• Crafts for adults

    What I made in April 2025

    April 30, 2025 - By 

    I know it’s a cliche but April is nearly over already. The weather has been amazing so we’ve spent a lot of time outside, there was still plenty of time to plough through my craft cupboards and make though. My daughter and I crafted a lot this month – there was a lot of baking and some sweet Easter bunnies too. What I made in April 2025 I always try to make the free cover gifts which come with my magazine subscription. The bee keyring from love embroidery magazine has been sitting around for a while but I finally stitched…

  • London

    How to Choose the Right Man with a Van Service in London

    April 28, 2025 - By 

    London can be really difficult to navigate, can’t it?  Moving your possessions around is difficult because of the heavy traffic, parking shortages, and crowded areas. A man with a van service can sort that out. Be it a single piece of furniture or a few boxes, these removal services are perfect for smaller moves. But how can you choose wisely when there are so many possibilities available? We’ll go over how to hire a man with a van in London in this guide, along with helpful hints and suggestions to ensure a smooth move. Why Choosing the Right Service Matters…

  • Spring pennant from love embroidery magazine
    Five Happy Things

    Five Happy Things {Week 17/2025}

    April 27, 2025 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of the adventures we have as a family. Five Happy Things {Week 17/2025} We started the week with a Bank Holiday which was lovely. We went for a walk in Highgrove Woods to see the bluebells and managed a couple of geocaches with the kids too. The weather has been really good and warmer so we’ve been spending…

  • The elopement by gill hornby cover
    What I'm reading

    The Elopement by Gill Hornby {book review}

    April 26, 2025 - By 

    Did you watch Miss Austen, a recent tv adaptation of the book by Gill Hornby? I love a period drama and really enjoyed seeing the story come to life with some great actors. Gill Hornby also wrote Godmersham Park which is inspired by the real life friendship between Anne Sharp and Jane Austen. I was delighted to see Gill Hornby has written another book based on real life events in the world of Jane Austen. The Elopement by Gill Hornby The Elopement tells the story of Mary Dorothea Knatchbull, the step-daughter of Fanny Austen Knight (late of Godmersham Park and…

  • parenting

    Helping Your Children Adjust to Family Changes

    April 25, 2025 - By 

    Changes in family life often bring a wave of new emotions and challenges for children. They may feel uncertain, confused, or overwhelmed when their home life starts to look and feel different. Whether the shift comes through separation, divorce, or a new parenting setup, children notice these things deeply. Supporting them through these moments doesn’t require perfection, but it does require consistency, communication, and care. There’s no single formula that suits every family. What matters most is paying close attention to how children respond and offering guidance that fits their needs. Recognising Emotional Signals in Children Children don’t always have…

  • The Big Egg Hunt London sculpture trail
    days out - London Borough of Wandsworth

    The Big Egg Hunt London sculpture trail

    April 21, 2025 - By 

    We love a free public sculpture trail and there seem to be more each year. Have you heard of The Big Egg Hunt sculpture trail? Building on the success of The Little Egg Hunt which took place last year (and which we wrote about here). this year is bigger and better with over 100 eggs beautifully designed by high-profile artists to raise awareness for wildlife conservation charity, The Elephant Family. The Big Egg Hunt London sculpture trail This year is bigger and better because, not even are there more 2ft eggs to discover, there is also an easy to use…

  • Five Happy Things

    Five Happy Things {Week 16/2025}

    April 20, 2025 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of the adventures we have as a family. It was lovely to celebrate Easter with family today, especially chocolate Easter eggs for the kids and a delicious roast dinner with my mum. Five Happy Things {Week 16/2025} We bought a record player! Technology has changed so much over the last few years. I wish I had all the…

  • family - Mother's Day crafts - motherhood

    How to Show Mum How Much She’s Appreciated

    April 19, 2025 - By 

    Mums often wear many hats. They can be caregivers, chefs, chauffeurs, cheerleaders, and confidantes, all rolled into one. They do so much, often without expecting anything in return. While Mother’s Day is a lovely reminder to celebrate them, showing appreciation shouldn’t be limited to just one day a year. Our mums deserve to know how much we value them all the time. But how can you show your mum she’s truly appreciated? It doesn’t always require grand gestures or expensive gifts. Often, it’s the simple, heartfelt things that mean the most. Thinking about what makes your mum unique and what…

  • Should I take a teenager to the Globe theatre?
    days out - London Borough of Southwark

    Should I take a teenager to the Globe theatre?

    April 18, 2025 - By 

    A few weeks ago I asked myself, should I take a teenager to The Globe theatre? With Big Brother studying Macbeth for GCSE English Literature, I thought it would be fun to take a trip to the theatre and watch the play performed in the setting it was designed for. Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s Bankside contains two performance spaces – the Globe Theatre and Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse. We visited Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse to watch a retelling of Twelfth Night at a few years ago, but never visited the Globe. Opened in 1997 this reconstructed open-air theatre is based on the…