Win a Harrods Handbag

Originally planned as a Christmas giveaway, I decided to postpone it because the postal service was under enormous strain. I didn't want to add to it unnecessarily and risk the prize getting lost into the bargain. However, I am aware that life is stressful and miserable at the moment, for various reasons, so hopefully, I can cheer somebody up with this lovely Harrods handbag prize. Just try to ignore the Christmas-themed photo, it took me ages, and I didn't want to have to reshoot the whole thing! Entry is via the Rafflecopter below, I've kept the entry requirements small, so it won't take long and there's a free entry, even if you don't use Social Media. Good luck! 

Would you Encourage a Career in Engineering for Your School Leaver?

I attended an online presentation last week with my son on the career options in a manufacturing firm near us. We are surrounded by big-name manufacturers where we live and I was really taken with the idea of an apprenticeship. I'd never really thought about it before, I didn't even realise they were still a thing, but I thought it was important we got some insight into potential careers since we won't be going to any events any time soon and I really learned a lot. Things have changed since I was at school and young people are required to stay in education even longer, which is great, but I'm glad there are options available for those who may not be that academically minded and would prefer something a bit more hands-on. 

How to Declutter and Still Be Sentimental

 I've never considered myself to be a hoarder, but I do like to hang onto things. Not necessarily out of sentimentality, although that is often the case, sometimes because there is no real reason not to keep something. I look after things and keep them in good condition, so why not just let it all stay? Like most people, though, my house is not huge, and recently I've found myself dreaming of a bigger place even more than usual. Something had to give and it was time to either buy an awful lot of lottery tickets or get tough. I started with my dressing table, which I talked about in Creating my Small Space Home Office and I've carried on from there. Here's how I decluttered my whole house successfully, without losing my mind, or anything I didn't want to.