Home at Rose Cottage – Page 3 – Home at Rose Cottage

Standing out on Instagram

August 20, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

I recently wrote a Guest Blog Post for Rapid Marketing on ‘How to stand out on Instagram’ and thought I would share it on here too…so here goes!

Thinking back to when I first started out on Instagram, being surrounded by super creatives with great talents, as a newbie I was totally intimidated and really didn’t know where to start. Looking at my most favourite accounts to follow I started to realise they all had a unique and recognisable style. I would immediately recognise one of their images when it popped up on my feed, without having to even see their name. Little did I realise at that point, the months, maybe even years of hard work (and most likely tears and tantrums) which it would have taken them to create this unique style.

Find your style

Having been on Instagram for over 3 years now, it has taken the majority of that time to discover my style. Finding your style takes hard work, dedication and the courage to try something new; But the outcome is a feed that exudes passion, personality, and individuality in a way that taking someone else’s simply cant. Along the way I have taken risks with outcomes that weren’t what I had hoped for – plummeting engagement, loss of followers – but I picked myself up, dusted myself off, made a few minor tweaks and tried again. I needed to take these scary steps to get it right. Ultimately this was how I truly began to understand my own personal Instagram style and subsequently, what works for me as a creative. The learning, the mistakes and the successes are all a vital part of this journey.

Creator Authenticity…

I was (and at times still am) influenced to create images I think Instagram wants to see, without considering what I want to create. Its so easy to get caught up chasing the aesthetics of what I think Instagram wants to see and then forget to ask myself what to I want to see and create. Instagram has become an echo chamber of ideas; we are all drinking from the same mug of inspiration, so it is to be expected. We follow the same people, ‘like’ the same posts, see the same trends, the same places, so, naturally, at times, the content we surround ourselves with can feel repetitive. It is totally saturated with cups of coffee, bunches of peonies, food flatlays, and of course, there is not a thing wrong with this, we all enjoy seeing them on our timelines and they do make beautiful images. However, it can become more challenging to grow your following when the market it so saturated, and the competiton is fierce. This is where I felt my images needed to stand out, to grab attention and hold interest.

The Instagram Community is Massive – there really is a someone for everyone…

Standing out from the crowd on Instagram will only ever be a good thing and you will always find someone who is interested in your content. For me picking a couple of things I have a passion for and really concentrating on creating content around those has been key. You’ll find more success on Instagram doing one thing brilliantly, than you will doing a few things average. My Instagram journey has (and still is) about pushing boundaries, challenging my mind, asking questions, stretching my skills and most importantly taking risks. I am constantly striving to do more, always posting my best, surprising my audience, sharing content that wows and winning users over through my content. I suppose the challenge always is staying positive and keeping up the momentum.

So are you going to join me in standing out from the crowd on Instagram??

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

Collaborations, LIFESTYLE

Sleeping Soundly in Collaboration with Future Weighted Blankets

August 2, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hi there!

When Future Weighted Blankets got in touch to ask me to review one of their blankets, I absolutely jumped at the chance! I first came across weighted blankets around 7 years ago when I worked in a school for children with disabilities. I supported kids in the advanced support unit of the school where needs were high and complex. We used the weighted blankets regularly in this setting to provide calm, reduce anxiety, focus abilities in the classroom and avoid outbursts where possible.

Before I got the blanket for myself, I was hoping that it would reduce my anxiety, help with restless legs and promote a good nights sleep. (Not asking for much was I?!) Fast forward to today, I have now slept with the weighted blanket for 2 weeks. Firstly, can I just say I am totally blown away by the effects. I honestly could not have wished for anything more from this blanket. It has given me the feeling I am getting a big hug all night long!! The sense of security and tranquility it has provided has really helped sooth my everyday stress and anxiety and improved my sleep.

Ash is forever “commenting” on how restless I am in bed and how this also affects his sleep (I mean, dear love us all if a man doesn’t get his 8 hours!!!); and even he has noticed how uninterrupted my sleep has been. I really feel the quality of my now uninterrupted sleep is much better which has allowed me to have a more restful night. Studies on these blankets show they trigger happiness hormones and I have to say it really helped relax me.

The quality of the blanket itself and the 2 covers it comes with are high and it is constructed really well. The covers are made of eco friendly silky bamboo, soft cotton and one is textured which would be perfect for a little ones sensory needs. The small pockets in the duvet keep the beads in place and I didn’t find the beads shifting at all when using it and the duvet stayed in place within the cover.

