Cosy Living Room Ideas For Autumn and Winter*

When Autumn comes around, I always get a real urge to change thing up in our home. I want warm colours, gorgeous smelling candles, soft textures, I just want it to be cosy. A night in with a box set or film whilst it's raining outside, wrapped up in a blanket with a hot chocolate is absolute heaven and something I look forward to all year round. I really want to embrace the danish concept, Hygge this Autumn and Winter for ultimate relaxation and warmth so here are some my tips and the things I'll be taking on board for a ridiculously cosy few months.

Bring in warm tones

At the moment I am all for warm colours. Give me burnt orange, mustard, red, black, navy, copper, any day of the week over bright colours. Whilst you don't want to go overboard by using literally every single one in each room, adding an injection of a few of these into the living room creates a beautiful autumnal space that can carry you through Winter and Christmas too. We have quite natural colours in our living room anyway but this year I definitely want to add in some mustard cushions and some hints of dark orange either in the form of a throw or candles. Just a few little things can really change up the room. If you want to give yourself the task of redecorating the room entirely for the later months of the year, a trend I am loving at the moment is navy and copper. Add in a dark navy feature wall with copper accessories, and new contemporary flooring from Amtico for a gorgeous modern room that can easily be adapted for Autumn/Winter. Amtico have a wide selection of stunning luxury vinyl flooring so whichever room you want to transform, you're sure to find something not only functional but stylish too.

Blankets, blankets & more blankets

Getting warm and snug on the sofa is one of my favourite things so blankets are a must. Not just for that reason though but also because they can also really add something extra to the room. A blanket draped over the sofa arm adds texture and if you go for a deep orange or subtle mustard shade, it really adds a nice pop of colour. I've seen several really affordable blankets and throws in places like Primark and Asda in a variety of beautiful colours so it's definitely worth having a little look.

Change the lighting

An easy way to transition your home from Summer to Autumn is the lighting. For a cosy ambience, you can swap your brighter light bulbs to warmer toned ones and you could also add in a smaller lamps around the room rather than having the 'big light' on as us in Yorkshire say. An obvious addition though is of course candles! I'm always picking them up towards the end of the year. Turning all lights off and just lighting candles really makes the room feel inviting and just completely changes the atmosphere of the whole flat. I have a few dotted on bookshelves, the TV stand, the coffee table, literally everywhere but it means the living room looks absolutely beautiful when they're all lit.

Autumn decor

Finally, you can't beat places like Homesense and TK Maxx for some autumnal decor. Not just candles, though for me, they are a big part of Autumn and Winter, but things like copper dishes with seasonal potpourri in, acorns, warm toned artificial flowers, ornaments, there are so many things you can add to the coffee table as a centrepiece or add onto a bookshelf to really spruce up your home.

Do you have any other tips for making your home cosy for Autumn/Winter?

*This post is in collaboration with Amtico

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Current Netflix Top Picks #3

It doesn't feel like two minutes since my last Netflix Top Picks but I've been watching some great things recently so I couldn't wait to share them with you!

Monster in Law

I remember having this film on DVD when I was younger and I used to love it so much! I was thrilled when I saw it had been added to Netflix and I think I've put it on at least 3 times since! Charlotte, played by Jennifer Lopez meets and falls in love with Dr. Kevin Fields. Soon enough she meets his mother, played by Jane Fonda and pretty quickly she realises that she isn't too thrilled at the thought of having her as a daughter in law. She see's Charlotte as competition and goes out of her way to try and call off the wedding. It's a typical rom-com and one that I don't think will ever get old.

Notting Hill

I mentioned this briefly in my August favourites but as I loved it so much, it had to go in this post. Notting Hill was one of those films everyone had raved about but I never got round to watching it until recently, and now I totally get the hype. It's such a lovely romantic film, Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts are so perfect in it and I'm sure it will be one I re-watch again and again in the future. It's also really made me want to visit Portobello Road next time I'm in London as it's somewhere I've not been before and obviously that's where a lot of it was filmed.

The Stanford Prison Experiment

I remember learning about the real life Stanford Prison Experiment in college and once I heard about a film being made, I was desperate to see it. It was something that genuinely really fascinated me in college so I was interested to see how it would play out in film and it was actually great. I'm not sure saying I enjoyed it would be right as it's obviously about something controversial (college students pretend to be either prisoners or guards and it soon got out of hand) and at times it was really uncomfortable viewing but it definitely kept my interest and I think the actors chosen were brilliant in it!

Gavin and Stacey

I never tire of this show! It's been a favourite of mine for so many years and I honestly never get bored of it. It's such a great show to put on in the evening in bed or to have on whilst I'm blogging or getting things done. Only series 1 and 2 are on Netflix at the moment but I did recently find series 3 on TV too so I've been able to start it from the beginning again. I still hope that one day they'll bring it back just for one Christmas special or something similar, we need to know what they're all doing now!

Bad Education

Another TV show that I can just put on in the background and not get bored of. Jack Whitehall is so funny in this and I'm so glad it's something I started watching as each episode just gets better. I also really like the movie too, sometimes when a show decides to make a film too it can often not be as good as you would hope but I actually think they did it really well and came up with a good plot. This is another one of those shows that I wish would come back in the future just for a few episodes at least.

I've already got a few things in mind for my Netflix post so I doubt it will be too long before you see that. Sometimes I really struggle with finding something to watch on Netflix, and there are definitely better months than others but recently they have added some amazing films and TV programs. Let me know if you have any recommendations or if you've been watching these too!

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How To Transition Your Winter Outfits Into Spring*

I know, I know, we're only just leaving Summer behind and stepping into Autumn, but being able to transition your outfits from season to season is something to think about all year round. So here are some tips on how to transition your comfy Winter outfits into the start of Spring.

