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Oh hai there! It's me, have you missed me? This Oh hai there! It's me, have you missed me? 

This is when I emerged from my cocoon the other night and ventured out with @steph.hop for a bloody lovely evening at @cratebrewery

I knew I'd be wrapped up in layers but wanted to take my @locketdownjewellery earrings out for a spin. I love them so much. 

 #handmadejewelry #handmadejewellery #handcraftedjewelry #handmadeearrings #handmadeaccessories #oneofakindjewelry #handmadeclayearrings #cratehackney #cratebrewery #crate #brewery #nightout #outside #lockdownlifting #hackney #eastlondon #london  #letscolab #londoncalling #londonlife #thisislondon #lovelondon #visitlondon #unlimitedlondon #londoncityworld #londoncollective #lovegreatbritain #toplondonphoto #hackneywick
Tom ordered @alldaybrunchers as my mother's Day tr Tom ordered @alldaybrunchers as my mother's Day treat. 

It was delicious. 

We went to @thebargehouse for this for  my birthday a few years ago and I've been meaning to return so I was over the moon for this surprise this morning. 

#thebargehouse #breakfastenbread #breadlover #breadtalk #breadlove #dailyfoodfeed #eattheworld #eeeeeats #feedfeed #foodiegram #foodielife #foodiesofinstagram #foodlover #foodography #foodpic #foodpics #forkyeah #heresmyfood #instayum #onthetable #foodblog #foodblogger #foodbloggers #fooddiary #foodventure #foodforfoodies #foodoftheday #foodphotography #forkfeed #ourfoodstories
I bloody love halloumi. This halloumi flatbread wi I bloody love halloumi. This halloumi flatbread with tahini sauce was delicious. 

I'm slowly stepping away from the wintery soups and stews and towards the more summery flatbreads and salads. Although I'm not 100% happy to step away entirely just yet!! 

 #dailyfoodfeed #eattheworld #eeeeeats #feedfeed #foodiegram #foodielife #foodiesofinstagram #foodlover #foodography #foodpic #foodpics #forkyeah #heresmyfood #instayum #onthetable #foodblog #foodblogger #foodbloggers #fooddiary #foodventure #foodforfoodies #foodoftheday #foodphotography #forkfeed #ourfoodstories #tablesituation #tastespotting #foodreviewer #foodblogging #letscolab
Quick and easy but super tasty. Nasi Goreng for Quick and easy but super tasty. 

Nasi Goreng for dinner (with extra sriracha for me!) So tasty and feels pretty healthy because of all the lovely kale. 

Give me some more quick and tasty dinner ideas please?! 

 #dailyfoodfeed #eattheworld #eeeeeats #feedfeed #foodiegram #foodielife #foodiesofinstagram #foodlover #foodography #foodpic #foodpics #forkyeah #heresmyfood #instayum #onthetable #foodblog #foodblogger #foodbloggers #fooddiary #foodventure #foodforfoodies #foodoftheday #foodphotography #forkfeed #ourfoodstories #tablesituation #tastespotting #foodreviewer #foodblogging #letscolab
👀 I always feel like somebody's watching me 👀

I went for a walk the other day and when I stopped at @everythingbutthedog.eu for a coffee I looked up and saw the goodest boi watching me. There were two of them up there but the other one ran off just as I got my camera out. 

I love little surprises that make me smile.  What unexpected thing has made you smile today? 

 #butfirstcoffee #coffeeculture #coffeeholic #coffeelover #coffeelife #coffeemovement #coffeeshopvibes #coffeeshopcorners #inspocafe #igerscoffee #ig_coffee #aplacetolovedogs #barkhappy #bestwoof #doggoals #doggylove #doglover #dogmodel #dogsarethebest #dogscorner #dogsdaily #dogsofinstaworld #meowsandwoofs #pawsome #pawstruck #topdogphoto #thewoofdaily #quarantinedogs #dogsofquarantine #seeapupsendapup
Happy valentine's Day ♥️♥️♥️ I bought Happy valentine's Day ♥️♥️♥️

I bought this card ages ago from @dorkface and nearly couldn't find it this morning to give to Tom.

Gilmore Girls is almost like a religion in our house IYKYK. 

