Now that January’s over, you’re probably well on your way to keeping those new year resolutions about your health and well-being. We bet you’re feeling healthier than ever and a few pounds lighter, and GBG salutes you!

But now that’s under control, we reckon it’s now time to start making some changes to your finances, to make 2013 the best year ever.

We’re not only talking about buying stocks and shares and investments, as we know that’s not something that everyone has the fiscal ability or desire to do. But there are so many ways to save money in the course of your day-to-day lives, even if it is just a few pennies here and there.

You know what they say, pennies make pounds!

As with any new venture, it’s great to have an incentive to get you started. Just like signing up to a marathon will give you the willpower to get in the gym, having something to save towards will definitely help you keep a close eye on your bank balance.

Maybe you want to go on a fabulous holiday, or have your eye on a new car. Or even if it’s just a swanky pair of shoes you know you really can’t afford but desperately want (need) – keeping it in mind as a goal will give you something to work towards.

Do It Yourself

For just a few quid you can take a course at the College of Further Education to improve the skills needed to tackle most minor household repairs. You could soon be on track to wiping out costly call-out charges and extra insurance policies once and for all.

Cut Down On Booze

A few beers after work a few nights a week is a financially debilitating state of affairs. Set limits and stick to them.

On Yer Bike

The warm weather is on its way, so leave the car at home and cycle to work. It’s cost effective and will get you fit too.

Get Romantic

If you are looking for some cheap, romantic time with your partner, simply eat a light dinner at home and then whisk her out for dessert and a cup of coffee. It’s romantic and cost effective.

Cash Purchasing

Get into the habit of using cash to pay for everything. It makes you much more aware of what you’re spending, especially if you’re budgeting.

Packed Lunches

Instead of buying expensive salads or sarnies, spend a little time preparing a packed lunch for work. It works out much cheaper and is healthier too, as you know exactly what you’re eating.

Everyone is stuffed, the house is warm and cosy, Christmas music is playing and you’ve watched the Queen’s speech.

So what’s next? Bring on the family board game…

Monopoly London 2012 Olympics Edition

This is your chance to tour the games venues like never before – buy up everything from the Olympic Stadium to the distinctive Aquatics Centre and trade your way to success.

Would I Lie To You?

Can you make up a lie that sounds more convincing than a bizarre truth? Can you convincingly describe a picture that isn’t even there? Root out the exceptional bluffers in your family with this family game that makes it positively obligatory to be a good liar.

The Cube

Based on the hit TV show. With seven rounds of physical and electronic challenges and just nine lives – do you have the nerves of steel to beat the Cube?

Shun messy ice buckets and (heaven forbid) the urge to pop ice cubes in your Chardonnay, because the Corkcicle slots right into the top of your bottle – chilling your wine from within. Made from a thermal gel that’s completely sealed inside the elegant icicle shape, this clever gadget will retain its temperature far longer than ice and won’t dilute your drink. Better still, because it’s self-contained it can be used again and again.

Steak Saws -Carpentry for Carnivores

Now, we’re not condoning tough steak over a nice, juicy tenderloin, but even the finest cuts can be tricky to chop sometimes. Well now you can avoid disturbing everyone’s drinks and rock the table in a whole new way with Steak Saws. Not only will these handy knives slice through hot meat, but they’ll also make you look like a strapping lumberjack in the process.

The Condiment Gun

Sausages, chips and burgers will be unable to dodge the splodge once you arm yourself with a Condiment Gun. As you can see, this brilliantly ridiculous sauce dispenser looks just like a comedy cartoon six-shooter and its ideal for anyone who loves squirtable condiments such as ketchup, mustard and brown sauce.

All available from firebox.com

Are you throwing a bash for the mini ghouls and goblins in your house this year? Well here are a few simple tips to make it a fun night:

-Use small touches to make a big impact. Place a notecard that says ‘witches brew’ next to the punch bowl and one that says ‘eye balls’ by a bowl of peeled grapes.

-Plan games. You could host a dance contest to “Monster Mash” or play games like mummy wrap (make sure you have lots of toilet roll!). If you’re playing scary games, try dimming the lights and setting up flameless LED candles around the space.

-A big trend this year is haunted gingerbread houses – have kids decorate them at the party for a fun and delicious activity.

-Give unexpected take home gifts. Try packing treat bags with apples and tooth brushes with cards saying “fang scrubbers.” It’s a simple gesture that all the mums will appreciate.

To keep rugs in place on wooden floors check out this little DIY trick – turn the rug over and apply lines of silicon sealant horizontally every six inches or so and let them dry before replacing the rug.