If anyone else out there is struggling with sleep like I was, you will know how it affects your daily life with keeping focus and concentration (queue Jill putting TV remotes in the fridge and butter in the tumble dryer!!!). As a working Mummy sleep is so so precious to me and vital to functioning effectively. I am looking forward to reaping more benefits from this blanket in the coming months/years and so are my family!

To find out more about investing in a blanket please check out Future Weighted Blankets on Instagram here

To buy a blanket click on the link here

If you have any other questions, as always please get in touch!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

LIFESTYLE

Q&A

July 29, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

I recently did a Q&A style interview with a local PR company and thought I would share it with you all on here so you could find out a little more about me!

1. How did you first get into blogging, and how would you describe your blogging style?
My blogging journey started over 3 years ago when we were renovating and moving in to my grandparents house. I was posting photos onto my instagram to show friends and family what we were getting up to; I couldn’t believe it when other people (I didn’t know) wanted to follow along too! I decided to create an interior based blog as that was what all our energy was being focused on at the time but it has since developed to include family and lifestyle too since my little boy came along. I would said my blog is very much an informal chatty style, as I hope to make it as easy and accessible as possible…For me a lot of the time I let the photos speak for themselves!
2. What do you think is the best strategy that worked well for you to get more traffic to your blog?
Definitely using all the social platforms available. Direct people from Instagram to your blog, from you blog to facebook, facebook to Pinterest etc etc. This helps to cover all audiences available. I try where possible to chat about topical subjects and also like to either entertain or educate people with my content – helps them to come back for more!
3. What inspired you to start your blog?
I wanted to use my blog to document the renovation journey of Rose Cottage, it was the best way I felt I could keep all the memories in one place. The blog is a real creative outlet, a bit of fun and a little something for me; its a way for me to let my hair down and a hobby which doesn’t involve needing a babysitter!
4. How active are you on a weekly basis? How often do you communicate with your followers?
I am active daily on social media – mostly instagram as its my favourite platform and where I have the biggest audience. Instagram stories I feel is the best way to connect with people and show your true personality.
5. What is your biggest challenge?
I would say juggling (!!!) Being a wife, mum, working a part time job, keeping a house and having the blog can be demanding – often there just isn’t enough hours in the day.
6. What’s your best advice for handling criticism on social media?
I think if you put yourself out there on social media you have to expect to get a little bit of criticism – not that this excuses it in any way. I have never responded to anyone who has been unkind to me, I simply ignore and delete.
7. Have you ever worked with any brands/businesses through your blog?
I have been so lucky that organically the blog has grown (its been so unexpected) and I have got some amazing opportunities through it. I have worked with some big brands such as Tommee Tippee, Asda, Sainsburys, Primark, M&S, and local business such as The Boulvard, Spar NI and Roe Park Hotel.
8. What is important to you when working with brands?
When working with brands I think the most important thing is good communication on both parts. The collaboration should be mutually beneficial, therefore a good discussion agreeing expectations insures everyone is getting the most of out it.
9. What advice would you give to a brand/business who wants to work with an influencer?
Do your homework! Make sure you follow an influencer and watch what they are up to before you chose to work with them. Make sure they are a good fit for your brand and you haven’t just chose them based on number of followers. Ask them for their audience insights and check they are inline with who you wish to target. Follower numbers are definitely not the be all and end all – check their engagement levels (number of likes and comments) to ensure they have a loyal audience.
10. What social media site do you feel is best for you to reach your target audience?
Instagram has definitely been the best site for me personally. My target audience are Mums aged 25-45, and instagram is where they all currently hang out!

If you have anything else you would like to know, please get in touch!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

blog

Everything you need to know about appearing in an Interior Magazine

July 21, 2019January 16, 2022 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

If you follow me over on Instagram you will know I’ve had a photographer in today taking some photos of Rose Cottage for a local magazine. We have featured in one before just over a year ago, so it was a pleasure to do it again! My inbox has been flooding with messages asking about the experience so I thought it would be easier to put all the info into a blog post.

Here’s everything you need to know about appearing in an Interior Magazine (in my own experience!!!)

You don’t always need to be asked

From the messages I’ve received, everyone assumes you always get asked to feature; but, this is not always the case! If you think you have a beautiful home you can contact the magazine yourself, send over some images and ask to be considered.

2. You will most definitely feel like a dirty bruit

Because you become this mad cleaning person, who wants to clean everything in sight, you will find masses of dirt in places you didn’t even know existed!…Queue thinking you could grow spuds behind your sofa!

