Prioritising which home renovations to do first - the importance of identifying wants and needs

When it comes to home improvements, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of overdevelopment with unnecessary additions. Namely things that are costly to do and don't necessarily increase the value of your property, nor make it more attractive to potential buyers.

When planning home projects, as well as setting an overall budget, it's also advisable to have a prioritisation list of what's important right now (what is needed, for example fixes and structural repairs) and what can wait (categorise these as wants not needs). Anything that you identify as a want and not a need can also be categorised as nice to have and can always be done later if you stay in the property long-term and you have the money to.

For example, say you want - it's never a need, let's be honest - decorative coving, a ceiling rose and a garden pergola. Garden pergolas are highly coveted by many, but are often placed in gardens that are far too small for them and they can overwhelm rather than enhance. If done badly or positioned in the wrong spot, that's concreted in faff for a future homeowner (or yourselves) to deal with. And ceiling roses and coving, whilst you may love them, they may not necessarily work for your home. Firstly they may not suit the age of the property, and if not done properly and you cheap out on lightweight polystyrene dupes, it can end up looking just that... cheap. So it's important to pick your battles and decide what the best use of your time and money is.

How to prioritise which home projects to do first

First, write a list of everything that you would love to do to your home and outdoor space. Additionally, identifying whether aesthetic or practical (say a fix) and also cost (high / low / medium) may also be helpful qualifiers.

For example:

1. Paint bedroom
2. Convert front garden into a driveway
3. Garden pergola
4. New bathroom
5. Bespoke carpentry - dressing room / home office / hallway
6. Complete an unfinished job - say painting / plastering / tiling

Now make another list with column headers Want and Need and start to add in the items from your previous list. This is where your additional qualifiers may come in handy. 

Another factor to consider: What if you do said item on your list, spend lots of money in doing so, and then find the perfect house elsewhere and decide to move? Is the home improvement in question something that will add value to your home? For the amount spent, will you see any ROI (return on investment)? Is it something a new homeowner will love and have them racing to make an offer?

An example list

Need

1. Convert front garden into a driveway - Practical as it would create more parking spaces for friends and family and would also be desirable to a future homeowner. Medium or high cost depending on labour and supplies.

2. Complete an unfinished job - Completing an unfinished job such as a part-painted room isn't necessarily costly (especially if you do the work yourself) but it requires time which we don't all readily have. If you can find the time, getting all the little unfinished jobs done can be really satisfying - especially if it's a space you frequent a lot. Unfinished jobs can be off-putting to a potential buyer so they are always worth thinking about.

Want 

1. Bespoke carpentry - Practical as it would make better use of available space. Potentially high cost so may only make sense if you plan on living there long-term and aren't thinking about moving. Furthermore, the style of carpentry may not appeal to a future homeowner and certainly won't sell the house. Better to use standalone furniture as a cheaper solution for the short term. 

2.  Garden pergola - Aesthetic, largely used to create visual interest. Pergolas in kit form are not cheap since their popularity in recent years, and having something bespoke may not be much cheaper once you factor in labour and materials. For this very reason, a pergola ranks as nice to have in my eyes as it is something you can always add in a later iteration of your garden as it develops. 

What happens when the lines become blurred?

Sometimes it's not always easy to determine the importance of something and identify whether it's a want or a need. Which is when you'll need to think about it more rationally.

Or one can turn into the other. A want becomes a need. 

For example, we decided to condense our outbuildings into one larger offering. It's better positioned in the garden and it offers us a lot flexibility as it's both heated and air conditioned. It's also a very attractive offering to the next owner of this house. It can be whatever you want it to be. A home gym. An office. Playroom. A second living room for the warmer months. Did we need to do it? On the face it, absolutely not. However once one of the original outbuildings came down, the state of it presented a need (crawling with termites and ants in the walls and floor, and the roof wasn't structurally sound) so I'm glad we did it.

Bathrooms are a whole other story. I want to get them done because they're showing signs of age and aren't our style. But there are also practical reasons why we need them done. The shower itself is on the blink and washing my hair in a feeble dribble of water is a joke. Also we had insulation added into one of the downstairs ceilings which felt like a good idea at the time, however as hot air no longer rises to the bathroom above it, the floor tiles and bathroom itself are glacial now, making for a horrible bath/shower experience.

Aesthetically there's nothing wrong with the bathrooms. There's nothing that would be off-putting to a potential buyer. We could sell the house with them as they are. We could easily replace the shower head and hose as a quick, temporarily fix. And when it comes to cost, we have the funds to do up both bathrooms now - but is now the right time? Or do I just give them a quick spruce up with paint and adhesive tiles? That's the question.

Ultimately it's your home and your money. A want doesn't necessarily have to take lower priority than a need if you don't want it to. You can have both. It's more a question of prioritisation - what comes first? Well, that's down to you.

What home projects are next on your list?

Image source: Randy Fath // Unsplash

How to maintain a better work-life balance when working from home

Working from home can be a double edged sword. Sure, you no longer have the commute or need to set your alarm at stupid o'clock any more, but it can also be really lonely. Whilst you can still chat away to your heart's content on Whatsapp or Slack with your colleagues, it's just not the same as being face-to-face. Working from home once or twice a week can be respite from the commute, but for an extended period of time like it has been with the COVID-19 outbreak, it can be increasingly hard. You miss work lunches. You miss Fridays in the pub. There are so many things you want to see and do, but are advised not to. You are home so much that the work-life balance is starting to blur around the edges and you no longer have that separation or discipline. So how do you get out of a funk like this? Try following these simple pointers to help promote a healthy work-life balance when working from home.

