• magnolia plant
    gardening - homestyle

    6 Reasons Why Magnolia Shrubs Are The Perfect Summer Plant For Beginner Gardeners

    April 25, 2016 - By 

    If you are just beginning to find your green fingers this year and the warmer weather is encouraging you to get outside and really start to give gardening a go, then you are probably wondering what to plant. Well, where better to start than with the summery magnolia shrub? Plant them in spring and they will then flower right through the summer until the autumn. If you are already looking through these pretty plants on You Garden, but still not convinced whether to purchase them or not, then here are six reasons why magnolia shrubs are the perfect summer plant…

  • pillows on a bed
    homestyle - interiors

    The benefits of a good nights sleep

    April 22, 2016 - By 

    How important is sleep to you? Earlier today I was reading an article about Prince over on the BBC website. Apparently he used to boast no one could last as long as him without sleep. I’m not sure that can be good for your health but I doubt you can be a musical genius without sacrificing something. I love my sleep and pretty much the only thing that stops me having a good nights sleep is my husband. Before your mind jumps to the wrong conclusion let me state that his snoring keeps me awake, nothing else. Monday 25th April will…

  • Gingerbread Wonderland by Mimi Sinclair
    competition - gingerbread - homestyle

    Win a copy of Gingerbread Wonderland by Mima Sinclair

    April 16, 2016 - By 

    In our house gingerbread is a treat all year round. There’s something about the smell and taste which I find very comforting. I’m always happy to mix up some dough and spend a happy afternoon cutting out shapes, I think gingerbread makes the best after school treat! Ages ago I discovered Gingerbread Wonderland by Mima Sinclair. I’ve tried a few of the recipes and the light and dark gingerbread doughs are lovely. I used the light gingerbread dough to make Clangers and Iron Golem biscuits, both of which were a success. The book contains many more ideas than two different…

  • dreamcatcher luminary
    crafts - die cutting - homemade - homestyle - Sizzix crafts - tutorial

    Dreamcatcher luminary tutorial

    April 15, 2016 - By 

    Earlier this week I received a wonderful selection of new Sizzix dies to craft with. I love opening this kind of parcel as you never know what you are going to find. This time there were quite a few Thinlits dies. These are really versatile dies, chemically etched, and offer intricate designs for creative papercrafting projects. Dream Away immediately caught my eye and I know I will be using this a lot over the coming weeks and months to create some fun dream catcher projects. Today I made a little home decor project using the die and a glass jar. You can…

  • vintage fisher price buildings jigsaw
    Family Life - homestyle

    Saving Space In A Forever Growing Home

    April 12, 2016 - By 

    Perhaps you once had a home all to yourself, that you filled purely with your belongings and then you moved in with your partner and you had to make space for their stuff too. Eventually you start having kids and suddenly there is one, two or maybe even more individuals you have to make space for in your house. Sound familiar? You could of course, move to a bigger house. But with the ever-growing property prices alongside the increasingly expensive costs of living, this isn’t always an option. But, fear not, because there are ways to save space in your…

  • Food storage containers with datable lid
    homestyle - interiors

    Reorganising my kitchen with Dial

    April 4, 2016 - By 

    So I know I don’t usually write about kitchen storage but today I feel compelled. I have a kitchen cupboard I just dread to open. Every time I do the contents fall out all over the floor. This cupboard contains my plastic containers and leftover takeaway containers. I use this cupboard on a daily basis. I’m a thrifty cook and will always store leftovers if it means I can save time in the kitchen (my least favourite room in the house!). Over the years this collection has grown, especially as I now seem to be cooking more meals than ever before…

  • homestyle - interiors - Orla Kiely - sewing

    Finding homestyle inspiration

    March 6, 2016 - By 

    I spent an enjoyable weekend planning some home improvement. We were in the West End on Saturday and popped into my favourite shop, the Orla Kiely shop in Seven Dials. Have you seen her new range of homewares? There are lovely things but what I really love are the room displays which give you an idea of what her furniture, or a rug, cushion or wallpaper might look like in situ. I took some cheeky photos as we’re planning our lounge makeover this year. We have a long lounge and dining room where the wall has been knocked down by…

  • homestyle - interiors - Orla Kiely

    Little house picture frame DIY

    March 4, 2016 - By 

    I don’t think I’ve ever blogged about my obsession with little houses. But for once I’m going to contradict myself and say that just because I haven’t blogged about it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened! I’m not quite sure when this obsession started but over the last few months it has really grown. Luckily we are short of space so my little house collection is small. First it was a little house ornament, then a framed picture of a house ‘drawn’ with a sewing machine. A couple of Christmases ago I started buying house-shaped tea light holders and now I’ve…

  • homestyle - interiors - mindfulness - subscription box

    Where I treat myself (again) with the March Treat Box

    March 3, 2016 - By 

    Instagram has become my favourite place to hang out these days. There is so much inspiration and I love discovering new people and brands to follow. Unfortunately it’s also bad for my bank balance! I use hashtags to find the kinds of things I like and keep finding new subscription boxes I like the look of! Fortunately the post comes whilst my husband is at work so he hasn’t uncovered my secret just yet… The latest subscription box to land was the Treat Box from Not Shabby Very Chic. It came in a large flat box, tied with twine and…