Simple craft projects that are great for sharing on social media

Some of my favourite crafts are simple ones that don't need many materials, and it's even better if you don't need to go shopping and can use things that you already have at home. 

Today I'm sharing some of my favourite crafts that are great for beginners. They also look fantastic when shared on social media, or they can be used as a way to enhance your online content. You can find the tutorial for each craft by following the links below.

Felt heart bunting

Felt bunting is a great way to use up scraps of felt that you may have lying around from other projects, and it is so simple to make. All you need to do is cut out small hearts (or you can try different shapes like circles or stars) from colourful pieces of felt, then string them together. I used a sewing machine to connect the hearts, but you can make it even easier by just glueing them to a length of cord or ribbon. The bunting looks great strung up for a colourful background, or you can use it as decoration in the background of another craft post or image.

You can find the tutorial here - Simple felt heart bunting

Recycled book crafts

If you have any old or damaged books that are headed for the recycling bin, there are some lovely photogenic crafts that you can make with the pages. My favourite is making simple bookmarks, which are a great fit for pairing with book reviews, blog posts about reading or images of books.

See how I made them here - Bookmarks made from old book pages

Tin can lanterns from upcycled cans

All you need for this project are some old tin cans, a hammer and a nail. My tutorial below explains how to make punching the holes for the lantern really easy, and how to make them look cheerful even during the day with colourful beads around the rim. The lanterns look great when photographed at dusk or at night, and would be a great accessory for content related to outdoor parties or as a backdrop to lifestyle content.

The full instructions are here - How to make simple tin can lanterns

Fabric covered plant pots

These flowerpots are another great craft for using up scraps of fabric which you may have lying around. You can match the fabric to your home decor, and they look great in photos if you use bright, cheerful fabrics in a range of different designs and pots in a variety of sizes. They would brighten up images of a bookshelf or windowsill, and would work well with content about gardening or houseplant care.

Find details here - How to make fabric covered plant pots

Easy beaded bracelets

Stretch beaded bracelets are so easy to make, all you need is some stretch elastic, a selection of beads and some superglue to keep the knots secure. You can make bracelets for special occasions like a concert, and take colourful photos of your arm covered with bracelets as you sing along to your favourite group or singer. They can be made in different colours to reflect the changing seasons, or to co-ordinate with different outfits, making them a great accessory for outfit posts. You can also use them in flat lays. 

Here's how I made my ocean themed stretch beaded bracelets

All of these crafts are really fun and simple to make and they also look great if you are planning on sharing the results on your social media or as a part of your online content creation!

How to pack light for a longer holiday

We have been lucky enough to enjoy some longer holidays over the years, but as the children have grown so has our need for suitcases! 

Before children we managed a two week trip around Europe with just hand luggage, we also survived nearly six weeks away with a suitcase and a holdall. I even lived in Germany for a year with mainly just the contents of a 22kg suitcase. So I like to think that I'm quite good at planning my packing to be as minimal as possible. 

Travelling light isn't just about saving on your weight allowance, it's also much easier when it comes to moving around airports and stations with a suitcase, and with less to keep track of it takes away some of the worries.

Here are some tips!

Try to wash clothes while you are away

If you can, book accommodation with laundry facilities. This is the reason that we usually book a villa stay when we travel to Florida - I'm able to keep up with washing as we go and we only need to pack clothes for a few days. It can be a pain taking time out of your holiday to faff with the washing, but it makes such a difference with the packing and it's so nice to come home with a suitcase of clean clothes! On our recent trip to Seoul we stayed in a hotel with a coin laundry which was fantastic, I would never pay for a hotel laundry service so it's definitely worth looking for self-service facilities.

If there aren't any washing facilities you can always wash by hand in the sink or bath, especially underwear that will dry quickly. You can either take some hand washing liquid with you, or in the past I've just used shower gel! Take clothes made from lightweight materials like sportswear and they will dry more quickly if you wash by hand.

Plan your clothes packing carefully

Unless you are an Instagram influencer then you really don't need a fresh outfit each day. Obviously underwear needs to be changed, but outer layers like trousers and jumpers can be worn a few times. 

