How to Create a Cosy Home for Autumn

The kids are back at school, the shops are already brimming with all things Halloween and Christmas, and summer seems a wonderful but distant memory. This first part of Autumn can feel quite tough for some, missing the warm days and long summer break from school but not quite ready to fill your home with pumpkins and plastic skeletons! Here are our top tips for creating a cosy autumn home to see you through the season.

Our Experience of the Thames Water Smarter Homes Visit

The Thames Water Smarter Homes Visit Offer

I wasn’t looking forward to the Thames Water Smarter Homes Visit. When they called to offer us one I felt forced into accepting. I should point out that the caller was perfectly polite and friendly so the pressure was more how I felt, rather than due to his behaviour. He said we are using far more water than the average family of 4, but I pointed out that we were a family of 5 and he didn’t have the data for average use for larger households. I accepted the visit because they said part of what they would do is check for leaks and having been made to feel we were using a large amount of water I felt we should check if there was a problem.

What Colour Cushions Go With Your Sofa?

Collaborative post by another author.

An easy way to dramatically improve your living space is to update your sofa cushions. The perfect sofa cushions are going to add depth, texture and personality to your living room. However, to create a stylish look that brings your living room together your coloured cushions must work with the colour of your sofa.

Decorating for Easter: 5 fun, spring ideas

One of our favourite things about a change of season or a special celebration like Easter, Halloween or Christmas is decorating the house to match the occasion.

Decorating is a simple activity that the whole family can get involved in, can instantly refresh your home and get you in the mood for the festivities. We store all our seasonal decorations in plastic storage boxes in the garage, so each year it’s like finding little treasures that we can bring out again and again.

If you’re looking to get your home ready for Easter here are 5 simple but effective decorating ideas to inspire you:

Ideas for Easter themed decorations

Digital Decluttering Guide: How to Organise Your Family's Virtual Life

As a mum of three, I know first hand how quickly our digital lives can become just as messy as our physical spaces! From thousands of photos clogging up our phones to countless downloaded school letters and receipts, digital clutter is a real challenge for modern families. Today, I'm sharing my tried and tested tips for sorting out your virtual mess and creating systems that actually work.

How to Create a Calming Bedroom for Your Child: A Parent's Guide to Better Sleep

As parents we all know the struggle of bedtime battles and restless nights. Creating a peaceful bedroom environment isn't just about aesthetics, it's about setting your child up for sleep success. A well organised, calming bedroom can make all the difference between a night of tossing and turning and peaceful slumber.

Why a Calm Bedroom Leads to Better Sleep

Your child's bedroom environment directly impacts their sleep quality in surprising ways. A calm, clutter free space naturally helps lower anxiety levels before bedtime and reduces overstimulation, which is crucial for quality rest. When children have the ideal sleep environment, their bodies produce more melatonin, the sleep hormone that regulates their natural sleep cycles.

The benefits extend far beyond just bedtime. Children who sleep in calm environments typically fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. This improved sleep quality leads to better performance at school and more stable emotional regulation throughout the day. The impact of a well designed sleep space truly cannot be understated.

The colour, materials and layout all impact how calming a bedroom is

Brilliant Car Organisation Hacks Every Family Needs

Is your family car starting to look like a mobile tip? Don't worry, you're not alone. As a mum of three, I know exactly how quickly our cars can transform from spotless to absolute chaos. Whether it's finding half eaten packets of crisps under seats or sitting on scattered Lego pieces (ouch!), keeping the family car tidy can feel like mission impossible.

But here's the brilliant news: I've cracked the code to car organisation and I'm sharing all my favourite tricks that have genuinely made a difference for our family. These aren't those Pinterest perfect solutions that last approximately two minutes, these are real, practical tips that work for real families.

These tips will make your car tidier and more organised