#valentinesday #valentinescard #valentines #happyvalentinesday #happyvday #valentine #valentinesday2021 #dorkface #dorkfaceshop #gilmoregirls #lukeandlorelai #lorelaigilmore
What's your favourite thing to get through the pos What's your favourite thing to get through the post? Mine is definitely cookies! 🍪 

I bloody love Ben's Cookies and when I worked in Euston we used to go for a walk to pick one up in the afternoon.

This bumper box arrived on my doorstep and I couldn't have been happier. I can't wait to get cracking on with them. 

Thank you @steph.hop

my favourite chocolate orange is in there but there's some I haven't tried too. What's your favourite flavour?! 

#benscookies #cookiesbypost #bakinglove #bakedgoods #thebakefeed #feedfeedbaking #thefeedfeedbaking #bakerylove #wholeyum #chocolatelover #ilovechocolate #chocolatecookies #chocolatechipcookie #sweettooth #sweettoothforever #howsweeteats #foodphotooftheday #foodshots #eatcaptureshare #foodcontent #foodandphotography #foodiecreatives
Got to drink a cuppa or two! ☕ Apart from my cr Got to drink a cuppa or two! ☕

Apart from my crazy love of cheese, the fact the I couldn't find a dairy alternative that I liked in my tea was a huge stumbling block in going plant based. 

I love oat and nut milks in my coffee but everything was just way too sweet to go in my tea. 

I spotted this @alpro my cuppa when I did my last shop and I liked it so much I've bought it again. It is a bit thicker than diary milk and it tastes sort of creamier but I like it. I just wish it came in a bigger carton. 

#alpro #mycuppa #pgtips #hufflepuff #tea #teagram #teatime #tealife #teablends #teapassion #teasession #teaaddiction #teaenthusiast #teasofinstagram #teaofinstagram #tealovers #teaislife #tealoversofinstagram #teacommunity #blacktea #teablogger #teabloggers #teacompany #veganofinstagram #vegansoftheworld #vegancommunity #veganlifestyle #veganlife #veganliving #veganfriendly
You're bacon me crazy 🥓🥓🥓 It was only wh You're bacon me crazy 🥓🥓🥓

It was only when I produced this for breakfast this morning that I realised none of my trips to @dishoom were with @heroesdieold ! 🙈 I've promised him we can go when lockdown lifts. 

I (obviously) swerved the coriander but, my word, it was delicious. I'm honestly a bit sad I had to share with Tom because I definitely could have eaten both of them!

I was fully influenced by @shoegolf and @liljoeymac so thanks for that!!! 

#dishoom #dishoombaconnaan #baconnaan #naan #breakfastnaan #eggsandbacon #dishoomathome  #stilllifefoodphotography #useyourcreativenoodles #ecsqc #moodyfoodphotography #moodyfood #moodyfoodie #darktablemood #homemadefood #homefood #homefoodie #homecooking #cookingathome #cookinglover #discoverunder2k #delicious #eatfamous #foodiesofinstagram #instayum #heresmyfood #foodlover #tastemade #onthetable #eattheworld
If grumpy, feed me biscuits 🍪 Actually, just f If grumpy, feed me biscuits 🍪

Actually, just feed me full stop. 

Cece loves helping me bake so we made some super easy oatmeal and raisin cookies in the week. She really gets involved until she had to put her hands in and get sticky 😂

They're lovely and chewy. 

 #wholeyum #bakermom #bakergirl #bakerylove #bakingfun #selftaughtbaker #bakerslife #bakingtime #ilovebaking #bakingaddiction #thefeedfeedbaking #feedfeedbaking #thebakefeed #bakeandshare #bakedgoods #bakingathome #homebaked #homebaker #bakinglove #bakingfromscratch #bakersofinstagram #bakersgonnabake #bakers #cookies #oatmealcookie #discoverunder2k #cookie #oatmealandraisincookie #oatmealraisincookie

Lojo Vs The World

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6 ways to make a big impact with a small garden

14/07/2020      Leave a Comment

I’ve never been more thankful for a big garden than when we spent the first 14 weeks of lockdown at my mum and dad’s house. Both of the girls just love being outside and although we do have a balcony on our flat and a little park area just outside it definitely wasn’t the same as letting them run crazy around the garden. That’s not even counting the trampoline and paddling pool that they had to play in.

