• homestyle - interiors - Orla Kiely

    Little house picture frame DIY

    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

    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…

  • homestyle - interiors

    Running Out of Room? 5 Easy Storage Hacks

    Bigger isn’t always better: it’s often the case that smaller homes are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain and less effort to clean. In fact, there’s a certain charm about living in a humble abode! But what can you do about your lack of storage space? Well, we’d start by taking a look at these quirky, inventive and ingenious storage hacks. Use self storage Forgive us for pointing out the obvious, but you’d be wise to consider storing some of your belongings if you’re running out of room. Companies like RSS could be an easy and cost-effective solution if you…

  • housekeeping - interiors

    How to add value to your home in five easy steps

    If you’re keen to work your way up the property ladder, you’ll need to know how you can best maximise the value of where you live currently. From transforming your garden with Ashridge Nurseries to adding extra living space, below are five ways to add value to your home: Transform your garage If you don’t use your garage for your car, turn it into another living space. According to the Daily Mail, a study by RAC Home Insurance concludes that nearly half of Britain’s garages are no longer being used for their original purpose. Instead, they’re being used for gardening…

  • competition - homestyle - interiors

    Win £100 John Lewis voucher with Everest Home Improvements

    I love this time of year. The sun is feeling warmer, the days are noticeably longer and I’ve been using my free afternoons when my daughter is at nursery to tackle some much-needed decluttering. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the winter months but there’s something about taking down the Christmas decorations and finding a home for all those Christmas presents that makes me want to have a big tidy up! I thought I would share my top tips for decluttering in case you want to start, but don’t know where to: Write a list of those areas you want…

  • Autumn - homemade - homestyle - interiors

    10 ways to fall in love with your bedroom this Autumn

    Autumn is a strange season in many ways. It is full of vibrancy, colour and life yet has a sometimes melancholic hint of the coldness to come. Autumn can be cold one day and t-shirt and BBQ weather the next. It’s a real mixed bag but that is what makes it so wonderful. It’s a season of impending festivity. Halloween and Bonfire Night kick off the end of year fun and just as Autumn starts to ebb we brighten up our lives with cheery songs, twinkling lights and hearty meals. Autumn is fantastic inspiration for interior design and a way…

  • homestyle - interiors - upcycling - vintage

    Vintage sewing table makeover

    I had no idea what to call this post. Over the Bank Holiday weekend I finally had some time to update a vintage wooden sewing table I bought earlier this year. I found it in a charity shop, complete with dodgy 1970’s orange nylon quilted lining. I ripped out the cushioned lining and it’s been waiting for attention ever since. Vintage sewing table makeover I’ve been updating my daughter’s bedroom. She said she no longer wanted her dolls so we’ve cleared out all the beautiful dolls beds I’ve picked up and re-painted, her dolls, dolls clothes and feeding chairs, baths…

  • crafts - Handmade gifts - homestyle - interiors - upcycling - vintage

    DIY Miffy stool

    A while ago I bought a cute vintage wooden 3 legged stool. I painted it with some Annie Sloan paint, didn’t like it and packed it away on the loft. My 3 year old is starting a new nursery later this month so we’re trying to make a fuss of her and give her bedroom an inexpensive makeover. DIY Miffy stool Guess what I made my un-loved vintage 3 legged stool into? A fantastically cool Miffy stool and my daughter loves it. At 3 years old her bedroom is rocking the pink look so I have made a subtle stool in…

  • homestyle - interiors

    A room of my own

    Today my daughter finished at her lovely nursery.  She has a couple of weeks off before she starts at her new preschool. In September she will be spending afternoons at her new preschool. She’s really excited about this, especially the uniform and book bag for some reason. I’m also looking forward to it. She needs a new challenge and so do I. My challenge is probably not so fun as hers – de-cluttering the house and starting to think about going back to work. Our house is in need of some attention, much like my CV. Although blogging is a…