This week I’ve finished creating my Christmas sideboard display and I thought I would share the world’s easiest tutorial with you for DIYing your own festive tea-light holders. It’s simply a case of saving up some empty jam jars, soaking them to remove the labels and giving them a quick
You may remember that I previously discussed the new trend for framed Christmas messages as part of festive decorations and I have finally given in and recreated this look for myself in my home. There are loads of printable artworks available via Etsy or even given away for free on blogs
Previously, Claire from Lacey in Places blog shared her top tips for planning a hen party (read the article here) and today she continues to share her experiences of organising a vintage hen party for her friend Becky. She has previously shared a downloadable budget spreadsheet and even invitation templates (read
I’ve spent the past couple of weeks working on a present for my new nephew, and have finally finished it – so I thought I’d share my project with you. I have used my Crafting Christmas Gifts book from Dunelm Mill for the penguin pattern and stocking-making instructions, and it
Sure, it’s nice to go out to celebrate Valentine’s Day but sometimes you just want to stay at home. It’s certainly a money-saving option, as you can enjoy lovely food and a cosy ambience at home for a fraction of the price of your big night out. Here’s how to
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…
If you have a garden, it’s lovely to be able to enjoy it during the autumn. On those crisp sunny days, you can head outside knowing that you’ve got a gorgeous space to relax in. Here are some small tasks for your gardening to-do list this season:
The school holidays are here and, while there are plenty of things to do outdoors during the summer, when the weather turns, it’s a good idea to have a stash of activities and books to hand to keep teenagers busy on those rainy days…
If your beloved childhood bear is missing an eye or has lost a limb, don’t despair. It’s possible to repair it yourself with just a few supplies. Here’s how I completed a bear repair for my niece and nephew…
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…
What are your family traditions for Christmas Eve? Is there something you love to do in the run-up to Christmas each year? Today I’m sharing some of my own traditions and those essential items you might need for Christmas Eve…
You know what it’s like – you’re just going about your day, week or month as planned, only to find yourself in a situation where you suddenly need money—and don’t have it! That’s why it’s essential to set aside some funds for those unexpected, unfair moments. Here are some tips
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..?
Embracing seasonal flower trends not only allows you to enjoy blooms at their best, but it’ll also save you money if you’re shopping seasonally. It brings a more natural feel to bouquets you’re gifting and can help you to style an event in a way that showcases the best florals
Parents and educators often face the challenge of keeping teenagers engaged and motivated in their learning, especially when it comes to studying at home. Here are some ideas for engaging your teen in a little extra learning during the summer holidays…
Whether you’re struggling to sleep or simply want to make your bed feel even more comfortable, there are so many things you can do to improve your comfort levels – most of which are much cheaper than replacing a mattress…
If you’re hoping to make savings on your wedding, one easy area to cut costs in on the accessories and jewellery – yes, even your wedding rings! Here’s how to stick to a frugal budget when planning outfits for yourself, bridesmaids and groomsmen…
Packing your calendar with experience days has so many benefits to your wellbeing so here are some important reasons why it makes sense to plan some fun new activities throughout the year…
Although there will be some elements of your wedding that you’ve set your heart on – the venue, the dress, the person you’re marrying – if you’re not too worried about the finer details, that’s a perfect opportunity to save some money. Here’s how…
Regular dental check-ups are not just a recommendation; they are essential for saving money as well as maintaining good oral health. So, the last thing you want is to skip these appointments. Here’s why…
Some of the most expensive items to replace are tech products and it’s devastating when your item breaks down. Here’s how to save big on your next tablet, PC, laptop, phones and accessories when the time comes to replace them…
Let’s chat about something that’s on everyone’s mind as we stride into this year: saving money. When you know how, it’s easy to transform your financial habits into a treasure trove of savings this year…
Even though we’re often reluctant to talk about Christmas too early, September is the ideal time to make a start on your festive prep. In fact, you can save money if you start your planning early – here’s how…
Planning a fabulous hen party doesn’t have to break the bank. This guide has twelve budget-friendly hen party ideas that combine excitement with affordability…
If you want to dress your dining table for a special event, here are some thrifty tips & easy DIYs you can use to create beautiful party place settings and festive tablescapes…
As we head into a new season (and begin to prepare for the busy festive rush!) I’ve come up with a list of lovely beauty treats that we all deserve to enjoy this autumn. Whether you need hydrating skincare for the changing weather or even just relaxing day to yourself,
After many months of wrangling with pests, birds, bugs (and even bunnies!) at my allotment, I’ve decided to try out some tunnels to see if they can help us to grow bigger and better veggies…
So, you’ve been on a lovely day out with your family, you’ve celebrated a special occasion or you’ve enjoyed the trip of a lifetime – and you took plenty of photos while you were there. But what do you then do with those snaps? Leave them languishing unseen on your
If you’ve accumulated a loyal following through your social accounts, blog or vlog, that’s wonderful news. You’ve got an instant audience for anything you get up to, so why not tap into that resource and try to earn some money? That cash can help you to continue making content for
Wouldn’t it be great to make some extra cash on side? Even if you don’t think you’ve got the skills to launch a creative business, I’m here to show you otherwise. Here are three side hustles you can try out and maybe make a bit of money from your creativity…
Today is the 4th article in my series of blog posts to help you achieve your New Year’s goals and it’s all about clearing your home of clutter and getting better organised this year (one of my personal goals!) Here are my top tips for creating a tidy and peaceful
If you too have recently installed a new kitchen, you’ll probably want to inject some of your own personality into the room so here are a few different ways to make your new kitchen feel more homely…
This year, I’m keeping things simple and enjoying the holiday season as safely as possible – but I still want to have some festive fun! So I’ve come up with some fab Christmassy activities that we can all enjoy at home or outdoors…
‘Tis the season to shop ‘til you drop, but are your finances prepared for the holiday’s big bill? If not, it may be tempting to borrow money to afford the festivities, but this is a quick way of putting your finances on the naughty list…
Do you wish your money would stretch further at Christmas? I certainly like to make sure I’m getting the best deals when I’m doing my seasonal shopping so I’ve put together a few ideas to cut the cost of Christmas – and you can start right now..!
