3 Indie Shops That Get It Right

For a very long time, I have preferred buying from smaller independent brands over huge, mass producing chains. I've worked for an independent retailer for 7 years now and doing so has only made me love little boutiques all the more.

Why buy from small shops/independents? In this day and age, I think it makes sense to be fussy about who is deserving of your money and support. The high street is fun, but original, creative and experience-orientated it usually is not. I love independent shops as you are far more likely to get good service, innovative pieces and a truly personal touch.

Today's roundup of indie shops are all online (some of my faves aren't, but if you fancy hearing about them in another post I am happy to oblige!) Please do feel free to give them a gander and let me know of any independent shops you are obsessed with!

 

TEA AND KATE - UK

My most recent addiction. Every morning, I kid you not, I wake up and check the New Arrivals page as I am deeply in love with Kate's fantastic taste. Brands I've heard of (Rifle Paper Co., Livework and Secret Holiday Co.) bump heads with plenty I've yet to sink my teeth into. Beautifully curated with dreamy homeware, stationery and gift ideas.
On my wishlist: Rifle Co. Weekly Planner, Danish Wall Shelf, Vintage Scissors

ANOMIE - US

Chelsea of ChelseaWears clearly has the greatest taste of just about any human ever, as everything on Anomie is to die for. You would be amazed how many trends her lovely little store has sparked and it is no wonder: designer home and fashion brands are stylishly displayed and perfectly chosen. I regularly consider going bankrupt while browsing this site.
On my wishlist: Everything. Specifically, Base Range Lady Bra, Opal Pip Ring, Pommes Frites Summer Breeze Candle

A GIRL NAMED LENEY - US

I've been following Leney's beautiful blog for a while now (it recently got the most stunning facelift, get ready to have the happiest browsing sesh of your life) and the last few weeks have seen me yearning to own each and every beautiful knitwear piece in her lovely shop. I just love the idea of owning something made by someone I can put a face to; it really makes a piece feel more personal. If you love gorgeous and well designed knits, she has got something for you.
On my wishlist: Knit Crop Top Sweater, Explorers Club Cowl, Nomad Mittens

So gang, what do you think? Are you choosing to buy from indie shops (or has this post inspired you to look for some?!) Let me know of any that you are loving at the moment down in the comments, you gorgeous people!

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20 Free Things To Do This Weekend

 Not sure what you're up to this weekend, or feeling the pinch at the moment? Have no fear, Anna is here, with some ideas to get you going...

1. Go for a run - use this podcast as your motivation and guidance, it is easy and fun!
2. Write your future self a letter to open
3. Have a self portrait photo session
4. Give a friend a makeover
5. Spend the evening giving yourself a facial
6. Skype a friend
7. Make yourself a new playlist with some old favourites (I have a few here for your entertainment)
8. Have a clearout
9. Customise an old T shirt - see what you can do!
10. Check out any free art exhibitions or museums in your area
11. Brush up on your street photography
12. Have a go at meditation (Deepak Chopra is running a course with Oprah here)
13. Host a movie night
14. Clean that corner you've been meaning to properly go over for a while (for me that's a weird corner in my bedroom that is awkward to get to!)
15. Connect with a blogger you admire
16. Try some creative writing
17. Give your feet a proper pamper and pedicure
18. Fall for a new podcast
19. Organise your computer's folders
20. Have a spectacular dance party

There you go, your weekend is sorted! What are you gorgeous folks up to today? Let me know down below!

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DIY: Inspirational Quote Jar + Download!

If you're looking for a way to add some inspiration to your morning, this DIY is definitely for you!

The girls and I have had a quote jar in the kitchen since January and I have really looked forward to opening a quote each morning. It's super simple to make, but all things are more fun in video montage form so I filmed the process for you anyway:

I've made you a PDF with some quotes to get you started - simply print out, cut up and add to your jar! If you are after more to add later, Brainy Quote is a great resource; my favourite authors are Gandhi, Oscar Wilde and Audrey Hepburn.

