Women's Interests

Do you find it hard to get up in the mornings? I know I do – especially when it is winter and still dark outside. An invigorating shower is one way to wake yourself up and many people also reach for the coffee pot in an effort to come alive too. Pretty much everyone will pass through their kitchen at some point first thing so it is important that it is a welcoming and lively room rather than adding to the sluggish-ness of the day.

by patterned

Yellow décor works well in the kitchen because it adds some instant sunshine to the room, whatever the weather is like outside. Warm creams and buttery tones are perfect with many designs of fitted kitchens and will be equally as successful in a traditional farmhouse setting or a high-gloss contemporary one. The light within the space is important too: warmth from yellowy artificial lighting can add to the sunny mood and good access to natural light brings any interior to life. Read more… »

I have a little problem which I want to share with you: I am having another baby. Problem is actually not quite the right word, as we are completely delighted about the imminent arrival of our latest gorgeous bundle of joy. The problem comes with the fact that we have run out of bedrooms and as we are not in a position to move house we will have to squeeze the little treasure in somewhere…

Enter the major DIY bedroom project which needs to be completed on a fairly tight timescale. Although baby will be sharing our room to start with, we want our older children settled into their new arrangements as early as possible to avoid a

by Philip Fibiger

ny feelings of being pushed out by their tiny sibling. With that in mind, we also need to ‘sell’ the idea of them sharing a room and get them a bit excited about it. Luckily we have two girls and so a trip to a local bed sale has started the ball rolling as they are giddy about having new beds and of course, matching bedding.

http://www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk was a great place to shop for children’s beds and we have gone for divan models with handy storage drawers underneath as space is at a premium in the new joint bedroom. They also got ‘girlie’ pink fa

bric headboards which I am going to help them customise with appliquéd letters and motifs so that they feel they are making their room even more personal.

In comes Grandpa with the wall paper they chose between them and the room is a haven of pink cuteness for little girls. If we can only get them to go to bed and sleep rather than talking for hours we will be onto a winner – hopefully the novelty will wear off soon. Now then, on to the nursery….

by Ashley Coombs

Still doing last minute Christmas shopping? Better get a move on! If you need some further inspiration then have a read of this list of my recommendations of the top ten best Christmas gifts for a little girl this year… and as they say on X Factor, these are in no particular order:

1. A cuddly toy animal which comes alive. Well, not actually alive but they have batteries and make noises and move about. Look out for puppies and kittens as well as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters.

2. Baby dolls. A classic toy which never goes out of fashion. Dress them, take them for walks in the pram and give them a milk bottle – ah, bless.

3. Dressing up clothes. Feed their imagination with costumes to suit everyone: princesses for your little princess or a doctor, cow girl or vet for action girls.

4. Colouring stuff. An absolute winner and the perfect stocking filler. Pens, pencils or crayons it really doesn’t matter. Throw in some stickers and a selection of colouring pads and bright paper and you can’t go far wrong.

5. A newly decorated bedroom. Tell them the elves have been hard at work, put their beds for sale and invest in a cabin bed in the shape of a castle – amazing.

6. Story books. Read them yourself, picture books or junior novels for you to read to them a chapter a night at bedtime. Choose some classics or go for a quirky modern tale.

7. A special party dress. Every little girl likes to get dressed up for Christmas so make it even more of an occasion and gift wrap the new outfit with shoes to match.

8. Educational toys. They don’t even have to realise that you are trying to increase their knowledge. Maybe a world map for geography, a recorder for music or an abacus for maths.

9. Up to the minute gadgetry. I’m a bit old fashioned myself but there is nothing wrong with a dancing game for the games console, a new DVD to watch or a handheld device to improve hand eye co-ordination.

10. New bedding and pyjamas. Get them to bed early on Christmas Eve with new night time stuff! Try the selection of duvet sets at Bensons for Beds and buy pj’s with their favourite characters on.

I have a question for any Mums out there who have teenage children: when did you last set foot in their bedrooms? If like me you have taken to leaving a pile of clean laundry outside the door and ransoming the television remote control in return for all the plates and cups they are hoarding then perhaps it is time to venture inside and take a closer look.

Photo: istockphoto.com

My top tips for this adventure include choosing a time when they will be out for a while and taking a deep breath before you head into the fray. Cross the room to the window and open it as wide as you can before taking your next breath and then brace yourself for your first look at the inevitable carnage. Read more… »