Looking for an inexpensive way to decorate your home for the holidays? An effortless and cost-effective way to pretty up your home for the festive season is to make a simple Christmas tree garland from yarn.
This Angled Pocket Giftwrap Gingerbread House is easy to create and is a sweet way of zhuzhing up plain brown paper.
Looking for a no carve pumpkins idea? With Halloween just around the corner, some of us want something a little more chic than the average orange carved pumpkin (!); I thought I’d share my method for a simple decoupage pumpkin. These do it yourself pumpkin decorations are so simple to make — and look really …
Want to fold a bat napkin for your Halloween table? So simple — all you need is a black square napkin or piece of black fabric.
This free printable labels template is perfect for creating pretty jam labels to personalise your homemade jams and chutneys.
A review of Westminster Stone — the perfect choice for traditional garden paving for period properties and listed buildings.
No Sew DIY Fairy Wings I was chatting to a friend the other day about fancy dress costumes for festivals. She was saying how expensive they can be. Particularly as she’d got to buy four lots of fairy costumes for one festival they were going to, for her little girls. I mentioned that I’d once …
Looking for a recipe for homemade Mini Milk Ice Lollies? This variation is so like the real thing — but the great thing with these milk lollies is, you can make them as big as you like! There is not a great deal nicer in life than an ice lolly on a hot day is …
Having trouble sleeping? Your bedroom Feng Shui layout may be to blame. These expert tips show the best Feng Shui bed position for a restful sleep.
Want to create a simple DIY paver patio? This post contains a step-by-step DIY guide showing how we created ours.
Dreaming of a pretty she shed? I’m going to try and create one on a budget using a flatpack garden building. This is the first instalment showing how we built our DIY garden office.
Use sage green bedroom accessories to create a a peaceful, relaxing haven—perfect for promoting restful sleep.
Ever wondered how to make fabric buttons? They’re the perfect thing to make a plain garment look fabulous. Plus, with a covered buttons machine, they’re really quick and easy to make.
A night at the Bath Spa Hotel is like stepping back to a bygone age; full of olde world Georgian charm. Like being on the set of Bridgerton!
If you do not hold any religious beliefs, a baby naming day ceremony is the perfect alternative to a Christening. Here’s what we did for our twins’ naming day.
Want to know how to upholster a headboard? This DIY upholstered headboard & bed frame has got to be my favourite (and easiest) DIY updates ever!
Some of our favourite money-saving accessories for RV campers you can’t afford to be without.
Dark green is one of those colours that never seems to go out of fashion. Here are 12 dark green paint colours for every interior.
Looking for a sweet Mother’s Day printable? This free Mother’s Day printable card is so easy to use. Just download the files and print out onto your favourite cardstock at home.
Ever go to a 5-star hotel and wish your home had the same luxurious feel? Give your space an effortlessly chic, high-end look with these tips.
If you’re looking for a sweet and thoughtful gift to make for Valentine’s Day, why not have a go at creating this ‘Love Blooms’ papercut using the papercut template?
A therapeutic hobby like quilting can take your mind off mental health issues. Learn how you can try quilt-making to increase your emotional and physical well-being.
Flower wallpaper. A trend that is a perennial favorite among both homeowners and interior designers that never seems to waver in popularity.
Engaging in crafts can be an excellent way to unwind, relieve stress & express creativity. Why not try one of these 13 mindful craft ideas?
Planning a memorable Christmas party involves more than just decking the halls and preparing delicious treats. One essential element to make or break your festive gathering is the selection of Christmas party games.
Renovating a kitchen? Painting cabinets is a great budget-friendly solution to updating your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Want to transform your home on a budget? These seven DIY home projects are really easy to do, but will totally transform your space.
Flowers of the Spring Season March is, without question, my favourite month. It’s my husband’s birthday month, the month my sons were born, and the start of spring, too! There is so much to celebrate. It’s also the time that everything is beginning to wake up from its winter slumber. The flowers of the spring …
Pink is one of those colours that never seems to go out of fashion. Here are 12 gorgeous pink paint colours for every interior.
We discuss how to optimize small closet and maximize every inch of space with these smart organization ideas.
10 ways to bring biophilic design into your own home to help you connect with nature and create a calm and happy living space.
Want a fun and cheap alternative to online shopping? Thrifting is a great way to save money on quality clothing and other treasures. Follow these tips to bag some bargains!
Get your craft on and make something lovely with this set of 10 cute Easter clip art illustrations. Perfect for crafting and making.
Using a garden mirror can be both aesthetically pleasing and practical. But there are also considerations to bear in mind.
A round-up of the most notable UK Festivals for 2024. From raucous rock to gentle family friendly festivals, here’s a list of 34 of the best.
Wild camping. Are you aware of the term? Perhaps you’ve done it without even realising it! Let’s explore and find out where the best wild camping places to pitch up in the UK are.
Why do some houses bear a name, rather than just a simple number? In this post, we look at some of the most popular names for homes.
Ever tried gin and coffee together? This gin coffee cocktail is called a Turbo Gin and Tonic and is a real twist on an old favourite.
Looking for an easy shortbread biscuit recipe These shortbread biscuits with edible flowers are a really sweet springtime treat!
Our ‘Encounter with Owls’ at Sherwood Forest Center Parcs review. Magical fun for all the family.
Navy is one of those colours that never seems to go out of fashion. Here are 12 gorgeous dark blue paint colours for every interior.
The patterned tile floor has made a huge comeback. So much so, you can even buy matching wallpaper and cushions to match.
Looking for some printable Easter egg hunt clues for older children? These 24 free printable clues will keep them busy!
Want to know how to brighten dark rooms? These three steps will help you lighten and brighten — and shed a little more light on the situation!
Make a simple Easter bunny garland using my free downloadable bunny png file.
A list of 50 edible flowers that you can find in UK gardens or hedgerows.
How to organise the perfect Easter egg hunt at home for toddlers — minis, tweens, teens, adults — basically the best, most fool-proof Easter egg hunt ideas for large groups (or small groups) of all age groups!
If you’re looking for a pretty way to decorate your home this Easter? Why not have a go at making this Easter Banner with our free downloadable template.
Create your own DIY Easter decorations by making simple salt dough ornaments.
With spring on the horizon, I wanted to share this simple tutorial and show how to make a spring wreath with faux tulips.
Whether you’re opting for a bespoke kitchen or ‘off-the-peg’ cabinetry, these decor elements will give your kitchen the wow factor and make it stand out from the rest.
Getting Listed Building Consent on a listed Grade 2 Home isn’t as straightforward as obtaining planning permission a regular house. So it’s definitely worth bearing these 5 tips in mind.
My recipe for homemade Italian Pasta Puttanesca with meatballs. The delicious Puttanesca sauce is so easy to make & is a real crowd pleaser!
These storage solutions and pantry ideas offer optimum kitchen organization; for those of us who don’t have the space for a walk in pantry.
Free printable vintage-style Valentines stickers and envelope seals to use on Valentine’s gifts, cards and craft projects.
Sage green is one of those colours that never seems to go out of fashion. Here are 12 gorgeous sage green paint colours for every interior.
If you’re looking for a sweet and thoughtful gift to make for Valentine’s Day, why not have a go at creating this ‘Love Blooms’ papercut using the papercut template?
Looking for a simple recipe for DIY Valentines Chocolate? This chocolate bark is so easy to make, looks great and tastes utterly delicious too!
Want to know how to make stickers with your Cricut machine? Then read this…
Ever wonder what to do with those ripe Bananas? Make banana and choc chip muffins of course! The most delicious way to use up black bananas!
A brand new year means only one thing! New year, new goals. This free printable planner page and stickers will help you achieve your goals.
Bring order to the chaos of your wardrobe. Our guide to Wardrobe Organization will help you make the most of every single piece with tips and tricks to get it all in shape.
I’m pretty evangelical about Pilates — in fact, I’d go as far as saying Pilates changed my life! And I’m not overexaggerating! So, with that in mind, I thought I’d share my favourite 5 Pilates exercises with you.
Use this free space SVG as a wall decal or t-shirt logo. Or print it and pop it in a frame! The uses are endless.
From passed-down heirloom pieces to nostalgic second-hand treasures, vintage Christmas decorations are highly sought-after. Here’s why…
With not long to go until Christmas, I thought I’d create a printable template letter to Santa to help everyone with their Christmas lists.
The festive season can be such an expensive time of year. One of the areas in which you can save money is by creating Christmas crafts for gifts and home decor.
Want to make an easy DIY gingerbread house Christmas gift bag? It’s such a simple & effective make, to level up your Christmas wrapping.
What quick and nutritious meals can you rustle up in just 15 minutes — from scratch? Scrambled eggs? Cheese on toast? How about a delicious lentil and bacon soup recipe? Ordinarily, lentils take an age to cook, but with the help of our trusty pressure cooker, we can whip up the most amazing, thick, and delicious lentil soup in just 15 …
There are so many easy, cost-effective ideas to spruce up your bathroom. Here are the best bathroom decor ideas that won’t break the bank.
Use these free printable Scandi-inspired Christmas stickers on gifting, Christmas cards and scrapbooking projects.
For those lucky enough to own a property with a Victorian basement, or cellar, it offers a brilliant opportunity to extend down — rather than up or out.
I’ve created a free Sweet Dreams Wall Decal for you to use in your home. Either as a wall decal or you can print it and pop it in a frame.
Learn how to keep your skin and hair looking radiant this season with Green People. Autumn never looked so good!
Plants are not only lovely to look at but can add a touch of nature to any home. Common houseplants help to purify the air, and their calming presence can create a sense of peace and tranquility in your living space.
The nutrient film technique is an effective but simple hydroponic growing setup designed to give your plants all the nutrients they need.
We’ve compiled a carefully curated list of some of the best gardening books that cater for everyone, from newcomers to seasoned gardeners.
Flowers, leaves & fall berries create this handcrafted floral alphabet. SVG and PNG files are free to download.
Creating a room divider can be an easy and affordable way to transform an open living plan. Here are a few room divider ideas, including DIY suggestions to get you started.
Autumn front porch decor season is almost here, and soon, it will seem like every step, porch, and entryway is adorned with cheerful pumpkins, rustic straw bales, and colourful blooms.
Explore new architectural possibilities with barndominium homes. DIY kits, steel construction, & open floor plans = the perfect living space.
Some thoughts on being a mom… I did a little quiz the other day entitled ‘What Type Of Mum Are You?’. The answers were surprising!
Want to know how to paint a piano in 3 easy steps — without priming? My simple piano makeover tutorial will tell you everything you need to know!
Remember we once did a DIY caravan renovation? Took an ugly little beige van and turned her into something lovely? Well, last month, I mentioned that we’d traded our beloved caravan — Dolly 1 — in for a ‘new,’ larger model. I use the term ‘new’ very loosely. The new van may have preceded her chronologically but certainly not in any other …
From wallpapering to painting caravan cupboards; here’s ‘Decorating a Caravan Part 1’.
Can you put laminate flooring in a caravan? Absolutely. If you’re looking for new RV flooring, here are a few reasons why laminate is a really good choice.
Whether it’s a classic haunted house theme or a fancy-dress part, make sure the decorations create a seasonal and eerie atmosphere. These tips and ideas will help you plan and organise a fantastic Halloween party.
A review of our Kendal Calling experience! Asides from rain & mud, we saw dinosaurs, Tom Jones, lots of shiny happy people.
How d’you fancy making a gingerbread garland to deck the halls this Christmas? This gorgeous edible decoration not only looks good but will fill your home with the festive scent of gingerbread. And it tastes great, too!
There’s nothing lovelier, in the run-up to Christmas, than going to fetch the Christmas tree or visiting a Christmas market. But if you want an extra special treat, why not book a trip to Blenheim Palace Christmas Lights trail. We went for the first time in December 2020. It was the first time we’d been out of our village as a family …
Bees are a popular choice for Halloween costumes, especially for children. Best of all, this DIY Bee Costume is easy to make and can be customized to fit any age.
Looking for a quick fix to transform your garden? With so many different styles to choose from, outdoor planters offer the perfect solution.
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. Even before we began the renovation of our listed home, I had so many plans and ideas …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. I get lots of messages on my Listed Home Instagram account, asking about my stone floor …
Breathe life into your furniture with furniture paint. Choose from various colors & finishes to see dramatic effects without breaking the bank
Ever wondered how to make salt dough? This is the best recipe I’ve ever made! Plus, it’s no bake and has just three ingredients!
Looking for some autumn decor ideas to celebrate the season? From pumpkins to plaid, we’ve got a roundup of the best fall decor for your home.