Will you guys be making your own jars? What do you do for some daily inspiration? Let me know in the comments as always!

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Lessons Learnt From Knitting

This year has seen me fall hard and fast for knitting, something I had tried as a child but not really got into beyond a few weeks.

So far I have made some very questionable phone cases and I just finished a navy blue snood, which is ginormous but something I am very proud of.

If you have yet to pick up those needles, or have learnt previously but have forgotten its majesty, this post is for you!

PATIENCE IS KEY

I made more mistakes than I can count making my snood, but thankfully knitting errors (certainly the ones I have made!) are reversible and it was actually super satisfying to go back and find you've sorted your mistake.

KNITTING IS EXPENSIVE...

I bought four skeins of this wool for my snood and some 10mm wooden needles and all together they clocked in at about £30-35 pounds. I definitely didn't think it would be that expensive when I started, but...

...BUT IT IS WORTH IT

The simple act of knitting is an incredibly calming one and I have really enjoyed doing so as a way to switch off my mind at night. I have also realised that if I wanted to buy a handmade snood from 100% wool of this size, it would definitely cost more than my materials, which is something!

IT'S CHANGED HOW I SEE FASHION

It's fascinating; I never used to see fashion as anything but fun, but now I am also obsessed with the quality of a garment, what it is made with, where it is from and how long it will last. I'm definitely on the hunt for folks that make and sell their own pieces, so shout if there are any on your radar!

I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN

I am honestly not sure how to progress from where I am at as I can knit a couple of basic stitches, cast on and off, but I am clueless as to reading a pattern and what new stitches I should be mastering. Any guidance you guys have would be amazing on this one! Also listening to the Woolful Podcast has been amazingly inspiring, I highly recommend if you are a knitter of any level.

Have you guys ever bust out the knitting needles? If you have, what advice would you share?

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VIDEO: A Weekend Vlog

Well hello hello! Today's post is my vlog of a lush weekend, featuring food, food and more food. I had the most magnifique time with my old pal Jono (he has a Tumblr if you are into weird grungy stuff, I am pretty sure he won't mind me saying that) and the famalam at home... Enjoy!

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ANNAGRAM #2

I'm back with an Annagram for you guys - if you like pun based catch up posts then this series is for you - and it's been a really good week or so... Let's do this!

ONE

Are you guys signed up for the Deepak Chopra Success Meditation Course? I am signed up and ready to rumble and plan on doing the first today. I will be sure to let you guys know how I get on -  my gorgeous gal Tasha and I did one of these courses last year and I loved it; worth looking into as guided meditations aren't often free and this good!

TWO

More dreamy times in Winchester. God I love that place. This time my bud Jono and I went to the loveliest indie cafe (the Forte Tearooms to be precise) and nearly died of how amazing the food was - we both had the artichoke soup with focaccia and it was literally the best soup in the world. I cannot understate how majestic it was.

THREE

We then had fun gig times in the pub and it was hilar - I have a vlog coming of this weekend if you are keen to see it!

FOUR

Gorgeous Mother's Day pre-dinner with Mum and Dad. It was fabulous. I would like every meal to involve salmon fishcakes and poached eggs from now on. Also tulips are my world right now.

FIVE

This snood is now HUGE and almost too big to photograph, but I am LOVING the whole knitting process - today I spent far too long trying to get it done! Are you guys knitters? After our Easter break, some of the lovely gals from my uni are going to be holding a knitting club each week and I am so excited.

SIX

A gorgeous countryside walk... Is anything better?

How are you guys doing? I hope you all had lovely weeks whatever you were up to, feel free to tell me about them in the comments!

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DIY: Photo Washing Line

There ain't no point taking photos if you've not found a way of displaying them nicely!

This post is a crazy simple one, simply to get you inspired to print out some of your favourite snaps, and display them in an adorable way.