Make sure that everything you pack goes well together, with neutral colours that can be mixed and matched.

Pack lightweight clothing that can be layered depending on the temperature or your activities.

Choose items that can be worn in different ways. For example I might wear a summer dress during the day, then add leggings and a cardigan for the evening. 

Bring the clothes that you enjoy wearing at home, don't bring clothes that you will avoid wearing and will turn out to be a waste of space.

Don't pack extra 'just in case' clothes - you will always be able to make do with what you have even if it means washing a few things out after unexpected accidents.

Photo credit Nick Fewings via Unsplash

Check what is included in your accommodation

Don't pack towels unless you are absolutely certain that you will need them. If you are going self-catered you can shop for essentials like toilet rolls, tissues, bin bags or dishwasher tablets when you arrive. 

Remember weight rather than size

If you are flying, it will usually be the weight that limits what you can take with you. I find that the heaviest things are usually shoes, so try to pack pairs that can go with all of your outfits. I try to limit myself to a pair of trainers for walking and some comfortable sandals if we are going somewhere hot. Depending on the type of holiday you might also want a pair of dressier shoes.

Books also add to the weight, so if you are an avid reader consider using an e-reader. When we went on our long holiday in the days before Kindles I chose one nice thick book - Anna Karenina - which kept me occupied for the entire trip!

Another way to save weight is to decant toiletries into smaller bottles, or do what I do and plan to use toiletries provided by your accommodation. If you arrive and there aren't any supplied then you can always just buy some when you arrive.

If you are packing heavy clothes like boots or winter coats then try and wear them for travel days.

A luggage scale is a great investment if you are worried about going over a weight limit - we have a simple strap one that you hang the suitcase from and it's very accurate. You can keep track while you are packing, and it helps you to think more carefully about what's going in.

Modern suitcases are much lighter than older ones, so it might be worth upgrading if you are wasting some of your weight allowance on bulky luggage.

Look for travel sized items

If you travel regularly it's definitely worth investing in some lightweight accessories. For example a small, light umbrella or a device charger with multiple USB ports. Thin, foldable ponchos are a great alternative to a bulky raincoat if you aren't sure whether you'll need one.

Remember that other places have shops too

Most of what you need can always be purchased while you are away. Even if you are staying in a remote resort there will always be a shop for essentials.

I always consider the things that absolutely couldn't be replaced, and anything other than that is a bonus. Apart from travel documents, for us that is our glasses as we are glasses wearers (and a spare pair is essential too!) and medication that would be difficult to replace or find an alternative.

Do you have any tips to add?

The things that make me love a book

Recently I've been making really good progress working through my to be read pile, and part of that has been becoming much more strict about the books that make it on there in the first place. I've become more inclined to put a book aside if it isn't grabbing me within the first few chapters, and I've been ruthless with some of the free books that had been piling up on my Kindle. 

It's taken me a good number of years of reading to work out what it is about a book that makes me love it! Here are some of the things that I've narrowed it down to:

Female authors and a female main character

Until a few years ago I never really thought about whether the book I was reading was written by a man or a woman. But now I've realised that although I do enjoy many books written by male authors, it's usually the female ones that really grab me. I find that they tend to focus more on relationships and characters rather than just what is happening in the plot. There is often more observational detail, and more focus a character's inner thoughts and feelings.

Plenty of description

I love books that really immerse me in a place, whether it's somewhere familiar to me or somewhere that I can learn more about. I enjoy detailed descriptions, and I tend more towards a rural or coastal setting rather than a city. For example - Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens), The Paper Palace (Miranda Cowley Heller).

A twist, but not too obvious

Twists in a book are great, but I don't want to spend the whole time trying to work it out. I want to concentrate on the story, not be looking for hidden details and double meanings that might or might not end up being important. My favourite book of all time is like that - Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier) and I also enjoyed We Were Liars (E. Lockhart). But the best twist in a book that I've read comes in I Let You Go (Claire Mackintosh).

An element that leaves me thinking

I'm especially drawn to speculative fiction, stories that are set just a few years in the future but where things have changed either as a result of society or technology. Some of my favourite examples are The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood), Klara and the Sun (Kazuo Ishiguru), The School for Good Mothers (Jessamine Chan) and Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguru). I like to be left with something unsettling to ponder.

