If you didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions (or if you did but stopped in January!) that doesn’t mean you can’t make a start on your goals for the year right now. Here’s why it’s better to begin your New Year’s resolutions in February anyway…
With half-term approaching (or already begun in some parts of the country) I thought I would share some activities and ideas for keeping little ones entertained during the school holidays…
After years of talking about it, months of planning and weeks of installation, my newly remodelled kitchen is complete! Of course, I tried to save money at every stage of the renovation process so here’s how I got the floor of my dreams for a fraction of the cost…
There’s nothing better than an old family photo to bring a sense of history to your home – but what if those ancient snaps are damaged or discoloured? Here are some ideas for repairing them and including those precious memories in your interiors…
Whether you want a cute way to celebrate Valentine’s Day or simply want to capture some memories with your significant other, a couple’s photoshoot is a fun activity to plan, and you can DIY it – here’s how…
Even though I’ve got a very small bathroom compared to many other homes, we’ve managed to make it a bit feel more spacious with some easy design tricks that give the impression of a bigger room – here’s how…
Today’s blog post tackles some of the more ‘traditional’ new year’s resolutions that many of us make – to be more healthy and to make time for self-care. Here’s how to make sure you keep up those great wellbeing goals all year round…
Take a tour around artist Katharina’s cosy and Christmassy German home to inspire your own festive decorating this December…
After a tough 20 months, you may want to cut the cost of Christmas 2021. That’s why I’ve provided are some thrifty tips for you – both my own and from the experts – to help you save money on gifts, decorations and entertainment…
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be staying at home more now that the evenings are darker and the days are chillier. So, rather than slumping in front of a boxset, why not do something to boost your career during the extra time you’re spending at home? Here are some
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
If you’re a small business owner like me, you’ll probably want to reach lots of customers and get some valuable word-of-mouth marketing. Here’s how to create engaging content that your audience will love to share…
As it’s the start of half-term, I thought I would pull together a few ideas of things you could do if you’re having an at-home break in the UK this autumn – especially on those rainy days…
As someone who ended up with quite a lot of student debt after graduating from university, I would have certainly done a few things differently – here’s my advice for organising your finances while you’re a student…
Although these three lifestyles offer very different ideas they also have one important thing in comment – and that’s helping you to cut costs. Here’s how to adopt a ‘less is more’ mentality and save money as a thrifty essentialist minimalist…
During August we’ve been enjoying the fruits of our labour with plenty of veg to harvest but we’ve also dealt with blight, non-ripening peppers & fruit trees desperate in need of pruning. Here’s how we got on & more info on the DIY greenhouse we built…
We’ve all been spending more time in the garden lately so, if your garden furniture that could do with sprucing up, here are some tips to restore your outdoor furniture so you don’t have to replace it, but rather extend the life of your garden items…
2021 marks the 10th Anniversary of the My Thrifty Life blog and I’m excited to tell you what celebrations I’m planning and how you can get involved..!
If, like me, you’re renovating your kitchen, my recent research might help you to decide which window treatments to choose and how to save money by going for the DIY option of wooden shutters…
It’s mid-way through the summer holidays and I thought now would be the ideal time to share some ideas for activities and games that parents and kids can play together, whatever the weather…
Incorporating antiques is great way to add personality to your home. However, most of us haven’t inherited family heirlooms so, if you want to buy a special vintage piece for your home, here are some tips for going antique shopping on a budget…
With heat waves predicted and a sunny summer ahead of us, heat can make life difficult if we’re not prepared for it. Here are some ways to get your home, your pets and yourselves ready for a long hot August…
Do you know how hard it is to plan a new kitchen? I can’t believe just how many things there are to consider. To help you if you’re planning a kitchen revamp (and to help myself, TBH) here’s a list of everything you’ll need for a top-to-toe makeover…
When you’re starting out as a freelancer or launching your own company it’s an incredibly exciting time and here are some business essentials you may want to consider when you become self-employed…
Epic home tour of a stunning 19th Century swing-beam agricultural barn, packed full of rustic features and vintage collections, which was rescued and renovated by April and Andy Hershberger…
We all know money is essential to pay bills, buy things we need & care for the people we love. However, we often fail to realise that our finances are closely related to mental wellbeing. So how does mental health affect our finances & vice versa..?
