ONE: Everything seems frantic & frenetic right now – my to-do list is out of hand and my inbox overflowing, despite having an assistant now to help me out (FANCY, right? ??). While that all sounds theoretically great, it’s a little overwhelming, so I’m taking stock, reassessing and changing what I say yes to for the future.  That might be my very favourite thing about this strange new-media world I find myself in; when something doesn’t fit, I get to reinvent my job all over again. I count myself incredibly lucky for it.

TWO: A few days in London this month for meetings, including wine & pasta with Freya, & scheming & dreaming with wedding dress designer, Charlotte. I am so so excited about what we’re creating together… August cannot come quickly enough!

THREE:  This little spud turned three this month, a day spent quietly with balloons, presents and birthday biscuits (instead of cake!). It can’t possibly be true, but somehow it seems like she grew up overnight with this anniversary; suddenly she talks non-stop, asks what I’m thinking, rolls her eyes and calls us ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’. She can ride a bike and I grew her with my body, and these two things combined never fail to amaze me.

FOUR: I joined Landrover’s #Hibernot project this month in sharing my winter photography tips for making the most of the precious daylight hours. Whilst filming, I discovered my face goes weird and numb when you point a camera at it, and that I sound entirely different to how I do inside my head. Who knew? Catch the full video here.

FIVE: I’ve been in an uninspired & uncreative lull since Christmastime, but it feels like that’s finally passing at last. I pulled James Melia away from his lovely wife for an hour to show me their secret pine forest and take some fairytale snaps, & I’ve got some fresh creative content planned for the next few weeks. At last! Honestly, doesn’t my summary of this month just say it all? Zzzz fest. Are you still awake?

In my sidebar this month:

*  The Future Kept, with this  lip & cheek stain that I almost definitely need. Anything dual-purpose & geranium-scented gets my vote.

*  Wildflower Illustration Co and a little bit of Mr Darcy – because who doesn’t need a little Darcy now & then?

*  Object Style, and this rose leather clutch bag which OMG I need. Like, I know I rarely go out any more and there’s not even anywhere fancy within a 20 mile radius, but I’m still pretty sure I need it.

*  I already have this Above – Skymap wall print from No67 – just need the framer’s to re-open after the floods so I can get it up!

*  I’m excited to get one of Nikki Stark’s Holly wishbone 9ct rose gold rings – I had a similar (inferior) one off etsy that I need to replace for my stack, asap!

Win a 3-month sidebar ad

giveaway

Want to be in my sidebar too? This week I’m giving away a 3-month ‘medium’ slot, worth $125 for free! You can advertise anything you like – your blog, Instagram, shop, or business – as long as it’s clean, appropriate & right for the Me & Orla readership (i.e. I’m reserving the right to say no to porn or anyone selling pet spiders).



TO ENTER: 

Visit any of my sidebar sponsors, right, then come back & leave a comment on this post saying what you liked. That’s it!

You can enter once for each ad, if you like, and I’ll pick a winner in 1 week & announce it here. Good luck! 

Giveaway now closed. Congrarulations to Maria Fynsk Norup whose name was chosen at random. Thanks for all the entires. I run ad space givieaways periodically, so check back soon for another chance!

Hope you’ve had a glorious February. Bring on the March spring sunshine!

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66 Comments

  • Sara Tasker

  • March 18, 2016

thank you for this reminder! Doing it RIGHT NOW! 🙂 x

  • Emma

  • March 18, 2016

have you announced the winner Sara? xx

  • Nicole

  • March 11, 2016

Uashmama bags from Future Kept – nice to keep plants in and hide the plastic pots for when I can never get around to re-potting things.

  • Paul Nikk

  • March 10, 2016

I don’t know what I love more about the future kept – the photography or the products.

  • Alex Barker

  • March 07, 2016

Eeeek! Hope I’m not to late to enter! …Anyway I visited The Future Kept’s site – I’m admittedly already a bit of a fan of their stuff, so any excuse for a cheeky browse! At the moment I’m particularly tempted to indulge in one of their picnic-style blankets or the rosemary, mint & thyme bath oil. But seriously all their stuff is so darling. xxx

  • Agnes

  • March 07, 2016

When it comes to rings I’m kinda oldfashioned – I’d proudly wear the Grey opaque diamond ring – 9ct white gold, it reminds me of my grandma.