Tips for a better work-life balance when working from home

Designate a specific working zone

Whilst it may be tempting to take your laptop into the main living area with the TV on in the background, don't do it. Go hole yourself away in a separate room where you usually wouldn't be. At the end of the working day, remove work emails and alerts from your phone (if applicable), close the doors on the space you worked in, and walk away. This is now your time.

Come up with a plan for co-working arrangements

If you live with a partner, friends or family, what happens if you only have one home office space? Should you both work in the same room? Everybody works differently so it's best to talk this through with your partner / friends / family and be honest wth each other. Here we have a study with a long desk which is perfect for two people working alongside each other, however due to the nature of my partner's work (noisy and on video call constantly), it just wouldn't work. For me to perform at my best, I have to put myself in another room, on another floor. If you have children and they have gone back to school, plan a rota of who is picking up from school on which days and if pre-school, come up with a rota for childcare so you can avoid video call interruptions of this scale and hilarity.  

Don't forget to take breaks

I've heard so many stories of people forgetting to take lunch breaks when they work from home, or only grabbing a quick bite to eat. It can be so easy to lose track of time when you are deep in a task. Look after yourself and have a proper nutritional lunch and give yourself the full hour. Besides lunch, get up every so often to walk around and grab some water or a cup of tea. Stay hydrated and keep your body and mind active. I cannot tell you the number of times I have been stuck on something, had a break and a quick walk away from my desk, and then the solution has come to me instantly.  

Do your hours - nothing more, nothing less

This kind of falls in-line with the previous point. Yes, have breaks and a full hour for lunch, but at the same time, don't abuse the system and take an extended lunch break because 'no one can see me'. Whilst a longer lunch is heavenly, it can make it harder to get back into the swing of things, resulting in less motivation and productivity. At the same time, don't overdo it at home or do more hours than you are paid. I am incredibly guilty of this and have been known to start work at 8-something rather than 9.30am and then work past 5.30pm in the past. Finish on time and avoid working late into the night so you get the time you are entitled to in order to unwind properly before starting all over again the next day.

Make sure you have the right access

Nothing sucks more than working from home and discovering that you don't have the right access / permissions / equipment. This in itself will set you back. Make sure you have everything in place ready ahead of working from home.

Get dressed

Whilst it's incredibly tempting to stay in your pyjamas all day, avoid doing this to better your work-life balance. The act of getting dressed sets you up ready for the day and puts you in the right mindset. When the working day is over, go and get changed. Change into either looser, more comfortable clothing like joggers, or your pyjamas. This will help reinforce a sense of routine that work is done for the day and now it's you time.

Get up at a reasonable time

Whilst it's tempting to leave the alarm off completely or set it just before your official start time, don't do it. Logging onto work when you've just woken up isn't the one. If something complex comes in first thing that requires serious attention, imagine the headache that will come your way if you're not ready. When I work from home I usually allow myself an extra hour in bed - so my alarm is set for 7am rather than 6am - as I no longer have the commute. It is so important to have enough time to wake up fully and for much needed you time. Other than the essentials of showering and getting dressed, make sure you give yourself some quality time. Read the newspaper. Sit down and have a proper breakfast. Do a sudoku or morning yoga. Go for a run. Whatever you choose to do, get yourself into a routine and in no time at all, it will come naturally to you.

Try and get outside if you can

This stems from my point earlier about how sometimes taking a break and going for a walk can sometimes encourage new ideas. You don't even have to go far. Go down the road or around the corner. Spend some time in the garden (if you have one). Fresh air can be so invigorating and always perks me up if I'm having a bad mental health day.

The chair you use is so important

Don't let a poor chair be the cause of an early onset of back problems. If you are going to be working from home a lot (particularly with the COVID-19 outbreak), it's wise to invest in a decent chair. We have one decent work-from-home chair in the office which my partner uses, but if I'm home I find myself hopping about from chair to chair as the dining room chairs are only comfortable for so long. If you feel an ache in your back, act on it quickly and don't just 'put up with it'. Change your location and try another chair. Use extra cushions to support your back. If budget allows, order yourself an ergonomic chair or executive chair with padding and a fully supported back (I recently ordered myself this one and it's an absolute dream!). Some companies have a working from home allowance and can provision you with a chair and desk (or budget for them), so it's definitely worth asking around.

Give your day some structure

Start each day with a quick brainstorm of what needs to be done that day and create youself a To Do list. There is nothing more satisfying than ticking things off a To Do list (or is that just me?). Plus if your boss is checking up on you making sure you are actually working, you can come back with a whole host of things you've completed and be smug as. When you approach the end of your working day, if there is anything outstanding or to be rolled over to the next day, note it all down. This is beneficial in two ways. First, it's a weight off your mind and allows you to fully switch off that evening and not think about work. Secondly it means you have the makings of tomorrow's to do list already forming itself (WIN).

Do you have a good work-life balance when working from home?

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Image credit: Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

How to take better food pictures with #TheFoodieBag

This post contains a gifted item

If you can start eating a plate of food without documenting it first, I applaud you. I have long given up the hope of ever eating a hot meal. So why do we do it? Food is first and foremost functional. We need it for nutritional purposes and to, well, survive. However sometimes a pretty plate of food is worth documenting. That one photo can serve as a reminder of a special event, a perfect date or a memorable holiday. We share snaps of our baking successes and on some occasions, our food is so aesthetically pleasing, it's bordering on art and worth being immortalised in a photograph.

Taking a truly special food picture is an art. I see professional food bloggers with all the right kit, regularly invited to the swankiest joints, sharing dark, out of focus food pictures where the colour levels are all wrong. Then comparatively I see influencers with smaller follower counts - or your average Joe - who use a mobile phone and get it spot on. My point being that taking a great photo is well within your reach and easily achievable with just a few small pointers.

