When I Grow Up
est. 2004
A Creative kind of Life. A blog by Helen Hobden
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Modern fairytale painting
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How to style a tutu skirt
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choosing a word to live by
Choosing a word to live by in 2018
January 12, 2018
I’ve heard of this erm…what would you call it?…A theory? A challenge? An idea? I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve heard of this thing before, where you choose a word to guide you for the coming year. It’s a word you go to if you’re stuck; not sure which decision or choice to make; to inspire you; to basically help you out when you’re not sure where to turn or what to do. I’ve previously thought this wasn’t really an idea for me – I’m too haphazard and never really know where I’m heading or what is going to be important to me in the months ahead. However, this December I took part in the Instagram challenge set by Emily Quinton at Makelight, in which she set us the task to plan our word for 2018. Surprisingly, it didn’t take me long to think of mine…
long sleeved red dress
The red Christmas party dress
December 23, 2017
Red is the colour of choice for this season anyway, so what better time of year than Christmas to embrace the fashion? I bought this red dress from the Jameela Jamil collection at Simply Be back in spring, but sadly the event I bought it for was cancelled, and I’ve been waiting for the opportune time to fetch it out of my wardrobe! Christmas is practically upon us, and I think this red dress could not be more perfect for the celebrations! Pillar-box red is a colour that suits everyone, so don’t be a wallflower in black this holiday – get out the dress you know you’ve been wanting to wear!….
blogger event advice
How to go to a blogging event as a shy introvert. My Next Blogger Network event experience
December 5, 2017
I recently went to the Next Blogger Network event in Shoreditch in London, and I’ll be honest, it’s one of the most scary things for me I’ve ever done! The week leading up to the event was spent either putting it to the back of my mind and pretending it wasn’t happening, or feeling so worried I got a massive ulcer on the inside of my cheek! However, I knew once I’d forked out the money for the train fare, I would have to go, so I went ahead and did that first so I couldn’t change my mind! In the end, I feel it was a very successful day and I’ve come away from the event feeling very proud of myself and ready to go out and find another blogging event to go to! Here’s how I managed it…..
how to make a rustic advent calendar
How to make a simple beautiful rustic advent calendar
November 27, 2017
I don’t know about you, but I’ve really struggled to find nice (and affordable) advent calendars in the shops this year. I haven’t seen any from Cadbury at all in Tescos, so I don’t know if there’s a general shift away from the chocolate advent calendar, or whether there’s just a short supply in my area. Anyway, it doesn’t matter too much to me, because I’d already planned on making a rustic pretty advent calendar for my kids. (By the way – this last point is a “blogger lie” ie. I made it last year, but was too late to write a blog post about it!) This one is pretty quick and easy to make, and is really effective….
fashion blogger over 30
How to style red velvet trousers
November 22, 2017
I’m covering two of autumn / winter 2017 fashion trends here: velvet, and red! These are actually two of my favourite things, so I was pretty chuffed to find them both together in these trousers from Joe Browns. I went very casual with this outfit, but as velvet is really a luxurious fabric, you could also style them up to be really smart. I could swap my old battered converse for a pair of heeled boots and there you have your day to night outfit sorted!….
Tarte eyeshadow palette review
A review of the Tarte Tarteist Amazonian Clay eyeshadow palette
November 14, 2017
I am constantly on the hunt for a matte eyeshadow palette, and if I see one, I will probably buy it! I honestly don’t know why they aren’t more popular, because I just cannot get on with an ordinary eye shadow! I had a little splurge on make-up a couple of years ago and talked about my issues with the No7 eyeshadows and the Maybelline eyeshadows that I bought. They simply do not look good on me and the pigmentation is rubbish. I decided it was about time I stopped faffing about with mid-range High Street make-up and actually spend some money….
photobook review
How to take control of all your photographs
November 6, 2017
About this time last year, I worked with a company called Printerpix – it’s one of those online places that print your photos on all manner of gifts as well as your standard prints. I actually had two photo books printed by them and was very pleased with the quality and ease of use of the website. My parents recently came to stay, and I produced my most recent one for them to have a look at, and Mum asked if I had seen her Italy holiday photos yet. I hadn’t; and I knew it would mean squashing up next to her while going through all her photography files on her small laptop. It got me thinking how strange it is that in a time when we are taking more photos than we ever have done before; we’re actually getting far less printed. They remain a fleeting post on Facebook or Instagram, but are rarely printed and displayed or treasured in a large and heavy book. Has our old family tradition of passing around the photo album at Christmas or after a Sunday roast been lost?….
Dorling Kindersley Fashion book review
The book you must buy if you’re interested in Fashion – the ultimate book of costume and style Published by DK Dorling Kindersley – Book review
October 30, 2017
Everything about the cover of this book is misleading, and unfortunately you will find it in bookshops with a cellophane wrapper so you may not be able to look inside. With only the word ‘Fashion’ in bold pink letters on the spine, and a modern slim-fitting dress flocked on the front, you would be forgiven for thinking this is a book about modern fashion. You’d be wrong…
mail order dog food review
Yes, this is a blog post about dog food! Natural grain-free food and treats from an online pet shop.
October 26, 2017
Loki has become the star of the show in several of my YouTube videos. He also commands attention whenever we take him anywhere; we love him to bits, but he can also be a bit embarrassing! He slobbers on everyone; bumps into them; accidentally knocks small children over and even when we meet people who are perfectly fine with all that, he will never take a treat from them. When family buy him expensive treats at Christmas, they’re lucky if they get a sniff. Even at the Pylle Happy Landings dog show, he wouldn’t take the free samples of handmade dog treats offered to him. He just isn’t interested. As a puppy we had to train him with cheap sausages and pieces of cheese – not the easiest of foodstuffs to take about with you. So when PetShop sent me a box of dog goodies to review, I didn’t hold out much hope….
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