Monday 27 April 2020

Getting my gold jewellery fix from Saint Kojo

Over the past year, I've developed what some might call an unhealthy obsession with gold earrings. Studs, hoops, drops - you name it, I've got them. And I love each and every pair. So, in fact, I wouldn't call my obsession 'unhealthy'; I would call it 'finally realising what works for me'.

I got my ears pierced when I was seven. And for nearly two decades after that, I wore earrings because they literally filled a hole. I didn't want my piercings to close up, so I would wear any old earrings that I had lying around on my dressing table. Even while working at a jewellery shop for five years, I never really identified as an 'earring person'.

It was only in the last 12 months that I realised I had a thing for gold earrings, and I think I've worked out why. As humans, we never really know who we are or what we like until we get older. We need time to try things out, to experience things and develop tastes. Sure, you might adore kiwi fruit from age 11, or discover that you can't stand romcoms when you're 19. But when it comes to something as unique and idiomatic as personal style, I think it takes a little while longer to truly figure out what that is. For some of us, anyway.

Since I developed this jewellery preference, I haven't stopped browsing and bookmarking jewellery brands that fit my aesthetic. I must follow close to 50, but one particular brand stands out for me - Saint Kojo.

This independent, UK-based brand is all about everyday luxury - which happens to be what I'm all about, too. Their 'Everday Elegants' collection is made with organic freshwater pearls, and each piece is dipped in 14k gold. But if you think this sounds way out of your price range, think again. Prices start from £15, and many of their gold earrings are priced at around £18-£25. So if you want to treat yourself without breaking the bank, this is the brand for you.

What I love most about this collection is the combination of textures. The use of silky matte gold finishes paired with the iridescence of the pearls elevates each design to a level of luxury that I've only seen from far more expensive brands.

I purchased some earrings from Saint Kojo, and afterwards they got in contact to work with me, so naturally I was delighted to! However, my opinion of their jewellery is in no way influenced by this collaboration, and I will definitely be making more purchases from Saint Kojo in future.

Take a look through my photographs of the collection below.

Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith
Saint Kojo jewellery - Jen Lou Meredith

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Monday 20 April 2020

How to plan a graduation party - senior invitations, decor and more!


Graduation season is coming up, and that means it's party time! If you're graduating this year, or you're the parent of a child who's graduating, you might be thinking about hosting a party to celebrate. If that's the case - I say 'do it'! Graduating is such a huge achievement that it definitely deserves a get together, however big or small!

The thing is, we all know that graduation is just the start of a journey. Most people will be graduating from high school, but you also want to celebrate later graduations like college or trade school. Education is something that should stick with you throughout your life and your career, whether you need to keep up to date with new software in your industry or you just want to learn how to take amazing pictures for fun.

But all of that is in the future, and you can look forward to all the opportunities that graduation represents. For now, though, it’s time to have fun and celebrate with a fantastic graduation bash. 

Although planning a graduation party can be really exciting, it can also be a little stressful if you're unprepared. However, a little planning goes a long way, and even if graduation is still a few months away, early action will pave the way for a successful party. Here are a few tips to make the process easier.

1. Float a date and make a guest list


Don't nail down a date just yet, as it may change with your venue's availability, but make sure to look at your availability and perhaps the availability of those who are closest to you, to make sure that the most important people in your circle will be able to make the date of the party.

After you've done this, make a list of who you would like to be at this special event with you. Perhaps you'd like an intimate gathering, or a big party with all of your friends and family. Just be aware that, the larger the guest list, the larger the venue will have to be...

2. Find a venue


Will you host the gathering at your house? Or maybe at a restaurant or community centre? The location of your party is your starting point, so it's important to get it right.

The venue will affect your guests. Ask yourself:
- Is it accessible by public transport for those without cars?
- Is there parking for those with cars?
- Is it too far for some guests to travel?
- Is it in a location where there are taxis available for those who want to drink?
- Is it big enough for the amount of people I want to invite?
- Does it have the facilities I require? (E.g. dancefloor, bar, tables, etc.)

Once you've got a venue in mind, give them a call and book in a date for the party. You may need to pay a deposit upon booking; this depends on the venue.

Of course, if you're hosting it at your home, availability will depend entirely upon your schedule. But if this is the case, ask yourself:
- Do I have enough space for X-amount of people?
- Are there enough places for my guests to sit?
- Is there table space for food and drink?
- Is my bathroom accessible to X-amount of people?
- Will I care if my home gets dirty? (accidents do happen - I've been at more than one party where red wine was spilled on the floor or furniture)
- Will the party cause discord with my neighbours?

