Happy National Stationery Day!

Today is National Stationery Day - a day of celebration of the written word and of all things stationery. It has been launched to get more people putting pen to paper, and writing more often by hand. There’s more to life than email and texting!  I for one am a massive fan of the handwritten letter and card and have a selection of lovely writing paper and cards in a box at home!  And of course there is nothing nicer than receiving a handwritten letter in the post!

If you're a stationery addict like me than the national launch of such a day is music to my ears and of course cause for celebration!  What better way to celebrate than to round up some of my favourite stationery buys right now?!

Bows letter set, £2.50, Paperchase

Neon pink heart stickers, £2.54 for 36, Etsy

Heart holepunch, £10.00, Papermash

Vintage travel gift tags, £4.95, Papermash

Letterpress thank you cards, £4.75, Paperchase

The Classic - Moleskine pocket ruled notebook, £10.00, Paperchase

I love Muji's range of pens and pencils, check them out here

For more information, check out http://www.nationalstationeryday.com and more importantly get writing and indulging in the massive choice of stationery out there!  Great places to try are Paperchase, Papermash, Ryman, Muji, Amazon...

What are your favourite stationery items/buys?

Quick, easy and inexpensive art

Whilst decorating our house, I've constantly been on the lookout for unusual yet easy art ideas, which are also inexpensive.  These are for sprucing up areas all over the house, from the living room, bathrooms, hallways and stairwells.  Here are some of my favourite ideas so far, some of which I will be trying out very soon!

One of my favourites has to be the photo below - 'posh shopping bags as art!'.  An ingenious way to reuse the thick cardboard bags from designer boutiques and labels, which often feature gorgeous typography and prints.  Just keep them flat and folded neatly, then find suitable frames at Ikea or Tiger and get mounting!  Fashion art at its best!

Shopping bags as art!

Read more after the jump!

A place for everything and everything in its place...

...goes the phrase! The notion that everything should have a place to be stored and that it should be tidily returned there when not in use.  But the notion is easier said than done!

I decided to heed the advice, starting with the mess of a make-up drawer of my dresser, where all manner of make-up items were messily strewn about, without any proper care, attention or order.  I no longer knew what I had, so naturally began using the same make-up time and time again!

Time for a cull!  Everything was emptied, inspected and sorted; ancient mascaras and blunt lipsticks were chucked away, as were crumbling eye-shadows and the remainder of make-up and hair accessories were all categorised into separate compartments - eyes, lips, face & tools and hair, then housed in trays from Muji (otherwise known as organising Mecca!).  Now that organised order has prevailed, I a) know and see what make-up I have and b) can avoid unnecessary impulse purchases!

Newly transformed make-up drawer!

Muji PP Basket 3, £2.25

See more organising after the jump!