Home Decor: How To Utilise That Blank Wall Space #AD

When arranging your furniture sometimes you find yourself with a huge blank wall space that looks too empty. However, when you try and fill it with furniture, you may find that it looks too cluttered and cramped! A big blank space can really upset the flow of the room and nag at you every time you see it, wondering what you can do with it. Here are some tips for utilising that wall space without overdoing it.

Artwork or Prints

The most obvious choice for how to decorate a wall is to hang a picture or two. However, this might feel a little boring or basic when you are trying to create a trendy or chic space that accurately reflects your own personal style. You can get your photo printed on wood or order aluminum prints to create a display that is a little different. You can create your own photo collage display with varying sizes or use different coloured frames for a more quirky look. In building up your photo display you can also interpret script or scenic pictures interspersed with your personal photos which can be swapped and rearranged whenever you feel like it.

Hang some wallpaper

Wallpaper does not have to go all around the room, it can be used to create a cool feature wall. Patterned or floral wallpaper makes a blank space appear as though there is more going on without being too busy. A great invention is removable wallpaper which can easily be hung up and torn down without damaging the wall underneath. If you do not fancy the hassle of repapering or maybe you find yourself getting a little bored and like to change things up regularly, this is the perfect solution. This is also a great option for people who are renting because it does not damage the walls meaning you can redecorate without the risk of losing your deposit or upsetting your landlord.

Hang a decorative blanket or tapestry

Hanging a cool tapestry or blanket can be a really interesting alternative to traditional pictures. It can perfectly fit in with a hippie or bohemian vibe but if you pick the right piece it can also really help style a more modern space too. Consider the theme of the rest of the room and shop around for something that you feel will fit in without looking silly.

A mirror

I am obsessed with mirrors when it comes to interior decorating. Mirrors are miracle workers – they create the illusion of more space and make rooms look larger, they reflect light and make the place brighter and they provide a practical purpose too! This is a great choice if the room is already fairly full and you do not want to overcrowd it. Mirrors can also fit into any room and can accommodate any theme or style. Depending on the amount of space you can hang something large and ornate or use a series of smaller mirrors slotted together to create a sleek, modern display.

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Health & Lifestyle: Musclemary Not Just Protein - Chocolate Crush review

The start of a new week is always a good time to reassess your health goals, and if you're currently getting back into an exercise routine, make sure this Musclemary Not Just Protein powder supplement is at the top of your healthy shopping list.

Whether you're vegan or not, Musclemary has a range of premium plant-based protein blends that work for all fitness levels, and they're a great way to incorporate more healthy protein into your daily diet. 

Unlike other protein powders which focus simply on the macro element of protein, Musclemary's vegan blends contain a carefully selected superfood mix that's rich in antioxidants and vitamins to not only support your muscle gain goals, but also your overall health by boosting your immune system and energy levels at the same time!

 

I was kindly sent one of Musclemary's Not Just Protein powder supplements to try out and naturally, I had to choose the Chocolate Crush flavour as we all know how much I love anything chocolate flavoured.

The large pouch comes with a handy scoop and each 30g serving boasts a whopping 18g of plant-based protein thanks to a mixture of pea and white hemp protein. In addition, each serving provides 100% RI of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Panthothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C and the all-important Vitamin B12. Many of these essential nutrients are derived from superfoods such as Flaxseed, Maca, Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Baobab, Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry and Matcha Green Tea so that's a lot packed into this supplement. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, low in fat and has no artificial sweetners.

How to Use and Taste

Start the day with a scoop of powder blended into your favourite smoothie or simply mix on its own with water. It has a thick milkshake-like consistency with a tasty hit of raw cacao flavour. I found it to be quite sweet, although there's no added sugar as the sweetness comes from natural Stevia instead. Alternatively, you can add it to pancake/waffle/cake batter or stir it into overnight oats or porridge.

Charity

For each product sold through their website, Musclemary donates £1 to their chosen charity Stonewall which helps to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ people.

Musclemary Not Just Protein* (600g, £35, link)

What's your favourite vegan protein supplement?

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New In Beauty: Beauty Cleanse Nearly Everything Powder Mask, Samaya Rejuvenating Eye Cream Kapha & Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum review

 

Time for shiny newness in the green beauty world with these amazing new kids on the block from Beauty Cleanse, Samaya and Antipodes. Let's go!

The New Multi-Tasker: Beauty Cleanse Nearly Everything Powder Mask* (45g, £27, link)

Designed to declutter and simplify your skincare routine, Beauty Cleanse's new Nearly Everything Powder Mask is a true multi-tasking genius that will transform how you view your beauty products. As the name suggests, this is a 'do it all powder mask', which will help all skin types and concerns and is made from 100% natural ingredients such as Liquorice Root extract, Rice extract, Organic Aloe Vera extract, Vitamin C powder, Charcoal powder and Orange Turmeric extract. 

