Sponsored Posts and Reviews

Sometimes as much as you might love your home it simply isn’t big enough. If you need to make extra space in your home an effective and frugal way to do it might be to build a log cabin in your garden. It’s an idea that many people don’t think of yet can be a lot cheaper and easier than many of the alternative ways of creating extra space.

If you’ve had children who are getting older it might be time to make a bit more space for them, or perhaps it’s time to take a bit more space for yourself and your hobbies, whatever the reason there are few people who would turn down the idea of having a slightly bigger house. The problem is of course how can you make this extra space, for some the answer is to move home but this is a major upheaval and if you are otherwise happy in your house there might be a better option.

Other people who have the land might consider building a home extension; this can be perfect for many people and will add value to your house so can be a frugal investment. However adding an extension is a complex and expensive procedure so will not be viable for everyone. A third solution which is often over looked is building a log cabin in your garden.

What are the advantages of a log cabin?

Firstly the cost, building a home extension or moving to a larger house is likely to be a hugely expensive under taking; putting together a log cabin however is comparatively quite cheap. Building with wood is obviously a lot cheaper than building with brick yet if taken care of can last just as long and offer the same level of shelter. Creating a log cabin is also a lot easier, if you have limited building knowledge you can buy kits that just need assembling, or even buy ready built cabins. You also often don’t need panning permission which makes the whole process far cheaper and easier. (Although planning permission rules vary greatly so be sure to check what applies to your exact circumstances.)

Once you have a log cabin it obviously won’t be the same as having an extra room in your house, but many people prefer the fact that it’s slightly isolated; if you have older children it can give them a real sense of independence having a space for themselves outside of their home. You can also use it as an escape from your home if family life sometimes gets a bit hectic, a cabin is a great space to get away to , to work on your hobbies and passions.

What if your extra space is to be used as a home office?

Separating this from the house can be ideal as it’s a great way to avoid the distractions that can really affect your productivity, plus being in the middle of your garden can, for many people, be really great for providing inspiration.

How do I go about creating a cabin?

This really depends how much time and ability you have, you can find many websites that offer fee plans that allow you to build your own cabin. If you want to make things easier on yourself there are also a number of kits available that you can assemble yourself. If you would rather have a professional do the work though there are many companies including Tiger Log Cabins that will take care of everything for you, so all you have to do is pay and then enjoy your investment.
If you’re looking for some extra space in your home but have been struggling to come up with an economically effective way to do it, why not try doing some research into if building a cabin could be the solution for you.

This is a guest post from Tiger Log Cabins.

These cushions are ‘sew’ fun to make

Children love to see the result of their artistic handiwork – pictures pinned to the fridge door; collages displayed on classroom walls; and home-made birthday cards given pride of place on mantelpieces.  All of the pieces of art listed above are not normally put on display for long but a sparkly mini heart cushion can last a lifetime and prove to be a happy reminder of a child’s first successful attempt at sewing.  Art and crafts specialist Baker Ross has mini heart cushion sewing kits which provide a fun introduction to sewing for anyone aged 5+. At the time of writing (2nd February 2012) you can buy a pack of two kits for £3.98 or a pack of eight kits for £14.

Each kit contains the following craft materials:
Pre-cut felt shapes
Self-adhesive felt pieces
Sequins and heart stickers
Yarn and a plastic needle
Stuffing
Oh and make sure that you have glue dots and a pair of scissors to hand before you start this task.

Begin by threading the needle with the yarn

Then take the two large heart-shaped pieces and place one on top of the other so that the holes around the heart’s edges line up neatly. You’ll need a steady hand for this!

Next, stitch the two hearts together – starting at the top of the heart and taking the needle through the holes and out again.

Work your way around the edges but leave about four holes unstitched at the top of the heart so that you have enough space to feed the stuffing through later.

Before padding the heart with stuffing it is best to decorate the heart while it is still flat.

Arrange the heart stickers into piles and sort them according to size.

Take the biggest pale pink sticker, peel off the backing and stick it the centre of the cushion which you stitched together earlier. Stick a darker, smaller heart sticker at the centre of the pale pink sticker.

Repeat this process around the edge of the cushion so that the cushion is covered with hearts.

Already your cushion is looking wonderful but we’re not finished yet – glue a sequin sticker to the centre of each heart using the glue dots.

