Ways to make the everyday beautiful

I've been scribbling notes for this post for ages but kept dismissing them as silly. Before bed I've been reading Joyful and there are so many similarities between what scientifically brings us joy and how I make my everyday beautiful that I've realised they're not silly and having moments or spaces of beauty around the house are so important for well being. With the nights drawing in - it's even more import to create an environment that delights. Here are some of the ways I make my everyday beautiful. 

Fresh Flowers - As much as I like a house plant, it's an ever changing of freshly picked flowers from my garden that makes me so happy. I love to notice the subtle changes in colour as the months pass and what's in season. Having a vase of bountiful blooms on the shelf beside my bed puts me in a good mood when I wake up and sends me off to sleep dreaming of roses. I save my favourite vase from Kt Robbins Ceramics for my special shelf (DIY salvaged wood shelf) and keep it topped up with flowers all year round. 

Declutter - Since getting new wardrobes in the spring and Milly starting preschool I've been nudged into using my 'free time' to sort out the hidden corners of the house. For the last six months I've gone through every room, sorting cupboards, recycling, donating the unused and unloved. It's been a subtle improvement, as we're too messy by nature to ever keep things pristine, but it's made my head and the flow of the house so much calmer. You can read about how I declutter here.

Smell sweet - The first thing I notice when I walk into a space is how it smells (this can be shop/room/etc). Being greeted by the smell of bins when I get through the front door, never fails to put me in a bad mood. As a simple step, I open as many doors and windows as I can to let fresh air in (even in winter). When the skies turn grey, there is nothing better than lighting a few candles I normally get mine at the supermarket. However, I'm feeling that these might not been the best and am starting to look for healthier alternatives. As a quick fix to my natural fragrance conundrum I'm been using eucalyptus in dried flower wreaths and little bunches around the house, giving each room a sweet scent.

Make space for beautiful things - Children come with a lot of stuff, first it's the endless stream of nappies and bottles and as they get older it's the unstoppable spread of  tiny toys. I've found it invaluable for my peace of mind to have toy free area's where I can keep my treasures uninterrupted from children. As each room is usually a scene of destruction, having a tiny unspoilt oasis of prettiness is key! My turquoise dining room cabinet is a favourite spot as is the fireplace in the living room.

Daily moments - I listened to a podcast recently that made me question my ritual of always using the same mug in the morning. However I'm all for making special moments throughout day no matter how ordinary it is. Tea in a proper pot with a cup and saucer, do it! A sandwich on your best vintage plate, why not?! A bath before breakfast, go on! You get the idea, it doesn't have to be big to make an impact, anything that lifts your spirits is good by me.

Most importantly learning to make each day beautiful is about slowing down and enjoying what already have. The world we live in drives us to want and be more - knowing that you have and are enough is the most important element for a beautiful life. 

Christmas Crafting Workshop

I'm SO excited to be writing this post - I'm holding a Christmas Crafting Workshop on Sunday 24th November. I'll be teaching you how to wrap your Christmas gifts with that Lotts and Lots magic, make Christmas decorations to adorn your tree and of course sharing my festive table tricks - it's going to be beautiful! 

Christmas Craft Workshop 

Sunday 24th November 

10:30 - 1pm

Do It Like a Mother

861 London Road

Westcliff

Essex SS0 9SZ

No crafting experience is require, just a love of shimmer. To book email me at lottsandlots@gmail.com 

New to Lotts and Lots? Here are some posts you might like to give you a taste of the workshop...

Confetti Gift Wrapping  

Winter Sparkle Layered Gift Wrapping 

Candle Light & Fresh Flowers - Christmas Table 

Simple Colourful Christmas Table

10 Recycled Christmas Crafts 

The Basics of Gift Wrapping - One Present, Two Ways

For the all different gift wrapping posts I've written over the years I don't think I've ever written one about the basics of gift wrapping. Time to change that and show you how you can create two different styles of wrapping with the same base paper.  I went for a leopard print base as leopard is a neutral in my book but brown paper would work just as well as an alternative. I've put all the steps below, happy wrapping! x 

Before I start I love to pull all my materials together so I have everything to hand and can create a mini moodboard of colours - here I have a mix of papers from my stash (re use wherever you can), tissue paper, ribbon wire and essential double sided tape.

For anything squishy or odd shaped I'll pop in a box, it makes the final finish look more polished. I keep a stash of small boxes on hand for this reason. You can of course buy a gift box but I really try to use up what I have. 

To wrap, fold your paper around the gift and cut off any extra paper. You want a 5cm strip onto the present and the straight edge to wrap around and over so that it finishes flush with the edge of the present. Depending on the size, the two "end" edges only need to be about the same depth as the depth of the present (if you're unsure keep them longer and cut them shorter when you get to that part). 

Add a length of double sided tape to the straight side. 

Fold and wrap the paper around the present and stick into place with the double sided tape.