Photo credit Zooey Li via Unsplash

Unreliable narrators

I enjoy books that are narrated by a character that you can't be sure is telling the complete truth, and where you have to read between the lines to work out what is really going on. Many of Kazuo Ishiguru's books fall in to this category, and one of my favourites is The Remains of the Day. I also like books that are written as a stream of consciousness, like I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith). Rebecca ticks this box too - so much of the book is things that don't actually happen, they are just imagined by the narrator.

Booker Prize shortlisted books and winners

For some reason, Booker Prize shortlisted books and winners always seem to appeal to me. Recently I've loved Orbital (Samantha Harvey, winner in 2024) and Great Circle (Maggie Shipstead, shortlisted in 2021). I would love to have the funds to be able to buy the Booker Prize shortlist every year when it's announced! World of Books, where I buy second hand books when I'm after a specific title, even has a dedicated section on their website for previous Booker prize books which is very handy.

A nice cover

Yes I know, I'm shallow! But the cover of a book does make a difference to me when I'm browsing, especially in the library or a charity shop when there is less money changing hands and less pressure to pick the perfect book. Covers are very carefully chosen by a publisher, and I can usually tell from a cover what type of book it is. Or at least I know which ones to avoid - like those with gory pictures!

What do you find grabs you in a book?

Hobbies which calm the mind

Earlier this year I wrote about my obsession with jigsaw puzzles, and how it was helping me to calm my mind when I was going through a difficult time. I found it a great way to slow down, focus, and also feel that I was bring some order out of the chaos of jumbled pieces.

I've found a few hobbies that help to relax me when I'm feeling anxious or worrying about something, and so I thought I'd share them here in case they can be of help to others. These hobbies can help to take your mind off what you are worrying about, and their repetitive nature can be meditative and calming. They also offer a sense of achievement when completed.

Jigsaw puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles force you to slow down and concentrate on the shape and colour of the pieces in front of you, and you get a small hit of satisfaction with every one that you slot together. I like to have a jigsaw puzzle out on the table whenever I can so that I can work on it a bit a time. It's a really absorbing process watching it all come together.

Running or walking

I enjoy getting out for a run or walk a few times a week. I enjoy my surroundings, and I also have the mental space to sort through anything that's on my mind. Some fresh air and exercise always makes me feel better, and the feeling continues for a long time afterwards. Running is a great hobby to start because it's really easy to track your progress, and you can feel the satisfaction as you begin to complete longer runs and manage a faster pace. 

Colouring

Adult colouring is very popular at the moment, and there are a huge range of colouring books and pens available. Try to keep away from social media and just focus on colouring for yourself rather than feeling the need to compete with others. You really don't need many supplies, I'm sure most people have some colouring pens or pencils tucked away and there are lots of free printable colouring pages available online.

Cross stitch

Cross stitch or embroidery is another hobby that is easy to pick up and put down, with a repetitive and mediative nature. I like to work on large projects that take me years to complete, but I do intersperse them with smaller pieces that can be finished in just a few hours. I like the feeling of the thread running through the fabric and watching the pattern come together.

Similarly, knitting and crochet are great hobbies to quieten those racing thoughts with some tactile repetition as you follow a pattern, count the stitches, and watch your project take shape in your hands. Even though it's repetitive, it's challenging enough not to be boring.

Gardening

My garden is new so I have lots of empty beds, which very quickly fill up with weeds! I've found that I can easily spend a couple of hours out there weeding away and the fresh air and job satisfaction always leaves me feeling calmer afterwards.

Yoga or stretches

I don't do serious yoga, but I do have some stretching videos that I enjoy which often include yoga poses. Just closing the door and rolling out my yoga mat already helps me to feel relaxed, and because I follow videos that are familiar to me I don't have to concentrate on following the routine. I just go along with it and feel lovely and relaxed afterwards.

I think it's important to remember that taking the time for a calming hobby isn't indulgent, it's something that is really important for good mental health. Just making time for a few minutes doing something enjoyable and relaxing can make a big difference, and help you to face the world when things feel overwhelming.