As it's waterless (which is better for the environment and your wallet as you get twice as much product), you simply mix a teaspoon of powder with a 1/3 of a teaspoon of water to create a smooth paste that you apply directly to clean skin. Leave for around 20 minutes and then rinse away with warm water. You can also use it as dedicated spot treatment, applying where it's needed, as well as a hand and foot mask too.

Thanks to the clever combination of ingredients, the Nearly Everything Powder Mask is brilliant for a deep cleanse to remove impurities and unclog pores, and it's amazing for giving the complexion a brightening and revitalised boost. A winner all round!

The New Luxury Eye Cream: Samaya Rejuvenating Eye Cream Kapha* (15ml, £59, link)

Fans of luxury ayurvedic skincare are going to fall in love with the new range of eye creams from Samaya. When I originally tried out Samaya a few years ago, I thought it would be a good idea for them to bring out an eye cream to compliment their cleansers and moisturisers, so it's fantastic to finally see this come to life and the wait has definitely been worth it!

Mixing together clinically proven plant-actives such as Probiotics, Caffeine and Green Tea, with specially selected potent Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandha, Sandalwood, Vetivert and Gotu Kola, Samaya have created eye creams for each dosha type and I've been trialling the Kapha one with excellent results. Since using it over a month ago, my undereyes feel much smoother and my eyes look brighther overall. I'm also intrigued by the anti-pollution and photo-protection properties against different light forms such as UV and blue light to see what the long term results will be like.

The New Vitamin C Serum: Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum* (30ml, £35, link)

The last product that I wanted to mention in this New In Beauty round-up is the latest release by New Zealand brand Antipodes, who you all know I'm incredibly fond of and have used a lot of over the years. Again, I was very excited to see this newbie come onto the market as Antipodes are famed for their serums and I've always felt like they've been missing a Vitamin C based one - lo and behold, the Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum has been born!

Suitable for vegans, this serum is described as 'golden hour in a bottle' and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dull ones. The key superstar ingredient in this is called Kakadu Plum which contains 100x more Vitamin C than oranges. It's also rich in Bakuchiol and plant-based Hyaluronic Acid to plump skin, boost collagen and protect against free radicals that cause premature ageing. The brightening effects can be seen within less than four weeks of regular daily use, so get a head start on your glowing Christmas selfies and add this to your skincare routine now.

What's new on your beauty shelf?

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September Empties: Products I've Used Up

A little later than planned with my Empties post, but here's everything that I've managed to use up last month and my thoughts as to which ones I'll be repurchasing in the future.

Dafna's Active Mist*

A beautiful luxury toner spray that I mainly used throughout Summer. Lovely fresh scent and it made my skin look so healthy and dewy, whilst giving it an instant boost. Repurchase? Will do next Summer. 

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Detox Facial Wash* 

Another luxury green beauty favourite, I loved using this Evolve gel cleanser again during the hotter Summer months as it feels so refreshing, and is perfect for balancing oily skin. Repurchase? Yes, I'd definitely buy this again next Summer. 

DHC Cleansing Oil (travel size, reviewed here)

Regular readers know how much I adore the simplicity of DHC's amazing Cleansing Oil as I've used this so many times over the years. It literally takes off everything; waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation and all the day's grime and pollution. Repurchase? Already have.

Ying Yang Skincare MSM Cream Tissue Repair* (reviewed here)

If you're a fan of running or stretching exercises likes pilates and yoga, this stuff is a real lifesaver. Infused with MSM, you can apply it to tired and overworked muscles for instant relief. It smells gorgeous too! Repurchase? Yes.

Green People Coconut Charcoal Purifying Face Mask* (reviewed here)

Suitable for all skin types, Green People's Coconut Charcoal Purifying Face Mask is one of those face masks that I tend to reach for when my skin is feeling congested and on the verge of breaking out. It draws out all impurities including stubborn blackheads for clearer, smoother skin. Repurchase? Definitely.

Bains & Nature Baja Moana Cream*

One of my friends brought me this back from Paris and it's one of the most decadent luxury body moisturisers that I've ever had the pleasure of trying. Not only does it smell incredible but the texture just sinks right in. Repurchase? I will keep an eye out to see if it's available in the UK!

Love Beauty And Planet Shea Butter & Sandalwood Shower Gel*

I think this came in a Glossybox - lovely and moisturising for dry skin and also has a beautiful comforting and clean fragrance. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other shower gels.

Dr. Konopka's Restoring Foot Cream* (reviewed here)

Finally, my last empty product is another one that I've used up mainly over the Summer when my feet were permanently in sandals and flip flops. Great for dry skin and cracked heels, it's a good one to try if you want something different from the usual 'minty' footcare as it smells like raspberries instead. Repurchase? Yes.

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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