Have you ever wondered how to modernize a caravan? Our first caravan makeover was a bit of a gamble. We’d bought a little touring caravan; plain, boring (and a bit beige). And I’d decided to upcycle her. As you do. But it was well before the days of Pinterest and Instagram. There was no reference. …
Browsing through Instagram — or Pinterest — can be a dangerous pastime for an interiors lover. There is so much inspiration, but what if your budget just doesn’t stretch to the look you want? For example, dream aesthetic bedrooms don’t come cheap. Wall prints, cushions, and lighting are all costly. But designing an aesthetic bedroom …
Looking for a free summer SVG to create some cool craft projects? I’ve created a ‘Baby It’s Hot’ free icecream logo which is perfect for embellishing a whole range of items. From t-shirts and beach-bags, baby-vests to postcards.
In this guide, we explore the dining table dimensions and considerations you need to know to make the best decision for your needs.
Perhaps if more adults took up childish pastimes — building Lego, colouring in, playing board games, making pom-poms — ‘adulting’ might be a little easier; the world might be a gentler, nicer place.
Orange. I love it. And Pantone Tangerine is one of the most accurate representations of the colour orange. Fresh, zingy and bright. I thought about doing an interiors colour story, to begin with, but that would be too easy. There are so many beautiful — iconic — things for the home in this shade; Arne Jacobsen’s Swan chair, Orla Keily’s …
Looking to update your walls with pink floral wallpaper? Check out these covetable designs, to give your home an instant refresh.
A recent study showed that most modern mothers get just 17 minutes of ‘me time’ to themselves each day. How do you spend yours?
Decorating a home on a budget may seem daunting, but it’s doable with some cheap home decor ideas, a touch of creativity and resourcefulness.
Every once in a while, a zodiac story does the rounds, suggesting that NASA ‘discovered’ a 13th zodiac sign. As the new star sign sits between Scorpio and Sagittarius, the ‘discovery’ meant the entire astrology chart would shift to accommodate the new zodiac sign. If this was the case, Scorpio’s reign would last just seven …
Torticollis is a common complaint with many babies. And more often with multiples; in fact, around 1 in 250 babies will show symptoms. Here’s how we got our son diagnosed and treated.
Looking for a free SVG to create some cool crafts? Our ‘Miss Independent/American Flag Heart’ design is perfect for creating crafty projects.
Birthday party favors should be well thought out and personal. So today, we bring you the best DIY party favor recommendations to add magic to any kid’s party.
Planning a twin bedroom can be a daunting but fun task! Here are my top tips for zoning and decorating a bedroom for twins.
A little reminder to cherish the ordinary. Practice mindfulness, make every second count & live life to the fullest.
Choosing made to measure curtains can sometimes be a little bit overwhelming but Couture Living make the whole process a breeze.
Looking for an honest review of Montcalm East, Shoreditch? A couple of my friends — Amy from Everything Mummy and Sarah from Extraordinary Chaos — and I had been invited by Mumsnet to do a little filming job at their Workfest event, which took place last weekend in London. Although Workfest was on Saturday, with …
The recycling bin is a trove of free craft supplies. Recycling crafts are fun for all the family and the greener option too.
Planning a kitchen makeover? There’s so much to think about — and stuff to remember. These tips will help you plan and action your dream space
Floral wallpaper has graced the walls of countless homes over the decades. From the palace of Versailles to The Listed Home. Here’s why…
Are you tired of your boring back garden? Let me paint the picture: just grass and a small concrete patio? Maybe a tree if you’re lucky. Now let’s spice that backyard up. These DIY pergola ideas will elevate your outdoor space and give you the garden you’ve been dreaming of. We have three complete DIY …
Mixing and matching old and new is a lovely way to make a home feel more unique. Here are some tips to make vintage decor work in your home.
Fancy a tour around our gender-neutral twin nursery? As we didn’t know if we were expecting boys or girls, our nursery works for any gender.
Have you ever had Mini Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic and Chilli? They’re the most delicious accompaniment to a meal—and the perfect comfort food too. The Origins of Hasselback Potatoes Hasselback potatoes are named after the restaurant where they were first created, Hasselbacken, in Stockholm, Sweden. It is a delicious and visually appealing way to prepare …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. When we were looking at new flooring options for the extension on our grade 2 listed …
Have you ever wondered how to create easy faux wall panelling? I’ve always loved the elegant panelling that can be seen in stately homes; it’s a really effective way of adding charm to a plain wall. And, although our little cottage is full of period features, the walls are fairly plain. Particularly the wall up …
Our cool caravans —Dolly 1 & 2— were featured in Reloved magazine! A full 4 page article talking about my caravan makeover ideas!
Ever wondered what to do with edible flowers? I made some edible flower shortbread a few year’s ago and as spring is finally here, and the garden is coming to life, I thought I’d share the recipe again! Which Flowers Are Edible? There are so many flowers that are edible. More than you’d probably think! …
Make sure you you go through your spring caravan checklist, before you embark on your first adventure this year!
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. I haven’t done a round up post for so long! But as the shops are now …
Looking for some idea for a pirate themed party for your little one? Here’s a few ideas from my twins’ third birthday!
Make some simple salt dough Easter egg ornaments to decorate the home this Easter
Painting caravan cupboards is a really cheap and easy way to give your caravan a facelift. Here’s how I do mine…
Disclosure: This post ‘How To Make Chocolate Bark For Easter’ contains affiliate links of products that I’ve bought myself. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra; but I may receive a few pence if you click on a link and buy something. With Easter weekend coming up, I thought I’d share one …
Disclosure: This post ‘Homemade Chocolate Slab Recipe for Valentine’s Day’ contains affiliate links of products that I’ve bought myself. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra; but I may receive a few pence if you click on a link and buy something. What could be a sweeter gift for your sweetheart than …
Make a cute DIY tealight holder using my free love heart cut file for the Cricut!
A clove and orange pomander is a lovely thing to make for the Christmas season. Plus it will make the house smell gorgeous and festive too.
Have you ever come to do your decorating prep and wondered how to easily remove a wall plug? This simple method works a treat!
A little post with a few persuasive reasons why you should put Camp Bestival tickets on your Christmas list this year….
Is Hibiscus tea good for you? If you’re looking for a healthy tipple to balance out all the excesses of the upcoming festive season? Forget the cocktails — here are seven health benefits of Hibiscus tea. Health Giving Hibiscus Humans have enjoyed the health-giving properties of Hibiscus for many years, but it’s a relatively new …
Introducing Desenio. One of the best websites I’ve come across for inexpensive artwork.
When our boys were born the house went from magazine-worthy to mega-mess almost overnight. Our wonky little cottage — that seemed roomy for two grown adults — felt like a bit of a squash. The kitchen went from clear to cluttered, just hours after bringing them home. It’s single meagre work surface housed an extra kettle, bottle …
The team that brought us Bestival and Camp Bestival, have added a new baby to their stable; Camp Bestival Shropshire. Here’s the lowdown.
My favourite kind of food is the sort that you eat with your fingers and this recipe for sticky glazed chicken drumsticks is delicious!!
I’ve had a few people ask recently ‘what is Bluedot Festival all about’? So I thought I’d do a little FAQ; all you need to know about Bluedot
With a heatwave on the horizon I thought it might be nice to celebrate, by creating a faux flower DIY door wreath for summer.
Disclosure: This post ‘A Recipe For Gin and Tonic Ice Lollies’ contains affiliate links of products that I’ve bought myself. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra; but I may receive a few pence if you click on a link and buy something. Ever fancied making gin and tonic ice lollies? This …
I was chatting to a friend the other day about fancy dress costumes for festivals. She was saying that she’d got to buy four lots of fairy costumes for one festival they were going to, for her little girls. I mentioned that I’d once made a bumble bee costume and the easy DIY bee wings …
It’s been a long old winter hasn’t it? Just when we think that the temperatures are rising and the flowers are starting to bloom, the cold takes hold once more and we’re reaching for our woolies! I thought I’d speed things up a bit, and bring a bit of much needed spring colour to our …
The days are getting longer and warmer and spring is on its way. Thank goodness! Remind yourself that brighter days are coming by creating this DIY indoor planter from a recycled coffee tin. Perfect for spring bulbs. It’s so simple to make. You can even add a little phrase if you have a label maker …
Rolling the clock back to 2015, when I turned a cheap IKEA shoe rack into sweet little bathroom bench seat, in this Ikea bench seat hack. I’d been desperate to do something lovely with this sad little shoe rack for a while — it was the perfect size for our bathroom and offered great storage …
With Mother’s day fast approaching, I thought I’d stick a little list in here — just in-case (dear husband are you reading ;) ? ) someone might like some Mother’s Day gift ideas! This little round up contains the usual — flowers and chocolates — but also a couple of curve balls because, well let’s …
With spring on the way and caravanning season on the horizon, some of you might be wanting to give your caravan a brand new look. I regularly get asked what paint to use on the outside of a caravan and in this post, I give you my tips on what I think is the best …
I thought I’d celebrate the Year of the Tiger by making the boys some t-shirts! I have designed a free tiger striped font for you to download and use on your own projects. Striped Fonts — Tiger or Zebra Alphabet Letters If you put an orange background behind this free striped font, as I’ve done …
Looking for something a little different to give to the love of your life on Saint Valentine’s this year? These sustainable Valentine’s day gift ideas offer something a little more thoughtful than traditional flowers or chocolates; and will last longer too. What Can I Send Instead of Flowers For Valentines Day? There are so many …
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been busy making things for my own Valentine; my lovely husband, Mr D! I’ve designed card for him — the word LOVE in leopard print. And from it, I’ve created a free leopard print cut file. Perfect for use on cards, gifts — or pretty much anything …
One of the things I wanted to know when we were doing our kitchen last year was how to age bronze quickly. When I was younger, I learnt how to age brass with salt and vinegar, so I could give a patina to my belt buckles. I wondered if the salt and vinegar method worked …
Pantone’s colour of the year 2022 is Very Peri — a rich hyacinth blue shade. I’ve chosen 8 things to buy in Very Peri for the home and wardrobe. Easy staples to inject a little of this violet toned blue shade in to your life.
Simple, homespun interiors have been in fashion for decades; under different guises. The Cottagecore aesthetic appears — once again — in this year’s top 10 interior trends. And it shows no signs of slowing down or decreasing in popularity. In this post, I’ll show you how to paint a chest of drawers in Cottagecore style. …
I love creating seasonal garlands. Edible biscuit garlands at Christmas; paper Halloween banners or cute Easter bunny garlands. They’re always fun to make; plus they help make the house look seasonally festive too. My new creation makes use of all the delivery boxes that keep arriving at this time of year! It’s a cardboard dove …
I shared this idea for an alternative Christmas tree a few years ago but —with Christmas looming on the horizon — I thought I’d resurrect it! Folk are always looking for creative new ways to decorate their homes (Pinterest is full of alternative Christmas decor) and this alternative Christmas tree is too good not to share. …
Looking for a really easy, crafty make for the holiday season? I’ve been making wallpaper circle fans for many years now. I first wrote about them in 2016 and they were made out of pretty wallpaper; perfect for a summer party. But DIY paper fan decorations are also fantastic for Christmas too! These round paper …
Looking for the very best spiced pumpkin soup recipe? This simple spicy pumpkin soup is my go-to every year. It’s simple and delicious and the perfect way of using up those Halloween pumpkins! We’d bought two for All Hallows’ Eve, from the pumpkin farm, and only carved one of them, so the other was patiently waiting for …
Although I wouldn’t call myself a slave to interior trends, I love to update things on a fairly regular basis. Richard would roll his eyes at this point. I think ‘fickle’ might be a good description. But things don’t always have to cost a lot. You can always update on a budget. For example; our …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. I’ve spoken before about my beauty regime and how it’s changed over time. Much as I …
About 15 years ago I was asked if I would decorate a friend’s daughter’s bedroom; with some hand painted wall murals. It was years before the advent of wall decals and vinyl stickers. But my friend wanted something fun and pretty to break up the vast expanse of magnolia. The room was a bit of an odd shape …
Give your caravan a makeover and wn a £500 John Lewis gift card with Ripe Insurance! Head over to the blog to find out how…
Looking for an honest Babyliss Big Hair Care review? If you want the perfect blow dry at home — without employing a personal stylist — then read on! The Perfect Blow Dry at Home As a rule, I think I’m inherently lazy when it comes to my appearance. I’ll never be one of those girls …
I’ve written about my love of faux flowers that look real before. From my glorious hydranges from HomeSense to the fabulous faux florals from Jane Packer, I’ve had a thing about everlasting flowers for as long as I can remember. Once upon a time they were considered a bit ‘naff’. After all, plastic and silk …
Have you ever considered decorating with custom wall murals? Made to measure wall murals have been around for a while now. They’re a little like wallpaper but — more often than not — they feature scenes or photographs. Some even have hand-painted, freeform designs; rather than a traditional repeat pattern. There are various options; you …
If you’re buying a used caravan, one of the things you may have heard about is a CRiS check. Question is… what is a CRiS caravan check? And do you really need one? When we bought our first van — Dolly 1 — I had never heard of a CRiS check. I spotted her in …
Looking for a simple rhubarb gin recipe? It’s that time of year again, when gardens and allotments in the UK are starting to bloom and you maybe lucky enough to already have a few rosy red stalks of rhubarb, ripe for the picking. Rhubarb works beautifully in desserts and is always paired with custard, but …
I’ve just created a space theme bedroom for the twins just by painting a wall and adding a few new accessories.
