This is a collabrative post. Most families struggle with their finances at some point, making it more challenging for them to make ends meet. The trick here is to avoid these situations where possible. You need to be responsible, but you also want to be able to enjoy your life. This post runs through some of the issues that families face and how to overcome them. Here are the main problems and how to beat them. Living Paycheck To Paycheck Many modern families live paycheck to

This is a collabtative post. For many business owners across rural and semi-rural areas in Dorset, choosing to operate outside major cities is a deliberate decision. Space, flexibility, lower overheads, and quality of life all make countryside locations appealing places to build and grow a business. For years, however, there has been an unspoken compromise attached to that choice; which is  connectivity. Today, that compromise is becoming increasingly difficult to justify. As

Valentine’s Day, for me, isn’t really about grand gestures or fancy restaurants. It’s about slowing down, sharing something homemade, and ending the evening with a pudding that feels a bit special. The kind of dessert that says I thought about this , without needing heart-shaped anything. The perfect Valentine pudding should be a few things all at once. It needs to feel indulgent, but not fussy. Romantic, but not sickly sweet. And ideally, it should be something you can enjoy

February can feel cold, grey, and far removed from gardening season—but for keen gardeners, it’s an exciting time. While outdoor sowing is still limited due to frost and cold soil, February is ideal for starting seeds indoors or under cover  and preparing for a productive spring. My fingers defiantly get itching to start planting towards the end of February as do many keen growers. What you sow now depends on whether you have a heated propagator, greenhouse, cold frame, or w

Sunday is my favourite day of the week — a day for slowing down, being together, and actually enjoying family time rather than rushing through it. The last thing I want on a Family Sunday is to be stuck in the kitchen for hours, juggling pans and watching the clock. That’s why I love meals that take care of themselves while we get on with the important stuff. An easy slow-roast leg of lamb is my go-to. It’s the kind of dish that lets you do the prep, pop it in the oven, and t

Of all the rooms in a home, it’s arguably the living room that is the most important. After all, while the kitchen and bathroom also appear high up on the list, those spaces are mostly functional. The living room is a place to relax, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy cosy times during the autumn and winter months. Done correctly, living rooms will nearly always be the best part of a property. If you’re not currently head-over-heels in love with your living room, then it’s

When parsnips finally make it from the allotment to the kitchen, they deserve something special. After all the waiting, worrying, and patient growing, it feels only right to let their natural sweetness shine. This honey and cumin recipe has become one of my favourite ways to cook them—simple, comforting, and quietly impressive. Parsnips are at their best in the colder months. A touch of frost turns their starches to sugar, giving them that unmistakable sweetness that works so

Every year on my allotment there’s one crop that feels less like gardening and more like a quiet endurance challenge. Parsnips. I sow them knowing full well what’s coming: the long wait, the bare soil, the creeping doubt that nothing  is happening at all. And yet, every spring, I sow them again. The Germination Game Parsnips have a reputation, and it’s well earned. Their seeds are notoriously unreliable. Unlike eager lettuces or obliging radishes that leap from the soil almos

Making Fermented Probiotic Garlic, Ginger, and Sage Herbal Honey  at home is a simple way to boost your health naturally. Packed with immune-supporting garlic, warming ginger, and soothing sage, this herbal honey combines powerful antioxidants with the gut-friendly benefits of natural fermentation. The probiotics created during fermentation help support digestion and overall gut health, while the honey acts as a natural preservative and sweetener, making it both healing and d

There are few desserts that feel as comforting and nostalgic as a good crumble. This apple and raspberry crumble  is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with soft, cinnamon-spiced apples and juicy raspberries bubbling beneath a golden, buttery topping. It’s simple to make, endlessly cozy, and best served warm with custard, cream, or vanilla ice cream. Whether you’re baking for a family dinner or just craving something homely, this crumble never disappoints. During late sum

There’s something deeply reassuring about a pot of homemade soup quietly simmering on the hob. It feels like care in its simplest form — nourishing, economical, and endlessly comforting. When life feels busy or budgets feel tight, soup is what I come back to again and again. One of the biggest reasons I love making soup at home is how far it stretches. A handful of vegetables, a stock cube, and a few cupboard staples can turn into several meals without much effort. It’s one o

This is a collaborative post. Dorset is a county of meandering coastal roads, undulating hills, and lovely villages. The driving experience through Dorset is an adventure no matter which way you go, the ruggedness of the Jurassic Coast or the gentle curls of the inland roads. But anyone who has ventured these picturesque routes will tell you—the quality of the drive is determined not only by the route chosen but by the car’s arrangement as well. You might have missed your ch

January in the garden is never about big gestures. It’s about noticing, tidying, and planning — about stepping outside between showers, hands shoved into pockets, and seeing the garden for what it really is. Stripped back. Honest. Full of potential. Most days, I start with a slow wander rather than a to-do list. I check what the frost has touched overnight, what the wind has shifted, and which plants are quietly getting on with things beneath the soil. There’s comfort in know

When you’re low on energy and looking to recharge, settling down for the night, or just want a little privacy, retreating to the bedroom can be just the right thing. However, a bedroom that doesn’t suit your needs might not be quite as comfortable or refreshing as you would like. Here, we’re going to look at the elements your bedroom might be missing, and how you can ensure it offers the right cosy factor to make it your personal retreat. Focus On The Bed Being the space in t

January has never felt bleak to me in Dorset. If anything, it’s the month when the county feels most like itself — quieter, more open, and somehow more generous. After the noise of Christmas fades, Dorset seems to take a deep breath, and I find myself doing the same. I love the way the light changes in January. Mornings are pale and tentative, the kind that creep in slowly rather than arriving all at once. On early walks, frost crunches underfoot and the fields look freshly d