Frame your shot

It's all about the background. Whilst we are not all blessed to have marble worktops, the key is having a work surface with colour variation or a bit of texture to add interest. A concrete look surface always works well with food photography and can add an industrial feel. Or for a more luxe look, opt for a marble effect surface paired with gold utensils. To get a high end look surface for a fraction of the price, try backdrops like these which are perfect for food photography. My simple vegan aubergine and chickpea stew looked a whole lot more exciting when I tried it against the different backgrounds.

Vegan aubergine and chickpea stew

For a fully authentic magazine style food shot, frame your dish with crumbs, a smattering of herbs or a lovingly torn French baguette. But don't overdo it. You want the shot to look homely, not messy (and not excessively staged!)

Get the lighting right

Natural light always works best, but at this time of year, good light can be hard to come by which is where you may need assistance in the form of a lighting kit. Circle lights can help in the winter months but beware, as artifical light is no match for natural light and can cause glare and over-saturated images. To help control the lighting your photo receives - whether natural or artifical - consider using a reflector and diffuser like this 5 in 1 one here to eliminate shadows and glare.

Edit with caution

Sometimes the perfect photograph requires some editing work, especially if you are not blessed with natural light. Increasing the contrast levels can add richness to your image, and low light can be remedied. Edit with caution though, as many professional food bloggers make the mistake of over-saturating their images, leading to the colour of natural food products appearing, well, unnatural. 

Experiment with angles

Flat lays are always effective in food photography, but playing with angles can add interest. See what a difference it makes below. The bird's eye view looks a little flat, whereas shooting from an angle makes the dish look multi-dimensional (what of course it is!). Re-shooting the flat lay with a slight angle rather than from above makes the toasted pinenuts in the recipe look more 3D.

Example of a flat lay

Experiment with angles

The ingredients in this flat lay look a little more 3D as it's not shot directly over head 

Give your food a face lift

Examine your plate and how colourful it is. Is it a fairly beige meal? Or is it all mostly one colour? In food magazines the most captivating recipes we want to try ourselves are colourful and attractive. Greenery always works wonders and can help bring food alive - so top your meal with fresh chopped parsley, chives or your herb of choice. Other options include cheese and chopped chilli - anything that adds colour and interest. Puncture the yolk of your poached egg in a brunch shot for an image that leaves your audience salivating. Wipe up any other spills and add cutlery to give it that ready to eat feel.

Listen to the experts

I am by no means an expert and if you check out my Instagram, I'm sure I have commited a multitude of sins when it comes to food photography. That being said, life is full of lessons and food photography is something that takes time and practice. If you want expert advice on how to improve your work, check out these polaroid style notelets, each depicting a picture of a delicious plate of food and on the reverse side, tips and tricks. Admittedly some of the advice is common sense, but I have learned a lot and I'm really pleased with how some of my recent food shots have turned out.

If you are a budding food blogger or just enjoy taking food photos and want to up your game, check out #TheFoodieBag (also known as the Instagram Bag) here which has everything you need to get started. The kit is just £39.95 including P&P & VAT and contains the following:

• a HUGE tote bag (perfect for lugging your kit around!) with zip fastening and internal mesh dividers and pockets
• A 15-inch 5 in 1 pop up lighting reflector and diffuser
• 4 backdrops (marble, grey concrete, green-grey hybrid and rust-look)
• 8 beautiful postcards with extra tips and tricks for getting the perfect shot

I've had a lot of fun experimenting with the different backdrops - although admittedly this has made me cringe over some of my past food photography!

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* This post features #TheFoodieBag from The Cotton Bag Company which was sent to me in exchange for a review. As ever all views (and love of food photography!) are my own. 

7 ways how to have a productive writing day

This post contains a gifted item

Whether you blog, are writing the next big thing, or work in editorial, some days the words come less easily than others. One day you find you can easily knock out 1,000 words of a morning, the next you find yourself staring at your screen, willing the words to come to you. Writing is a craft that requires a lot of discipline, but sometimes that motivation can be hard to come by. So what can you do to help keep the words flowing?

Start the day right

If you wake up all groggy and half asleep and start writing straight away, the words won't come to you naturally. Make sure you find the time to put some fuel in the tank with a nutritious breakfast, a cup of tea or coffee, and a big glass of water. 

Light exercise can work wonders

By no means tire yourself out or your writing could fall lacklustre. Do some light exercise like a quick morning jog or bike ride, or my favourite, morning yoga. I find this eases me into the day but at the same time gets my heart racing and blood pumping around the body (great for the brain).

Identify how you write best

For me personally, my best ideas come when I physically write in a notebook. I don't know if it's something about looping those letters in joined up writing to bring a sense continunity to the words which help them to keep on coming. It just works. I find myself getting lost in a story a lot more when I write by hand. But each to their own. Your stream of consciouness may be better aligned with typing on a keyboard. Also have a think about which time of the day you write best. The mornings work best for me so I make sure I am up good and and early and get the bulk of any writing done then, leaving the afternoons for editing and reviewing (and image sourcing if for a blog post).

Invest in a shiny new notebook

Nothing motivates me more than a brand new notebook, especially an aesthetically pleasing one with a witty or inspirational quote. A new notebook to me symbolises a fresh start. A new story. A new beginning. 

Get the room temperature right

If you feel too hot or too cold, you could be prone to fidget and have bouts of restlessness. Much like the importance of getting your bedroom temperature right for a good night's sleep, make sure your working envirionment is equally comfortable. On stifling hot days, invest in a fan or sit outside and be at one with nature. 

