House to Home Magazine Issue 1 - Winter 2020

Winter 2020

Issue 1

House to Home It’s what’s inside that matters...

Winter delights

Warming meals and treats for the winter months

Room inspiration

Refresh your home with on-trend design ideas

DIY hacks

Tips and tricks to make the most out of your home

Best bargains

The best pieces to make your home beautiful on a budget

Get ready for Christmas

Preparing for the most wonderful time of the year

Winter 2020

Welcome!

Welcome to the very first issue of House to Home magazine, bringing you everything you need to transform your home into the perfect tranquil space for the Winter months ahead.

In this jam-packed issue, you can find everything from home dĂŠcor inspiration to cooking and baking recipes, alongside tips on working from home during a pandemic and hacks for keeping your home clean and free of germs as we enter flu season.

Christmas is also fast approaching, so we just had to include plenty of festive content to get you in the mood for the big day. As you flick through the pages, you’ll find everything from ways to decorate your home, to inspiration for decorating your Christmas dinner table, and ideas for Christmassy drinks.

Katy

(Editor)

With thanks to...

EDITOR: Katy Lelliott

STORIES AND DESIGN: Tyler Braddon Joao Freire Felicia Lebeda

Katy Lelliott Poorvi Rajawat Georgia Robey

Contents Design, Garden & Lifestyle tips

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Tips on working from home

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Everything you need to work from home

12

Evolution of British interior design

10

Make your home cosy this Winter

14

Making student living homely

House To Home

16

Indoor and outdoor plants for your home

42

Keep your home clean and tidy

18

Make your home more eco-friendly

44

Selling your home during Covid-19

20

Discover your diet’s carbon impact

46

Keep your home warm this Winter

22

Design your Zodiacinspired room

48

Tips for keeping spiders at bay

25

Colours that work together

50

Brighten up your kitchen on a budget

26

High-street bargains for your home

28

Bring some Scandi style to your life

30

Home accounts to follow on Instagram

Health and wellbeing at home

52

Looking after your mental health

54

Home remedies to keep your healthy

Get ready for Christmas

31

Christmas films to watch at home

32

Decorate your home for Christmas

39

Festive table decorations

Hacks and tips for your home

40

Hacks to improve your home

Homely Hobbies

57

Christmas baking recipes

60

Warming homecooked meal recipes

62

Winter drinks to prepare at home

65

The impact of arts & crafts in lockdown

66

Winter arts & crafts to try at home

68

Keep the kids busy with cute crafts 3

(Credit: bongkarn thanyakij)

10 top tips for working from home during the Coronavirus pandemic

Here are some simple steps that will help you remain productive and positive while you are working remotely during the Coronavirus outbreak

By TYLER BRADDON

A

s the Coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt our daily lives and work-from-home policies are still firmly in place, employees are expected to work as normal when everything around them is far from it.

Working from home may have its perks but staying productive and focused can be challenging during these uncertain times.

Keeping active and taking care of yourself while trying to get your tasks done can be difficult when working from home, but here are some key tips to keep you working effectively and feeling healthy.

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Routine, routine, routine…

To mentally prepare for your day ahead it’s important you continue to follow your normal routine.

Wake up and start your day at your usual time, shower and get dressed.

Working remotely is a great excuse to stay in your pyjamas all day, but freshening up in the morning and putting on clean clothes will help you get into the right mindset and psychologically prepare you for

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the working day ahead.

Before you start work, make sure you have breakfast just like you would normally before your commute to the office.

Eating a simple breakfast before you start work will give your body the energy it needs to get started and your brain the fuel it needs to function.

At night, you should aim to go to sleep at your usual time.

A lack of sleep can leave you experiencing low moods and will make it difficult for you to work productively.

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Nothing too early, nothing too late It can be easy to fall into the trap of stretching out your working day because you don’t have a commute and your home is your office, but it’s important to take time to switch off from work.

You need to be clear about when you’re working and when you’re not.

It’s tempting to get meetings in the diary much earlier when you don’t need to commute, but that generally means you’re doing more work.

It’s also important to be

mindful that not everyone has the same desire to start work early or even finish late.

Start and finish work at your normal times, and when your workday stops, turn off your laptop and put it away if possible so you’re not tempted to log back on or check emails.

As the saying goes - out of sight out of mind!

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Recreate the best workspace If it’s possible, find a quiet space in your home where you can set up a work station.

A designated work area will allow you to keep everything you need in one place and help you avoid distractions like the TV or the kids!

While it might be tempting to stay in bed and work, sitting at a dining table or desk will help you remain focused.

It will also enable you to maintain good posture which will reduce the likelihood of back pain developing.

A designated space will help you “switch on” at the beginning of the day as it will send a clear signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.

Likewise, leaving your

House To Home workspace once your working hours are complete will also help you “switch off” and disengage.

Be sure to open a window when sitting at your work station, getting fresh air and daylight is really important for your wellbeing and will help you feel more refreshed.

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Set clear boundaries within your household Working from home means you have more flexibility, but setting boundaries with other members of your household is key to working effectively.

If you have young children at home who want to spend time with you it can become difficult to stay focused on your work.

Share your schedule with your family to make it easier to work around each other, and remind your children that there is plenty of time to play during your breaks or after work.

Remember to set boundaries with yourself and your work too, sometimes it’s hard to switch off when you don’t have the commute home but it’s key to protect your work-life balance.

Winter 2020 day isn’t healthy.

Frequently changing your posture and moving away from your work set up will help break up the day and reduce aches and pains.

You can keep moving by taking calls standing up or use your usual commute time to go for a walk or do some exercise.

Setting aside time in your work diary to go for a walk outside will give you something to look forward to each day and will be great for your wellbeing, but be sure to follow social distancing guidelines and wash your hands when you return home.

Drinking plenty and taking regular breaks to fill up a glass of water or boil the kettle is also a great way to get a break from your screen.

(Credit: Ketut Subiyanto)

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Stay active and hydrated Keeping active and looking after yourself while working at home can be tricky but sitting all

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Take time to listen If you are in charge of a team, it’s important to know their needs and understand each team member’s situation so you can adapt your management style accordingly.

Take time to find out how your team members are coping.

People will react differently to working from home and some may feel isolated and lonely.

Not everyone can be fully productive from home so it’s important to provide appropriate support and ensure your team feel they can talk to you if necessary.

Some members may have responsibilities for child care so being flexible around their commitments is important and will enable you to help each other meet work deadlines.

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Continue to take annual leave as you do now We all need to balance our work and personal lives and that is still important now, even with more time being spent at home.

You should continue to take your annual leave as having a sustained period of time off work is healthy for your own personal wellbeing, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed in your job.

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Take regular breaks Taking frequent breaks when you’re working at home is really important to help you manage feelings of stress.

Even if it’s just walking to the kitchen to get a drink or taking 10 minutes to play with your children, a short break every hour can increase your productivity and help you regain focus.

It’s easy to lose track of time when working remotely, but make sure you’re still taking the lunch break you’re entitled to.

Having a good lunch will get you away from your desk and improve your concentration when you return.

If you are finding yourself forgetting to take lunch, you could try setting an alarm on your phone or scheduling it into your work calendar each day.

to your manager and ask for support.

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Communicate regularly It’s easy to start feeling isolated at home if you’re used to working in an office environment.

Invest time in telling your team or supervisor what is going on, schedule video calls and have regular phone calls so you’re still getting some human interaction.

Set up informal “Check-ins” with your colleagues, using open questions such as “How are you doing and what are you doing to look after yourself?” to boost mental wellbeing.

You could set up a quick daily quiz with your team or colleagues to give everyone something to look forward to and break up the day.

If you are struggling to work from home, be sure to talk

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Be kind to yourself This situation is new to all of us, so be kind to yourself.

Be realistic about what you can achieve each working day, it’s better to achieve more than you set out to do, which will leave you feeling satisfied, rather than feel disappointed in yourself for not getting everything done.

If you are struggling with working from home, make sure you reach out to your manager.

If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your manager, you could speak to a close colleague about how you’re feeling and ask them to speak to your manager on your behalf.

For further support with working from home visit www.nhs.uk

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Everything you need to work from home

House To Home

Winter 2020

With the Coronavirus pandemic resulting in a large number of people now working from home, Katy Lelliott tells you what essentials you need to turn your space into an office and help keep that work-home balance

Space-saving desks (Credit: Argos)

(Credit: Hartleys Direct)

Calgary Corner Office Desk - Argos - £70.

This corner desk is perfect for navigating those small spaces. It even comes with useful storage space in the form of four individual cube units.

Hartleys White & Bamboo Home Office Desk - Hartleys Direct - £49.95.

This stylish desk is ideal for small spaces. The desk comes with a top shelf for stationary and handy drawer for all your desk accessories.

Printers and scanners (Credit: HP Store)

(Credit: Currys PC World) CANON PIXMA TR-4550 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer with Fax - Currys PC World £39.99.

This printer has all your working-from-home needs, with WiFi printing, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print, and an automatic document feeder, so you can get more done faster by using more than one function at once.

HP DeskJet 2632 Wireless All-in-One Printer - HP Store - £49.99 This model allows you to print wirelessly or via your mobile devices, ensuring you can press print from anywhere in your home. The printer includes copy and scan features, and you can have up to twice as many pages per cartridge with optional HP high-yield ink cartridges.

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Office chairs (Credit: OnBuy.com)

Adjustable Office Chair - OnBuy.com £31.49.

Working from home all day, you want to make sure the chair that you’re sitting in is comfortable. This chair is ergonomic, low-backed, and with a padded seat to ensure back problems are the least of your worries.

(Credit: Staples UK)

Felucca Fabric Task Chair – Staples UK £41.15 This elegant-looking chair is the perfect addition to your home office. Ergonomically designed to provide good back support, it also includes a mesh design to make the fabric feel more breathable during the changing seasons.

Noise-cancelling headphones

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(Credit: Argos)

(Credit: Argos)

KitSound Metro Wireless On-Ear Headphones - Argos - £19.99 These wireless headphones ensure that you can block out any background noise that you incur from working from home. They have passive noise cancellation technology and allow you to connect your Bluetooth to take calls while you work, with a 10m radius.

Jlab GO In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds – Argos - £29.99 These wireless earbuds – available in three different colours – offer 20+ hours of playtime, ensuring you can continue your work uninterrupted for hours. They also include passive noise cancellation, a 10m radius, and are water-resistant.

House To Home

Winter 2020 (Credit: John Lewis)

(Credit: Currys PC World) VOLKANO Comfort Series Mouse Mat Currys PC World - £6.09.

Now you’re spending long hours on the computer at home, this mouse mat is a musthave. The gel wrist pillow holds your wrist in an ergonomic position to provide support.

HP Wireless Mouse Z3700 – John Lewis £13.99 Take the hassle out of messy wires stretching all over your desk by using a wireless mouse.

Simply insert the battery, plug in the USB receiver, and you’re all set to start using it!

Office accessories (Credit: Argos)

(Credit: John Lewis)

Home Desk Lamp – Argos - £8 With the winter nights rolling in, this desk lamp is perfect for providing light to ensure you can continue with your work and not let the dim conditions stop you from reading that important document! Available in many different colours, the lamp has a flexible neck so you can adjust the angle to suit the needs of whatever the task.

House by John Lewis Desk Tidy - John Lewis - £12.

Working from home can result in a constantly messy desk, but you can avoid that and keep your office space tidy with this set. Make sure you don’t lose any important documents, while also having a handy space to keep your pens, paper and other stationary with this stylish Rose Gold set.

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Top tips to make your home warm and cosy this Winter

Poorvi Rajawat shares her guide to the best Winter room decorating ideas to help you choose colours, bedding, furniture, and more to keep you cosy this festive season!

Fresh Greenery Make any room brighter by including touches of greenery around your home.

By using greenery, alongside flowers artificial or real - you can bring a sense of outdoors to your home this Winter.

Despite it being too cold to go outside and admire the scenery, it doesn’t mean you can’t bring the outdoors into your home to give it that beautiful festive feel.

Using pine cones can give your home a clean, fresh feeling.

Mix the rustic, outdoorsy theme with some red colourations to give it a strong Christmas vibe.

(Credit: Pinterest)

Festive Colour Scheme- Blue, Green and Red This mild and ethereal colour scheme contains mild shiny blue and silver to create a gorgeous Christmasthemed room.

Hang oversize stockings on your mantel below potted lemon cypress timber wrapped in teal paper and ribbon.

Decorate your Christmas tree with a collection of blue, silver, and glass ornaments, and colour-coordinate a sea of wrapped presents in blue-and-white to finish the colour scheme.

White and brown colour scheme Design a minimalist living room for the holidays with brown, gold, and silver accents.

A frosted Christmas tree decorated with oversize silver and gold ornaments, with white and brown wrapped presents located under the tree.

Finish the look with tall glass jars full of white sweets and Christmas cookies.

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(Credit: Pinterest)

Mitten Garland Turn your mittens into a lovely ornament with this concept for a mitten garland to thread up, perfect for your child’s bedroom.

The decoration is kept minimal to ensure it is safe for a child’s room.

It consists of a garland of mittens and is hung on the wall or a bed frame.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind to have fun with Christmas garland ideas, and customise them to your desired taste!

(Credit: Pinterest)

House To Home Candle Holders You can turn a well-worn jumper into homemade candle-holders with only a few cuts and stitches.

This candle ornament is so easy and it will work with nearly any size candle you have.

Add on a few bells and some glitter to offer your candle the appearance of a Christmas jumper.

With quick and easy steps, all you need are old jars (any size and shape) or purchased glass candle holders, felt scraps, a marker pen, scissors, discarded jumpers, matching sewing thread, a needle, fabric glue, co-ordinating colour yarn, candles to fit inside jars or holders, glue, and bells or other embellishments that you want to decorate the holders with.

(Credit: Element5 Digital)

Festive Pillows Watching your favourite Christmas films could extra exciting this year, with a relaxed pillow perfect for your sofa or bed.

Top a purple pillow with white ribbon and a piece of greenery to brighten up any simple chair or sofa.

Here are some instructions to create these pretty pillows: 1. Prepare the pillow base.

2. Cut ribbons.

3. Pin ribbons along one side.

4. Secure ribbons down.

5. Pin and sew ribbons on the perpendicular side.

6. Weave!

7. Assemble the pillow.

8. Insert pillow foam and display proudly!

Now you’re done, you can enjoy your festive pillows while snuggling up on the sofa!

Winter 2020 (Credit: Pinterest)

Decorate your fireplace Give your fireplace a Christmassy feeling by decorating it ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

From hanging stockings off the mantel, to getting the fire roaring to warm up the whole house - there are plenty of things you can do with your fireplace to put you in the Winter mood.

Ornaments and decorative candles can stand on the bottom of your fireplace though be careful not to put anything too close to the fire, posing a safety risk.

Along the top of the mantel, you could place some festive pine cones or drape some tinsel across the surface to transform your basic fireplace into a Winter wonderland!

(Credit: Google)

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(Credit: Skitterphoto)

The evolution of British interior design - from tudors to today Katy Lelliott walks you through the history of British interior design with a tour through the decades, beginning with a brief look at the general origins of interior design, before diving into the detail of the evolution of British interior design Interior Design Origins

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he history of interior design can be traced as far back as the stone age as prehistoric humans decorated the interiors of their cave dwellings with drawings and paintings of plants and animals.

This was followed by the Egyptians who adopted an elaborate style of interior design with sculptures, trinkets and spiritual murals which were designed to honour their Gods.

The Greeks and Romans then embraced a classical style which placed a heavy focus on natural, earthy tones, large stone columns and the use of marble and bronze.

This style continues to influence interior design today.

Tudor Excess We can trace British interior design right back to Tudor times which stretched from Henry VII in 1485 right through to Elizabeth I who reigned until 1603.

Increasing trade and an expanding economy meant that lavish interior design was the

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order of the day as individuals used their home interiors to demonstrate their growing wealth.

This period was characterised by oak panelling and elaborate decorative fireplaces which were sure to wow visitors.

The use of dark wood and wooden beams within Tudor houses was common as was the use of oak wall panels, usually in the shape of squares or rectangles.

The Tudor fireplace and tall, ornate chimneys were one of the most striking Tudor design features – although these did serve a more practical purpose as coal began to become available for fuel.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Tudor finery, examples of preserved Tudor designs include Northamptonshire’s Canons Ashby and Cumbria’s Sizergh Castle.

Classic Georgian Interiors The interior design of the Georgian period (named after the Hanoverian Kings George I, George II, George III, and George

IV) was heavily influenced

by European interior design, especially Italian styles.

This stemmed from the taking of a ‘Grand Tour’ trip around Europe which was popular with the upper classes during this time period.

This European influence led many of the upper classes to look to design their homes for elegance and in an aesthetically pleasing manner rather than focusing on the functionality of the design.

This meant that a number of elegant, neo-classical designs were seen in Georgian homes – many of which are still reflected in modern-day Venice.

These designs were based on the Greek and Roman designs discussed above, in particular the use of columns.

Georgian home designs also commonly featured high-ceilings and beautiful art pieces, such as sculptures and dark mahogany wood often featuring a Chinesethemed design by the end of this period.

For a taste of the Georgian style a bit closer to home, check out images of Peckover House in Cambridgeshire or Cumbria’s Wordsworth House.

House To Home Victorian Mass Production Victorian interior design was all rich colours and bold prints.

Due to the sheer length of Queen Victoria’s reign this can only be described as quite an eclectic era which drew inspiration from travel to the exotic regions of India and Japan whilst the beginnings of mass production meant that interior design began to become much more affordable for all for the first time, especially mass produced wallpaper!

The Arts and Crafts Movement, which is usually associated with William Morris was particularly popular during the reign of Queen Victoria.

This movement was characterised by the influences of floral print wallpaper, gothic architecture with dramatic spires and arch doors.

Empty, bare rooms were also considered to be indicative of a lack of taste during the Victorian era which led to rooms which were filled to bursting – a very different style to the more minimalist interior design which has become popular today.

Examples of Victorian interior design survives today at the former home of Victorian era Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire.

20th Century Minimalism Following the First World War, interior design moved to reject the excesses of the past and take a more minimalist approach.

The increasing presence of helpful appliances such as washing machines and televisions within people’s homes meant that the design of a home became more about working around the practical aspects of day-to-day life and less about creative flair and purely decorative purposes.

British interior design during this period was heavily influenced by the Modernist movement which originated in Paris with a focus on pieces which

Winter 2020 would actually improve quality of life rather than simply looking pretty.

The Art Deco and Modernist styles dominated this century and favoured clean lines, modern materials such as chrome and simple and practical décor.

The geometric and chevron patterns which we still love today also emerged during this design era.

To find out more about the 20th century style, take a peek at Devon’s Coleton Fishacre or The Homewood in Surrey.

In particular, the 2010s have brought a more individualistic sense of interior design as people take inspiration from social media and online design-ideas sharing websites to experiment with colours and tones which reflect their unique personality and seek to add an individualist stamp and character to their home, something which was perhaps missing in previous design decades.

21st Century Modernism

As more people spend time at home during the Coronavirus pandemic and take the time to consider their living environment, interior design is taking off once again.

Early indications are that natural, traditional fibres such as wicker will be popular in the years to come.

The use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials in our interior design also appears to be another key trend which will gather momentum over the next decade.

The often-overlooked bathroom is also likely to become a key focus with people looking to add a pop of bright colour and finally banish the boring white space which has dominated this room for many centuries.

Finally, the inclusion of study nooks is shaping up to become another key trend as people strive for some separation as the lines between work, study and home become increasingly blurred.

This desire to generate more space also means that we are likely to see people making greater use of some of the smaller areas within their home which may previously have been neglected in favour of larger projects.

So, there we have it – a whistlestop tour through the ages of British interior design to help you decide whether to stick to the 21st century modernism or look back to the Tudors for some design inspiration!

The 21st century has continued on where the 20th left off in some respects, in terms of the

(Credit: Michael D Beckwith) more minimalist trend although there is perhaps a greater emphasis on sophistication, with straight lines and symmetry very much part of the modern interior design handbook.

An emphasis on brightening up rooms with as much natural light as possible is also a firm staple of 21st century interior design, whilst the use of monochromes is popular with many.

The 21st century has also led to a renewed focus on the lay-out of our homes with a particular push for open designs which create the feeling of greater space.

What about the next decade?

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(Credit: Julia M Cameron)

Best ways to make your student accommodation feel like Home Moving into student accommodation or to a new house can be a stressful and nerve-wracking experience for any student and you will most likely end up feeling homesick after Freshers’ Week has ended. But lucky for you, we are here to help you transform your boring and sad room into a cosy and welcoming place that you can call home for the rest of your term!

By JOAO FREIRE

H

ere are some of our best ideas to help you decorate your student accommodation and make it your new home!

Keep it nice and tidy!

Our first tip is to keep your room clean and organised all throughout your term and we know it can be tedious to do that every single day but it is key to maintaining a healthy mind and a positive attitude.

There are plenty of benefits with keeping your room organised.

An organised room helps with gaining a sense of control and stability and can help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.

If you live in a small student accommodation flat or rent a bedroom in a small house, you will need to make good use of the limited space you have with some storage solutions.

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You can find a large variety of stylish storage boxes in IKEA and Wilko.

These small boxes are great to compartmentalise all of your belongings and make your bedroom seem a lot bigger and far more organised.

These storage boxes are available in any size or colour you want and are available with “student-friendly” prices ranging between £1 and £12.

Proper lighting!

When you first move in to your flat, you will probably end up realising that the lighting in your bedroom is gloomy and dark, or it may be bright to the point that you can’t even look directly into it without turning blind in a matter of seconds.

It goes without saying that good lighting in your flat is extremely important, not only

for your eyesight but to help create a sense of comfort.

So, what is the ideal type of lighting for your bedroom?

On one hand, you want a lightbulb that provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your room, while at the same time creating a suitable place where you can focus on studying for an exam or work on an assignment.

A lightbulb that provides soft white lighting to your bedroom is without a doubt what you need in order to make your new bedroom feel more personal and inviting.

Furthermore, if you want to add a more aesthetic look to your room, as well as more light, you should consider buying a brand-new desk lamp to match the colours of your bedroom.

House To Home Go Green!

A little touch of green would look amazing in your flat.

Consider buying some plants to add to your room.

Why? Well, it looks great as a piece of decoration and there are plenty of other benefits.

Studies have proven that indoor plants can help with concentration and productivity, relieve stress, and can even boost your overall mood!

It is the perfect decoration for your bedroom, hallway, living room, or even in your bathroom!

It may seem like an odd place to have an indoor plant, but there are a lot of advantages that come with it.

Not only does it seem like your bathroom takes you to Bali in one second, but it is also a great place for plants that thrive in humidity, like a snake plant or an Alocasia.

(Credit: Huy Phan)

One student, Inês Rodrigues, has told us a little bit about her favourite house plant that is a must have: “One of my favourites is called the Monstera Deliciosa or ‘Swiss cheese plant’, which I have in my bedroom back home.

“It really looks like a Swiss cheese because of the holes that naturally grow on the leaves and I love how it looks!

“It really gives a minimalistic look to my bedroom.

“It does take a bit of floorspace, but I love the shadows that the arching fonds and the holes gives a room, it looks really nice; it doesn’t need too much care, all you need to

Winter 2020 do is to make sure it receives some indirect light, to remember to water it once or twice a week and keep it at room temperature.

“It can grow very tall, up to 3 metres long, I think, but if you keep it in a small pot it won’t grow too much.”

(Credit: Leah Kelley)

It just makes scents!

Everybody loves candles and everybody knows candlelight gives the most soothing, calming and romantic atmosphere to your bedroom.

It is proven that candles can help you relax and feel calm, or even help you feel more energised and focused on your tasks.

Scented candles can help you get rid of that weird smell that has been in your student accommodation since the day you moved in but do not know where it comes from!

Candles are also a great way to decorate your room, even when they are not lit up.

Still not convinced?

Then you should try and have a romantic evening with your partner and fill your bedroom with candles and turn off your lights and see for yourself.

(Credit: Thevibrantmachine)

There are so many types of candles that you can choose from that can best suit your student accommodation.

They come in all sizes and shapes you can imagine and various types of wax.

The most common type of wax is the Paraffin wax.

It is a by-product from petroleum, and it is the most commonly used due to its high melting point.

It is the sturdiest type of wax and a lot of different colours can be added to Paraffin.

However, when lit, this type of candle can release some chemicals and toxins that can potentially by harmful to you and to the environment.

Other types of wax like the soy wax and the palm wax are plant-based candles.

Palm wax can burn for longer periods of time and the candle itself is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

(Credit: Burst ) If you do decide to get some candles, then you need to make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid any incidents that may result in a fire.

Always put them on a heat resistance surface, away from clothes, curtains, hair, paper, and all sorts of flammable objects.

Make sure you never leave them unattended and place them in a proper holder to avoid them falling.

Some student accommodations forbid use of candles, so you should check if you are allowed to have them in your room.

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Indoor and outdoor plants and flowers to brighten up your home this Winter

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By FELICIA LEBEDA

ardening is no easy job.

I must admit I was not deeply passionate about gardening.

Even though I grew up with two gardens full of flowers, I never cared much for them.

I quite regret not being more interested in it before because there are so many things I did not know and that I am still learning.

It is a bit frustrating at times, but I had a lot of luck with having a mother and a grandmother who could guide me if I needed help, so I am now here to do that for you.

(Credit: Google Images)

(Credit: Google Images)

Even if you are a beginner you surely know that each plant is quite sassy when it comes to what environment it can live in so it is very important to know at least some tips to help take care of them.

Starting with the one that you probably see around and are awfully familiar with, Sweet Alyssum.

It is called a carpet flower due to the abundance of tiny flowers that have a sweet scent.

It grows covering the ground, hence the “carpet flower” alias.

As with most flowers, you can plant the seeds during the Spring season, and it needs sun, but it can survive in areas with more shade as well.

It does not require too much water, but you should try to give it water weekly.

They might seem like they keep growing but that is because this plant tends to self-seed, so there will be a new flower growing in its place.

Snowdrops are one of the most known winter flowers in my opinion; the tiny white sad-like flowers are the most courageous as they just sit in the freezing weather and do not like warm weather at all.

They come in the form of bulbs and need to be planted immediately after they are bought, and this should be done in the Autumn.

More flowers can grow from them because the bulbs multiply and when that happens, you can just separate them as they grow attached to the current ones and re-plant in an appropriate area.

Be cautious, though, because after they are done blooming, they sit underground until they are ready again for the appropri(Credit: Google Images) ate weather, so do not dig in the area.

For indoor plants, I suggest you get a succulent.

They are the easiest to take care of, and all you need to do is water them once a week - but don’t overdo it because they retain a lot of water.

(Credit: Google Images) Do not leave them in direct

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House To Home

Winter 2020

(Credit: Google Images)

sunlight if the temperatures are high.

In the succulent family we can find cacti, aloe vera, and all different types of small and easy-to-take-care-of plants.

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Hardy heathers are plants that need sun and they thrive in the Autumn and Winter, but that depends on the type of flower you own.

When it comes to trimming the flowers that have faded, you must be careful since it is a very woody plant and would most likely need to be replaced.

For planting this flower, you will need to do some research based on the exact type you own since they are quite picky when it comes to soil types.

Geranium is another easy-to-take-care-of plant.

Personally, I own three of them and they have become my favourites.

They come in so many different colours and bloom once every four to five weeks starting Spring and throughout Autumn.

They need to be watered every time the soil gets dry, but do not overwhelm them and always cut the dead flowers so new ones can take their place.

Lastly, Chrysanthemums - otherwise known as Mums - are some of the most popular

flowers for the Autumn.

They look fluffy since they have so many petals and their colours vary between white, orange, yellow, purple, red.

They are pretty basic, so for their survival all they need is sun and good soil, as well as drainage. They bloom from September until frost, but the best time to plant them is in the early Spring, as that will help them survive longer during wintertime.

They could also be planted in the late summer, but they will not be blooming for a long period.

They could be indoor plants, florist mum, or garden mums, and the main difference is that they have to stick to the environment they grew in to ensure their healthy survival.

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

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(Credit: RoadLight)

The top ways you can make your home more eco-friendly

Climate change has never been more of an issue. With this in mind, Katy Lelliott tells you about some changes you can make in your home to go more eco-friendly

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eing eco-friendly has never been more important.

As climate change continues to ravage the planet, there are many ways that you can adapt your lifestyle and your home to help the planet.

A 2016 United Nations report found that human consumption of Earth’s natural resources has tripled over the last four decades, with oxygen depletion and the depletion of crucial resources such as clean drinking water now a very real threat.

So, not only can going ecofriendly help to save the environment and improve your health but it can also save you money – which is always an added bonus.

Implementing some ecofriendly alternatives in your home could help reduce your electricity and water bills, thus keeping more of your hardearned money in your pocket.

Earlier this year, a survey conducted by GlobalData found that almost half (45%) of U.K. shoppers are now actively interested in buying products that are better for the environment, with four out of ten

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consumers in the country now citing environmental issues as a factor when buying their goods.

Alongside this, the U.K. is making many changes across the country to try and become more eco-friendly.

These include the increasing number of smart meters (Credit: RODNAE Productions)

installed in homes, plastic straws being ditched at many major restaurants and food chains, and a charge for the use of plastic bags in supermarkets.

Many of the ways that you can make your home more eco-friendly do not require a huge amount of money, so they are attainable little steps that everyone can take to help end climate change.

So, let’s get into it: here’s the top ways you can make your home more eco-friendly.

Firstly, turn your washing machine to cold water.

Up to 90% of the energy used by a washing machine is used to make the water hot.

You can save energy by putting your washing machine on its cold-water setting.

Not only does this reduce the carbon dioxide you’re emitting, but it can also help keep your clothes in a better condition for longer as the hot water can deteriorate fabrics.

Alongside this, skip putting your clothes onto a spin dry and put them to hang out on the line.

Admittedly, this may not be the best solution during the dreary Winter months, but the Spring and Summer are perfect seasons to dry your clothes the oldfashioned way – and do your bit for the planet at the same time.

The next thing you can do

House To Home to make your home more ecofriendly is keep an eye on your lightbulbs.

Energy-saving lightbulbs are a much better – and eco-friendly – alternative to regular lightbulbs.

LED bulbs also last longer and help keep your electricity bill down as they use around 75% less energy than a regular bulb.

An average of 95% of energy in LED lightbulbs is actually converted into light, with only 5% wasted in heat.

This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy into heat, and only the other 5% into light.

Changing your lightbulbs to be more eco-friendly is beneficial because less energy use decreases greenhouse gas emissions.

Another way to do your bit for the planet is to get a smart meter.

At this time of year, a lot of energy and money is wasted by people keeping their heating on when they don’t need it, for example when they leave the house.

By getting yourself a smart meter, you could be saving yourself money AND taking steps to becoming more eco-friendly.

Smart meters can be programmed to only turn on and off at certain points of the day, ensuring no wasted energy or money.

By this year, all homes and businesses across Great Britain will have been offered a smart meter, with more than 21 million already installed across the country.

Most smart meters include an In-Home Display which tells you exactly how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing you – some even tell you how much carbon dioxide you’re producing from your usage.

Another more extreme - but effective - way to make your home more eco-friendly is to go vegan.

A 2018 study by Oxford University and Agroscope, an agriculture research institute in Switzerland, found that avoiding meat and dairy products is the single biggest way to reduce your

Winter 2020 environmental impact on the planet.

The research also found that cutting these products from your diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73%, and if everyone stopped eating these foods, global farmland use could be reduced by 75% - an area which is equivalent to the size of the United States, China, Australia and the European Union combined.

Opting for a vegan diet contributes to a reduction in energy consumption, decreasing air pollution, and can also make you more healthy as the health risks caused by red meat continue to rise.

However, if the vegan lifestyle (Credit: Lisa Fotios)

is not for you, you can still make some small changes to help contribute to the planet by trying to cut down on your meat intake and buying from British and local grass-reared sources.

If you’re looking for a way to make your garden more eco-friendly, while also providing a way to escape the stresses of your daily life, then take up gardening and plant a vegetable patch.

Not only does gardening help to reduce carbon dioxide, it also provides an opportunity to grow your own fruits and vegetables for a more environmentally-friendly approach to food.

In the U.K., fruits and vegetables can travel from all over the world before ending up covered in plastic packaging on our supermarket shelves.

Not only does the plastic cause huge damage to the environment as a lack of recycling results in it ending up in landfill or our oceans, but the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides commonly found in growing fruits and vegetables can have a detrimental effect on your health.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables can also reduce the carbon footprint associated with food grown hundreds of miles away.

There’s also the mental health benefits associated with gardening, as taking up the hobby can help to combat stress and anxiety.

A very simple but effective tip for making your home more eco-friendly is to turn off plug sockets when not in use.

It’s estimated that televisions are left on standby for an average of 17 hours per day.

This includes time when people are out at work or in bed sleeping, and therefore unnecessarily using up electricity that they are not actually consuming.

According to uSwitch.com, The Energy Savings Trust states that up to £80 a year is wasted in the average home due to appliances left on standby. uSwitch also found that the three items households are most likely to leave on standby are televisions, set-top boxes, and phone chargers, with 76% of households leaving electrical items on standby and 38% admitting to doing it all the time.

Turning off your plug sockets when not in use can save you a huge amount of electricity, as well as saving you a significant amount on your electricity bills.

Another thing to consider is getting yourself an extension lead for your plugs.

By using a multi-socket extension lead, and turning it off when not in use, you could reduce the energy consumption of your home by up to 15%.

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(Credit:Maarten van den Heuvel)

How you can calculate the carbon footprint of your diet

By KATY LELLIOTT

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ver wondered how much carbon emissions you’re generating in your recipes or daily food consumption?

Well wonder no more, as there is now a way to calculate the impact that your eating habits are having on the environment.

My Emissions is on a mission to allow you to see the carbon footprint of your diet.

Their innovative website also offers a carbon label to food blogs and websites, allowing you to display the estimated carbon footprint found in your recipes.

My Emissions was founded earlier this year by two Cambridge University graduates, Matthew Isaacs and Nathan Bottomley, who met while studying.

Explaining their reason for launching the venture, Matthew said: “My Emissions started because we were frustrated by the lack of clear environmental information.

“We wanted to live more sustainably but found it really difficult to work out how to actually do this.

“We therefore decided to complete this research ourselves, building a database with the climate average impact of each food.

“This is allowing us to help people understand and reduce

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their carbon footprint.”

Their mission is to make environmental information clear and accessible, which they believe will empower people to make more sustainable choices when it comes to food.

Food consumption is the second biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but – despite containing information about the contained nutritional value – most food labels don’t currently contain any sustainability information.

Only a handful of brands, including Quorn and Oatly, are currently displaying their carbon footprint on their packaging, allowing their customers to understand what their food consumption is doing to the environment.

The My Emissions calculator is combined with a fair daily emissions value.

This way, it displays your results as a percentage of your fair daily food emissions, which helps you to find low carbon food and better understand the sustainability of your diet.

On the benefits of using these labels, Matthew said: “Without clear environmental information, it’s hard for people to know what food is better or worse for the environment.

“Environmental labels are therefore an incredibly important

way to help educate and empower people to make more sustainable choices, just as nutritional information has been for health.”

The key benefit of carbon labels is that they clearly show the environmental impact of a product.

Meat substitute product Quorn, for example, highlights that about one-quarter of global greenhouse gasses come from food, then using the carbon label to show the environmental benefits of their products compared to their meat alternatives.

The current reason that many products do not display environmental information on their packaging is because, in most countries, including the U.K., it is not required by law.

In contrast, the law does require nutritional information to be displayed on food packaging.

My Emissions aims to change this by becoming an early advocate of sustainable change in food labels – as the first developers of carbon footprint labels for blogs and websites, they are well on their way although there remains much hard work ahead.

Visit www.myemissions.green to use the carbon emissions calculator and find out more about what the company is doing to make changes in sustainable lifestyle choices.

House To Home

Winter 2020

My Emissions’ top tips Co-founder Matthew Isaacs

Co-founder Nathan Bottomley

Eat less high-emission foods: Avoiding foods which have higher emissions as much as possible is a good way to reduce the environmental impact of your diet. Much of the emissions generated derive from the farming process involved in certain foods, especially meat and meat products.

For example, My Emissions has calculated that one 125g serving of beef equates to around 178% of your recommended daily food emissions so simply replacing this with a lower carbon option such as chicken will help reduce your food carbon footprint.

Eat seasonally: Another great way to reduce the carbon impact of your eating habits is to eat foods which are in season rather than those which have been grown out-of-season. As cofounder Matthew points out in his blog post, which you can check out on the Insights page of the My Emissions website, growing foods out-of-season inevitably leads to a higher carbon footprint as it requires extra energy use to artificially generate the right growing environment for these foods.

Avoid air-freighted foods: The final helpful recommendation from the My Emissions team is to avoid eating foods which have been transported via air as air-freighting foods generates much higher emissions than the transportation of products via road or sea. My Emissions provides some useful guidance on how you can spot some commonly air-freighted foods although food labels do not yet carry this information. You can find this on the Insights page on the My Emissons website.

@my_emissions

My Emissions 21

House To Home

Winter 2020

Design your room based on your Zodiac If you want to design your room based on your Zodiac sign, Felicia Lebeda gives you the tips and tricks to discover the best way to make your home feel more like you!

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(Credit: Pinterest.com)

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

Example of Aries design

Starting off with the first sign, we have Aries (March 21 - April 19).

The fire sign is bold and red seems like the first colour people think about when it comes to them.

Example of Taurus They are confident peodesign ple so they can pull off almost anything hence not being afraid to take risks and try different patterns.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) is the Earth sign that makes you think of nature.

They are independent people but very loyal and for them comfort is important.

Earthy tones and pastel colours are a part of their lifestyle so it will be seen in their cosy space acompanied by plants.

The Gemini (May 21 - June 20) sign is probably the wildest sign of the Zodiac.

They love to take inspiration from what they see around them and need a space where they can relax but also hang out with their friends.

That is why their rooms will always be filled with different items but most of the time, books.

The most Example of Cancer apropriate design style for them is bohemian.

The first water sign Example of Gemini that we design encounter is Cancer (June 21 - July 22) and is ruled by the moon, which makes them quite emotional and compassionate people even if they do not like to show it.

Their colour is blue and the most appropriate style for them is the one they are comfortable with and typically that is something simple and easy.

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(Credit: Pinterest.com)

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

hether you believe it or not, you can’t say that you have never read your horoscope and found at least some bit of information that matched your situation at the time.

Whether you’ve read your horoscope or not, here is some Zodiac room inspired dÊcor that might just change your mind about horoscopes.

House To Home

Winter 2020

Virgos (August 23 - September 22) are the perfectionists of the Zodiac.

They like a clean space that allows them to get things done quick.

They love planning and following a schedule.

Their space would be very office-like and they love that because that is their comfort zone and it makes them feel good.

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

Example of Virgo design

The sign that sits in the middle of the Zodiac, Libra, (September 23 - October 22) is the rational and balanced sign.

They need their space to look like art, with aesthetically pleasing designs in their home.

They like very neutral colours and symmetry.

A minimalist design and an open space will make them incredibly happy.

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

Example of Leo design

Example of Libra design

Example of Scorpio design

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

The second fire sign is Leo (July 23 - August 22), otherwise known as the king of the jungle.

They are extremely passionate and confident.

Since they are the royalty of the zodiac, they thrive in places that reflect that.

They like pieces that steal the spotlight and are the centre of attention, and they love rich and deep colours.

Scorpios (October 23 - November 21) are the second water sign.

They have a good intuition, with dark colours the best suited for them and their personality.

They manifest interest towards more spiritual aspects of life so anything relating to that will show up in their personal space.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) is the third and last fire sign.

This sign are extremely outgoing and opinionated (Credit: Pinterest.com)

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House To Home

Winter 2020 people.

They are also very adventurous and like to be challenged.

With a personality like theirs, the colours that work in their favour are deep tones of blue, dark purples, and green.

Their style is minimalistic, but they like to collect souvenirs.

They like a lot of room and natural light to make the space more welcoming.

Since they are so adventurous, they like to constantly make small changes.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) is the last Earth sign, so the people born under this sign are the most goal- orientated.

They are on the traditional side of designing their home.

They love planning ahead and are considered true workaholics.

They prefer simple designs and lots of organisation.

Lighter colour tones are a part of their theme because it gives them a sense of relaxation.

Example of Capricorn design

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

Example of Sagittarius design

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) is the air sign that is the most openminded out of all the Zodiac signs.

They are quite unconventional and original.

They love to socialise and express their ideas but have a hard time connecting with people.

Their ideal space consists of futuristic designs.

They have a unique style of thinking and way doing things.

Their colour scheme includes happy colours, as well as whites.

Their ideal room is full of plants and flowers and bright, natural light.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) is the last sign of

the Zodiac.

They are considered the most sensitive of the signs.

They can be quite vague and escapist but will make up for it by being compassionate and intuitive.

Their typical colour scheme consists of light tones of blue and other pastels.

They typically like to have a lot of books and a huge bed, used to escape from reality into dreamland.

Example of Pisces design

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(Credit: Pinterest.com)

(Credit: Pinterest.com)

Example of Aquarius design

House To Home

Winter 2020

The best colours to compliment each other around your home

By FELICIA LEBEDA

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hen seasons change, I think it is essential we change with them, or better yet evolve.

I feel the need to always switch up my hair, clothes and even my home, so I feel like I am in a (Credit: Amazon.co.uk) new house every three months or so.

Just like most people decorate their house for Halloween or Christmas, even if you do not celebrate, you can still choose a colour pallet to make your home feel brand new.

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk) With Winter on the horizon, a combination of green and purple should make the room you choose look fantastic and give it a cosy, inviting feeling.

For the bedroom, the silk of deep purple sheets look like they come from another world and if you pair that with the curtains that come in the same colour you would have an amazing combination.

Adding the deep green carpet and a lighting pendant shade, not only will you give your bedroom a mysterious vibe, but a pleasant one as well.

If you are not a fan of a dark bedroom, you could do the living room instead.

The pieces work just the (Credit: Amazon.co.uk) same and, instead of the sheets, get a sofa cover that will pull off the same look.

I would suggest getting it in the same purple colour, so it is not the same as the throw pillows.

For a centre piece in the living room, a small coffee table that comes (Credit: Amazon.co.uk) in a dark coloured wood should go nicely with the wintry vibe you’re creating in the room.

If you would like to take it a step further you could even try an accent wall - that is, if the circumstances allow.

As green and purple might not be everyone’s cup of tea, you might choose your own one, two or even four colours to decorate your house with, such as blue and some variation of beige, mint and white, red and black, and so on.

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Fill your home with the best affordable high-street bargains Georgia Robey has found the best bargains for you to brighten up your home for Christmas and make it cosy for winter - all without breaking the bank!

(Credit: B&M)

Printed Coir Doormat - Hello, from B&M. £5.

(Credit: Wilko)

4 Pack Sparkle Gold Wine Glasses, from Wilko. £6.

(Credit: Poundland)

(Credit: Poundland)

Luxury Crackers, from Poundland.

From £2.

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House To Home

Winter 2020 (Credit: Home Bargains)

(Credit: B&M)

4 Tier Ladder Style Shelves, from Home Bargains. £19.99.

Deco Shimmer Pre-Lit Wire Reindeer 46cm, from B&M. £12

Riley Reversible Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set, from The Range.

From £8.99.

(Credit: The Range)

Luxury Throw, from Poundstretcher. £7.99

(Credit: Poundstretcher)

(Credit: Poundstretcher)

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Scandi style must haves for your home Minimalism and simplicity - the two key elements to the Scandi style. A neutral-toned theme that combines natural finishes, a variety of textures and accents of rattan to breathe design into your interior.

By TYLER BRADDON 1

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(Credit: Cox & Cox)

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f you’re going to buy into any trend this year, make sure it’s the Scandi one!

The Scandinavian style was previously defined by strong, calming, black and white colours, but this interior style has moved in a new direction which is focused on bringing cosiness inside the home.

The pure white has been replaced by warm, neutral shades – from cream to beige, warm off-white tones create a cosy and welcoming space.

Wool and sheepskin throws bring texture into the home and natural materials like jute follow the Scandinavian aesthetic perfectly.

The Scandi style typically combines light, bright, airy spaces, together with natural materials so for both floors and furniture, wood works best.

To brighten up your Scandi space, incorporate wooden accents and gorgeous rattan pieces, which will also bring an earthy feel to your home.

Panelling is also a great way to add texture and statement to the walls.

If you want to add a pop of colour, deep blues or sage green are your go-to.

Incorporating plants into your home will also add a touch of colour and add an extra element to the natural look.

House To Home

Winter 2020

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(Credit: IKEA)

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(Credit: Idyll Home)

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1. ALSEDA Footstool - IKEA - £25 2. SNIDAD Basket - IKEA - £25 3. Set of 2 Hampstead Rattan Chairs - Graham and Green - £290 4. Chevron Oak Console Table - Cox & Cox - £350 5. Banso Wicker Lampshade - nkuku - £79.95 6. Reema King Size Bed - Made - £549 7. STOCKHOLM Mirror, 60cm - IKEA - £45 8. Chevron Oak Media Unit - Cox & Cox - £675 9. BUSKBO Plant Stand - IKEA - £20 10. Kelston Oak Coat Rack - Idyll Home - £45 11. Anderson Side Table - Next - £125 12. Herringbone Cotton Cushion (Grey) - Cox & Cox - £55 13. Livio Faux Sheepskin Bedside Rug - La Redoutte - £45

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House To Home

Winter 2020

6 home accounts to follow on Instagram There are a growing number of influencers showcasing their home styling abilities, creative hacks and bargain high street buys to create beautiful rooms on social media. Here are some of our favourite Instagram accounts to follow for home interior inspiration‌

By TYLER BRADDON

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Lydia Millen Home Instagram: lydiamillenhome Followers: 247,000 Blogger and YouTube star Lydia Millen set up her home Instagram account in November 2018.

If you love modern, classic style this account is for you. Every room is designed to perfection with accents of wood featured throughout, giving her home a simplistic country feel.

The Home Affair Instagram: the.home.affair Followers: 38,300 A beautiful, minimalistic Scandi inspired home account, run by mother of two Katie. Her home features natural finishes, neutral tones and gorgeous textures with on-trend rattan furntiure and lots of pampas grass to create that perfect Scandi look.

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The Bowen Home Instagram: thebowenhome Followers: 604,000 Love Island stars Olivia and Alex Bowen bought their home in February 2020 and have since spent their time renovating it room by room. With luxurious interiors and muted tones, this house is full of elegance, with the pair also sharing all their wonderful buys and bargains.

Our New Walls Instagram: our_new_walls Followers: 18,500 This instagram account belongs to digital creator Alexa. Styling her new build home with a modern, rustic design, her interior design is immaculate.

Alexa often shares great hacks on her stories, turning generic furniture into unique pieces.

Mad About The House Instagram: mad_about_the_ house Follwers: 248,000 Author and journalist Kate Watson-Symth’s account has been named the number one UK interiors blog by Vuelio. Through her account, her home radiates character and her interior design is full of bold, warm colours and charming houseware.

Inside Number 8 Instagram: inside_no_8 Followers: 72,100 This home renovation jouney has seen every inch of this house transformed. Combining deep, dark colours with a natural, Scandi style, this house makes clever use of space and woodpanelling features throughout to provide clean lines and detailing.

House To Home

Winter 2020

Christmas films to watch this year

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‘The Polar Express’ is a 2004 animated movie that follows the escapades of a little boy who, on Christmas Eve while still in his pyjamas, gets on a magic train that leads him to Santa’s workshop.

Up next, we have one of the most known franchises - ‘Home Alone.’ All the movies make for a good weekend with the family. The adventures of the forgotten or lost Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is the comedy that you and your family need, especially after this unusual year that we have had.

(Credit: Disney)

I think most people will know about ‘Elf’. The 2003 movie, starring Will Ferrell, is about the journey of a man who lives in the North Pole and discovers he is not an elf, later deciding to search for his real father.

For the little ones, if it is not their favourite animated movie already, they must watch the ‘Frozen’ movies. They teach about family and understanding, while having a good plot and lots of catchy songs.

There are people who do not really share the Christmas spirit most of us do and I think that ‘The Grinch’ is the perfect movie for them. Grumpy Grinch is trying to ruin everyone else’s joy by being miserable.

(Credit: New Line Cinema)

(Credit: 20th Century Fox)

ince Christmas is just around the corner now that Halloween has passed, should we now decide what we will be doing this festive season? Ok, me first! I love movies, so I thought I would share some of the movies that I love and you could watch with your family this December. Below you will find a list of some that you can find on Amazon Prime Video, as well as other classic movies you don’t want to miss!

(Credit: Warner Bros Ent)

By FELICIA LEBEDA

(Credit: 20th Century Fox)

And lastly another comedy that might be a fun one to watch is called ‘Why Him?’ It is the story of an overprotective dad who visits his daughter over the holidays at her college just to meet her billionaire boyfriend. I will be honest with this one though - you have to be a little over 15 to watch it, but trust me it is worth it!

These are, in my opinion, the must-watch films during Christmas time and I know that I will enjoy every single one of them while drinking a cup of hot cocoa and I hope that you will too.

(Credit: Illumination Entertainment)

(Credit: Walt Disney Pictures)

Jim Carrey’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ must be on the list. This is a retelling of the Charles Dickens novel following Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and learns how he has the chance to change everything.

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Decorate your hom

With Christmas on the horizon about your decorations! Katy L everything you need - from t mistletoe - this is your Christm

This tree is a 6ft Round Tip Green Christmas Tree from ASDA, priced at ÂŁ15.

This tree is a 6ft Fibre Optic Christmas tree from Studio.co.uk, priced at ÂŁ34.99.

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me for Christmas

n, it’s time to start thinking Lelliott guides you through trees to candles, tinsel to mas 2020 decorating guide

This tree is a 6ft Essentials Christmas Tree from Dunelm, priced at £15.

This tree is a Snowy Festive Fir 5ft Christmas tree from B&M, priced at £35.

(Credit: James DeMers)

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100 LED Multi Coloured Diamond Lights from Dunelm, priced at £13

Rainbow tinsel from John Lewis, priced at £8

(Marks and Spencer)

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(Credit: Dunelm)

(Credit: John Lewis) London Icons Glass Baubles from Marks and Spencer (4 Pack), priced at £12.50

Tinsel (available in multiple colours) from Poundland, priced from £1

(Credit: Poundland)

Personalised family tree ornaments – available for Mum, Dad, Girl, Boy, Grandma, Grandpa, Dog, or Cat - all with your own name personalised on it from Ace.co.uk, priced at £3.99 each

(Credit: John Lewis) Art of Japan Assorted Shatterproof Baubles, Tub of 30 in Red from John Lewis, priced at £10

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

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Indoor decorations Katy Lelliott shares some best buys for making your home look and feel like Christmas, so turn up the Christmas songs, get out the mince pies and get decorating!

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Brighten up your windows this festive season by adding a touch of Christmas colour to them!

Available in different patterns, you get can a set of six Christmas window gel stickers, available from eBay, priced at £7.49.

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Don’t forget one essential festive decoration - the mistletoe! If you have pets, it’s safer to get the artificial kind as it can be poisonous to some animals. Amazon.co.uk have an artificial misletoe, priced at £6.99.

(Credit: Homebase)

If you’re looking for some novelty decorations for your home, this Scandinavian folklore-inspired Gonk is fun and gives some character to your Christmas decorations. This one is available from Homebase, priced at £5.

(Credit: NEXT)

It’s not winter without some cosy candles lighting up your room. Next have a beautiful set of 6 Christmas-scented candles for £12. The scents include Christmas Cookie, Christmas Tree and Mulled Wine.

Outdoor decorations

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Bring some festive fun to your outdoor space with these cute festive planters. They’re perfect for adding a taste of Christmas to your garden.

The one above is available on eBay, priced at £9.99

(Credit: Katy Lelliott) For a bit of outdoor fun this Christmas, buy yourself an inflatable Santa, perfect for giving your neighbours a good giggle. You can buy them from eBay, priced at £2.99.

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

A traditional staple of Christmas decorations is the wreath to hang on your front door, welcoming visitors as they arrive. The one pictured is ‘Christmas wreath with cones and berries’, available from Wilko, priced at £7.50.

(Credit: The Range) It can’t be Christmas without a ‘Santa Stop Here’ sign for the kids to put out on the front driveway or in the back garden. The one pictured is available from The Range, priced at £3.49.

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Champion decorations for footie-mad fans

(Credit: Sports Direct)

Enjoy a piece of the action this festive season, despite being kept away from games. Katy Lelliott picks the best footballthemed decorations to make your house top of the league

Christmas stocking - £3, Sports Direct.

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

(Credit: eBay)

(Credit: FOCO.com)

Club-themed baubles - £5-£8, Sports Direct.

Christmas countdown gnome - £25, FOCO.com

Club-themed snow globe £5.95, eBay.co.uk

Personalised Football Shirt decoration - £12, Oakdene Designs.

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(Credit: Oakdene Designs)

House To Home

Winter 2020

Christmas table decorations to make your festive feast one to remember

By TYLER BRADDON

F

or many, Christmas dinner is at the heart of the festive celebrations.

A time where family and friends come together to share good food, laughter and a lot of bad Christmas cracker jokes.

From personalised place cards to beautiful centrepieces, there are plenty of ways you can transform your everyday dining table into a magical space where you can entertain those nearest and dearest to you.

Make sure your napkin fits in with your overall theme, so if you’ve gone for Tartan, a nice tartan cloth napkin will work well; if you’ve gone for white, a natural linen napkin is best.

A centrepiece to remember:

(Credit: Amara.com)

The perfect tableware:

(Credit: Matt Brown) Christmas is an excuse to pull out all the stops, so laying your table should be extra special.

Tartan dinner plates work well for a traditional table setting, plain white will bring sophistication to your table, or you could add some Christmas joy with some fun character plates – but whatever plates you decide to go for, make sure they match to make an impact.

Novelty glasses will add a sense of fun to the table, or you could use traditional glassware and add a piece of ribbon to the bottom for that special finishing touch.

When it comes to cutlery, forks are always laid to the left, knives are laid to the right, and at the top goes your dessert spoon.

For that final touch of elegance, add a cloth napkin and napkin ring.

Christmas cracker fun:

(Credit:Marks and Spencer) A white table cloth or table runner will give your Christmas table a sense of elegance and provides the perfect base to build upon.

For a more traditional feel, add garlands or foliage - real or faux both work wonderfully.

Add warmth to your table with fairy lights or candles, and for the ultimate Christmas look, incorporate some pinecones into the centrepiece.

No festive table is complete without some fun Christmas crackers for all the family to pull during the meal!

If you want to have a greener Christmas this year, you can replace single-use Christmas crackers with eco-friendly options.

From plastic-free fabric style crackers to fill your own ones, there are lots on the market for you to choose from.

Those final touches...

A kids Christmas:

(Credit: The White Company)

(Credit: Eiviltas Radavicius)

Serve up Christmas dinner for the littles ones on a fun, festive Christmas paper plate to make them feel extra special.

They’re also perfect as a fun backup in case you run out of plates!

Add that personal touch to the dining table with some personalised name cards to impress your guests and make them feel extra special during the Christmas festivities.

If you decide on a more natural, rustic look for your dining table, add some sprigs of fir to some glass jars or sprinkle them over the table to fill space.

Remember to be consistent with your colour scheme for a more polished look.

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House To Home

Winter 2020

From fresh paint to tidy storage hacks to help you improve your home

W

It is a way to express yourself through decoration.

In so many ways when you visit somebody’s house you can pick up on small details that are part of their personality.

Are they tidy or is it an organised mess?

Do they have warm-toned colours on the walls, or do they prefer bright colours?

These are just a few examples, but if you pay close attention next time, you might just understand the person you are visiting that little bit more.

It is a personal space that deserves attention.

I am no interior designer and, honestly, many of the items they suggest cost too much for someone like me, who is on a budget so most of the time I like to make it myself if I can - I buy cheaper alternatives and make it look expensive.

It is something I grew up with and I think that there is not much of a difference between the items, except for the price.

First, you need to organise your furniture and your things in a way that makes the room more spacious.

You could use storage compartments or organisers for different areas in your house to achieve this.

Most products are from Amazon, so that makes it so much easier for you if you cannot leave the house due to lockdown.

Another thing I’ve come across while living in the U.K is the lack of closets most apartments have, so a good alternative to that is a clothing rack.

Aesthetically speaking, it would make the room appear more minimalistic and it would overall give it a different vibe, while storing your clothes.

Restoring or upcycling old furniture, whether you have

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(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

hether you own or rent a house or an apartment, you should always make it feel like a home - but what makes it a home?

Well for me it is the feeling you get when you walk in the door and you look around and what you see makes you feel safe, happy, and comfortable.

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

By FELICIA LEBEDA

House To Home

Winter 2020

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

had it for a while or bought it recently, is one of the most used tricks.

All you need is some paint and, if it is some sort of cabinet, new knobs - which comes in many different styles to fit your taste.

The process is not that long and all you need to do is sand the surface, prime it, paint it your desired colour and you are done.

paint and revamp it.

DIY-ing, as it has been called on the internet, can be used for many things in your home.

If you see a frame for pictures that you love but the colours do not match all you have to do is get a bottle of spray

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

For a temporary situation where you would like to have a marble like countertop or backsplash in the kitchen or the bathroom but cannot afford that, there are adhesives that imitate real tiles.

Another improvement could be puck lights; either make your own beauty mirror or just use them in the small spaces that do not get as much light.

If you do not have the time to take care of plants, fake alternatives exist all over the internet and you could place them just like you would real ones, but without the worry that they might die.

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

All the items that I mentioned previously are shown in the pictures and can be found on Amazon.co.uk.

The prices are pocket friendly and the end results will make a huge difference in your home.

JURMERRY Metal Coat Rail- £40.93 16PCS 30mm Clear Crystal Glass Door Knobs- £11.69 InnoGear 8 Packs Drawer Organiser- £12.99 Yoillione Peel and Stick Wall Tiles Backsplash for Kitchen- £18.99 BESTOMZ 3pcs Decorative Faux Succulent- £11.89 Pursnic Under Cabinet Lights, RGB Wireless LED Puck Lights£16.99 120 To 3000 Assorted Grit Sandpaper- £6.47 Rustins WHPU250 Primer Paint- £4.99 Rust-Oleum AMZ0024 A Classic, Smooth Touch Flat matt Paint Finish- £13.99 Rust-Oleum 400ml Painter’s Touch Spray Paint- £8.50 HelaAccueil 6x4’’ / 10x15cm Wood Photo Frames Set of 4£13.99.

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk) (Credit: Amazon.co.uk) (Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk)

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Cleaning Tips!

(Credit: La Miko)

Is your house a giant mess? Do you want to clean your house during lockdown but do not know where to start? Then take a look at some of our tips to keep your house in the best shape possible to keep away that dirt and germs...

By JOAO FREIRE

T

he entire process of cleaning can be a nuisance to most people because it can take hours of your day and nothing stays clean.

Keeping your house sparkling clean is an ongoing process which you will never see the end of.

So, it is important to keep in mind all of the benefits that come with it like being able to show off your house to all your friends - after lockdown, of course!

1

No more garbage!

If you ever feel “paralysed” by the mess in your house and don’t know where to even begin, then our advice is to start

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by picking up any garbage that you may have laying around just to clear some space and to make you feel less overwhelmed.

Take all your garbage and place it in a bin bag and make sure it is a strong one because you will not want the bag to break open and spill all the garbage out.

You can find good and strong bin bags in literally any supermarket or convenience store near you.

2

T idy up!

After all the garbage is collected, all you need to do is take it out and move on to the next task, which is going to be packing up and organising all your things.

It is extremely important that you clear enough space so that things do not get in the way of the cleaning.

3

I t sucks!

The third step is vacuuming the entire house.

If you do not have a vacuum cleaner in your house yet, look into buying one!

If you do, then make sure to follow our pro tips on how to do it the correct and most effective way.

The first thing you need to do is to move the vacuum slowly up and down to really get all of that dust and crumbs off the floor.

If you are vacuuming a carpet,

House To Home then you should give it some more attention.

What you need to do is to start along the edge of your carpet and push forward in a straight line and then backwards and it is crucial that you take your time with it.

This is the key thing you need to do every time you vacuum because this way you ensure the fibres on your carpet are lifted as you push it forward and then, as you pull it back, all of the dust, debris and crumbs get sucked in.

Then you need to move a bit to the side and repeat the same process.

If you want to really clean it, you should not only do it back and forward, but also side to side as well.

Repeat this process all around your house and you will have the cleanest house in your neighbourhood.

Your vacuum cleaner needs to be cleaned too.

When you are done, you still have to check the brushes and the bristles for any debris or crumbs that may have gotten stuck.

After that, you should spray the brushes with a disinfectant spray to sanitize.

When you have used the vacuum a few times, it might be time to empty the cannister in order to maintain its performance at maximum.

Winter 2020

4

Time to get a mop, a bucket, and some detergent to clean the bathroom and kitchen floors.

Mopping floors is a very simple job but with the help of our tips you can get done with it faster and more efficiently.

Make sure to begin by removing furniture that is in the way like chairs, tables, sofas, and rugs.

Get a bucket of warm water mixed with cleaner that is appropriate to the type of flooring you are cleaning.

Make sure to fill up to the middle of the bucket in order for it to be enough to soak the mop, but not so much so that water drips off when you are submerging the mop inside.

Soak the mop in the water mixed with the cleaner and then proceed to rinse it to avoid wetting the floor too much, because the house can get damp that way.

Mopping floors in sections can make getting rid of all the grime build up and debris far easier.

When you break the floor up into smaller sections, you should only wipe it with the mop four to five times.

Any more will help spread the cleaning solution over the area, rather than getting rid of the dirt.

Every time you finish scrubbing one of the sections, do not forget to rinse the mop, then soak it and then rinse it again before you start cleaning the next section.

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(Credit: cottonbro)

Mopping around!

both sides and around the bowl.

The entire toilet has to be sprayed!

Then put some toilet bowl cleaner right under the rim, therefore it can slide all the way down until it fills the entire bowl with the cleaner.

Afterwards, you can grab a paper towel or toilet roll to scrub all around the toilet.

For the tub you can use a mixture of vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle.

Spray all areas of the tub with the spray mixture and then use a sponge to scrub all areas really well to get rid of all the soap leftovers.

All you need to use to clean the mirror is some vinegar and a microfibre cloth and just rub it until its sparkly clean and without any streaks.

For the sink, sprinkle a bit of baking soda after spraying the vinegar and dish soap mixture and letting it sit for a bit.

Then, to finish up, use a microfibre cloth with some water and scrub the sink.

The bathroom!

The bathroom is one of the places in your home that requires the utmost attention and care because this is the place where you bathe and take care of your basic necessities.

Start by cleaning the toilet with the lid closed and spray a general bathroom cleaner all around it.

When you are done, move on to spraying the inside lid of the toilet, then the seat on

(Credit: Rony Stephen Chowdhury)

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(Credit: Karolina Grabowska)

Selling your house during Covid-19 You’ve decided to sell your home, you’ve had your valuations done, chosen your estate agent, spent hours de-cluttering, cleaning and staging your home for the perfect photos. Your home is finally on the market, and then… Coronavirus strikes, the UK goes into lockdown, the housing market is in chaos, and you’re left wondering: is now the right time to sell?

By TYLER BRADDON

C

oronavirus has had an unprecedented impact on the UK housing market after restrictions were placed on viewings and sales ground to a halt.

With estate agents back conducting in-person viewings and buyers once again able to move home, the UK housing market is looking better than anyone could have predicted since it has reopened.

With a backlog of buyers and sellers wanting to push through sales there has been a huge surge in the market.

According to Britain’s largest property website, Rightmove, more homes are now securing a buyer and having an offer accepted within a week of being put on the market.

One in seven properties were marked as sale agreed by agents within a week of being listed on the Rightmove site between 8th July and 31st August, Rightmove reported.

“With pent up demand the market is as buoyant as ever,” revealed Callum Aslantepe, Sales Valuer at Richard James Estate Agents.

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“The more buyers, the more competition between said buyers, and the higher the potential market price of a seller’s property may be.”

The Bank of England have stated that by the end of the year, they predict the market may drop up to 16% due to the Coronavirus crisis.

(Credit: Ketut Subiyanto) “If you’re interested in selling, now is the time before the inevitable decline in the market,” said Callum.

“By the end of the year there could be big price reductions on property because of the impact of Covid. The market is currently

working in the favour of sellers, but it’s predicted this will flip to be a buyers’ market.”

The introduction of the stamp duty holiday by Rishi Sunak has also fuelled the property market over the summer, encouraging people to buy during a traditionally quiet time.

As the threshold at which buyers must start paying stamp duty has temporarily risen from £125,000 to £500,000, it has allowed people to expand their budget by up to £15,000 and therefore caused house prices and activity to increase.

With the stamp duty holiday and low interest rates being offered, the demand for houses is far outweighing the supply.

“There is a rush to beat the stamp duty holiday,” said Callum.

“Both buyers and sellers are looking to take advantage of the stamp duty break and low interest rates that are currently being offered - It is also predicted there will be a drop in the market at the end of the year, so anyone on the cusp of making a move pre-Covid has been pushed into doing it to avoid this.”

)

House To Home The increased activity in the market has also been boosted by a behavioural shift as people have been busy reassessing their housing needs after the national UK lockdown.

After months of not being allowed to leave the house other than to buy essentials, people - especially those with children have realised the value of having outdoor space.

As a result, individuals and families are now seeking properties with more space and gardens.

Additionally, one of the biggest changes to emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic is the work-from-home policy.

Initially introduced as a precaution to keep employees safe at home and prevent the spread of the virus, working from home has become a new and favoured trend for many companies and employees.

This again has led to a shift in priorities when it comes to property location.

Buyers are now expanding their search area as the need to live in busy cities or close to train stations is no longer a necessity.

Without a commute, sellers that once benefited from living near to transport links, are now competing with a wider range of sellers in rural areas.

For sellers with houses in rural areas, the market is strongly in their favour however, due to Covid, the demand for flats has fallen significantly, and for those trying to sell, the market is proving difficult.

“The one area of the market that has slowed down is the sale of flats and apartments, especially those without gardens,” revealed Callum.

“The importance of having outdoor space has been magnified by lockdown. What we’ve seen is an influx of flats being put on the market that do not have gardens, but because of this, flats just aren’t in demand like houses are; many sellers are struggling to sell their flats for market value, so this is definitely something to be aware of if you have a flat to put on the market.”

Winter 2020 With buyers temporarily deterred from viewing and buying property that doesn’t offer outdoor space, it would be sensible to put your flat on the market in good time as sales are taking longer than usual.

Understandably, many will feel worried about letting strangers into their home for viewings during the pandemic, but the way estate agents are selling has been adapted in order to protect all parties involved in the selling process.

“Our whole way of thinking and practising agency has changed,” said Callum.

“Just like most retailers, we are now obligated to wear PPE.”

Sales valuer Callum Aslantepe working in the office (Credit: Callum Aslantepe) This means facemasks and gloves are worn at all times during the viewing, and it is encouraged that all doors within the property are left open to prevent people from touching any handles.

Estate agents are now also offering 3D virtual tours, giving buyers the opportunity to look around a property without physically stepping foot inside the home.

Of course, it is unlikely people will make such a significant decision based on just a 3D tour, but it will stop people physically looking around if they feel from the virtual tour that the property does not meet their specifications, therefore saving them time in the process.

Many estate agents are now only letting people view a property if they are in a proceedable position.

“I am personally only letting proceedable viewers into property,” said Callum.

“Given the Covid situation, only first-time buyers, cash buyers and those who have already sold their property are allowed to view property. The idea behind this is to limit the number of people going in and out of others’ homes.”

There is also much confusion around moving home during the pandemic, especially as the UK enters a second lockdown, lasting until 2nd December.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed people will still be able to move house during the second lockdown through a statement on Twitter, saying: ‘Housing market update ahead of Thursday’s measures: Renters & homeowners will be able to move; Removal firms and estate agents can operate; Construction sites can and should continue; Tradespeople will be able to enter homes.’

This applies only to people moving to a new permanent main address; those wanting to move to a temporary address are not able to do so.

The restrictions on house moves vary depending on local rules so it is encouraged these are checked before action is taken.

Although optimism around the property market remains at the moment, things can change fast, and the mini boom might not last long.

“Unlike many other industries, the property market has only seen a positive influence off the back of Covid so far,” said Callum.

“But this might not be the case in a few months’ time - make the decision quickly; don’t miss the boat and get your property on the market now because we don’t know what the market will look like come the New Year - one thing is for sure, it will certainly not be as buoyant and busy as it is right now!”

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(Credit: Jill Wellington)

Tips and tricks to help you keep your home warm this Winter If you’re looking for new ways to keep your home warm this Winter, then look no further as Georgia Robey is on hand with her top tips to keep you cosy all season long (Credit: Eva Kröcher)

Draft-stopper: To reduce cold drafts in your house, put a draft-stopper under the door to stop any cold air coming in from outdoors.

Plus, they’re cheap and durable!

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(Credit: Tamar Whaskey)

Winter-themed throw blanket: If you want a cosy good night’s sleep, a winter-themed throw blanket is perfect to keep you warm.

It is also soft and machine-washable.

House To Home

Winter 2020

(Credit: Amazon.co.uk) Blanket with sleeves: If you are so cold that you don’t want to leave your bed, this blanket with sleeves is the perfect accessory to bring your bed to your living room!

You don’t even need to worry about it falling off as it securely wraps around your arms.

The one pictured above is from Amazon.co.uk.

(Credit: Hayden Scott) Get the fire roaring: Another way to save money on your electricity and heating is to light a fire.

While also keeping you warm and cosy, it can give a gorgeous wintry glow to your home.

Light some candles: Lighting candles is a good way of keeping warm, without using too much electricity.

Using candles also makes your home look beautiful and smell nice, too.

(Credit: Samuel Bryngelsson) (Credit: Henry & Co)

(Credit: alsterkoralle) Close doors: To reduce drafts, close doors in your home when it is not necessary for them to be open.

This will help you keep heat inside your rooms.

Hot water bottle: A great way to keep yourself warm in the Winter is using a hot water bottle.

They come in all sorts of designs - including Winter and Christmas-themed.

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(Credit: Taryn Elliot)

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House To Home

Winter 2020

welcome to

Spider Season!

As if the year 2020 couldn’t get any worse! Winter has arrived and so have spiders.

If you are an arachnophobe and you want to make sure you keep those eightlegged creatures as far away from you and your house as possible, we’re here to talk you through the different types, plus ways to keep them out...

By JOAO FREIRE

E

very year, the arrival of Autumn marks the infamous spider mating season, so it is extremely important to prevent them from invading our homes as we enter Winter.

Their mating season usually starts in September and October.

If there is something you really do not want, it is a spider infestation inside your house especially during colder months.

There are 650 different types of spiders in the U.K that can all bite and 12 of them can actually harm people.

Worst Spiders in the UK

1

Cardinal Spider

The cardinal spider is one of the most terrifying species, being the largest spider living in the U.K. Most commonly seen in the South of England, they enjoy hanging their webs in buildings, and walls inside houses.

Fortunately, they are quite a rare species to come across and their bite is not harmful and very unlikely to happen.

Legend has it that Cardinal Thomas Woolsey, Henry VII’s Chief Advisor, was terrified by this species, thus giving them their name.

2

False Black Widows

False Black Widows earned their name due to their similarity to the Black Widow, but fortunately they are not as dangerous.

They are known as “Britain’s most venomous spider” even though their bite has almost an exclusively mild effect on humans, without the severe consequences that can occur with Black Widow spiders.

3

Giant House Spider

The giant is one of the largest and fastest species of spiders in the U.K and they can live as long as 30 months - much longer than some other spiders.

They can be found under the sofa, behind the fireplace or even inside the bath.

They are particularly prevalent during Autumn and males become more active, as they are looking for a female partner during this time.

Their fangs are big and strong enough to penetrate human skin and their bite is venomous, but they rarely pose any threat to humans.

How to get rid of Spiders There are a lot of ways to avoid getting spiders invading your house this Winter.

Making sure to vacuum the dust once in a while, as or-

ganising your belongings and avoiding clutter is the first step to keep those little creatures away.

Spiders seem to enjoy hiding in the dark so keeping the blinds and curtains open during the day and allowing natural light in your house will help keep spiders away.

Spiders are very susceptible to strong smells, therefore using essential oils or scented candles will help discourage them from leaving their nooks and crannies.

Get tea tree, rose, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, citronella or even lavender oils, because they are good essential oils that you can spray all around your house.

Spiders can often hide inside cracks scattered around your house, hence you should seal away all the cracks.

If nothing is done to try and close these cracks, then there is a chance that they might lay eggs in there, which could turn into an even bigger problem for you.

If it turns into a bigger issue then you should consider buying a spray product designed to get rid of the eight legged creatures such as “Borax”, or “Terro Spider Killer”.

Another secret to keep spiders from getting inside is to use chalk - draw some lines of chalk around windowsills, your bed, or doorways and that will stop spiders from crossing.

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Brighten up your kitchen on a budget with the best Amazon gadgets Poorvi Rajawat shares the best online deals to help you find the best gadgets for your kitchen on a budget - you can find all these amazing products online from Amazon (Credit - Pintrest)

£4.85

Stainless Steel Cutter Dumpling Mould Maker from Wrapper Presser Molds Cooking.

£6.80

Stainless Meatball Production; Meatballs Making Spoon.

£8.99

Locisne 8 in 1 Kitchen Tool, Multi-Purpose Function (funnel, lemon squeezer, egg separator measuring cup, can opener).

(Credit - Amazon)

(Credit - Pintrest)

£20

(Credit - Pintrest)

[Credit- Amazon]

Morphy Richards Coffee On The Go Filter Coffee Machine 162740 Black and Brushed Stainless Steel Coffee Maker.

£10

Designed by JML, the Nicer Dicer Quick is a fantastic handheld chopping machine that is capable of slicing, dicing, chopping and even creating wedges in seconds.

£3.59

DQTYE Stainless Steel Egg Cutter Eggshell Topper Shell Opener (Credit - Amazon)

£19

Breville Blend Active Personal Blender & Smoothie Maker with 2 Portable Blending Bottles (600ml).

(Credit - Pintrest)

£11.99

(Credit - Amazon)

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13pcs Kitchen Cooking Gadget Utensils Stainless Steel With Hanging Rack Tool Set.

House To Home

Winter 2020

£2.29

Microwave Cleaner (Angry Mama) Fast Action Steam Cleaner Kitchen Gadget Tool.

£14.96

Salter EK2716 Non-Stick Dual Omelette Maker. Can be used to make perfectly fluffy omelettes, cakes, pastries and much more with little or no oil.

(Credit - Amazon)

£6.39

(Credit - Amazon)

Soft Silicone Kneading Bag Dough Making for Bread, Pastry, Pizza & Tortilla

£41.99

Tefal Delight Cookware Set, 5 Pieces. Suitable for gas and electric hobs, non-stick exterior for easy cleaning, aluminium for optimum heat conductivity, Thermos-pot technology on frying pans, dishwasher safe.

(Credit - Pintrest)

£16.90

(Credit - Amazon)

Bamboo Cheese Board Meat Charcuterie Platter Serving Tray W/ 4 Tableware Stainless Steel Knives.

(Credit - Amazon)

£29.99

Duerer 40Pcs Silicone bakeware Set, Cake Molds for Baking, Non-stick Baking Pans Tray.

(Credit - Amazon)

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(Credit: cottonbro)

Looking after your mental wellbeing at home during the Coronavirus outbreak As Coronavirus brings significant changes to our daily lives, it is important that we take care of our mental health as we are faced with the realities of home-schooling, working from home, temporary or even permanent unemployment, and physical isolation

By TYLER BRADDON

A

t a time like this when we are spending so much time at home, it’s important to be aware of our mental health.

With our usual social interaction limited, Christmas fast approaching and many of us facing financial difficulty, feelings of loneliness and depression can quickly creep up on us.

While we cannot control the spread of the virus, by regularly checking in with our feelings and practicing self-care techniques, we can take back some control in our lives.

From finding routine to staying connected with others, there are simple things you can do at home during the Coronavirus outbreak to help you look after your wellbeing.

Establishing routine: Filling your days and keeping occupied can be difficult if you are spending more time at home than normal but it’s important to establish a routine to provide yourself with a sense of worth.

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You can add structure to your days by planning a routine, setting yourself simple tasks such as cleaning and following it as much as you can, while setting aside time each day to relax and reflect.

You could take the chance to try out a new routine by waking earlier, taking a morning jog, or even create a new routine with the people you live with to give your days extra purpose.

Keeping connected: With social interaction limited and the amount of time we’re spending at home increasing, feeling alone is one of the hardest things to deal with.

It’s easy to forget we’re all in this together when we’re spending so much time apart, so connecting with people around you is important to combat the feelings of loneliness.

You can keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues though calls, texts or video links like WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype or Zoom.

Arranging a daily telephone or video call with a loved one where you can hear their voice or see their face will give you something to look forward to, help you feel connected and make you feel closer to those you’re unable to physically be with.

If restrictions allow, you can arrange a safe and distanced meet up with friends or family.

You could take the time to teach your grandparents the ways of Skype, or even write and send a letter to ease the sense of isolation.

Exercise: With more time spent at home, it is important that we find ways to stay active.

Being active reduces stress, increases energy levels and makes us feel good, both mentally and physically.

Even at home there are plenty of ways to exercise and it also provides an opportunity to shake up your normal routine.

You could try an online exercise video, ride a bike, or do

House To Home a more gentle form of exercise, such as yoga - but make sure you follow current government guidelines on social distancing.

Take care with news and information: There is a lot of inaccurate information available online so it’s easy to get caught up in fake news.

Fake news can be a trigger for feelings of panic and anxiety.

It’s important to stick to credible sources of information, such as the Government website, which provides accurate and up-to-date messages on the Coronavirus pandemic.

You could decide on a specific time to check in with the news so you are not spending an overwhelming amount of time reading things that are causing you to feel anxious.

Relaxation and breathing exercises: Mental health can be improved through focusing on your breathing as it helps you cope and feel more in control.

Focusing on the present can help diminish negative feelings in the moment, and there are a number of different breathing exercises you can try to see what suits you.

For more information about relaxation and breathing techniques, visit www.nhs.uk Social media use: It’s common for people to turn to the screen when they are physically isolating – but social media can be a trigger for anxiety.

Limiting the amount of time spent on social media apps, being careful about which accounts you engage with, and capping how much pandemicrelated news you consume will be beneficial for your mental wellbeing.

Instead, you can fill your time reading a book, binging on a new TV series, or even baking a cake.

Self-care: It’s always important to

Winter 2020 practise self-care and take time to look after yourself, even more so if you’re self-isolating.

There are some really simple self-care things you can do at home.

Run yourself a nice bubble bath, cook your favourite meal, take notice of your thoughts and feelings and be kind to yourself.

Listen to calming music, meditate, try yoga, or engage with relaxation apps.

It’s a strange and uncertain time for everyone but just remember it won’t last forever and better days are coming.

(Credit: Valeria Ushakova) Pick up a hobby: To cure boredom and keep your mind busy, you could spend some time on your favourite hobby, or pick up a new one.

Life is typically busy, with work and chores often consuming your time and leaving you little time to relax and do the things you enjoy most.

But with more time being spent at home during this pandemic, you could use the opportunity to finally make a start on that hobby you’ve been longing to do for a while now.

Activities such as painting, cooking, sewing and knitting are all things you can dedicate your new-found time to.

It’s a great way to break up the day, stay positive, keep our minds active, and also distract

us from the chaos of the outside world.

Eating a balanced diet: Given the current situation it’s understandable if you’ve lost the motivation to eat healthily, but maintaining a balanced diet helps with our overall sense of wellbeing.

Eating well and getting the balance right can boost our mood and help us cope better with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Talk to your children: As a parent it’s natural and completely normal to want to protect your children and these feelings will be magnified during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Talking to and involving children in discussions about the outbreak is important for their mental health.

The world has become a very strange and scary place, so asking children what they have heard about Coronavirus will allow you to support them and may even minimise their worries.

By explaining the facts to children, you can potentially reduce the negative impact it has on their mental health and it will give you a better understanding of how they are feeling.

Reach out: Sometimes it can be hard to be honest with how you’re feeling and talking to people face-to-face can be difficult during the pandemic.

Reaching out over the phone or video chat can help improve your mood and make you feel less alone.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, there are a number of services you can seek support from.

If you need help during a mental health crisis, NHS urgent mental health helplines provide 24-hour advice and support, with more information available at www.nhs.uk The Samaritans offers confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair using their 24-hour helpline on 116 123, or at www.samaritans.org.uk.

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(Credit: Nikolay Osmachko)

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Home Remedies Winter 2020

House To Home

During these trying times, all of us need to take care of our own health and make sure we improve our immune system. Here’s some of our best tips to create your own home remedies to make sure that no virus catches you off guard...

By JOAO FREIRE

H

ealth should be your number one priority, now more than ever.

Before you start planning on using any home remedies, you should contact health professionals, like your doctor or a pharmacist, regardless of what you have heard or how bad you want relief.

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Ginger!

Ginger has been used as a medicine for thousands of years.

Ginger contains gingerol, which has strong medicinal properties.

It can help pregnant women with reducing symptoms of nausea and morning sickness.

Ginger is also used to relieve diarrhoea and treat stomach aches.

Fresh ginger tea is a delicious remedy which you can make at home.

Boil the mixture over high heat and then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer for five minutes.

Afterwards, just pour the tea through a fine sieve into a cup and add a thin slice of lemon or orange.

A drizzle of honey also helps add some sweetness to the tea.

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(Credit: Nikolay Osmachko) Ginger Tea is a delicious, lightly spiced drink, excellent for warming up during winter.

First of all, you need to slice some fresh ginger and add it to a saucepan with a cup of water.

Honey!

Honey is a natural sweetener, rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which are compounds that inhibit oxidation to help cells defend themselves from damage caused by “free radicals” and can help lower your blood pressure.

Honey is actually the best and healthiest substitute for sugar, but you still should enjoy it with moderation due to its high sugar and calorie content.

A teaspoon of honey in your afternoon tea, as a replacement for sugar, will prevent weight gain because the minerals, amino acids and vitamins in honey help with the absorption of cholesterol and fat.

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heart-related diseases like high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, among others.

Drinking green tea everyday will not only make your heart stronger, but it can prevent other diseases like diabetes and even cancer.

Green Tea!

Green tea is a famous type of tea originating from China, made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds.

Unlike black tea, the leaves in the green tea do not go through the process of oxidation.

It’s claimed that green tea improves blood flow and lowers cholesterol.

It has also been proven to help with preventing many

(Credit: Pixabay) Green tea is described to have an earthier and more vegetable taste than black tea.

Some people even say it tastes more bitter, but experts say it tastes rather sweet if brewed properly.

4

Chicken Soup!

It is the famous go-to dish that every grandmother gives their grandchildren as soon as they start to come down with an illness.

Chicken soup can be good to treat a cold.

According to studies, it is a fact that it can help with reducing the symptoms of a cold and even cure it sooner!

All you need to prepare chicken soup is some chicken, celery, chopped onions and carrots in a bowl filled with water.

Then boil the water until the meat separates from the bones and you are good to go!

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Home cooking and baking recipes

(Credit: HomeLane.com)

(Credit: Pikrepo)

By GEORGIA ROBEY

Christmas biscuits: Ingredients: • 100g/3½oz unsalted butter.

• 100g/3½oz caster sugar • 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 275g/10oz plain flour

1.

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

2.

Mix the butter and sugar together in a bowl, then beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time, until all the ingredients are combined in a mixture.

3. Next, stir in the flour until

the mixture comes together as a dough.

4.

After you have your dough

together, roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface.

8.

Once the biscuits have fully cooled, you can add the optional icing to them, or serve plain.

5.

Using star-shaped cookie cutters, cut biscuits out of the dough and carefully place onto the baking tray.

6.

Bake the biscuits in the oven for around 8-10 minutes. After removing them from the oven, let them harden for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

7.

If you want to add icing to the biscuits, put some icing sugar into a large mixing bowl and stir in enough water to create a smooth mixture.

(Credit: PickPik)

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House To Home

Winter 2020

By GEORGIA ROBEY

Star Mince Pies: 4.

Ingredients: • 240g plain flour • 60g vegetable shortening • 60g cold butter, cut into small cubes • A pinch of salt • 350g Christmas Mincemeat

1.

Sift the flour into a shallow bowl, then add small mounds of vegetable shortening.

2.

Add the butter, cover it with the flour and then place into the freezer to chill for around 20 minutes.

3. Mix the orange juice and

salt in a separate bowl, before covering and leaving in the fridge to chill.

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After the 20 minutes, empty the chilled flour and shortening mixture into a food processor and blend until it becomes crumbs.

5.

Slowly add the chilled salted orange juice, blending until the mixture starts to come together as a dough, but stop just before it comes together. If all the orange juice is used up before the dough has begun to come together, add some iced water to the mixture.

6.

Put the mixture on a flourdusted work surface and, use your hands to knead the mixture, forming a dough. Then put into the fridge to cool.

7.

Remove the dough from the fridge and roll out on the floured work surface.

8.

Use a pastry cutter to cut out 12 circles and press the

circles gently into the tart tin moulds.

9.

Place a teaspoon of mincemeat into each pastry case.

10.

Reroll any remaining dough and cut out 12 stars using a star-shaped cutter.

11.

Place each dough star on top of the mincemeat filling.

12.

Put into the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they don’t take very long to cook.

13.

Remove from the oven and place onto a wire rack to cool, then dust the mince pies with icing sugar and serve.

(Credit: bluemorphos)

(Credit: PickPik)

By GEORGIA ROBEY

Chocolate Yule Log:

minutes, until the mixture is thick and creamy.

Ingredients: • 3 eggs • 85g golden caster sugar • 85g plain flour • 2 tbsp cocoa powder • ½ tsp baking powder

and baking powder together, then sift into the egg mixture. After mixing in carefully, pour into the tin. Make sure to spread the mixture right into the corners of the tins, and bake for 10 mins.

(For the filling & icing): • 50g butter, plus extra for the tin • 140g dark chocolate, broken into squares • 1 tbsp golden syrup • 284ml pot double cream • 200g icing sugar, sifted • icing sugar and holly sprigs to decorate

1.

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan. Butter and line a Swiss roll tin with baking paper.

2.

Beat the eggs and golden caster sugar together with an electric mixer for about 8

3. Mix the flour, cocoa powder

4.

Lay a sheet of baking paper on a work surface. When the cake is ready, tip it onto the baking paper, then peel off the lining paper, roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside and leave to cool.

5.

To make the icing, melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water.

6.

Remove from the heat and stir in the golden syrup and 5 tablespoons of double cream.

Next, beat the icing sugar into the mixture until smooth.

7.

Whisk the remaining double cream until it becomes firm.

Unravel the cake from the paper, spread the cream over the top, scatter over any toppings you want to add to the cake, then carefully roll up again into a log shape.

8.

Place the log on to a plate, spread the icing over the log (be careful not to cover the ends), then use a fork to make marks in the icing to give the effect of tree bark.

Lastly, decorate the log with a dusting of icing sugar to give it a snowy look, and decorate with holly, if desired.

9.

After you’ve finished decorating and the cake looks as you wish, you’re ready to serve and dig in!

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House To Home

Winter 2020

By KATY LELLIOTT

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Toad-in-the-Hole: Serves 2-3 people.

40-45 minutes cooking time, 10 minutes prep time.

Ingredients: • 7 pork sausages • 100g plain flour • 2 eggs • 150ml semi-skimmed milk

1.

To make the batter for the Yorkshire pudding around the sausages, put the flour and eggs in a bowl and mix. Then, slowly add in the semi-skimmed milk and continue to whisk up.

2.

Place the sausages in an oven-proof baking dish with a dash of oil and put in the oven, cooking at 180C (fan assisted).

3.

After around 15 minutes, take the sausages out of the oven and pour the batter all over and around the sausages, before placing back into the oven for a further 30-35 minutes, or until the batter is golden brown.

4.

Take out of the oven, serve and enjoy!

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Tuna Pesto Pasta: Serves 2 people.

35 minutes cooking time, 10 minutes prep time.

Ingredients: • 300g pasta • 290g tuna • 4 cherry tomatoes • 1 medium mushroom • Spinach • 3 tablespoons of pesto • Cheese

1.

Put the pasta in a pan with boiling water and cook as per instructions on the pasta packet (roughly about 20 minutes).

2.

Drain your tin(s) of tuna, add it to the cooked pasta, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach and pesto in an oven-proof dish, then sprinkle some cheese on top if you’d like, and put in the oven for around 15 minutes at 180C (fan assisted).

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3.

Remove from the oven and serve!

House To Home

Cottage Pie: Serves 2-3 people.

Cooking time: 30 minutes.

Prep time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients: • 500g mince • Half an onion • 1 large carrot • 2 medium mushrooms • 50g peas (frozen or fresh) • 2 tablespoons of gravy powder, mixed with 300ml of boiling water • 4 medium potatoes • Cheese (optional)

1.

Put the mince in a pan and fry until browned, then add the onion, carrot, mushrooms and peas to the pan and stir, cooking over a low-medium heat for

Winter 2020 around 15-20 minutes.

2.

Boil a kettle and mix 300ml of boiling water with 2 tablespoons of gravy power, then pour the gravy into the pan with the mince and vegetables, and continue to stir and let the contents simmer for around 10 minutes.

3. While the mince and

vegetables are simmering, turn your attention to the potatoes for the mash. Peel and chop 4 medium potatoes and put them in a pan of boiling water until they are soft. Once the potatoes are soft, mash the potatoes until they are smooth.

baking dish. Cover this with the mash and place in the oven for 30 minutes to cook at a temperature of 180C (fan assisted). For added flavour, you can sprinkle some cheese on top of the mash!

5.

Take out of the oven, serve up onto plates and dig in! *If you’re a vegetarian, you can adapt the cottage pie and toadin-the-hole dishes by using meat alternatives, such as Quorn mince and vegetarian sausages.

4.

Now, spoon the mince, vegetables and gravy out of the pan and into an oven-proof (Credit: Katy Lelliott)

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Warming Winter drinks to share with the family at home

Poorvi Rajawat shares the best drinks to keep you and your family cosy this festive season Warm Tea-And-Cider Punch This spin on a warm toddy makes use of apple cider for a candy taste.

It will take about 45 minutes to make and is super easy.

Bring 6 cups of clean apple cider to a boil in a large saucepan.

Turn the heat down and simmer until the cider is decreased to three cups, for 30-45 minutes.

Remove from the heat and place eight English breakfast tea bags and 1 sliced lemon in a cup.

Steep for four minutes, discard tea bags, stir in 4 1/2oz bourbon, and serve warm.

(Credit - Pintrest) White Hot Chocolate Recipe The white chocolate makes this recipe even sweeter.

To make, combine milk, chocolate, vanilla, and salt in a medium-sized saucepan.

Cook over medium heat, whisking continuously till the contents are warm and the chocolate is melted and smooth, for around 6-8 minutes, and place the warm chocolate into mugs.

Add some drops of food colouring to some frosting and stir twice to create a swirl pattern, before carefully switching to a piping bag.

Pipe the coloured frosting onto the warm chocolate and serve.

(Credit - Pintrest)

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(Credit- Google)

Ginger Bread Egg Nog Put a twist on conventional egg nog with this wintry weather drink recipe.

Combine heavy cream, ginger, vanilla, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a couple of cups of milk in a medium saucepan.

Cook over a medium heat until bubbles start to appear, after around 2-3 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat egg yolks with an electric-powered mixer on medium pace until they are combined.

Then, gradually beat in sugar and salt.

Increase the mixer pace to high and beat until thick and faded in colour, usually after 2-3 minutes.

Cook over a medium heat and stir slowly.

Strain the spiced cream combination, then discard the spices and go back to the pot.

Slowly whisk 1 cup of cream into the yolk-sugar combination on a low pace, then go back to the pot with the cream combination.

Place the pot over a large bowl filled with ice water and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until chilled after around 20-30 minutes.

Stir in rum, cognac, or bourbon and the remaining 2 cups of milk.

Just before serving, beat the egg whites with an electric-powered mixer on a medium-high pace until soft peaks form after 1-2 minutes, then fold into the egg nog and serve crowned with nutmeg.

House To Home

(Credit - Pintrest)

Winter 2020 White Spiced Coffee Blend cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and honey in espresso-steeped milk to create a white spiced drink.

You can also throw in a dash of darkish rum if desired.

Place the milk and beaten espresso beans in a saucepan.

Heat the combination to simmer over a medium to high warmth, for approximately 7 minutes.

Remove from the heat and put the beans inside the milk for 15 minutes.

Strain the espresso aggregate and switch to a blender.

Discard the beaten espresso beans.

Add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and honey to the steeped milk and mix on a high pace until the spices are mixed, taking approximately 30 seconds.

Strain the liquid again into the saucepan and discard the spices.

Re-warm the spiced espresso over a medium to high heat, until the liquid is warm and steaming.

Add rum, if desired, and pour into warmed espresso mugs.

Almond Milk Chai with Whisky and Orange This orange-infused drink isn’t too sweet or too spicy - it is simply just right.

A warm and snug vegan chai whisky cocktail!

Heat almond milk in a small saucepan until it starts to bubble.

Let the milk steep for 2-3 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour whisky and orange juice right into a mug.

Pressure over a first-rate mesh strainer.

Pour chai over the whiskey and orange juice.

Stir properly and garnish with a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon.

Garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

(Credit - Pintrest)

(Credit - Pintrest)

White Christmas Mojito One sip of this cocktail and you will be transported to a wintry weather wonderland.

Say hello to this creamy coconut white Christmas mojito!

The drink consists of fresh mint, lime juice, white rum, coconut rum, coconut milk, sparkling water and pomegranate arils (for garnish!)

This drink is creamy, fizzy, and full of yummy coconut and lime flavours.

Pomegranates have thick, hard skins and may be messy - which often puts people off.

In reality, they’re really well worth it, however, for their sweet, tangy taste, fantastic colour and brilliant fitness benefits.

Ingredients: • ½ lime • 6-8 mint leaves • 1 tbsp. sugar • 1 oz Bacardi Silver Rum • ½ oz Malibu Rum • ¼ cup coconut milk canned • Club soda • Garnish with mint and pomegranate arils.

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Get involved in arts & crafts this winter

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House To Home

Winter 2020

How arts and crafts have helped many through lockdown

By KATY LELLIOTT

T

his has been a year like no other.

We’ve seen virtually the whole world locked down for months on end and being stuck indoors has inspired people to turn to arts and crafts as a way to keep themselves busy.

Unlike many other businesses left struggling financially from the Coronavirus pandemic, arts and craft retailer Hobbycraft said in August that it has emerged from the crisis in a “strong position”, with online sales of craft materials tripling during the lockdown.

With households forced to stay home and children off from school, Hobbycraft’s online sales soared by more than 200% in the 12-week period after the beginning of March’s shutdown.

80-year-old Maureen Watts is a keen craft enthusiast, and she credits the hobby with helping her through the first lockdown.

She said: “At the start of the first lockdown I was classed as vulnerable because of my age and underlying health problems so was ‘shielded.’

“This was quite disconcerting at the time as prior to this I was quite an active pensioner!

“Not wanting to become a couch potato, I turned to my quilting and started by sorting out all the quilting fabric I had accumulated over time.”

Maureen used the time to get stuck into her quilting and to plan for new projects.

She said: “Buying fabric can become quite addictive, often bought because you like it even though you might not know what you are going to do with it.

“I had some that I had acquired on a visit to the USA where it is a lot cheaper than the U.K. and some had been gifts from family and friends.

“So, having sorted it all out, I spent time deciding what to Right: One of Maureen’s creations

make and started by small things that could be given away.

“I then went on to make a quilt with fabric I had bought and tucked away.”

With the pandemic still stopping us from going out and socialising as normal, Maureen recommends crafting as a way to entertain yourself during the winter months spent indoors.

As Maureen explains, there’s plenty of options for beginners – you don’t have to jump straight

into a full quilt or any advanced crafts.

She said: “You don’t have to be an expert - even a colouring book can be good and there are plenty of them in the shops suitable for adults.

“If you can knit, try just knitting squares for a blanket; I have a friend who’s been knitting little bonnets for the premature babies at the hospital.

“There’s always something you can do to pass the time.”

(Credit: Maureen Watts)

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(Credit: Suzy Hazelwood)

It’s beginning to feel a lot like homemade craft season...

If you’re looking to take up a new craft this winter, Katy Lelliott talks you through some of the easiest to get started with, along with where to buy the supplies

As the dark nights roll around, it’s easy to feel a bit more gloomy in the winter months.

Try and cheer yourself up with this colour-in canvas with an inspirational quote for you to hang on your wall.

The canvas comes with an intricate outline and range of quotes, including ‘Today is Going to be Awesome’, and ‘Be Happy’ for you to add vibrant colouring to, then hang the canvas up in your home when you’re done!

HobbyCraft are currently selling these on offer for just £2.

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Colour in your own motivational picture:

Cushion-making: Want to brighten up your room with some Christmas-themed cushion covers?

The first step is to get yourself some Fat Quarter fabrics.

These are available from most craft outlets, including HobbyCraft and Create and Craft, alongside chains such as John Lewis and Aldi.

You can get Christmas-themed Fat Quarter fabric, or any other pattern that catches your eye.

To make these, you’ll also need to buy yourself some cushion inserts (available inexpensively on Amazon).

1. Place one piece of your Fat Quarter fabric on a table, with the right side of the pattern facing up at you.

2. Then, place the second piece of Fat Quarter fabric on top of that with the wrong side facing up at you.

3. Use sewing pins to pin the edge of the fabrics together.

4. Sew up the whole length of the longer sides and one of the shorter sides.

5. Remove all the sewing pins and reach inside the cushion cover, turning it right-side out.

6. Place a cushion insert inside the cushion cover, then sew up the remaining short side.

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House To Home

Winter 2020

Rug-making:

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

If you’re looking for a new cosy rug for your home this winter, then latch-hook rug kits are the craft for you.

If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start off small with a 12 x 12 inches kit to get yourself up-to-speed with the technique.

Don’t jump straight in for a huge rug - start small and build your way up.

HobbyCraft currently sell the 12 x 12 latch-hook rugmaking kits for just £12.

The kit comes complete with everything you’ll need to get started: your colourful yarns, canvas, a latch hook tool and your instructions.

The £12 sets are available in a range of designs, giving you the opportunity to create anything from a cute puppy to a quirky unicorn.

Once completed, they look gorgeous hung on your wall or placed on your floor as a decorative mat.

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Custom-make your advent calendar: We’re fast approaching Christmas and if you’re too picky for an advent calendar with different chocolates behind each door, then this is the way forward for you!

Buy a reusable, wooden advent calendar for just £8.99 on eBay and you can fill it with your favourite round-shaped treats, along with a whole Terry’s Chocolate Orange for you to unwrap on Christmas Day! This is perfect for those who don’t like the surprise of a new variation of chocolate every day.

The best chocolates for the holes are Ferrero Rocher’s and Lindt balls, which are both perfectly shaped - as well as being tasty!

These wooden calendars are available in many different festive shapes, including a Christmas tree, stocking, present, reindeer and, of course, Santa himself, and don’t forget the environmental benefits of purchasing a reusable wooden advent calendar!

Artificial flower-making:

(Credit: Katy Lelliott)

Make yourself some beautiful flowers that will last forever, with Craft Buddy’s artificial flower-making kits.

If you’re keen to end the hassle of buying new real flowers every few weeks, this is a no-fuss way to ensure that you can have realistic-looking flowers that will last.

They are available in many different flowers and colours including roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations.

With prices starting at £8.99, these kits come with enough materials for you to make 30 stunning flowers.

The kits come with a flower-making tool that you slide the petals onto, as per the instructions included in the pack, alongside stems to hold your creations in place.

Not only are these fun to create, but they also make excellent gifts for friends and family.

To add extra effect to your flowers after you’ve made them, you can also add glitter or sparkles to the petals.

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(Photo by cottonbro)

‘Tis the season... for arts & crafts with the kids

Whether it’s freezing outside or you’re isolating inside, these low mess, low stress crafts will be sure to bring fun to your home this festive season

By TYLER BRADDON Footprint Christms card This sweet craft project will make the perfect gift for family and friends this Christmas. It’s quick, easy to make, and a lovely, personal keepsake.

What you’ll need: A4 sheet of white card or paper Non-toxic paint Sponge Googly eyes Pom poms Permanent marker

3

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Press your child’s foot down onto the white card. You can make as many prints as you want, each print will be one reindeer.

Tip: Clean your child’s foot while the print dries.

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1

(Credit Tyler Braddon)

Carefully fold the piece of card in half landscape.

Tip: It’s easier to fold the card before you begin this craft project so you know where to place the footprint. If you’re making multiple cards, fold all A4 pieces of card before you start step 2.

4

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Peel the back off of two googly eyes and stick them onto the print for the reindeer’s eyes. Then take the pom pom, apply a pea sized amount of glue one side and stick onto the print for the reindeer’s nose.

2

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

5

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Apply a small amount of brown paint to the sponge and gently dab onto the bottom of your child’s foot.

Tip: It’s easier to sit your child on your lap or in a high chair if they’re younger to stop them running around with paint on their foot.

Take the permanent marker and draw on the reindeer’s antlers.

Tip: Make the card extra special by adding decorations such as glitter, and don’t forget that lovely personal message.

House To Home

Winter 2020

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

No sew sock penguin This little fellow will be a cute addition to any family home this Christmas, so grab those odd socks and get your craft on.

What you’ll need: 1x Black sock 1x Coloured sock Rice Rubber bands or thread White felt Orange felt Ribbon Felt glue Glue dots Permanent marker Scissors

3

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

6

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Measure the white felt against the body of the penguin and cut an oval shape.

Using the felt glue, apply a thin layer of glue to the white felt and press it firmly against the penguins body until it’s secure.

Cut the colourful sock in half, roll the bottom of the sock slightly and place it on top of the penguins head. Your cute little friend is now complete.

1

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Take the black sock and fill it with rice until you are happy with the shape of the penguin.

Then take your elastic band and tie it at the top of the sock until it is secure.

4

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Cut a small beak out of the orange felt, use the felt glue to attach the beak to the face of the penguin. Then take the permanent marker, draw two little dots on the penguin’s face for the eyes.

2

Take the second rubber band and place it just above the middle of the sock to separate the head and body. Using your scissors, cut the excess sock at the top and recycle the leftovers.

5

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

Add the ribbon to the penguin to make a scarf, use one glue dot to keep the ribbon together securely.

(Credit: Tyler Braddon)

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