The last time we were decorating trees it was Christmas. This, however, is an entirely different kind of tree – light, fresh and spring-like. And it's very welcome after the dark days of January and February. For me, Easter is all about stepping into the light again – a gateway into warmer and more ...
Marmalade Pie is open for business!
I'm delighted to tell you that my new shop is now open! I've dreamed of opening a shop since I was a little girl. Back then I used to sell things from a table in my bedroom. Now I've got my own online store. What's stayed the same over all those years is my desire to find – and share – special ...
What I’ve learned about running so far
For most of my life I've hated running. Memories of the dreaded school cross-country run have always haunted me, and after leaving school I steadfastly avoided running at all costs. The only time I'd do it was if I was late for something – racing along in my coat, gasping for breath, my face turning ...
A sneak peek at my new shop
Things have been a bit quiet around here lately as I've been working hard on my new shop – which is due to launch in the next week. A few months ago when I decided to open a little online shop I never really realised how much hard work it would take behind the scenes. But I'm nearly there and it's ...
What I’d really like for Mother’s Day…
A cup of tea in bed with the sun streaming through the window. I love a cuddle in bed with my boys, but ideally this Mother's Day they'd be off amusing themselves – close enough for me to hear them happily pottering around in their room, while I sip my tea in relative peace. A homemade ...
Inspiring ideas for a Star Wars party
Our house is a shrine to all things Star Wars. My eldest son absolutely loves it, so it was inevitable that his seventh birthday would have a Star Wars theme of some sort. Seven is a nice age – they still want the fun and magic of a party, but can cope well with slightly trickier crafts and ...
Brighter, cleaner, simpler: a new look for an old kitchen
Last year we gave our old Ikea kitchen new cupboard fronts and appliances. It really brightened things up, but there were still a few details I wasn't happy with: the oppressive metal shelves, the giant (but useless) cooker hood and the black wall tiles. The tiles are still here, but I'm pleased to ...
Styling the Seasons: February
February has been such a busy month – it's flown by and I can't believe it's nearly over. This month I'm sharing some photos of my new desk. Over the half-term holiday my desk was covered in colouring sheets, crayons and action figures. We had a big sort-out at the weekend and it's finally clear ...
Twitter, I don’t understand you
I have been on Twitter for seven years. Yet, I still don't get it. It seems to defy categorisation. Is it a place where you can enjoy a little bit of chat and fun during your morning coffee break? For some people it's where you promote yourself or your brand. For others, it's that harmless place ...
Three things I’m loving this week…
Hello! I hope you're all having a good week. It's half term here, so we're busy with Lego, tractors and lots of colouring – but I wanted to share a few of my favourite things with you. 1: Berol Handwriting Pens I've rediscovered these pens after about twenty years. They were a staple when I ...
My first adventures with a sewing machine
I've bought a sewing machine. This is a momentous occasion for me as they have previously scared me rigid. The world of sewing is quite mysterious to the uninitiated: fiddly machinery, baffling bobbins and the truly terrifying prospect of threading the needle. But I'm determined to try new things ...
What I’ve been up to – and what’s coming next
Since Christmas life has been really busy – I've had my head down, working away, and the days are flying by. Busy family life glides on, as it always does, while everything underneath is pedalling away furiously. It feels like everything is gearing up for Spring (in my mind, at least), but ...