How I survive long haul flights

I've been lucky enough to enjoy some wonderful holidays to far flung destinations, and I like to think I'm a pretty seasoned traveller when it comes to flying long haul. So I thought I'd share some tips for things that have helped me survive a long haul flight and emerge at the end ready for a new adventure, or prepared to get back into the swing of things at home!

Before flying

We try to pre-book seats or check in on time to choose seats together. I like an aisle seat, so I usually have the children next to me by the window. Bulkhead seats are nice for extra legroom, but I'm short and I'm personally not a fan - hand luggage has to go in the overhead compartment, the table and screen are awkwardly positioned, the toilet queue is right beside you, and it's where they keep the noisy babies! 

As soon as I sit in my seat I change my phone clock to the new timezone and sync my watch. I try to get myself in the mindset for the new time, so if it's suddenly evening I imagine being ready to go to sleep.

Finally when packing for peace of mind I always make everyone pop spare underwear and a clean top into hand luggage. You never know when you'll spill a drink down yourself, or whether your suitcase may end up in a different place. 

Daytime flights

I find long daytime flights the hardest. I keep the flight map up on the screen and sometimes it can just go so slowly! 

I download plenty of entertainment to my phone. I only found out recently that you can download videos from YouTube to watch offline! I choose light, easy to watch videos that normally I pass over for something more substantial. There's usually something that I want to watch on the entertainment system, maybe an old film that I've not watched in years or some episodes of a sitcom that I enjoy.

I take plenty of reading material. Mostly it's on my Kindle, but I always make sure to take at least one physical book in case of a Kindle mishap. I'll choose a book that I've been looking forward to reading (making sure that I've read the first few pages and know it's one I'm going to enjoy). A few days before we go away I have a good browse of the Prime Reading Library and free Kindle books to make sure that I've got plenty of options, and I have lots of old favourites in my Kindle library.

I like to take a notepad and pen too, useful if anyone needs to be entertained with some pen and paper games and it's somewhere to jot down random thoughts that come into my head when I'm bored and staring into space!

I pack plenty of snacks, and I try to include things that I don't eat often and are a bit of a treat. Minstrels are good because they don't melt if it's hot, and I like savoury snacks like the little packs from Graze. 

I also try to nap even on a daytime flight. It's not easy when people are going up and down the aisle or the children need something, but it does make the time pass more quickly.

Photo credit Suhyeon Choi via Unsplash

Night flights

For me night flights are all about sleeping, as much as possible. Whether it's because I want to make the most of our first day in a new location or so that I can arrive home and not need to fall straight into bed and make the jet lag worse.

I have an unusual neck pillow which is called a trtl pillow. I'm not sure it's much more comfortable than a classic neck pillow, but it packs down small in my hand luggage and it has a long fleecy scarf which I wrap around almost my whole face. I use it with a black sleep mask and ear plugs, and that combination really does help me to get some sleep.

Before a night flight we try to eat dinner at the airport. For a longer flight I'll wait for the meal on the plane, but for a shorter long haul flight I'll just make sure that the children are comfortable and then I'll tuck myself up for sleep straight away. I don't have an alcoholic drink, it's tempting because I know it would make me feel dozy, but I think I would wake up during the flight feeling worse.

Even if I can't sleep during the flight I try to avoid turning on the screen or a reading light. Luckily night flights on planes are set up for sleeping with disturbances kept to a minimum so I can usually at least doze. It's such a nice feeling to wake up from a sleep on the plane and check the map to see that you are nearly at your destination.

After landing

I make sure that I'm mentally in the new time zone immediately. Even if it feels like the middle of the night I try to stay awake as long as I can, and eat meals at the correct times - sunlight, fresh air and exercise can help to stay awake. If we've landed early morning and I know that I can't manage the whole day awake then I will have a nap early afternoon, but I'll set an alarm and force myself to get up and keep going!