I suddenly realised the other day that — although I post every day on The Listed Home Instagram account — I don’t often share those images and updates over here on the blog. And, let’s face it, if Instagram ever disappears in a puff of smoke ( anyone remember My Space?) it would be nice …
We were given the Playmobil Camper Van for the purposes of this review. All thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. I always wanted a VW Camper Van when I was younger. They always seemed so much cooler than boring, beige caravans; and the hippy in me was desperate for …
This is a paid partnership with Femme Luxe. I was gifted these comfy clothes for working from home for the purposes of styling this post. All thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. Working from home is the new normal for a lot of people, since Covid struck last year. Home …
I posted a pic on Instagram yesterday. I’d been baking gingerbread biscuits in the kitchen and wanted to show the baking area our kitchen designer had created for me. In the past I’ve not had any dedicated storage in our kitchen. Instead, my baking paraphernalia has been scattered within drawers, boxes and cupboards. It’s definitely …
Looking for a simple recipe for pressure cooker lentil soup? This one pot cooker version is my absolute favourite. It’s so easy to make and tastes way better than a shop bought version. Things are so grey at the moment. Lockdown restrictions means we’re all hunkering down inside. It’s cold and damp and we all …
Anyone who’s been reading my blog for a while, will be aware that we’ve been living through the chaos of the renovation of our listed home over the last 17 months. I began writing the progress on here initially (here’s what happened in weeks 1-4); and had every intention of keeping regular updates and writing …
Have you ever wanted to know how to age brass and bronze? If you don’t want to wait for it to age naturally, I’ve got a little trick, using just a couple of household staples; that takes hours — rather than years — to work! Aged Brass = Lots of Brass We’ve been having the …
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make a pom pom wreath? Last Christmas I saw an amazing pom pom wreath in Anthropologie. I loved it — but it was so expensive. I decided to try and see if I could make one myself! Ever since the twins and I learnt to make pom …
Ever wanted to know how to make pom poms the easy way? I once wrote about our Camp Bestival adventure where we all spent a brilliant afternoon in a pom-pom making workshop. It was such a different method to the one I used when I was a child. I remember spending ages cutting out my templates (usually from …
This creamy ‘Courgette Leek and Potato Soup’ is the perfect lunch or supper for colder days; it takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
Pretty good when you consider that it’s made from scratch and full of hearty goodness!
Ever wanted to know how to make a bumble bee costume? With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I’d share one of my favourite DIY fancy- dress outfits. It’s made in very much the same way that I created the DIY grasshopper costume — you can read that tutorial in another post. This bumble …
‘This is an unpaid review of the OLPRO View 420 Caravan Inflatable Porch Awning. Disclosure: I received an OLPRO View 420 Caravan Inflatable Porch Awning, as part of my ambassadorship with OLPRO. With half term on the horizon, we’re dreaming about going away in Dolly The Caravan again. I can’t believe we’ve only been away …
Have you ever wondered if we celebrate Grandparents Day in the UK? It’s on the national day calendar, but it’s not something we generally celebrate in our family. It’s the kind of thing that I feel is an American marketeer’s creation; a ‘Hallmark holiday’ if you like. But, when we were given a Land Rover …
The nights are starting to draw in and there’s a nip in the air — which can only mean one thing. Halloween! To celebrate, I’ve created a free printable Halloween banner. Perfect for turning your home into a spooky Halloween house! This year’s Halloween will be a little different, as the Covid-carousel is in full …
With autumn nearly upon us — although it’s a month or so away — this is the perfect time to start planning a Halloween party and maybe think about some Halloween baking. I found a biscuit recipe courtesy of The Biscuiteers a few years ago. I’ve used it for all sorts of iced cookies; from …
So today I read something which made me almost spit my tea out! The star signs have changed! WTF?! Initially I thought it was an April fool’s joke. After all, the whole Covid Lockdown has messed with my time clock. I genuinely haven’t known what day it is for the last few months. But I’m …
Tired of dull caravan accessories? Upgrade with floral prints, bright crocks & classic Bunting to make your caravan unique!
When I first looked at the Bosch Unlimited Cordless vacuum cleaner, my first thought was — I already have a cordless vacuum cleaner — what makes this one any different from the one I’ve got? Then I read the brief; the New Bosch Unlimited Cordless Vacuum is SO different from the others — and I’ll tell …
I’ve written about my papercuts every once in a while, over here on the blog, but I often forget to mention when I’ve created a new one. Until now! With father’s day coming up next month, I thought I’d share my latest creation. It’s a hybrid of a genuine cassette tape and a papercut and …
As much as Crittall doors bring a real sense of style to a property, they also offer a unique challenge when it comes to finding suitable window dressings!
Mindfulness Exercises are a good way to promote good mental health and focus the brain when things get a little bit tough.
With the weather turning warmer — and the Covid-19 lockdown in full swing — I raided our pantry on the weekend and, as a result, have come up with an alternative to my homemade Mini Milk ice lollies; creamy Caramel Ice Lollies. They’re such a delicious alternative; sweet, creamy and very moreish. But, best of …
Creating a gallery wall at home is so easy with Desenio. It’s one of the best places to look, as their website is a one-stop shop for affordable art.
Hands up who has a couple of blackened bananas left in the bowl every couple of weeks!? I tend to keep a few back now because I love this recipe so much. I adapted it from a non gluten free Nigella one — this is my own version of easy gluten free chocolate banana muffins. …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. When I was asked if I’d conduct a Silentnight Comfort Control mattress topper review for my …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. With the thread of Covid-19 looming ominously over us all, so many people have had to …
This time last year we were preparing for our long awaited, family road trip from LA to San Fran. Mr D grew up in San Francisco and — even though we’ve spent loads of time in the USA as a couple — we’d never gone to the west coast together. We’d planned our holiday for …
Remember when I learned how to make pom poms at Camp Bestival? The boys and I went a bit pom pom crazy and made TONS of them in the weeks that followed! I trimmed our laundry basket with some of the larger pom poms. But with all the tiny, colourful ones we made, I created …
Have you ever considered updating a room with a radiator cover? I’ve spoken about our ensuite bathroom before and how I was desperate to give it a makeover. Although it’s a nice sized room — with a lovely, old cast iron, roll-top bath — it was fairly bland; and uninspiring, to say the least. It certainly wouldn’t …
Disclosure: This post for Mens Smart Casual Clothing is a paid partnership with Samuel Windsor and was kindly given a voucher to buy products to photograph for the purposes of styling this post but all thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. Although I’ve written about menswear on the blog …
‘This is a paid partnership with Panasonic’ CLAXON SOUNDING! It’s nearly that time of year folks. ‘V-day’ is just around the corner and in just two weeks time you can bet your life there’ll be a queue at every garage in the country, for overpriced roses. But if you’re quick and fancy spoiling your lover …
One of the things I’ve found the hardest, since we’ve been renovating our house is the kitchen organisation… Or lack of it. Washing up in the bath for weeks on end was definitely a low-point! Here are some kitchen organisation tips, that might help you if you’re planning on renovating your home. Sort Before You …
Last week, Pantone announced that their Colour of The Year 2020 is Classic Blue. Amazingly, this shade appeared 4 years ago, in the 2015 Pantone spring forecast! It’s unusual to see a colour make a reappearance — and particularly to then be promoted to colour of the year. Last time, I created a post full …
So here it is folks. December is finally here and silly season is officially underway! If you want to mark the occasion by making something to get you in the Christmas spirit, here’s a little tutorial showing how to make nutcracker iced biscuits. Regular readers of my blog will know that (along with festival season) …
‘This post contains gifted items’ Looking for the best trick scooter for a 6 year old? Our twins have been putting the Micro Scooter MX Trix through its paces. And this is why we think you can’t go wrong with the MX Trixx. Four years ago I wrote about the boys and their new Mini …
Honey bees are fascinating insects, and as they pollinate plants, they’re also extremely beneficial to us humans. But they can also be a nuisance if they build a hive in your home. We suffered from bees in the chimney for eight years before we considered honey bee removal and called in a professional beekeeper. If …
OK — so you know that for years I’ve been banging on about extending our home? But as our 16th century cottage is Grade 2 listed, a listed home renovation isn’t just as simple as getting planning permission and off you go. But undeterred, in October last year, we finally put in some plans to …
A week ago I had some really REALLY exciting news — I’ve only been nominated in the Britmums Brilliance in Blogging Awards 2019!!! *cue clapping of hands and high pitched squealing* Amazingly, The Listed Home has been shortlisted in the Lifestyle category; along with four other blogs. I say ‘amazingly’ as the blogosphere is absolutely …
Ever wondered how to make a grasshopper costume? Since my little twins started nursery and school, I’ve had various demands for fancy dress outfits — for plays or theme days. A new school term is underway and I’m wondering what weird and wonderful costume requests will be coming my way over the next few months. …
Unbelievable to think that the boys will be back to school again next week. Our hotly anticipated lazy, six-week holiday has been gobbled up, Gone in a merry-go-round of festivals, camping trips, days out and sports camp. It feels as though it’s ending just as soon as it began. I don’t want it to be …
The internet is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Want to learn to make a curry? Ask Google. Want to know how to get wax crayon off a table? Google it. Want to know how to make a silk flower wreath? Hopefully your search has sent you over to my blog! I’ve seen so many beautiful …
It feels a bit sad to be writing this but the time has come for us to say goodbye to Dolly 2! We’ve bought another van and are planning another makeover project, so we’re looking for a new owner for our little upcycled caravan. She’s taken us on so many adventures — and given us …
Occasionally, you go somewhere and for whatever reason — sometimes good, sometimes bad — it sticks in your head and you can’t shake the memory of it. I’ve had this with The Queens Head Troutbeck for the last twenty years. My boy and I had gone up to the Lake District for a wedding and …
We’ve been to many types of festivals over the years; dance music, food, family, folk — as well as the grandaddy of them all, Glastonbury — but until a few weeks’ ago, we’d never been to a science festival. Bluedot festival at Jodrell Bank is not just science though. I wrote a post about it …
It’s that time of year again; festival season is in full swing folks! And just 6 sleeps until Kendal Calling 2019! We’ve been maniacally checking the weather report, planning multiple outfits; for rain, sun (and everything in between) and getting generally over-excited about the prospect of hanging out in a field with likeminded people — …
Were gifts for teachers a thing when you were at school? I certainly don’t remember ever taking a present into school for my teacher, when I was young. I may have at primary school (a very long time ago) but it’s not surprising that I didn’t when I was at high school; I hated it. …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. For the last four years — during the last week of July — we’ve made our …
‘This is a paid partnership with Modius’ So, in the third part of my Modius review, I answer the question that I’ve been asked — countless times — since I started testing it. Does Modius work? Since I began trialling the Modius device back in March, and wrote my initial thoughts, I’ve had lots of people …
Last weekend we finally got around to celebrating Mr D hitting a massive age milestone. His actual birthday was back in March; but our idea of a little wild camping party with friends wouldn’t have been such a success with the temperatures in the minuses, and snow on the ground. That said, a couple of …
As I’m typing this, the rain is hammering down on the roof of my office and the skies are an ominous gunmetal grey. It’s a far cry from last Friday, when we were visiting the British Airways i360 experience in Brighton. We had the bluest, clearest, skies last Friday; which was perfect for a little …
‘This is a paid partnership with Modius’ It’s been 7 and a half weeks since I began trialling the Modius weight-loss headset. I’ve had lots of interest from friends and family — and readers of my blog — asking for updates. So I thought I’d share my recent thoughts. Plus a step by step guide …
Oh spring! How I love you! The light, the heat. The newness, growth and greenery. This is — unquestionably — my favourite time of year. Although, the cold temperatures and grey skies of last week (and also this morning, as I write this) combined with the fact that we’ve already had our family ‘summer holiday’ …
The best way to treat holiday blues? Suffolk Secrets have a brilliant rage of gorgeous holiday boltholes; even beach huts!