Find a workspace free from distractions

Much like the previous point, carve out a comfortable work zone but one that is also free from distractions. Don't work in front of the TV or around anything that could cause distraction. If you work from home, do you have a good work-life balance? If not, consider leaving the house to achieve that balance so at the end of the day, you can come back home and switch off. If you have a summer house or garden studio you can use, this would be a great writer's haven with guaranteed privacy. Libraries offer hushed tones and are another peaceful sanctuary. Otherwise if you are comfortable around other people and aren't easily distracted, consider a co-working space.

Don't push yourself too hard

Know your limits. If the words aren't flowing and you've tried making subtle changes to your routine and these aren't working, don't force it. Give yourself a break and have some time away from your desk or screen. I usually find that I get a whole new wave of inspiration once I step away from the problem and mull it over in my mind for a little while. Giving yourself this time is important for the development of new and existing ideas. 

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* This post features this lovely notebook from Old English Company and like all their other notebooks, comes in pink, grey, white or black. They also stock homeware, stationary, greeting cards and much more! This notebook was sent to me in exchange for a review and all views are my own. 

For 15% off your next purchase at Old English Company, use the code OESPECBR15 here. 

Why it's ok not to have a master plan during lockdown

"What have you been up to?"

This is the question we find ourselves being asked - and asking others - on a daily basis. And with it comes pressure, an expectation. There is this idea that we need to be learning a new language, instrument or skill, taking on home projects, and constantly learning and improving ourselves.

First be honest with yourself and identify how you as a person work.

Me personally, I love cats and hot chocolate

If your coping mechanism is keeping yourself busy with home projects / cleaning furiously / writing the next big thing / learning a new instrument / whatever else floats your boat... good on you.

If however you want to catch up on throwback TV and films and be glued to your sofa, that's absolutely fine too. Don't beat yourself up or see yourself as a failure if you're not doing much these days. It's ok. Take things at your own pace. Do what feels right for you. And can I add, just because everyone is playing Sims 4 and Animal Crossing at the moment, doesn't mean you have to too. You do you.

I've been in both camps. Some weeks ago I was restless and couldn't face sitting around doing nothing. I tidied the house. I cooked up a storm. I didn't want to sit around watching TV because I felt guilty if I wasn't doing anything. I woke up at 4am or 5am a lot because I was so wired and couldn't sleep. I had so much excess energy.

Lately I've taken it down a notch all in the name of #selfcare. I still cook and tidy and busy myself, but I try and balance my day with both work AND down time. Getting into a morning routine really helped. I get up early each morning, drink a ton of water, do 20-30 minutes of exercise followed by a 30 minute yoga class, eat a nutritious breakfast and get dressed. Some days I wear pyjama trousers or loose trousers, but mostly I get dressed as I normally would to try and keep a sense of normalcy. I re-discovered old games like the original Sims (imagine!), Theme Hospital and many more which I have been trying to play in compatibility mode as touched upon here. I've also been watching lots of interiors shows (crazy happy that Your Home Made Perfect is back!) and discovered Masters of Flip #obsessed

Whilst my mind never completely settles, taking some time out with a candle / book / film / episode / magazine and a mug of tea / gin is a good first step. Taking time for yourself is not laziness or failure. It's about respecting your body and keeping it fully charged at this uncertain and let's be honest, mentally exhausting time.

What have you been up to? I'd love to know!

11 positive things about this whole experience which will help make us better people

Urgh, where do I start? You low key want to watch the news but you also kind of don't because it's all doom and gloom and you are guaranteed zero news on anything other than the coronavirus. As surreal a situation we find ourselves in right now, it's important to remember that we are all in this together and to keep the faith where possible. I write to you today to try and spread some positivity at this challenging time. Today's topic: How will this uncertain time help better us as people?

Good vibes only

It will make us appreciate more

We take things for granted like going to the shops, seeing people and having access to household essentials like toilet roll and pasta. You will never look at a toilet roll in the same way ever again. I like to think that everyone is full of respect for healthcare workers anyway, but this whole situation will make everyone appreciate these hardworking doctors and nurses - who put their lives on the line every single day - even more.

It will make us more creative and imaginative in the kitchen

I can usually guarantee getting all the ingredients I need and I know what I'm going to cook all seven days of the week. The pandemic has thrown this into disarray for many of us. You can't get your usual ingredients. The shelves in the shops are empty. You can't get a home delivery slot. So at this time it's all about scouring your cupboards, fridge and freezer and being creative. I mentioned here and here how I helped calm my anxiety by taking inventory for everything I had in the fridge, cupboard and freezer so I know what random ingredients I have to cobble up meals with. I also have a spreadsheet with expiry dates to ensure zero food waste. It's all about being organised with a sprinkling of imagination.

It will make us check in with other people more

Normal life is busy, busy, busy and when you reach out to people by text / Whatsapp / social media etc, you don't always hear back. I'm good at reaching out and checking in, but I'm rubbish with the frequency I do it. This whole experience has made me worry about absolutely everyone and I've reached out to friends in other countries as well as here, and I've been in touch with my own family a whole lot more, especially as they are classed as high risk. The other day one of my best friends and I spoke on the phone which we haven't done that in the longest time (we usually just message each other and meet when we can). It was really lovely to talk and it's something I'm set on maintaining. If you haven't heard from someone in a while, I urge you to reach out to them and see how they are doing. You will make their day.

It will make us take better care of ourselves

Washing your hands after using the toilet, handling raw meat, touching bins and etc, and regular cleaning of surfaces at home should be common sense and a given, but sadly it's not to some people. Imagine doing these things and then putting your fingers near your face or worse in your mouth (blergh). This is exactly how bacteria and viruses spread. Whilst I have always been OCD about washing my hands, I have a terrible habit of biting at my nails or the skin around my nails. I've had to be really tough on myself to get out of the habit of putting my hands near my mouth. Hopefully this pandemic will help people be more mindful of their hygiene and / or habits. Including reducing the number of people who travel into work to 'solider on' when they're sick. There is nothing more important than your health and the health of those around you.

