Money Making Mums Blogger Interview: Fiona from Savvy in Somerset

Posted on 12:00pm Friday 29th Sep 2017

Money Making Mums Blogger Interview: Fiona from Savvy in Somerset

Welcome to my Money Making Mums guest series all about how to earn a decent living from home, even as a busy parent. As well as guest posts from awesome bloggers sharing their tips and tricks, I am now also interviewing relevant bloggers to discover how exactly they make money from home.

As you’ve probably guessed, I love making money from home. As a busy mum to two young children, working from home for myself provides me with the flexibility I need to care for my children and avoid high full time childcare costs. It also means I get to do what I love. I’m an advocate of earning money online and from apps, and I’m always looking for new ways to make more income from home.

I’ve decided to invite other bloggers and money making mums to share even more ways us busy mums can make money from home. If you’d like to feature in this series with a guest post or you’d like to be interviewed, please do get in touch.

This week I’m interviewing Fiona from Savvy in Somerset:

1. Hello, welcome to my Money Making Mums Interview. Please tell me a little about who you are, where you’re from and where you blog.

Hello, I’m Fiona. I’m 30 years old and I live in Somerset with my husband Pete. While I’m not yet a Mum myself I am currently trying for a baby. I’m very close to my younger brother – I was 17 when he was born so I’ve been like a second Mum to him. I love quiz nights, drinking cocktails and days out exploring the local area. I’ve recently left my full-time job as a Chef to work from home blogging and making money online.

I blog at www.savvyinsomerset.com where I share money saving tips, mostly centred around groceries and shopping. I love being able to save on the basics and splurge on the odd luxury.

2. This series is all about mums being able to make money from home. Can you tell me what you do from home to make money?

The main things I do to make money from home are Mystery shopping, Mystery dining, surveys and selling on eBay and Facebook as well as making money from blogging.

3. What makes it suitable for mums?

The great thing about working from home is the flexibility it offers Mum’s. It can easily fit around children and their needs such as school and nursery. It can eliminate the need for child care too.

4. What do you love about working from home?

I love the flexibility it offers. You can choose where and when you work and when you don’t. Having worked in hospitality most of my adult life it’s a refreshing change to be able to do things on the weekend without having to worry about time off or finding cover for my hours.

5. What are your top three negatives to working from home?

First and foremost, I think you need to be disciplined – particularly if you are working from home for your main full time income. It can be easy to get caught up doing other things when you should be working.

Secondly it can be lonely. While some people enjoy having time alone for others it can be challenging not seeing other people all day. Networking with other Mums and taking time for coffee and cake with friends can help break up the monotony.

Thirdly cashflow can be an issue – for bloggers or those selling homemade products learning to manage your money is essential. If you’ve come from a job where you are used getting a paycheck at the end of each week it can be tricky to manage when you start out. Companies often don’t pay until 30 days after work is completed and even then you still end up chasing them!

6. If you could only pick one, either working from home or working in an office for the rest of your life, which would you pick?

Working from home without a doubt!

7. Lots of people say they’d find it hard to stay motivated if working alone at home. What keeps you motivated?

I need money to eat and pay the bills so I treat it as though I’m going to a job each day, using set working hours but also using some flexibility if I need it.

8. Do you have a favourite quote to keep you inspired?

The one thing you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.

- Neil Gaiman

The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. Neil Gaiman
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/neilgaiman461447.html

9. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom to share with mums wanting to make their own income from home?

Start small and gradually a keep adding bits as you go along. Taking on too much could leave you feeling overwhelmed and as though nothing is ever going to work. Take time to build up to working from home full time.

For those wanting to earn from a blog it takes a lot of time and effort to get going and you need to be consistent - even when it’s tough or you feel like you’re not getting anywhere fast. However, if you do stick with it is amazing when you do get there. Getting the point where I could leave my job to work on my blog, was a fantastic (if not slightly scary!) feeling!

Would you love to work from home, or perhaps you already do? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Check out the rest of the series here: https://www.lyliarose.com/blog/categories_39223/money-making-mums.html

Please pin me:

Save

Don't Get Stressed! These Tips Will Help You To Chill Out

Posted on 9:00am Friday 29th Sep 2017

Lots of people suffer from high-anxiety levels at various points during their lives. That can cause many problems for the individual. Maybe you struggle to perform at work or in social situations? Perhaps you can’t get out of bed in the morning because you’re worrying too much about what the day might hold? Maybe you can't sleep as the anxiety eats away at you and you worry about the next day?

Believe me, I've been there lots. Worrying about things, getting a sick feeling in my stomach and not being able to sleep. Avoiding new social situations as I get too anxious to go. Stress and anxiety can often go hand in hand.