It’s now time to take that candy floss-style stuffing and insert it into the cushion – I bet you’re glad you left that gap at the top of the cushion now!

Even out the stuffing so that it doesn’t bunch up in one part of the cushion – this is the part which I find the trickiest!

Once this fiddly step is over with you can apply the finishing stitches to the last four holes at the top of the cushion. Tie that last straggly bit of thread in a knot – cutting off the surplus yarn with those scissors we talked about earlier.

You should be holding a finished cushion in your hand and hopefully it looks a little like the one in these photos.

Place it on your sofa and see if it feels as good as it looks. Are you sitting comfortably?

(Don’t panic if you struggled with any of these steps as help is at hand. Just check out Baker Ross’s tuition video on YouTube and let Kate talk you through the process. Happy sewing!)

This is a Guest Post from Baker Ross

In recent times, with the dizzying rate of technological change, scientific advancement and the explosion of social media, change is the norm. However, one shift that needs to be stopped in its tracks is the dissolving of the High Street. Many shops have almost ceased to exist as an increasing number of us buy online.

Currently, one in seven shops in the UK lies empty and 5,500 are in danger of closure. No wonder, as this Christmas Britons spent a collective £13.5bn online. To put that in perspective, ten years ago we spent less than 10% of that.

It is predicted that we will see a sharp decline in retail shops on the High Street and an increase in practical shops that ‘do’ as opposed to sell, such as repairs shops. Is this really what we want? There are many reasons for us to hold onto the High Street, before we succumb to the existence of four walls and a laptop every Saturday.

Firstly, shopping has been proven to be good for you. A recent study, commissioned by Debenhams, found that the average woman burns 48,000 calories a year, which works out at 25 days’ worth of food.  Not only that, but on average we cover 154 miles a year, too. So whatever damage we to to our savings accounts, we make up for it with the health benefits of shopping ;-)

With stretching, lifting heavy bags and scouting out the competition over the sales rack, shopping is almost on par with Olympic sports. Reducing this to the click of a button will mean many women having to give up their weekly cake allowance.

All joking aside, high street shopping has so many benefits, including saving you time. Being able to see clothes in front of you, feel them and try them on means you’re less likely to return them a week later.  According to a study conducted recently, up to 40% of clothing bought online is returned.

It may be quicker and easier to buy online, but trying clothes on is the only way to really know how something looks on you – whether the colour suits you and even if it fits you right.  And to be honest, the compliments of commission–motivated sales assistants never go amiss do they?

High Street shopping is also safer, due to the risks of identity theft and credit card fraud that is ever more prevalent online.

As if that wasn’t enough to persuade you, academics have actually proved that shopping is associated with increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that has been linked to pleasure and positivity. Also, levels of dopamine in the brain are increased from mere window shopping.

Giving in to the ease of the internet is costing us an experience that many rely on as a weekend pick-me-up. The excitement of a sale, the smell of a shoe shop and the victorious taste of a good bargain may soon become extinct, and it’s up to the consumer to make sure it doesn’t.

This is a sponsored post

Even if you’re on a tight budget and saving every penny possible, you can still enjoy a restaurant meal as a well deserved treat. With the rising cost of food prices and restaurants competing for business, it’s actually become very affordable to eat out. However to get the best possible deals, make sure you’re food savvy!

Eat earlier – most restaurants charge more for dinner than they do for breakfast or lunch. So if you go earlier in the day you will get the same great meal for a reduced price.

Order from the kid’s menu – a lot of restaurants will allow adults to order from the kid’s menu, even if they haven’t brought the kids! The prices are normally about half of what is charged for the adult version and typically the portion sizes aren’t much smaller! A lot of people are watching their weight nowadays too, so you needn’t feel embarrassed to opt for the kid’s menu.

Appetizers as mains – If you can’t quite bring yourself to order from the kid’s menu then go for an appetizer and/or a side order. Or why not try ordering a platter with your fellow diners – these can be great alternatives to main meals!

Bring your own wine – Many restaurants have a “bring your own wine” policy, especially when going for Asian cuisine. This is a great way to save and drink the wine you love! Wine and other alcohol can bring the cost of your bill up dramatically, so this alternative is becoming a popular option for those still wanting to dine out.