A look at my current 'to be read' pile

Back in June I shared my to be read pile, and it's changed quite a lot since then as I've been making a big effort to sort through it! So I thought I'd do a little update post. Here's how it looked in June:

And here is how it is currently looking:

Yes that's right, just five books! You may notice that two of the heavy hitters, War and Peace and the Steve Jobs autobiography have vanished. They had been there a long time and I was not realistically going to read them when there are so many other lovely books around. I will hang on to War and Peace because I really would like to read it someday, but I found the Steve Jobs book very dry so that's heading for the charity shop!

The remaining books are:

The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon - This is a book that I like to dip in and out of so I like to keep it by the bed.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami - I enjoy Murakami's books but I've not really got into this one yet, it's not a long book, I just need to make a start.

Demon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver - This was a recent World of Books purchase and I'm really looking forward to getting to it because it sounds right up my street. I'm saving it to take on holiday!

A Saunterer in Sussex by A. A. Evans - One of my Dad's books that caught my eye, it's a series of chapters about walks through various locations and landmarks in Sussex. I'm about halfway through, it's quite a dry and old-fashioned read but I'm enjoying it.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks - Another book that I'm halfway through. It's an interesting non-fiction read, filled with case histories of patients with different neurological disorders. I put it down because I found that it was getting a bit repetitive, so now I've had a break I'll be picking it up again!

Now this might seem good, but conspicuous by it's absence is my Kindle!

Currently there are 17 items in my To Be Read collection, which is actually better than it was a few days ago when I had a bit of a cull. Most of these books are part of the Amazon First Reads scheme which offers one or two free books a month to Prime members. These are mainly all new books by new authors, and it's a great way to find new writers. Unfortunately I have found that they can be a bit hit and miss, with quite a few more misses than hits. So now that some of them have been out long enough to build up reviews on Goodreads I've been a bit ruthless with removing the ones that are getting terrible reviews, or the ones that haven't grabbed me after the first few chapters.

I have a holiday coming up and I'm hoping to fit in plenty of reading time, I really want to get those Kindle books down, and I also want to get back into the habit of going to the library because I have a huge list of new books that I want to read!

How many watts does a monitor use - A guide for parents choosing baby monitors

This is a collaborative post

When you’re picking out a baby monitor, your mind’s probably racing with a million questions. Somewhere in there, you might start wondering, “How many watts does a monitor use?” It’s a fair worry, especially if you are planning to use a video baby monitor that basically never takes a nap. 

This article outlines the various factors that influence a monitor’s wattage, the comparison between different display technologies, and the reasons behind varying energy consumption of monitors. Furthermore, you will become acquainted with the simplest ways to calculate power usage and the corresponding cost as well as receive some tips that will help you save energy.

Photo credit Isaac Quesada via Unsplash

Understanding the Basics of Monitor Power Consumption

Shopping for a baby monitor is kind of a rabbit hole. You start out wanting to keep an eye on your kid using a video baby monitor, and suddenly you’re comparing energy bills and wondering how many watts does a monitor use by squinting at “wattage” numbers like you’re prepping for a physics exam.

Here’s the deal: Monitors that suck up more watts usually have flashier screens or a bunch of bells and whistles—think night vision, lullabies, the works. But honestly? You probably don’t need a monitor that could double as a disco ball. The lower-watt ones do the basics just fine and won’t make your electric bill weep. Pick something that keeps tabs on your baby without eating too much power.

Key Factors That Influence a Monitor's Wattage

Energy usage of baby monitors can be changed due to multiple factors and understanding these factors will allow you to make better decisions. What features, size, and the type of the display determine how many watts does a monitor use. Extra-function or continuous monitoring, as in the case of a video baby monitor, are usually a higher power consumption source. 

Here’s the real scoop on what actually messes with how much power your baby monitor uses:

Display type and size: Size totally matters. A massive, high-resolution screen? Yeah, it’s gonna suck up way more power than some tiny, basic display. You also need to know the difference between LED, LCD, and OLED—each one’s got its own power-hungry quirks.

Extra features: Monitors with built-in night lights, temperature sensors, or those video baby monitors have a higher power consumption than simpler models. More features equals more energy getting slurped up. 

Volume and alert settings: Crank up the volume or set your monitor to chirp at every little noise? That’s gonna eat a bit more electricity, too. Not a ton, but it adds up.