Here are four ways to calm your mind if you're feeling stressed or anxious:

Yoga

There are plenty of free yoga classes online with all sorts of benefits and for all stages, even beginners. I try to start every day with yoga to relax my mind and prepare my body mentally and physically for the day ahead. If you're struggling to sleep, search for a bed time routine. My favourite online lessons are Yoga with Adriene. You'll be able to find practices specifically for sleep, stress and anxiety.

Listen to hypnosis recordings

There are many free hypnosis recordings available on YouTube and other streaming sites that anyone can use without spending anything. Some are better than others, and so it’s sensible to read the comments section before committing. However, hypnosis is a brilliant method of reducing anxiety, and everyone should try it. Take your mind to a calmer place and rid yourself of any negative thoughts.

Read an interesting book

Sometimes focusing attention in one place can help people to forget about their anxiety issues for an hour or so. That gives lots of folks some much-needed relief. So, take a look at some of the latest releases and download something exciting to your e-Reader. Or pick up something great from your local charity shop and immerse yourself in another world for an hour or two.

Add some lavender to your bath

Lavender tends to produce some impressive results when added to bath water. The infographic below this section explains all the ins and outs of how lavender can benefit people and help in reducing their anxieties. It's also great for promoting sleep so add a few sprinkles of essential lavender oil to your pillow for a better night's kip.

The important thing to remember when you feel anxious is that there probably isn’t any real reason to worry. I find it particularly hard to meet new people, especially a big group of new people, but if the anxiety is being caused by a stressful situation or something else then I try to remember this quote: 'If it won't matter in 5 years then don't spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it now'.

Designed by Soakology

Warming Autumn Flavours: The Tea Makers Review

Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 28th Sep 2017

I was very kindly sent some autumn themed teas from The Tea Makers last week to sample. If there’s one thing that’s going to warm you up as the temperatures begin to cool, it’s a good old cuppa!

Having ditched the coffee a few years ago as I hated how addicted I had become, as well as that fake-awake feeling, I turned back to tea to help me through the day. Regular tea can, too, become quite addictive, so I’ve massively cut down on my habit and turned instead to herbal and green teas. These provide me with so much more than just getting my fix. They’re an enjoyable treat instead of a snack or an after dinner desert. I love how the smells fill my home and compliment the seasons we’re in.

My humble tea bag has also been joined with an assortment of loose leaf teas in recent months. A few years back it was never something I had tried, but now I appreciate the better taste and quality. Plus they are actually really easy to make. I have a special cup type thing that you leave to sit with the loose tea and boiled water in for a few minutes, then you push it on top of a tea cup or mug and the tea filters through. It takes no longer than leaving a tea bag in a cup to make. If you thought making loose tea is a hassle, think again. Search around as there are some great simple contraptions nowadays.

The Tea Makers sent me some autumn themed flavours to try, which is perfect as autumn is in full swing here already. I don’t remember autumn starting quite so early the last couple of years, but this year as soon as Bella returned to school it was as though someone flicked a switch. Ping. Autumn is here!

Here are the delicious flavours I have tried and want to share with you today:

Apple & Ginger

I knew I’d like this as it’s a green tea, which I’ve often declared my love for in this blog! And who doesn’t love apple and ginger? They are the perfect warming autumn combination. The apple flavour is strong and masks any bitterness of the green tea. This one was a delicious sweet treat. I love the chunks of real dried apple in the mix.

The Tea Makers say ‘A green tea and fruit blend. Fresh and sweet composition, created by mixing ginger pieces with smooth and sweet blackberry leaves and crisp apple. A wonderful tangy tea.’

Chai of Madagaskar

Aah, chai tea. I’ve also blogged about chai before and called it ‘Christmas in a cup’. Which it really is. Just smell it and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. It’s full of Christmas themed spices. It’s hearty and delicious. If there was ever a traditional tea to drink on Christmas Day, this would be it.

The Tea Makers say: ‘This Chai tea blend is a luxurious marriage of South African honey busy leaves, orange chunks, cocoa pieces and Indian spices. A stunning infusion. Floral aroma. A wonderful tea for a cold autumn/winter afternoon.'

Chocolate spice

This has a sweet smell and tastes delicious. I’d usually add a drop of milk in a black tea, but was able to enjoy this milk free and really taste everything. I’m sure milk often masks the true flavour of tea and makes it less enjoyable. It’s good to really savour the flavours and take time to sip tea, instead of guzzling it down without a thought. I love the kick the black pepper adds to the flavour. It’s a very satisfying blend.

The Tea Makers say: ‘An India black tea from the Assam region with a deep and malty flavour. Combined with cocoa bits for a distinctive richness and warming ginger, cardamom and black pepper.’