OK folks. You may have gathered, from the title of this post, that I have exciting news to share. Let’s have a quick show of hands… who wants to win a family weekend pass for Bluedot Festival?? Yes?!! Read on… You may remember that I wrote about Bluedot back in March. We’re lucky enough to …
I’ve been meaning to write this post for AGES. I’ve had so many messages from people over recent months, asking what I use for painting a caravan exterior. So I thought I’d finally jot down my method; before another year passes by. Caravan painting is nothing new — people have been doing it for years! …
Disclosure: I was asked to conduct this Modius review as part of a paid partnership with Modius. All words, thoughts and images are — as ever — my own. I have struggled with my weight my whole adult life. Granted, I’m not the biggest woman on the planet — 12 on the top and 14 …
Ever planned a staycation in Cornwall? So once again, the Met office are forecasting an unusually warm spring. Of course, The Sun have reported this as ‘a three month heatwave’ — with 26°C predicted next month’. Never let it be said that they don’t like to make a juicy headline out of the British weather. …
Aaaah… (breathes a huge sigh of relief) spring is here. Finally. And whilst we didn’t have a return of the Beast From The East (thankfully), the weather over the last couple of months has certainly still been a little bit ‘unpredictable’ and challenging at times. To say the least. I spent quite a lot of …
Can spas reduce stress? Or are they an overpriced gimmick? I generally feel that Pilates is the best thing for helping me; but even simple things like colouring in have definitely helped me to relax over the years. How are you at coping with stress? Are you impervious to it? Do you take it in …
Ever since I was a teen, I’ve had love/hate relationship with fashion. In some respects I love it. I love the creativity, the drama. Seeing the models stomping down the catwalk at London Fashion Week is a joy to behold. Particularly when they’re wearing something weird and wonderful. But that’s it, isn’t it? The majority …
How do you react when you see a famous person? Do you stare? Rush over and ask for an autograph? Or do you side glance them — then studiously pretend you’ve no idea who they are; that their fame and popularity are of no interest? I definitely used to fall into the latter camp. When …
‘This honest ford Kuga review is in paid partnership with Vertu Motors. However all thoughts, words and images are entirely my own.’ Although we’ve never pushed gender specific toys on the twins — always offering them a choice — like an inherent magnet, they’re inexplicably drawn to cars and trains. Ever since they were very …
So today, the clock rolled over once again and I’m celebrating yet another year. Age is a funny old thing, isn’t it? When we’re young, we’re desperate to look older. We want to sashay past the bouncer in a club, without being confronted and asked if we’re old enough to be admitted. We want to stand …
Happy, happy new year everyone! I had so many grand plans to share more Christmas decorating posts over the festive period but, if truth be told, switching off from the screen (and social media in general) was way too appealing. Once I’d cracked open that first mince pie, my resolve went straight out the window. …
Oh how I love this time of year. It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of autumn and winter but December is most definitely excused. I LOVE the festive season; the run up to Christmas is magical. Preparation for the big day seems to consume my every waking minute and I love the way …
Fancy decorating your staircase with honeycomb balls and paper pom poms for the festive season? Not long now folks… just a few more days and the Christmas countdown will be well and truly on! A month today, we’ll probably just have finished our Christmas dinner and will be lying comatose in front of the TV. …
Looking for smart living room storage for toys? Toys literally seem to be taking over our home. We’ve gone from having the ubiquitous Jumperoo — in duplicate — sitting in the corner of our sitting room; to mounds of Lego, a giant play festival food van, and loads of teeny tiny Playmobil accessories. I wrote …
Ever heard of The Style at Home Christmas Tree Challenge? I hadn’t either until a couple of weeks ago. Occasionally life throws us a curve-ball doesn’t it? Sometimes it’s bad, sometimes good and every once in a while it’s downright extraordinary. Picture this: you’re heading off in one direction, only to find that — at …
There has been so much in the news about ‘sustainability’ in the last few months hasn’t there? Documentaries like Blue Planet II, showing sickening images of plastic pollution; closely followed by Stacey Dooley with her hard hitting report on cotton production and the fashion industry. I feel as though there’s been a real shift in …
Terrarium Moss. Whilst it’s an odd name for a colour — without even seeing it — you can imagine exactly what shade it is from those two words. I was given a lovely terrarium a few years ago. I’d intended to fill it with tiny plants — succulents or cacti — but I ended up cramming …
Looking for an honest review of the VQ Lark? You’ve come to the right place! Working from home is something that I’m so grateful I’m able to do. I’ve been freelance for 11 years now and there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t feel thankful that I’m able to do what I …
Looking for a Good Life Festival Experience Review? Here’s mine from 2018. We’d narrowly missed the boat for tickets to the 2017 Good Life Experience, so this is something that I’d been looking forward to for an entire year! And it absolutely didn’t disappoint. I wrote about Good Life back in April; a little potted history, …
This is a paid post with McDonalds to promote the McDonald’s character visits. Although this is a collaborative post all thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. Through the mists of time (OK — I’m exaggerating — throughout my lifetime) there has been an unequivocal link between children’s happiness and McDonald’s. Our family …
Would you ever consider taking part in a family sustainability challenge? There’s such a buzz around ‘sustainability’ at the moment, isn’t there? Everything from banning single use plastics, to reducing meat production; saving energy to recycling. It seems to be everywhere you look. I think we humans are starting to become increasingly more aware of …
When I talk to people about our festival antics, some people occasionally express surprise about the kind of things we get up to when we’re there. I guess, festivals come in all shapes and sizes, and if you’ve only ever witnessed Glastonbury on the TV, you could be lulled into thinking that all festivals resemble …
Disclosure: This post for Homemade Ginger and Rhubarb Gin contains affiliate links of products that I’ve bought myself. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra but I may receive a few pence if you click on a link and buy something. Fancy making a delicious homemade ginger and rhubarb gin? Then read …
Summer 2018. Since I began this blog, it’s been my life’s mission to capture as many family moments as I can; to preserve them for when the boys are old enough to read and understand just how much they mean to their daddy and me. What began as a cathartic exercise — and something that …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. As a lone woman in a houseful of boys, there’s not a lot of pink in …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this review of the Nora mattress from Wayfair. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. Time For a New Mattress I’ve spoken before about my …
I often wonder what the Pantone Institute were thinking when they named some of their shades. Some have such obscure names; think Serenity and Lucite Green. Whilst others are really obvious; Tangerine and Custard, for example. I wonder if the big-wigs at Pantone ever argue? Disagree on what something should be called? One thing’s for sure, I bet …
Aaah the sun is shining, summer is well and truly in full swing and — more importantly — festival season is here folks! Hurrah! Regular readers of my blog will know that this is my favourite time of year, bar none. The boys and are already getting excited about the festivals that we’re booked to …
A couple of week’s ago I left the confines of my desk — I know, amazing right. It’s been a while ;) — to go into London and catch up with a couple of my girlfriends; Heledd from Running In Lavender and Bonnie from the blog Mama’s VIB for the White Stuff Press Show. The …
How do you start your day? Are you a coffee fiend or a tea guzzler? Me? I am most definitely the latter. I do drink coffee but not first thing in the morning; I am strictly a ‘tea only’ kinda gal before 10.30am. And I’m also quite fussy about how I take it. Milk no …
I wrote last year about finding the perfect narrow hallway bench seat for our wonky little cottage. We didn’t have to look very hard, as I found the perfect small hallway bench with storage from GLTC. The Abbeville storage bench is SO useful and a master of disguise. It works well as a little reading nook. …
Looking for a St Tropez Gradual One Minute Tan Review? You’ve come to the right place! Read on… It’s that time of year folks. The first sunny weekend of the year has passed us by and bodies that haven’t seen the light of day for months were de-robed — in all their milky white glory. …
There has been so much chat on my social media feeds about last week’s mini heatwave. We Brits are obsessed with the weather aren’t we? It’s either too wet, hot, cold, too snowy or windy. We don’t ever seem to agree on what’s the perfect temperature. I think — a bit like queuing — it’s …
Oh hello sunshine! So nice to see you. This weeks’ predicted heatwave has finally arrived and I’m sitting here feeling a warmth that — unusually — isn’t coming from the central heating; for the first time in months. I think spring is actually here at last. A little late to the party but fashionably so, …
What’s that shining, golden orb in the sky? I *think* it might be the sun but, it’s been such a long since I last saw it, I can’t be totally sure. The breeze feels warm today; we’ve thrown open the windows and the stale, winter fug that has been occupying the rooms of our little …
Well, hurrah for the clocks going forward. I don’t think I have ever, ever been so grateful to lose an hour! This winter has felt very, very long indeed hasn’t it? That extra hour of daylight made the world of difference yesterday though. Added to the fact that spring finally seems to have sprung. At …
This is the longest, coldest season I can ever remember. Just as I think we’re turning a corner — and spring tries to make an appearance — the cold bites back and we’re in the throes of winter once more. I thought we’d seen the last of the ‘Beast of The East’ but more snow …
‘Pilates changed my life‘ — sounds a bit extreme and sensationalist doesn’t it? But never a truer word was written. It really has. I’ve written about my love for Pilates before. In all the chaos that life presents; the constant merry-go-round of juggling work with motherhood — being a wife, a homeowner, a responsible adult …
Just as I think we’ve finally turned the corner — and winter seems to be making an exit — Mother Nature chucks us another curve ball. Although it was still light at almost 6 o’clock yesterday (a couple of weeks’ ago it was dark at 4pm so a vast improvement) we’ve had yet another sprinkling of …
We went away for a night at the Wood Norton Hotel and it made me think… every once in a while, getting away with your significant other and rediscovering ‘why’ you got together in the first place is a wonderful thing. And before you get carried away with the smutty references; I wasn’t *necessarily* referring …
A new year means only one thing here on The Listed Home — a new colour of the year! I had no idea that when I started this blog series three years ago that I’d still be writing them so far down the line. But I adore this little collection of posts; and I especially …
Happy, happy new year! I thought I’d kick off the year by introducing my new Breville Curve Toaster and Kettle. Although — as we’re exactly two weeks into January — is it appropriate to say happy new year still?! It’s been a slow start for me. I’ve been taking my time and easing myself into …
Is Lapland UK worth the money? I thought I’d write my Lapland review for any parents looking to book tickets. There’s no denying that it’s expensive — but is it worth it? Read on… ‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,Every creature was stirring,As they’d all been kept awake by two very …
What will be on your Christmas pudding menu this year? Sherry trifle? Traditional Christmas pud? I can tell you that both of those will be on ours — along with this little beauty. A super easy no bake Malteser Cheesecake. Nom. I made it a couple of week’s ago for a festive get-together with friends …
Thought I’d start my Breville DiamondXpress review with an admission — I’m not the one that irons in our house! So thankful my husband is the king of ironing! Anyone who knows me will tell you that ironing is just not my bag. I am rubbish at it. Tricky when I like a classic white …
The first week of December has given us a bitter wind and the clearest, bluest skies. As you know, I’m not keen on the short dark days but I make an exception for the final month of the year. I love December. From the very first day — to the very last — it’s a month …
When you have a child with an egg allergy, you spend a lot of time googling things like — ‘How to make egg free Royal Icing‘ and ‘What is the best eggless pancake recipe EVER?’. And so on. It’s all a bit daunting to begin with but eventually you realise that there are some fabulous …
When you think of Cornish holiday cottages, what’s the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to decor? Blue. Whitewashed wood. Seaside themed accessories. Certainly not punchy brights, designer prints and funky furniture then? No. Me either. I must admit, they certainly wouldn’t be top of my ‘Cornish cottage decor’ list. So when …
Want to know how to make the perfect Mojito? Read on! I was dreaming of cocktails and summer yesterday; winter has us well and truly in its grips. It snowed here yesterday morning! Funnily enough, it snowed in November in the very first year we moved into this village too. Proper snow. Big fat flakes …
I am not a fan of the cold, I think it’s fair to say but a walk in Joules autumn collection will put a smile on my face and some roses in my cheeks. Hibernating for six months of the year just isn’t an option, with two very active little twin boys to entertain. Embracing …
Why are we Brits so obsessed with all things Scandinavian? We seem to love Scandi design; type ‘Scandi’ into Google and every major high street brand has a listing on the first page. Each one trying to tempt us to come and check out their Scandinavian inspired offerings. Plus there’s a very well known blue …
Looking for perfect play-wear for your little one? Read our Kidunk review to find out why we think we’ve found the best kids’ clothes EVER!
I’ve gone to great lengths in the past to make sure our guests have a good night’s sleep when they come to stay. We’re lucky that the basics are already covered. Our guest rooms are on the back of the house so there’s very little traffic noise; visitors won’t be woken by lorries rumbling by in …
We went back to my mum and dad’s a couple of weekend’s ago. It was my friend’s 40th birthday and we left the boys with my parents overnight and went up to the Wirral; footloose and fancy free. The next day we were not *quite* as chipper. Mr D had the hangover from hell and …
I read something last week about Swedish Death Cleaning. Huh?? Yes quite. I thought Marie Kondo’s decluttering method was a bit full on but this new practice makes that look fairly tame! What is The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning? This new craze is based around a book called The Gentle Art of Swedish …
I’ve read many reviews for Hucks some positive, some negative.