Whenever I enter a lottery, competition or raffle I start to wonder what it would be like if I won. I mean, you’ve got to be prepared, right?! So, today I’m sharing my thoughts on how my life would be different after that big win – I’ve surprised myself with
Little ones grow up so fast and their needs change quickly – so if you’re buying new items for every stage of baby’s development, the costs soon add up. So, how can you save money & even get freebies while bringing up your little one? Here are some ideas:
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
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’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…
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’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…
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…
If you’ve got a rusty old bicycle that has seen better days, don’t chuck it out just yet – you can renovate it to give it a new lease of life, or upcycle it to use as a pretty planter in your cottage garden. Here’s how to revamp your old
While it’s incredibly cool to have a gallery wall in your home, it’s also great when the images mean something to you. There are plenty of ways to include customised artworks in your home and here are a few options to help you fill your home with pieces you love…
If ever there was a time for a motivational slogan tee, it’s now. Obviously, I’m not going to the shops to buy one, but that doesn’t stop me from making one (or two!) at home. Here’s how to customise your t-shirt with an uplifting slogan…
In this catch-up Q&A with interior designer Ju De Paula, semi-finalist on BBC’s Interior Design Masters, Ju shares her advice for decorating spaces with personality and colour…
Today I’m sharing some ideas for keeping your whole family entertained, active & engaged – both indoors and outdoors. There’s inspiration for exercising in the park and getting active in the garden, as well as some enjoyable, educational and FREE things you can do indoors. Enjoy..!
The original pallet bar project been repurposed – and for good reason. I’ve decided growing veg is more important than having an alfresco G&T, so I’ve given over my much-loved pallet bar to create a nursery space for my seedlings. Here’s how…
The world has been a very different place of late but one thing that has been incredible to see is how quickly we have adapted. Services that were only ever delivered face to face have shifted & we’re able to do more things online than we would ever have been
Has your Christmas jumper shrunk in the machine? Has your Fair Isle knit got a hole in it? Did that gravy stain never wash out? Don’t worry – before you take your festive pullover to the recycling bank, here’s a quick and easy way to turn your favourite seasonal jumper
I love listening to festive music at this time of year. In the car, on the radio and via YouTube playlists when I’m in the bath. But most of all I love listening to music on a record player. I have countless Christmas compilation LPs, from carols to contemporary, and
If you’ve recently moved house or have moved in with your partner you may now have way too many clothes for your existing wardrobe space. Rather than buying more storage, why not take this as an opportunity to declutter? But before you throw those old shirts and skirts out, there’s
Think you know how to make a pompom? Today’s crafty blog post will take your skills up a notch with this step-by-step guide to make cute, fluffy, blushing, heart-eyed emojis. PLUS I’ve got three copies of newly published craft book ‘Pom Pom Pom’ by Henry Le to giveaway to three
I sometimes just get the urge to shop. Even as a wannabe-minimalist and thrifty gal (whose job relies on it!) it is sometimes just too hard to resist the lure of the high street. If you’re trying to stash the cash (like me) but sometimes just get the urge to
Ooh the Christmas countdown has really snuck up on me this year and now it’s just 100 day until Christmas! So? That’s ageeees away, right? Well, in the world of thrifty living and financial planning, it’s actually a great time to start thinking about Christmas and I’ve written a little
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…
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
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…
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…
I’ve been DIYing in the garden again and this time I’ve made an outdoor coffee table using an old wooden cable reel that I found in a skip. Plus, I’ve created a cosy corner for drinks and chatting outside on my deck (featuring my ‘new’ coffee table, so here’s how
A wedding is one of the most important events in your life, and capturing the moment is important. Sure, it means allocating a portion of time during your big day for the official photos of your family and friends together, but it’s worthwhile taking the time to get the photos
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? With just some heat-transfer vinyl and a lovely font, you can easily create a design to express yourself through your clothing. Here’s how…
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
How to make your little one’s nursery future-proof with multi-purpose furniture and toys that’ll grow with them and give their nursery the wow factor…
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…
January is a month of hope, motivation and fresh starts, and I’m certainly looking forward to making life even better in 2019. Here are some ideas for boosting your three “H”s on a budget…
Weddings are rarely budget-friendly and more often than not, both the bride and groom end up spending a fortune on their big day. However, if you plan in advance, every wedding is filled with a multitude of cost saving opportunities. Here, are 6 tips to help you save big on
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