  • Agnes

  • March 07, 2016

The Skymap wall print is beautiful (and so calming, isn’t it?) but I fell in love with the miniature wooden houses. Sweet.

  • Wild & Grizzly

  • March 07, 2016

Yay what an ace giveaway! I’ve been loving Jeska’s curative shop skills for ages so definitely the Furture Kept for me. Apart from being super lovely she swayed me to buy Uashmama metallic bag ?

Lori x

  • Agnes

  • March 07, 2016

The rose of the clutch bag at Object Style is one of my favourite colours, wow!

  • Agnes

  • March 07, 2016

Fell in love with the Custom House Portraits at Wildflower Illustration Co, if I only owned a house!

  • Agnes

  • March 07, 2016

Have just visited The Future Kept and have to admit that the Fat & The Moon Lip & Cheek Stain sounds like a great thing, but sadly it contains beeswax and I don’t use any products that contain animal derived ingredients. Such a shame!

  • Millie

  • March 06, 2016

Holy crap, I love all the homewards on objectstyle.co.uk! Also, all the images on your blog are amazing.

xo Millie
http://www.modishrambling.blogspot.co.uk

  • Annika

  • March 06, 2016

Wildflower Illustration had me at Mr Darcy. 🙂

  • Kelly Love

  • March 06, 2016

I have the M.Hulot clutch from Object Style and I love, love, love it! Actually I love everything from this sweet shop. Treat yourself Sara 😉

  • Ally Mahoney

  • March 06, 2016

I would happily end my self-imposed manicure ban (aka laziness) if I could have some of Nikki Starks pretties…the grey opaque diamond and rose quartz, lovely

  • Sophie

  • March 06, 2016

I love, love, love The Future Kept – it’s such a beautiful store! I could buy everything in it but my absolute favourite is the Amelie Mancini Cactus Tote Bag, I’ve been lusting after that for a long time. In fact, all their bags are delightful – I’d use any of them!

This is such an awesome giveaway, Sara.

  • Rachael Clark

  • March 06, 2016

I have recently started to follow Object Style on IG so this has actually prompted me to look at their beautiful website and not just their fab feed, so thank you..

  • Hope Pennington

  • March 06, 2016

Wildflower Illistration Co! I loved the Mr. Darcy quote because it’s GORGIOUSNESS and hipster and I can’t get enough of book quotes 😛

  • Rachael Clark

  • March 06, 2016

Oh and Paris at STALF is super nice to boot! And I’m wearing one of their sweatshirts now!

  • Rachael Clark

  • March 06, 2016

Love STALF and their simple simplicity, plus she’s a fellow Lincolnshire lass!

  • Anna

  • March 06, 2016

The Future Kept is one of my fave places to window shop online… I love the look of Woven magazine; if only it was in stock!

  • Samuel Sparrow

  • March 06, 2016

The Future Kept, of course – got my eye on a fine knife.

  • Two little boxes

  • March 06, 2016

Object style – made me think about starting some ceramic objects project this summer.

  • Jessica Rose

  • March 06, 2016

I looked at The Future Kept. What I liked about the company was firstly the website and the easy to navigate sections. I also love the fact a husband and wife team created this.The products they sell are completely unique.By the way who says you need to keep your love and work life separate??

  • Gail Myerscough

  • March 06, 2016

I love The Future Kept. A beautiful range of work. I’ve bookmarked them.

  • Imogen Rose

  • March 06, 2016

Object Style – I love the Gold glazed porcelain knot necklace!!! xxxx

  • Imogen Rose Howkins

  • March 06, 2016

The silver stacking skinny band rings set of three are gorgeous on Nikki Stark Jewellery – think i may have to purchase!! xxx

  • Imogen Rose Howkins

  • March 06, 2016

I visited Little Goldie and saw the little ‘a possums tail’ super cute for my baby niece! xxx

  • Jenna Michelle Pink

  • March 03, 2016

I visited wildflower illustration. Lovely simple and fresh 🙂 I also checked out skymap print 🙂

  • Kathi

  • March 02, 2016

Aah so many wonderful things … I’ve had my eye on the Mountain ceramic coffee dripper from The Future Kept for a while, looking forward to ordering it once I get back home.