It will bring us together

There is a war time feel to this whole situation (just thankfully without the bombs) and however bad it feels, remember we are all in this together. Spare a thought to the vulnerable like the elderly and help out where you can. Get involved in your community (whilst adhering to social distancing of course) and reach out to your neighbours and help each other out. My heart has been warmed with stories of families sharing their supplies with others. Kindness costs nothing. And remember not to buy more than you need or stockpile so that no one is deprived.

It will help us appreciate quality time with the family even more

Not all families eat meals together. With many now working from home, former absent members of the family will be around more and able to join in with meal times for a greater sense of togetherness. As we're going to be spending more time with each other, turn the TV off and talk more. Watch less TV and bring out the board games and jigsaw puzzles. Play charades. There are so many ways that you can enjoy quality time together without needing going to go out or spend money. I've seen so many creative examples from home-schooled children on social media lately. And for those of us separated from our families and living in different households, it will make us appreciate future family gatherings in a whole new light.

It will help us appreciate our homes more

We are after all going to be spending a lot more time at home from now on. With an age of constantly needing to go places, see people, post the countries we've visited and things we've done on social media, we suddenly find ourselves enforced to stay home and not travel. With all the uncertainty and worry out there, we will appreciate our homes a lot more as a safe haven to be. Spending more time in your home than you normally would may help you realise that you actually like being at home and it may be a lifestyle change you make when this all blows over. If you find yourself spending a lot of time in one room (say you really get into cooking), it may encourage you to invest money into a home improvement / reno project rather than that second holiday you think you need. Investing money into your home will add value to your property and your quality of life.

It could change the way people and businesses work

With lots of people working from home for the foreseeable future, this could help companies that frown on working on home in normal circumstances, be more amenable to the idea in the future. Viruses are so easy to contract on the daily commute or from planes after business travel or a holiday. The more workers work from home, the less chance a virus will spread to other people in the workplace and multiply. Instead it will keep it confined to the household it started in and reduce risks of an outbreak. An agreed number of days working from home a week will not only help motivate individuals, but could bring about less annual sick days. I don't know about you, but I feel more rested when I don't have to commute all five days of the week. Also this pandemic could transform how shops and businesses operate - particularly the supermarkets - with more investment in people and resources to help fulfil the increased demand in online shopping.

It will help us take better care of the environment

Forget airborne viruses for just one second. Here in the UK we have had the most glorious weather since people have stopped commuting and have started working from home. Days of non stop sunshine and clear skies is unheard of here in the UK. It's a novelty. The fact that there is less pollution from air travel (less flights), factories (many in lock down) and commuting (cars being used less and no one taking the train into work any more) can't be a coincidence. As cabin fever inducing as staying home can be, you can't deny the good this will do the environment.

It will help us be more prepared in the future

This whole experience has taught me a lot and hopefully this is something we can all learn from. For me personally this has given me the drive to grow my own fruit and veg so I can be more independent in the future. Because if you can't get food and your supplies are running low, how do you survive? As a society, I hope this gives the government a kick up the backside to consider future strategies. At a time where isolation is essential, all stores should be closed. We need to have more of a focus on online food shopping with increased investment in people to meet demand. However such an arrangement is not ideal for individuals like the elderly who may not necessarily be connected online. During a pandemic, we almost need war time rations so we avoid the risk of people overbuying and depriving others. In an ideal situation, each household should be supplied with a weekly aid box. It will take into consideration the number of people - and their ages and health conditions - in each household and provide them with sanitary care, essentials like bread and milk, and healthy, nutritious ingredients like fresh fruit and veg. This will enable families to maintain a healthy diet and will ensure that everyone is on a level playing field.

It will make future cold and flu feel like a walk in the park

It will give us a sense of perspective and however crappy we feel from the common cold or regular flu in the future, we will have a new found appreciation that at least it's treatable and that we are fortunate to have the ability to soldier on and recover from it.

Photo by Allie Smith on Unsplash

How to go to the zoo for less than £1

I love a day out but days out can be expensive. Especially the zoo. Every time I go I am shocked by how much they are asking for. Recently I found a life hack that enabled me to visit the zoo for just 45p (or 90p for two people) rather than the £25 entrance fee I'd normally have to pay. How you ask? Read on to find out!

The life hack in question was using Tesco's Clubcard Voucher exchange here. If you shop at Tesco regularly, make sure you sign up for a Tesco Clubcard here to collect points on every shop. Because trust me, they do add up. I belong to several loyalty cards schemes and Tesco's Clubcard is up there as one of the best.

Years back I bought one of my first iPhones through Tesco and the points I earned were INSANE. From that one purchase, I made so many amazing memories with days out, travels, dinner dates and so on (and obviously had the phone's camera to capture it all with!) Nowadays I have a Tesco credit card meaning I can build up my Tesco points even when I'm shopping in other stores outside of Tesco. Recently I bought a new sofa from DFS here so I'm due a massive payout!

HOW TO USE TESCO CLUBCARD VOUCHER EXCHANGE

Log into your Clubcard account here and click "spend vouchers"

You will then be presented with a list of categories that - at the time of writing this -  include "travel", "eating out", "fun" "home & essentials" and "lifestyle".

For fun days out, click "fun" to find further categories to choose from:

In my case, I opted for "days out" where you can choose from a vast selection of theme parks, castles and wildlife parks. To refine your results, select by "category" and / or "region".

We wanted to visit a zoo, but not London Zoo as we've done that one a lot and fancied a change. We managed to find a suitable zoo that wasn't too far away.