For the short ends fold the paper in so it looks like an envelope but without the point. Cut straight across and add another line of double sided tape, remove the backing and stick into place, this should reach the edge and not fold over onto the present. Now the base is complete its time to get onto decorating.

To finish I wrapped a piece of chiffon around the present securing in a single knot, I then added small lengths of chiffon, ribbons and trimmings to the centre and secured with another knot. I love wrapping this way, it creates a really sumptuous, romantic and squishy bow. 

For this colourful version, I layered scraps of tissue and wrapping paper around the present. I tend to work off centre as that looks better to me, but if you like things symmetrical then go for the centre. I fasten everything at the back with double sided tape. 

Every present needs a bow, I fastened a length of metallic ribbon to the centre in double knot.  Then made a small posey of strawflowers and secured them onto the present with a bow, cutting off any extra ribbon length to finish (here's a post on how to tie a bow). Straw flowers are the best as they don't wilt - any other dried flower or seed head would also look fab. 

Travel - Port Soller, Mallorca with two young children

If there's a place in the world I feel my happiest and most at home it's Mallorca and the Balearic Islands - the light, colours, smells and fresh fresh food soothe my soul like nowhere else. Today, I wanted to get this post written up and shared before I forgot all the details of our trip to Port Soller, Mallorca. We've been lucky to go on lots of adventures this year from camping in Suffolk to our road trip in France. With each trip we've learnt so much about travelling with small children, from keeping them entertained to getting them fed and to sleep at night. 

Port Soller, is ideal for small children, the beach is in a gentle bay with soft sand and calm sea, perfect for little swimmers. For adults the beach is lined with plenty of places to get coffee's, snacks (and baskets!). The calm sea and relatively safe beach (you don't feel you're going to have your bag stolen if you're not sitting next to it) means you can sit down and almost relax whilst little ones play. We love swimming pools but they are hard work, the beach makes life SO much easier plus it also almost guarantees a nap! 

We learnt to keep this trip really simple, most days we went down to the beach until mid afternoon. Stanley and Milly napped on our walk back to the apartment and then we were able to make it out for dinner, which has never happened! On rainy days we headed up to the town of Soller, we visited six years ago pre children and loved going back. Not much had changed in the town although we were really excited to find new pockets that we hadn't been to before and of course a park with swings. There is a cute old tram that runs from Soller to Port Soller which they loved looking at but weren't fussed about going on - this suited us perfectly as we got around really easily with our hire car. Soller is a great place for shopping locally, I bought body oil in the Sunday market and there is a great shopping street off the main square that sells Mallorcan sandals, handmade baskets plus lots of foodie bits to bring home. The only disappointing place was Valdemosa, again we went six years ago but sadly social media has taken its soul away.  There were too many people over dressed and posing for photo's that's made it loose its charm. 

Stanley and Milly adapted to Spanish time really easily - late starts and naps meant we made it out for dinner post seven pm! Our favourite dinner was at a gorgeous place called Villa Luisa - delicious food for us all plus a beautiful setting and really lovely staff. Close by there is a great sandwich shop run by a father and son (I'm not sure what its called) but you'll see it and it does the best tuna salads which you can bring back to the beach. There are also loads of supermarkets selling fresh bread, milk and fruit that open early - late which means you can always pick something up without over planning. We've given up trying to stick to our usual routine of bath then bed whilst away although we do try and get them separate bedrooms - poor Stanley gets to pestered by his sister we have to break them up! 

I've written lots of posts about these beautiful islands over the year so I though I'd finish by sharing my tips for travelling with small children and I'll add links to my previous posts below.

Fly from your closest airport and keep flight times as short as possible. It's probably ok going long haul with just one but any more keep it short and sweet. 

Keep toys to a minimum, we have over packed on so many trips that now I buy a few magazines with toys before we go and they also end up with a few (inexpensive) toys whilst we're away. 

Always have a steady stream of breadsticks handy. 

Go hands free, it might not be the most fancy but I have used this back pack for all our holidays and everyday stuff. It carries two children's things plus there is plenty of room for extra's. 

If you're hiring a car - take your own car seats it makes it so much quicker at the airport. 

Take an extra buggy, we only took one but with a big push up a hill I wish we'd take a second as they are still quite little. 

Don't worry about doing everything, our little ones are happiest when we're just building sand castles together rather than trying to do anything fancy. 

Past posts you might like...

Alcudia with a baby

Soller

Es Trenc

Ibiza 

DIY - Pressed flower books

A pretty and simple DIY for you today. With the summer blooms starting to fade - I really wanted a quick and easy way to preserve my garden flowers. My sewing machine was out and I had this handmade paper close by following Stanley and Milly's birthday celebrations so decided to create pressed flower books. If you have never tried sewing on paper you should, its very satisfying! These books couldn't be simpler to make...

