Tag: Style

January Favourites

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Thank you to all those who voted on my Insta Story last week – the chosen blog topic was January Favourites (not sure if the title gave it away!)

Wellbeing:

Affirmation Cards – those who follow me on Instagram will have seen that I started dabbling in Affirmations in January. I was very selective on the cards I purchased – it took me a good long while as I’m not particularly spiritual and I’m not religious so I wanted a set of cards that would match with my values along with a bit of humour. And these cards do just that! I purchased the Work version because, lets face, we spend more time at work than we do at home and working full time as well as being a Mummy, you sometimes need that extra push of  motivation and positivity

Reading – Apart from a brief pause whilst I was poorly at the end of January, I’ve been loving reading at the moment. I find its the best way to wind down at the end of the day, and even though I’m guaranteed to fall asleep mid sentence, I certainly find I’m more refreshed the next morning from having that de-stress. You will have seen my earlier blog post on my 2019 Book List – I keep adding to this and will share my purchases on Instagram
Hazlenut porridge – I never thought that porridge would appear in my favourites! I normally hate the stuff BUT I’ve found a brilliant combination which makes me want to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Here’s my recipe:

1 cup jumbo oats

1/2 cup hazelnut milk (Innocent do the best I think!)

1/2 cup full fat milk

Leave the oats to soak for about 30-45 mins – I will usually put them in a bowl when making my tea first thing and then by the time its breakfast, they have really plumped up.

For those with time in the morning, I would suggest a gentle simmer on the hob but I usually microwave for 1 minute intervals being sure they don’t go too thick.

Add a bit of honey or brown sugar (or golden syrup) and your good to go! The hazelnut milk makes it taste like you have chocolate spread in your porridge!!

(Excuse the empty bottle pic but that shows just how much I love it!!)


Beauty

I have cleaned my face every day with Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean twice a day and I can honestly see a difference in my skin texture and pores. It leaves such a squeaky clean feeling and a little goes a long way


I’m not usually an eyeshadow fan, partly due to time and partly due to no talent! It normally goes everywhere. But, I was intrigued by the burgundy reds I’d seen across social media and thought I’d give it a go. I found the perfect palette for me – Barry M, Fall In Love 2. I didn’t purchase for the brand but the range of colours. I literally sweep across the crease of my lid and the pigment gives enough colour without being dramatic. I purchased mine from Boots.


I love when I do a show and I get to wear false eyelashes! I’ve finally found a masacara that recreates the look without the faff of eyelash glue! Benefits Bad Gal Bang….


A well-timed business trip for Mr PB meant I was treated to some duty free. Having had a sample of Twilly D’Hermes in my John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar, I fell in love. I’m usually only a fan of Jo Malone but this fragrance is so unique and the bottle is adorable with its little Hermes scarf!


Clothing

Having watched Styled By Susie on Instagram for a while, I’ve picked up a lot of her tips on the importance of basics in a wardrobe. My shopping routine for clothes is always a bit ad-hoc and I will generally buy something and then a few weeks later fall out of love with it. So, I’ve gone back to basics and purchased some well fitted basic jumpers from good old M&S and its really helped me to pair with my more colourful scarves as well as my long-forgotten jackets and accessories. I highly recommend you follow her and even download her brilliant PDF’s for guidance.

Home

This may sound bizarre, but I’ve been loving my cleaning routine this month. I’ve finally nailed The Organised Mum Method (TOMM) and am now in a rhythm of 30 minutes cleaning a day leaving the weekends free to play! I’ve adapted the routines to suit me and my work commitments but I’m thoroughly enjoying what I’ve achieved and Little PB even helps too!

x PB x

I just love to tidy!

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A friend very kindly complimented on how tidy our house is and asked how I achieve it given I work full time and have a 2 year old.

Well, I think given that I am out of the house most of the week and little one is at nursery goes a long way to keeping the house tidy but it did get me thinking if my method and storage choices would be helpful to others, so here goes.

