When it comes to festive craft, homemade Christmas cards are a great option to make with the kids. Mine make them every year for grandparents and daddy; we always have fun getting crafty with the glitter, paint and pens, and their homemade creations are really treasured by the recipients. With the big day so close, I think it’s a good idea to keep crafts as laid-back as possible, so I thought I’d share some of the tips I’ve picked up ...
3 Easy Ways to Get Creative with Solid Wood Flooring Offcuts
Home renovations can often leave you with surplus materials, and this guest post has some great ideas for putting wooden flooring offcuts to good use.If you’ve recently renovated your home with solid wood flooring, you’ve made an excellent choice. Solid wood floors are timeless, durable, and highly attractive. There’s no doubt that your home will look and feel even more stunning once they’ve been fitted, but there’s one thing you’re going to ...
How To Create The Perfect Environment For Working From Home
If you work from home, you'll know it can sometimes be a challenge to create an effective workspace. This guest post has lots of tips to help you get it right.When it comes to advising people about their home environment, there is no one ideal working space that will suit everyone. Finding the perfect working from home environment depends on your living conditions, personal preferences, and the type of job you do. Here are some ideas ...
Taking the RSPB Wild Challenge: trees, leaves and seeds
Have you been getting outdoors and enjoying nature this autumn? We’ve been trying to make the most of the mild weather, and enjoying all that nature has to offer at this time of year. If you read the blog regularly you’ll know that we’re partnering with RSPB on lots of fun nature projects, and this month we’ve been trying out another of their Wild Challenge activities. RSPB Wild Challenge is all about helping wildlife and connecting with the ...
Ideas for enjoying autumn outdoors with children
I just love autumn. The weather is still mild, the sunlight is at a fabulous angle, and nature is visibly changing everywhere you look. My kids love it too; it’s such a tactile time of year with all those crisp leaves, changing colours, and of course the conkers!As September marches on, I’ve been thinking about how to make the most of being outdoors with the kids as much as possible before the colder weather arrives. Autumn is such a ...
How to prep your heating system for winter
Is your home's heating system ready for winter? We’ve only just waved goodbye to summer, and temperatures are still mild enough to avoid flicking the heating on, but now is the ideal time to check your heating system and make sure it’s ready for the colder months. The colder seasons of the year place the greatest strain on your heating system, which is why most boiler breakdowns happen during winter. Our old combi boiler packed up during a ...
Product Showcase: Wickey climbing frames
The kids may be back at school this month, but autumn is still a great time to get them playing outdoors. Mine have been heading straight out into the garden to let off steam after a day of lessons. To be honest, after a summer of reduced working hours and the shock of getting back to normal working patterns, I feel like doing the same thing! If you read the blog regularly you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of outdoor activities. I ...
Create Your Own Happy: happiness-boosting activities for 7-11 year olds
As my kids are getting older, I’m finding that less of the time I spend looking after them is focused on doing ‘stuff’ for them, and more time is spent helping them to grow and develop emotionally. As a parent, it’s all a bit of a learning curve - like every other aspect of having kids I guess! - and it feels like we’re exploring this whole new area of growing up together. Is it the same for you? I’m always singing the praises of physical ...
What to consider when replacing windows
Are you planning any home projects this autumn? It's a popular season for renovation projects, with summer holidays out of the way, kids back at school, and weather that's still mild - well, usually!We're about to start a major kitchen renovation, and I'm really excited to get cracking because it will make such a difference to how efficiently we use our living space. As well as some structural work, a new fitted kitchen and new flooring, I ...
Five ways to make moving house easier
Moving house. When it comes to stressful life events, it’s pretty close to the top of the list. Given that it usually involves lots of admin, dealing with various experts, uncertainty around prices, competition for property, and completely uprooting your life and all your possessions, it’s no wonder we find it tough! Add kids into the mix, and the whole process becomes even more challenging. As well as dealing with all the logistical ...