Use printable vouchers – If you’re looking to go to a restaurant chain, you’re guaranteed to get a printable voucher, especially if you’re planning on going between Sunday and Thursday; although weekend offers are slowly creeping in too! There’s no need to pay full price for your meal if you have a quick look online first. A lot of restaurants are also accepting codes that can be downloaded straight to your mobile, making it easy for you to grab a meal at the last moment, plus saving you the hassle of finding a printer!

There are now plenty of ways to enjoy the nicer things in life without having to spend a small fortune! So if you keep these tips in mind when you next decide to eat out, you can guarantee that you will save a lot off of your bill.

Don’t Forget to Visit MyVoucherCodes.co.uk for Best Restaurant Vouchers

This is a guest post from MyVoucherCodes.co.uk

Are you currently looking to reduce your spending? If you are, you’re not alone. Whether the current economic climate has forced you to reconsider your expenditure or whether you just want to free up some cash that you can use elsewhere, there are lots of ways you can make changes and hopefully save money along the way.

First of all, it’s worth taking a look at your current spending levels to see more easily where you can make savings. Chances are you already keep on top of what you’re spending on a regular basis – millions of us now keep spread sheets and other ledgers detailing all our incomings and outgoings. If you’ve never done this before, it can sound a little tedious, but it’s definitely worth it and once you’ve got it set up, it shouldn’t be too much work to keep on top of any changes.

Once you’ve got a good idea of what you’re spending and where your wastage is, you can start looking for ways to cut back and save money. To get you started, here are a few things you might like to consider.

Recycle with your friends

If you’re currently trying to reduce your friends, it’s likely many of your friends and family are, too. Making use of each other for purposes of support and practical help where it’s needed could make a difference to your expenditure. For example, rather than buying a new outfit that costs money, why not arrange a clothes-swap party with your friends? Borrowing tools and appliances from others can also save you from having to make expensive purchases yourself.

Earn while you spend

Let’s face it – you can never stop spending money entirely. The world just doesn’t work like that. However, if you have to spend money, you might as well earn extra rewards while you’re doing it. If you have a credit card, for instance, you could look for 0% interest credit cards so you don’t have to pay as much interest on your purchases. Rewards credit cards that offer additional benefits can also be a good option to give you an extra incentive – you can find more information on this sort of thing on sites such as Virgin Money or GoCompare.

Buy now, save later

Buying in bulk isn’t a sure fire way to save money (and are you really going to eat that massive sack of pasta?), but it can often help – particularly if you’re buying long life items. Just remember to make sure you’ve got somewhere to store them.

Make it fun

Cutting how much you spend might not always be particularly fun – especially when you find yourself cutting out all the things you enjoy, such as that morning latte before work or a night out on the town. However, setting up rewards for yourself can provide an incentive to keep going even when it’s hard. For example, you could get a coin jar and tell yourself that once it’s full, you’re able to spend the money on whatever you want. It might not seem like much, but they do say it’s the simple pleasures that make life, so why not put it to the test?

This is a sponsored post

Many people dismiss writing to the letters pages of magazines as beneath them.

True – it’s never going to earn you a fortune, but we know many writers who make enough money to fund their leisure activities, or win themselves interesting and useful ‘gifts’.  And, it gives you the opportunity to share all those tips you’ve picked up along the way about saving money and making life easier.  So here are some suggestions to make the most of your letter writing:

• Keep your letters short and to the point.  Study letters in past editions of the magazine you are targeting and write to a similar length.
• Make sure letters are chatty, but they must still be grammatically correct and be free from typos.
• Stick to one main point. For example, the letter could be in response to a previous letter or an article that has been published in an earlier edition of the magazine; it may recount an amusing incident that happened to you or your family; it might tell about something funny that has been seen or overheard or it can give a helpful tip on how to do something more effectively and save money.
• Injecting humour into your writing, if appropriate, can make your letter more saleable.
• Most magazines now accept letters by email and text as well as by post – but very few welcome hand-written offerings!
• However you send your letter, make sure you include full contact details, including your phone number.
• Even if you are writing to a reader’s column that usually only prints initials at the end of each letter, the editor will expect you provide your full name.
• If you’re sharing a tip or a funny anecdote about your family it often pays dividends if you can send a photo – so always have your camera at the ready.
• Finally, don’t send your letter to more than one magazine at the same time. You can write on a similar topic (if appropriate) to a number of magazines, but make sure each letter is original.