CONVERT YOUR VOUCHERS

At the time of writing this, the offer on the Tesco website was that 50p of Tesco vouchers translated to £1.50 in credit to spend towards your zoo ticket. So if you need £60 to cover your family ticket to the zoo, you would need to convert £20 in Tesco vouchers.

It's always worth checking the conversion rates on the Tesco Clubcard website as recently they changed some of the offers from tripling the worth of Tesco vouchers to doubling them. I think I got in there just before the changeover, but the vouchers we converted meant that we only had to pay 90p at the gate - bargain!

THE ZOO IN QUESTION

I hadn't been to Whipsnade Zoo since I was little, and I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of space they had there. With some zoos, it can almost feel a little claustrophobic and like the animals don't have adequately sized enclosures. Located near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, at Whipsnade the enclosures were generously sized and it didn't feel like the animals were as confined as some other zoos. The brown bears enclosure was huge, and the elephant paddock was something else.

WHIPSNADE PARKING

If you ever visit Whipsnade, wear sensible walking shoes and prepare for a lot of walking! For the elderly or less able, Whipsnade does offer parking spaces around the zoo, however you do have to pay for this privilege. This is currently £25. Otherwise parking is free if you park outside the zoo. It's not a long walk to the entrance, but it's advisable to get there early so you're not parked further away in the overflow (field!)

WHIPSNADE FOOD OPTIONS

As with any other tourist hot-spot. extras like ice creams were extortionately priced. I don't think I've ever spent so much on ice cream.. but then we made the error of going on one of the hottest days of the year so far.

There were plenty of food options, including River Cottage in the most incredible setting. Food here was a little pricier and nothing took our fancy that day (I would love to try this next time though!) Instead we sat in the family restaurant and ordered chips as it was far too hot to eat anything more.

The cafe was very tech forward and you ordered your food on a tablet.

Just select what type of refreshment you are after / your meal choice

Saying that, I would be tempted to pack a picnic next time because look at these views

HIGHLIGHTS

Being shadowed by these guys. They followed me every direction I walked. Maybe I look like the keeper who feeds them?

Seeing the brown bears go for a dip. One of them was even smiling

These guys clowning about. And how nice is their backdrop?!

Seeing every day people being allowed to feed the giraffes. I've never been so up close to one before

A really nice butterfly house that one of Mr Curiouser and Curiouser's colleagues recommended to us. The house itself is a lot bigger than the London Zoo one, so feels less claustrophobic - however it is every bit as hot. We were there on one of the hottest days of the year, so didn't spend too long in there

My favourites.... ELEPHANTS. I love how they look like they're smiling

The monkeys frolicking in the sun

Birds of prey in flight. So majestic.

And finally this guy who looks like how I feel on Mondays

Next time you plan a day out - whether it's to Whipsnade zoo, another zoo or somewhere else entirely - do log into your Tesco account and see whether you can convert up vouchers for it. And if you don't have a Tesco clubcard, then what are you waiting for?! Get collecting those points!

Apologies in advance to all my international readers for a UK specific offer / life hack - hopefully the lifestyle day-at-the-zoo types pics are enough to pique your interest!

The importance of adopting an evening routine and how to get a better night's sleep

Fun fact about me: I have always been a night owl. Often staying awake until the early hours of the morning, binge watching box-sets and films, I would then head to bed and lay there scrolling through social media. It was all too easy to say "just one more episode" or "just 10 more minutes" but it was never the case. I used to be up until the early hours of the morning and always prided myself on my ability to exist on next to nothing sleep. But the facts were I struggled with the mornings. Both with actually getting my ass out of bed and productivity once live and kicking. It started affecting both my writing and mental health. Blog posts didn't flow right and often sat there abandoned and unpublished. The novel I started writing lost momentum. Over time things worsened in that I could no longer physically sleep. I had royally fucked my sleeping pattern and my body could no longer comprehend what sleep was or how to do it.

And the worst thing? I was more than aware of the facts. I was well aware of all the various studies preaching the importance of avoiding screens - be it TV, laptop or phone - right before bed. That it can over-stimulate the mind, exacerbate any pre-existing depression or anxiety that you may have and have links to weight gain. Not necessarily because you're snacking right before bed (although I did this too) but more because the extra hours you spend awake muddles your body clock and affects how your body metabolises food at the end of a day.

TIME FOR CHANGE

A month or so ago I made the conscious decision to shake up my lifestyle and get into an evening routine. It started off as a trial but the changes were so undeniable that I haven't looked back since. I am now sleeping again. My weight is the best it's been for longer than I care to remember. I am a lot more productive during the day and my writing mojo is back. My love for blogging has been reignited and rather than simply picking up where I last left my novel, I got a whole new wave of inspiration for another book which is in the works. Turns out sleep is magical stuff.

Whilst I can't promise that my evening routine is an instant fix for things that may keep your mind buzzing at night  - be it a broken heart or friendship dramas - it's a start. I was pretty cynical about having a routine and how long I'd keep it up for, but it's amazing how a little change here and there can transform your life. So here's a little snippet of a typical evening for me these days:

TIME FOR TEA

Winding down for bed starts about 8.45 sort of time when I start boiling the kettle for tea. I used to drink green tea late at night which wasn't ideal because caffeine. Also can we talk about how annoying it is getting comfy in bed and finding that bit of the pillow that is perfectly moulded to your face and then realising you have the bladder the size of a grapefruit which is pressing into you all like I won't let you sleeeeep. Don't eat or drink anything too late at night. Now that I drink earlier I find that when I get into bed I stay there and generally my sleep is deeper and of a better quality. Favourites in our house are chamomile tea and peppermint tea. Although occasionally I will have a decaffeinated green tea. Or a glass of cold milk which is refreshing as.

