Children's Storage Solutions from Minene (Plus Your Chance to WIN)

As we are in the process of decorating Minxy's and Jamster's bedrooms we've been on the look out for new furniture, beds and accessories to get some inspiration. I'm fairly clueless when it comes to things like design, I could certainly do with all the help I can get, and although the Mr is a handy man at heart he doesn't have an eye for interiors either! I thought it would therefore be the best option to ask the Mini Mes exactly what they want and to just go with that. After all, I know how excited they are about having a more attractive space of their own and it makes them feel involved with the transformations.

Jamster is after a modern skater theme with cool graffiti style artwork whereas Minxy is seeking a more feminine and classic look with floral designs, floaty drapes and big fluffy cushions. Regardless of the style, we definitely need more storage for their belongings and Minene stepped in to help in that department. They sent us some pretty baskets to kick-start our projects and these have already been very useful.

Top Tips For Heating Your Home

With snow storms, high winds and plunging temperatures likely to hit the UK over the next few weeks, keeping our heating systems in tip top condition is more important than ever. New research by EDF Energy reveals that over 1 in 4 boilers have broken down without being insured, with the average cost of repair racking up an eye watering £314 bill. As a result, as many as two fifths of Brits would have to borrow money to cover the cost or have no choice but to go without heating if their boiler broke down. For the elderly, those with small children or the severely unwell in particular, this could even prove fatal so it's definitely best to be prepared.

To help avoid unnecessary costs and discomfort this winter, EDF Energy have pulled together some top tips to prevent boiler breakdown.

3 Ways to Refresh your Home in 2015

Heralded by spring showers, the season of new life is upon us. As we dust away the cobwebs and cold shivers of winter, you may be left looking for ways to refresh your home for in 2015. 

From big to small, there are several options to give your home that little lift or a complete overhaul and they can be done within a budget that suits you. 

No-one wants to start the year by breaking the bank but you’ll be able to put some savings to good use rejuvenating your home even on a shoestring.

Serve Up Some Love This Valentine's Day (and your chance to WIN)

Forma House seek out the best quality products from around the world so you can take a peek at a portfolio of close to 5,000 items and make your homeware purchases all in one place. 

They have everything from kitchen gadgets to gift solutions for your friends and family, many of which are not only useful but stunning or even a little quirky in appearance. I love things that are unique or a little bit different to the norm so this website is ideal for us.

This heart shaped bowl and ladle duo is created by Sagaform, one of the 14 international leading brands that Forma House select their goods from. It is made from wood and stoneware and will make serving your loved one something tasty even more special this Valentine's Day.

My Bathroom Makeover

The fact that I've wanted a new bathroom for what feels like forever is certainly no secret. I even wrote a poem about how desperate I was to get rid of the horrendous wallpaper and tatty old suite last year! It was so uninviting and I really wanted somewhere I could escape and relax in comfort and style. Thankfully, 2014 was the year and not only did I get a new bathroom, I had the house fully insulated, rewired, and a new kitchen installed. I was a little bit spoilt when it came to renovating our home.

I opted for a minimalistic look with white paint on the freshly plastered walls and ceiling, a white suite and white tiles. It makes the room look bright and fresh but enables me to add my own accessories to personalise it. Being a blank canvas it means if I fancy a change I can just alter the

Setting the stage: simple tips to make your home more valuable

Staging is the process of preparing your property for sale with an aim to render it as appealing as possible. Though the culmination may result in you debating whether you even want to leave such a pleasant abode, it can help sell your property faster and increase its value.

Whether you’re thinking of selling soon, or considering the possibility several months down the line, the following simple tips can provide a real boon.

Clear the way

During staging, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that it’s all for the prospective buyers. You might think your living room exudes a cosy ambience, but to a fresh pair of eyes it might look like clutter-central, population: “not me”.

Decluttering is an easy and inexpensive first step that can boost your property’s value and help you enjoy it more in the meantime. After all, as well as putting off realtors, bank appraisers or viewers, clutter has been reported to cause negative psychological effects like stress.

If the task ahead looks beyond the abilities of Mary Poppins, you could hire a professional clearance company. With a considered choice you can get an affordable clearance made possible through waste

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 22

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

A big thank you to my followers this year.

WIN a Three Piece Trivet Set

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Day 21

My Christmas Gift Giveaway is back! 30 days, 30+ fantastic prizes.

A big thank you to my followers this year.

WIN 1 of 2 Boingy Cushions

Choosing a TV for a Child’s Bedroom

As the winter evenings draw in and you would prefer your children to be in the house, warm and safe (but not compromising your television viewing!) you may want to consider a television for their own room. As Christmas approaches a television would make a great gift. There is plenty of choice in the television market at the moment so to help you choose the ideal screen for your child’s room we have come up with the following pearls of wisdom. 