This is absurdly easy if you have a picture rail like I do, as you can simply push in some drawing pins or bung in some nails, then knot at each end with some string before moving on to pegging. I went for these pegs as they were absurdly cheap and so far, so very, very good!

Love my little string of photos and postcards ❤

A photo posted by Anna (@byhermirror) on Mar 1, 2015 at 10:04am PST

I pegged up my favourite shots I took with my black and white film and actually love the monochrome works together - Mum's postcard from Liberty really fits in well. I reckon I'm going to have another one with colour ones too.

The best bit? You can change them up any time you like!

What do you guys think of this idea? Have you got any snaps that need showing off too?

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My Makeup Core Collection: Part Two

If you missed the first half of my makeup core collection click here to get all caught up! Today's post is all about the collection of cheek, lip and nail products that I won't be without for my travels this year... Let's get into it!

The Cheeks

I've decided there has to be two options for blusher: we're talking a neutral blush and a warm-toned blush. For my neutral pick, it has to be Barely Pink by Laura Mercier; so freakin' lovely and versatile too. It's going to go perfectly with red and cool toned lippies. My warm toned offering is Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso - you know the drill about how stunning this guy is already I am sure so I won't bore you!

As my highlighter I have pondered long and hard over the possibilities I suggested in this post but there was one choice and one choice only... Topshop Highlighter in Polished. It is creamy, pearly perfection; you're hard pushed to find a more stunning highlighter out there!

The Lips

Now on to my favourite category, one that was ridiculously difficult to narrow down. The first lip option you can't forsake is a good nude lippy and while I have previously explained why I fear them so here, but the Nyx Butter Lip Glosses have got me converted. Standout shades are Eclair and Apple Strudel.

Next we're talking a red lip and I have positively agonised over this decision... The winner? Nars Dragon Girl. Beloved to myself, Taylor Swift and a buttload of other makeup lovers, it is a wonderfully pigmented and utterly beautiful shade. I adore its longevity and its easy use - I don't feel the need for a lip liner with this, which is pretty incredible for a red!

I decided to name this part fun lippies because these aren't obvious classics but are still lip looks I don't want to go without. The first is a bold pink shade and by far my favourite pink ever is Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in the shade Pink Pong. GUYS. I just can't even. It is a blue based pink that is stunning to behold. Then we have my HG lippy, Nars Train Bleu. It is basically the most bad ass shade of deep purple I've ever seen and perfect for celebrating my inner goth - you guys need to see it.

The Nails

Thankfully this was a crazy easy decision; my go to nail shades are incredibly obvious and easy to categorise. I'm not myself if there's not a berry red polish within arm's reach and my most long-standing love is Maybelline's Midnight Red - it is really long lasting and really lovely too. My taupey nail polish collection is far larger than I would like to admit, but the shade I have deemed worthy of this post is Essie's Master Plan - it is gorgeous, lilac taupe perfection.

We made it guys! Phew, take a bow everyone, take a bow... What do you guys think of my choices - do you have any desert island products you want to share?

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Life Unplugged

 

I care a lot about our relationship with the internet; as the digital world spreads into more and more areas of our lives, my concern grows. I'm learning that while there are aspects of the digital world that bring me joy (hint: this blog is one of them) this year has seen me realise that I need to re-assess my relationship with the online world.

It's not been easy - especially for someone who leans more on the introverted side of the spectrum - but I've started to make an effort to push things back into balance, so I thought I'd share the things that were working out for me. As they say, sharing really is caring and I would love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Here are the habits I've been setting myself:

- I log out of apps on my phone
- I close idle tabs and programs on my laptop
- I turned my default new tab site to a blank page, rather than a distracting website
- I steer clear of technology in the hour or two before bed
- I have hobbies that involve being away from a screen (reading, baking and knitting - this girl knows how to party)

What do you guys think? Do you agree we need to be careful with our relationship towards technology, or am I going crazy? ;) Let me know in the comments!

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