If you’ve got kids, you’ll probably agree that kids’ clothing essentials soon add up and can take a big chunk out of your budget. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a more frugal way of shopping for your youngsters…
Have you ever wondered what you can do to improve your retirement income? It may feel far away for some of us and for others it might be fast approaching. Either way, you’ll want to feel secure in your retirement and make sure you have enough money to live on, so how can you add more to your retirement fund right now..?
While more and more people every day are looking for new methods to go green at home, many start with their own kitchens. You may be surprised to learn that each kitchen is adding to the nation’s environmental damage every day and even the smallest of changes can make a significant difference. To give you a few ideas, here are four simple tips that can make your kitchen a greener and more environmentally friendly place…
For this month’s Reclaim magazine I wrote about Ercol for the mid-century modern Design Icon column. And my research led me to some surprising results…
Timeless decor items will be different for every person, but once you find them it can give a sense of comfort and permanence to your house. Plus, I’m a firm believer in ‘buy well, buy once’ so it’s a good idea not to follow interiors trends with your bigger investment pieces, such as the sofa, storage, tables etc. You can, of course change up your style over the years using soft furnishings and paint colours, but having those classic pieces as the basis for your future designs will save you money throughout your lifetime. Here’s how to figure out your style before you invest…
So you’re coming to the end of the summer and it’s time to put those tees away for another year. Just a sec… why don’t you give your t-shirts a new lease of life by upcycling them for autumn? Here are four easy ways to revamp your summer wardrobe for the new season…
If saving money was made easier, you would be much more likely to do it. So I’ve come up with some of the easiest possible ways to ensure that you save rather than spend and, if you follow these tips, your savings’ account should soon be full and you won’t have to worry about having money for those essentials that come up from time to time.
Not everybody who is enthusiastic about makeup can afford to splash out on high-end stuff, but the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to save money on your make-up collection today…
Athletic clothing & essentials aren’t only good for boosting motivation, they’re also useful for increasing mobility & comfort, on top of preventing painful injuries. That said, here are seven workout necessities every fitness enthusiast should have…
I’ve been watching a lot of inspirational & motivational YouTube videos recently so I thought I’d share my my top 5 channels on the topics of minimalism, money-saving tips and living an unconventional life…
So you’ve already got a successful side hustle. SO successful in fact, that it’s now your main hustle. You’ve given up your 9-to-5 job and are working on your business full time. Congratulations! But having an extra income stream on the side is always a good idea, so you might want to consider starting some of these on-the-side-of-your-side-hustle-slash-main-hustle projects as a back-up plan and bonus income…
Do you know what cryprocurrency is? Are you completely baffled by it, like me? If so, today’s blog post is for you because I’m sharing my research into cryptocurrency so that we can all get to know more about this new way of earning and spending money online…
Joint inflammation, bodily aches and weight gain are just a few of the conditions that yoga is scientifically-proven to improve. Sure, these concerns might be more likely to be felt by adults, but that doesn’t mean that teenagers can’t benefit from the health-boosting impact of yoga too. Here’s why your youngsters might like to give yoga a go…
The bugs in my garden have already stopped me from enjoying the space on a couple of occasions so in today’s blog post I’m sharing what attracts mosquitoes to your garden and some inexpensive steps can you take to eradicate this pest problem…
It’s finally happened! I have my very own finished home office! I’m sat at my wall-to-wall DIY desk as we speak, uploading tons of photos to this blog post and I can’t wait to show you everything in this room tour of my home office…
A painting in the woods. An installation in the field. A performance in the marquee. A class in the clearing. You’d be surprised at just how many creative happenings occur at Latitude festival. Sure, with literature, poetry, theatre, film and dance, Latitude isn’t just a music festival but did you realise quite how arty it is?? Here are just a few of the creative goings-on that I stumbled upon at this year’s festival…
I know it seems crazy to be talking about heating when the weather is like this – but it won’t always quite as delightful as it is right now! That’s why I wanted to help you plan ahead for the autumn and get most of your heating maintenance out of the way during the summer months. That way, you won’t have any surprises when the cooler weather comes around. Here’s 8 tricks to help you to reduce your heating bills…
If you’re planning a summer makeover – or to completely reinvent your look for the new school year – today’s blog post will give you some inspiration to change up your style while sticking to your budget…
