How To Decorate Your Home So It Stands Out

*Contains affiliate links  All of us who live in a home, apartment, flat, whatever it may be, want to come home to a space that is as warm and comfortable as it is beautiful. We want a home that looks like it could be featured on the front page of a magazine, a home that stands out from any other home that we have ever seen.  This is a great goal, but it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to start or how to get your home exactly how you like it. All in all, it can be a little tricky. There are so many things to choose from, like what type of floor you want throughout your home, your doors, door handles, and sliding barn door hardware . So how does one create this type of look that is trendy and functional, but accommodating? It can be a challenge to make your house distinct from other houses that you have seen, but the look can actually happen easier than you think. Below are a few on-trend styling secrets to make your house  look more flawless than ev......

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Weekend:In at the Chickenshed

At the end of last month I was lucky enough to be invited to come along to Weekend:In at a converted building called the Chicken Shed ,  situated among the rolling hills of Monmouthshire. I was really excited about going to this as I loved the idea behind this event which was all about bringing together a small number of influencers and local independent brands in a unique and intimate way over creative weekend full of activities, styling and workshops.  The event spanned two days with a few people staying the whole weekend but with many going to just either the Sat or Sun meaning. I had been following it on social media and had seen the Saturday involved a wreath making workshop which looked lovely and I wandered what we would be doing on the Sunday.  First I picked up fellow welsh blogger and friend Laura from Cardboard Cities and we made our way up through the Monmouthshire countryside to the most idyllic location. We arrived just in time ......

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Transforming your conservatory into a stylish space

It's official we have started the property search for what will hopefully be our long-term home and a place we can feel settled. What we are looking for in the next property we buy is potential, the potential to add value, space and to be able to make our own. The last two properties have both needed work so that is not an issue, as long as we can adjust the layout to suit our needs then it's worth all the hard work and sweat to make it something special. There are a few things on our checklist such as outdoor space, two receptions rooms and preferable a family room that can bring the outside in and a conservatory would be perfect for that. Conservatories can sometimes get a bad wrap, some people may perceive them as outdated or limited in it's use but this could not be more untrue, if done properly they can be really stylish spaces that add value to your property as well as creating a somewhere you want to spend time in all year round. Sometimes all a conservatory ......

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The perfect picnic & Sweet Coconut bread

Rejoice for Picnic season and eating Al fresco is upon us and it's something that is very much apart of what summer means to us as a family. Having grown up in South African, a outdoor loving country with a huge bbq culture, it meant I spent many warm evenings sitting outside enjoying good food and it's something I try to recreate here in the UK at every opportunity and this week we took full advantage of the dry weather and enjoyed our first picnic of the year. Al Fresco eating should be all about celebrating what is in season and it's time to get colourful with bowls of beautiful fresh fruit, homemade salsa's and cloudy lemonade. Wether a picnic or having friends around setting the scene is key, although you really don't have to spend loads to make eating outdoors a cosy and comfortable affair. I am in love with this beautiful Mexican jug from HomeSense  I recently popped into HomeSense which have a huge array of outdoor accessories and furni......

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Kids Style with ShortStitch

Life with kids can be pretty hectic at the best of times and if like me you have been swept of your feet with a variety of things the past month and you suddenly realise that your child has shot up and all the trousers are looking way too small and the t-shirt are sitting a bit tight but you just don't have time to cart them around the shops to kit them out for the season ahead. Why can't a whole box of clothes including everything you need from socks to shoes, shorts, jackets and tees in your child's size and style just magically arrive at your doorstep? Well thats were ShortStitch come in, an at-home styling service just for kids. Left - Jacket, jumper and trousers from Shortstitch - Right - Shirt and shoes from Shortstitch styling service. So what is ShortStitch exactly? Well basically it's a free styling service for kids that comes to you - they provide you with your own personal stylist who once you have filled out an online profile while give you a ph......

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Styling the Christmas table for Kids

So this year we have one more plate to add to the table as this time last year I was heavily pregnant with Baby G and now he is here and gobbling down food with much enthusiasm. It's made me think how we can make the Christmas table a fun and interesting as well as a really child friendly place to sit and enjoy the festivities.  I mentioned these super cute wooden kids plates from Blue Brontide in my Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide and cannot get enough of them and both the boys are going to have a surprise this Christmas day when they see them for the first time. We really want to make them both feel comfortable and a part of the day so I thought I would share a few tips on how to make your Christmas table baby and child friendly. 1. Have fun with the table decorations, add lots of colour and don't put anything too precious within arms reach as you don't want any breakages dampening the day. 2. Make their seating area extra special by adding......

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Get organised this holiday season

I was pretty organised last year, lets hope it will be the same this year Christmas can feel like a blur as you rush to gather all the presents, decorations and food required to make the build up to and day itself special, so it’s a good idea to get organised as soon as possible.  We’ve got some great ideas on how to prepare for the holiday season, from organising your card making supplies to which projects you should make a start on early. Make a start on: Christmas pudding -  Traditionally Christmas puddings should be made around five weeks before Christmas (or earlier), so if you want to kick start your festive organisation then get in the kitchen early and throw together your rich, gooey dessert creation that everyone will no doubt struggle to finish. Christmas cards -  If you prefer to create greetings cards with a personal touch then it’s worthwhile making your own. There are plenty of craft kits out there to get you started or you can get c......

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Styling up your new kitchen

I love these bar stools and drop down lampshades ( image ) The kitchen is an expensive room. From the jazzy appliances to the little extra bits and bobs you can’t quite live without, this will always mean the cost ends up skyrocketing. It can also be a tad too clean cut for my liking and can often do with an injection of personality. If you have everything in place in your new kitchen, but there happens to be something missing (that “je nais se quoi”) then what can you do? Go bold! Don’t be afraid to insert even more of an impact. Kitchens often adopt neutral colours and delicate patterns, and there is a reason for it. Dark, dingy kitchens are not going to inspire the culinary goddess within you but this doesn’t mean your kitchen should fade into the background, just becoming another room. Going bold with lettering can be really fun  Why not try something striking for that boring back wall? For something a little different, massive lettering makes a ......

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