Connectivity and wireless functions: Wireless devices that use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? Keeping that connection alive drains a steady trickle of power, so don’t be surprised if your battery cries for help sooner.

Standby and active modes: Some monitors in standby mode hardly use any power, but when you change them to “active,” they consume a lot of power very quickly. 

The Role of Display Technology: LED vs. LCD vs. OLED

What kind of screen your baby monitor rocks actually matters a lot, both for how it looks on your nightstand and how much juice it sucks from the outlet. How many watts does a monitor use can vary widely depending on the screen technology and features.

Let’s break it down real quick:

LED displays: These screens are energy-efficient and bright, making them a popular choice for standard baby monitors. Some models with a video baby monitor feature still manage to keep power use low.

LCD displays: LCDs are widely available and can handle larger screens, but they tend to slurp up more watts than LEDs. Not exactly what you want if you’re chasing efficiency.

OLED displays: If you want to use an OLED, expect gorgeous colors, and blacks so deep you’ll lose a sock in them. However, that kind of eye candy needs a lot of power, especially when you throw in extra features. 

Why Gaming Monitors Use More Power Than Standard Displays

Usually, gaming monitors are more power-hungry as they feature fast refresh rates, big screen sizes, and high brightness levels to be able to show detailed graphics. A regular computer or TV screen are simple standard displays that consume less energy unless they are also designed to meet the same performance requirements. 

Besides those displays, there is also a video baby monitor which is a more compact, multifunctional device that includes a screen, a camera, and a microphone for a live watch. When you consider how many watts does a monitor use, the difference becomes clear between high-power gaming models, standard displays, and those that are made for baby care. 

Calculating Your Monitor's Energy Usage and Cost

Parents can get an idea of the baby monitor's energy consumption when they calculate how much it will cost them to run their baby monitor daily. The easiest method is to find out how many watts does a monitor use, then multiply that by the number of hours the monitor is on and by the electricity rate in the house. 

For instance, a video baby monitor running during the night can lead to a considerable power consumption, however, by knowing the figures it is possible to make a budget of the expenses and still have your safety and peace of mind kept. 

The Difference Between Active Use and Standby Mode

A baby monitor uses power differently depending on whether it is fully active or in standby. In active use, the screen and sound run the whole time, which means higher energy demand. Parents asking how many watts does a monitor use should know that standby mode lowers power draw by dimming the screen while still picking up important sounds.

So, if you’re stressing over your power bill (honestly, who isn’t?), knowing the difference between the active use and the standby mode is a game changer. The bottom line is mess with those settings for a bit. You still catch every peep and squawk from the nursery, but you’re not wasting electricity like some kind of rookie. 

Simple Changes to Reduce Your Monitor's Power Consumption

Figuring out how many watts does a monitor use is honestly a lifesaver if you’re trying not to cry at your next electric bill. Tiny tweaks here and there—stuff you barely notice—can seriously drop your energy use, and you don’t have to turn your setup into some boring, bare-bones operation either. Even a smart monitor can be handled in a way that allows it to work effectively and efficiently. 

To put it simply, here are some changes that you can attempt: 

Adjust the brightness and volume. Don’t blast it unless you want your room to lit up like an airport runway. 

Stick the baby monitor at a spot where you don’t need it cranked to full brightness just to see what’s going on. Even those video baby monitors don’t need to be set to 100% brightness mode 24/7.

Turn off the features you don’t actually use. Nobody needs continuous lullabies or disco lights going all day. The less fluff, the more cash you save. 

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice for Efficiency

Knowing how many watts does a monitor use isn’t just about saving a couple bucks on your power bill—it’s also about making sure your baby’s nursery doesn’t turn into a mini sauna or some sort of electrical hazard zone. Seriously, some of those fancy video baby monitors suck up way more power than those old-school audio ones. However, you do get to watch your little one snooze in real time, so it’s a trade-off.

If you know how much power different monitors use, you can avoid spending too much on a large HD screen monitor, a night vision monitor, or a lullaby playing monotone machine. That way you can keep an eye on your baby, save the power of your home, and avoid the extra cost on your electric bill.