Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Category: Uncategorized

  • Off Duty Summer Style with Birkenstock

    Off Duty Summer Style with Birkenstock

    One of the greatest things about spring is it being the perfect time to start putting together your summer wardrobe; I love cracking out the off season clothing boxes that I store my summer looks in to rediscover some key styles and to figure out what pieces I want to add.

    Summer footwear is no exception, I have sandals that have been doing the summer rounds for nearly ten years and come out year after year, one of these being my ever faithful Birkenstocks – after countless holidays, rainy days in the UK, pregnancy and chasing after Boo in the garden my Birkestocks gave up late last summer. So this spring it’s time to invest in another pair of the most versatile summer sandals.

    Off-Duty-Summer-Style-Birkenstock

    I’m a big fan of the Madrid style: simple classic and goes with practically any outfit – plus the minimal strap means less chance of the zebra tan line look, trust me it’s not the most stylish of looks! I also love the endless colour options.

    Red and white seem to be the strong contenders, both perfect summer shades – perfect for showing off that holiday tan!

    I have a feeling that as soon as mine arrive, Boo will be angling to joining the Birkenstock club…. What’s your favourite Birkestock style?

    This is collaborative post.

  • Boo’s Bedroom Inspiration with Homify

    With the big move set to happen – fingers crossed – within the next 8 weeks, I’m really starting to think about interiors and decoration; and with my love of all things white, there are set to be some big changes made. However the first priority will be to get Boo’s bedroom decorated ready for us to move in.

    When we moved into out current home, Boo had just turned two so the décor choices were entirely mine and I kept her room in keeping with the theme of the house… white everything! Despite people telling me that white and a young child don’t mix, here we are nearly three years later and our love affair with a white house is as strong as ever.

    When it comes to decorating Boo’s bedroom in the new house, I’m keen to let her have an input; although if you were to ask her how she’d decorate her bedroom you’d be sure to hear of plenty pink faux fur, glitter and Disney princesses galore! Something tells me there’s going to be a lot of negotiations… Whilst I can’t get started just yet on Boo’s bedroom, it’s great to start researching girls bedroom ideas. Whilst we have her lovely white wooden furniture and a day bed that Boo’s convinced is only for princesses – it’s always good to seek inspiration on ways of updating Boo’s bedroom look; I think it’s safe to say we’ll be aiming for a mix of traditional and Scandi style.

    Little Girls Bedroom : Modern nursery/kids room by Lime Lace Eclectic Interiors

    Boo’s new room is a couple of square metres bigger than her current one so I’ll also be looking for clever storage ideas for the mountain of fancy dress we seem to accumulating whilst also adding some ‘big girl’ touches such as a bedside table and a desk with a mirror.

    Mariposas divertidas : Wallpaper by Papel Pintado Saint Honoré

    For me I’m excited about thinking outside the box when it comes to storage, I’ve noticed that some of the most stylish yet practical children’s bedrooms look up for storage inspiration and I love the idea incorporating a feature wall (maybe in Boo’s beloved pink) as well as layering different textures to create a space that is not only a bedroom, but a play room, an Aladdin’s cave- where the only limit is Boo’s imagination…


    In collaboration with Homify.

  • The Mother’s Day Gift Guide For the Stylish Mama

    The Mother’s Day Gift Guide For the Stylish Mama

    The shops are full of Mother’s Day inspired gifts but in case you’ve left it to the last minute here’s my pick of the perfect gifts for the stylish mama…

    Mother's-Day-Luxury-Gift-Guide-For-Stylish-Mamas

    MOTHER Sweatshirt
    The fabulous Molly Gunn from Selfish Mother created these amazing sweatshirts that get straight to the point, I love how motherhood is embraced in our daily look and the best part is that £15 per sweatshirt is donated to charity.

    Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour All-Over Miracle Oil
    It’s not secret that your skin takes a battering once you become a mother, so an all over oil like this is perfect for keeping your skin nourished and healthy, plus it’s super easy to apply.

    L’Oreal Eva Red Lipstick
    I’m a big believer in the power of a bright red lippy; it’s the perfect pick me up and does a great job in hiding those ‘I’ve not slept properly in 4 years’ eyes. I love how good this lipstick not only makes me look but how soft it makes my lips.

    Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
    Every mama deserves a little luxury and it doesn’t get better than Chanel and Coco Mademoiselle is light enough to spray all over but good enough to last all day.

    Carat Emerald Flower Pendant
    Carat is the magical place that lets you wear diamonds for breakfast without selling a kidney, they are cultured gems and help those mundane mornings sparkle… because who doesn’t like bling?

