Happy summer solstice! Today, the 21st June, is the longest day here in the northern hemisphere, and has been a time of celebration since the Neolithic era. You may already have seen snaps of the crowds welcoming the solstice at Stonehenge today but don’t worry! The festivities are far from over and there is still time to celebrate Midsummer.
Continue reading Celebrate Midsummer
There’s still a chill in the air, but the spring equinox in March officially marks the end of winter. In the Northern hemisphere, spring is a season of rebirth. As the days get longer, lighter and eventually warmer, new leaves and buds appear on the bare ground and trees. The season is full of growth, and a sunny spring day always makes me feel inspired and motivated.
Continue reading Celebrate the start of spring!
Congratulations on getting through January! We’re fully into the swing of 2023 now, which means that Valentine’s Day, whether you love or hate it, is peeking over the horizon. Detractors of the holiday say that it is made up to boost card sales at a quiet time of year, but is there more to it than that? And, can Valentine’s day be an excuse to celebrate more than just traditional romantic love?
Continue reading What’s the best way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) runs its Big Garden Birdwatch survey every year. The survey takes place on the last weekend of January and uses the power of citizen scientists, meaning members of the general public that contribute to scientific research, to build an accurate picture of the welfare of birds across the UK.
Continue reading The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
It can no longer be denied, 2022 is winding to a close. One part of the New Year’s celebrations I have always struggled with (apart from the fireworks, which are pretty, but scare my dog) is New Year’s resolutions. There are a hundred and one tips and tricks out there for how to set resolutions and make them stick. But I find the whole thing a little bit forced. Is the new year the best time to make changes? And why do I need a new me anyway? I find that during the cold, dark months all I really want to do is hibernate. Which isn’t really the sort of “new me” that New Year’s resolutions are supposed to inspire. So, this year, instead of a New Year’s resolution, I’m going to finish 2022 by starting a gratitude journal.
Continue reading New Year, Same Me: Starting a Gratitude Journal
The hustle and bustle of Christmas, while merry and bright, can feel a bit overwhelming. Sometimes December seems to go by in a flash of shopping, travelling, wrapping and cooking. Making time to relax, either by yourself or with friends and family, is a good way to keep from getting snowed under. At Billy, we love crafting, so we’ve picked our top three crafts for Christmas to help you connect with the festive season and chill.
Continue reading Three Budget Crafts for Christmas
We’ve reached the most magical time of the year. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for Christmas to become the most stressful time of the year as well. It’s so difficult to juggle buying Christmas presents, seeing all the family, work dos, markets and food prep. And not forgetting maybe even trying to squeeze in a moment to relax?! I always find it easier to achieve a stress-free Christmas if I’ve taken some time to get properly organised first. And as one of my favourite organisation methods is lists, here’s a list of five ways to plan a perfect Christmas day. Notebooks at the ready!
Continue reading How to plan a perfect Christmas day
Christmas is lighting up the horizon and I am excited. It’s hard to deny that Christmas magic! I love the indulgence of a mince pie with a steaming cup of mulled wine, and there’s nothing quite like ending a walk on a crisp winter’s day by catching up with friends in a cosy, fairy-light wreathed pub. However, the one part of the season that can be either a treasure or a torture is buying Christmas gifts. There’s nothing worse than struggling to think of the right present for someone. And although I really love taking my time to find thoughtful gifts for my friends and family, I don’t want it to take over the whole of Christmas! So, to help you start ticking presents off your Christmas list, we’ve put together the Billy Christmas Gift Guide 2022.
Continue reading Christmas Gift Guide 2022
The end of October means just one thing: Halloween! I love celebrating this spooky autumn holiday. However it was only recently that I actually took the time to learn more about the history of Halloween.
Continue reading The History of Halloween
We’re now well into the time of year when the shops are filled to the brim with decorations. And, let’s face it, most of the autumn and Halloween decorations are gone and replaced by Christmas just when you start thinking about them! We’re also very aware that everyone is going to be feeling the pinch this winter. And with that in mind we’ve put together tutorials for three budget friendly autumn crafts. Get ready to upgrade your autumn home décor!
Continue reading Three budget friendly crafts for autumn
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