I thought I’d share my thoughts of eating out at Huck’s Center Parcs Sherwood.
One of the things that will stay with me to the grave, is my mum (when I was about 12 or 13) occasionally saying, before I went anywhere. ‘I hope you’ve got clean pants on? You never know when you’ll be hit by a bus’. It’s SUCH a weird thing to say but really really …
‘This is an unpaid Land Rover Discovery Sport Review. Disclosure: we were given a Discovery Sport HSE LUX to test-drive for a long weekend, in order to give an honest review. The Land Rover Discovery Sport HSE LUX might look like a total babe but it doesn’t just have a pretty face; it definitely has a …
Disclosure: we test drove a Discovery Sport HSE LUX for a long weekend, to celebrate the launch of The Discovery Adventures Podcast. This is an unpaid post. Recently I received an email to ask if we’d like to try a Land Rover Discovery Sport for a weekend, to celebrate the launch of The Discovery Adventures …
On Saturday, as part of our Landrover Discovery Adventures, we took the boys to The Chiltern Open Air Museum for the afternoon. It’s a really fascinating family day out I’d highly recommend it, if you’re looking for something a little different to do. Founded in 1976, with the aim of rescuing threatened buildings; more than …
Disclosure: I received a set of Tetbury bedding from Bluebellgrey and paint from Farrow and Ball to style this colourful bedroom makeover. Amazing how quickly the summer has passed. It seems that no sooner as the first snowdrops appear — and we joyfully wave goodbye to the cold and grey — that we we have …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. Is Just So The Best First Family Festival? A question that I’m often asked is; ‘Of …
You know how certain things are made for each other; jam and cream, black and white, Liz and Richard etc etc Well there is currently the most amazing collaboration happening — like two planets colliding — it’s a spectacular pairing. Basically, my two very favourite brands have put their heads together and created the most …
Colour is such a tonic isn’t it? It brightens up the dullest of days and definitely forms the largest part of my wardrobe. I’ve never been one of the chic, black brigade; I’ve tried — in vain — to be dark and interesting. But it’s just not me; I always end up feeling drab and …
Smart storage. Does the ‘smart’ mean clever? Or does it mean dapper and debonair? Well in the case of the Abbeville Storage Bench from GLTC it means both of those things. This is one bit of furniture that’s as clever as is it good looking. The Perfect Reading Nook. When we first bought the Abbeville …
So whilst Camp Bestival may be over for another year, festival season is still in full swing — hurrah — and the boys and I are now counting the days until Just So Festival, which is on the 18th-20th of this month. We’ve never been before, and I am beyond excited!! It’s now in it’s …
What makes Camp Bestival 2017 stand out from any other year we’ve been? It rained. And rained and rained and rained. But as a very wise man, called Gilbert K. Chesterton, once said; ‘When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.’ And I think that perfectly sums up …
we’re planning to give the twins room a little makeover. Everything from mountain murals to constellations on the ceiling; there are loads of cool themes for a boys roo
Mid July. What kind of images does that conjure up to you? Sweltering days and balmy nights. Paddling pool in the garden and alfresco dining. Barbecues and cocktails. Or grey skies and thunderclouds? Over the weekend the sun did a bunk and it didn’t resemble summer in the slightest. I had one of my oldest …
After our St Mawes adventure in February, we followed it up with another trip down to Cornwall in May. This time to Bosinver, near St Austell. I wrote a little post saying that we’d booked to go, back in September of last year, and we’d been looking forward to it for the best part of 8 …
Mum style. It’s a term that gets bandied around a lot these days doesn’t it? Women pushing against the ‘frumpy mummy’ stigma and trying to remain cool and fashionable, with little ones in tow. Personally, I don’t feel as though I’ve ever been particularly ‘fashionable’ — even when I was in my teens and twenties. I …
Over on Instagram last week there was a flurry of inspiring posts on ‘positive body image’— one of my favourite being from my blogging buddy Alison who posted a pic of herself and her daughter in matching swimming costumes. When I saw it I literally did a double take and thought— ‘Wow — she’s so brave’ — and …
Part 5 of Operation She Shed is all about painting the interior. I said from the start that these posts weren’t going to be that sexy — and I wasn’t kidding — but in order to see the butterfly, you have to begin with a dull old chrysalis. Or something like that. Anyway. Just to put this …
I think it’s fair to say that — for me — the last eight weeks have been tinged with frustration and a little bit of boredom. It’s unlike me too; I don’t get bored easily. If I ever feel my attention waning — and inertia setting in — I tend to just change direction and do something else. But …
Since we decorated just before Christmas last year, the majority of the walls in our home have remained bare; and most of our framed pictures have been stacked up on the floor, waiting to be rehung. We used to have a ‘stairway photo gallery’ going up the staircase. Dozens of black framed, black and white photographs — in various shapes …
Disclosure: We were sent two Dinky Duvalay sets for the twins, for the purposes of this review. All photos, thoughts and words — as ever — are entirely my own. It’s that time of year folks! Spring is finally here which means it’s time to dust Dolly down and get her out of her winter …
Today the boys and I have been making Eater bonnets. A simple thing… and whilst we made them, my mind began to wander. I began this blog 4 years, 5 months and 8 days ago. To the day. When I started writing I had no idea that it would become such a permanent fixture in our lives. Or …
Looking for a review of the Hotel Aiguille Percee in Tignes? Here’s what we thought. Our Trip to Tignes With Mark Warner For someone — like me — who’s never been to the mountains before, the coach journey from Grenoble airport to the ski resort of Tignes was pretty spectacular. Winding through the French Alps, looking …
The next in my Colour Your World series is Pantone Lilac Gray. Of all the colours I’ve showcased so far, it has been the most difficult to source products for. Slightly more red than standard ‘grey’, this warmed up shade has definitely more than just a hint of lavender. It’s such a beautiful, restful colour — and I found …
Hurrah! The clocks have gone forward!! This annual event literally makes me smile from ear to ear. Goodbye winter. We’ll miss you! Said no-one. Ever. It’s that time of year where I start coming out of hibernation and begin to look forward to the warmer months that lie ahead. We bought a family calendar a …
Even before I had the boys I was never one for packing light. I used to pore over the pages of Red and Grazia, marvelling over glossy pages of chic capsule wardrobes. Then when it came to packing in ‘real’ life, I’d panic and cram in clothes for every eventuality. I’ve never been too good at …
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that we’d painted our snug. And if you happened to be flicking through my Insta Stories, that day, you’d have seen the action taking place; and the paint actually going onto the walls in real time. The room had been a mid-dark grey for quite a few years but in a …
February. A very short and very memorable month for me and mine. We’ve done some decorating. Been planning and getting very excited for our upcoming ski trip with Mark Warner. And, of course, we celebrated our wedding anniversary down in Cornwall; at lovely Dreamcatchers; courtesy of St Mawes Retreats. It is definitely one of the most …
Getting a good night’s sleep becomes as evasive and mystical as the unicorn when you’re a new parent. But total blackout blinds are literally the holy grail and go a long way in making things a little easier. Sleep deprivation is most definitely a form of torture. And ‘sleeping through’ is a hot topic of conversation; …
At around twenty past two on the third of this month my boy and I had been married for sixteen years. The happiest times of my life have happened with — and as a result of — this amazing man. I love him more than words can say. I’ve written about our wedding day before. It’s bizarre that it was …
There’s a LOT of excitement in our home at the mo, as we’ve been getting ready for our first family ski holiday with Mark Warner!! I thought I’d put together a list of Family Ski-wear essentials. The little boys are so excited about the snow; much chat about this. I’m not convinced that they quite know …
I mentioned a few week’s ago that this year I’m working with Wayfair, on their Home Experts panel. My first challenge was to create a post celebrating the colour of the year ‘Greenery’ and more recently I was asked if I’d like to pick six of my favourite products, from their site, and discuss why I liked them. Definitely easier said …
This is an unpaid post for Dreamcatchers at St Mawes Retreats but all thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. Many thanks to Amanda and the team at St Mawes Retreats for generously allowing us to come and stay and sample the delights of Dreamcatchers for the purposes of this review; …
Part 4 of ‘Operation She Shed’ — and this time round I’m talking about boarding and insulating. Now, I warn you, this isn’t going to be the sexiest post in the world. The pictures are not the best quality and the content is more function than form. That said, I never intended to just show …
Ever considered dark grey walls in your home? It’s a bold choice and not to everyone’s taste but I’d decided late on Friday night that I was going to repaint the snug. Again. I’d only painted it just before Christmas but the colour just didn’t suit. And hey. It’s only paint at the end of the …
I can’t believe I’m into my third year of Pantone posts! When this series began I didn’t really have any agenda; I just loved looking at the colours and creating boards to tie in with them. Amazing that we’re into yet another year. And to kick off this year’s colours, it seems right and proper to start with the colour of …
So. When I wrote this post, I spent the next half an hour humming Prince’s ‘Most Beautiful Girl In The World’ — *replace actual lyrics for the above title and you’ll see where I’m coming from*. But the Pigeonhole Wall Shelf from GLTC is exactly that. The most versatile shelf. My boy had originally bagged it …
When I was pregnant I spent a lot of time Googling things. How do you breastfeed two babies at once? What’s the best baby changing bag for twins? The best white-noise app/bottle steriliser/pushchair? You know the kind of thing. I’m not quite sure what we used to do before the days of the internet but these days, …
Back in October we celebrated my mum and dad’s golden anniversary weekend at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest FIFTY YEARS!!! Such a huge milestone! They had decided ages ago that they wanted to take us all away for the weekend. We wanted somewhere that would appeal to all ages and — as my heavily pregnant sister wasn’t able to fly …
Listening to carols on the radio; whilst decorating the tree with my granny’s vintage Christmas decoratuons (and drinking mulled wine)! My very favourite Christmas rituals!
Recently, as part of their Great Little Trading Testing Team duties (literally the BEST job ever!) my little man-cubs were asked to try out the GLTC Fix It Workbench. A cool bit of kit for handy little boys and girls; especially ones like mine who regularly see their daddy using a big grown up version. The …
I think anyone who knows me — or reads my blog — will have a good idea what my favourite colour is. It hasn’t always been that colour though. It’s changed throughout my life. In my teens it was purple. I wore purple dungarees and lavender suede desert boots — with purple ribbons for laces — I had violet streaks …
One of the loveliest things about my job is being invited along to the press shows of the amazing brands I work with, so when an invite to the Laura Ashley Press Show SS17 pinged into my inbox I was very excited indeed. It’s a real treat to see the product before it hits the shops and …
A couple of weeks’ ago I mentioned that we were planning to throw a Halloween party. We’d decided to make it a bit of a village affair — invite all the neighbours and their children — and decorate the house and garden in a suitably spooky manner. Although we spent hours scouring Pinterest for games and …
I wish the weather would make up it’s mind — one minute it feels as mild as spring, the next it’s Baltic. On warmer days, I’ve been sitting in my she-shed with the doors and windows open but on cooler mornings I’ve literally had a blanket around my knees as I’ve been working. To ensure I …
There’s been so much going on recently though, it’s hardly surprising. We’ve barely been at home and the couple of free days that I do have — during the week when the boys are at nursery — seem to be over in a flash. I certainly don’t seem to be able to fit as much in as I’d like. But hey. Better …
Autumn crept up without me really noticing. Most of the deciduous trees, in our area, still have most of their foliage which is a little strange for this time of year. Often by now there’s a crunchy carpet of leaves underfoot. Usually by mid October, everything’s starting to look a little more stark than it did …
Well, summer is definitely over for another year, which gives me the perfect excuse to begin planning a Halloween party. I’ve desperately been trying to hold on to the warmer days — refusing to wear proper shoes in favour of my flip flops — but, try as I might, autumn is upon us once more. …
I thought I’d share my thoughts on the Siemens Avantgarde iSensoric Washing Machine. As a twin mum, I seem to be washing all the time! They’re double the love, the work, the fun, the stress, the smiles, shoes, toys, clothes… double practically everything. But quadruple the washing load. Oh the washing — no-one told me about …
Since we’ve been a family of four, all of our holidays — apart from our amazing first family abroad to Sardinia in July — have been in and around the UK. Luckily, Britain is such a beautiful island and, arguably, there’s nowhere more picturesque than Cornwall. So much to do — sweet little fishing villages to explore …
Have you ever wanted to know how to make a paper circle fan decoration? They’re super easy to make and look fabulous! Here’s a quick tutorial showing how I make mine. Making a House a Home When my sister and her husband sold their house recently they couldn’t find anywhere they wanted to buy. So — as a stop …
I mentioned a couple of week’s ago that I was planning a dining room makeover. I’d put together a little mood-board, picked out the wall-paint and chosen a couple of bits and pieces to give the room a bit of a refresh. The room was OK before — not hideous — but it was all a …
Back in July I chose a new black and white geometric rug for my she-shed. I spent a long time deciding on the colour, size and style. I deliberated over patterns (I wanted something quite graphic). Mulled over sizes (I needed something large enough to cover the main area of my work space to keep me cosy in the …
When we reach a certain age *ahem* the beauty products that we used throughout our twenties and *coughs* (sorry — I seem to have something stuck in my throat) thirties, may not be be doing us any favours anymore. Don’t admit defeat. Don’t accept old age gracefully. Try a new regime. Introducing Boots Botanics Skin Care …
Whenever I hear the word ‘dust’ I immediately think of the Little Britain sketch with the irrepressible Fat-Fighting Marjorie Dawes; ‘Dust. Anybody? No? Dust.’ But over the last couple of months ‘Dust’ has taken on a totally new meaning. There seems to be dust everywhere. My she-shed is still full of dust. It’s certainly looking more room-like …
Camp Bestival 2016. What an epic adventure. Unbelievably it was a few weekends ago now that we were packing up Dolly The Caravan; to make the journey down to Lulworth in Dorset. I took almost 1000 pictures over the 4 days that we were there (!). And have been ploughing through them, trying to work out what to write about …
I’ve made a little list of our three favourite essential holiday items for toddlers. Don’t leave for a holiday abroad without them!
