• What I'm reading

    The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier

    June 12, 2024 - By 

    I’ve been working my way through some of my collection of Persephone books recently so was delighted to receive a copy of The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier to read and share with you. The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier Venice, 1486. Across the lagoon lies Murano. Time flows differently here – like the glass the island’s maestros spend their lives learning to handle. Women are not meant to work with glass, but Orsola Rosso flouts convention to save her family from ruin. She works in secret, knowing her creations must be perfect to be accepted by men. But perfection may take…

  • Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 503}

    June 10, 2024 - 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. This week I’ve missed a week so I’m going to catch up all our news from the last two weeks. Five Happy Things {Week 503} We had a busy week with the kids off school for half term. The school year is nearly over for them! We took a few…

  • homestyle - interiors

    The Best Ways To Personalise Your Home Office

    June 9, 2024 - By 

    The lines between work and home life have become increasingly blurred. As remote and hybrid work  arrangements become more prevalent, the need for a dedicated and personalised home office space has emerged as a top priority for many individuals. A well-designed and thoughtfully curated home office can not only boost productivity and creativity but also serve as a sanctuary – a space that reflects your unique personality and fosters a sense of comfort and inspiration. Embrace Your Aesthetic Your home office should be an extension of your personal style, a space that resonates with your aesthetic sensibilities and creates a…

  • Up At The O2 with teens
    days out - London Borough of Greenwich

    Up At The O2 with teens

    June 8, 2024 - By 

    A few weeks ago we spent a weekend exploring North Greenwich. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express London-Greenwich, watched Keane perform at The O2 for their 20th anniversary Hopes and Fears Tour, and enjoyed exploring a new area the other side of London to where we live. The O2 is a great venue with plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and be entertained. Up At The O2 Now the kids are older our days out are different. We look for experiences that we will all enjoy, even if it means pushing our comfort boundaries (mine!). On our last…

  • days out

    5 Scottish beaches you have to visit this summer

    June 6, 2024 - By 

    With many families now opting for a summer staycation, we wanted to showcase the natural beauty found around the Scottish coastline that you just have to see to believe it exists this close to home. With this in mind, we’ve gathered together five beaches found in Scotland that are worth a visit. So, if you’ve booked one of the many family holidays UK destinations have to offer, or you’re simply looking for somewhere new to explore on your next visit to Scotland, scroll down to discover more. 5 Scottish beaches you have to visit this summer 1. Broughty Ferry Beach…

  • Felt 4th of July Star Ornament
    Crafts for kids - Crafts for teens - Crafts for tweens - Fourth of July crafts

    Felt 4th of July Star Ornament

    June 5, 2024 - By 

    I can’t resist sharing our felt crafts. Felt is a lovely material to work with and this felt 4th of July star ornament is something that all ages can make. List of supplies: Coloured felt fabrics Pencil Needle Matching thread Ribbon Cotton A pair of scissors Black marker Felt star ornament template  How to make a felt 4th of July star ornament: Print and cut out the free template patterns for the star ornament. The template includes star base shapes and smaller stars, hearts, and round shapes. Select white, blue, and red felt fabrics for this ornament.  Trace the ornament…

  • Kids crafts

    4 Perfect Garden DIY Projects to Get the Kids Involved In

    June 4, 2024 - By 

    “I’m BORED!”. The cry every parent dreads over school holiday times. How can you keep the kids entertained and out of trouble, and get them away from their screens for a little while? Well, how about trying some of these fantastic little DIY gardening projects – they’ll learn and have fun at the same time (not to mention get some fresh air and exercise!). Here are 4 ideas for you. Create a terrarium Glass jar gardening – sometimes known as a terrarium is a perfect way to get kids into gardening. They’re the perfect size for small hands and are…

  • holidays

    Family cruise fashion: Outfits for everyone (without overpacking)

    June 1, 2024 - By 

    A cruise vacation is a fun way to travel and relax with the family without having to worry about the planning of what to do, see or eat on the ship as the cruise company takes care of it all. That said, what you wear on the ship requires careful thinking as the mix of activities and upscale dinner parties necessitates a mix of clothing styles to ensure bringing the right clothing without overpacking. Therefore, when it comes to what outfit to wear on a family cruise vacation, it is important to know the events you will be attending as well…

  • Liberty Tana Lawn star
    Crafts for adults

    What I made in May 2024

    May 31, 2024 - By 

    I can tell that the weather is better and the days are longer as I have been spending more time in the garden and less indoors with my sewing. However there was time for some crafting. What I made in May 2024 First of all I completed the Liberty Star I started last month. It’s such a simple design but really pretty. I didn’t want to make it into a cushion so I’ve left it as a block for now. I would love to stitch it to a top or the back of my denim jacket. I stitched the Floral…