Make a statement this Autumn with these cosy design tips

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Farewell, Summer! We’ve had an amazing Summer and the weather has been very kind to us. But with the seasons seemingly changing overnight, I am ready to dig out my tights and boots, long coats and umbrellas, and bracing ourselves for whatever Autumn has to throw at us. We can get our wardrobes ready, but what about our homes?

Make a statement this Autumn

Getting the house ready for the colder months of the year might seem like a mammoth task, but did you know that you can have fun with it to? Below are some ideas to get your house ready for the next season.… Continue reading

My Dream Garden – 5 things on my wish list

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Having just finished redecorating our bedroom, I know that pretty soon my thoughts will be turning to our garden. Our poor garden has been unloved all over the winter, and it needs some serious spring maintenance. The decking needs repainting, a few of the fence panels need fixing, hanging baskets need replanting, and the leaves and rubbish that have gathered over the winter months need clearing away.

My Dream Garden

I know that once the garden is looking its best, I will look forward to picnic lunches outside with the kids, and enjoying a glass of wine with the husband on a balmy summer evening.… Continue reading

Increasing the value of your home – Tips and Ideas

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With little glimpses of spring on the horizon it can only mean one thing…. DIY jobs around the home and garden. We have been in our house for 18 years this year, and each spring we make a list of the jobs that need doing. I have my eye on decorating our bedroom, though the husband doesn’t know this yet.

With many people choosing to stay in their homes for longer with the increasing cost of moving and mortgages predicted to rise again, it’s always worthwhile adding value to your home. Balustrade Components have compiled a great infographic on how we can increase the value in our home.… Continue reading

My love of Cath Kidston

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I think I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with Cath Kidston. My friend and I were in a local coffee shop about 2 years ago, doing what we do best, drinking coffee and eating cake.  That day our cakes were served on pretty flowery plates, and our coffee came in a Cath Kidston mug. Right then I wanted my home to be full of Cath Kidston crockery, tea towels, mugs, and of course bags (LOTS of bags). Basically anything I could sneak into my home without the husband noticing too much.

Cath Kidston Mugs

Before long I had purchased my first mug, oh hello my beauty.… Continue reading

Dreaming of a bigger and lighter kitchen

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There is no mistaking that our kitchen is probably the darkest room in our house, and I often dream of a lighter and bigger space. But this would obviously mean moving house, a bigger mortgage, and no doubt a whole heap of stress. We have been in our home for nearly 17 years and have no plans to move, so what can we do to achieve a bigger and lighter kitchen.

Paint the units

I was seriously looking into this a few months ago. Whilst our kitchen is a decent quality, I am bored of the beech units and black granite work tops.… Continue reading

Dreaming of a Loft Conversion

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Life can be so busy can’t it. What with working, organising a home, and being a constant taxi service to a teen and tween, I am often counting the minutes until I can relax in bed. And with the kids getting older and going to bed later, I often find myself in bed before the teen. Thankfully our bedroom is my place to relax. Just give me a book, a cup of tea and a scented candle and I am happy.

Primark cushion

But one thing is missing from my tranquil haven…. an ensuite.  An ensuite where I could indulge in a nightly bath, complete with Jo Malone Candles and Molton Brown Bubble Bath.… Continue reading

5 Under 5 Pounds in March. Planners, books and cute things from Bath

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It’s that time again when I share 5 things I have bought for under £5, and I really had to think hard this month. I have either not been buying as much, or the things I have been buying have been more than a fiver. I suspect I know the answer though!  As always I am linking up with the wonderful Julia over at Rainbeaubelle.

5 things for under £5

I picked up this cute postcard and coaster when we visited Bath in half term. They were from a gorgeous shop called The Pug and Puffin, which had it’s own resident pug wandering around the shop.… Continue reading

5 under £5 in January – Candles, Orla Kiely and fluffy cushions

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It’s been a few months since I joined in with Julia’s challenge of showcasing 5 things under £5. Of course last month was all about the sales, and I bagged a few bargains. Plus I discovered how fantastic the home section is in Primark, and more importantly how cheap it is. So here are my top 5, and please do pop over to Rainbeaubelle to see what everybody else has been buying.

Five under five

Everybody needs a pineapple in their life, right. My daughter spotted this in the clearance section at TK Maxx, and she just knew that I would buy it at the bargain price of £5.… Continue reading

5 under £5 in November – Coats, bags and candle holders

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It’s been a long time since I joined in with Five under £5, the monthly link up that the lovely Julia runs over at Rainbeaubelle. The idea is that you showcase 5 things you have bought, each item costing under £5. So here are my 5 things I have bought over the past few weeks.

5 things under £5

Coat and bag

These are my 2 charity shop bargains from the past few weeks. I spotted the bag in a shop window last week, and when I saw the price of £1.99 I couldn’t resist (you can never have too many bags can you).… Continue reading