In January this year, my boy and I finally embarked on the project that I’ve been desperate to start since I began working for myself around a decade ago; Operation She Shed. I’ve always wanted a dedicated work-space. Having a room in the house is OK but when you work from home — on a full time basis — you can begin to …
My name is Caro and I have a bit of a thing for IKEA. There. I said it. It’s been one of my favourite places to shop for the last 25 years, ever since the first time, when I joyfully accompanied my mum to choose stuff for university. But when you find yourself suggest the IKEA café for a date-night with your …
Well, we’re very nearly reaching the close of this month and I’ve only just got around to writing my styling the seasons post. But hey. I’m consoling myself with the fact that at least I’ve done one this month!! I missed June’s completely!! I was recently sent a mini greenhouse from the lovely interiors company Rose & Grey and asked …
Now — apologies if you’re looking for an inspirational, design-led post, full of colour and style. You certainly won’t find it here!!! Inspiration, maybe, but certainly none of the others. I wanted to document this she shed journey from start to finish and the build is not exactly what you’d call ‘pretty’. Anyway, around this …
Situated in a leafy glade, with sunlight dappling the ground. Lizzie’s Way offers much-needed respite, of festival madness at Camp Bestival.
Every once in a while, something stops me in my tracks and I end up becoming totally fixated with it, until its mine. It began with a cuddly monkey (called Lucy) — that had a yellow dummy in it’s mouth and a rose sprinkled bonnet and nappy — when I was around 8 years old. Then a super-soft …
Disclosure: We’ve been working with Mark Warner this year as part of their ambassador programme. We were sent to review the Perdepera Resort in Sardinia. This is a collaborative post but all thoughts, words and lifestyle images are entirely my own. I love my blog; this little tiny corner of the internet. Since I began writing my …
Caravanserai. Now there’s a word you don’t hear very often. Initially, I thought it was a name made up by those clever bods who brought us Camp Bestival – but it really, really does exist! CARAVANSERAI /ˌkarəˈvansərʌɪ,-ri/ noun historical an inn with a central courtyard for travellers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa. a group …
Inspired by my favourite storybook, The Princess and the Pea, this range of beds from Button and Sprung are fit for real-life princesses.
Summer has been a wash out so far hasn’t it? As I’m sitting here, typing this, the sky is a steely grey and the rain is drumming a tune on the roof of my new office. Its a far cry from the sun-drenched picture in my head, when I think of summer. Not many days …
“Weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, Pantone 15-3919 Serenity comforts with a calming effect, bringing a feeling of respite even in turbulent times. A transcendent blue, Pantone Serenity provides us with a naturally connected sense of space” — Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director – Pantone Colour Institute When I read …
I thought I’d post a GLTC Bed in a Bag review; our findings might help another family. Since the boys were born, we’ve never had a proper travel cot. I hate how big and clumsy traditional travel cots are and decided to look for an alternative. So after a lot of research, we bought a …
So I’ve mentioned that next month we’re off to Camp Bestival. Now any Bestival/Camp Bestival aficionado will tell you that one of the best things about the festivals each year is the hotly anticipated theme and this year it’s Outer Space. Some revellers take this very seriously indeed. Others give a little nod to it (and will don a …
We’re off to Camp Bestival 2016 and just wanted to share a couple of reasons why you should buy a ticket for this year’s festivities!
I’ve spoken before about my love of gardening. I guess it’s in the blood. My paternal grandmother was notoriously green fingered — as was my maternal grandfather. He was a really keen gardener and when he died I asked for a couple of rhubarb plants from his garden. I’ve written about the homemade rhubarb cordial that …
We have a dream to extend our Grade 2 listed cottage. Find out how we plan to overcome the limitations and get planning permission.
It’s the first of my Pantone posts for 2016 and what better way to start of than with one of their hotly anticipated colours of the year? This year Pantone have bucked the trend and chosen not one but two colours. The first is Pantone Rose Quartz. Now I’ve always said that I’m not particularly ‘girly’ …
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a few weeks now but spare time seems to be elusive and this handful of images, that I took in the last days of March, have been sitting on my camera waiting to see the light of day. And actually, since taking these photographs, the garden has changed beyond all …
Peach. It’s not a shade that I’m immediately drawn to — either in fashion or interiors — if I’m honest. For me, the colour ‘peach’ is straight out of the 1980s. It conjures up satin bridesmaids dresses with puffed sleeves, dubiously coloured bathroom suites and fussy, festoon blinds. It certainly doesn’t bring to mind the punchy coral shade in …
On Saturday, my three boys and I hotfooted it down to London for a very special housewarming party. Our friends at the Great Little Trading Company have just created the very first GLTC showroom and we were very privileged to get a sneak preview before the doors open to the public. It’s in Wandsworth, south London, so was …
Since the boys were born we’ve had quite a few friends and family remark that we’re ‘brave’ to have white sofas. I’m not sure if it’s brave or foolhardy but I’ve always loved pale coloured sofas. Plus, but I’ve got some top tips for keeping white sofas looking nice! I love white sofas as they work well with …
Disclosure: I was given this stylish pegboard by The Great Little Trading Company; to style for the purposes of this post. All thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. I’ve already mentioned in a previous post. This year our family are fortunate enough to be part of the testing team for the Great …
April been a hectic month already; the tiny boys have started pre-school — and we’ve upped their days to 4 long mornings a week — plus my in-laws are moving house. They’re downsizing from their large 5 bedroom family home to a 3 bed penthouse apartment. Contracts have already been exchanged, the removal men were in yesterday, the cleaners tomorrow …
Ever wondered how to set up a gin bar at home? These days there are gazillions of Pinterest boards full of gin bar inspiration. Mine is a little more humble, but it is really lovely to have my favourite tipple in one place! Mother’s Ruin Aaah gin. They call it ‘Mother’s Ruin’ don’t they? In …
Disclosure: This is an unpaid review with Joseph Joseph. I was sent a Totem 60 Bin for the purposes of this blogpost. All images, thoughts and words — as ever — are my own. There used to be a time when we’d literally throw anything and everything in the bin, if it was surplus to requirements. And there …
Last month’s styling the seasons post was late. Very late. So this month I decided to buck the trend and try and organise myself a little better. Although look — it’s 28th of the month and I’m only just posting once again. Oh. Must. Try. Harder. Although it’s been such a hectic month, I really should cut myself a little …
Faux florals by Jane Packer are not words that naturally sit together. But last Tuesday I visited the London shop of the world renowned florist; to have a look at the new range of faux florals that she’s created exclusively for Sainsbury’s Home. Now I’ve spoken about my love for faux florals before but these were something else entirely. The …
Looking for pictures of a pirate birthday party? I took more than 400 images of the twins’ third birthday at the weekend! I’ve managed to cut them down as much as I can, but you’ll still see what we got up to in the pics below. As quick as a flash, the not so ‘terrible …
Geometric lighting, geometric print cushions, geometric homeware — geometry is taking interiors by storm. Now, I loathed geometry at school. I’m a complete dullard when it comes to maths. Being made to do fractions and *shudder* long division is something that I still have nightmares about. However, every new school year — without fail — I’d twist my mum’s arm. And persuade …
Disclosure: This is an unpaid collaboration. I was given two sets of children’s bedding for the Room For a Little One Campaign with Silentnight. Now, the boys’ room hasn’t really changed a great deal since they were born. I shared a little nursery tour last year. And apart from a couple of new bits and …
Disclosure: This is an unpaid review with Nissan. We were given a Nissan Leaf to try out for a weekend, for the purposes of this Nissan Leaf review. All words, thoughts, and images — as ever — are all mine. When we think about buying a new car, there are certain things that are on the check list …
When I was a little girl, I dreamt of being an artist when I grew up. It was inconceivable that I’d be anything else, to be honest, as I spent my days drawing, painting and colouring. Then when I was a little bit bigger I studied for an art A’Level, followed by a graphic design course at art college, before finally leaving home and …
I had the very best of intentions for this month’s styling the seasons post. I’d bought some beautiful Muscari (otherwise known as Grape Hyacinths) — in a glorious sky blue shade — and popped them in a cheerful turquoise glazed pot, in readiness. I’d envisaged them sitting on my kitchen table on a stack of …
Disclosure: This is an unpaid post with George Home. We were invited to a birthday party at the George Home but all thoughts and words, as ever, are entirely my own. Every once in a while, my blog presents an opportunity that makes me really grateful to be part of this lovely industry. And leaves me a …
Pink is certainly the colour of the moment isn’t it? But how do you decorate with blush pink in a living room? Ever since Pantone named Rose Quartz as one of its colours of the year for 2016, the high street has been awash with it. It’s a delicious pale pink — not too saccharine sweet, not too babyish …
What makes the perfect family holiday? Even though the boys will be 3 years old, in less than a month’s time, I don’t have much to reference in terms of our ‘perfect family holiday’ as we haven’t actually had one yet. And don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a pity party, we’ve had some lovely, lovely weekends …
Are you looking for an honest and independent review of The Hare & Hounds, Tetbury? We stayed here for our 15th wedding anniversary and I was so impressed, I thought I’d share my thoughts.