3. Book event staff


This is optional, depending on budget. However, if you do have the budget, book your event staff once you've got a date for your party secured. Event staff include:
- DJ/band
- Any other entertainment
- Caterer
- Bar staff
- Photographer

If you want to DIY certain elements to save money, you could try the following alternatives:
- Create a playlist to play through a bluetooth or smart speaker on the night
- Make homemade food or ask guests to bring a dish
- Buy drinks from the supermarket or ask guests to BYOB
- Flex your photography skills, or ask a friend to be a photographer for the night. Alternatively, ask people to take their own photos and share them via a unique hashtag.


4. Design your invitations


An amazing party deserves amazing senior invitations, so get those creative juices flowing! There are so many personalisable, pre-made designs online - so if you're not a graphic designer, don't worry.

In terms of design, I think it's a really nice touch to add a photo of the graduate-to-be to the invitation. This turns it from a simple invitation into a beautiful keepsake that you can look back on in years to come.

However, if you're a little camera shy, you could go use a stock image (my favourite website for free stock images is Unsplash) or you can go for a minimalist look without any images at all.

Details to put on your invitation:
- The name of the graduate-to-be
- Venue address
- Date and time
- Parking/hotel details (if any)
- Dress code
- RSVP date and contact details

5. Choose your decor


Now that you've got most of the planning out of the way, now's the chance to have some fun with your decor! Would you want to go full on with a theme for your party? Or maybe just go for something classic and elegant? It's completely up to you to decide the vibe of your decor. However, if you need inspiration, Pinterest is an excellent tool. Here are some of my favourite 'party decor' pins:

credit: marthastewart.com
wolesin.com
houseandhome.com
minteventdesign.com

6. Send out thank you cards


Once your successful party is done and dusted, it's a nice touch to send out a thank you card to anyone who attended. Even though you've put in all the effort to planning an executing an unforgettable event, don't forget that your guests have also put in the effort to get dressed up, make travel arrangements and maybe even bring gifts or food and drink, so a thank you card is just a small gesture to round off the party process once it's all over.

Just like the invitations, your thank you cards would look beautiful with a photo to personalise them (perhaps even one taken on the night!).


Did this post inspire or help you? Please comment below to let me know, so that I can make more useful content for you in future!

This post was sponsored by basicinvite.com, a really useful website for creating your own invitations. They have countless designs available for customisation, including unlimited colour combinations. Plus, you can order a custom printed sample to see how your invite looks in real life before you place your order! Visit basicinvite.com to create your invitations and use code 15FF51 for 15% off sitewide!



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Monday 13 April 2020

Tips for Sydney travelling holidays

Sydney CBD


Travelling to Sydney? Australia's most populous city offers so much to travellers and I highly recommend a visit if you love city life.

A tourist hotspot, it's easy to get caught up in the lights and glamous of the Harbour and the CBD. But there's plenty more to see in and around the city, such as the many beaches (not just Bondi!) and, of course, the incredible Blue Mountains.

If you're planning on visiting, I've put together some tips based on my last visit. I stayed in hostels and Airbnbs during my time in Sydney which, as a solo traveller, allowed me to meet different people from all over the world and make some new friends. It had a few downsides, too, but it was a mostly positive experience! These tips are based on my solo travelling experience...

1. Bring some 'nicer' clothes and shoes.


There are so many lovely restaurants and bars in Sydney, and some of them have certain dress codes. You'll get away with ripped denim shorts and flip flops in the day, but if you're going out in the evening, keep in mind that some places ask that guests are a bit less casual.

2. Ask your hostel for an Opal card. 


An Opal card is a card that you use to travel on Sydney's public transport (like London's Oyster cards). You can use it on trains, buses and ferries.

If you're staying at a hostel, ask the reception if they have any leftover Opal cards. Most hostels don't officially give them out, but a previous traveller is bound to have left one at the desk with some money still on it, and the reception may give it to you for free or for a small donation.

If your hostel doesn't have one, ask a fellow traveller if you can have theirs before they leave. If all avenues have been exhausted, you can just purchase one from an Opal retailer - they're located all over Sydney.


3. Try and travel with friends or as a couple. 


It's ironic that, in locations with more people, it can be so much harder to make friends. For Sydney I recommend cutting out the hard part and travelling with people instead. It's a pretty big city that doesn't have the same communal atmosphere as smaller towns (I'm sure it does if you're a resident, but from a traveller's perspective, it's more difficult to meet people in big cities), so if you're already travelling with a group of friends - maybe even people you met at a previous destination - you don't have to put in the extra effort.

That links to my next point...

4. Don't stay at YHA Sydney Harbour if you're looking for friends or parties. 


It's not a party hostel, and a lot of people that were staying there during my trip were families, couples and older people. Stay at one of the more central hostels like Wake Up! or YHA Sydney Central, or a smaller hostel if you're looking for more of a community atmosphere.

I'm thankful that I stayed in several different locations in Sydney, so I experienced the city from a few different perspectives.


5. Be aware of alcohol restrictions and bar closing hours. 


It's no secret that us Brits love going on a mad one and staying out until the wee hours, but Sydney is very different to London in that respect.

