Cassie is a freelance writer with a Masters degree in lifestyle
promotion studies. She loves to 'get the look for less' so regularly shares thrifty fashion posts, DIY interior design ideas and low-cost recipes on her blog.
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…
I’m sure you already know how handy upcycling is to help you save money & keep items out of landfill – but did you know it’s really beneficial for your mental health too? Here’s how to use your craft skills to revamp furniture & feel happier…
I’m not a fan of clichés BUT when it comes to decorating your home, it’s probably useful to have a few in the back of your mind before starting a task. Not only will you save lots of time & effort, but also plenty of money too! Here’s how clichés help…
After growing our own fruit & veg in our garden for the 1st time in 2020, this year I’m making plans for a kitchen garden that’ll (hopefully) provide all the fresh produce we’ll need. Here’s my monthly veggie plot update for February (with lots of snow!)
Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy immune system. Considering the health concerns posed by the pandemic, it’s a good idea to naturally boost your immunity so here some are ways to get a better nights sleep…
Even though half-term is finishing soon, many youngsters will continue to be home-schooled next week. So, if you need some ideas to keep your kids entertained and educated over the coming month, here are some activities and lessons you might want to try…
It’s less than a month until Mother’s Day on Sunday 14th March so, if you’re thinking of buying something unique or personalised for your mum from independent makers, that gives you 4 weeks to choose a handmade gift. Here are 8 of my favourite Etsy shops:
If you’ve ever said “all my money is gone by the end of the month, so how on earth am I supposed to save?” it’s because the little things all add up. Here’s why the conveniences of modern life are stopping you from saving money & what you can do about it:
If you enjoy a good book and a cuppa while soaking in a bubbly bath, today’s DIY is for you! Here’s how to build your very own bathroom storage stand using offcuts of scaffolding and upcycled broom handles to create a bath-side spot for your tea..!
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…
If you’ve set some new years resolutions or are working toward an epic goal in 2021, today’s post aims to help you achieve a happy medium with your plans that lets you be optimistic about the future while making the most of every day…
If there’s one thing I always need more of its storage, so I’ve come up with a simple DIY project to revamp old drawers to create sliding under-bed boxes on wheels. Here’s how to decoupage the inside & add upcycled handles to stow away toys, books & shoes:
Seeing as we’ve had nearly a year of mask-wearing, you’d think I would’ve already settled on a favourite face mask to suit my needs. But, as a glasses wearer, I’ve found it tough to fight the fog! Here’s what I’ve tried & some solutions for spectacles…
This time last year, we built our first veggie patch in the garden with the intention of growing our own fruit and veg. Now, in the frosty mornings of January I’m outside digging & indoors sowing. Here’s how we got on last year & our 2021 progress so far:
To make the most of the understairs cupboard I’ve transformed the door into a ‘doorganiser’ – a place to store essentials, create a weekly planner for the family & write shopping lists. Here’s how to make your own door organiser by upcycling DIY offcuts…
Winter is a dream for some cats (cosy radiators, yay) & a right pain for others (urgh wet weather). Either way, your pet may need a little extra attention during the winter months so here are some ideas for keeping your cat happy and healthy this season…
One of the things I’ve enjoyed this winter is going to virtual events. I don’t have to go out in the cold, defrost the car & drive to a venue to enjoy quality live entertainment. Here are some fab low-cost & FREE shows that are available online this month:
If the darker days of winter leave you gloomy, you’ve been having trouble sleeping or simply need some more me-time, journaling can help. It’s important to focus on self-care at this time of year and here’s how writing a diary can help with your wellbeing:
Many of us are working from home this month & although it’s tempting to wear your comfy PJs all day or even stay in bed to work on your laptop, that’s not the best way to look professional or feel motivated. Here’s how to stay cosy while working remotely:
If you’re working remotely or have got kids studying at home, you might want to DIY a desk to make home-working easier. Or you can use it as a console table to tidy up the keys, cash & post that accumulate in your entryway. Grab an old drawer & let’s DIY..!
If you want inspiration for a cosy home that can easily take you from winter into spring, Amy from Cuter Tudor has kindly allowed me to share some photos of her beautifully styled home to provide all the design inspo you need for a transitional interior…
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…
When you’ve got a spare half-hour and fancy watching something festive why not re-watch some classic Christmas TV shows?! Here’s a handy list of all the seasonal episodes of your favourite TV series & sitcoms ready for you to enjoy this December…
Beautifully decorated for Christmas with twinkling fairy lights, homemade decorations and cosy corners for curling up in, this barn is exactly where I’d like to be right now. Take a peek inside this warm & welcoming renovation to inspire your festive decor…
Welcome to my festive pallet project! I’ve DIYed a friendly freestanding snowman to adorn your lawn and the best part is that he doubles-up as a family game. I’ve teamed up with DIY website ManoMano to show you how to make this dapper snowman for yourself.