And if you do decide that you want to move on from writing readers’ letters to articles, stories and even, dare I say it, that novel you’ve been plotting for years, then the Writers Bureau can give you all the support you need with their creative writing courses.

Diana Nadin is Director of Studies for the Writers Bureau. She has commissioned and edited their courses for longer than she cares to remember and writes a weekly blog at www.writersbureau.com/blog

This is a guest post from the Writers Bureau.

Bigjigs is known for delivering quality toys to children that will last for many years to come. Bigjig toys are the most popular toys on the market today providing children with hours of entertainment with colourful objects, letters, and numbers. If you are searching for that perfect child’s gift and don’t know where to start, consider picking up one of the five most popular must have wooden toys from Bigjigs.

©olgysha/Depositphotos.com

 1. Toys can help a child learn and create lifelong memories which will encourage an interest in learning and spark a new way of thinking. One of the most popular wooden toys from Bigjigs is the lacing and beading toys. Lacing beads are a creative way to inspire and teach coordination and attention to details. Melissa and Doug lacing beads in a box allow children to use different shapes such as stars, circles, squares, number blocks, and dice blocks in order to learn how to lace through and pull out in order to create a pattern.

2. Carpentry sets are popular wooden toys from Bigjigs for those future carpenter creators. Little boys, as well as little girls, will spend hours measuring, hammering, and adjusting their tool belt just like dad. Place the toy carpentry set near your set so they can work along with you. Wooden work benches come in different sizes and shapes for those who want something different. Accessorize with the many different types of tools that can only be found in wooden toys from Bigjigs.

3. Wooden train sets are popular for every age group but it is only the small ones that get to play with them. There are many different colours, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Whether you want to drive the midnight express into the city or you want a small choo-choo that can barely make it up the steepest hills, wooden toys from Bigjigs are the answer to all your wooden toy needs.

4. Wooden ride-on bikes are not only fun but they look great sitting in the living room or a child’s play room. They are meant to be easily accessible so a child can simply sit on them and begin pushing them around. Today, wooden bikes are actually part of modern decor and are likely to be one of the best selling wooden toys from Bigjigs.

5. Little girls love the opportunity to dress up and look pretty. Today, wooden toys from Bigjigs allow little girls to dress up and play pretend whenever they want to, in a convenient carrying case. Bigjigs offers a wooden cosmetic tray that offers a flip open top with two drawers that swing out on both sides for storage. When they have finished playing, they simply push the drawers in and the handle allows them to carry the cosmetic tray around.

Finding wooden toys from Bigjigs is fun and you can spend hours on their site remembering what you had when you were little. These toys are still made today which says something about the toys and the quality that you can still expect.

This is a guest post from BigJigs

I know I’m always telling you about ways to save on your gas and electricity but today I wanted to share with you this:

It’s my latest energy bill, showing that I’m £858.07 in credit! How fantastic is that?

We’ve tried really hard to reduce our energy usage around the house using all of the tips that I regularly share with you on here but as well as the energy we’ve saved by reducing our consumption, we’ve also saved by switching to a different provider.

I think a lot of people don’t realise how easy it is to switch providers. Everything stays exactly the same other than the company who send your bills and the price you pay. In fact, the last time I changed providers it took me about ten minutes online once I’d chosen my tariff and new supplier. It took me longer to choose which company I wanted to go with than it did to do the actual changeover.

You really would be surprised at the differences in price between companies and there are so many different tariffs out there to choose from that you’re probably best using an online comparison site to compare electricity prices and gas prices. That way you can just key in your details once and you are presented with the cheapest options for you and your home.

Don’t forget that it’ll usually be cheaper to take both gas and electricity with the same supplier, to pay by Direct Debit and to manage your account online.

I’ve been told that if you haven’t shopped around for a new deal since the main companies increased their prices last year, then the chances are that you’re paying too much so if that sounds like you then you should have a look around and see how much you can save….

This is a sponsored post but the message is important and the savings are savings that we’ve made so it’s definitely worth doing ;-)

In most homes, no matter what the occasion is, the kitchen tends to be the place where people choose to gather, it’s the heart of the home and people just seem to naturally gravitate there to discuss past experiences and future events and have a good old gossip.  Some choose to do this around a dining table, to add a touch of formality to the event. However, many people feel that sitting on bar stools at a kitchen island is much more informal and fun!