Step 1.  Take six sheets of paper and fold in half (this Khadi Rag Paper looks perfect, I would split the pack and do five sheets per book)

Step 2 . Secure your paper stack with a large paper clip either side of the fold

Step 3. Set your sewing machine to a long straight stitch and sew along the middle fold, don't forget to do a little back stitch at the start and finish. 

Step 4. Gather your garden blooms and place in between each page. 

Step 5. Once full, close the pages together and secure tightly with string or ribbon and place under something heavy.  

I'm hoping these will have dried out by the deepest winter so I have something to photograph and play with whilst waiting for the spring flowers to open again. I'm so in love with these pictures, not sure if its seeing my homegrown flowers on screen or the fact that I've written a tutorial again but it's working for me! Happy Making! xx 

Three ways with autumn apples

Talk about seasonal conundrum, my sister went on holiday last week and left me with a basket of cooking apples which I wasn't sure what to do with. They looked beautiful and smelt amazing but I felt bad letting natures work go to waste - I spent the week chopping, bubbling and baking. If you're faced with a similar seasonal dilemma here's a few recipes I found to get you through your autumn apple haul. 

Fig and Apple Chutney - I've never made chutney before, I made three times the amount the recipe suggests as there were figs on offer at the supermarket. I filled sterilised jars (gathered from my other sister) ready for the festive season. 

Apple Crumble - When life gives you apples, make crumble. From doing a bit of research I found that you can freeze crumble but you need to freeze the top and filling separately. I used about 10 apples and three tablespoons of sugar (I did a mix of caster and light brown). I used most of the filling for a crumble for four but have two individual portions saved for another day. The recipe I've linked to was delish, especially served with custard. 

Apple Sauce - I always remember my Dad making apple sauce with the apples from his garden. With the last apples I decided to make him his own jar, I stuck to recipe with this one and had enough to fill a small jar. Now all I need him to do is cook me a roast to go with it ;-)! 

I'm not great with the season change from summer to autumn but I really enjoyed making the most of our harvest. Leaning in to all that a season has is the best way to get through - next stop pumpkins! 

Under the sea party table

Hello there! It's been a while since I last wrote, the past month has flown by with the end of the summer holidays, two birthdays and a week away. I have so many posts stored up that I want to share but I'm going to start with my most recent project - an Under the Sea birthday table for my sweet babes. 

If I'm setting the table for a family event I like to use a personal reference for the theme. This year I went with a sharks and mermaids as we have spent the summer swimming and being on the beach as much as possible. I'd also been promising Stanley a shark balloon after he has a proper lie-on-the-floor tantrum when he couldn't have one,  months ago. 

This table, although it looks detailed was really simple to put together. Apart from the foil curtain, which was a £2.99 Aldi buy (this iridescent fringe curtain would really work well as an alternative.) I didn't buy anything extra, I made a paper garland and used decorations that I already had for the whole set-up. I love putting these tables together but never want to pressure other parents (or anyone for that matter) to feel that they need to buy a huge amount of extra decorations which adds extra financial costs at an already expensive time. The only place I do spend money is ordering a cake - I use the most fantastic local company called Wilma's - I serve tea, chocolate cake and bubbles which always feels like a decadent way to spend an ordinary Sunday afternoon. 

To make the garlands, we cut out and coloured in paper fish. I used handmade paper that someone had given me ages go and worked brilliantly with the colour scheme. Now that Stanley and Milly are a little bit older I think its really important to get them to be part of the set up. Whilst I love doing it, I think they need to know what goes into making a day special. With the extra paper from the fish, we ripped it into very rough squares (again they loved doing this) and sewed it together on a long stitch on my sewing machine. I must have made six or seven metres of garland in about 15 minutes which is far quicker than finding parking or even waiting for Amazon deliver! 

When setting up a party table always start from the back and work forward. I stuck the foil garland to the wall (Blutack is best) then hung a stick which had been previously painted to a nail that is permanently in place on my chimney breast. I added the fish and then draped the paper decorations over the stick. I pushed my dining table up against the wall and added a vintage striped cloth that I had in my tablecloth collection. I re-used Milly's wooden cake stand from her birthday last year and added Sparkling Fountain grass that I had growing in the garden (if you like growing plants then grow this, its so good), any simple grass/foliage would work as an alternative. I then added paper pin wheels and odd decorations (I always have a few dotted around the house) in amongst plants. 

As a little extra touch and one I found extremely enjoyable I drew a few brightly coloured mermaids and mermen onto plain card, cut them out and stuck them onto skewers. Which I then popped into the vases to create an underworld mermaid party. I think these were my favourites, its been such a long time since I last did any kind of drawing and I loved it. If you want to add your own mermaids, you can of course draw your own,  if that feels a bit daunting find some images online to print or use these mermaid toppers instead.  To finish I used a selection of my many vintage plates in under the sea colours. 

I know I say this all the time but there is so much joy to be found in using what you have and making the everyday beautiful. I loved this one as did Stanley and Milly and I really hope you do too - dive right in and enjoy all the photos.