  • Imogen Rose Howkins

  • March 02, 2016

…And the wool grey scarf on ‘The Future Kept’ – my bank balance will hate me

  • Imogen Rose Howkins

  • March 02, 2016

Hi 🙂 I headed over to MeliaMelia, the bridal photography looks stunning! I’m a new reader to your blog it looks so lovely! Your photography is awesome would be such an amazing opportunity to win this space as I’m a small time blogger myself 🙂 xx

  • Sarah by the Sea

  • March 01, 2016

I’ve already seen WF illustration’s website so I hopped over to MeliaMelia & the future kept. Oh my goodness. This is going to increase the amount of time I spend on the internet which was something I was trying to avoid >.< But so much prettiness! 😀

I love the bottom picture, it's extremely red-riding-hood-esque! Very fairytale 🙂 xxx

  • laura redburn

  • March 01, 2016

regarding point 5, i’ve been feeling the same. infact, it always happens in the winter months and i ‘wake up’ when spring makes it’s tentative beginnings.

i visited wildflower illustration – my what swwet delicate work! especially like the house portrait!

  • Susan Green

  • March 01, 2016

I visited The Future Kept and fell for their British Made Herrinbgone Red Stripe Throw – because there is NO SUCH THING as too many lovely grey, soft and warm blankets in my house!

Sorry to hear you’ve been in a lull, a fug, a hollow… these things are natural – we can’t be in the light all the time, we have to circle the full round, visiting the dark underworld quietness from time to time, then surface again.

Susan x

  • aphotofly

  • February 29, 2016

Strange as this sounds – my favorite sponsor is WIC because of Rebecca’s photography. I love the muted colors, dark wood, and incorporation of greenery!

  • Miss. P

  • February 29, 2016

What a wonderful selection of inspirational people! I have to go for Wildflower Illustration and Co, the illustrations instantly swept me off my feet. One I own my own home I will most certainly be ordering a custom house illustration! Thank you so much for this post and introducing me to an incredible designer and artist!

xx

  • Polly Rowan

  • February 29, 2016

Ah I love the Future Kept and the Hand Woven Jute Tote Bag! Such a gorgeous shop. x

  • Helena (Bright Paper Packages)

  • February 29, 2016

I visited the gorgeous The Future Kept where I not only fell in love with the foraged flower perfume (who wouldn’t?) but bought some too – my bank balance does not thank you but I’m pretty sure my heavenly scented wrists will when it arrives 🙂

  • Maike Browning

  • February 29, 2016

I just completely lost myself in a world of lovely things, so many beautiful objects to look at and inspiring product photography. I have coveted The Future Kept’s hand dyed indigo remnant quilt for a long time, and love their products as well as their gorgeous styling and grounded ethics – every piece looks truly made to treasure.

Object style is new to me and I now adore the Rose gia cross body bag. What a beauty!

…and if I could be a child again I know I could happily loose the hours building colourful towers with Little Goldie’s brightly coloured building blocks. A little friend of mine has some and I always want to play building with her whenever I have the chance!

I love reading your blog, and have been taking note of your instagram tips for a little while now, thanks for all the inspiration! x

  • Katie Laura Ashton

  • February 29, 2016

It’s got to be the waxed canvas backpack from The Future Kept because I can see my boyf carrying it and he would look so cute! And I’d have the hot chocolate to feed my addiction 🙂

  • Stacy Blair

  • February 29, 2016

And those cameras on Little Goldie’s site… WHY MUST I BE ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!??? hahaha

  • Stacy Blair

  • February 29, 2016

I found Wildflower Illustration Co. when you posted her “coffee” print! I absolutely fell in love with her entire shop!! Right now I’m crushing on her “moon” prints because we are re-doing Olive’s bedroom with a “camping” theme!!

  • Lou | Littlegreenshed

  • February 29, 2016

an assistant eh? I need one. Where can I get one? I can pay them in biscuits!

  • Emily

  • February 29, 2016

I recently came across wildflower illustration co and love her year of cards. I am such a fan of sending heartfelt snail mail and think gifting cards is a wonderful present as well. Lovely work. Xx

  • Emily

  • February 29, 2016

I love that object style sells woven works. I especially love the grey and cream textured piece by Maryanne moodie!