If you too are excited about the 50th Anniversary of the lunar landing, today’s space-themed decor might give you inspiration to add a few space-esque touches to your own home. Here’s how I’ve added a few decor details to turn my neutral bedroom into a lunar-themed room…
If you’ve always wanted to grow your own veggies and pick fresh herbs from your back garden, I’m here to show you that it can be done in just a small space. Here’s how to grow your own herbs (and stop the weeds from making a comeback!) in a raised bed…
I’ve been going to Latitude Festival for many years now and something that has impressed me year-on-year is the eco-friendly credentials of the event. Here are just a few of the noteworthy measures that Latitude have put in place to ensure the festival is as green and sustainable as possible…
If you’ve ever struggled to make a decision today’s blog post is for you. Whether it’s something big, like deciding whether or not to take that job in another country, or something simple like what to choose from the menu (my personal struggle!) there’s a reason behind your reluctance to make a decision and newly published book The Art of Decision Making can help…
Can you guess what I did at the weekend? Yes, I hired a beach hut! But this wasn’t my first time – oh no, we’ve been hiring beach huts as a family for years. Since my childhood, in fact. But why should you hire one if you’re heading to the beach for just one day? Read on to find out….
With Latitude festival on the horizon, I’ve been following the festival’s social accounts to get the scoop on the latest performers to be added to the already-amazing line-up. Here are my pick of the newest artist additions and my tips for what not to miss at this year’s festival…
Everyone should go to London at least once in their lifetime. If the family can come along too, the more the merrier! There’s something here for everyone, with a range of activities and landmarks to enjoy. Still, the city has a reputation for being preposterously expensive in just about every way. Property, travel, and even buying a sandwich all take a considerable financial toll in the capital. In the end, most people would agree that London is simply too demanding on people’s wallets. What if there was a way to have a more affordable experience? Here are 3 affordable ways to visit London with your family…
After going to the 24 hour festival First Light last weekend and realising just how much sleep I actually do need, I’ve being doing some research into ways to sleep better. Today’s blog post contain a few of the tech-related tips that could help you to tune out and get a great night’s sleep – here’s how…
If you’re planning a party for adults (or for teens too, I guess!) why not make it a Bob Ross themed event? Think curly hair, canvases and happy little trees and you’ve got the beginnings of an epic painting party that’ll stretch your creative skills and have you giggling for hours. Here’s how to do it on a budget…
If you’ve planned a solo getaway this summer, you’ll probably feel an extra little bit of pressure to ensure that you’ve got everything prepared prior to your departure. So whilst you’re getting everything packed up and ready, check out this checklist to ensure that you aren’t missing something essential…
How much do you know about home break-ins? If you believe the cartoons, you may think that burglaries only happen at night, with a criminal sneaking around in a black mask with a swag bag! In reality, the majority of break ins happen in broad daylight. They even are committed by burglars who live nearby. Plus, despite our misconception that these crimes are well thought-out and highly planned, most homes are burgled in less than 10 minutes. That means it’s more essential than ever that you take your home security seriously with these 5 low cost (and free!) security tips.
If you’re heading off to a festival this summer, you’re probably planning your outfits already. You’ve got to look great all weekend long, while fitting all your outfits and accessories into one backpack – so what are the essential fashion items you’ll need to see you through the festival? Here are three thrifty festival outfits that’ll ensure you stay looking fresh, whatever the weather…
If you’re a keen crafter, today’s blog post is for you! Learn how to crochet a cute 3D ice cream with this step-by-step guide PLUS you could win a copy of newly published crochet book AmiguruMe Eats by Allison Hoffman. I’ve got 4 copies of the book to give away to 4 lucky winners so read on and enter the competition…
It’s been a while since I last put together a Tuesday Shoesday blog post to share the latest footwear deals with you but with summer on the horizon I knew I couldn’t wait any longer to let you know about these bargains…
Were you born in the 80s? Are you a child of the 90s? We’re you a Spice Girls fan? What am I saying… ARE you
After a lovely bank holiday weekend of sunshine and DIY, my thoughts have turned to the school holidays and the fun things you can plan if you’re heading to the capital for a day or two this summer. Here are some cool, educational (and slightly geeky) things to do…
Many people only buy wine for special occasions and celebrations but there are some surprising benefits to drinking a glass of wine. Wine is an alcoholic drink made by the process of fermentation using grapes, so it’s full of all the good stuff that grapes provide, so get ready to stock up your wine rack..!
