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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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!
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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…
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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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Ahh it’s September. No sooner had the 1st of the month hit than my Pinterest and Instagram feeds became awash with autumnal colours and pumpkins. It’s like the whole online world was just waiting for summer to be over so that they could begin the wind-down into the cosy season. Here’s how to merge your decor from summer to autumn with the addition of just a few low cost accessories that’ll get your home ready for the changing season…
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It’s easy to add warmth & autumnal vibes to your home & today’s blog post is all about using more wood in your decor. Just imagine the rustic, cosy look you can achieve with just a few low-cost items – here are 4 ideas to help you get the look for less…
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Autumn is here, so that means it’s time to get out the kids’ winter clothing, mow the grass one final time, and fill your home with festive decor. But if you’re not quite ready to go full-on Christmas just yet, here are some easy and low-cost ways to decorate your home for autumn using things you already have…
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Did you know that on average Brits take just 26 seconds appreciating their recipes before tucking in? That’s probably how long it takes to take your plate from the kitchen to the dining table and pick up a knife and fork. Today’s blog post is all about slowing down and appreciating our meals more, including a delicious steak recipe to get you started…
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If you’re planning a party this autumn, constructing a platter is a great way to cater for your guests. There’s no need for you to be running back and forth from the kitchen and dishing up plates of food when you can lay out an enticing selection of snacks so that visitors can help themselves.
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What do autumn interiors mean to you? It’s all about the texture people! I’ve shared my tips along with some amazing bloggers including Stacey from endoftherow.co.uk, Emily from asliceofsuffolk.com, Hannah from logburnersandlaughs.co.uk and instagrammers Emma @fromacountrycottage and Sarah @slowlivinginsuffolk. Their tips and photos are really inspirational and it make me feel so cosy just reading the article!
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The good news is that your tankless water heater will work to its optimum ability if it is well maintained and taken care of. There are many things that can be done to ensure the smooth running of your water heater this autumn. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guide for the best results and here are 4 more tips to help you maintain your tankless water heater:
Read MoreIf you enjoy scrolling through Instagram or pinning inspirational interiors, you can’t have escaped the interiors trend for styling up your home for autumn. No sooner had September hit than my feed was filled with pumpkins and autumnal vibes – inspirational stuff. But those beautifully styled interiors had 4 things in common, so here’s my cheat-sheet of essential items you need to bring that autumnal feeling into your home…
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For the past few years we’ve all be striving to get that hygge feeling in our homes. But this autumn, a new scandi style is influencing our homes and lives: friluftsliv. But what does this mean? How can friluftsliv improve our living environment and make us feel happier? Read on to find out more…
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There have been some big changes in my kitchen this week and it’s made a huge difference to the feel of the room. Yes, I’ve installed some new lighting and I honestly think they are the coolest mid-century style lights you’ll ever find…
Read MoreIt’s Saturday night and it’s time to party, wooo! But just what should you wear for a glamorous night out if you don’t have a budget to spend on a new outfit each week?