Comfort Fit - Choosing the Best Bed

An uncomfortable mattress or an old, saggy bed frame can be the reason you're not sleeping properly anymore. Maybe your back hurts, maybe you're a bit grumpier than usual, or perhaps you're tossing and turning when you used to be a good sleeper. If you haven't replaced your bed in a few years, that could be the problem!

There are so many different styles of beds available at Tesco and other retailers, as well as matters, that sometimes you just don’t where to start with the decision making. Below are a few pointers in the right direction.

Which size?

If you wake up in the night feeling cramped, perhaps a bigger bed is the key.  A standard double bed can be restrictive if you're sharing, whereas a king size will more than likely give you the space you

Minecraft and Monopoly - Fututristic Flooring

With so many different styles and colours of wallpaper and plenty of beautiful accessories available for your home, it seems logical to be able to add printed flooring that is just as personalised and exciting. Wooden floors and carpet are fit for purpose but if I could add the extra wow factor to my rooms then I certainly would. Something that completely transforms a lounge, bathroom or bedroom into something really special.

Summer Scents from Yankee Candle

Certain scents always remind me of summer; freshly cut grass, BBQs and of course juicy fruit. Having your favourite aromas all year round would be lovely and I've discovered with Yankee Candle you can! Their beautifully fragranced candles for your home can provide a little bit of the season, every day.

This Juicy Watermelon candle has a deliciously fruity smell and it will burn for between 110-150 hours. It has a retail price of £19.99 which I feel is good value especially considering the quality of the product and the life span of the candle. If you lit it for an hour a day that's around 4-5 months supply! 

Caption THIS #1

We all manage to capture a few odd expressions or mishaps on camera so why not share them so we can all have a giggle? That's what I will be doing each Saturday and for those that join in by commenting there will be a chance to win some treats each week!

The Mr was a little too excited to get the new appliances fitted into the new kitchen...

Eco Egg Review and Giveaway

When it comes to housework I like to cut time and costs as much as possible while doing my bit for the environment, so when I discovered Eco Egg I was pleasantly surprised. Not only has the fragrance free version been voted Gold for best Baby Skincare Product by Prima Baby & Pregnancy Magazine but it will save you money in the long run and it contains natural cleaning pellets which are tough on dirt. It's also great on delicate adult skin and is supported by the National Eczema Society PLUS it has the Allergy UK stamp. What isn't to love!

We opted for the Spring Blossom scent at £19.99, as I really love having fresh floral smelling clothes,

No More Clutter: How To Make Your Home Look More Spacious

As life gets busier and more hectic, our homes tend to reflect our erratic frame of mind. With so much to do and so little time to do it, it’s very easy to let things be, and in no time at all, you feel like the walls are closing in! Unwashed dishes, clothes on the floor, books strewn on the desk, unnecessary ornaments that you used to like – it’s no wonder you’re tripping over yourself trying to navigate your way through everyday life. Never fear – there are solutions to your chaos! A big part of de-cluttering is to organise your belongings using cabinets, shelves and other means of storage – check out www.superamart.com.au to gather some inspiration. Tackle one room at a time, and before long, your home will look and feel more spacious than ever before!

The kitchen

Everyone has a drawer full of utensils and ‘thingamajigs’. Chances are, you don’t even use half of

Organising Your Kid's Clutter

There is no task around the home more daunting than tackling a child’s bedroom in an effort to bring a little order to the chaos and introduce a system where things can be found, without the need for a grid search. And it is even more soul destroying when you realise that within hours of cleaning, the room will be once again a mess.

Children are perhaps among the most prolific hoarders on the planet, refusing to dispose of anything that has had special meaning to them while they grow up. And, let’s face it, parents aren’t so much better. Who hasn’t heard of the mother not wanting to throw out little Johnny’s first teddy bear, even as the youth now known as John is out buying his first car?

Clean the Clutter for Summer

With the sun beaming through your windows it can often show up the dust and fingerprints lurking in your lounge, so before your family and friends come knocking for garden parties galore this summer season, take just a few minutes a day to keep the cobwebs at bay. 

My simple cleaning tips might help you to become a domestic goddess in no time - they may even help you to save money in the process too!

There is no need to fear your guests popping to the loo when it is sparkling clean and fresh so just tip

Children's Storage Solutions from Ikea

Changes in taste, endless birthday presents and growth spurts all result in new goodies for our little ones but we don't always have the space for them to go in their rooms! Ikea have some great value storage solutions to cater for every need and they have provided us with units for both Minxy and Jamster to help sort our dilemmas.

Issue 1: 

Jamster has a mountain of DVDs around his room and toys - I'd love a unit that could store both in as his room is quite small.

Spring Into Action

Credit

March is here and spring has sprung – depending on who you believe!  I’m never sure whether the spring season starts on the 1st day of March or when British Summer Time begins – this year that’s 30th March.  Personally I prefer the first option, if for no reason other than the fact that spring shouldn’t be marked on a date that refers to summer and saying spring begins at the start of March gives us a whole month more to put the winter blues behind us. 

One thing that is consistent, though, with the changing of the seasons - from the depths of darkness