3. You will spend alot of time faffing

Painting over toothpaste splatters, delicately positioning potatoes in a crate and karate chopping cushions will only be a few crazy activities you will undertake in preparation.

4. Hiding anything that is even remotely ugly

This may include bins, tv buttons, multi-coloured plastic toys and even family members; which leads me on to….

5. Bailing your family out

You most definitely will not want any small people hanging about on the day of the shoot (Kids and expensive camera equipment will not mix) so I recommend getting rid of them as soon as you can – a week before the shoot is just about perfect!!

6. You will become the most awkward and out of place thing in your own home

Trying to keep out of the way of the photographer is hard, especially if you don’t live in a big house.

7. You will be out of money

You will convince yourself your home needs to be able to feed the 5000 and have more fresh flowers than chelsea flower show.

8. The experience will be as enjoyable as you make it

Take your time, enjoy your home and soak it all up!

As always if you have any questions, please get in touch!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

INTERIORS

Garden Transformation

July 2, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

Well…..hasn’t this post has been a loooooong time coming?! We have been in Rose Cottage over 3 years now and the outside has been left completely untouched. (Apart from my Dad taking the head staggers with the weed killer when they outgrow him!!!) We have quite a lot of outdoor space and it has been overwhelming for us to know where to start. A few weeks ago I decided I needed to start somewhere; I didn’t want to let another year go by without doing anything. Neither the Hubby or I have any skills in the gardening department, but with some guidance from my Dad I got to work!

When my Grandparents lived in Rose Cottage, my Granda would be out pottering about outside everyday rain or shine. For his 70th Birthday my parents bought him a greenhouse, which Dad constructed outside the backdoor on top of some old reclaimed brick. This greenhouse stood proudly there until around 2 years ago, when we sent it off to another home to be loved. From then, like the rest of the outdoors, it was let go wild!

Before:

I started by weeding and clearing the whole area. This was a hard graft both physically and emotionally; I was finding little pots and gardening tools I remembered my Granda having in the greenhouse, so it was bringing lots of memories back. This made me annoyed at myself for letting it get so out of hand, but it also made me more determined to make it a space which he would be proud of.

After it was cleared, I put down some heavy plastic both inside and outside the bricked area to keep the weeds at bay; then white stones inside and large bark on the outside. I added some slim wooden posts to the fencing and attached solar powered festoon lights on top from B&M.

I wanted to put all the plants in pots as my track record at keeping them alive is not good! (Means I can replace them when needed!) I am also a massive fan of faffing, so can easily move them about as often as I like!!

All the pots and plants were picked up from Home Bargains, B&M, TKMaxx and B&Q.

The table and chairs are from Argos and linked here (its currently on offer too!)

Solar powered lanterns are from B&M.

I cannot believe I have such a nice outdoor space now to enjoy! It was such hard work, but boy was it worth it! Now to sort out the rest!!!

If you have any questions as always please get in touch.

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

INTERIORS

Harry’s Bedroom Makeover

June 17, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hi there!

I can hardly believe we are at this stage with Harry….moving him into a big boy bed! I knew time would fly when we had him (because everyone and their Granny warns you!!) but I really cannot take it in!

For any one who missed out on what his wee room was like before, I’ve linked 2 blog posts below…who doesn’t love a good before and after eh?!

Harry’s Little Room

Harry’s Room gets a little make over in Collaboration with Søstrene Grene

In preparation for the change, I did hours of scrolling on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. I kept saving and pinning images all with a similar bed frame, so knew this was the one! I built the jungle theme around the bed and after numerous Ikea visits and online basket checkouts his room was finished!

Bed Frame (We added the storage drawer, side rail and matress) – Buy here

Tiger Mat – Local Selling Site

Trunk – Bedeck (Was black leather which I white washed with Annie Sloan paint)

Plant – Ikea

Basket – Primark

Building Blocks – The Works

Animal Heads – https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/home/shop-by-room/kids-room.html

Cushions – https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/home/shop-by-room/kids-room.html and Sostrene Grene

Bedding – Scion from Bedeck

Plush toys – Ikea

Prints – https://desenio.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzbLF38iO4AIVBrDtCh010QV0EAAYASAAEgIkgvD_BwE

Frames and snake – Ikea

Green Leaves – Ikea, attached to the bed frame with cable ties

Born to be Wild Print from Desenio – Link above

Giraffe print, frames, zebra vase – Poundland

Plush toys – Ikea

Wooden Crate – Sostrene Grene and I added hanging luggage tag from Next

Curtains – Ikea

Bags – H&M Home (Linked above) and Sostrene Grene (Gifted from previous collaboration)

Prints – Desenio and Poundland

Wire basket, giraffe and frames – Poundland

Mice and plant- Ikea

As you can see this little lion is loving his new room and bed! Lets hope that means lots and lots of sleep in it!!!!