Aside from that though, I’ve really enjoyed sitting outside more these past few weeks too. Maybe it’s being able to actually enjoy this weather and not that I’ve had to battle a sweaty commute home before I can sit out maybe it’s just that it feels like we’ve had so much more nice weather recently. Whatever it is I’ve decided that I want to make more of my little space.

I wish this was my little oasis… its definitely not.

Lynsey Abbott, Outdoor Living Buyer at Dobbies Garden Centres has put together her top 6 tips to create maximum impact in small gardens.

1. A clutter free zone

Just because your garden is small, doesn’t mean everything in it has to be too. One very large pot will add more impact than lots of small ones because it will stop the space feeling cluttered. A bigger pot will also house more plants, so you can mix and match with flowers and herbs that complement each other and your overall colour scheme.

Fill the garden with an eclectic mix of tiny pots and ornaments, and it will soon look busy and feel smaller. This also applies to garden furniture and features – one large furniture set, or garden ornament is far more effective than a collection.

2. Small but perfectly formed for relaxation

Do you often wish you had an extra room in the house to shut the door on household chores, or to unwind after work with some screen-free relaxation time? Just because your garden is small, doesn’t mean it isn’t perfectly formed just for this.

Create your very own relaxation or reading zone, with a single piece of outdoor furniture. A garden daybed, snuggle armchair or single hanging egg chair are all ideal options and can be layered up with outdoor cushions for extra comfort (or borrow some from the living room!). Hang outdoor lights or place solar stakes around the border of the furniture to create a cosy snug you can curl up in on a summers evening – your very own slice of garden bliss!

3. Colour it in

One of the most cost-effective ways to instantly transform a space is to paint the fence. Neutral colours like whites or creams will lift a dull area and create a sense of space. Perfect for shady gardens, plants and flowers will pop against a white backdrop. If you have a south-facing plot, avoid using bright white shades as it will be blinding.

If you want your outdoor space to be somewhere in your home you can have a little more fun and experiment with colour, a small garden doesn’t mean you can’t do this, but stick to a colour theme to avoid it looking busy. Bright colours will give an invigorating, party feel.

If you are choosing a brighter shade as a backdrop, choose light-coloured accessories or furniture in materials like natural wood or white metal.

4. Seeing double

Hang garden mirrors to create the illusion of space, they are a great way to create a focal point and make the overall space feel bigger.

Use one large mirror against a backwall or fence, or place smaller mirrors in clever spots, such behind a flower bed – the mirror image tricks the mind into thinking that there is more of the garden to see, effectively doubling the amount of blooms on display! Position near a seating or dining area as when using the space in the evening, the mirrors will highlight the warmth of lighting and candles.

5. Grow up

Making use of vertical space is the best way to expand a small garden and add another dimension and layer of interest. Save on ground space by planting up.

If you want to fill gardens with colour without cluttering up patios or decking, hanging baskets are the perfect solution. Match your plants colour theme for a display with impact and place them near the house by the backdoor or use multiple baskets and place along the side of fences. A quick colour fix of easy to prune blooms, you will save using ground space for flower beds. These are also a great solution for balconies.

A living wall is easy to install and maintain and can be made as big or small as you like, perfect for a small space. Creating a super stylish backdrop, they can also be used to grow herbs, adding a lovely fragrant scent with Rosemary and Thyme.

6. Space saving trees

Small trees are perfect for tight spaces and they can help to create privacy if your garden is overlooked.

One of the best space saving trees is an Espalier fruit tree. Planted flat against a wall or fence, they not only look stylish and produce delicious fruit, but are also easy to maintain once planned. You will be rewarded with blossom in spring, followed by tasty fruit from August to October.

Definitely some food for thought there. I’ll leave you with a couple of photos of my rather sad looking balcony as it currently stands. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take in a few of these tips and share an exciting makeover with you soon.

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I'm Lojo, Laura or Mother Ruin depending on how you know me. I'm a 30-something, mum of two girls, from Liverpool living in London. I write about the things that interest me which usually involves food, travel, having fun and gin!

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