We love our smartphones; they keep us constantly connected to friends, let us snap gorgeous pictures of the family, and feature some really cool apps. But as much as I love my phone, I loathe how much they can cost each month – especially if you’ve got multiples devices in the household. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of the techniques we’ve employed to keep our bills as low as possible whilst still enjoying all the features we love. Let’s jump in..!
Whether it’s a post-exams treat, a birthday present or a celebratory GCSE-passing gift, you’ll probably need to think outside the box the next time you’re buying a gift for a teen. The usual toys and games just aren’t going to cut it anymore, are they? Here are some ideas that you might not have already thought of:
If you’re a keen crocheter (is that the right word?) or even if you’re just starting out, this fun crocheted cactus project is for you. It’s a cute project that’ll impress friends when they spot your crocheted cactus on display on your mantelpiece. How cool would it be to be able to say ‘I made that myself’? And even cooler is that this is one houseplant that you can’t kill haha!
If you’ve been getting into a pickle with your spending in recent years, it’s not your fault. I’ve looked back at the ways we used to shop pre-internet to discover some lessons that we can use today to take control of our modern shopping habits …
If you love the look of slogan T-shirts but don’t want to be wearing the same thing as everyone else, why not make your own?
Shopping online is quickly becoming the go-to for most people. The extra convenience, paired with great prices and special offers available, makes online shopping that much more fun. Of course, there are things you can do to make sure you are shopping online the right way so that you get the best deals available – here’s what you should consider…
If you need a bed but are on a budget, why not make one yourself? Today’s blog post shows you how to build a platform bed on wheels using pallets, with step-by-step photos of the whole process. If, like me, you’re a fan of upcycling and like to build things with pallet wood, the newly published book Pallet Style by Nikkita Palmer and Billy Barker is the one for you. And the great news is that I’ve got a copy of the book to give away to one lucky winner so read on to enter..!
As the saying goes, you’re only as old as you feel — but most of us want to look young, too! More than ever before, marketers are trying to cash in on this with the global anti-ageing industry topped out at over $42 billion USD in 2018, and is expected to reach over $55 billion within the next four years. Yikes! If you’re wondering about less spendy ways to keep your skin supple and youthful, here are several ways to ensure that your health and beauty goes more than skin deep…
Have you thought about starting up your own online business? Do you have a unique idea that will appeal to others? If so, what’s holding you back? One of the most common answers is the amount of money required to create a website from the ground up. But it doesn’t have to cost a small fortune to create an online presence if you build it yourself. Here’s how…
A round-up of crafty DIY Easter decor projects and tasty treats to bake, as well as plenty of interior design inspiration…
We’re right in the middle of the school Easter holidays so, if you’re running out of ideas for keeping your teens entertained, here are four activity ideas that’ll make them feel grown-up…
The ethical shopping movement doesn’t stop at the places you buy your food and clothing; it can include your utilities and broadband service provider as well. If you’re interested in sustainable brands, here’s a list of some utilities suppliers who can help your bills become more ethical too…
Did you know that the delicious cup of hot chocolate, or your morning cup of coffee, or that glass of cranberry juice consists of copper? Do you know that some of the top chefs and healthcare professionals prefer copper pots over modern cookware? Why? Because we all need copper in our lives…
It’s the Easter holidays and for many of us that means our first trip away of the year. If you are taking a break this month, here are some ways to make your journey and holiday stress-free so that you can enjoy your hard-earned time off…
You’ve heard of IQ & emotional intelligence, but have you heard of physical intelligence? Today’s blog post is an introduction to the subject, with some helpful posture techniques to get you started…
What? Dinner in bed? Didn’t you even get up today? Actually, it’s not about laziness – in fact, eating in bed is one of the newest trends to emerge in 2019. Here’s why eating in bed has become so popular & how you can do it the thrifty way…
Settling down with a good glass of wine can be quite a treat, can’t it? Sipping on a delicious vino has encouraged many people to begin brewing their own at home, with DIY winemaking gaining in popularity over recent years. If you’re interested in taking up the challenge of making a bottle or two of wine, here are three important things you need to know before you get started…
Straight off the back of Mother’s Day, let’s chat about Father’s Day! Let’s face it, when it comes to buying your dad a gift, you probably need to think a bit more out of the box than a traditional tie. But don’t panic – Father’s Day isn’t until 16th June, so you’ve got plenty of time to make some plans. What are some affordable alternatives for Father’s Day this year? Here are 7 gift ideas for your favourite fella…
If you’ve never meditated before, you may not think that this Buddhist technique if for you. But wait – you may be surprised to discover just how many problems meditation can help with…
If you want to start a side-hustle business selling your designs and products but don’t have the premises for a physical shop, online retail could be the solution. All you need are plenty of creative and unique designs and, wait for it, no actual stock..!
