• beach hut sun catcher
    Kids crafts - Summer

    Beach hut sun catchers

    April 5, 2016 - By 

    We love making sun catchers. They are simple but fun and we now have sorted out the best way to make them, for us. My children love pre-cut templates and I took a pack with us when we went to the beach last week (see the DIY sandcastle flags we made too!). In a quiet moment I took them out. I had cut some pieces of contact paper and packed them along with the black card cut outs, cellophane pieces and scissors. Beach hut sun catchers My 6 year cut the cellophane sheets into strips. I placed their sun catchers…

  • 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…

  • collecting sea glass in teignmouth
    Cath Kidston - holidays - sewing

    Monday Happy List – week 80

    April 4, 2016 - By 

    We’ve just got back from a wonderful holiday in Devon. It was a typical week by the sea and there was mini golf, ice creams, swimming in grandad’s pool, walks along the beach, a trip on the steam train and spending spare pennies on the pier. I could get used to spending so much time outdoors and I think it’s safe to say we tired the kids out every day. Thanks Matalan for supplying some of the toys and games we took along with us. Whilst we were in Devon we spent a day in Exeter to escape the rain.…

  • March Lucky Dip Club box
    kawaii - snail mail

    (Unboxing) March Lucky Dip Club box

    April 3, 2016 - By 

    Like many people I love the first day of the month as I receive lots of emails about the latest subscription boxes! I like to treat myself to one a month, as they don’t usually arrive until the end of that month it gives me something to look forward to. It seems a while ago since I signed up for the March Lucky Dip Club box and I was so disappointed to see people showing glimpses of the box whilst I was away on holiday! Anyway, we arrived home yesterday and I was so happy to see my March Lucky Dip Club…

  • DIY sandcastle flags
    die cutting - holidays - Paper craft - Sizzix crafts

    DIY sandcastle flags

    April 1, 2016 - By 

    We’re currently away enjoying a week at the seaside and we’ve been having so much fun thinking of ways to explore and craft with our new surroundings. Our little cottage  is on the beach which makes it super quick and easy to get the children dressed and out playing on the beach every morning! We’ve been on a boat out on the water, walked along the tide lines and watched boats come and go. We’ve tried to remember how far the tide comes up and watched it disappear back down the beach again. There’s something very soothing about looking out…

  • competition - playing - toy review

    Win Scent-Sationally Collectable Num Noms

    March 31, 2016 - By 

    My house is filled with two small people and their toys. They love small plastic toys and if they can collect them with their weekly pocket money, even better. The latest toys to launch are Num Noms, scented food-related collectibles which appear in the form of mini lip glosses and motorised characters. My 4 year old was sent a Num Noms Starter Pack to review. Get ready for the new playground craze this Easter as Num Noms open up a new world of play – with a cupful of cuteness and a spoonful of surprise! Featuring miniature characters inspired by sweet foods…

  • book review - What I'm reading

    What I’m reading: Coastal Crafts

    March 30, 2016 - By 

    As you know we’re currently enjoying a family holiday in Devon on the south coast. We come here every year so I’m always on the look out for ideas to keep the children busy as well as simple crafts I can do at home with some of the treasures we’ve collected – take a look at the fillable wooden letter filled with sea glass we made last year. I’ve been picking up Coastal Crafts: Decorative Seaside Projects to Inspire Your Inner Beachcomber by Cynthia Shaffer for the last few weeks and have already bookmarked a few projects to make. I love…

  • beauty - Orla Kiely

    Orla Kiely beauty haul

    March 29, 2016 - By 

    A couple of weeks ago I picked up some lovely Orla Kiely items in Boots and I’ve been wanting to share them here for a while. Since we’re away for a few days and I’ve been using them all, I thought it was a good opportunity to tell you about them. I love Orla Kiely patterns and designs. I got my first Orla Kiely handbag in 2004 (I think!) and have enjoyed watching her bring out new product lines and patterns ever since. I can’t usually afford more than a handbag but I got really excited about her beauty range…

  • holidays - mindfulness

    Monday Happy List – week 79

    March 28, 2016 - By 

    I’ve really struggled with what to post today. I love my weekly feature of writing about my 5 favourite things from the previous week. However for once I felt stuck. We’re currently away on holiday in Devon and I’ve been enjoying relaxing so much more than writing on my blog. We usually stay in an amazing little fisherman’s cottage on the beach. We all love it and it’s come to feel like a second home (how I wish it was!). So this week’s Monday Happy List is all about the things we’re enjoying whilst we’re away from home. I love how…