Joo's Profile

Brilliant tips! Sometimes I'll treat my basket like an outbox. Just because it's in there, doesn't mean I have to buy it. I'll do a final consideration check at the checkout and take things out I don't really want or need.

It's also good to go for more expensive long term buys that are better quality. They last longer and you make a more considered purchase. We desperately need a larger wardrobe at the moment but we're waiting until we have the money to buy something beautiful that we love rather than chipboard from ikea. It'll last forever so we'll never have to buy another and every time we see it we'll think 'aah how lovely!'

I once spent far too much money on a Vivienne Westwood winter coat. Every time I put it on I get a little bit of pleasure. It feels beautiful, it looks beautiful and the cut is perfect for my figure. Definitely worth it!

I need ideas for my project... I'm working on a bathroom cabinet solution. I've sourced a vintage French light oak cabinet and bought the fixings. We've decided we'll replace the glass in the door with a mirror. What I'm stuck on is the inside. It has internal shelves which are quite stained. I don't really want to paint it but the shelves need some kind of cover up. Help!

My partners parents are coming at the end of Feb so that will be our get together

I love Spring, I LOVE Summer, I'm learning to like Autumn and Winter is fine until January 1st. But following that I HATE IT. Or I did, until I started reading one of my Christmas gift books - a journal by a gardening guru of mine. He suffers from SAD and I was enlightened to read that January hails a new hope for him. The days are getting longer and giving more minutes of daylight. There is work to be started, rather than finishing up the old mess at the end of the year. Plants start to give glimpses of new growth with each new day. It has completely changed my viewpoint. This morning I found my Christmas box is flowering and the garden is full of it's heady scent. I spotted at least two types of bulb pushing up new shoots. Admittedly I live in London and am a gardener which is what affords these simple pleasures but nevertheless I've begun to wake up each morning with a fresher feeling!

In the UK most households have a tankless boiler - usually a combi which covers hot water and central heating. To get round the shower issue many households have an electric shower that runs separate from the gas system. Where that doesn't happen everyone just uses the 'yell' method if someone turns on the hot tap while you're in the shower 'I'M IN THE SHOWER!!!!!' works fine!

This one might sound obvious but make it your home, not someone elses. I spent ages choosing paint colours for my walls. People came round and said - just choose one quick or you'll drive yourself crazy. That doesn't work for me - looking at a bad colour on a wall drives me a bit crazy. My bathroom still isn't choosen and it's a patchwork of tester shades. When people come out of the bathroom they always have an opinion about which one is best. I'm enjoying the unfinishedness of it!

It's all about baby salad crops for me at the moment: pea shoots, rocket seedlings, baby beetroot leaves and red mustard seedlings. The radish thinnings are even tasty as well! Tons of vitamin C and my garden table looks like a salad bar!