  1. Everything has a place which I think is a huge help in putting it away – and if it doesn’t have a place, it doesn’t last long in the house. I honestly think I could find anything in our house with my eyes shut!
  2. Little PB doesn’t have a play room so I have ensured that his toys are kept to a minimum sorting through them every birthday & Christmas and passing them onto friends or charity. Little PB also loves a good game of tidying up…..no, really he does
  3. Cheap canvas drawstring bags are great for storing a collection of toys. You can buy them via Amazon and as well as looking prettier and lasting longer than cardboard boxes, it makes putting toys away super quick and easy
  4. Storage is in keeping with our interiors , for example, a toy box that is a distressed travel chest, dresser with drawers and shelving for maximum space and wicker baskets (I do love a pretty wicker basket!)
  5. I tidy each room completely before I move onto the next – if something in the lounge belongs in the kitchen, I just put it in the kitchen and finish the lounge first. This lessens distraction as well as multiple trips up and down the stairs! I work clockwise through the house so I know if I’ve missed anywhere easily
  6. Well plumped cushions – this may sound odd, but a set of cushions on a sofa that make it look complete, will help to allude this vision of tidiness!
  7. I always make the bed!! I dont think I would function properly each day if I left the house without making the bed – it makes a bedroom go from messy to tidy in minutes!

I hope this gives you some good ideas! Please share any tidying tips you have – I find tidying quite a mindfulness task and feel so much more prepared with a tidy home

x PB x

Why I love my early mornings

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It’s 5.56am and I’m up, writing this blog post. Some of you will be shouting at the screen saying why, why, WHY?! Well, I’m about to tell you.

Since becoming a mummy, I have become increasingly grateful for the time I have to myself. Please be reassured that I would of course prefer to spend time with Little PB over and above anything else, but working full time and being mum means stuff needs to get done.

With the sun rising and the birds entertaining my with their dawn chorus, I potter in the silence of the house, preparing for the day.

I tried the Miracle Morning method in its entirety for a bit – that didn’t work for me. And I think its because I took it too literally. The principle behind Miracle Morning is to set you right for the day by giving yourself time to reset your mind, focus, do some exercise and rehydrate.

So, my morning is a deconstructed version of this and here is my routine:

  • Sunrise alarm set for 5.50am. Little PB usually wakes by 7am so I know I have around an hour to get s!@* done.
  • 5.50am – Get up! (I do have to push myself to get up straight away but it’s improving!)
  • 5.55am – A big glass of water and a lemon tea (basically 2 slices of lemon in warm water)
  • 6am – Feed Pineapple & Button Co. whilst the kettle is boiling
  • 6am – 6.30am – Spend 30 mins either planning my day, painting my nails, writing blog posts, or having a pamper session in the shower. I also pack my bag for the day (although I do try to do this before I go to bed in the evening)
  • 6.30am – 7am – Get myself ready (with a cup of builders tea!) because trying to do a decent attempt at hair and make up with a toddler to entertain is never going to work

By the time Little PB stirs, I can give him my full attention until we go to nursery and I feel ready for the day.

I have had experiences where I haven’t achieved the above and I can honestly share that I feel discombobulated that whole day as a result.

So, if you want to feel more productive, positive, motivate and in control of your world, set that alarm for an hour earlier…..and then share how it goes! Good luck!

x PB x

Crafty Catch-Up – July 2017

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After stepping out of my comfort zone for the first Crafty Catch Up in February 2017, it was  a given that I was going to rugby tackle anyone I needed to for a ticket for the July 2017 catch up.

Taking a beautifully scenic journey through the Kent countryside, I arrived in Lydd and entered a room full of smiles and happiness. Rachel and Emily (the organisers) had done a fantastic job in setting up stalls and tables for the attendees.

I had the pleasure of being on Table 1 with a brilliant bunch of planner girls – Charlotte, Lynsey, Joey, Anna & Stephanie. Balloons, gold foiling, bunting, the most adorable cake & sweet stand and a safe place to plan, craft & create….what could be better?