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Oooh I had a lovely Sunday lunch last weekend. Can you guess what it was?? I shopped ethically and sourced some fresh, local lamb to make this delicious lamb shank recipe with sticky redcurrant gravy – here’s how to make it yourself…
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I tried out this recipe for the first time last week. I found myself with a spare afternoon and decided that it was about time that I got back into baking. I always feel more inclined to bake at this time of year, especially when using delicious festive flavours like cinnamon, maple syrup and, erm, […]
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Do you have a lovely Christmas jumper that you’ve shrunk in the wash? Did the moths nibble their way through your favourite festive pullover? Don’t bin them – you can turn your old knits into Christmas cushions! All it takes is some straight lines of stitching to make cute throw pillows to dress up your […]
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The arrival of autumn and the festive season has got me thinking about making a few tweaks to my living space to create cosy interior. So, while you’re putting up Christmas decorations all over your home, make sure you’re being sensible budget-wise about decorating your home for the holidays. You actually don’t need to spend money […]
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I don’t know about you, but at this time of year I just want to stay in bed and hibernate. In fact, I wish I was back in bed right now rather than sitting at my desk in my home office. Well, what are laptops for, if not for blogging from bed, eh?! And the […]
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Remember, remember the 5th of November. As Guy Fawkes night approaches, almost a third of Brits are preparing to celebrate with fireworks, bonfires, food and in some cases a cheeky glass of wine. Whether you are hosting friends or family, or attending a professional display, here’s what you’ll need to help your Bonfire Night party go […]
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If you’re looking for some creative ways to get your home ready for autumn/winter, today is your lucky day! I’m sharing some simple seasonal updates that can transform any room in your home. This post will look at three easy ways to update your house this autumn to keep your interiors looking and feeling both […]
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Most of us have a morning routine. A set of activities designed to get us ready for the day and maximise that precious time between our alarm sounding and us leaving the door. But how many of us have an evening routine? Those regular actions that gets our bodies and minds settled and ready for […]
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So here’s the latest photos of my guest room makeover. We’ve made a little more progress since my last guest room makeover post (where you can see all the ‘before’ and decorating photos) and finally have all our furniture back in the room. We’ve added some bedding that we already owned, some cushions I made […]
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Do you know someone who always seems to be chilly? The spouse who turns up the thermostat in the middle of summer. The family member who wears three pairs of socks, and the friend who’s never without a mug of tea. Now that the seasons are changing, you’re likely to know plenty of people who’d […]
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Heading into autumn, there are are few household tasks that you might want to check over before the cold weather comes. Home buyers sometimes only consider the financial burden they’ll be dealt with when acquiring the keys to a new home. Many of them fail to realise the investment of time and labour required to […]
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Well, it’s been a while since I shared some snaps of my home renovation so I thought it was about time I posted some more horrid ‘before’ pics and gorgeous ‘after’ photos. I actually decided to dial-down my DIY efforts during August, for fear of missing out on summer altogether! Nonetheless, I really wanted to […]
Read MoreSummer in the UK is drawing to a close and with it the warm weather and sunny days have been left behind. I’m convinced that as soon as the 1st September hit, we’ve had nothing but grey days and drizzle – it’s as if the weather knew that the calendar had flipped over to autumn. […]
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What do you think of when I say ‘carpet tiles’? Grey office buildings? School hallways? The budget option that your mum made you have in your bedroom as a teen? Well, the style of this type of sectional flooring has moved on a lot in the last decade or so, and it’s now a design […]
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Having a gorgeous garden is a huge blessing. During the summer months, you can often feel completely humbled by being able to sit out in the sunshine and enjoy the peace. But the beauty of having a garden doesn’t just end with your summer fun. There are lots that you can be doing to your […]
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Have you heard about the candle that shoppers going wild about this summer? It’s a budget version of the Jo Malone ‘Pomegranate Nioir’ scented candle and it’s available – wait for it – in Aldi. But how good can this low-cost replica really be? Of course, as a thrifty blogger, it’s down to me to […]
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Whatever the season your wedding falls into you can become a dreamy boho bride that oozes laidback charm and vintage vibes on your special day. Many feel that they have to spend a fortune on their wedding and, while you’ll probably have to invest some time and effort, you don’t have to break the bank […]
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Ever since I visited FriendsFest last year I’ve been desperate to write an interior design blog post about Monica’s apartment. One of the main attractions of FriendsFest is a tour of the iconic apartment from Friends and, as I walked around Monica’s living room, I couldn’t believe that I was really there. I sat on the sofa, I peeked into […]
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I’ve recently laid laminate flooring in two rooms of my home and I can honestly say that it was a really easy process. I thought it would take days to install but we were finished within a couple of hours. As long as you have the right equipment – a saw, knee pads and a […]
Read MoreIn terms of making an investment in technology for the long-term, Digital SLR cameras are definitely the way to go. They are able to capture moments for you in ways that your smartphone simply can’t. And (even though there are upgrades available) if you have a decent camera then you can stick with it for life.
