If you want to treat a friend or family member this Easter but know that chocolate isn’t their thing, here are some alternative gifts you could choose that are eggs-actly the same size and shape as an Easter egg…
If your children have already been given enough chocolate for Easter, maybe they would prefer a few non-sweet treats? These Easter-inspired gifts are ideal for keeping kids entertained during the school holidays and can teach them a little something too..
The thing that usually puts me off baking my own cakes and desserts is the cost of the ingredients – which is precisely why I’ve decided to put my thriftiness to the test and try to make the cheapest ever chocolate cheesecake…
It’s Chocolate Week, hurrah! From 15th – 21st October the UK is celebrating all things chocolate, so I thought I would share 5 of my favourite chocolate recipes this week so that you can cook up something delicious and join in with Chocolate Week!
Can anything beat chocolate cake for dessert when you’re planning a celebration? Gooey, rich and sooo moist, this extreme chocolate cake recipe makes a fantastic birthday cake. The silky chocolate icing and the chocolate flakes on the top give it an irresistible appearance. Simply pop a few candles on the
With Easter fast approaching, my thoughts have turned to chocolate eggs and rabbit-shaped iced biscuits. I love making marshmallow ‘nests’ with my niece and nephew, and an Easter cheesecake is a must in our household. But this year, I thought I’d consider some Easter gifts that are more than just
A slightly different take on the classic festive gingerbread man, this cookie dough contains cocoa powder so it produces a dark, crisp biscuit. When cut out with a gingerbread cutter they’re the perfect shape for icing a skeleton design for Halloween.
What better way to serve ice-cream and chocolate sauce than in freshly baked cookie cups, eh? I don’t know where I conjured up this idea from in my mind but when my family recently popped round for an impromptu meal, the cookie cups were something I really wanted to try out.
It’s the 1st of March and I’m ready for Easter. Bring it on. There’s none of that lets-wait-until-April business this year. Easter falls on the last weekend of the month (I should know, my bestie is getting married that weekend!) so as soon as Valentine’s Day passed I was already preparing
What better time to celebrate your best friends than on Galentine’s Day? Yes, that’s right, I said GALentine’s Day. If you’ve not heard of it yet, it’s simply putting a name to what we’ve all being doing for years; celebrating our friends. I’ve seen so many more Galentine’s-related treats being
I’ve read a few recipes and even seen a few videos on making microwave meringues and, after watching Nadiya win the Great British Bake Off with microwave marshmallow royal icing, I decided that a short-cut is never a bad thing, and wanted to give microwave meringues it a try. Plus,
Today is Cassiefairy.com’s 4th birthday! I can’t believe I’ve had four whole years of happy blogging already and this little blog kick-started a whole new career as a writer for me so I couldn’t let the birthday pass unmarked. So I divided to push back my usual Pieday Friday cookery
Yes, I’ve been baking again – What, two recipe posts in one week? I hear you cry – but for two good reasons. Firstly, it is National Afternoon Tea week and I couldn’t let a celebration like this pass me by without baking some cookies to dunk in my cuppa,
Have you been watching the World Cup this week? Wasn’t it a shocker when defending champions Spain were knocked out after only two matches? I’ve been soaking up the atmosphere during the football games and have enjoyed watching both of England’s matches: the first game we stayed up late with
Today I have reached an unexpected milestone. My thrifty little lifestyle blog is three years old! I didn’t realise that this anniversary was approaching and although I’d started thinking about what I might to do celebrate my 1000th post (coming up in April) I didn’t really think about the length
Did you know it’s National Chocolate Week? I had no idea until my friend Jenna gave me a heads-up yesterday afternoon. Are you telling me that I could have been legitimately scoffing chocolate all week, and I didn’t know about it? I guess I’ve got a lot of choccie-eating to make up
It’s Pieday Friday and here’s another yummy cupcake recipe that you can prepare in advance, ready for your Halloween parties or just for a tasty treat at any time. I love the combination of chocolate and orange – I don’t know why, but I’m really not a fan of chocolate sponge
This week’s recipe was inspired by one of the gifts that my husband and I received for our 10th wedding anniversary. Ten years is traditionally “tin” so we received quite a few items made from tin (lovely cake and biscuit tins, metal jug and even a wall clock!) and we
Now that the sun has finally come out, it’s time to do away with hot puddings and start making yummy chilled desserts instead, so this week I have made a tasty chocolate cheesecake that I think you’ll adore. It’s great to be able to make this cheesecake ahead of time
Recently I had a pal coming round for dinner and realised that I didn’t have anything sorted for pudding – there was no ice cream in the fridge, no custard in the cupboard and I’d definitely not baked a cake. So I rummaged around in the kitchen and basically threw