In Sydney's CBD (Central Business District), and many other suburbs in the city, it is illegal to drink on the street and your alcohol will be confiscated if you are caught doing so.

In a designated area within Kings Cross,Sydney and Newcastle CBD there is a lockout at 1.30am. This means that you can't enter bars after that point, even if you've just left for a walk and want to come back in. Last drinks are at 3am. There are restrictions on what can be served after midnight. For example, liquor cannot be served neat - so if you want a round of shots for your group, order before midnight.


6. Visit further afield destinations on a Sunday.


If you want to visit Manly or the Blue Mountains, I recommend travelling on a Sunday. This is because Opal cards are capped at $2.80 for any travel on a Sunday, compared to the weekday cap of $16.10 (figures as of April 2020).



7. Avoid the Sydney airport travel fee.


If you want to save money, you can be smart with your travel and avoid paying extra for the Sydney airport travel fare. The cost to travel to Sydney Domestic or International terminals starts from around $14 for a one-way ticket from Sydney Central. 

You can avoid this if you get off at Mascot station (one stop before the airport) and walk the 1.7km to the airport. You could also look at getting the bus instead, which is easier if you have less luggage.

I'll be honest with you - I just got an Uber. There was an extra $4.20 on top of the normal Uber fare, but it was worth it to skip public transport, queues and walking.


I hope you enjoy your trip to Sydney! Let me know what you're looking forward to most in the comment section below!

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Monday 6 April 2020

Søndagshygge | How to enjoy a cosy Sunday morning



I can't thank the Danish enough for creating the wonderful concept of hygge. If you didn't know what hygge is already, it's a feeling of contentment, cosiness and comfort from simple pleasures, such as the smell of coffee or lighting a fire on a winter's day. Hygge is different for everyone, which is what makes it extra special.

For me, hygge can even be experienced in the summer - I used to go on morning runs and finish off at the local cafe with a warm drink and a pastry to takeaway (counterproductive, I know, but it didn't feel right starting a summer Monday without this ritual!). I'd sit in the morning glow in my lounge, enjoying my small purchase and the sound of birds, and I would feel so at ease. I feel a sense of hygge just thinking about it now!

The Danish have gone one step further, however, and identified a very special type of hygge. According to That Sunday Feeling, søndagshygge is hygge that is experienced on a Sunday, which means it has a certain ephemerality to it - you have to savour it before Monday comes around again and that cosy feeling is lost.

Søndagshygge could be those slow Sunday mornings spent in bed, or a delicious freshly cooked brunch at mid-morning, or maybe a cosy afternoon spent underneath a blanket watching a film. Whatever it is for you, I have a few favourite products listed below to help you enjoy it:


Scenery by Emily King

Could this be the perfect Sunday morning listening? Mixed by Tom Elmhirst, who has worked with Adele, Amy Winehouse and David Bowie, Scenery is a beautiful modern soul album with dreamy vibes and rich vocals. Get it on vinyl, even if it's just for the album art.

Buy it here from Amazon on vinyl for £23.43.

Kiehl's Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask

I love face masks, but with how busy I am, it's rare that I ever get to use them. However, on a Sunday, if I get a break from work for an hour or so, I'll really indulge myself by taking proper care of my skin. It makes a huge different and really boosts my self-confidence for the week.

This face mask from Kiehl's is great for all skin types, but especially dry skin (which is what I have).

Buy it here on Escentual for £36.


Paperchase Riviera Scrapbook

Some people love to laze around on a Sunday and let their minds rest. Some people like to do something that gets their creative juices flowing. Both are perfectly fine, but I'm the latter. If I get time, I love settling down with some really casual doodling or watercolour, or a scrapbook. 

This scrapbook from Paperchase brings a touch of happy orange and yellow tones to your Sunday. It also includes storage pockets for any bits and bobs that you'd prefer not to stick down.

Buy it here at Paperchase for £12.



Sara Miller Portmeirion Chelsea Mug

I get a real feeling of hygge from making fresh coffee. I usually get beans from Union Hand-Roasted Coffee, grind these in an electric herb grinder and then use a French press to filter it.

The mug is the final touch. This one by Sara Miller is beautiful to look at, and it's made from fine China with gold detailing for a luxurious touch.

Buy it here from Amazon for £13.29.


Missguided Tracksuit Set

I'll admit, I never used to like lounging around in a tracksuit on the weekend. I would always get dressed up in case I would have to go out. But now, I love putting comfort first.

This Missguided tracksuit set is ideal for wearing around the house on a Sunday.

Buy it here on Missguided for £34.

Avoca Herringbone Throw

I probably have about a dozen blankets in my home, but I could always do with more. I love having them to hand when it gets cold - plus, they can add softness to your decor along with cushions and other soft furnishings.

This herringbone throw comes in two colours, and is made in Ireland.

Buy it here from John Lewis for £120.

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