Ghostwriter
For a while, I was dating a freelance journalist and every month he would complain that he didn't know what to write in his monthly column and every month I would make suggestions. Sometimes he would take them, sometimes not. This month, July, I joked that I could...
Make 9 – Sewing plans for 2019
I’m using the Make 9 hashtag to help me decide what my sewing plans are for 2019.
Chess the musical – a review (29 years late)
Chess the Musical has been revived for a limited run in the West End of London. This is not a review of the revival, rather it is a story about what happened when I went to see Chess in 1989 with my friends Emily and Sarah. These are fake names because I've not yet...
2018 money goals – 1st quarter review
Not the catchiest of titles, but having set my financial goals for 2018 I thought it best to check in with how I'm getting on after the first 3 months of the year. My goals were Do not incur any additional debt in 2018 < Success! Save £1000 across the 12 month...
DIY cleansing oil – easy 3 ingredient recipe
How to make a cleansing oil Using a cleansing oil as a part of your beauty routine is becoming more and more popular, I’ve been using oils for cleansing and skin-care for over 10 years so it’s nice to know that for once I might have been ahead of a trend! Using oil...
My money goals for 2018 – how I’m reducing debt this year
Have you set your money goals for 2018? Having written about my clothes shopping goals for 2018 I thought I'should also get down my money goals too, because the finances dictate the ability to shop. 2017 did not go as expected financially. It started with something of...
My clothes shopping goals for 2018
What kind of clothes shopper are you? My clothes shopping style falls into one of two camps. I'm either an "I know the exact thing I'm looking for and I won't buy anything unless that's it" or an "I'll know it when I see it, but it has to go with this other thing I...
The perfect pair of trousers – the key to being me.
I'm not having a mid-life crisis so much as a mid-life crash. I don't really feel like I know who I am anymore. Of course, I know who I am, or at least some of the roles I have; parent, businesswoman, daughter, friend. What I'm less sure of is who I am to me, and...
September money review
Ouch! Money-wise my September hurt. If you read my post at the beginning of the month then you'll know that I was on something of a belt tightening exercise throughout September. Along with my usual household bills September is the month for home contents insurance...
September reforecast – getting my money back on track
After the expense of summer holidays, it’s time to get your money back on track in September.
Review your budget and trim your expenses.
6 of the best white lace blouses on the high street today
Find the perfect lace blouse with these 6 Victorian inspired tops and 2 sewing patterns to make your own
Denim detox style challenge – can you live without your jeans?
I've got myself in a style rut, one made of denim and it is time I got out of it. If you're anything like me you'll find that it is all too easy to slip into a style rut, grabbing the familiar combinations from your wardrobe on the days when you don't want to think...
Lapland – What to pack for winter family holiday
A winter holiday to Lapland is a magical trip of a lifetime for children and adults alike. Whether you are going full tourist and staying at the Santa Claus Village as we did or heading a little bit further into the wilderness, you'll need to think...
7 things you can do to stand against sexist bullshit
One thing that the recent campaign for the American presidency made abundantly clear is that there is plenty of sexist bullshit being expressed, acted upon and excused in this world. I'm lucky to have friends who sit in all kinds of different places on the political...
7 things I learnt from hiring and firing a cleaner
Hiring a cleaner – everyone has an opinion about it and everyone wants to share it with you.
But is there more to hiring a cleaner than worrying if you’re betraying the feminist cause and if the cleaner is judging your living standards?
Here are 7 things I learnt from hiring a cleaner
One down 51 to go – looking forward to 2016
With the first week of 2016 behind me I'm giving myself time for a check in to see if I've set myself up to achieve the things I want this year. In the quiet between Christmas and back to school and work I decided that there was one big area and one small area I...
Backwards, forwards or sideways
As per the law of blogging I offer you my looking back / looking forward post that is due at the year end. What to say? I can tell you that I've had some great professional successes this year, some wonderful times with my daughter and that I've strengthened...
Christmas baking
I got a bit carried away with Christmas baking this year, some of it more successful than others. Lets not discuss the flopped profiteroles on Christmas Day, but do lets admire my very first attempt at a gingerbread house. I have to admit to taking over the...