Most kitchen islands are based in the centre of the dining area although a few are placed near a conservatory to make the most of the natural light that seeps through it.  Kitchen islands and bars have evolved to serve a number of purposes but there are staple ingredients which they must possess to ensure it stands the test of time.

Firstly the material of the island top itself needs to be considered and seeing as it’s the surface that will be used the most, it needs to be sturdy and resistant to moisture.

Kitchen islands, and breakfast bars alike, are usually made of wooden cabinets with a top layer of granite, laminate or the more extravagant marble. They’re often a rectangular shape although breakfast bars look great in a number of different designs and shapes, whether defined or curved, and they usually have a slight overhang of around 20cm to allow for people to tuck their stools in when eating.

Secondly, the owner will need to consider what features of the kitchen island bar are necessary to make sure their family and visitors alike etc.  They also sometimes have a gas or electric hob, which is ideal to prepare a quick fry up to start you on your day!  Today’s islands can also come with bar sinks so you can wash your vegetables, and built-in sockets to plug in your coffee machine and radio.  If space is modest, you can even have wheels attached, so they can be moved when needed and they can even have a built in refrigerator and some much needed extra shelving.  The best thing is that you don’t need a huge budget, or lots of space to install a kitchen island or bar.

Once your kitchen island or bar is in place, you need to consider how best to furnish it, which is the fun part. When you’re choosing bar stools, you’ll need to consider that the surface of the island doesn’t usually extend outwardly so the bar stool may need to be quite slim. A good example of one like this is the Mimi Chrome stool, with gas lift mechanism for adjustable height, or you could have a look at the fixed height z bar stools. Both examples come in a variety of colours, so they may compliment or even contrast with, existing pieces of furniture within the home.

In every home around the world, there is great potential for a kitchen island bar to be introduced. Whether your home oozes with rustic charm or is sleek and contemporary, the kitchen island bar is an ideal way to complete your dining space and make your house into a home.

This is a guest post

UK residents will be rejoicing all week long as the news of lower gas prices begins to spread. The news comes as reports of a downward trend were attributed to slightly less frigid weather and a positive outlook on gas supplies. Prices have officially fallen below 52 pence for the first time this year.

A forecast for the remainder of the third week in January highlighted rising temperatures. The UK Met Office offered even more details on the break in freezing temperatures, saying that mid-days for the rest of the week would welcome temperatures in the tens, a departure from the near-zero cold that England and Wales residents experienced last week.

The falling gas prices will mean lower energy tariffs for some residents. However, simultaneous reports maintain that the actual demand for gas is not letting up despite the warmer weather. If you’re trying to figure out how you can use the lower gas prices as a stimulus to send your energy bills in the same downward spiral this season, here are some quick and easy tips:

1. Monitor your electricity consumption. Be mindful that just because gas is down doesn’t mean that electricity prices will fall any time soon. However, you can still enjoy less expensive energy bills by monitoring your home’s use of electricity. Just by turning the temperature down by a couple of degrees, you could see substantial savings on your energy bill without sacrificing the comfort of indoor climate control on cold days. Also, if you have a working fireplace, now is the perfect time to get the family together in one room and use it.
2. Plug up any draughty spaces. Something as simple as sealing your door with a rolled up floor rug can help you avoid losing energy in draughty places. Test out your attic and closets to make sure you don’t have any phantom drafts that could be sucking all of the warm air right out of your home and letting cold air in. Also, don’t forget to check the insulation on pipes and the water heater, which are two more common places where household heat is lost.
3. Dress for the season. Encourage your family to bundle up during the day, even when they are at home, so that you don’t spend so much energy on heating. Use heavier blankets on the bed in the winter, and try not to keep the entry door open for too long when coming home or leaving to keep warm air inside.
4. Practice regular maintenance. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to make sure your HVAC system and hot water heater are functioning properly. If you wait until there is a major problem, not only will it cost loads of money, but it may also mean days of frigid temperatures inside as you and your family wait for it to be fixed.
5. Make energy saving a habit. Energy conservation should be a year-round practice, so remember to do the little things like always. This includes turning off lights when they are not needed, unplugging electronics that are on standby mode, and keeping a close eye on the thermostat.

With lower gas prices and these energy saving tips, you should be able to pocket a lot more of your household budget when it’s time for the next bill.

This is a sponsored post.