Hot chocolate is one of my favourite hot drinks during the festive season and I wanted to share a couple of photos and the methods for making these gorgeously Christmassy hot chocolates drinks. Make up a mug of hot chocolate according to the packet instructions and stir in the following ingredients to
I’ve tried out layering a couple of polishes in the same tone to create a deep chocolate nail colour and wear a different effect on each hand. The left hand has 2 layers of a gorgeous glossy Ted Baker medium brown shade, which brushed on perfectly and didn’t feel too
My fairy-friend Aimee introduced me to making this pretty cake-batter fudge with pockets of yummy white chocolate. I gave it a go, and wasn’t disappointed, apart from by the fact that I couldn’t possibly eat it all at once because it was just too sweet! Here’s the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction
I have tried out something a little different this week. Almond milk was on special offer in my local supermarket and I’ve always fancied trying it but having never tasted it before I was unsure whether the taste would be too weird for me. Luckily, it’s a lovely sweet taste
From the little treats that brighten your day to the big comforts worth investing in, let’s chat about where to splurge, when to save and how to make everyday life feel just a little more special with some affordable luxuries…
With the first school half-term of the year approaching, I thought it would be helpful to put together a guide to fun activities you can enjoy together as a family, including some experiences I’ve enjoyed myself…
Christmas is coming, so let’s not stress: Here are fifty things you can do between now and the 25th of December to help you spread the chores, have more fun and cut the cost of Christmas this year…
Heading off to university is an exciting time; however, the transition from home to halls can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you (or the student in your life) enjoy a stress-free move, with finances, food and fun all sorted…
If there’s a birthday, anniversary or celebration coming up and you want to give that special someone a gift that’s not only ideal for them but is also a frugal option, here’s how sending a selection of treats is the ideal solution…
When you raise a glass to celebrate during the summer months, what does your cocktail of choice say about you? Here’s how to make some of the most famous cocktails in the world, along with some insights into your personality that each drink offers…
If you want to get a gorgeous gift for your Dad this Father’s Day, why not choose a delicious foodie treat? Here are five ideas that’ll tempt his tastebuds and feel like a truly personal present, from chocs and snacks to delicious drinks…
If the lovely weather has got you yearning for some garden-based fun with your friends or family, here are some ideas to help you plan the perfect games day and save some money at the same time…
If you’re looking for fun ideas of crafts to do and sweet treats to bake over the long Easter bank holiday weekend, here’s a round-up of top activities, creative makes and yummy bakes to try with your family…
Whatever your Mother’s style – fashionista, gardener, homebird, foodie or nature lover – it’s easy to find a special treat for her at a great price. Check out these gorgeous gift ideas for your mum and get your hands on them in time for Mother’s Day…
Once you’ve chosen to share your life with your partner, it’s time to consider how you wish to propose. I’m sharing some tips in advance of Valentine’s Day to help you get prepared…
If you’re planning to give your partner a treat this Valentine’s Day, I’ve come up with some thrifty ideas and thoughtful gifts that will make them feel very special. Here are some frugal treats you can enjoy together…
The quest for healthy glowing skin is something most of us can relate to. Fortunately, achieving a flawless complexion doesn’t have to involve a barrage of expensive beauty products or complicated techniques. Here are some simple tips that’ll brighten your skin and help you minimise your makeup…
If you’ve got little ones in your household, why not make them an advent calendar that encourages them to read a festive story each night? Here’s an idea to DIY your own book advent for the 12 days of Christmas…
I always feel more excited about baking at this time of year and I love to incorporate delicious festive spice flavours like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Here are some delicious recipes to add a little spice to your seasonal bakes and makes…
If you’re planning a festive gathering this year, whether with family, friends or colleagues, here are some of the Christmas party essentials you might need to celebrate the season in style!
It’s the start of November and that can only mean one thing – time to start your Christmas shopping! It helps you to make considered purchases and to spread the cost so here are my top picks for gifts for adults this year…
It may seem impossible to become an author but with all the publishing options available these days, it’s certainly possible if you want to fulfil your dream. You just need to begin your side hustle and here are some ideas to get you started…
When you’ve chosen a movie on a Sunday afternoon and fancy some popcorn but have no ready-made or microwave packs in the house, here’s a recipe you can follow to make your own tasty treats for your at-home screening…
If you want to spread the cost of Christmas, it’s exactly three months away so now is the perfect time to start shopping so that you don’t end up with credit card bills in January. Who’s with me..?