This year I promised myself that I was going to learn how to write properly. I don’t mean stringing works and sentences together either; I do that regularly on my blog, in typed form. But more the ‘art’ of handwriting. Brush lettering in particular. You’d think that this is a skill that I’d have perfected by …
Flowers. I love them. But especially everlasting blooms. I think I might have just found the best artificial flowers ever! In all their guises, I’m a girl who loves nothing more than a vase of blooms in the house. Goldfish bowls brimming with tulips, glass cylindrical vases full of lilies, or sweet little forget-me-nots or hellebores in …
So we’re almost at the end of the first month of the year — January is nearly at a close. What does this month mean to me? Well, in a few days time it will be my birthday. It’s funny, I’ve always moaned about being born a month after Christmas. As a child I felt sad — …
I’ll be the first to admit, I have really struggled over the last couple of weeks. I’m not naturally a ‘morning person’ and having to drag myself out of a cosy warm bed is hard for me on most days. However, on wintery mornings — when there’s a chill in the air and frosty patterns …
Shortly after I began taking these photographs, it became clear that I wasn’t sure what I was focussing on, to be honest. Initially it was the beautiful sea-green brogues, that my boy bought me for Christmas. Just look how gorgeous they are! Sea-green brogues of dreams… They are from Seasalt Cornwall and I am totally and utterly in love …
I’ve been thinking of storage ideas for my garden office. My imaginary garden office. I’ve mentioned it time and time again on my blog. I’ve even dedicated a Pinterest board to it. But THIS YEAR it’s finally happening! This is the year my garden office goes from being imaginary to real! Weeeeeeeee! *claps hands in excitement* It’s …
So funny to think that, when I started, I had no idea that it would take me nearly a full year to complete the 2015 palette. I’m really looking forward to exploring the SS16 Pantone colour report and looking at all the new shades that have been selected for next year. It’s been so lovely …
Disclosure: This is an unpaid post that was written in collaboration with Beefayre Candles. All thoughts, words and images are my own. As well as decorating the house for Christmas, I’ve been burning some amazing scented candles recently so, as well as looking festive, it’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas too. Orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove — these are …
The festive season is in full swing and unsurprisingly there’s been much chat between my friends and I about presents — or to be precise — Christmas gifts for the hard to buy for. We all have them, don’t we? The father who has everything, the mum who doesn’t want anything and various other relatives — and friends — who …
I love having friends and family come to stay and, throughout the year, our house can be so busy — and full of people — it sometimes resembles a B&B. A visitors welcome basket is a lovely thing to welcome guests with. It’s easy to put together but really makes guests feel looked after. We …
Last weekend we revelled in the most wonderful of family traditions. We went Christmas tree shopping at Welford Christmas Tree Farm. As Andy Williams immortalised in song ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ and — for me it really is — the lead up to Christmas is magical. I can’t quite put into words just how much I enjoy this little …
In the days when I was art-directing, my working days were busy and full of noise and laughter. I spent 15 years in a location or studio environment and the teams I surrounded myself with — made up of photographers and stylists — soon became friends off set as well as on. There was always plenty of catching up and …
Can you hear it? Jingle bells and a slight whisper of panic as the run up to Christmas begins. Now, I’m not a fan of the cold — and certainly not of short dark days — but I LOVE this time of year. A shiny, sparkly beacon amidst the grey, rain-sodden skies, Christmas is — …
Last Thursday I spent the afternoon at Somerset House, in London. It’s a glorious place, which is a feast for the eyes, in every sense of the word. A neo-classical building — of epic proportions — that sits between the Strand and the Thames. For years, Somerset House was the national archive for birth, marriage and death …
So this weekend I trundled off down to Kings Cross; to Mumsnet Blogfest 2015! My third — and final — blogging conference for this year. Blogfest — run by Mumsnet — is where a number of my blogging buddies had all met for the first time last year but it was my first time. Unlike Britmums and …
AD | I have been (or could be if you click on a link in this post) compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See the full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details. Looking for a Leesa mattress reveiw? Here’s what we think of ours… Mr D and I …
The next in my Colour Your World series is Pantone Titanium. Granted it’s not as zingy as Woodbine or restful as the gorgeous Dusk Blue — that I featured back in May — but it’s edgy, cool and works in any setting. Titanium. A glorious dark, graphite grey. Team it with acid yellows, soft pinks or fiery oranges and you’ve …
Disclosure: I recieved a copy of The Wonder Garden by Kristjana S Williams & Jenny Broom to review. All words, thoughts and images are — as ever — entirely my own. Every once in a while, something comes along that will cause you to catch your breath and make you want to take a closer look. …
Disclosure: I was kindly sent this lovely teal rug for the purposes of this review. You can buy it in various sizes, shapes and other colours — plus lots of other lovely rugs — from the Benuta website. Pop along and have a look www.benuta.co.uk All photos, thoughts and words — as ever — are …
A couple of Fridays ago I was lucky enough to go to the MADS Awards 2015. A real case of – ‘Yes Cinderella — you shall go to the ball!’ The finalists were announced earlier in the year. And when I saw my blog’s name in that list — I absolutely couldn’t believe my eyes. Such a shock …
I’ve mentioned before that our home is listed. The main part of it was built in the 17th century with a shiny new extension added in 1890 (modern hey?!). But even though it could really do with being dragged into the 21st century, extending a listed building is easier said than done. That said, 15 …
As autumn takes a hold, I always feel a little sad; especially to be packing my summer dresses away for another year. My seasonal style has always taken on a much ‘heavier’ feel through the colder months. And whilst it’s nice to wrap up and get cosy — in chunky knits and warm woollens — …
Ever wanted to make a beach hut birdhouse? Read on! In the past I’ve given a boring old chest of drawers a makeover, as well as giving a little shoe-rack a new lease of life and turning it into a bench-seat. But last weekend, I decided to make a beach hut birdhouse for the garden. I’d already …
Since I began this series, although I’ve created home and womens’ fashion collections — based on the Pantone shades — I haven’t focussed on kids’ fashion at all. I guess, when you think of fashion for little ones, brights spring to mind or — at the very least — the stereotypical ‘pink for a girl, blue for a boy’. A colour that I certainly …
My boy and I love entertaining. I’m lucky enough that he’s a pretty awesome chef too so, whilst he’s off planning his menus and making sure the food and beverage is all sorted, I can do a bit of hunter-gathering of my own. Usually in the form of sourcing lovely table decorations, to make things look pretty. After …
Adding light to dark rooms is a fine art and the right lighting can make — or break — the ambience of a room. One of our guest bedrooms was certainly lacking a little ambience! It had no other electric light source apart from the pendant light, which posed a problem for anyone staying overnight. …
We were talking about my ‘dream garden office’ the other day and how next year may finally be the year that we make my dreams reality.
August has been the month of festivals for us! As July gave way to August, we were at Camp Bestival, then my boys and I have just seen the summer out with a bang at our last festival of the year — Shambala Festival in Northamptonshire. Funnily enough, last year’s Me and Mine post in August was also based …
The 14th colour in my spring/summer 2015 colour series is ‘Pantone Woodbine’. I LOVE this colour. It’s a little greener than it’s yellow-rich counterpart — chartreuse — and it’s one of my favourites to wear. I perhaps call it ‘olive green’ rather than Woodbine though. But hey — who am I to argue!? Leatrice Eisman from The Pantone Institute describes …
A few weeks ago we braved the six jour car journey down to Lulworth Castle, in Dorset, for Camp Bestival. A must for any fun loving family, this friendly little festival was an absolute treat for my boy and me and our little sons loved it too. So many things to see and do — the whole weekend was …
A couple of months ago I turned a little shoe rack — that used to house towels in our bathroom — into a little bench seat in an IKEA bench seat hack. I took some pics whilst I was doing it, with the intention of creating a little tour for one of the smallest rooms …
Disclosure: I was an official Camp Bestival blogger for 2015. My family and I were given tickets in return for our coverage and honest opinions of the festival. As ever, all thoughts, words and pictures are my own. So there we are. All the excitement, planning, packing and anticipation has been and gone. And my head …
Very often, when we have children, we park the things we used to do in favour of more ‘child friendly’ pursuits. That said, there are certain things that we can still do with the kids in tow! Festivals are a brilliant way of spending quality time with our littles, whilst enjoying live music and a carnival atmosphere. …
It feels like an age — 2 months in fact — since the last Pantone post in this series. I’d hoped to have the full series finished by now but the year has been rolling on and life has been so busy, I just haven’t had a chance. We have just 5 colours left in the Pantone spring/summer …
I’ve spoken to lots of people who love the thought of taking their little ones to a festival but aren’t sure what to take. I thought I’d put together a little collection of interviews with friends, who regularly take their kids to festivals. And compile the ultimate Family Festival Checklist! First off we had Tamandra …
So this summer, we’re off to Camp Bestival 2015! So I thought I’d gather together some of our festival loving friends — who regularly take their kids along to enjoy the fun — and ask them to compile their top tips and essential items for a kids festival. Given the fact my boys are only two — and …
I *might* (OK, totally did — and on more than one occasion too) have mentioned that a couple of weeks ago my boy and I left our littles, for almost a week, and headed off to the biggest and best garden party in the world. The Pilton Pop Festival. Or — as it is now more commonly known as — Glastonbury Festival. Hanging …
What could be better, in the heat of midsummer than a gin and rhubarb cocktail? Recently we made some homemade cordial with the rhubarb that we grow in our veggie patch. It’s a lovely alternative to pies and crumbles and a fabulous way of using the endless supply of rosy tinged stalks, that we seem to …
Have you ever wondered how to make homemade rhubarb cordial? Each year, we’re treated to an abundance of rosy tinged rhubarb; cut some stalks and they’re quickly replaced with more. Which sometimes means that we have a glut of it — and there’s only so much rhubarb crumble that one girl can eat! We recently bought some …
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that we live in a wonky old house. Built in the 17th century — it is Grade 2 listed — has warm stone walls and a tin roof. There is thatch underneath the tin but, in the war, the thatch was covered in a layer of corrugated metal, in order to stop the incendiary …
I mentioned recently that this weekend I was going to one of the biggest conferences in the blogging calendar. Fuelled by the excitement of meeting up with some of my blogging buddies at the Birmingham Blog Camp, earlier in the year, I booked my tickets to Britmums Live 2015 straight after and was so looking forward …
Last week I left the boys with their daddy for the day. I toddled off down to London for a little adventure; to the Laura Ashley press show 2015. I am big fan of Laura Ashley products — there are always such beautiful things to see each season. Often the brand is associated with more traditional home …
We went down south on the weekend to visit a university friend of mine, Caroline, and her lovely family in their beautiful Brighton Town House It’s always a nice change for us to visit the coast. Living in the middle of the country we couldn’t possibly be any further away, so it’s always a real treat to breathe in a …
Something amazing happened last week. I read on Facebook that the finalists for the 2015 MAD Blog Awards had been announced, so popped along to the TOTS 100 site to have a look to see if any of my friends had made the final cut. Totally delighted to see the blogs of some of my very favourites …
Since the twins have arrived, I’ve been using my blog to chart their progress and I’ve often noted that they are developing in totally different ways and hitting their baby milestones at totally different speeds. Cosmo-Bear has been a real conversationist from a tiny age. Even before he could form words that any regular person …
Disclosure: This is an unpaid partnership with Phoenix Yard Books. I received The One and Only Adult Colouring Books to review. All thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own. There are some things in life that I still enjoy; now I’m an adult, just as much as I did when …
Very recently, my friend Louise had a baby girl. Throughout her entire pregnancy people had said she was having a boy and — given the fact she already has a little boy — it wasn’t beyond the realms of probability! 50/50 in fact ;) But when the announcement came that my lovely friend was the proud mother …
As a seasoned festival goer the ‘child friendly’ aspect of a festival really wasn’t on my radar before we had the boys. But nowadays, with my two little tinies in tow, family friendly festivals are something that I’ve been looking into more and more. Especially as festivals are so much a part of our summer — and our lives …
Last year I watched, with interest, as my Twitter feed went absolutely mad around the time time of Britmums Live. Established bloggers, that I had followed for a while, getting really excited and making plans with their blogging buddies. Newby bloggers tweeting about how frightened they felt, at the prospect of attending such a big event …
We’ve looked at various shades of blue since I started this series of Pantone posts. It’s such an amazing colour and there are so many variants. From the greenest, turquoise to the darkest tone of indigo, the colour blue covers an amazing spectrum. We’ve already looked at Aquamarine; an ethereal powder blue. Not actually what I’d call Aquamarine …
Home. A little tiny word with enormous meaning. What feelings and emotions does the word ‘home’ evoke? What does it mean to you? I’ve been thinking about this long and hard and I can’t think of a single straight answer. Home means so many different things to me. I can’t narrow it down to just one …
So Saturday morning I woke up as usual, stretched our my arm to grab my phone, squinted at the time then went to check my Twitter feed. And LOOK what I saw!! I’ve been nominated for the The MADS awards 2015! To say I was thrilled is an understatement! I think my reply — You …
I’ve been working from home for around 8 years now — something that I’m incredibly grateful for and don’t ever take for granted. Only last week, in fact, I was reading the blog of another mama who — as she’s a doctor by profession — is struggling to decide on whether she can even afford to go back to …
On Saturday, when I was at BlogCamp in Birmingham, the venue that it was being held at had a feature wall that was covered in wallpaper that could be coloured in! A couple of the girls I was with commented how this would be great wallpaper for a kid’s room so I thought I’d have a look …
The eighth interview in the Twinterview series is with newbie blogger, Tracey, who has started a blog called All About Twins, to compile her tips and advice on all things twin related. The twin parenting community is really supportive and it’s always lovely to see another mama of multiples sharing her twin life hacks! How did you feel when you first found out you were having twins? …