Turmeric blend

Surprisingly this is my favourite and I’ve enjoyed several cups already. I’ve seen the recent turmeric hype, but hadn’t yet jumped on the bandwagon. I’ve had turmeric in food and it can honestly be quite a potent flavour, so I wasn’t keen on trying the tea at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. The turmeric adds a really warming touch without being overpowering, which had been my fear. It really pays to try something new!

Here’s what The Tea Makers say: ‘A balanced and healthy herbal tea. Imparts a mild and aromatic flavour with subtle hints of sweetness and ginger. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties.’

Overall I’m really impressed with the teas I received from The Tea Makers. They’ve definitely helped in making me feel even more Autumny! The Turmeric Blend is my favourite of the lot, but the other three aren’t far behind. With Christmas just around the corner, why not treat some of your favourite tea loving people to some lovely loose tea this year?

You can find The Tea Makers here: https://www.theteamakers.co.uk

Are you a big fan of tea? What’s your favourite type? Let me know in the comments.

As Nights Get Darker, Here’s How to Make the Most of the Lighting in Your Home

Posted on 10:00am Thursday 28th Sep 2017

Love it or hate it, winter is almost upon us, and with nights getting darker, now’s the time your home lighting really can come to life.

Whether you’re wanting to create a cosy, relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for staying warm in on a winter’s evening, or you want to keep your home looking bright and beautiful, here are some ways to maximise your winter lighting:

Opt for the Right Fittings

It’s all about the small details, especially when you’re spending much more time inside during winter. That’s why light fittings and lampshades crafted from luxurious fabrics, dark metals or warm woods are ideal for adding to that welcoming atmosphere in your home. Choose fixtures that add to the warmth and softness of your home to ensure you’re making each space a little bit more inviting.

Add Accent Lighting

A great way to accentuate your home’s tranquillity and cosiness is to use accent lighting. This means you’re bringing light to small areas by illuminating a piece of furniture or art, for example. You can achieve this type of lighting with standing lamps, walls cones and table desk lamps. Then, during winter, this lighting can be used to brighten up your home throughout the day, to illuminate a particular task at night (e.g. sewing or reading) or just to create a more intimate feeling when it gets dark.

Bring Light to Your Garden

Although you’re not going to be sitting outside much this winter, especially when it gets dark, this doesn’t mean you can’t brighten up your outside space too. You can give your garden a well-deserved seasonal makeover by hanging lanterns from trees, adorning fences with fairy lights and using spotlights to light up particular features, e.g. fountains or ponds.

Use Natural Lights

Finally, another fantastic way of creating that calm, peaceful feeling within your home is to use natural lighting. From candles to wood burners, a few flickering flames around the home can really help brighten up the area while also adding to the feeling of warmth. And if you’re worried about using naked flames because of the kids, pets or your forgetfulness, there are plenty of LED choices to choose from.

Or, why not embrace Christmas a little early by adorning various features in your home with fairy lights. These are great for putting up in the window, along your mantelpiece or around your banister, creating a magical glow that also adds to your home’s wow factor.

Blog Giveaway: Win a Grey Poppy Print Fashion Scarf #winitwednesday

Posted on 3:00pm Wednesday 27th Sep 2017

Welcome to today’s #winitwednesday giveaway. Today I’m giving away this printed lightweight oversized fashion scarf to one lucky blog reader!

It's now the perfect season to start wearing your scarves indoors and out. My shop has lots of choice if you know a scarf lover.

If you love fashion accessories, do pop over to my online fashion accessories boutique for a good browse! The minimum spend is only £5 per order and 2nd class UK delivery is free!

Find more than fashion accessories in my store too. There's a great choice of earrings, ear cuffs, headbands, printed fashion scarves, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, iPad cases, purses and even some clothes!

Win this fashion scarf in my blog giveaway:

The full terms and conditions are below, but simply enter using one or more of the entry methods in the Rafflecopter widget below and remember, if you win your delivery address must be in the UK.

Good luck!

Check out my Giveaways section for more amazing prizes!

ENTER HERE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLEASE PIN ME:

Term and Conditions:

There will be one winner

The prize is the scarf pictured above

The prize must be claimed within 28 days of the first winner's notification email being sent.

There is no cash alternative

There is no limit on the number of entries per person, follow the instructions to enable multiple entries

Winners will be notified within 28 days

The winner must claim their prize within 28 days or it will be forfeited

All entries must be received by the date and time specified

The winner will be picked at random by Rafflecopter & notified by email

Giveaways are open to the UK only

The winner's name and county is available upon request

Entrants will be signed up to the Lylia Rose newsletter to receive blog posts and giveaways. Subscribers are also entered into a monthly giveaway to win £10 to spend in my online fashion boutique. You can unsubscribe at any time, but it's a great idea to stay signed up to receive giveaways to your inbox!

Save