• Upcycled Orla Kiely flower vase tutorial
    crafts - homestyle - Orla Kiely

    Upcycled Orla Kiely flower vase tutorial

    January 26, 2017 - By 

    I’m a bit of a hoarder and this applies to envelopes, boxes and tissue paper – pretty much any packaging which comes through my letter box. I  had some gorgeous Orla Kiely tissue paper in my stash and came up with the simplest upcycle. I used: Orla Kiely tissue paper Mod Podge Glass flower jar Upcycled Orla Kiely flower vase tutorial: I cut my tissue paper to fit around my glass jar. Then I used Mod Podge painted directly to the glass jar. I carefully applied my tissue paper and left it to dry. I’ve already filled my glass jar…

  • Apple and Gingerbread crumble
    baking - gingerbread - homestyle

    My Apple and Gingerbread crumble recipe

    January 17, 2017 - By 

    I don’t often share my recipes with you but I recently made something which is definitely worth sharing. Winter is the perfect time for making tasty treats in the kitchen. Last Autumn I came away from my father in law with two huge bags of cooking apples. His garden is full of fruit trees but everything was falling and rotting on the ground. Sadly we could only fit two bags of fruit in our car (thanks to those pesky kids!) but we prepared the fruit and froze it to see us through the winter months. We’ve had quite a few…

  • Hygge in a box
    homestyle - subscription box

    Hygge in a box

    January 11, 2017 - By 

    Last month saw me treat myself with 3 subscription boxes, a little like early Christmas presents to myself. You can see my reviews of the Lucky Dip Club Box and Embellish Box. I came across the Hygge in a Box from the Original Hygge Box Company and decided to try one out too. Have you heard of the Danish concept of hygge, pronounced hoo-ga?  There is no direct translation but it is often taken to mean cosiness through the winter months. Over the past few years it’s been adapted by us Brits, and why not? Our winter months can often…

  • Christmas Birds Lucky Dip Club Box
    homestyle - subscription box

    Lucky Dip Club December unboxing

    January 8, 2017 - By 

    I’m not sure why I was feeling so flush last month but I was. So December saw not one, not two, but three subscription boxes arriving on my doorstep. I love the quirky Lucky Dip Club box so when I heard it was the penultimate one I snapped it up. December was a crazy month so I didn’t really need one or any subscription boxes. I actually only opened this after Christmas when the contents didn’t really make sense for January! The theme for December was Christmas Birds. The Lucky Dip Club Box is always very generously packed with fun things.…

  • homestyle - shopping

    Ready for Winter with Hotter

    December 21, 2016 - By 

    I have a confession to make. I don’t like shoe shopping. There I’ve said it, and I’m sure I’m not alone. I have wide feet and I hate shoe shopping so only have a few favourite pairs. Over the last few years I’ve been getting some pains in one of my feet and recently found out I had plantar fasciitis. Reading up about it I knew it could be eased by wearing good quality shoes, so was pretty delighted to be asked to review my local Hotter shoe store. So far this winter I’ve been wearing my favourite black boots. They…

  • best Elf quote We elves try to stick to the four main food groups- candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.
    Christmas - film review - homestyle

    The perfect festive family night in {watching Elf!}

    December 13, 2016 - By 

    Post in collaboration with E.ON. We’ve had a busy few weeks but I’m pleased to say things are finally slowing down enough to let us enjoy the festive season. This is a magical time of year but it can be tricky to enjoy it when there is an endless round of Christmas parties, nativity plays and Santa’s Grottos’ to visit! Last weekend was the first weekend in a long time that we’ve been at home. Of course we had a few festive things planned but we were all really looking forward to a family film night. This time of year is…

  • Gingerbread and Salted Caramel cupcake
    homestyle - mindfulness - Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List – week 116

    December 12, 2016 - By 

    Last week the whole family was ill on different days so it was a strange week. I fell behind a little on my Christmas prep so I’m hoping all the illness is behind us now so I can get a move on with everything. There was a lot of sitting around and feeling sorry for myself. This quiet time allowed me space to read and enjoy the latest issue of Project Calm magazine. It included a lovely paper cut which I’ve been working on too. On Saturday I had my Christmas concert. I joined a choir a year ago and…

  • Unique Planners by Pirongs {planner review}
    homestyle - lifestyle

    Unique Planners by Pirongs {Life Planner review}

    December 2, 2016 - By 

    I love buying new stationery and with a New Year in sight I couldn’t resist trying out a new planner. Unique Planners by Pirongs, are a family-run British business, who produce gorgeous, hard back customisable life planners. Life Planners are huge in the US and are now pretty popular in the UK too. Unique Planners are completely customisable, you can choose your covers, diary layouts, add photos and text and choose around 25 pages at the back to add in – simply pick from the list of available ones including gift lists, birthday logs, personal goals, holiday wishlists, music to…

  • elf in operation sign
    Christmas - Elf on the Shelf - homestyle

    Embracing my inner Elf

    November 25, 2016 - By 

    Love it or loathe it but the Elf on the Shelf will be landing in T-5 days. I bought one a few years ago and the children love seeing what he gets up to every day in December. I clearly made a rod for my own back and spend most of December trying to think of new places to hide him, usually at about 11.30 at night! This year I am being super organised and have planned my activities. A few months ago I set up a secret Pinterest board and have been Pinning Elf on the Shelf ideas. I…