    VOGUE Magazine Subscription
    I may be drowning in toys and children’s birthday party invitations but I still like to feel that I’m down the cool gang… Now it’s not good enough to just give a magazine subscription you also have to give the gift of the time to actually read it!

    So there you have it, the ultimate edit for a stylish mama this Mother’s Day… I already know what I’m getting: a beautiful handmade card and a few handpicked flowers – now all I have to do is teach Boo how I like my Earl Grey.

    Whatever you’re doing for Mother’s Day, if you’re a mama or someone’s child make sure you love and laugh a lot, the best style I’ve ever rocked has been a big smile and a Boo on my hip!

  • Hello March – The Minimalist Challenge

    Hello March – The Minimalist Challenge

    With the beginning of March, and spring comes the promise of new beginnings… Moving house is always an opportunity to take stock of your possessions and now with move day being pushed back to as far as maybe 8 weeks, I’m embarking on the 30 Day Minimalist Game. The concept is deceivingly simple: you must get rid of one thing on the first day, on the second, two things. Three items on the third. So forth and so on. You can sell, give away or throw out the items which will add up to a staggering 496 by the end of the 30 day game!

    The true spirit of the game requires you to play along with a friend / family member but I am yet to find someone who doesn’t think I am crazy. So for now, my only competition is myself. I’ve already started purging the house / our life of unnecessary possessions so whilst I am in no way expecting I will have enough to get rid of to make it through the entire month; I’m using this as a kick start for the ever welcome spring clean.

    Spring-Cleaning-with-the-30-Minimalist-Game

    Before Boo, I prided myself that everything I owned had purpose or brought me joy and I famously packed the house up to move when I was 6 months pregnant is less than a day. Fast-forward 5 years and my life (and home) is very different. Children have this invisible aura of Velcro, that allows them to absorb items, which become essential personal possessions (ever tried taking a happy meal toy off a toddler and you’ll know what I mean) in the same way a tornado sucks in houses.

    I suppose the concept on minimalism and ridding your life of possessions that bring you no joy is something that has been building inside of me. I asked for, and very kindly received (thanks Grace) The Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo for Christmas and I found a logic that not only worked for me but helped me strive for inner calm. Despite having to explain repeatedly to family that I’m not going to be left with no furniture or clothes – I love the idea that by reducing what I physically own it makes space for my emotional wellbeing. Letting go of belongings that hold memories (good and bad) can be both cathartic and cleansing.

    Seeking a more purposed life by reducing my physical possessions

    Day one was yesterday and I started off nice and easy with a pair of strip lashes that I bought 5+ years ago for a fancy dress outfit. Today will be something from the toiletries cabinet in the bathroom. Whether I last a few days or manage to stick it out the to the end I’m looking forward to the process of trying to achieve a more purposeful home life; I’ll let you know how I get on.

  • How To Create The Perfect Romantic Night In

    Once you have a child it can be really hard to get some alone time with your partner. For the first few months, you might find you hardly have time to brush your hair let alone enjoy a romantic evening with your other half. However, there comes a time when your little one is at a sleepover at Grandma’s and you do finally have a little breathing space. In situations like this, you have two options; you can either go out somewhere or stay in. I’d almost always opt for the latter as not only will you save pennies, but you won’t have to factor in other people. It can just be the two of you.

    Set the mood

    You want the night to be as romantic as possible, so to some extent it helps to try to forget where you are and who you are. Have a relaxing bubble bath and ditch your mummy clothes for something glamourous. Spending a little time pampering yourself, you deserve it.

    There might be a million and one toys in the corner of the living room, but if you use your dimmer switches, you can almost hide them from view – and you can create an intimate and relaxing ambiance. If you don’t currently have dimmer switches, it’s worth considering getting some to use in future. They are simple to install and they can help you transform the look of your rooms. You can find out more about these handy accessories in lighting stores and by visiting specialist websites like Lighting Superstore.

    A few candles on the table will add to the atmosphere and you can cook a lovely meal that you’ll both enjoy. If you really want to push the boat out, you could recreate the first meal you ever had together. Why not share the cooking? Perhaps you could create the main and leave the starter and dessert to your partner.

    Romantic-Candle-Light

    Hide the remote

    If your other half is a bit addicted to the sports channels on a weekend, you might want to hide the remote so that they aren’t tempted to flick on the TV as soon as the meal is over. Mobiles can also ruin the mood, so why not hide yours upstairs and ask Grandma to ring your house phone if there are any problems.

    Enjoy being together

    Whether you decide to cuddle on the couch, spend time talking about your future plans or just enjoy having the house to yourselves, you’ll have a great time. Date nights are always special and much needed.

    What’s your idea of the perfect romantic night in? I’d love to know…

    This is a collaborative post.