Cosy Winter Outfit

 Hurrah! Finally after seven weeks I've found the strength to take some outfit photos. To start off I thought I would get myself back into it gently in something warm and cosy. This recent cold weather has done me no favours, but it's starting to get slightly warmer, the promise of spring is in the air and I can't wait. I even have a giveaway to celebrate my outfit return, keep reading for details.

This woodland is one of my favourites and it's so close to home. It reminds me of good times when I was younger and healthy. My family and I would often take a walk up to into the woods to see the view, often with a borrowed dog from a family friend. Kicking leaves and squelching my wellies in mud was one of my favourite things, even as an adult! For now the sight and smell was enough, there's nothing quite like the smell of the woods.

Snood scarf - c/o Windram Design (here)

Jumper - Liz Claiborne (Kate Spade) thrift £6

High waisted Jeans - £18 F&F at Tesco (here)

Necklace - c/o Luna Sky (here)

Druzy ring - c/o Luna Sky (here)

Shoes - £20 Geox thrift

My cosy outfit has been accessorised by two fantastic independent shops. This beautiful deer antler necklace and Druzy ring are both by Luna Sky (here), a great little jewellery shop run by the lovely Nicola. I adore this necklace, it's become one of my favourite and looks great with so many of my jumpers for a casual winter look. The quality is unbelievable for the price, and also anything from Luna Sky comes with a sweet little purchase certificate and in a lovely organza gift bag. Ideal for presents, I'm sure I'll be shopping there in the near future.

The lovely Helen at Windram Design hand made this Aztec Snood Scarf. Helen focuses on well made simple but classic designs. You can also find handmade roses, clothing, personalised mugs and prints all at Windram Design. This snood is a very versatile piece that is so cosy and ideal for all seasons, it's soft and well made and I've had so many compliments on it. 

I'm excited to announce that I will be hosting my first ever giveaway on Instagram. So if you fancy winning yourself an Aztec print snood by Windram Designs then head over to Instagram and follow @emmmasometimes for more details to follow very shortly. Giveaway will be international.

Also you can get 15% off any orders with Windram Design (here) by adding the code "emmaslookingglass15" at the checkout. The code is valid until 1st March, so grab a limited edition item before they're gone.

I hope I won't have to leave it so long inbetween my next outfit post. Good luck to all who enter the giveaway!

Emma Xx

Valentines with Yucoco

Valentines day is just around the corner and I have a date with the prettiest chocolate bar I've ever seen, that's if theres any left by then! They say all you need is love, but there's a few extras on my list, cat cuddles and chocolate being at the top. Chocolate in moderation could count as self love right?! At least that's what I'm telling myself while looking at this glorious bar. A bar I has the pleasure of designing myself! Yucoco have come up with a fantastic idea - not only do you design your own bar with thousands of toppings combinations but it's delivered to your door.

I've always enjoyed post, especially since becoming chronically ill. I didn't think happy post (as I like to call it) could get any better until chocolate came through my letter box, turning this twenty something year old into a greedy six year old girl again. For my bar I chose the terrific trio of chocolate so that I could sample all three of the chocolate varieties, which I can say taste lovely, the white chocolate being my favourite and the dark not as strong as I would like but still delicious. I topped my trio with Haribo hearts, Rolos, freeze dried raspberries, confetti hearts and a white chocolate drizzle. The Raspberries and the white chocolate go so very well! I also customised my bar by naming it. There's even an option to say who it's to and who created the bar.

Chocolate c/o Yucoco

These handmade bars would make great birthday surprises as well as a lovely valentines gift. After all, not  many people can say they had a chocolate bar designed especially for them with all their favourite flavours. If you get one of these on valentines day you know you've found a keeper, be it friend or lover.

Emma Xx

Indulgent Real Hot Chocolate

 

It's officially got cold enough to snow and in my books, freezing all the time. It's brass monkeys out there! As I mentioned in my last post, my health hasn't been good at all so far this year, so I'm having to avoid spending much time outside, which is hard being an outdoorsy kinda person, although I did enjoy stepping out for a few minutes to take these photos. The cold only exasperates my pains, but there's nothing like a breath of fresh air. Most the time I'm in hibernation mode, blankets, jumpers and long rests. Of course kitty cuddles and endless cups of tea make the days much better but sometimes you just need something a little more, especially on a dull day. For me that involves grabbing my favourite mug and filling it with something very tasty.

My current favourite mug was made especially for me by the very talented Helen at Windram Designs. 'Let it be' is one of my favourite quotes and mantras that I learned from meditation, so having it written on this mug makes me very happy and reminds me to let go of stress and just be - a much easier process when sipping on hot chocolate! 

For the Hot Chocolate you will need:

50g Chocolate of your choice - I used lindt milk chocolate

210ml Milk - I used almond milk

Optional marshmallows 

Break up the chocolate and set aside. Gently heat the milk in a pan while continually stirring until it's heated up, then add the chocolate and stir until it's all melted and mixed up. 

Add to you're favourite mug and enjoy!

If you fancy having your favourite quote hand painted onto a mug then check out Helen's Etsy page (here) where you can find a listing for personalised mugs among many other treasures.

Emma Xx