TrendLife Tags

When it’s cold out, theres nothing better than being snuggled up on the sofa with the telly on, a cup of hot chocolate in hand, swaddled up in a cosy throw.

Treat yourself to the beautiful Cotton Fleece Stag Throw from Indigo and Rose. This throw is so comfy and velvety soft and the gorgeous stag design brings to mind a snowy winter wonderland.

Buy it for yourself or as a great gift for a loved one this Christmas.

£95.00

www.indigoandrose.co.uk

If, like me, you spent your weekend tending to little brothers/nieces/children, you may have not only a tinge of green to your face but lots of pumpkins kicking about too. Try this warming soup to wash away the sugary sweetness from All Hallows Eve.This soup is so simple and beautifully bright it's sure to cast off the last of the demons from fright night.

Ingredients:

1 Onion

1 Medium sized pumpkin

Half a butternut squash

3/4 pint of vegetable stock

Cumin to season

Pumpkin Seeds

Method:

Heat the onion gently in the olive oil till soft and golden and then add the pumpkin and squash chunks. Cook for around 8 minutes or until the chunks begin to soften, stir occasionally so as not to burn.

Pour the stock into the pan and season to taste with salt, pepper and cumin. The cumin will add a nice warmth and a bit of spice. Cook for a further 10 mins until the squash and pumpkin is very soft. Take off the heat and puree the mixture with a hand held blender.

To serve I add just a little cream cheese.

Whilst the soup cooks toast the pumpkin seeds in a frying pan. These go great on the top of the soup or as a snack. Waste not want not! 

These gorgeous Linda Bloomfield-designed Cosy Mugs, available through Seek & Adore, make a great Christmas gift for a loved one, or as a little treat for yourself now the days are getting colder and the nights shorter.

Featuring cute knitted mug cosies, these cups are perfect for curling up on the sofa with a good book and a steaming cup of hot chocolate as the rain falls outside.

Available in turquoise, yellow and grey.

£28.00

www.seekandadore.com

During the winter months my sensitive skin suffers terribly from redness and dryness, as most peoples does as it battles with the elements.

I love Aveda products and often use their hair products as they don’t contain any chemicals and they smell lovely. Aveda has launched a brand new skincare range specially designed for sensitive skin, the All Sensitive Cleanser and the All Sensitive Moisturiser.

They are both rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and E, calming chamomile, witch hazel and lavender, which all works together to restore your dry skin.

All Sensitive Cleanser £16.50

All Sensitive Moisturiser £33.50

Now available from www.aveda.co.uk or at Aveda salons

This cream knitted cape from Vertbaudet provides a nice extra layer for those cold winters days.

3 months–3 years - www.vertbaudet.co.uk

Cosy up on the sofa with this sumptuous red check throw, faux-fur hot water bottle and a steaming cup of hot chocolate in this classic slate blue Striped Limoges Coffee Cup from the Joanna Wood collection. Soft and luxurious fabrics like this cosy red cable knit or faux fur brown bear cushion will be the perfect addition to snuggle up to on those chilly winter evenings.

Looking for gift ideas that embody all there is to be loved this crisp winter season?  Then plaid bridle frames and festive tealight holders from Joanna Wood are perfect. Choose from the many stylish and traditional inspired items available both in store and online to add a cosy winter atmosphere to any living space.

Red Check Throw, £82.00

Red Wine Glasses, £13.95

Faux Fur Brown Throw, £49.00

Red Tealight Holder, £9.00

Tartan Bridle Frames, £29.00

Faux Fur Hotwater Bottle, £33.75

Slate Blue Striped Limoges Coffee Cup £65

Red Cable Knit Cushion £40

All available from www.joannawood.co.uk

My favourite trend - Shearling (or Sheepskin) can be seen at Vertbaudet and every other retailer this winter!  This faux sheepskin convertible all-in-one is a winter must-have and uber-handy as it also converts into a jacket. It has built-in mittens to keep little hands warm and with its clever zip fastening between the legs, allows you to strap your baby into the car seat without having to remove the bottoms.

£27 www.vertbaudet.co.uk

Chunky knits are a hot trend for this winter. This deep purple jumper from Funmum at Isis will keep you and your bump toasty warm.

£39 www.isismaternity.co.uk

The Russian Doll trend first sprung to our attention around January time but it seems to be back again come the Winter months. This Babushka hot water bottle from Dotcomgiftshop will be loved by everyone from Great Grandma Greta to your five year old niece. For those who dread to colder months, snuggling up to this knitted Babushka is the perfect way to soften the blow.

£10.95 on www.dotcomgiftshop.com

“Purple Orchid” is fast becoming the colour of the season, from lamps to rugs the hue can be found everywhere.

TrendLife can also report it is THE colour all the interior magazines will be featuring this Autumn/ Winter.

To make sure you stay ahead of the trends, here’s a roundup of the best purple interiors.

The “Conncetta Table Lamp” from http://www.chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk/ would be the perfect addition to any bedside table.

The “Small Ghost Busters” side table from http://www.lifestylebazaar.com/ is a design classic that will look fantastic for years to come. For a nod to the trend this throw from http://www.biomelifestyle.com/ is ideal, drape over a bed or sofa for an instant look update.

Conncetta Table Lamp, £59.00 http://www.chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk/

Small Ghost Busters By Kartell – Purple, 394.00 www.lifestylebazaar.com

Wool Throw, £55.00 http://www.biomelifestyle.com/