SCREEN TIME

I try and finish watching TV by about 9.30. Since mixing up my evening routine and no longer watching episodes right before bed, I find myself falling asleep a lot quicker with a better quality of sleep. Gone are the days where my mind was buzzing after watching a particularly thinky documentary or watching something that ended on a massive cliffhanger where I have to wait a whole week to find out wtf happened. I can still watch these things but by watching them earlier in the evening, they are not the last thing on my mind at night. It gives me time to talk it out on Twitter or with my partner and get it all out of my system.

CANDLELIGHT

To be honest, candles have always heavily featured in my life. Even before I had a proper evening routine. Sitting in a dark room with just the glow of candlelight sets in the sleepy process (well for me anyway!). There's something about a flickering flame which is both mesmerising and relaxing.

CLEAR SHIT UP

Before I head into the bathroom for night time skin care and brushing those fangs, I do mindless things like clearing up, sorting the cat and loading the dishwasher. Dirty dishes in the here and now have no place in tomorrowland and I like to start every day afresh with nothing hanging over me. By doing these things, I am closing another chapter and acknowledging the end of another day.

[INSERT HERE]

Something I'm hoping to add to my evening routine eventually is a spot of yoga / meditation, but I'm still on the lookout for the perfect yoga mat. I used to go to yoga classes regularly but a breast cancer scare a couple of years ago and a biopsy meant certain moves were causing me pain while I was healing and I sadly had to stop classes. I really want to get back into it again but will be starting out at home (hence the search for a yoga mat). I always found that yoga helped ease out all the stresses and strains of the day that manifest themselves into your muscles, making it a very attractive prospect.

PILLOW SPRAY

Before I get into bed I spritz the pillows with a pillow spray to help aid relaxation and sleep. I know that lavender isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I use lavender based pillow sprays the most and find these extra relaxing. I do try and keep it seasonal though and am always on the lookout for new pillow sprays and room sprays. I adore ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon tones around the festive period and more floral notes once it hits spring. Around this sort of time I will ensure that the alarm on my phone is set for the next day, put my phone down, and strictly not pick it up again that day.

READING

Reading is one of the fundamental parts of my new evening routine. I hadn't got stuck into a good book for ages because I was so over tired with my old evening regime that I would constantly be falling asleep on my morning commute. Often waking up on some poor soul's shoulder. There is nothing quite like escaping into a good book.

Lately I've been reading Driven by Dane Cobain and your usual detective story this is not. Although there is a police presence, this book centres about Leipfold, a private investigator. Whilst the police have to abide by police protocol, Leipfold and his apprentice computer whizz kid Maile do not. Leipfold was quite a mysterious character with an apparently colourful past which I would have liked to know more about, but as this is the first book in the Leipfold series, this is maybe something that will be touched upon later. Maile was my favourite character and I could relate to her a lot.

"A car strikes in the middle of the night and a young actress lies dead in the road. The police force thinks it’s an accident, but Maile and Leipfold aren’t so sure. Putting their differences aside, and bought together by a shared love of crosswords and busting bad guys, Maile and Leipfold investigate. But not all is as it seems, as the soon find out to their peril…"

Currently writing my own thriller novel myself, this is one my favourite genres to read. What I really liked about Driven was that I could visualise the characters and that they were plausible. If I can't visualise or get a feel for a character, I literally can't finish a book. I also liked the fact that Driven got straight into the action with the murder and how the momentum kept up. I lose interest quickly in novels where you are strung along for the whole book trying to find out a key piece of information. Driven constantly drip feeds you with new information so although I thought I'd sussed out the murderer early on, I was wrong!

I'm going to keep this short and sweet as I don't want to give too much away, but if you want to try Driven for yourself, there are Kindle friendly versions and paperback copies available here. I love receiving and passing on book recommendations, and Driven is well worth a read. The book itself is light weight and a good size to pop in your bag for the daily commute or holiday (I'm not a fan of heavy hardbacks!). As odd as it sounds, it was probably one the nicest feeling books I've read in a long time, what with it's matt cover and the super soft pages.

By incorporating reading into my evening routine, it offers a degree of escapism and to focus on something away from work and social media dramas before bed. Because seeing bloggers slag other bloggers off on Twitter right before bed is not the one.

LIGHTS OUT

After I reach a good point in my book, the bookmark goes in (usually an old Topshop label because I'm fancy) and lights go out. The old me was guilty of messing about on my phone in bed but now I make more of an effort to spend quality time with Mr Curiouser and Curiouser.

Do you have an evening routine or problems sleeping?

Driven was sent to me for review purposes but all opinions and love of detective stories all my own! Driven is available as a digital copy or paperback here. I opted to review the paperback because I love the smell of new books (or is that just me?)  

Simple life hacks to help make a house a home

What you wear and how you present yourself can say a lot about you, and this same logic can extend through to your home. It doesn't matter if you own your home or rent it, it's a given that you want to come home at the end of a long day to a piece of you - rather than feeling like an intruder in your own home. Owning your property outright means you can delve straight into all manner of home improvements, whereas if you have a landlord or someone else to answer to, there may be restrictions in place preventing you from being able to rip out existing built-in units / flooring, or from painting over those dastardly yellow tinged magnolia walls. If you are in student digs, renting, or anywhere else that holds decorating restrictions, there are small changes that you can make here and there to make your space feel more like your own. And the good news? None of these have to cost the earth.

