Setting up a instagram...

Its 2019, the year of Instagram and Social Media... Its time l set up an instagram for Little Lowey's!

Okay so l used an old that that l had (which had a few followers because everyone counts in this game) but still. I started to develop my brand, give myself a colour scheme, give my logo a refresh (we won't mention the time l completely changed myself from Little Lowey's to 'Life With Lowey' like l was some kind of socialite with parties, events and outings coming out of my pores but in all honesty l was sat with my dogs eating digestives! but anyway, at least were over that hiccup now and back to Little Lowey's Handmade Blog!

So here we are today with my little instagram page, posting pictures daily from around my home, inspiration boards and upcoming projects. By the way totally give me a follow, would mean the world to me

https://www.instagram.com/little_loweys/

Its not about getting followers but its getting to know other people like me, other bloggers and other influencers and already ive had people message me asking where ive got some pieces from in my home and its been really nice to have that feedback on my own home. But yeah, give me a follow, Get to know me and my home and ive got much more planned in my pipeline. Ive put together a little 30 day challenge for pictures for instagram. Might put this together in a document to see if anyone wants to come along on the 30 day journey.

Talk soon!
Craig

Essential Oils : The endless list of ways to use them!

Hi All,

So its been a long time since l last posted on here. I know thats becoming a regular sentence on these posts but Eh, Life happens.

I purchased some essential oils off an eBay seller as l was really interested in making some Eucalyptus Shower Mist. I had saw this on a number of youtube videos of people saying that it wakes them up when they have their morning shower and helps blow away the cobwebs. So to Pinterest l went to see if l could find a recipe and l didn't realise it was so simple.

The things you need are as follows :

A Spray Bottle (I got a pack from Poundland)
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Water

I filled the bottle with water and squeezed 10 drops of essential oil as the recipe recommended and gave it a shake. Voila! it was done. Couldn't wait to try it out so turned the shower on and waited for the water to heat up. You need steam from the shower for this to work.

You simply shake the bottle and then spray it on the steam, spray it on the shower wall/screen or spray it above the shower head where ever you want. The steam helps to make the smell defuse and helps to clear the airways! Literally like being stood on a mountain and taking a HUGE breath of crisp air.

I'm sure it will work with other oils but l just like the freshness of the Eucalyptus - and can totally be adjusted to how strong you like the scent. It only arrived yesterday but ive currently put it in the mop bucket also which blew my head off but made the wooden floors smell beautiful!


Along with the Eucalyptus EO l also brought some fragrance oil as l do intend to make some sea salt scrub or sugar scrub so went with the fragrance oil as this was beauty safe and thought it would be less oily than the essential oils but thats for another post ;)

Speak to you soon

A Gallery Wall

I have always wanted a gallery wall in my house and thought that l had hit it big when l got these bargain frames from IKEA. they are part of the Ribba collection and come in black and white (I only paid £3.50 per frame).

Ive already pretty much got what designs i want in them but do you think l can get anywhere to print out at the specific size. It seems that IKEA are very clever with their frames in the fact that you have to buy the designs/insert that IKEA sell because your going to find it impossible to get anything printed up yourself!

I'm not going to lie - I am abit gutted (im still looking for a way to get around it) i had some lovely free poster prints that l found on the net that would look perfect in the frames but can't use them without trimming around the image to make it fit. I don't have the steadiest of hands at the best of times let alone trimming something to go in a frame.

Might be time to start looking at the designs that you can get from IKEA and seeing if theres something that takes my fancy.

Overall they are good frames, very modern and clean looking so would totally recommend getting them for all kinds of reasons. Just not for printing out your own designs.

Talk to you soon! I have some interesting news coming!

Craig

Bloggers Block and what to do when it strikes

So, as you can see l haven't been very active on my blog recently,. I started a new job where im working nearly 45 hours a week so l just simply struggle to find the time to post.

But l had the shock when l spot to someone who l had been emailing (My blog address is on my email signature) and she said "Oh yes your wedding in Cornwall, l read your blog post on it the other day"... Suddenly realising that people, still do read this blog, even if it is in passing through its still being read.

SO! l need to start looking into my content and what l am posting - I think l may of said this in a previous post but l really mean it - Im going to be doing my research into what makes good content, what gets people reading and what sort of style blog l really want to become.

Let me know your thoughts, what would you like for me to be posting?

Thanks

Craig :D

New Year : New Project

Hi lovlies,

First of all Happy New Year to you all, l hope you had a lovely christmas and that your all fully recovered from the festivities!

I love New Year because it means l can use the excuse of new year, new project. My main project is to update the blog more,  create better content and be more social with you guys. Another of my plans is to make, upcycle, create and tick off things from my bucket list. One of these is a terrarium. These are specialist indoor gardens that can be made inside of a glass jar, wine glasses, basically anything that could hold dirt and plants. Its all very technical haha!

 I really like the idea of having a little oasis using succulents, gravel and sand etc as its something that l feel like l need more of in my house. Who doesn't love a plant that you don't have to water as much right!.

So here's the thing.. from what l have read its very complicated to set up and for the plants to survive. It includes like charcoal, specialist soil, drainage and the right plants. Have any of you guys done a terrarium? how did you find the set up? Do you have any pictures? feel free to let me see them.

As usual, my instagram is over on the right so feel free to give me a cheeky follow :)

Thanks for reading
Craig

Tis the season to be giving....

Its less than 100 days until the big man comes down our chimney and the world descends into chaos over the supermarkets being shut for a day but we love it, its easily my favourite time of the year. Ive sat down with the fella and we both decided that we want to do something good for others this year, we originally were going to collect dog food and dog toys and then donate them to our local animal shelter (which we still may do) but then l was looking on pinterest again and saw something called a reverse advent calendar. (ive attached an image to help paint the scene)

So when you are tucking into your celebration advent calendar you spare a thought for those in less fortunate circumstances, and you fill one square with something that could help a family in need this christmas and you then donate all the products on christmas eve. There are plenty of organisations throughout the country that collect your food and then organise them into food parcels that are delegated out through social services, doctors and other services to those that really need them. These organisations usually have a desired shopping list that they ask people to buy items off and these usually include things such as Tinned Vegetables, Tea and Coffee, Sanitary Products and Pasta/Rice amongst many more. 

We have had a food collection at my old job and ended up with nearly 8 supermarket trolleys full of donated food from customers in one day. l always remember one family who save money all through the year to donate to the food bank and donated a whole trolley worth by themselves. Im not saying that the tins have to be Heinz Beans or Covent Garden Soup - Basics is fine and whats 20p as a donation to the needy. 

There are always people in need and even more that do not want to admit that they need help. If you don't even want to donate food there are organisations that collect toys for children, clothes for the homeless even christmas presents for our military serving out on the front line. Christmas is a time for giving - so why not give to those that need it the most!

As l said there are food banks all over the country and plenty of other organisations that will take your donations!

Introducing..... Little Lowey's Merch!

I've always wanted to have some kind of merchandise for Little Lowey's so l sat down and really thought about what l wanted to do. Firstly l thought Tshirts but then l decided against it, so im going with canvas bags!

Ive been speaking to a few people on eBay to find the best deal that l could pass onto you guys. Now im all about supporting small businesses so found a chap that runs a printing company from his house for abit of extra money so were all winners

This is the idea that l had :

I would really appreciate any comments that you have!

Speak soon

x