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on the makeover! I’ve tried my best to tell you where everything is from and given links where I can; but as always, if you have any questions please get in touch!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

blog

Bathroom Storage

June 3, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

If you are a lotions and potions type of gal like me, then bathroom storage is definitely something you need to have a good think about. When I was giving my bathroom its recent makeover, storage was top of my list!

For me, a space looks clean and tidy when everything has a home. I like to have as many of the bottles and containers out of sight as I can and this Ikea Shoe Cabinet was the perfect solution. It makes life easier to have all the toiletries in one place, plus stops all the “where is my….??” questions from the Hubby!!!

The top drawer is filled with all our smaller bits and pieces. I added some lids from old perfume boxes into the drawer as dividers to keep everything tidy and from sliding around.

The bottom drawers pull out from the top and allow you to slide bottles down into the sections. This makes sure they are stored upright and won’t spill.

I then added some baskets below for other smaller items like skin care and wee Harry’s bath toys.

The only other piece of storage I have in the bathroom is a small basket (from EBay). I put my cleaning bits into the bottom and toilet rolls on the top.

For me the bathroom looks so much tidier with all the ugly bottles hidden away. I then keep a few of the prettier things out on display.

I really hope this has been helpful and given you a few ideas of how to great creative with storage in your own home!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

INTERIORS

Bathroom Update

May 19, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hi there!

I have been a bit of a rubbish blogger recently, I’ve even been too busy to do much on Instagram as the makeover of the bathroom and spare room has completely taken over my life and the house!!! I don’t know about you, but when I attempt to re-decorate anything the whole house ends up a total tip!

If you’ve been following me over on Instagram for a while you will remember I re-decorated this bathroom around a year ago. Although I felt it was an improvement from what it had been before, I still didn’t love it. It just seemed too plain and lacking the ‘wow’ factor. At this point you can feel very sorry for Ash (my Hubby), as he had to listen to my moaning. (Which he felt was ridiculous as I had chosen everything in the room – so why wouldn’t I like it?!!)

Ignoring Ash (!!!) I ploughed on scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest to get some new ideas, determined to fall in love with this room. When I seen the gorgeous Sam from Dove Cottage (Find her bathroom update blog here ) I seen stars and knew panelling was the way to go…

I was determined to keep my costs down and do as much of the makeover myself as possible, so bought the pieces of wood cut to size from here – I chose Standard MDF, 3mm thickness. The total cost of the wood was under £30. I stuck the pieces of wood to the walls with ‘no more nails’ which was so easy for me to do myself! (Even my Dad the DIY king of Rose Cottage was impressed!!)

The paint used was Dulux – Polished Pebble on top (which was the colour already on the walls); and Crown – City Break on Panelling.

I added some lighting to the wall, but didn’t want the hassle or cost of bothering with electrician, wires, cutting into walls etc. I bought these lights here, which are meant to be electric but stuck a battery push button light into them instead!

The mirror is from Dunelm, you can find it here.

I picked up the frames and prints from Ikea.

This is one of the Ikea Shoe Cabinets which I have popped into our bathroom, as the storage in it is amazing and I love that everything is hidden and stored in one place. I’ve dressed with with a few accessories on top.

The flooring is vinyl and was bought and fitted by Stephen Moore Carpets in Lisburn.

So this was a long time coming, but I can confirm it is now my absolute favourite room in Rose Cottage and I cannot stop popping into it for a stare! I am so looking forward to lots of hot, bubbly baths in it!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

INTERIORS

Collecting Emma Bridgewater on a Budget

May 5, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

When we starting planning our move into Rose Cottage, my mind immediately went into overdrive picking things to furnish it. When I thought about pottery, I knew I wanted to collect Emma Bridgewater. I admired the unique and colourful patterns, and appreciated the time and patience which went into each piece.

Having built up quite a collection, I thought I would share with you some tips on how I buy Emma Bridgewater without it ending in divorce or featuring on the next series of ‘Cant pay, we’ll take it away’!

So here goes:

Look out for Emma Bridgewater items popping up on local selling sites. You can be lucky with websites such as Gumtree, Buy and Sell pages, Shpock and EBay. If the seller has little/no knowledge of the true value, you can pick up a real bargain.

