This isn't a long blog post - but have you ever suffered from tiny holes in cotton t-shirts and knitwear?  Right in the middle at the front?!  I do and I had absolutely no idea what was causing them.  And it happens on new clothing too, after one wear!  Sometimes the holes appear in other spots but generally they are right in the middle.  I actually wrote about it on my blog a few years ago but didn't find an explanation or a solution.  Until now - discover button covers!

Holé are silicon button covers, promising to rid you of those mysterious holes.  I saw them on Instagram and then they got in touch, having found my original blog post and offering to solve the problem.  They sent me two packets to try and two new colours to give feedback on.

This wasn't my original plan for my final pre-Christmas post.  But sometimes I don't want to plan or schedule, I just want to write and talk about how I feel and I want to ask you how you are feeling.  So today I am just chatting and taking a look back at 2020 for me, my life and my blog.  Do comment or email me if you too want to chat!

I am bitterly disappointed with the ongoing approach to Covid.  I am bitterly disappointed in our governments muddled and inconsistent approach.  No I don't think I could have done any better and yes I do appreciate they have a really really difficult job and a huge challenge in totally unprecedented circumstances.  

Onto the positives!!   Below is one of my favourite photos from 2020 - I did feel like I was having an extended holiday in my garden!  Frida swimsuit from Figleaves now has 25% off .

Have you ever used an essential oils diffuser in your home?  They have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity and especially as they are completely natural.  I love using aromatherapy for the relaxing scents and therapeutic benefits.  I have a small aroma diffuser I use in my bedroom but I don't bother with moving it downstairs.  So when Smellacloud got in touch to ask if I would like to try one of their diffusers and choose some essential oils, I was delighted to have a second one for my kitchen and conservatory area or I might use it more in my study.

An aroma diffuser uses the essence of natural oils to release a relaxing scent into your home.  You can choose a specific oil or blend oils to create your perfect scent to uplift, invigorate, sooth or calm ... whatever you need.  A diffuser will release the aroma of the essential oil into the air to be inhaled and easily absorbed by the body.

And evaporating essential oils is an easy way to remove unwanted smells from the kitchen.  Chemical-free with a pleasant scent that will purify as well as help kill bacteria and fungus.  Also a lovely way to create an ambience to suit the season, choose cinnamon, sweet orange, frankincense and myrrh or nutmeg for the approaching Christmas holidays.

Are you struggling with Christmas gift ideas this year, I don't know about you but I am not sure I'm feeling very Christmassy yet, we are all waiting to find out what we are allowed to do or not do.  I very much doubt I will be dressing up much for Christmas 2020!  But the downtime has given me an opportunity to look at some unique gift ideas and share a few suggestions with you on this blog post.  I am again focussing on 'collect memories, not things' with ideas for uncluttered gifting.

I have combined three important factors in my selection - 'make memories' by gifting a day out or an experience, items that can be 'used or consumed' in a short timeframe or if not I have made sure they have 'ethical and sustainable credentials'.  And most of these gifts are adaptable for teens, midlifers, grandparents, male, female, mum or dad ....