  • Emily

  • February 29, 2016

The future kept is such a lovely shop. The forest and found quilt is a work of art. And who doesn’t love a cat print by Mitch Blunt?!

  • Emily

  • February 29, 2016

Love every bag at Misoui! I need a little black crossover and am now eyeing one of theirs!

  • Emily

  • February 29, 2016

The coda baskets from little Goldie would look lovely in my home (but I am dreaming of those gorgeous muted color toys for the day I have my own little!) xx

  • woodenwindowsills

  • February 29, 2016

Also, the skymap wall print from At No 67 is an absolute beaut!! Alice xx

  • Belinda Norrington

  • February 29, 2016

ooh, spoilt for choice! I think Wildflower Illustration Co’s bespoke illustrations of houses are so lovely and would make an amazing wedding present? My lips are falling apart in this cold, so the balm from The Future Kept site really appeals (but what doesn’t there, I’d like one of everything please!!). A spot on your sidebar would be amazing, a super offer.

Your busy month makes me feel dizzy, but in a good way! Can sense your wedding dress excitement right off the page which is just as it should be! Enjoy it all. 🙂

  • Steph Marston

  • February 29, 2016

I’d not heard of Wildflower Illustration Co but now I love them! I’ve recently been researching wedding invitations for my wedding next year and love the look of their ‘Louisa’ design! Steph x
http://www.stephstyle.com

  • Katy Barraclough

  • February 29, 2016

Oh what a lovely discovery Little Goldie is. Such a cheerful and beautifully put-together collection of children’s pieces. Although I don’t have children of my own, it’s always fun to find design-led goods for little ones which sit brilliantly in a contemporary, minimal home 🙂

  • Maria Fynsk Norup

  • February 29, 2016

It sounds like a busy (but good busy) month❤️ And so exciting with your August plans!!
As for your sponsors, I am completely in love with how The Future Kept brands themselves ~ and I could go for just about everything in their shop! But I’m on the lookout for a new camera bag, and the Roam camera is simply too good to miss! ?❤️

  • Hayley Pryke

  • February 29, 2016

I had to hop over to The Future Kept, one of my favourite shops and as a shop owner I’m always in awe of Jeska and Dean’s product curation and of course Jeska’s styling, such beautiful imagery! I’m hoping to learn a few tips from you at the visual storytelling event in March 🙂

  • hilary

  • February 29, 2016

Lovely to see the Insta-retreat as my blog is new to the platform and it would be great to have some handy tips to create a uniform look to what we put up there! Hooray to March!

  • Medusa Dollmaker

  • February 29, 2016

You marry in August? Our best friends as well, they are pretty crazy preparing all, poor things.
I loved the lips and cheek stain. The can is lovely, the color looks perfect and it seem very natural and cruelty free. Also I dig as well the 2×1 purpose lol.

  • aislin

  • February 29, 2016

& i’d be happy as a clam with that cross body bag from Misoui 😉

  • aislin

  • February 29, 2016

adored the Art of Coffee a la Wildflower Illustration – so dainty!

  • Helen

  • February 29, 2016

I just love the chicken print by Wildflower Illustration. *emails link to husband*.

  • Diana Gammelgård Lovring

  • February 29, 2016

Wildflower Illustration because to me that is very English … and very Mr. Darcy indeed too:) Wonderful drawings and a great talent – makes me miss England in the good way. Might book a flight soon to visit soon:)

  • Pippa Vague

  • February 29, 2016

Hands down the ‘art of coffee’ print by Wildflower Illustration. Oh what a delight to be able to draw and paint! Great idea for a giveaway by the way! 🙂

  • Jax Blunt

  • February 29, 2016

I very much want the doll teaset from Little Goldie. (I clicked through to look for the rainbow set but got distracted.)

  • Jax Blunt

  • February 29, 2016

I love the little house on the Wildflowerco page. Could someone build me one?

  • Alyssa J Freitas

  • February 29, 2016

I just visited Wildflower Illustration Co and love their “home is wherever your mother is” card. That’s a sentiment I share entirely!

  • Kate Marsden

  • February 28, 2016

Loving Little Goldie! Just wishing the little man was still little enough so I could buy everything (he’d think I’m a bit crazy if I did now!).

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