With the evenings drawing in and the weather taking a turn, all those outdoor meet-ups or after-work beer garden gatherings are off the cards. Here are some alternative ideas for activities you can do with friends during those autumn evenings…
Did you know that there’s a National Boyfriend Day? It’s on the 3rd of October and it’s the perfect opportunity to give your loved one a treat and let them know how much you appreciate them. Here are some ideas for every budget…
While I love to give Easter eggs to my loved ones over the bank holiday weekend, I also enjoy the opportunity to do something a little different. That’s why I’ve come up with some alternative Easter gift ideas for kids and adults this year…
If January has ran away with you and all of a sudden Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, don’t worry – here are some romantic gift ideas and experiences that you can still order today and receive in time for Valentine’s…
It can sometimes be tricky to find Christmas gifts for adults and teens that they’ll enjoy all year round. But look no further for some festive inspiration – perhaps you’ll find the ideal present in this gift guide…
Although there’s plenty of spooky fun to be had at this time of year, I thought it would be handy to suggest some alternative activities that kids can enjoy during the rest of the school half-term holiday…
If you’ve got teenagers in your family or just want to treat your friends, I’ve come up with this guide to Easter gifts that adults and high-school age youngsters will love.
It’s so lovely to escape for a short break every once in a while, but just what is it that makes a holiday home feel so relaxing? And how can you DIY that look and feel in your own house? Here are some tips to achieve that getaway vibe on
If you’re planning a Christmas gathering at home and want to make your garden look just as inviting as your interior, here are a few ideas for decorating your garden with fairy lights to create cosy ambience and festive feel…
A home filled with rich colours, creative upcycling projects and plenty of glinting gold touches. Take a tour around ‘Hardcastle Towers’ to be inspired by this unique interior and learn some of interiors writer and Instagrammer Joanne’s tips for creating a cosy home this autumn.
When you want to treat the family to a tasty dessert but have a budget to stick to, these 5 recipes are easy to make and are super-low cost…
Whether you’re heading to a wedding, looking for the ideal birthday gift or simply want to show a friend how much you care, a gift hamper is always a winner. It’s a thrifty way to treat that special someone AND it can be customised to suit their interests. Here’s how
With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations only a month away, many of us are making plans to celebrate with our friends, family and neighbours over the the bank holiday weekend. Here are some ideas for organising a decadant garden party on a budget…
Rather than filling your kids with chocolate eggs (let’s face it, they’ll be getting loads from aunts, uncles and grandparents anyway!) how about getting them a different kind of Easter gift this year?
With Mother’s Day fast approaching at the end of March, now is the perfect time to start shopping for something special for your mum. My approach is always to find a non-physical gift that can be enjoyed over a prolonged period so here are some present ideas that do just
If there’s one way to anyone’s heart, it’s through food. Valentine’s food gifts are guaranteed to get the heart of your Valentine racing – if only because these delicacies are positively mouth-watering! Here are five indulgent foodie gifts I would personally love to receive and I’m sure your partner will,
Not just an early gift, Christmas Eve boxes are a combination of treats, presents and entertainment – so what should you include in one? Here are five essentials you’ll need to create the ultimate Christmas Eve box…
Seeing as it’s only 15 weeks until Christmas, I thought I would share some super-easy ways to start putting money aside now, so that you’ll be much more prepared when December rolls around…
2021 marks the 10th Anniversary of the My Thrifty Life blog and I’m excited to tell you what celebrations I’m planning and how you can get involved..!
Did you know that Father’s Day is on Sunday 20th June this year? That means you’ve got a couple of weeks to find a lovely gift, tasty treat or fun experience for your dad to enjoy. I’ve come up with all kinds of ideas to suit a variety of your
After doing a LOT of research into the ingredients in beauty products I’ve recently switched over to some wonderful natural skincare & cosmetics brands so I thought I’d share my findings with you. Here are some of my favourite organic & vegan products…
With Easter approaching on 4th April, how about treating your little ones to something more exciting (and healthy!) than chocolate? Here’s my guide to more sustainable Easter gifts that’ll keep kids entertained during the school holidays too…
As we can’t visit our mums on Mother’s Day this year, I’ve had a think about some alternative ways to celebrate on Sunday 14th March. I’ve come up with some lovely letterbox gifts so that your mum can still open her present with you via video call…
Whether you’re celebrating together or apart, Valentine’s Day will certainly be different this year. Here are some ideas for long-distance dates and romantic at-home activities you can enjoy ‘virtually’ during lockdown in February 2021…
Last year I discovered just how handy those empty tubs of chocolate can be after Christmas, especially if you have lots of fairy lights to put away like we do. They’re fab storage for LED lights & decorations & all it takes is a little bit of adjusting…
December is usually full of festive events, pantos & Christmas light switch-ons but this year I’ve found some are some fabulously festive entertainment you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home while supporting performers & local theatres – enjoy..!
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