DIY Ideas with Stirrup Irons

The majority of us will all have some old equestrian items of tack knocking around in a shed/tack room/garden that we know we should sort out but never get round to. Therefore, I've decided to feature a couple of DIY ideas starting with ways you can recycle old stirrup irons that might be hanging around waiting for a new lease of life! 

(All the images came from Pinterest)

This idea is what actually started my idea for the post! There's a house in my local town which has a stirrup iron as a door knocker, and whilst this one isn't quite a DIY that we'd all do, the one I've seen looks simple to make! I think it adds that touch of equestrian without being too over the top. You could just grab an old stirrup iron, polish it up a bit and then hang with an old stirrup leather, cut a bit shorter. I'm trying to persuade Dad to let me make one for out front door and would definitely have one when I get my own place!

I think this would look great on the edge of a mantle piece or on a floating shelf to hold together some classic equestrian books. You could maybe attach a bit of plywood to the bottom and paint in a metallic colour or something to use as a base if preferred. 

I really like this idea and I'm planning on scavenging round my yard at the weekend to find an old horse shoe to recreate this using one of my favourite photo's of pea that's currently sitting on the corner of my bookcase in a broken photo frame. It looks so simple to recreate and the rustic stirrup iron makes it look quite authentic. Keep your eyes peeled for a possible post if I get round to making this! 

This idea would be great if you have a guest bathroom or a second toilet. It looks so much better than a normal towel rack (well in my opinion anyway!) and, again, adds that bit of personalisation with the equestrian theme. (The towel's a good extra too!). 

If anyone manages this as a DIY project then I applaud you! I suppose it shouldn't technically be featured but I just love these! They are so quirky yet so simple! I would definitely think of purchasing these (or researching just how hard they are to make!). 

Do you fancy giving any of these a try? Let me know!

Thanks for reading,

Laura xx

5 Things No One Told You When You Bought A Horse

Owning a horse is great. Costly but great! It gives you something to do, you make new friends, you get into other sports, the list could go on and on. But here are five things people don't warn you about!


#1: Your body will slowly start to die on you! I'm 21 and yet my parents complain that I'm like an old woman as I constantly have a bad back, my knee will give way, my wrist is currently playing up rather badly but seeing as the last time I went to the doctors about it he told me not to ride for at least a week I don't think I'll complain too much!

6am lunging sessions

#2: If you don't work in the horse industry or you're still at school, people will think you're mental for getting up at 6am before work to sort your horse out in the dark and then try and find him again after work (again in the dark). And whilst everyone gets excited about snow - you're there absolutely detesting the idea earning a few 'spoil sport' looks as well!

#3: Weather apps are your new best friend. If anyone ever wants to know the weather - you're the best person for the job. You will become that geek that can tell people the weather forecast for the weekend when you're still only on Monday/Tuesday as well as giving an hour by hour run down!

#4: It's probably best to not look at your bank account! People always warn you that horses are costly but trust me, you never realise just how true that is! Plus there's all the extras you buy which probably aren't really needed but you can totally justify their expense/worth to any non-horsey person that asks!

3 browbands - really?!

#5: All that money that you do manage to save for things like a holiday/day trip/anything non-horsey will end up being spent on the horse when he/she kindly decides to suddenly need an emergency vet/farrier/new saddle! 

Any other things that you've discovered? Let me know!

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx

[Laura Loves] Tottie's Reborn Collection

When the Tottie video popped up on my social media feed last week to show off their new look, I fell in love! Their reborn look is fashionable, fun and affordable. Their look book has literally made me lust after every item as they make it look so good! Here are some of my favourite pieces:

Maven Tie-Dye Breeches - £69.99

Their new leg wear collection is my favourite and these are so so awesome! Not entirely sure if they would look as good on me as normally I just don't suit anything but I'm definitely going to seek them out at an event to try these on! I think they just add that bit of fun and are so unlike anything else on the market (well from what I've seen) and whilst at £70 they are more that what I normally pay (yet probably normal for everyone else), you would probably pay a lot more for this kind of design by a different company! These come in navy (pictured) or berry. 

Maven Knee Grip Breeches - £64.99

As mentioned, their leg wear is amazing! These knee grip breeches are simple for every day schooling and the white pair are perfect for competing in. The colour is lovely and would definitely brighten my riding wardrobe up which is predominately navy! I also like their tie-dye jods and joggers so worth checking them out too!

Maven Jacket - £75.99

I love that this jacket has a hood and reflective logos. I'm in search of a new riding jacket for next winter so will definitely be adding this to the possibility list! The only question will be - berry or navy?

These are my top three picks but I also love their hoodies, fleeces, and zip polos. I've always been a fan of their tweed collection as well! If you haven't already checked out the new Tottie products then I would recommend you pop along now! Their new site is so easy to navigate and view and I think it's pretty clear that I love the clothing! 

Thanks for reading,
Laura xx