2. Watch out for Sale time on the Emma Bridgewater website. Sales happen on the website a few times throughout the year and further reductions follow the main sale. You can pick up mugs from as little as £4.99 at the sales final reductions!

3. Reduction codes – There are always codes floating about which can entitle you to things like free personalisation, free postage and packaging, 15% off, 10% off etc. These are discount codes which you can enter on the Emma Bridgewater website at checking out. Before completing a transaction, please get in touch with me if you’d like a code (best to get me over on Instagram @homeatrosecottage).

4. Buy from the seconds and discontinued section on the Emma Bridgewater website. This is where I normally pick up my dinner plates and mugs as I don’t worry about using them daily and throwing them in and out of the dishwasher. If something gets broken or chipped I won’t worry as much as I haven’t spent too much money on it.

5. Buy from small businesses selling decoupaged items/ items using Emma Bridgewater fabric/ items inspired by Emma Bridgewater to compliment your collection. A few of my favourite pages to buy from are @thekookyfox @natyshasvintagehome @bettys_shabby_chic_boutique @loveheartlane @katrina.lyall_dippyduck. You will find them over on Instagram.

6. Buy from the melamine range. This is more like picnic wear in the same pattern as the pottery but at a fraction of the price. These pieces are also great to use when children are about – they can use what they think is the same crockery as the adults without the worry!

7. Don’t keep any item you don’t love – sell it to buy something which you do! If you keep looking at a piece of Emma Bridgewater which you have bought and just can’t fall in love with it, don’t hold onto it. Sell it on to someone who will love it and treat yourself to something on your wish list!

Let me know if you have any other tips and happy shopping!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

LIFESTYLE

Life lessons learned now I’m a Mummy!

April 1, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

I can not believe I am saying this, but I’m now a Mummy of a 2 year old!!… And I have no idea how this happened! Feels like 1 minute I am giving birth to a 5 pound bundle of innocence, next I’m filling in a pre pre school form for a cookie loving, Peppa Pig addict!

I have learned to appreciate an awful lot since being in survival mode for just over 2 years…here’s a short list of 10:

1.You can be rude, without people thinking your rude.

The next time your mother in law starts “giving you advice” about childrearing you don’t have to nod, smile and pretend to take it all on board – just close your eyes and fall asleep. There’s no way she could be offended as she will assume you have been up all night with the baby. (Forget, on purpose, to tell her the baby has been sleeping through for over a year now!!)

2.Sleep.

After you become a parent, sleep becomes like trying to chase the wind. Then there are a hundred things to do when the baby goes to bed. But it’s ok; you can always sleep when your dead.

3.You’ll never be short of an excuse again.

Now you’ve got a child you can get out of any social event you don’t feel like going to. For example, ” I am so sorry I can’t run that marathon with you on Friday but my baby’s not himself and I wouldn’t be happy leaving him”. Once you’ve excused yourself, pop on your PJs and Netflix and get a glass of wine in hand!!

4.You get to go shopping and not have to carry any bags.

As well as putting your baby into the buggy, you can also chuck in the rest of your belongings. Years of not carrying anything, including your cup of coffee if you get a good model!

5.Restaurants that have a drive thru.

I am all over any restaurant that has a drive thru. Rather than having to get out of the car which involves loading and unloading pram, baby, changing bag with stuff to cover all eventualities including nuclear war, etc etc, sit and order from the comfort of your car with none of that hassle!

6.Always having company.

Whether it’s going for a pee, having a shower, cooking dinner, you name it, you will have a shadow in the form of a child. No longer is peeing alone a human right.

7.You’ll get lots of free sweets and chocolate.

People give children huge amounts of sweet stuff for all occasions. I’m all about giving my little one his 5 portions of fruit and veg per day and save the sweeties/chocolate only for a special treat. So as the great parent I am, I stash the goodies out of reach in a kitchen cupboard and eat the lot.

8.Wipes.

So before I became a mummy I thought wipes were just used to clean babies’ bums – how foolish was I??! Now I know they can be used for cleaning stains off clothes, highchairs, ceilings and car dashboards.

9. Family photos.

So in normal everyday life you hold the camera up, tell them to “say cheese” and snap a photo. This doesn’t happen when children are involved.

10.Your own parents.

Before I had my little man, I didn’t fully appreciate my own parents. Now I get what I put them through and all the things they still done for me. I’ve apologised for most things now (I think!!!).

Would love to hear what you all you Mummy’s out there now appreciate!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!