When I Grow Up
est. 2004
A Creative kind of Life. A blog by Helen Hobden
I still haven’t worked out what to do when I grow up! I’m mainly a writer, an artist, and a fairytale dressmaker with various crafty hobbies! Here (and on YouTube) I share bits of my life, thoughts, and what I’m learning along the way. Let’s find magic and inspiration; join me for this creative living adventure!

 

Browse Categories:
Creativity
Modern fairytale painting
Fashion
How to style a tutu skirt
Lifestyle
Christmas decor
Travel


Browse Recent Posts:
How to hide talking to yourself
4 problems people who talk to themselves have to face and how to solve them
November 29, 2018
People think you’re mad. Or at the very least, a bit weird. Although it’s kind of nice that your husband also works from home, or is just around a lot; it’s really annoying that you can’t talk loudly to yourself; because even though it’s only him, that would still be a bit embarrassing. If you just think a thought, it’s not quite real enough, so you have no choice than to say it out loud. That can actually be somewhat bothersome. Particularly in public…..
Living my best life - the pressures of being a content creator
Why creators shouldn’t be criticised for posting their best life
November 23, 2018
The reality of my October is this: I spent a miserable month in a block of flats with paper-thin walls and not getting much sleep due to the noises; a tiny bed and inability to relax in such a soulless place. What you see of my October is quite different: Photos of me smiling in outfit posts on my Instagram and blog; photos of beautiful landscapes and sunsets; blog posts about pretty parks and interesting places to visit, and youtube videos showing me being (mainly) positive. Creators get a lot of stick in the media for giving an unrealistically happy, positive, perfect image of life, but at the end of the day, would you actually want it any differently?
joe browns pretty pinafore dress
Styling the Joe Browns Pretty Pinafore dress at Boston Common
November 20, 2018
Although it was the heaviest item of clothing in the suitcase, which was straining past the 20kg limit, I couldn’t travel to America without this new grey dress I recently bought from Joe Browns, I absolutely love it! And then, during our month in Connecticut we had the opportunity for a brief weekend trip to Boston, Massatusetts, so we thought we’d use make the most of the New England fall colours to take outfit photos for the blog….
jack o'lantern blaze
Visiting the Jack o’lantern Blaze & wearing my new purple coat
October 30, 2018
We couldn’t be in America without visiting a Halloween event, could we? Friends recommended the Jack o’lantern Blaze at Croton-on-Hudson in New York, and we were lucky enough to get tickets. This event sells out weeks beforehand, but I think I happened to be online when a new batch was released for an 8:30pm time slot on Tuesday. So I bought the tickets in a bit of a panic, but didn’t really know what it was I was buying them for!…
A 1950s dress styled for fall
Styling a 1950’s dress with a mustard jumper for autumn
October 23, 2018
We’ve had a real mix of weather lately haven’t we?! I’m actually across the pond in Connecticut right now, but I think it’s fairly similar to the UK – lovely and sunny one day, and then cold and grey the next. This outfit would have been perfect the day before we took the photos! However it was ten degrees cooler when the weekend rolled around and I have to be honest, my bare legs were a little chilly! Anyway, this is a great way to layer for changeable weather, but maybe pack a pair of skin-coloured tights too!…
styling a pink maxi dress
Styling a Pink Maxi Dress and Going all Jane Austen!
October 12, 2018
I’m not quite sure where the idea originally came from – it was probably just a few influences that all came together. First, I bought a maxi dress from Amazon to wear over the summer, and thought it looked a bit Pride and Prejudice. Then we happened to need to go to Bath for Chris to have his computer fixed at the Apple shop; and then I think I was inspired by the bookstagrammers of Instagram to borrow a copy of Northanger Abbey. And lo and behold, we have this fashion blog photo shoot….
Adagio teas
Tea for people who don’t like tea! (And for those who do.)
October 3, 2018
When Adagio Teas asked if I’d like to work with them, I had to be honest in my reply; that I don’t actually like tea. On my trips to America, this is like saying I’m not actually British, but my main disgruntle is that I couldn’t join in with all the beautiful Instagrams of cups of tea! I do, however like fruit infusions, and the mango flavoured tea I had at the Jane Austen Centre a couple of weeks ago was very nice, so I asked if I could try their flavoured tea….
Older Posts
Newer Posts
Instagram did not return a 200.

Linking with #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed As Lamb.

bloglovin

30 Plus blogs