I finally feel like things are happening in our garden now. Looking back over the month of April, I’m actually surprised by how much we’ve got done, even though there’s not much in the way of veggies yet! Here’s the veg we planted & projects we built…
As the world starts ‘getting back to normal’ this month, I thought it would be the perfect time to reflect on the (weirdly!) fun times I’ve had at home thanks to the awesome activities that I’ve enjoyed online. Here are 6 of my favourite virtual events…
Decluttering & spring cleaning are some of my favourite activities. I love a good clear-out & really appreciate the extra space gained by letting go of lesser-used items. Here’s how to minimise your belongings (& prevent recluttering!) this spring…
If you’re a fan of reading like me, you’ve probably already been practicing bibliotherapy without realising it. And it’s not just about reading self-help books; the enjoyment you get from fiction is can also benefit your mental wellbeing. Here’s how…
Get the most out of your existing by furniture by turning a simple coffee table into a two-in-one piece of furniture that converts into a comfy footstool and back again. Here’s how to upholster a padded topper for ANY coffee table…
With Easter approaching on 4th April, how about treating your little ones to something more exciting (and healthy!) than chocolate? Here’s my guide to more sustainable Easter gifts that’ll keep kids entertained during the school holidays too…
What are your ‘lockdown lessons’? Do you have some fab food hacks or top kitchen tips? I was so chuffed when my own grow-your-own veggie patch project was highlighted by FoodSavvy earlier this week so here’s my lockdown allotment story…
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…
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
If you’ve set some new years resolutions or are working toward an epic money goal, 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…
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…
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
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…
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.
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…
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..
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!
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
If you haven’t got much space but want to create a summery display in your garden, why not plant up a wheelbarrow? You could also encourage children to get involved in planting up their own mini ‘fairy allotment’ garden. Here’s how…
It’s a summer of extremes, isn’t it? We’ve had scorching hot days alongside epic thunderstorms. It’s been uncomfortable for us humans, so I can only imagine how my fluffy cats are coping in the heat. Here are some hacks for helping your pets to stay safe:
As your parent ages, they may need additional support. With your assistance, they can be safe, healthy and comfortable. If you want to look after your mum or dad after they retire, focus on the following areas…
Eeeee it’s so exciting! After many years of admiring the work of other Interior Blog Award winners – and even writing about some of their homes for Reclaim magazine – I’ve finally been nominated! Please can you help me get through to the shortlist by voting for me??
You may have heard of self-esteem and self-confidence, but you heard of the term self-efficacy before? I’ve been reading about psychology at lot recently and have been learning about ways to boost your belief in your abilities – here’s how…
If funds are looking a little low & you need to make some cash in a flash, you don’t even have to leave your house in order to add to your savings pot – here are some ideas for making extra money this month…
No matter how you’re feeling, pets are there for you and can be a great source of comfort. But that’s not all – here’s why animals are important for mental health and how you can celebrate these important members of the family…
With the right mental & physical health ‘kit’ I’m sure we can all navigate our own versions of ‘new normal’ in a way that we feel comfortable. Here are some of my own essentials for post-pandemic life…
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…
I bet you’ve got loads of things on your to-do list that you WANT to do, but don’t really NEED to do, so they never get done. A third of people say completing a to-do list is one of their top ‘little wins’ so here’s how to start ticking things
If you’re using a lap tray for your lunch or to hold snacks during film night, it’ll probably get sticky & icky quickly. Even after wiping them down regularly & being careful with spills, they still ended up with little stains & grease marks on the surface. Here’s how to
I’ve been DIYing again and this time I’ve made some nightstands for the bedroom. It’s a simple project that makes use of old drawers from a broken chest to create bedside tables – here’s how…
While some children may have gone back to school, many are still at home. This means they’ll be learning in the same spaces where they usually play and sleep plus, you probably want them to be creative and feel relaxed too. So how do you design a kids room that
If you fancy giving your outdated kitchen a new look, there’s no need to splash out on an entirely new installation. Even melamine cupboards can be revamped with spray paint! Here’s how…
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…
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