It was so wonderful to be able to browse some planner shops – when the whole of the Planner world is online, its great to be able to see products in real life…..although this did mean that there were some indulgent purchases.

A new addition to the day was a set of craft classes which added a great dynamic. We had a TN insert class and TN pocket folder class by CraftyAliCat, hand lettering by SoJoey and a memory keeping book class by BitsOfStationery. It was also wonderful to just sit with my fellow planner girls and plan our week and have a giggle (there were plenty of those).

The goody bags were handed out by Rachel and the room was filled by ooohs and aahs of excitement, apart from me, who in my unique style, chose to wait until 2 days later…..the contents are incredible – I loved everything!

The raffle was disappointing…..but only because I didn’t win the Love From Poppy TN and it was very clear that the winner (LauraLizzy) was very VERY excited about it!! I did win something even with my impeccable timing for sharing my frustration that my name had yet to be called out.

What I have come to realise is that planner friends do truly make the best type of friends – their acceptance of your enjoyment in anything creative is so heartwarming and they have an ability to make you smile by the smallest of gestures.

The day came to an end all too quickly but that was certainly made easier with the announcement for the next catch up at the end of the year.

So, I’ll be seeing you all on 2nd December…..hopefully…..

Check out my Instagram for all the pics – @pineapplebuttonco

x PB x

I’m off to Camp Reset

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When Cori Spieker, The Reset Girl, first shared the plan to hold a Camp Reset, I was instantly disappointed that I couldn’t join in as it was obviously a meet up on the West coast of the US. I was very much mistaken and when I learnt that it was actually an online challenge, my heart started racing that little bit faster.

In Cori’s own words, “…My intention is to encourage and inspire you to take those baby steps in resetting your life. During July, we will focus on:

Self-Care Planning: Making self-care a HABIT in your life.

Healthy Sips & Snacks: Making what you choose to put into your body a more mindful and self-caring practice. Get

Moving: Making intentional movement a part of our day as a way to show our bodies the love.

Creativity Reset: Making creativity a way we express and care for ourselves daily.”

(https://www.theresetgirl.com/camp-reset/)

I signed up, not really knowing what I was committing to, and received a lovely welcome kit email with the most adorable set of printables to prepare for the start of Camp Reset on 1st July.

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I watched Cori’s YouTube video about prepping for the trip about 3 times and felt ready to grasp this challenge with both hands! I committed to scavenger hunting around my home for all my Camp Essentials and printed, cut and laminated all the beautiful Camp accessories. I even made a start in setting up my Self-Care Planner.

I felt ready and focused for the Week 1 challenge…..

1st July around 10pm……I had recieved the week 1 challenge email and with excitement started to print it all off…..but it just didn’t look as bright and engaging as all the other set ups I had seen in the Facebook group. The pictures wouldn’t print properly and I became disheartened. I was on the verge of giving up. I hadn’t really started so what was I going to loose.

With a UK Camp Reset Facebook page set up to support those across the water, I checked in and shared my disappointment and frustration and, like so many people I’ve met in the planner world, someone offered to send me some bits so I could make a start on my planner.

It was this act of kindness that made me realise something…..Camp Reset isn’t just a challenge for July but is a retreat to help us  find a way to be a better version of ourselves. Giving us the tools and resources to recognise and remember those special parts of our day, not forgetting that those closest to us are the most important aspect of anything we do. It didn’t matter that I wouldn’t achieve a badge if I didn’t complete the planner on time – what mattered was the steps I was taking to reflect on who I am and who I want to be.

With a new level of positivity and determination, I got to work……I made some commitments to myself and my family and it’s with the support of those I see every day, as well as the online community I’m proud to be a part of, that I know we will strive to be our best.

That being said, I do love my new planner set up and will share my creative process in a blog soon.

x PB x

 

Why I love multiple planners!

