Blimey it’s been hot, hasn’t it? With more scorching days predicted throughout the summer, I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips on how to survive the soaring temperatures, day and night…
In the summer, it’s all about getting kids excited about being outdoors. If you can encourage them into the garden they can learn about nature, be more active and get some fresh air. Here are 3 outdoor activities for kids + some rainy-day ideas too…
The school summer holidays are nearly upon us so it won’t be long before those chants of ‘I’m booooored!’ become a regular occurrence. So, if you want to entertain your youngsters during the school holidays but don’t want to spend all your savings on costly days out, here are three places you can go where you’ll find low-cost (AND FREE!) activities for kids…
Garlands, jewellery, party decorations, blankets, fashion accessories, gift wrapping, homewares. There are so many things you can make with a humble pom-pom. Did you ever make pom-poms as a kid? Whether you’re a seasoned pom-pom maker or a total newbie today’s blog post will show you how to create a use pom-poms to decorate your home and wardrobe…
If you’re heading to a festival this summer and are wondering what to wear, you’ve come to the right place! Today I’m showcasing the colourful outfits of the creative folk at Latitude festival to give you some inspiration for your own festival looks so read on to find out what to add to your backpack…
If you’re a pet owner, it’s likely that your dog or cat will be present at your summer BBQ. But is it safe for them to attend your event, or to nibble on something cooked on the BBQ? If you’re considering firing up the grill today to celebrate the World Cup, here’s how to look after your pets today and throughout BBQ season…
The average Brit spends £345 per year on their garden, however you don’t have to spend a small fortune to add colour and vibrancy to your garden this summer! Here’s how…
If you’re planning to entertain in your garden this summer, why not upcycle an old trolley into a handy bar cart or BBQ caddy – here’s how I created my garden trolley…
If you’ve got an old chair that you want to re-cover but just can’t find the fabric you want, how about printing your own? I’ve used iron-on transfers and added applique felt leaves to make my own unique tropical fabric design. Here’s how I did it…
My two little bundles of fluff, Cookie and Muffin, have got themselves quite a profile these days. Not only are they the real stars of my blog (let’s be honest) but they’re actually getting more features than I am these days – here are some of the publications that have made them famous…
For many women, colour in an outfit can be a scary prospect. But with summer around the corner, it’s time to brighten up your wardrobe. With these handy tips it won’t be long before you feel confident finding the colours that you love wearing, all without costing a fortune…
If you’re planning a holiday or a day out at the beach this summer, there are a few essentials you’ll need to make the day as comfortable (and fun!) as possible…
Ahh isn’t it nice when the sun shines? Don’t you just want to sit out in the garden and watch the world go by? Here are some ideas for making your own bench (using pallets – a big win for upcycling!) and finding lovely garden furniture if you’re on a budget…
Hosting a big outdoor party is what summer is all about for many people and I can’t wait to get into the garden this year. Here are 5 easy ideas to help you plan a fun outdoor party…
When space is tight and you don’t have room for a dressing table in your bedroom, how about turning an alcove or cupboard into a built-in vanity space? Here’s how my finished fitted DIY dressing table project turned out…
A wedding cake is an important part of a traditional wedding reception, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune on something you’re going to eat! Here’s how to find a low-cost cake for your celebration…
Ever fancied printing your own designs onto fabric? Well, that’s exactly what I did for my latest project in Reloved magazine (with a little help from UnrulyPrint!)- here’s how I got on…
You may have noticed from my recent blog posts that I’ve been getting back into the kitchen over the past few weeks. I’m actually planning to renovate my kitchen in January, as we haven’t done anything much with it since we moved in. But in the meantime I’ve been using some new gadgets to help […]
Britain’s creatives reveal their private garden sanctuaries in newly released book The Secret Gardeners. This beautifully presented book is packed full of stunning photographs, and gives us an insight into how famous folk live. I’ve already blogged about GBBO judge Prue Leith’s garden last week, and today I’m giving you a peek into designer Cath […]
