~/Home/::Page:: en-gb BABE v1 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:30:15 GMT 20 ~//Home/london-underground-inspired-homewares.html This week marks the 150th anniversary of the London Underground, aka The Tube.  The very first underground journey took place between Paddington and Farringdon on the Metropolitan Railway, and TFL have used their Facebook timeline to list all of the Tube's great achievements over the last 150 years. (F... Cate Sevilla Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:30:06 GMT Home 4577 ~//Home/easy-ways-to-keep-your-heating-bills-down.html Energy prices can soar in the winter. It’s freezing cold so we whack up the heating,  we’re at home more as we’re less likely to venture out in the evenings so we use more electrical appliances. It's a viscous cycle. Thankfully,  Amy Rutter Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:00:12 GMT Home 4548 ~//Home/woodland-creature-interiors.html The trend for woodland animals is yet to run it's course and I am rather pleased about this. There is nothing I like more than a bit of owl, fox or deer inspired design. The forest holds interiors inspiration for all tastes, from the outright kitsch to the chic and subtle.  If monochrome is your thing then Fine Little Day has a host of woodland inspired designs. My favourite is this poster Louise Bush Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:30:06 GMT Home 4508 ~//Home/small-is-beautiful-adventures-in-a-tiny-house.html I have long been a fan of the tiny home - way before Channel 4 screened Amazing Spaces with that George chap and his mouldy caravan. For many of us a small home is a necessity due to finance or city living where space is at a premium. Louise Bush Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:00:09 GMT Home 4476 ~//Home/support-british-handmade-gifts-this-christmas.html As a member of the Crafts Council it goes without saying that I am incredibly passionate about designers and makers. I firmly believe that Britain is at the forefront of design and craft.  If you still think the idea of buying a handmade gift is somehow twee or a little bit shoddy, think again.  Louise Bush Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:30:05 GMT Home 4458 ~//Home/how-to-make-your-house-a-home-on-a-budget.html I'm in the process of trying to make my flat more homely, but on a budget. I’m on the hunt for bargains and one-off pieces that don't cost a fortune - and don't leave me without any option but Ikea. I've done pretty well so far, so I thought I’d share my furniture hunting tips. Amy Rutter Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:13:44 GMT Home 4456 ~//Home/top-five-christmas-craft-blogs.html Over the next few weeks I will be sharing my insider knowledge on how to make a chic handmade and homemade Christmas. A crafty Christmas can easily become a tacky disaster, with horrific tasting chutneys that even the dog won't touch or crochet berets that will never see the light of day. Choose wisely when deciding to make a gift. Sadly, in my experience, not everyone is as enthusiastic about your jam jar snow globe as you are.  Louise Bush Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:00:27 GMT Home 4434 ~//Home/at-home-with-autism-creating-a-safe-environment.html Eight years ago I was preparing to give birth to my first child, and one of the many things I had to consider was welcoming this small person into my home.There are so many bits of kit that come with having a child, the list is endless and it starts to build up around your once stylish pad. The one thing I never considered was 'what if my child is born disabled?'. Of course you don't ask yourself this terrifying question, or if you do it may only be fleetingly. I was... Louise Bush Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:30:56 GMT Home 4415 ~//Home/cosy-winter-interiors-that-arent-christmassy.html The date is currently 19 November. We have 35 days until Christmas, 20 days until Hanukkah  and it's not even Thanksgiving in the States yet. The day after Thanksgiving marks the day in which I will allow Christmas music to be played, a tree to be purchased and mince pies to be eaten, until then, CHRISTMAS IS NOT HAPPENING. Cate Sevilla Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:30:01 GMT Home 4412 ~//Food/etiquette-muffins3.html Maybe it was the etiquette that my mother instilled in me from an early age, but I never arrive at a party empty handed. Whether it is a bottle of wine or a cheese platter, there is just something special and important about saying "thank you". I stumbled upon these Banana Coconut muffins by accident. It was a lazy Sunday (the very best kind) and I had been invited over to a friend’s house for an impromptu film and a catch-up. Not being one to show up ... Cailin Szczesiul Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:00:01 GMT Home 4366 ~//Home/easy-and-simple-wasy-to-reinvent-your-home.html With a plethora of television shows encouraging us to embrace