On Saturday I did something really exciting! Almost 2 and a half years after writing my very first blog post, I went to my very first blogging conference. Blog Camp Birmingham. When I started my blog I didn’t anticipate that I’d be writing it more than 2 years later. I was anxious about my pregnancy and wanted an …
Disclosure: I upcycled my IKEA chest of drawers with chalk paint I’d bought. But I was gifted some beautiful drawer-knobs to complete my chest of drawers makeover too. Trinca-Ferro have so many lovely designs to choose from — pop along and grab some inspiration from their website. The Easter bank holiday gave me so many opportunities to roll up my sleeves and …
I can’t believe that we’re over the halfway mark now! Since I started looking at the Pantone Spring/Summer report, we’ve seen some great colours; Aquamarine, Lucite Green and Custard to name a few. This week is the turn of Pantone Glacier Grey. Now anyone who knows me, knows I’m partial to a little bit of grey …
The Easter weekend was so much fun, I wish we had more four day bank holidays! It was all about Easter bonnets and cake this weekend. Those extra couple of days — tagged on to the weekend — give us so much more time to make, do, relax, socialise and generally catch up on life. I feel as though I did so much …
Have you ever created a rainbow flower arrangement? A couple of weeks ago I was asked by the lovely folk at Rose and Grey to take part in a styling challenge. Now, you know me, I love a challenge. And, particularly, when the challenge involves something ‘interiors’ — or homes — related, I’m there like a shot! The task sounded simple …
A couple of weeks ago we visited the Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire and whilst we were there, had a day out at an amazing tourist attraction called Folly Farm. It’s located close to Tenby so brilliantly close to Bluestone and a must-see if you’re ever down in that neck of the woods. Whilst it’s name would suggest …
Interview with Hayley From ‘Hayley From Home’
Each year, within the palette of colours for Spring/Summer, Pantone appoints it’s number one colour — the one that will filter down, from catwalk to highstreet, and will influence the buyer’s choices for selecting the product we see in the shops. Previous shades have included Tangerine Tango, Mimosa and Radiant Orchid but this year it’s …
What do Bowler hat lights & egg shaped baths have in common? They both feature in my plans for our ensuite bathroom makeover! I love our home. It’s Grade 2 listed — built in 1690 something — and I think the best way to describe it is ‘quirky’, I love the wonky walls. The tin …
Disclosure: We were given a complimentary 4 night stay in return for an honest Bluestone review. All photos, thoughts and words are my own. The Bluestone National Park Resort is set over 500 acres of amazing Pembrokeshire countryside with some breathtaking views and gorgeous fresh Welsh country air. Needless to say the site is pretty …
It’s always so exciting to go on holiday. Even more so when you arrive, to find that your accommodation is lovely! We were booked in to stay at Caldey Lodge, Bluestone and it totally surpassed our expectations. Caldey Lodge Bluestone We had no idea what to expect when we opened the door to Caldey Lodge at the …
My sixth guest post in the Twinterview series is with Amber from Meet The Wildes. She and her partner Kirsty have beautiful twin boys — Balthazar and Lysander — plus their first child (of the furry-faced variety) a little dog called Posy! Their blog is a visual treat; beautiful photography often teamed with very lovely kid’s fashion. She’s given some really …
I was really torn with this colour post! Usually I pick a collection of either fashion or homes pieces but I absolutely LOVE yellow!! I have found it so difficult to choose, so as a result, the post for Pantone Custard will showcase both. ‘Custard’ is a bright, sunny yellow shade. In my mind it’s …
My fifth guest post Twinterview is with the fabulous Beth who blogs over at ‘Twinderelmo‘. She’s given some fantastic insights into what it’s like to be a mama of twins; with some lovely positive thoughts on her birth experience plus top tips — and advice — for any new mum (or dad) of multiples. How did you feel when you first found out you …
Something awful has happened. My perfume has been discontinued!! Even though I know it happened a while ago — I am still really struggling to come to terms with it. My favourite perfume has been discontinued. This may sound a bit dramatic (OK, I know, very dramatic. This is very much a first world problem and …
These captured moments were taken last year. It was July and we’d taken Dolly The Vintage Caravan to a farm nearby our home; for a camping weekend with a couple of other families. It was a baking hot weekend and our friends were due to arrive, from London, later on in the day. We’d finished setting up …
Pink. Hot, candy, baby, blush, soft — whichever tone floats your boat — there’s sure to be the perfect shade for you! In this instance, the pick from colour gurus ‘Pantone’, for spring 2015 is Strawberry Ice. As it’s name suggests, it’s the colour of fresh strawberry gelato — a vivid, mid-pink colour — with quite a …
Our third Twinterview guest post is with Karen who founded the amazing kids travel blog ‘Mini Travellers‘. She’s bravely stepped up to the plate and has agreed to answer the questions that every new parent of twins would love to know! How did you feel when you first found out you were having twins? Absolutely horrified initially! Lily was only 5 months …
Looking for some ideas for alternative Valentines Gifts? You’ve come to the right place! I went to our village shop this morning to get the papers and some milk. There was a queue of about six men — waiting to be served — all clutching gaudy black and red cards and boxes of chocolates or bunches of overpriced cheap flowers, wrapped in …
So I’ve decided to mix things up a little; this time we’re looking at Pantone Toasted Almond. And having concentrated on home-ware for the last 5 weeks, I suddenly had a burning desire to look at some fashion! I LOVE how this colour has evolved over the years. This spring it’s ‘Toasted Almond’, although over the …
Our second Twinterview guest post is with the gorgeous Kat who writes over at the UK lifestyle blog ‘Beau Twins’. She’s given some brilliant, frank, answers to the questions all new mamas (and papas!) of twins would love to know. How did you feel when you first found out you were having twins? OK, this is going to sound very odd …
The fourth colour in our Pantone spring forecast series is Classic Blue. This is a colour staple in terms of fashion but it’s sometimes overlooked in modern interiors because it can feel quite dark. But team it with fresh white walls and pick up another accent colour, to warm things up a little bit — pink, coral, chartreuse, turquoise or purple — and you’ve …
My first Twinterview guest post is with the lovely Jess who blogs over at ‘Mummy Of Boy Girl Twins’. She’s kindly put herself in the spotlight and has agreed to answer a few questions that any new (or expectant) parent of twins is dying to ask… over to you Jess! How did you feel when you first found …
In the third part of our look at the spring colour forecast, we’re looking at Pantone Lucite Green. It’s quite a retro colour; reminds me of 1950s kitchens and cars (and also toothpaste for some bizarre reason)! It’s a soft, jade green; Pantone say — ‘Light in weight and also in tone, Pantone Lucite Green seems …
Last week we began looking at Pantone’s spring colour forecast and focussed on the first colour in their palette — Aquamarine — and how we could use it in our homes. This time we’re looking at ‘Pantone Scuba Blue’. As it’s name suggests it’s another aqua inspired shade — although probably most people would call it turquoise! It’s a vibrant, …
So a couple of days ago I was talking about the colour forecast for this spring and I started thinking about how we’d use some of these shades in the home. This time round I’m looking at Pantone Aquamarine. It’s always a little easier to keep up with trends and fashions for our wardrobe — as the …
This is the first in my ‘Colour Your World’ series — talking about the Pantone annual colour predictions. As a designer, I’m always looking at trends and predictions — and my most favourite thing by far is COLOUR! When the design world’s colour guru, Pantone, releases it’s colour report for each season, it’s amazing to watch how these shades …
Our twins’ naming day was the most perfect celebration. A secular — non-religious — alternative to a traditional Christening. A perfect day.
I mentioned in a recent post that we had just celebrated my best girlfriend’s birthday. It was her 40th and I wanted to give a really special present, so I thought long and hard about what we should give to her. Eventually I decided to make something, rather than buy a gift. I have spoken in the past …
This month’s ‘Me and Mine photos will certainly be some of the most memorable in years to come. This August — having been to SO many festivals as a couple — we took our children to Shambala Festival for the very first time. Many would balk at the idea of taking two tiny people to a 4 day festival but this is …
Creating a lovely space for working from home can be a fun project but buying new furniture can be expensive. I wanted the furniture in my home office space to be quirky and cool so I learnt how to upcycle an old desk. It gave an unloved piece of furniture a new lease of life. …
After ‘Bertie’s Egg Allergy‘ episode happened, we had been quickly referred for an appointment at Birmingham City Hospital. For Bertie’s immunology testing. Odd — seeing as Leicester (which is closer) has a reportedly amazing immunology department . But hey, we dance to the beat of the NHS drum. So we went along with it and …
What a crazy week. Health visitors, new routines and Bertie having an allergic reaction to egg. Wednesday started off brilliantly. The health visitor came for a home visit — the first since The Twinkles were four months old — and I was so excited to find out how much they both weighed. Historically, there has …
This week has seen two big milestones and it’s only Wednesday! The twins are now 7 months old and we’ve finally dropped the dream feed! 7 Months Old The Twinkles were 7 months old on Sunday — my little men are growing so quickly — I wish I could slow everything down, set time to …
Well, things have moved on a little, since the last time I wrote. Today I can record more baby milestones in the life of my twins. Exciting things to note; but also — teething. It had to happen, didn’t it? Baby Milestones Bertie has rolled over all by himself. It’s taken him a couple of …
Today I stumbled across a blog written by a girl who has just been given the news she’s expecting twins — well, a week ago, but that’s not very long at all to get your head around something so enormous. She had written a list of questions, similar to the kind of things I would …
I cannot believe how quickly time seems to be going. It’s as though someone has pressed the fast forward button on my life and everything is double the speed. The Twinkles are 6 months old! It certainly doesn’t feel like half a year has passed since they were born. The days have gone by in …
My beautiful Twinkles — where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that we were being taken down to the delivery suite, to welcome you to the world and now you are very nearly half a year old and we’re trying a new 6 month routine. I can’t believe half a year has almost …
The twins are nearly 20 weeks old and growing so fast! I thought I’d share our 4 month milestones.
So. I tried the new sleep routine for the twins. As predicted, the boys are really not keen on sleeping from 3pm until 5pm in the afternoon. This part of the schedule is an epic fail. I tried the new routine for a couple of days, but on each day either one — or both — twins woke …
Since we’ve had the twins in a really good newborn routine; as a result — they’ve been such good babies. They have been feeding every 3 hours; but, as a lot of the books — and the info online — suggest that a routine for a 15 week old baby should be 4 hours; I’ve …
OHMYGOD!! I can’t believe that another 4 weeks has passed, since the last time I wrote. I’ve totally not been keeping up to date with my diary and the twins are growing so fast now. I thought I’d make a note of their 15 week old milestones, so I don’t forget this time! 15 Week …
Time has absolutely flown… tomorrow my boys will be 11 weeks old! I can’t believe how much they’ve grown and how things are changing, literally, day by day. I’m so grateful to the midwife who stressed the importance of a routine. It’s been so useful, I thought I’d share our newborn eating schedule and sleep routine …
Dear Diary, Wow — my life has been turned on its head since I last wrote!! I have 9 week old twins! Lucky Thirteen On 13.03.13 I had two beautiful baby boys. Weird. My favourite number has always been 13. Two have not one, but two babies, with the birthdate that features my lucky number twice …
Today I am 36 weeks pregnant with twins. Although not for much longer; we were given some crazy news yesterday. A Routine Scan We came to the hospital yesterday for our routine 36-week scan (and consultant appointment), and unbelievably, it seems that the babies have only grown a tiny bit in the last 2 weeks …
I’m 35 weeks pregnant with twins and — at this stage — I had hoped I would be full of news about the beautiful nursery; how it is totally finished and ready for the babies impending arrival. Tumbleweed… To be fair, it’s nearly there. It doesn’t actually contain any nursery furniture yet but it is …
I am now 34 weeks pregnant with twins. We had the 34 week scan on Monday. The babies had both grown another half a pound; making the pair of them just one ounce under a chunky 5lb each!!! Well done! Your mama is proud of you… KEEP GROWING!!!! (Poor babies! If they grown much more, …
I’m 33 weeks pregnant with twins and desperately trying to get my work tied up before the babies come along. My maternity leave is getting shorter by the day. At the start of every working week, I tell myself it’s going to be the last one before they arrive. But every Friday I seem to …
What a weekend!! I am now 30 weeks pregnant with twins. And not only that — this mama to be is now forty years of age!!!! Forty and pregnant! Ohmygod — how did this happen??? When did I turn into a middle aged woman??? In my head I am still 28. I seem to have …
I’m now 28 weeks pregnant with twins! And yesterday we had the 28 week scan. Such a great day. Such a milestone as it now means that these precious babies have a 90% chance of survival, if they were born! I was holding my breath when the sonographer started the scan… as I haven’t felt the …
Where, oh where has the time gone??? I’m 27 weeks pregnant with twins; and my babies are officially ‘viable’!! Wooo-hoooo!!! I have been desperate to get to the point of viability. The doctors use that term as though it were some magic charm. And I suppose it is. It means that if the twins were …
Hurray! I’m 22 weeks pregnant with twins and life is feeling really good. I think this is the first time I’ve really relaxed since my pregnancy started. The babies have been really busy over the last week or so; I’ve felt much more movement than before! Last night when their daddy put his hand on …
Not sure what happened there… I seem to have skipped a week!! I am now 21 weeks pregnant with twins!! YAY! :) My Twinkles are starting to become a little more active… or should I say, I am starting to feel them more! Having seen them furiously moving about on the sonographer’s screen from 9 …
I’m 20 weeks pregnant with twins. Unbelievable that I’m finally at the halfway stage. I’ve almost been holding my breath for the last couple of months. A midwife told me that once you get past the 20 week scan, you’re pretty much there. We had the 20 weeks scan on Friday. I was quite nervous …
I’m 18 weeks pregnant with twins — almost at the halfway mark in my twin pregnancy. When I first did that pregnancy test, all those weeks ago, it felt like we’d never get past the first trimester. And here we are, almost ready for the 20 week scan. This is the most exciting time of …
Welcome to The Listed Home! This is my very first post of my pregnancy diary and today I am 17 weeks pregnant with twins. Or 17 weeks and 6 days pregnant with fraternal twins — if you want to be pedantic. Our darling Twinkles. It’s been a long, long journey to get to this point, …