Remember I said that we’ve put our house DIYing efforts on hold during August (apart from decorating our guest room, of course) so that we could enjoy the summer? Well, it turns out that the extra time we had gained by not filling, sanding or painting allowed us to do a little work on the […]
When the sun is shining and the barbeque is sizzling, what better way is there to round off a tasty al fresco meal than with a helping of fresh fruit and some delicious dipping sauces? I’ve been enjoying a lot of outdoor meals with my friends and family over the summer and you just can’t […]
There’s no better reason to make summer your favourite season than the opportunity to hit the beach. With the heat ramping up as the summer season goes on, it’s only right that you get outdoors and start enjoying the sunshine. If you live close to the beach, you can make it part of your daily […]
I love having a garden – not that I’ve done much with it yet – but at least the potential is there. In my previous home, the garden became an extra room of the house, with a patio ‘dining room’ and a kitchen garden veggie plot. So, for me, a well-maintained garden is an essential […]
Have you seen this month’s issue of Reloved Magazine yet? If not, quickly get yourself a copy from WH Smith, Sainsburys, Tesco or Costco, because my picnic project is in the magazine with an impressive double-page spread (and 3 further pages of step-by-step photos, too!) Yes, I’m seriously excited! Not one but three of my DIY upcycles were […]
After about 5 months of decorating on-and-off whenever we had the time (and, most importantly, whenever we had the money!) the bedroom is finally finished. Of course, I use the word ‘finished’ lightly because there are still more things I want to add to the bedroom, such as and a dressing table. But for now, […]
Hi guys, I’m back in my home office today after a thrilling weekend at Latitude Festival here in Suffolk and, now that I’ve finally got back into the swing of everyday life, I figured that now would be a good time to share my photos of the event with you. It was a jam-packed weekend […]
More and more people are turning to their own ingenuity to feed themselves without the need to rely on supermarkets. Organic fruit and vegetables are becoming ever-more expensive in stores because, unlike their chemically enhanced contemporaries, it’s more difficult for farmers to grow them naturally. Not only does it take hard work, it also takes […]
When we head off on holiday, one of the things we hope for is to return with a great tan. After all, we can’t wait to get back and show everyone our summer glow. And it can make all those cute summer dresses look extra fabulous. But getting a safe tan is harder than it […]
Finally, summer is here and the evenings are warm enough to enjoy your meals outside in the fresh air. Whether you’re a BBQ queen, or prefer to simply take your dinner plate out from the kitchen, there’s nothing like sitting down with family and friends outside, and enjoying your food together (aside from the insects, […]
Attention fellas! It’s that time of year again when you might be considering pulling on a pair of shorts and showing off your footballers legs to the world. But wait a sec before you get your pins out. What shoes are you going to wear with those shorts? Are office shoes going to look right […]
Can you believe this heat? I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything like it in the UK before. It’s meant that I’ve been to the coast pretty-much every day this week, just to cool off with the sea breeze. It’s got me thinking about summer holidays, so I thought I’d share a post about the […]
When the sun is shining, and the house is getting unbearably hot (and I’m scoffing Twister ice lollies just to keep cool) I take a look at my cats and feel sorry for them. Okay, I know they’re supposed to have fur but blimey they look really fluffy right now.And seeing as shedding season for […]
Every relationship is unique, so shouldn’t every wedding be the same? Lately there is a trend amongst couples to have themed weddings that truly reflect their personalities or shared interests, such as Harry Potter or Star Wars themed weddings. These ideas are fun, but what if you’re on a budget? No worries; even one unique […]
We all want beautiful gardens, don’t we? It’s so lovely to take a walk in our garden during the summer and smell the freshly bloomed plants that we started growing. And surely sitting back and relaxing in a deck chair, soaking up in sun in our tranquil space has got to be the ultimate garden goal. […]