Layering

The problem I have when it comes to the end of Winter is how up and down the weather can be. One minute it's still freezing and we have snow and the next it's hot, so it can be such a pain knowing what to wear. Layering is such a easy way to start making the winter to spring transition though. It means you can be prepared for all weather. Had a cold few days? Add in a jacket, scarf and boots over jeans and a blouse and then if it warms up, these can easily be removed and you'll still be cool enough for any shock hot weather. It's better to layer up at first and be prepared for rain and snow rather than going out dressed for the middle of Spring and then have nothing to throw on.

Add in bright colours 

Like most people I imagine, in Winter I am all about the darker colours, blacks, greys, reds and it takes a lot for me to part with them. They are go to colours of mine and they suit me but whenever Spring comes around I like to add a pop of colour or pattern to change things up a little. Spring is all about being bright and colourful so add in that yellow top, that pink jacket, get creative! You can lighten up your look ready for the season ahead piece by piece. Even just swapping a chunky scarf for a thin floral one is a nice change, or switching the boots to pumps.

Ankle boots with dresses

If when Spring rolls around you're not quite ready to say goodbye to Winter, one look I really like is ankle boots with dresses/skirts. I think it's so unique and it's perfect in between the two seasons. One of my favourites I've seen recently is black ankle boots with a leopard print skirt, absolutely perfect for the colder months but can also easily be worn when the warmer weather is starting. If you want to pick yourself a new pair of boots for the upcoming months, there are some lovely Reiker ones available at Donaghys. Established in 1960, the Donaghys business has grown from strength to strength since the beginning and they now stock a variety of items suitable for the whole family. When in need of a new pair of shoes for a new season, Donaghys is the place to go for top quality brands at great prices.

Accessorize

Spring and Summer are the perfect months for accessories. You can really change up your outfit just by adding in a few pieces of jewellery or swapping in a new pair of shoes. Printed scarves are perfect, pretty jewellery can take your daytime outfit into the evening and you can even throw in a little over the shoulder bag too!

Do you have any tips for transitioning outfits from season to season?

*This post is in collaboration with Donaghys

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My Pet Story With Petplan*

Owning a pet is such an amazing experience and I was lucky enough to truly learn that when our family dog Bouncer arrived many years ago. I've spoken about him before in a post about why I have so much love for dogs but only briefly so when Petplan got in touch and asked if I would like to share my pet story and some of my fondest memories, I jumped at the chance.

When did my love for dogs start?

Well, surprisingly not for a good few years. When I was very young, I really didn't like dogs, I have no idea why, I just thought they were scary and I never pictured us having one. In fact I remember so vividly one particular time we were at some sort of farm or park and there was a border collie running around and I assumed it was after me so I was in such a state, trying to run up slides and everything! It's something that's always stuck with me but somehow I obviously got over that and when we decided to bring a dog into the family, quickly I think we all realised it was just the best thing we could have done. Now I love all the dogs and can't imagine my life without them!

Meeting Bouncer and bringing him home

I think I must have been about 12 when we decided on getting a dog and I remember very clearly that first time we went to meet him. A gorgeous black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. There he was with his brothers and sisters, and whilst they were all of course absolutely beautiful, he just stood out to us. Instantly he was the most adorable little dog, whining on his way home with us and whining in the nights for weeks whilst he settled in but soon enough it was like we'd never not known him. I have no idea how I could have ever had such a bad fear of dogs because all he has done is make me want a house full to love and look after.

Over 10 years of love

Unfortunately Bouncer passed away last September which has flown by but we are so lucky that we had over 10 magical years with him. He blossomed from this cute little puppy to this chunky, fluffy dog that everyone who met him, absolutely fell in love with. I have so many fond memories of him, it was a pleasure to have grown up alongside him and get to experience so much. He loved his holidays, running along the beach and into the sea with a ball, was always on the hunt for food (anything but his own was a winner) he gave the best cuddles, always knew when you were sad and needed some love and was generally just the best dog we could have asked for in every way. I so wish I'd appreciated the time I had with him more, the times he used to walk into my room and try to get onto my bed for a cuddle, the bath times which he absolutely hated but always looked so cute afterwards, the few weeks George and I had to look after him ourselves in the Summer. There is so much I think back on and wish I could re-live again. He is so missed and there's not a day that goes by where I don't think of him.

My future with dogs

George and I have been together for 7 years now, we're recently married and we're really settled in our home so for us I think it's the natural next step. We've ticked a few things off our rough plan and I don't think it will be too long before we really make a start on bringing a dog into our little family. My heart already feels like it's going to burst at the thought of it. If I had it my way, we'd get a dog tomorrow but unfortunately there's quite a lot to consider which is why we haven't taken the chance just yet. Getting a dog is not a decision that can be made over night, they need your constant love and attention and so much more goes into something like this than you realise. Is our flat big enough? Can we afford it? What happens if they get ill? Which insurance company? So many things I've researched now for months! Luckily with Petplan Pet Insurance, there's no need to worry. They are pet specialists whose policies cover several conditions and they are able to pay out on 97% of claims. Their main aim to keep our pets healthy and their owners happy, which is what we all want isn't it? So if the worst does happen and your pet gets ill, they can help you get them back on their feet without any extra concern. So many questions go through my mind when I think of us getting a dog but I know we're ready. We would be the best dog parents and the time I had with Bouncer growing up has just installed this intense love that I want to share. I really feel it's the next natural thing for us, it's just a matter of saving now!

Petplan want to hear your Petstories too, so whether it is a recovery from illness or just their day to day mischief share your story on Petplan's Facebook or Instagram using #Pethoodstories

Did you have a family pet growing up? Are you more of a dog person too?

*This post is in conjunction with Petplan but all thoughts are my own

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