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If you’re a full-time freelancer like me, or someone who works just one day a week out of their home office, this is the blog post for you. That’s because I’m sharing some research I’ve done about the ergonomics of setting up a home workspace and I’m sure that it’ll help you enjoy working from home even more than […]
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Hurrah! We finally have some new bedding for our new bedroom. After weeks spent stripping off wallpaper, days painting layers and layers of while emulsion to cover up bright peach walls, and even more hours spent laying beautiful laminate flooring, I think it was about time that we got a little reward for all our hard […]
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I have to admit – this week’s Pieday Friday recipe isn’t my own. My friend Sophie, who has her own blog La Vie Sophie, shared this recipe back in 2015. It seemed almost too simple, but when I tried making it for myself I was amazed at just how easy it was to make a creamy corn […]
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Hoo-gah. Honestly, that’s how you pronounce it. Lagom is slightly a tougher one… lar-gohm. If you’re already over hygge, then maybe lagom is for you. With the new year in full swing, the Scandinavian concept of ‘everything in moderation’ may be better suited to you (especially if you’re making changes to your lifestyle and diet) than […]
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What do you get for your niece and nephew when you’re the coolest aunt in the world? Why, handmade teddy bears, of course! It’s a project that has been six months in the making and now the bears are finally wrapped up and flying across the sea to reach the little ones in Ireland in […]
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Oh my goodness, it’s Christmas next weekend. How did that happen? I feel like I’m not entirely ready for it yet so want to get a move on with planning my recipes for the festive period. I shared a round-up of my previous Christmassy recipes last week (including 2 types of gingerbread, coffee shop hacks and some Christmas […]
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You know that Christmas is approaching when the coffee shops start serving their Christmas drinks. The usual selection of coffee and tea suddenly flips over to the festive menu sometime in early November. One day you’re buying your usual latte and the next day there’s a turkey and cranberry toasty on the sandwich counter and gold stars are being sprinkled on […]
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It’s that time of year again. The clocks have gone back an hour to remind us that winter is almost here and Christmas is very much around the corner. For many people, this means rushing around the shops trying to find the perfect Christmas gifts, but for others it means hosting parties and get-togethers. What […]
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Today’s blog is a quick and easy decor update that can make your home feel really autumnal in a matter of minutes. And you don’t need to spend loads of money on new soft furnishings, or hours crafting a garland, or days painting your walls to add a touch of autumn colour to your home. My […]
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I’ve never seen an autumn like it. There are so many leaves on the ground at the moment that you can’t really see the grass anymore. The colours are so vibrant and I’m sure there are more shades of orange, red, green, yellow and brown in this year’s fallen leaves than ever before. And with a garden covered […]
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Brr, it’s cold out there this morning! I’ve already loaded up the fireplace with coal and eaten a bowl of porridge to warm myself up. And we’re not even in winter yet! Ooh, it’s making me shiver just thinking about the chilly days to come. If you’re looking for ways to save money around your house, and keep […]
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If you’re already thinking about Christmas, you’ll probably be wanting to find a few extra pennies for your festive shopping. When money is already tight it can be hard to imagine how you can save anything between now and Christmas but believe me when I say it can be done! And here’s how:Earlier this week […]
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After going foraging on a blackberry walk last weekend, today’s blog post is the result of that walk. I decided to combine the blackberries with apples (cooking apples are abundant in the garden at the moment) and make a bottomless pie. What does that mean? It means that I made a blind-baked pie base and […]
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Hairstyles come and go, but one thing is certain: Hair is always going to need cutting, trimming, colouring, and styling. Now that autumn is upon us, you’ll want to try something new instead of the same old, same old. But what to try? One way to figure it out is to check out the latest […]
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Last weekend I cooked Sunday lunch for the family. But it wasn’t just any Sunday lunch, oh no. It was the ultimate autumnal stew recipe, with the flakiest beef and the tastiest gravy you’ve ever tried. And it only took 30 minutes to cook. How? I used a pressure cooker (that I was kindly gifted) […]