Out of all the places in our home, the garden is probably the most easily forgotten area, especially during the colder months. Sure, we might hire a gardener or we might drag ourselves out there in order to get some work done, but it’s easy to forget about the garden and, sooner or later, it’ll […]
Once we are settled into a home, it’s easy to let standards slip a little. When you first move in, you focus intensely on every little detail, from the shade of paint you use on your walls to the brand of small kitchen appliances. But the longer you spend in your home, the more you […]
Not quite as green fingered as you would like to be? Creating a fantastic garden is as much about experience and experimenting with plants, as it is about skill and in-depth plant knowledge. I’ve teamed up with Rattan Direct to bring you this list of 10 easy to grow and easy-to-care-for plants, so you can […]
Whilst the idea of growing your own vegetables sounds fun and is a great money-saving idea, many people think they just wouldn’t have enough time to tend to their veggie patch. Sure, it can mean spending a lot of time in the garden, but don’t give up – when the sun is shining and the breeze keeping you cool, there’s […]
Summer is on its way and us Brits love to get outside as much as possible as soon as we see the sun coming out from behind the clouds. This very weekend I went for a walk along the promenade as soon as the drizzle stopped. I’m really excited about the upcoming bank holiday too and hope […]
It’ll probably come as no surprise to you when I say that weddings are expensive. If you are planning to get legally married in the UK in a church for example, you can’t do it for less £456 (and that’s if you’re getting married in your home parish). That’s still quite a chunk just to […]
More fabulous news from Cassiefairy HQ, my latest makeover project has just been featured in Reloved magazine. I hoped that the project would be used when I sent over the photographs of my Lloyd Loom chairs and was absolutely delighted when I spotted a little pic of them on the front page of the magazine! I […]
This little run of bank holiday weekends has got me thinking about the summer holidays – has it been the same for you too? If so, I thought I’d share a little staycation inspiration with you this week! I’d love to help you enjoy a holiday in your own home – after all, that’s what […]
Weddings are beautiful, special, romantic and joyous occasions that publicly celebrate a couple’s love. However, while everything is about the two of you, you’re also the lead hosts of a lavish event. All your loved ones have been invited and this leads to certain expectations. I’ve already blogged about which wedding traditions you could do without, […]
One of the most important days of your life is your wedding day. It’s just one day of celebration, yet we spend more money on this than many of us earn in a whole year. A few short hours costing thousands seems a little excessive. So is there a way to maximise the experience while […]
Weddings are traditionally quite formal affairs in which strict protocols need to be followed. People wear certain things, it happens in a particular place, and there are traditions that must be upheld. Of course, some of parts of wedding must happen, otherwise the marriage wouldn’t be legal, but we have recently seen a move towards more […]
Did you spot my blog post about my new flooring last week? The eagle-eyed of you might have noticed that the finishing touch to my new bedroom floor was a lovely tall skirting board. While it may only be a small element of the room, the whole space would have looked completely unfinished without it. Just look at […]
Put the word ‘wedding’ in front of anything and suddenly the cost goes up. It’s insane to think how much the average wedding costs. In the days when I got married 14 years ago, there wasn’t half the choice there is now. Then again, the services that were available didn’t cost half as much as […]
I think you can probably guess from my recipe posts this year that I’m getting into juicing. I’d love to say that it’s because I’ve decided to live a more healthy lifestyle and want to reinvigorate my body, but that’s not really the reason. It’s as simple as ‘I don’t like fruit’. Sure, berries and dried […]
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 […]
I’ve made my first ever neon sign. It’s going to take pride of place in my office in a few months time but I couldn’t wait for all the decorating to be done before showing you the project. It took just a couple of hours, a can of bright pink spray paint and a length of […]
It’s all about the juicing this year. Or at least it is in my household because we’ve got a new juicer! As someone who has never tried combinations of juice before (seriously, orange juice is as adventurous as it got!) I’ve been really intrigued to start reading up on juicing and looking into recipes. There are […]