the pre-loved and the upcycled, how easy is it to rejuvenate your space? It can be hard to give advice on the matter without sounding condescending or painful - "Don't lose sleep over what colour you could paint that old book case" and "when does distressed just look distressing?" Louise Bush Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:15:34 GMT Home 4358 ~//Food/how-to-make-toffee-apple-upside-down-cake.html Toffee apples aren't that great, really. They’re pretty, yes, and the first delicious crack of the sugar coating is always a pleasure. But once you've eaten the shell you’re just left with an apple on a stick. And not usually a particularly great apple, at that. Toffee apple cake solves this problem. Not only is the apple baked, which makes even the most end of season fruit taste instantly better, but it’s sandwiched  betwe... Kate Diamond Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:18:36 GMT Home 4351 ~//Food/bonfire-night-mini-chilli-cheese-biscuits.html Organised firework displays generally involve a lot of waiting around. Much as it would be nice to pass the time with warm snacks, it isn't particularly feasible. Who wants to fiddle with tin foil wrapped food if it means taking off their gloves? So, if you can’t have warm food, the next best thing is spicy. Kate Diamond Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:30:18 GMT Home 4341 ~//Food/brew-dog-beer-cocktails.html Brew Dog is steadily taking over the world with its rock and roll approach to real ales and craft brewing. The Aberdeen-based “libertine” brewery started back in 2007, brewing small batches of beer to sell at local markets. From there they went on to brew the world’s strongest ever beer, packaged ale in road kill and established a unique “anti-business” shareholder ownership system called Equity f... Jen Evans Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:00:10 GMT Home 4340 ~//Home/material-girl-a-guide-to-buying-fabric-online.html I started sewing about five years ago, and I soon discovered my local fabric shop seemed to be packed with naff and tacky materials. The range of fabrics available seemed to be more in keeping with stuff you'd buy to make a Halloween costume or hideous prints not seen since the 1980s - and not in a good way. Louise Bush Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:00:05 GMT Home 4337 ~//Home/squash-with-chorizo-and-bulgar-wheat.html There is just something about this time of the year.  Maybe it’s the leaves or saying goodbye to summer, but fall evokes a feeling of warmth and coziness.  I love cooking with seasonal fruits and vegetables and nothing represents fall more than squash. In addition to being quite versatile, squash is also said to have numerous health benefits such as improving lung and cardiovascular health.  Cailin Szczesiul Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:00:43 GMT Home 4332 ~//Food/say-yes-to-dude-food.html Living in a mid-size city by the sea we have our fair share of eateries and bars. The usual mix of traditional pubs, fast food chains, takeaways and a couple of more sophisticated spots all mingle side by side. Nothing unusual there? Until now. A new type of dining experience seems to be emerging in our neighbourhood. We were a little late compared to our well-heeled capital London but it has arrived. Dude Food is here. Louise Bush Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:00:23 GMT Home 4323 ~//Home/cake-quesadillas-5-delicious-pumpkin-recipes.html Canned pumpkin puree is not particularly commonplace in the UK. Though it is now stocked by a couple of the higher end supermarkets, you can't nip to your local food purveyor for a pint of milk without tripping over a pyramid of real life pumpkins in October.  Here are some of the things I made with my pumpkin, for those of you intending to puree your own, or just open a can, this Halloween. Kate Diamond Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:30:00 GMT Home 4321 ~//Food/how-to-make-chocolate-caramel-crackers.html I love reading about food online. What did we do before we could Google cup to gram conversions mid baking session? When we existed on recipe books without photos, and had to make meals without first looking at 500 Instagram photos of how said dish is supposed to be presented? I was eating Matzo directly from the pack recently, and set about looking for serving suggestions, lest I stand in the kitchen and eat an entire box of dry crackers. The first thing I stumbled upon was Smi... Kate Diamond Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:00:45 GMT Home 4315 ~//Food/eat-your-heart-out-bakery.html Eat Your Heart Out is a slightly odd event, which marries an anatomy lecture with an episode of The Great British Bake Off. This three day festival is curated by the gruesome cake-baking mastermind Miss Cakehead, whose previous events include the very memorable vagina cup... Alice Aylett Roberts Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:00:04 GMT Home 4311  ~/Home/::Page:: en-gb BABE v1 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:30:15 GMT 20 ~//Home/london-underground-inspired-homewares.html This week marks the 150th anniversary of the London Underground, aka The Tube.  