GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS with HOMESENSE (AD)
It used to be a long standing joke with my friends and I, that there was no point asking where my clothes were from as they would likely be a one off vintage find or from a charity shop. This was a huge exaggeration on their part, but I was once a huge fan of rummaging in charity shops. That was back in the days when charity shops were like treasure troves, unlike today, where fast fashion regrets mostly fill the rails.
As my style has evolved and I've moved away from vintage clothing, I feel my love of one off pieces, old and new, has now transferred to my home. I'm often asked over on my Instagram account where items from my home are from, and a frustrating reply (I know, as I've been on the receiving end of those responses myself!) is that the item is vintage, second hand, or a one off item from a store years ago. For me though it's those pieces that make a person's home. So, where can you shop to find those special but affordable pieces for your home?
For those that know me, you'll know I'm a huge fan of TK Maxx, my rug collection in my home is testament to that, and I've found so many treasures over the years for my home there. You can imagine my delight to find that, Homesense, is part of the TK Maxx group.
I was invited to explore all their Christmas offerings and I was not disappointed. Not only are they good for the everyday essentials but they totally tick the box when it comes to those special finds too. I feel like all those items I lust over on Instagram and Pinterest were just hiding behind the next aisle in, Homesense. Not only did I find the most beautiful items to make the boys' rooms all Christmassy, I also got lots of lovely gifts, beautiful gift wrap, and I've totally upped my Christmas game in the kitchen department now too.
I love items you find in shops that you can totally make your own, and as soon as I spotted this little wooden tree I knew it had to be mine, the fact it was only £3.99, was the icing on the cake. I then stumbled upon my favourite type of fairy lights...
I adore these delicate wire battery powered fairy lights, they're super pliable and can be hung anywhere around the home (I particularly love outlining window frames), or bunched together to make a lovely light feature. I've got quite a few sets of these already but this is the first time I've found ones with as many as 100 lights.
I thought the lights were perfect for the little tree and hung it in Caleb's room along with the colourful garlands. I like how these colourful garlands have a Christmas feel but I think in the right spot they could outlast Christmas too.
I've noticed handmade felt decorations are really making a comeback, and I love the assorted garlands, decorations and stockings, Homesense had to offer. They instantly give a cosy Christmassy feel and all ranged from £2.99 to £24.99.
Decorating our boys' rooms for Christmas has become a little tradition of ours, it gets them so excited for the season ahead and I like how you can really have fun when decorating children's rooms. Throughout the rest of our home our Christmas decorations are subtle tones, lots of whites and warm fairy lights. With the boys' rooms we go full out colour and they love it.
No Christmas is complete without the yearly stress over what presents to buy. If you're after a quality item at the fraction of the price or something a little bit different then, Homesense, is definitely worth checking out. Especially for the people that you struggle to buy for each year. You know the person I'm talking about, the person with everything!
Their candle selection is amazing (coming from a lady with a slight candle addiction), and their stationary aisle makes the 12 year old stationary-loving girl in me giddy. Beautiful diaries, notebooks, yearly planners and stationary. Always be sure when visiting Homesense, to check out their prints and frames too. This time I found the most amazing Covent Garden sign.
Of course with present buying comes present wrapping and Homesense has so many lovely options. I found the cutest mason jar with everything you need in it, tape, string and tags. If you find gift wrapping stressful or an overwhelming task with so many presents, I recommend wrapping a few presents each evening in the lead up to Christmas. I find it makes what can be a mammoth task much more enjoyable.
Christmas time means entertaining and hosting for many, and it's the one time of year that serving nibbles from our boys' breakfast bowls doesn't quite cut the mustard. I love all the stylish kitchenware without the hefty price tag that Homesense, has to offer. I actually took the dive and purchased real copper pans, I'd say lusting after copper pans for over ten years is a long enough time to wait.
There you have all my wonderful, Homesense finds. I'm feeling well on the road now to being organised for Christmas, and I'm really looking forward to hosting over the festive period. Cooking just got a whole lot more exciting with my sexy copper pans. Never have I ever called pans sexy before in my life!! But come on, they are though, aren't they?! ;)
*this post is proudly sponsored by Homesense. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.