“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” -Roald Dahl

Our lives become more magical not from purchasing luxury goods or even from overhauling our routines, but from taking time to savour all of life’s small joys and living in awe of all the wondrous things happening around us. That being said, I think there are many things we can do to live more magically. Seek out silliness. Inject delight into your day. Infuse your routine with merriment. Take time to make the world more beautiful.

Here are seven small items to keep in your handbag for creating spontaneous bursts of magic. And you could go out and buy them all right now for less than a tenner.

Bubbles
“Blowing bubbles” was one of the prompts for #radicalselflovejuly. I picked up this little bottle at an off license for 50p and have been carrying them in my purse ever since. I pull it out to blow bubbles when I’m walking down the street, sitting in the park, hanging out in a beer garden, or even just dancing in my room. It’s amazing to watch the joy that lights up people’s faces when they see bubbles floating past. The simplest magic.

Travel Candle
For making spontaneous picnics, park dates, or an afternoon drink by the canal instantly more romantic.

Confetti
For throwing in celebration, blowing into the camera, tucking into envelopes, hiding in newspapers, and leaving a glittery trail in your wake.

Sharpies
For scrawling encouraging messages on park benches, joining the conversation on the walls of bathroom stalls, writing love letters on your arms, and leaving your mark on the world.

Colourful chalk
If permanent graffiti is too rebellious for you, leave positive messages on the sidewalk to make passersby smile (I wrote this one in July) or have an impromptu drawing session with your friends.

Sparklers
For spontaneous celebrations, lighting up cupcakes, spelling your name in the dark, and waving around with absolute glee just because you can.

Googley Eyes
For pulling silly faces, defacing offensive ads, dressing up condiment bottles, giving your tattoos a humourous twist, and adding life your doodles (see Chloe Rice for lots on inspiration).

What’s your favourite way to make your life a little bit more magical?

Yours in everyday magic,

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First off, I’d like to congratulate my dear friend Taryn on winning the giveaway with Ashley Jane Illustration. She’s a new blogger and I know she’s been wanting to give her layout a refresh, so I’m sure a beautiful custom illustration will be just the thing.

Okay, confession: I’ve done almost no DIY’ing since I arrived here in England. It’s been a bit discouraging not having any of my supplies with me, as it makes every project seem really expensive to tackle. Especially when I know I’d have so many of the things I need back at home.

Attending the Renegade Craft Fair on Saturday left me really fired up to make something. I’d seen a lovely set of bunting flags made from old book pages, but I just couldn’t justify the expense when I knew I could make them quite easily. On Sunday I picked up a vintage French magazine at a flea market and that evening I got to work while watching the latest episode of Scandal.

This project probably doesn’t necessitate a how-to post and might just leave you thinking, ‘Well duh, Sarah!’ But anyway, if you’d like to make your own bunting flags you’ll need your paper of choice, scissors, a gluestick, and ribbon.

I cut a piece of scrap paper into a template. My triangles are approximately 4×6″ but you can do any size you’d like. I then cut a piece a ribbon a little bit longer than the space above my desk to allow it to drape. I cut triangles out of pages from the magazine using the template and stuck them to the back of the ribbon with the gluestick. A few pieces of washi tape to hang them and ta-da! My room is looking a little bit cuter already.

Have you made any fun projects lately? I’d love some tips for fun D.I.Ys that don’t require a bunch of specialized supplies.

Yours in craft,