The very first underground journey took place between Paddington and Farringdon on the Metropolitan Railway, and TFL have used their Facebook timeline to list all of the Tube's great achievements over the last 150 years. (F... Cate Sevilla Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:30:06 GMT Home 4577 ~//Home/easy-ways-to-keep-your-heating-bills-down.html Energy prices can soar in the winter. It’s freezing cold so we whack up the heating,  we’re at home more as we’re less likely to venture out in the evenings so we use more electrical appliances. It's a viscous cycle. Thankfully,  Amy Rutter Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:00:12 GMT Home 4548 ~//Home/woodland-creature-interiors.html The trend for woodland animals is yet to run it's course and I am rather pleased about this. There is nothing I like more than a bit of owl, fox or deer inspired design. The forest holds interiors inspiration for all tastes, from the outright kitsch to the chic and subtle.  If monochrome is your thing then Fine Little Day has a host of woodland inspired designs. My favourite is this poster Louise Bush Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:30:06 GMT Home 4508 ~//Home/small-is-beautiful-adventures-in-a-tiny-house.html I have long been a fan of the tiny home - way before Channel 4 screened Amazing Spaces with that George chap and his mouldy caravan. For many of us a small home is a necessity due to finance or city living where space is at a premium. Louise Bush Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:00:09 GMT Home 4476 ~//Home/support-british-handmade-gifts-this-christmas.html As a member of the Crafts Council it goes without saying that I am incredibly passionate about designers and makers. I firmly believe that Britain is at the forefront of design and craft.  If you still think the idea of buying a handmade gift is somehow twee or a little bit shoddy, think again.  Louise Bush Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:30:05 GMT Home 4458 ~//Home/how-to-make-your-house-a-home-on-a-budget.html I'm in the process of trying to make my flat more homely, but on a budget. I’m on the hunt for bargains and one-off pieces that don't cost a fortune - and don't leave me without any option but Ikea. I've done pretty well so far, so I thought I’d share my furniture hunting tips. Amy Rutter Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:13:44 GMT Home 4456 ~//Home/top-five-christmas-craft-blogs.html Over the next few weeks I will be sharing my insider knowledge on how to make a chic handmade and homemade Christmas. A crafty Christmas can easily become a tacky disaster, with horrific tasting chutneys that even the dog won't touch or crochet berets that will never see the light of day. Choose wisely when deciding to make a gift. Sadly, in my experience, not everyone is as enthusiastic about your jam jar snow globe as you are.  Louise Bush Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:00:27 GMT Home 4434 ~//Home/at-home-with-autism-creating-a-safe-environment.html Eight years ago I was preparing to give birth to my first child, and one of the many things I had to consider was welcoming this small person into my home.There are so many bits of kit that come with having a child, the list is endless and it starts to build up around your once stylish pad. The one thing I never considered was 'what if my child is born disabled?'. Of course you don't ask yourself this terrifying question, or if you do it may only be fleetingly. I was... Louise Bush Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:30:56 GMT Home 4415 ~//Home/cosy-winter-interiors-that-arent-christmassy.html The date is currently 19 November. We have 35 days until Christmas, 20 days until Hanukkah  and it's not even Thanksgiving in the States yet. The day after Thanksgiving marks the day in which I will allow Christmas music to be played, a tree to be purchased and mince pies to be eaten, until then, CHRISTMAS IS NOT HAPPENING. Cate Sevilla Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:30:01 GMT Home 4412 ~//Food/etiquette-muffins3.html Maybe it was the etiquette that my mother instilled in me from an early age, but I never arrive at a party empty handed. Whether it is a bottle of wine or a cheese platter, there is just something special and important about saying "thank you". I stumbled upon these Banana Coconut muffins by accident. It was a lazy Sunday (the very best kind) and I had been invited over to a friend’s house for an impromptu film and a catch-up. Not being one to show up ... Cailin Szczesiul Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:00:01 GMT Home 4366 ~//Home/easy-and-simple-wasy-to-reinvent-your-home.html With a plethora of television shows encouraging us to embrace