Living for the Good Life

The other day when I was milling around the house I suddenly remembered a long time ago being inspired by HRH Collection's hanging pictures that I'd seen in the background of one of her YouTube videos. They were a mix of designer paper bags and designer dust covers that had been framed and I loved the look of it. I realised I had a Mulberry bag lying around that would work perfectly and so I headed into town, grabbed some supplies and immediately got to work.

The simple supplies you'll need are as follows:

- Scissors

- A hammer

- Picture hanging nails

- A suitably sized photo frame

- Your designer bag of choice

- Optional - Ribbon to hang the picture on if you can't hang it by the frame alone. Luckily I had some Mulberry ribbon that matched the bag - even better.

It really couldn't be any simpler.

I cut the bag in half, and then cut the half I wanted to use down to the size of the frame I'd bought, popped it into place in the frame and then tied the ribbon around one of the clips on the back of the frame. Next, I chose the location on the wall that I wanted it to hang from (which I would later change about 3 times and leave multiple holes in the wall), hammered in a picture nail and hung it.

As you can see in the picture above, I got over excited and wanted to make more so I found a note that had come with my Mulberry clutch which I thought would look beautiful framed, and so did that as well. I think it turned out rather lovely.

It's a really simple way to add a bit of unique designer chic to your rooms, and it couldn't be any simpler to do.

Like I said, I've seen it done with dust covers also, but you'll probably get a better effect with the bags due to the sturdiness of them and the cleaner effect they give.

So, if you have any old designer paper bags lying around, definitely give it a go. It literally takes around 5 minutes, if that and it's really satisfying to make something so pretty and luxurious-looking yourself, for only a couple of pounds!

On Wednesday night me and L decided to go out for dinner to somewhere we've been meaning to go to for months, but never got around to it. The entire 3 years I was at university I never once went to The Blackhouse Grill, but always heard good things about it. I think what must have hindered my visiting is the fact that there is only really one main vegetarian option on the menu (bar a salad or two), which is not that surprising considering that it specialises in prime beef cuts and seafood.

The one main vegetarian option they offer is roasted vegetable fajitas, which I'm always a fan of, and so I was keen to give them a go and see how they fare compared to Hickory's, an American-style smokehouse just down the road that I've frequented many a time.

We rocked up around 7.30pm, which is late for dinner for us but seems to be the usual time to dine out for everyone else, and so without a reservation booked we were unsure whether we'd be seated. However, to our luck we we're immediately shown to at a spacious 4-seater table and handed the menus.

We ordered drinks. I deliberated on a cocktail but changed my mind and opted for a fresh juice instead - apple, mint and raspberry - described as 'fresh mint and raspberries lengthened with freshly pressed apple juice and sweetened with honey'. It came beautifully presented, alongside L's choice of Hornsby's cider, which neither of us had ever tried before. It was the nicest cider he'd ever had, and I'm really not a cider fan so I was suspicious, but had a sip out of curiosity, and I have to say it was pretty decent!

Usually I'm a sucker for a starter, however I decided to be sensible and just have a main course due to my tendency of scoffing down a starter and then being full before I've even caught sight of my main.

Of course, I opted for the roasted vegetable fajitas, which came impressively presented and instantly yielded a 'think you've got enough there!?' remark from L.

Naturally, L chose a burger, deciding on the 100% premium beef burger topped with smoked bacon and accompanied with a side of chips and tomato relish. I was feeling naughty and knew I'd be envious of L's chips so I caved in and ordered them as a side.

It was absolutely delicious, and I have to say my fajitas were indeed better than Hickory's!

Overall, I'd definitely recommend the Blackhouse. It was very nicely decorated and furnished inside, with very fast and efficient service, and they even had a live pianist playing. It was a tad noisy, however I think that was mainly due to the very enthusiastic American sitting one table down from us. I'd definitely like to visit again and venture into the starters and desserts. However that's if I ever can make it through a three course meal without feeling like I'm actually going to explode on the spot...

I did a blogger fail and took photos of the place on departure rather than when I arrived so it was dark when I took them, and I also somehow managed to make one of them terribly blurry, so tried to make up for it by taking another one the following day in daylight. There, I confess.

Check out the Blackhouse's menu here.

Yesterday whilst vegging out on the sofa to countless episodes of American Horror Story, my flat buzzer went and it was the delivery guy with a parcel for me. I was confused because I hadn't ordered anything to my memory, but hurried down to collect it anyway. It was a big box and I was now even more confused, wondering what on earth it could be. I ripped it open, half in excitement and half still in confusion, and to my absolute surprise it was a gift, from one of my best friends.

As you know, I've recently moved into a new place (more on house stuff to be posted shortly), and one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world, let's call her B, and her boyfriend, had sent me a housewarming gift of Bottega Rose Gold sparkling wine. It came with the sweetest note attached and I was, and still am, truly overwhelmed. Not only did B and her boyfriend pick my favourite alcoholic drink (which is always important information for a friend to know), but they even picked it by the fact that the bottle is rose gold, which they know I am a massive fan of. I was, and still am, overwhelmed by the gift, but most of all I'm touched by the actual thought behind sending anything at all.

Despite being one of my closest and dearest friends, B and I rarely get to see each other in person due to both our schedules and the fact we don't live in the same place. However, this has never played any part in wavering the strength of our friendship, even through our 3 years of university where she was in London and I was in Chester. Ours is the type of friendship where we can not speak at all for weeks, and not see each other for months, but when we finally do absolutely nothing has changed. We just know we're always there for each other, and I think those type of friendships are the most important. Of all my best friends, B is the one that would do such a gesture of sending a housewarming gift, and that caring and thoughtful nature is one of the things that I love most about her. She could of sent me anything and I would have been equally overwhelmed, because it just shows she's thinking of me.

If you have friends like this, treasure them with all your heart, because they are the ones that will be by your side, through thick and thin, always, and we all need at least one friend like that.

"We're sisters. You're my family. What is you is me."

I've recently moved into a new flat and I will be buying some new furniture to kit out my bedroom with soon. I'm going for a white-based theme and Ikea has been my port of call for that, with it's simply gorgeous yet affordable pieces. Here are some of the items that I'll be picking up - as you can see I'm absolutely in love with the Brusali series!

1. Hemnes Bedside Table. 2. Brusali Bed Frame. 3. Brusali Chest of 3 Drawers. 4. Brusali Chest of 4 Drawers 5. Malm Dressing Table. 6. Micke Desk. 7. Brusali Wardrobe.

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