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..!
Christmas can be busy at the best of times so I’ve come up with some ways that we can use modern technology to make December easier than ever. From gift shopping to entertainment, there are so many festive things you can enjoy without lifting a finger…
For me, Christmas always evokes a feeling of nostalgia so I’ve raided my childhood toybox to decorate my Christmas tree with retro toys. Here’s how to upcycle any small plastic animals or metal cars to create festive decorations for your tree…
If you’ve decided to get a potted Christmas tree this year (that you can use next Christmas!) you may want to jazz up the pot when you bring it indoors. Here are a couple of ideas to dress up the plant pot of your real spruce tree for the festive season…
Yes! You CAN enjoy a fun & fulfilling Christmas without spending a fortune – you just need to get a bit creative with your time & money. And I’m here to help you! Here are some seasonal step-by-step guides & money-saving tips for a cracking Christmas…
If you fancy personalising your mobile phone by creating a case with a Christmasy vibe, look no further than this quick and easy star phone case project. I’ve shared a step-by-step DIY video to help you craft this cute festive-inspired case in no time…
If you’ve found yourself with free time during lockdown this year, you might be thinking of setting up a side-hustle to make extra money, or may even be planning to launch your own business. Here are some tips for getting started with your indie biz…
I think Christmas traditions are more important than ever this year, especially as many of the festive things we would usually do are cancelled. So, if you don’t already have a tradition of gifting new pyjamas on Christmas eve, why not give it a try?
Let’s face it, as soon as December hits, it’s going to be full-on Christmas mode this year. Here’s are 3 ideas to help you get organised & make space so you can enjoy a stress-free December and crack on with the festive fun..!
If you want to make a homemade Christmas gift or birthday present for your friends and family, you can easily sew this felt case for their devices or to use as a make-up pouch or pencil case. Here’s a step-by-step video to show you how…
I have many creative folk in my life so when it comes to selective a Christmas gift for those talented makers, I’ve certainly done plenty of research over the years. Here are a few ideas for festive gifts that artists, sewers and photographers will love…
I’m excited to tell you that on Sunday 15th November is the Makers Market From Home Christmas Bonanza so I’ll be doing all my Christmas shopping with indie businesses from the comfort of my own home. Here’s some of the talented Etsy makers involved…
If you’re at home this month, why not take this time to get organised and start your Christmas shopping? My gift guide focuses on activity-based presents for kids and teens. I hope you’ll find some inspiration for your own festive shopping right here…
It’s been a while since I shared any of my article writing updates with you so I thought I’d pop on a few photos so you can see what I’ve been up to, including Reclaim magazine (the Christmas issue!!) a project for Recycle Week and All Things Christmas!
I’ve created a DIY video to show you 3 no-sew ways to make a Christmas stocking without ever picking up a needle and thread! Check out how super-quick they are to make – they’ll be hanging on your fireplace in no time..!
Beautifully layered neutrals, furniture with warmth & patina, and rooms dressed for the seasons. That’s what you’ll find inside Kim Jones’ Texas home & on her blog Salvaged Living. Here’s a tour of her characterful home to inspire your own seasonal decor..
As autumn approaches, there’s nothing better than feeling cosy & comfortable in your home. Textures add to that feeling, but I tend to focus colour on the most, which is why I’m exploring how my favourite mid-century colours create a feeling of cosiness…
The clocks have gone back, the days are darker & the weather is colder. But that doesn’t mean we have to feel chilly all winter long. I’ve got some tips for staying warm at home without incurring extra heating costs…
With the clocks going back at the weekend we’ve now got to deal with darker days and the impending winter. And when there’s not as much daylight it’s not particularly good for our mental and physical health. Here are some easy ways to take care of yourself…
In today’s post, I’m admitting to some rather messy habits I have but I want to share them for good reason – I think they actually save me both time and money every day. Do you do any of these hacks or have any similar time-saving tips? Let me know!
