• Crafts for kids - Crafts for teens - Crafts for tweens

    How to make foam clay sunflowers

    Recently we’ve been experimenting with foam clay. Foam clay is an air-drying modelling clay which is super soft and very light. It’s very easy to shape and we enjoyed making foam clay sunflowers. It’s definitely sunflower season here in the UK and we can’t wait to go and pick some sunflowers next month. List of supplies: Foam clay in light brown, yellow and light green Clay craft modelling tools How to make foam clay sunflowers Select yellow, brown and green clay for the clay sunflower craft. Take an amount from brown clay for the center of the clay sunflower and…

  • parenting

    The Role of Allowances in Building Financially Savvy Kids

    Teaching kids about money has always been a priority for me. I’ve found that giving them an allowance can be an incredibly effective way to instil good financial habits from a young age. Allowances aren’t just about giving pocket money; they are a practical tool for teaching kids the value of money, the importance of saving, and how to budget. Here’s how I’ve used allowances to help my children become financially savvy. Introducing Financial Concepts Early Providing an allowance introduces children to basic financial concepts and I believe that starting early with financial education can make a significant difference. Research…

  • parenting

    5 Writing Activities for Kids: Fun Projects and Printing Books

    As a parent, you want your child to excel in every aspect of life, and writing is no exception. Writing is not just a school subject; it’s a fundamental skill that is crucial to academic success and personal development. Strong writing abilities contribute to better communication, critical thinking, and creativity, setting the foundation for future educational and career opportunities. However, many children find writing to be challenging and sometimes overwhelming. The pressure to learn grammar, spelling, and punctuation can make the writing process daunting. It’s important to remember that every child learns differently, and turning writing into a fun and…

  • Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 509}

    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. Five Happy Things {Week 509} I finished reading  The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page and wrote a little book review here. I really enjoyed this book as it had just the right mix of history and flowers and the Titanic. It was a little like a treasure hunt, emotional and…

  • book review

    The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page

    A few weeks ago I was browsing NetGalley for some books to read. Although I had already snagged a copy of The Story Spinner I couldn’t resist asking to read The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page too. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Sally Page is also the author or The Keeper of Stories and The Book of Beginnings. The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page Follow the flowers and you will find your way home… One year after her husband’s death Emma has become a wallflower, hiding among the brighter blooms in the florist where she works. But…

  • lifestyle

    Summer Motoring Checklist for Mums – Here’s How to Take Better Care of Your Vehicle

    No one expects a busy mum to have a pristine vehicle, but there are some basic maintenance tasks that every driver should be aware of and that are easy enough to do, even as you race from the school run to the office to afternoon activities to the supermarket and everywhere in between. Let’s have a quick look at a summer motoring checklist for mums that will help you to take better care of your vehicle. Keep It Clean The best way to make sure your car stays in good condition is to keep an eye on it. It can…

  • Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 508}

    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. Five Happy Things {Week 508} Last week I made a delicious elderflower and lemon cake, I found the recipe in a previous issue of The Simple Things magazine. We used homemade elderflower syrup as we managed to pick elderflower a few times this season and made the cordial using the recipe…

  • competition

    {Giveaway} Make A Vision Board

    A few weeks ago we shared our review of Make A Vision Board by CanDace Johnson, published by Laurence King. This book is a source book which can help you make a vision board, one of the most powerful manifesting tools for creating the life you want. Make a Vision Board provides you with everything you need to get started. The author CanDace Johnson guides you through step-by-step instructions to create a vision board and manifest from a place of abundance. The book includes: An introduction to manifestation and guidance on creating a vision board ritual 1000+ carefully curated images, plus…

  • homestyle - interiors

    Creating Colourful Flower Gifts for Christmas and Easter

    The holiday seasons of Christmas and Easter are perfect times to give homemade presents because of the uniqueness of the occasion. Flowers are essential to these joyful, historic, and goodwill holidays. This post will go over some basic flower-making techniques that anybody can use to make bright and cheery housewarming presents. We’ll take care of every detail, from choosing the most colourful flowers to adding special touches to your arrangements.  Selecting the Perfect Flowers  The first step in making celebratory gift arrangements is to select the perfect flowers. Beautiful holiday bouquets made with seasonal flowers are the best way to…