GARDEN: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Your Own Vegetables

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Life is all about finding the small joys that you love and then embracing them on a daily basis. Gardening is a small joy that I've recently indulged in and it has quickly become part of my day-to-day life that I love. It isn't in fact a new love, however since having my first child seven years ago I had struggled to find the time to garden, as there was always a little person toddling around needing my full attention. Now that my children are all that bit older I'm able to rediscover my love for gardening and if it is something you think you'd find joy in then I urge you to do the same. 

HOW TO: Fill your home with comfortable seating for the whole family

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After a busy day at work or school most of us will be looking forward to sitting down, relaxing and enjoying the comfort of being at home. But how can you create a cosy, comfortable environment both indoors and outdoors within your home without spending thousands on new sofas or armchairs? Big Bertha Original have this problem solved with their incredible range of Bean Bag Chairs, Giant Bean Bag Sofas, Children's Bean Bags, Outdoor-Indoor Bean Bags, Cushions, Blankets, Oversized Hoodies and even your furry friends aren't forgotten with their Dog Beds. Bean Bags are one more affordable way to add comfortable seating to both your indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as bringing that fun, nostalgic feel from childhood. 

GLAMPING: Escape to the Herefordshire Countryside to an eco-cabin called The Carn

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Down a steep, bumpy track you'll discover The Carn, an eco-cabin nestled in the Herefordshire hills, right on the border with Wales. Be prepared to escape every day life, internet, television and get back to nature with a touch of luxury that makes staying at The Carn so magical. Glamping is such a unique experience and something that I fell in love with prior to having children. Now that we are a family of five it can be very challenging to find a glamping experience that can accommodate five people, as well as being child-friendly. But The Carn has brought to life all our glamping hopes with it's five beds, ample space for the children (or dog) to explore, a fire pit for s'mores, a flushing toilet inside the cabin, a chest full of games and an outdoor bath for yet another magical unique experience. As you open the large glass door you're surrounded by plants, earthy hexagonal terracotta floor tiles and a decision of which side of the cabin to explore first. 

HOW TO: Have a more Sustainable Valentine's Day (+ Exclusive Discount Code for Nordgreen)

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Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, so why not make celebrating it more sustainable this year? A lot of us are trying to make small changes towards living a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of life, which is so important for our planet and can be relatively easy to do too. Many of the Valentine's Day gifts, decorations or accessories are plastic based and not aimed for more than one use, so below there are a few ideas of how to swap those for alternatives that are more sustainable and reusable. I absolutely love any excuse to celebrate, make someone else feel special and spread joy, especially after the past two years. I think that we are all in need of little pick-me-ups and Valentine's Day can be the perfect time for that, whether it be celebrating with your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend or your children. Let's kick start 2022 by spreading lots of love and kindness!

INTRODUCING: My Small Business...Isabella Mai-de - The Home of Personalised Hand Printed Gifts for Everyone

Starting this post feels a bit de ja vu because I wrote a very similar post back in 2016 when I originally launched Isabella Mai-de. Back then it was all about hand printed children's leggings and joggers, but after only a few months of being open I had to close due to morning sickness with my second pregnancy and then we entered the busy life of two children and I just didn't get around to reopening. However, in the spring/summer of 2021 I started to wonder whether I should open Isabella Mai-de back up again. Our middle daughter was due to start school in September, leaving just our youngest at home, so I felt that I'd have enough time to really concentrate on it this time. Then followed many excited months redesigning the logo, setting up the Etsy shop again, photographing products, making reels, filming TikToks, writing listings, trialing products, carving stamps, putting together new designs/patterns, sourcing stock, hand stamping labels/thank you cards, finding more sustainable packaging options etc. Along with the inevitable questions like 'will this work?', 'what if no one buys anything?' that I think are all part of launching your own business. 

REVIEW: BabyBjörn Harmony 3D Mesh Baby Carrier

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Baby carrying will change your life as a parent, whether you're expecting, have a little one or even a toddler, it will honestly make your life so much easier. When I first became a parent back in 2015 I didn't know how much my life was going to change, but it certainly did, in every way possible. The most simple task became a challenge and every waking hour (and there are a lot of those!) was dedicated to our little bundle of joy. It was hard, a learning curve, challenging, as well as being magical, precious and filled with more love than could ever be expressed. But what I didn't know back then was quite how much of a game changer baby carrying is.