Here are 3 easy projects you can DIY for Mother’s Day using upcycled items you may already have at home, including a tote bag, slogan tee and pamper hamper…
It’s the last month of the tax year and money is often a hot topic in March. I’ve got two copies of ‘Embrace Your Money Personality’ to give away to two lucky winners so read on to enter the competition below..!
Today, I’m putting an old side table to good use by upcycling it with paint, sticky vinyl and acrylic to create a multi-purpose piece of furniture that serves as both a handy coffee table AND a games table! Want to make one for yourself? Here’s the project…
I know you want to get something special for your mum this Mother’s Day, and what could be better than a handmade gift that you’ve sourced or commissioned yourself? That’s where Etsy comes in!
Have you got your hands on the latest issue of Reclaim magazine yet? It comes with a fantastic free Heritage Craft supplement and is packed full of interior design inspiration for a reclaimed home that’s as unique as you are.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to make a gorgeous ombre gradient triangle shawl. PLUS you could win a copy of JOMO Knits craft book in my giveaway so read on to enter the competition…
I can’t tell you how excited I am to share the news that Cassiefairy.com won the international award for Most Creative Art & Craft Blog 2019!
It’s all down to YOUR votes and I couldn’t have done it without you – thank you SO much for supporting me!
Mother’s Day is coming up on 31st March so I thought I’d blog some gift ideas in advance to give you time to head to the shop or put in your orders online. There’s something for all tastes and budgets in my gift guide so I hope you’ll find something that your mum will love…
If you’ve been going a little too hard while chasing your new year goals, here is some inspiration for self care, wellbeing and making positive changes to your life…
If you’re an entrepreneur setting up your own company it may be difficult to figure out what kind of marketing is going to work best for your business. Here are some reasons why content marketing could work for you…
For the entire month of February, I took on environmental charity Hubbub’s #FoodSavvy challenge to try to reduce my food waste within 4 weeks. Did you know that in Norfolk and Suffolk alone up to 113,000 TONNES of food waste goes in the bin? Here’s how you can reduce your food waste too…
If you usually set a monthly budget, special occasions may cause a dent in your finances. It can be tempting to overspend when you’re celebrating something special and Mother’s Day is no exception. Here are some thrifty tips to celebrate in style…
Winter may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to fling open all the windows yet! There may still be a few more weeks of cold days (and even colder nights) to come. But heating your home during the bitter chilly winter months shouldn’t cost your entire monthly budget and there are lots of ways you can save money on your home heating. Here are five tips to help you to maintain your radiators AND save money on heating costs while keeping your house warm and cosy…
Learn how to make this ballsy cross-stitch design for yourself with step-by-step instructions, plus you could win a copy of Feminist Cross-Stitch in my blog giveaway so read on to enter the competition…
How do you fancy joining in with the 14 Days To A Tidy Home Challenge? I thought I’d share a quick update with you to let you know how I got on with the challenge and perhaps inspire you to join in and get a jump start on your spring cleaning too. Here’s the 14 Days to a Tidy Home Challenge day-by-day to get you started:
