How to & Tips

Do you spend half an hour every day hunting round the kitchen, staring frantically into the fridge, wondering what you can knock up for dinner with three slices of ham, half a tin of beans and some lettuce that’s on the turn? Then it’s time to stop, take a deep breath and embrace the art of meal planning!

Having a new baby is the start of an exciting new chapter in your relationship. You’re no longer just a couple: you’re also mummy and daddy to a brand new, little person. But in the early days, lack of sleep, a screaming baby and a crazy workload can put a lot of strain on your relationship. Here are some things you can do to keep your relationship going strong as you and your partner adjust to having a new family.

Do you love to read? If so you’re in good company, alongside 66% of people in the UK, making leisurely reading more popular than gardening or even going to the cinema! Still, there’s no denying that reading is a solitary pursuit and, if you find yourself spilling out every book-inspired thought to your long suffering partner, you could consider joining a book club.

You haven’t left work yet, let alone stocked up on cheese you can’t pronounce, but at the last moment some friends have come to town and in a couple of hours they’re expecting to be wined and dined at your home in style. Don’t let the panic set in. These pro tips will have you pulling off the dinner party of champions in no time at all.

Who doesn't love a good picnic? They were a staple of my childhood; I remember the grown-ups sitting on folding chairs, while my sister and I played shuttlecocks and a New Forest pony stuck its head in the boot of the car to see what it could find.

It’s not just bloggers and work-from-home freelancers who can benefit from having a home office. Whoever you are, if you have the space, you will probably find that having your own office is ideal for running the household and keeping track of your finances. Happily, setting up your perfect office is easier than you might think, so here are our top tips for getting started!

It’s always a relief when you’ve finished the Christmas shopping, but if you’re not especially handy with the scissors and tape, wrapping it all up can be just as stressful. Lucky for you, help is at hand. Just follow our simple step-by-step instructions and you’ll soon be gift wrapping like an elf in Santa’s workshop.

If you're making your own Easter decorations or just want a fun activity to keep the kids occupied for a few minutes, why not teach them how to draw the Easter Bunny?