When your pal is expecting her baby it’s a joyous occasion that you may wish to celebrate. Gathering all her friends around for a lovely afternoon tea party is a lovely way to celebrate your friend, and can even be used to reveal the gender of the baby. It’s basically a much calmer, daytime version […]
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 […]
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, […]
I’m spotting them everywhere. In gardens, on Pinterest and even at Latitude festival. Yes, painted sheds are ‘all the rage’ these days and it’s a trend that is certainly here to stay. No longer do sheds have to be a boring brown or blend-in-with-the-bushes green, especially now that there are so many garden paint colours […]
As you may remember, I’ve been asking some of my favourite bloggers to help me out with some guest posts this summer so that I can take a little time off. Luckily my pals didn’t let me down and emailed over a huge variety of inspirational blog posts for me to share during August. Here’s […]
Today’s recipe is ideal for this time of year. It’s a picnic dish that can be taken out on bike rides or to the beach during the summer holidays and each mouthful is a tasty combination of Mediterranean flavours. My picnic roll recipe is a handy option because it packs all the filling inside crusty […]
Whether you’re planning a wedding or like the idea of having a fancy birthday party, I think that a vintage theme is perfect for summer events. When I visited the Glemham Hall vintage wedding fair I was struck by how many of the decorating ideas would work perfectly well for a garden party or a […]
If you have to go camping, it might as well be in one of these. I hereby admit that I am a bell tent fan. I feel like I’ve been spotting them everywhere I go and it’s only making me covet them more and more. Yes, glamping is certainly a holiday I can get on-board […]
Today’s post is a fantastic original recipe by Omo and Eulanda from award-winning travel and food blog Hey Dip Your Toes In. I first met these guys at the UK Blog Awards, where they scooped the award for Best Food & Drink blog, and they have very kindly agreed to share a guest post with […]
I’m taking glamping to the next level. Yes, I’m talking about camping indoors. Okay, maybe this playden for the little ones isn’t quite waterproof, so it’s not really festival-friendly. And it’s more a playhouse than a stayhouse. Even so, it’s something that my nephew really wanted – his very own campervan, just like daddy. One sunny […]
How are you enjoying the school summer holidays so far? We’ve already enjoyed a few days of sunshine and got stuck into our favourite outdoor activities, such as swimming, walking and going on bike rides. I think that the school holidays is a great time of year for the whole family to make a change […]
Sunday is the one day of the week when you don’t necessarily have to be up early, you’ve got nowhere to be rushing off to and you can take your time chilling out at home all morning long. For me, it’s my brunch day. I eat pretty much the same thing for breakfast every other day […]
I’m getting ready for BBQ season with this week’s Pieday Friday recipe. Yes, I’m making homemade coleslaw, which we all know is the best type of coleslaw in the world. Sure, you can spend ££s on luxury coleslaw if you really want to, but nothing beats the fresh, zesty crunch of a homemade ‘slaw. Use […]
After waiting all year for the summer holidays to arrive, it’s unfortunate when the weather forecast looks gloomy. Even though we’ve been having lovely sunny days here recently, it’s almost inevitable that a couple of days will be drizzly during the long summer break. So what can you do with the kids when they’re stuck […]
With more sunny days than not in recent weeks, my thoughts have turned to summer holidays. While I’m not actually planning to jet off anywhere luxurious for a beach holiday, I DO want to inject a little holiday fun into my life. But how can I do it when I’m having a staycation, I hear you […]
In the run up to the summer holidays is when I start to notice what needs doing around the house. I realise that spring has passed me by in a whirlwind of work, and with it the notion of ‘spring cleaning’ has wafted off into the distance. Those windows never did get cleaned and that […]
If you’re keen to get out and enjoy the sunshine this summer, I’ve come up with a list of days out and fabulous events that you can enjoy in Suffolk. It’s a great county to visit (with plenty of gorgeous places to stay!) and it doesn’t get too busy on the roads during the summer […]
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