the pre-loved and the upcycled, how easy is it to rejuvenate your space? It can be hard to give advice on the matter without sounding condescending or painful - "Don't lose sleep over what colour you could paint that old book case" and "when does distressed just look distressing?" Louise Bush Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:15:34 GMT Home 4358 ~//Food/how-to-make-toffee-apple-upside-down-cake.html Toffee apples aren't that great, really. They’re pretty, yes, and the first delicious crack of the sugar coating is always a pleasure. But once you've eaten the shell you’re just left with an apple on a stick. And not usually a particularly great apple, at that. Toffee apple cake solves this problem. Not only is the apple baked, which makes even the most end of season fruit taste instantly better, but it’s sandwiched  betwe... Kate Diamond Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:18:36 GMT Home 4351 ~//Food/bonfire-night-mini-chilli-cheese-biscuits.html Organised firework displays generally involve a lot of waiting around. Much as it would be nice to pass the time with warm snacks, it isn't particularly feasible. Who wants to fiddle with tin foil wrapped food if it means taking off their gloves? So, if you can’t have warm food, the next best thing is spicy. Kate Diamond Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:30:18 GMT Home 4341 ~//Food/brew-dog-beer-cocktails.html Brew Dog is steadily taking over the world with its rock and roll approach to real ales and craft brewing. The Aberdeen-based “libertine” brewery started back in 2007, brewing small batches of beer to sell at local markets. From there they went on to brew the world’s strongest ever beer, packaged ale in road kill and established a unique “anti-business” shareholder ownership system called Equity f... Jen Evans Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:00:10 GMT Home 4340 ~//Home/material-girl-a-guide-to-buying-fabric-online.html I started sewing about five years ago, and I soon discovered my local fabric shop seemed to be packed with naff and tacky materials. The range of fabrics available seemed to be more in keeping with stuff you'd buy to make a Halloween costume or hideous prints not seen since the 1980s - and not in a good way. Louise Bush Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:00:05 GMT Home 4337 ~//Home/squash-with-chorizo-and-bulgar-wheat.html There is just something about this time of the year.  Maybe it’s the leaves or saying goodbye to summer, but fall evokes a feeling of warmth and coziness.  I love cooking with seasonal fruits and vegetables and nothing represents fall more than squash. In addition to being quite versatile, squash is also said to have numerous health benefits such as improving lung and cardiovascular health.  Cailin Szczesiul Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:00:43 GMT Home 4332 ~//Food/say-yes-to-dude-food.html Living in a mid-size city by the sea we have our fair share of eateries and bars. The usual mix of traditional pubs, fast food chains, takeaways and a couple of more sophisticated spots all mingle side by side. Nothing unusual there? Until now. A new type of dining experience seems to be emerging in our neighbourhood. We were a little late compared to our well-heeled capital London but it has arrived. Dude Food is here. Louise Bush Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:00:23 GMT Home 4323 ~//Home/cake-quesadillas-5-delicious-pumpkin-recipes.html Canned pumpkin puree is not particularly commonplace in the UK. Though it is now stocked by a couple of the higher end supermarkets, you can't nip to your local food purveyor for a pint of milk without tripping over a pyramid of real life pumpkins in October.  Here are some of the things I made with my pumpkin, for those of you intending to puree your own, or just open a can, this Halloween. Kate Diamond Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:30:00 GMT Home 4321 ~//Food/how-to-make-chocolate-caramel-crackers.html I love reading about food online. What did we do before we could Google cup to gram conversions mid baking session? When we existed on recipe books without photos, and had to make meals without first looking at 500 Instagram photos of how said dish is supposed to be presented? I was eating Matzo directly from the pack recently, and set about looking for serving suggestions, lest I stand in the kitchen and eat an entire box of dry crackers. The first thing I stumbled upon was Smi... Kate Diamond Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:00:45 GMT Home 4315 ~//Food/eat-your-heart-out-bakery.html Eat Your Heart Out is a slightly odd event, which marries an anatomy lecture with an episode of The Great British Bake Off. This three day festival is curated by the gruesome cake-baking mastermind Miss Cakehead, whose previous events include the very memorable vagina cup... Alice Aylett Roberts Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:00:04 GMT Home 4311