Have you ever spent hours making a cherished creation, like a hand-stitched card or a knitted scarf, but felt that there was one more element that would take your thoughtful deed into the next realm? Imagine the expression on your loved one’s face as they open your present. They’ll see the wonderful uniqueness that is your handmade item, but next to it will lie a luxurious box of gourmet chocolates. There is something undeniably breathtaking about chocolate. It is the epitome of luxury, it is incredibly heartwarming, and it is an item that is just for you. When we gift…
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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 smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 27/2025} We went into London to see the play Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre. The play is based on the successful Second World War British intelligence deception operation aimed at misleading the German high command about the Allies’ planned invasion of Sicily. The play was performed by only 5 actors…
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I seem to be drawn to historical fiction. I loved the sound of The Seeker of Lost Paintings and was delighted to receive a copy to review. Unfortunately the book is not published until March 2026 but read on for my review, I promise it will be worth waiting for! The Seeker of Lost Paintings by Sarah Freethy The Seeker of Lost Paintings is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal across the decades from the author of The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy. Interweaving war-torn Rome with modern-day London, this sophisticated and thrilling historical page-turner about love, betrayal and a quest…
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The last day in June seems like a great time to sit down and reflect on the month. I hit a major creative slump this month, but I’m glad to say it’s over. I spent the weekend working on a huswif, or portable sewing kit, and it’s made me feel so much happier. What I made in June 2025 At the beginning of the month I finished stitching the bee embroidery hoop I told you about previously. The design by Emillie Ferris featured a gorgeous bee and marigolds. This was a kit that had been sitting around for a while…
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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 smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 26/2025} I finished reading The Seeker of Lost Paintings by Sarah Freethy. It’s an historical novel about love and art spanning Geneva, Rome and London set during the First World War and the 1990s. I really enjoyed the book and found myself reading it whenever I could. My daughter took part…
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Fashion is not just about fitting in—sometimes it’s about standing out. While mainstream clothing remains popular for good reason, more and more people are turning to unconventional outfits and merchandise to express their individuality. Whether it’s quirky t-shirts, character-themed pyjamas, or pop culture references printed across hoodies, wearing non-traditional clothing has become a way of making personal statements, showing loyalty to fandoms, or simply having fun. In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose unusual clothing or merch, when to wear it, and how to make sure it suits both your mood and the moment. One great example of this…
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Summer has well and truly arrived. Our freezer is well stocked with ice cream as the kids love a sweet treat when they come home from school. It inspired our latest craft activity, making our own origami cone ice cream craft! Origami is always fun, and these origami ice creams cones are brilliant to make this summer season. When you’ve mastered the folds, make them with different coloured papers to mimic your own favourite flavour! Why not make them in different sizes for a fun display? Origami cone ice cream craft supplies Coloured craft papers Scissors Craft glue How to…
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Studies show that children who engage with educational books are 30% more likely to develop a lifelong love for learning. You might wonder which titles truly make a difference in a child’s formative years. The right books not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons and spark curiosity. As we explore the top five educational books every child should encounter, you’ll discover how these stories can shape young minds and inspire a deeper understanding of the world around them. What makes these selections stand out? The Very Hungry Caterpillar Often regarded as a classic in children’s literature, “The Very Hungry…
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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 smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 25/2025} We had a mini heatwave in the UK last week which made for a hot and sticky week. It was almost too hot to do anything except work and sleep, so it doesn’t feel like I achieved much except getting through each very hot day. I’ve been reading The Seeker…