I don’t like or enjoy drawing. So, although I’m a professional designer in my day job I still feel a deep anxiety when I need to draw something. Despite my hatred of putting pencil to paper, I love new sketchbooks. My gut reaction with a new sketchbook is to hoard it away because it feels too good to use. This …
Writing a personal manifesto instead of making resolutions
The end of the year is nigh. Before the new year I want to reflect on this one, learn from my mistakes and celebrate things that have gone well. Next year brings some exciting changes – I’ve been accepted on a MA Design postgraduate course starting in September. It will take me 3 years part time and I could possibly …
Making Christmas easier this year and next
Christmas, which is meant to be a time of giving and gratitude can easily end up being really stressful instead. Lovely Dawn from the less-stuff Facebook group came up with the idea of a list of strategies to help cope with this Christmas, while preparing for the next. This post is written with help from Dawn, Anna, Toets, Su, Esther, …
Adventures with Family Cloth (washable loo roll)
‘Family Cloth’ is a rather twee way of saying ‘washable rags you wipe your bum with’. Bumbaclot is a Jamaican insult but it describes these bum cloths perfectly. Warning – this post is a bit gross! How does it work? You can use a dry cloth to wipe when you wee and you can wet the cloth to wipe when …
Gifts that keep on giving and are not clutter
We all have friends and relatives that have everything they need. Christmas and birthdays get harder and harder but instead of scraping the barrel of novelty presents that will end up in the nearest charity shop, why not give something more lasting. I’ve collaborated with The Frugal Family to bring you ten ideas for gifts that keep on giving. Here …
How to choose the perfect notebook
At the start of each new year I begin a new journal in a notebook. I’m not restrictive about what goes in it, although it generally holds lists of things to do for work and notes from meetings. I sometimes scribble down recipes, ideas or just doodle in it. My journal goes with me everywhere and choosing the new one …
Stop food waste with a menu planning chalkboard (tutorial)
This summer I spent a lot of time scraping off chip paper, replacing it with smooth paper and creating an office space I want to work in. On my office walls I have 2 long strips of chalkboard in an amazing blue colour. I bought a big tin of special chalkboard paint thinking I’d need to use loads of it …
Using up my hoarded stash of fabric, yarn and craft materials.
I was taught by my war time granny to keep hold of things just in case, which is why I now have fabric that I have held onto for at least 20 years in my cupboards. I also have ends of yarn in various weights and a wide selection of craft materials. I come from a long line of make …
Presents you can give that will save people money
Presents that save you money are not just for Christmas! I’ve compiled a list of gift ideas that will make a big difference to the pocket of the recipient. All the Amazon links are affiliate ones, so I get a bit of money if you buy after clicking a link. If you are a smaller business and sell anything that …
Ethical gift ideas for under a tenner
In my hunt for the perfect present I’m grouping together a list of ethical gifts that are under £10 (or $10 depending on where you are in the world!). I don’t get any freebies or money for advertising these products unless I mention that in the description. If you have a product you want to add to the list, please …
Unusual Zero Waste Present Ideas
It is not easy to find presents for people sometimes, especially people like me who don’t want clutter! I’ve compiled a list of gifts that are zero waste or will help you reduce your environmental impact in some way. Unless stated, these are not paid for links, I am not benefitting from advertising the products on this page. If you …
Why I’m going zero waste this Christmas
Christmas is a time of giving but I don’t want to give burdens. I especially don’t want to burden the planet up with more stuff that goes to landfill. So this year, I’m attempting a fully zero waste Christmas. My relationship with Christmas is pretty complex, basically I hate it. I love getting people presents but not when a seasonal …