheaper but still as classy!

It's also very versetile as it can be a shoulder bag with the chain doubled up or...

You can make it a longer, slightly daintier bag with a single chain!

It even has a secret back pocket, perfect for your phone!

Here's a similar bag on the TopShop website.
And here's a red version on Forever 21.
You can get also get this colour in many bags including a longchamp bag here, which I have a taupe version of, seen here.

I actually bought it from a local boutique which I buy a lot things from as it stocks a lot of clothing that are trendy! However, it is easy to find dupes for them, so it's all good!

So tell me, what's your go-to bag colour at the moment? The usual neutrals or something bold?

Get Fall-Festive! - Room Decor

Hello!

October is most definitely among us no matter how unreal it may seem that we're already in the 10th month of the year - so that means you and I need to make our rooms more fit for the cold and cosy months! Do I sound excited through this post to you? Because I am. Believe me.

First, and foremost, the easiest and most simple thing you can do is light a candle. Okay it's not that easy - I mean you have to go out and look for and buy a candle, then come home, put it in a room then light it (gasp) BUT essentially it's a great way to make your room fall festive! This is one I recently bought and lit:

It's a mulled wine and cinnamon apple scent and makes the room smell and feel warm and luxurious! Featured in my book review here - yes I light candles and read books: pure luxury.

Another idea is things to do with Pine Cones.
You could decorate them with glitter and put them in a pretty bowl.

source: here

This is so easy to do and you can just get the pinecones for free in a local park (as long as it's permitted). For the longest time, I called these beauties ACORNS not PINECONES and it wasn't until I spent a while google-ing random words to try and find what they are called that I started calling them Pinecones - because that's what they are: Pinecones! Anyway, there's a accessible idea too!

source: here

If you don't want to decorate the pinecones (not called acorns - even though you could also collect acorns to display/decorate) then simply decorate the basket! 

source: here

source: here

Flowers are not only for summer - warm coloured flowers can be stunners for fall too! Who doesn't love a little bit of florals in their life?! If there really aren't any flowers around, even branches look lovely when displayed right! 

source: here

Adding a knit pillow will bring some cosiness to your room! 

Finally, add some pumpkin to your life. October wouldn't be October without a bit of Pumpkin!

source: here

This image is of a pumpkin covered in stocking! What a great idea! It looks so lovely! I wish England was more pumpkin-festive... not many people around here have pumpkins out during fall! 

Anyway, I hope you have a Fall-festive season and make your room as cosy as possible! 

What are your ideas for fall decor?