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When I first entered the world of planning, I found it hard to understand how it was possible to use more than 1 planner at a time. How could it be that you invest in a beautiful leather ring bound planner and then justify the need to add to that collection? Why would you not worship every part of that planner and that planner alone?

Oh, how naive this slightly younger version of myself was….almost 3 years on into my love (and mild addiction) into all things Planner related, I use 4 planners on a daily basis! Yep, F O U R. And I use them all with equal determination and purpose.

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So, let’s start with my Kate Spade ballerina pink zipped personal size. A purchase from the US, this beauty is where I store lists, lists and more lists….what books I want to read, ideas for Christmas and birthday presents (for myself obviously!), holiday planning, packing lists, shopping lists and anything else that I think should be or look like a list. With decorative pockets and a couple of creative dashboards made by moi, it’s what makes me smile every day.

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Next is my bubblegum pink Kikki K in A5. A pre loved purchase but in perfect condition. This was the first planner setup I saw on YouTube whilst watching Paper & Glam and I loved it ever since. I use this predominantly as a notebook for work so it has minimal decoration on the pockets and no fancy dividers or dashboard. I keep a Prima Planner pencil case and wipe clean notes page at the front, perfect for on the go. I also use the My Pretty Week tuck tabs to section off the different parts of the planner – so useful and adaptable! By using a planner as a notebook, it also means I can transfer into other planners should the desire take me.

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A planner collection would not be complete without an Erin Condren. I will do a full review on the new planner soon but I essentially use this as my everyday to do list and reminders. It also gives me an excuse to use pretty stickers!!

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Finally, my bargain of the year…Ban.do floral planner which I use to plan my blogs. This has minimal decoration as I don’t use it every day but I pimp it up by creating fun notes pages using my selection of post it notes.

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I think I have finally found Planner Peace. How long it lasts, I’m not sure. Particularly as I am eyeing up a Foxy Fix TN currently…..

How many planners do you use everyday? What planner item can’t you live without?

Intentions, not resolutions….

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For me, past years have started with the obligatory resolutions. Whilst my desire to buy stationery seems to ramp up in September, I have also been keen to have a focus for each new year – the Christmas decorations come down, the house is bought back to normality (no more hoovering up pine needles!) and I like to have that same “out with the old and in with the new” when it comes to my attitude to life and work.

However, this year will be different. Not only can I not include trimming down and getting fitter this year for personal reasons, I also had a very engaging chat with a good friend of mine that made me re-think the value of resolutions.

This good friend of mine is a person that everyone should have as a friend – someone who is level headed and balanced with a flourish of creativity and oodles of inspiration. When asked what her resolutions were, she shared that she aspires to intentions, and after reflecting, she is absolutely right.

Why should we feel pressured to achieve resolutions that stereotypically last 3-4 weeks and then we spend the rest of year feeling disappointed with our lack of will-power or commitment. Surely what we should be aiming to achieve is to be a better person and with that, better intentions in our day to day life.

So, as a way of commitment to my 2016 intentions, I am sharing them with you. By putting pen to paper (almost), I hope that these intentions become a way of life for me and not just a whimsical existence that I will suddenly remember I had discussed with a friend over coffee one day.

  1. Enjoy reading again. I slipped out of regularly reading during last year and I missed it greatly. (I will share my reading list in another post but would welcome recommendations!)
  2. Commit to my passion for sharing my love of Stationery + Style through The Pineapple & Button Co.
  3. Embrace each day with purpose and dress to impress!

I would love you to share your intentions! Let’s make 2016 count.

x PB x

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#Back2School4GrownUps – Lets Get Organised!

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Since launching into the world of planning, I have come to release the importance of organising my planning supplies – not only does this make the hoards of washi tape, pens, stickers and accessories look even better but it also helps me to plan in the most efficient way.

Vintage Letter Rack

I converted this letter rack into the most perfect planning storage. A gorgeous dark wood passed down to me by a family member, it stands with pride on the corner of my desk. I had thought about painting it but I love the vintage feel.