Throws and soft furnishings

A godsend if you have secondhand / inherited furniture that isn't to your taste. Or if you have pets that shred ALL THE FUR (I'm looking at you, Bailey). I moved into my - unfurnished - house as a first time buyer with ALL THE SHOES but not really anything useful i.e. furniture. Fortunately I acquired an entire living room set from family who simply fancied a change. All of these items were virtually new and in immaculate condition, and as thankful as I was to actually have chairs right from the word go and not be sitting on the floor, the fact still remains that a beige sofa isn't very... me. It's a bitch to keep clean and beige chairs in a room with magnolia walls isn't the one. Future me dreams of replacing them with a grey L shaped sofa or a tan leather affair, but for the time being they can be easily transformed by adding layers of throws and soft furnishings like cushions. What was once a beige cat furr magnet is now covered with a black and white geometric pattern throw (as seen later in this post!) which I'm pretty certain only cost me £5 or less from Primark. For colder evenings, I add extra textures like a rust coloured chunky knit which contrasts nicely against the monochrome geometric fleecy throw. Sheepskin rugs are really versatile as they can be draped on a chair or a bed - not just the floor. Whilst there are pricier options out there, you can also get sheepskin rugs from as little as £20 from IKEA. I also really love those chunky knit blankets knitted with the humongous knitting needles. But no matter what you opt for remember this: don't see it as hiding a piece of unloved furniture - see it more as transforming a piece and making it more you.

Prints & typography

I love an inspiration quote. So a bland looking magnolia wall transformed into a gallery wall of framed motivation quotes... count me in! Choose quotes and artwork that is personal and means something to you. If your accommodation prevents you from nailing things to the wall, choose wall friendly options like command strips or propping frames up on a shelf (I have our family artwork freestanding as seen here). I know from my uni accommodation days that blu tack is not the one (chipped paint on the walls meant I lost a chunk of my deposit. Sad times). Whilst you can buy readily framed quotes online, why not create your own for something extra personal? Frames aren't expensive and can be filled with either handwritten quotes (particularly if you are a calligraphy whizz kid) or something typed and then printed off from the computer. I also like saving pages from magazines and postcards from Paperchase - both of which also frame well.

Flowers

I don’t know about you, but I love having flowers in the house. They are a great way of incorporating some colour into your life if a) you don't have a garden or b) you have decorating restrictions where you live. Plus they make the house smell lovely, don't they?

The other day I had a surprise delivery from Prestige Flowers who very kindly sent me one of their Lomond bouquets from their luxury range. I have dark inky blue walls in the lounge and I find that bright whites or bright colours like hot pink can look sensational against darker walls. So Prestige were spot on with their colour choice! An arrangement of brightly coloured blooms can help lift a dark room that doesn't see a lot of light (because not all of us are fortunate enough to be living somewhere with huge bay windows!)

I love the contrast of the greens (aren't the shamrock blooms beautiful?) against the pinks. The pinks in particular make a bouquet like this the perfect choice for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Although to be honest, flowers like these would make me happy all year round! The arrangement filled the house with a beautiful fresh scent and gave the house a spring essence despite the fact it was snowing / sleeting / raining outside. I'm so ready for Spring!

The black gift bag that came with it was a nice touch and would be a lovely way of presenting the flowers if you were invited for dinner somewhere, or to welcome friends into a new home. I liked the high gloss wrapping (also black) and even the box it arrived in was pretty. I'm all too used to boring brown boxes (I'm STILL unpacking from moving house...) and I really liked the chic black and white design. It shows extra attention to detail and pride of presentation at every stage - not just with the flowers themselves.

I was impressed with the condition they arrived in (it can sometimes be a bit hit and miss when flowers are sent by courier) and how they thrived in the days that followed. One thing I did notice unlike other flowers I have had before, is that they drank water like it was going out of fashion. So my advice would be to keep an eye on the water level and keep it frequently topped up so you get a good long use out of your flowers.

Prestige also offer add on items like balloons, fruit baskets, prosecco and so on. They also very kindly sent me Charlie the bear (who for the record Bailey absolutely adores!), a vase, and a box of chocolates - all of which were lovely added touches. I usually avoid the fruity chocolates in chocolate boxes as I can find them a little artificial tasting (also if I wanted fruit, I'd have fruit). But I have to say, the fruity ones I tried were the first I have liked and enjoyed. I think this was because they had a higher chocolate to fruit ratio which I prefer. How cute is the chocolate crown?

So with that, a flower summary: fill your home with fresh flowers and potted plants (pink / purple orchids are a personal favourite of mine!) for an instant injection of colour. Green heavy arrangements can really help lift a neutral space dressed in white or magnolia. Flowers are a great life hack if your living space is one that you don't have permission to paint or make any major changes to, and can really make a house feel more like a home.

Candles

When I first moved into my house, there was a stale smell in the lounge which I couldn't get rid of. I took down and washed the curtains, I hired a Rug Doctor and deep cleaned the carpets, and I washed the walls down with sugar soap. None of these things helped. Then enter the humble candle. Once my living room was a little more put together (read: actually had furniture), I brought out my candles. Candles add a signature scent to your living space rather than eau de previous tenant. And yes, that stale smell in my living room is now a thing of the past (hooray). I don't know about you, but candles instantly make me feel more relaxed. There is something very soothing about watching episodes and films by candlelight. Candles don't have to be expensive, so can be a fairly low cost way of transforming your home. I love Aldi's candles which are a spookily accurate dupe for the Jo Malone candles, but at a fraction of the price. Primark also do some great options.

A huge thank you to Prestige for the flowers (aren't they gorgeous?), the chocolates and Charlie. Prestige have flowers for as little as £19.99 and offer next day delivery (check the site here for order deadlines), weekend delivery, and free chocolates with selected bouquets. I hadn't heard of Prestige Flowers before, but was really impressed with the flowers I received and will definitely be ordering from them again in the future!

What are your favourite ways of making your home feel more homely?