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You can’t open an interiors magazine or browse through Houzz without being bombarded with beautiful images of touchable textures, and I’m not just talking about soft furnishings. Yes, the texture trend has made the leap over to homewares and furniture too. My favourite of all being the textured seating that I’ve been seeing everywhere. Who wants a chair made of string? […]
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When I first heard about the #FloorSelfie challenge, I found myself getting a little excited. Not only do I love a good photo challenge, but I also love shoes, and taking photos of my feet for a week sounded like great fun. No need for any special equipment to get involved with this challenge; I […]
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I can’t believe that it’s been a whole week since this book launched and I’m only now telling you about it. I’ve had my eyes on it for weeks and have been eagerly awaiting it’s release. Teaser tweets and Instagram posts by Max have got my excitement for this book bubbling up to a dangerous […]
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Today’s blog post is a super-fast DIY project to add a little personality to an off-the-peg high street top. Yes, I’m doing a Primark hack, and I don’t care who knows it! It’s such a quick project that I did it just half an hour before heading out to a party wearing the top. AND […]
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Blazing red sunsets, rainbow skies, dark silhouettes and pastel hues. All of these beautiful elements combine to make one of the most stunning features of the evening sky – the sunset. If you’ve never watched the sun setting over rolling countryside, perhaps this summer is the time to do it. It’s a really special moment when you […]
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If you like buses, trams, motor bikes, old trucks and fire engines (or lawnmowers, for that matter) this is the museum for you. I’ve always enjoyed travelling by bus, so why wouldn’t I want to go to a museum full of them, eh? It’s packed full of vintage vehicles and, while it looks unassuming from the outside, […]
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Pudding is my favourite treat. It can be any pudding – hot cold, crumble or cake. Whatever it is, a pudding turns my dinner from ‘mmm nice’ to ‘yaaay!’ I think that’s probably because I don’t tend to have a pudding most of the time, which means that ending my dinner with a dessert is […]
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What better way to start your weekend than with a HUGE breakfast freakshake? It’ll certainly give you that FriYAY feeling! With rich homemade caramel sauce, creamy vanilla ice cream, delicious chilled cappuccino, crisp waffles, indulgent mini-donuts and oodles of chocolate, it’s a belly-busting way to start your day. Sure, it’s not a recipe for every day […]
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I wasn’t sure what to call this recipe when I rusted it up for the family earlier this week. As we tucked into our Mediterranean dish – and mopped up the tomato sauce with our homemade garlic bread – some recipe name suggestions were thrown about. We couldn’t decide if it was Spanish, Italian or something else, […]
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Today’s Pieday Friday is something that I cooked up this week after being inspired by my cat’s food. No wait, don’t go – I know that sounds icky but I can explain! It’s still a human recipe, made with real people food, and it’s definitely a delicious and nutritious meal. The only difference is that I […]
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Autumn and winter are not just difficult times for us human, with dropping temperatures, sniffles and dark days, our pets sometimes suffer more in the winter too so today I’ve put together a little blog post about taking care of your furry friends this season. Of course, I want my cats Cookie and Muffin to […]
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With the Autumn/Winter season in full swing, I thought that today would be a good time to share a menswear styling post with you. As you know, I’m a rather thrifty girl and I like to come up with ways to style my clothing to create many different looks from just one special piece. I believe […]
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This week the weather started to feel decidedly autumnal. We’ve had a couple of very cold mornings – I can’t quite say frosty… yet! – and the leaves have been dropping in the garden. I’ve been craving more hot meals and, in particular, soups at lunchtime. We cooked up a tasty chicken soup last week using the […]
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In the summer I work in my caravan. I spend hours in that little tin box, writing, sewing and drinking tea. The birds are singing and a cool breeze is blowing through the open windows. I love every minute of it and I can’t wait for the start of ‘caravan season’. In the meantime – […]
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As you may have already spotted from my photos on Instagram, I grew a few squashes in my new veggie patch this year and that meant that I had plenty to play around with for Halloween. Now that the spooky season is over, I want to put my squashes to good use, so I’ve come […]
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I loved bourbon biscuits as a child but I’ve realised that I haven’t eaten one for about 5 years now! I don’t know why, I just don’t really buy biscuits and if I’m going to have a naughty treat I’ll probably choose a slice of cake, haha! So when I read a recipe for making bourbon biscuits […]
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