After a long summer relaxing at home and in the garden there will no doubt be a few maintenance tasks that need doing. Some can be added to your spring cleaning list, but others would be good tackle now to keep you safe & happy over the winter months…
If you’re running a small business, it sometimes feels like social media and advertising takes up all your time – and even stops you doing the work you actually want to do! Here’s 3 ways you can grow your audience without giving up all your spare time…
Comedy, markets, theatre, workshops – there’s plenty of things you can do at home this winter. If you’re looking for ways to stay entertained from the comfort of your own home, here are a few fun ideas for enjoying your weekends and evenings…
Many of us love to decorate our homes for the seasons, and Halloween is a great excuse for a pre-Christmas celebration. I’ve pulled together some of my favourite Autumn and Halloween items to help you get spooky while supporting independent makers…
Although I already have a wardrobe full of my absolute favourite clothing (and I get excited when it’s time to pull out the jumpers and jeans for autumn!) I’ve noticed a few gaps and have found the ideal seasonal items to fill them…
Autumn has almost become a 2nd Christmas in terms of decorating, with interior designers piling up pumpkins & draping leaf garlands over fireplaces. Here’s some fall decor tips from top interiors bloggers to inspire you…
Today I’m sharing some top tips from a Picquot Ware owner on how to clean and refurbish an original teapot, along with some photos of the original range and price list…
It’s Backcare Awareness Week so I thought I would share my own experiences of pain, posture and preventative measures in today’s blog post, including the ways I’ve set up my work and sleep environments to help…
Like many special events, such as birthdays, anniversaries and hen parties, baby showers are another occasion where we have to think outside the box if we want to celebrate. Here are a few ideas to plan your at-home baby shower…
Did you know it’s International Coffee Day today?? There’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around a steaming cup of something hot, is there? Here are 4 tasty hot drink recipes to keep you cosy and warm in throughout autumn and into winter…
In honour of Recycle Week, I’m sharing my tips for enjoying tech in a sustainable way & without the hefty price-tag. Plus, I’ve upcycled & personalised a refurbished phone so I hope you’ll try out this easy DIY decal project too…
While most of our travel plans are on-hold this year it doesn’t stop you from dreaming about future trips. In fact, looking forward to a something can be beneficial to your mental health. Here’s how to make exciting plans without spending a penny…
If you’ve got a glut of tomatoes all ripening at once (yes, this is me!) here’s a delicious recipe to turn them into an autumnal spiced chutney. I’m already excited to open up a pot this winter to enjoy with my Christmas cheeseboard!
Seeing as the majority of items in my home & wardrobe are second-hand (or rescued from a skip), Recycle Week gives me a chance to shout about all the fab things you can make from unwanted furniture or waste materials – such as these fun upcycling DIYs…
We all have goals for our careers & professional lives, but how many of us have money goals too? As a big #MoneyTwitter fan, I’ve put together some ways you can plan, save and achieve your future money goals…
With many of us back in working-from-home-mode now’s the time to think about how your employer can support you, cover your expenses & help you work from home in comfort…
Our living spaces seem to get smaller during the cooler months, don’t they? I think it’s because we’re indoors more & can’t use our gardens as much if the weather is bad. Here’s some ideas to make your living room more cosy & liveable for autumn…
Through renovating my own home I’ve come to realise just how much value can be added to a property by decorating, remodelling and extending – in more ways than one…
It’s only 99 sleeps until Christmas! And you know how fast those days go. So I thought I would share a quick blog post about saving money for Christmas 2020, and how you can make some extra cash to add to the piggy bank…
Many people – freelance or otherwise – are choosing to work from home if they can. While this may minimise the impact on our physical health, our mental health could suffer – so it’s important to know how to get the support you need if you’re staying in…
I feel very lucky to be able to bring you a sneak peek of ‘Weekend Makes: Hoop Embroidery’ craft book, share this cute step-by-step beaded honey bee project AND give you the chance to win a copy of the book for yourself!
If you’ve got an old sweatshirt that you’d like to revamp for autumn, here’s a quick & easy upcycling video to show you how to give it a new lease of life with a happy slogan…
When you look around your home do you ever you feel unsettled, tired or even sad by state of the space? If you’ve got clutter in your rooms, this can have an effect on your emotional state – here’s why it happens & how you can improve it…
Hallways can be tricky spaces to decorate. Even though you only pass through them, they link all the other rooms together and the flooring needs to be hardwearing in such a hard traffic area. While working on my own hallway I pulled together some practical makeover ideas…
With children all around the country going back to school or college this week or next, I thought it would be the ideal time to dip into the psychology behind helping your teenager feel confident this term…
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