DIY: Lavender eye pillow

Recently I discovered the benefits of eye pillows, which has relaxing effects (I didn't even know that pillows for eyes existed!). These are used to relax after yoga, or just to fall asleep. I am really happy for mine with lavender fill (for extra relaxation). It is a very easy DIY project, which doesn't require too many ingredients or skills.

Use only the flowers and not the stems

Ingredients: 
1. Dried lavender flowers
2. Linseed
3. Some leftover fabric
4. Sewing machine, or you can also sew by hands (after all not much sewing is required for such a small pillow)
5. If you need even more aroma, you can add some lavender essential oil (for me that was't necessary)





Steps: 

1. Sew a small rectangular pillowcase (the size is up to you), leave a little opening for the filling.



























2. Mix approximately equal amount of linseed and lavender flowers and fill in the pillowcase. I rolled  a paper tube to make it easier to put the mix in the pillow.

3. Sew the opening and voila!

 
I would suggest to make a separate removable pillowcase, so that you can change them and keep them clean.

DIY: Paper flowers decoration

This weekend I was busy with arranging a confirmation/ nonfirmation party for my daughter. I spent some time working on the decorations for the party and I made a huge amount of paper flowers. Some people asked how did I make them, so here I am sharing tutorial. As you can see there are endless versions you can make.












You need: 

• paper napkins in different colours 
• scissors 
• colour papers 
• paper stapler 

1. Start with making the middle of the flower by cutting coloured paper (I chose black here, but you can choose whatever suits you).

2. Cut the napkins in a shape of flowers. It doesn't have to be perfect.

3. Layer the shaped napkins and the coloured paper (the middle of the flower).

 4. Staple in the middle

5. Now the most lengthy phase - shaping the flower. You have to detangle all the layers of the napkins one by one for a nice and fluffy flower.

6. Then just fold all the "petals".

 and voila!

Spring flower arrangement

 

New roommate

Owning over 50 lovely plants (all the herbs are not included in here) I didn't think a minute before grabbing this delicate guy. Welcome to my new roommate!

Outdoor gardens ideas

Having a garden of my own must be one of my biggest dreams. Doesn't have to be a huge thing, just a piece of land, where I could create my own little jungle and hide in it from bad people.

In the absence of this opportunity at the moment and when I am not making our apartment into a jungle, the thing I can do is to enjoy the lovely gardens all around. Here are some of the inspirational places ... 

A fantastic idea with succulents hanging from balconies in Barcelona

or having a whole garden on the balcony

 

When there are no balconies just displaying
your treasures on the outside of the window 

Or spreading poppies all over just outside like in Copenhagen

 

Look at this amazing cafe in Istanbul 

 
 

 

I think this one is quite crazy cool idea from the streets of Istanbul.
Though personally I would stick to the boots...

Plant hangers again again ...

I just couldn't keep my hands off making plant hangers. Same recipe as before, but this time with wooden beads in them. Damn satisfied! Happy Sunday!

Decorating with house plants

I tend to have too many plants in my home and I never get enough of them. I think plants give so much warmth and joy, especially when you grow them yourself and get to see every step in the process. There are many ways to have plants and flowers at home and fortunately today we have access to many different varieties of exotic plants as well as to the more of simple kind. You can use your imagination as to how display and arrange the plants and flowers, but here are some of my tips. 

Add colors to your home by adding fresh flowers and plants

Lovely red clove flowers in beautiful ceramic vases. And the clove flowers last forever! 

You can use plants as a decor on your bookshelf using colored glass vase

it doesn't have to be a funky vase

use a colorful vintage can instead of a vase

or a transparent glass vase 

Grow your own little garden

In the springtime collect branches and see how the leaves will pop out or grow your own plants. To the right: split-leaf  philodendron - one of the most grateful plants, as long as you remember to water them from time to time

If you are not exactly a green-handed person, then go for succulents and cacti - easy to care for and there are a great variety of them!

You can keep them miniature

or let them grow into bushes by gradually changing the size of pots to give more space for roots. 

Hang your plants. See the tutorial