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The width of the slots make for a great washi holder (with plenty more room for more which is always important!). The pens and the stickers fit perfectly at the back of the unit with journal cards and accessories in the front for easy access. I always have this by my side when planning for the week.

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 Websters Color Crush Planning Case
I purchased this Webster Color Crush planning case from eBay. Complimenting the Pineapple and Button Co colours, it’s great to have in your handbag along with your planner of choice.

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With 3 pockets of varying sizes, it holds a substantial amount of on-the-go planning accessories – washi tape, pens, sticky notes, stickers, paperclips. A must for any stylish #GirlBoss.
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This divine wrap pencil case was a gift from Mr PB for our wedding anniversary. A beautiful soft tan leather, it smells incredible. Coming into Autumn, it makes for an adorable accessory.

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It’s a great size too, holding washi tape, paperclips, pens and a few stickers. I have started using this along with my navy patent Paperchase planner as this seasons staples.

IMG_4073 Being such a fan of The Reset Girl, I have learnt many a new technique for upping my planning game! The one significant tip is creating a paper buffet.

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Selecting paper stock in complimenting colours for my chosen theme – whether it be my EC, Simplified Planner or an autumn notebook – and then cutting them into circles, squares and page flags, really makes creating a layout easy peasy lemon squeezy as well as being super fun! I store the paper buffet in these simple dishes and change the contents up each month.

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Look out for layout designs soon!

What do you like to store your planning supplies in?

x PB x

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#blogspiration

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Some people have asked me how I continue to write blogs twice a week. How do I find content and something to talk about? Well, most of my inspiration comes from those around me – my family, my friends, my travels. But possibly most importantly, I am inspired by those that I follow on social media and the magazines and blogs that I read consistently.

It may seem a small milestone but we have recently achieved 100+ followers on Instagram and I have come to realise the power behind a loyal following. So, to share my gratitude and appreciation, I thought I would share my top blogs & favourite magazines as well as the ever growing YouTube & Instagram accounts.

Stationery & Planning

BLOGS

StudioCalico, StudioL2E and My Marvelous Life – the wonderful individuals behind all these blogs inspire me in a variety of ways. The photos, the content and just the ability to motivate me to want to improve on my life skills!

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01http://www.studiocalico.com/blog

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01http://www.studiol2eblog.com/

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01http://www.mymarvelouslife.com/

YOUTUBE

TheResetGirl – where do I start to express how much of a considerable impact Cori has had on my planning style. By far, the one and only planning and scrap booking YouTuber you should watch. She consistently shares inspiring stories and creations that want me to try and try again to make it perfect. But it goes beyond Planning and is more about women being strong leaders and making a name for themselves in a hobby they love – true inspiration.

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbrX05bknKFXthMyadIthwQ

INSTAGRAM

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01theplannersociety

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01theinkroad

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01createwithbeth

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01theresetgirl

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01GeraldineJayne

If a picture could speak a thousand words! Well, these ladies Instagram feeds will make you drool and want, want want in Stationery and Planning! Warning – enabler alert if you follow them!

Style

MAGAZINES

I regularly purchase;

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01 25 Beautiful Homes

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01Country Living

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01House and Garden

PinappleAndButtonCo-Icon-01Elle Decor.

Spending my Sunday evenings surrounded by magazines and adding inspiration to my interior scrapbook is the most satisfying feeling. Added to that is the excitement of scouring the stores during the week to find as close to equivalents of my interior wish list!

INSTAGRAM

Talk about #stylegoals, SophiePatersonInteriors is beyond inspiring. Her ability to decorate and dress a room is simply sensational! Follow, follow, follow!

I also regularly seek inspiration from CulinaryConcepts – I have shared my candle collection which features their products and there are plenty of style related blogs to come!

Find my Instagram account – pineapplebuttonco – and you will see these ladies on my following list.

I hope that have given you all some inspiration – please share your favourites below!

x PB x

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