Fed up with cup stains on wooden tables? Cover the stain with mayonnaise, leave for a few minutes and wipe away – genius! Best not to try it on your heirloom french polish pieces though…

Not only are you making your home safer for running children (or adults), but you won’t need to straighten them several times a day.

Save money and keep the technology in your home stylish by converting the dresser in your bedroom in to a media console. Simply remove the top drawer and drill small holes for the cabling.

A vase of flowers can instantly lift your home – but those lovely glass receptacles can be a pain to clean. They’re either too narrow to get a cloth down, or else those dirty water rings just won’t budge. But just fill it with water and pop an alka seltzer in and the dirt will just melt away. Magic.

There was a time when new home owners groaned at the sight of 1960s and 70s style floral carpets. The first thing on the interiors agenda was to rip them up. But here’s a style news flash, large-scale contemporary floral prints are now making a comeback – both on floors and walls, so it’s goodbye to pale neutrals and hello to cabbage patch roses, flock wallpaper, wooden sideboards circa 1970s and velour furniture.

Yes, you heard it here first, velour is back in right up there with wooden panelling!

And the new breed of interior designers are not afraid of going ott with prints everywhere. Clash loud print floor designs with equally bold wallpapers.

Large swirly statement wallpapers are not new for feature walls, but they are being teamed with loud bold rugs, floral curtains and statement primary coloured sofas. All a bit mad, but fun and only for those who dare to be different!

And just when you thought it could not get any wackier on the home trend front, get this – home cocktail bars are back!

Those cute little wooden and laminate structures with their optics and pineapple ice buckets are now the epitome of style for the 2012 living room or den.

Shop for shag pile rugs, 70s style pots, pans and kitchen gadgets; hit the charity stores for authentic cocktail glasses and shakers – and those cute little umbrellas!

It’s a fine tightrope walk between cool contemporary and tasteless pastiche, so create your rooms carefully and boldly go right back to the 1970s – we dare you!

Shabby chic does what is says on the tin: a look dripping in style, while being relaxed and easy to live with. It’s an old British country house look; old paintwork, faded sofas and curtains sitting happily alongside distressed accessories.

The quintessence of shabby chic style is vintage and antique furniture painted and distressed for an aged, vintage appearance. Buy second hand auction finds and coat with a pale cream or grey then rub and sand away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. You can achieve an 18th century Swedish look, items with a French Chateau inspiration, and those that have the same characteristics as items created by the American Shakers. Anything goes.

It’s a style that allows you to mix old and new, mix prints and checks and textures and choose items & furnishings that complement one another.

Above all, the most important tip when it comes to undertaking the task of shabby chic decorating…be creative!

Creating harmony out of several different types of furniture is all about being bold and having fun.

The chances are that if you have recently moved into a new home the bathroom probably won’t hit the mark. Nothing dates a home more than a grotty bath or shower room with dismal tiles, dodgy grouting and coloured suites. Hands up who has inherited a pink, burgundy, or horror of horrors, that avocado bathroom suite!

But the great news is that with a bit of thought and clever precision planning – and a sparkling white suite – you can ring the changes very easily. Budget will decide whether you go all out for swanky basins, light systems and digitally controlled showers. But even a simple makeover with neutral travertine tiling and classic white basins with simple chrome taps.

Floating shelves can be used to display those pretty driftwood mirrors and show off some designer bath products, while towels can be used to add that all important accent colours.

Taupe, teal and sandstone all help give a bathroom a contemporary feel -though the classic black and white chessboard look continues to be popular. If you want to make a statement – and you have the space, how about a standalone claw foot bath – or a funky chandelier hung large and proud over a huge gilded mirror?

The purpose of a bathroom is to give you a haven to freshen up and chill out. So no matter what space you are working with – or how limited your budget may be – there will be a makeover solution to make even a tiny room the envy of everyone.

]]> http://www.gbgmagazine.co.uk/the-smallest-room-in-the-house-can-be-the-most-beautiful-8755/feed/ 0 http://www.gbgmagazine.co.uk/all-decked-out-8458/ http://www.gbgmagazine.co.uk/all-decked-out-8458/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 13:52:26 +0000 Alex http://www.gbgmagazine.co.uk/?p=8458

Kitchens are without a doubt the heart of the home and whether you want to opt for the super chic contemporary look, or the more rustic mix and match farmhouse style where nothing quite matches, the kitchen has to work for the cook in the family.

Where you your sink, your cooker and your fridge will determine whether your kitchen is a pleasure to work in – or a nightmare. When you are calling in your kitchen designer it helps if you have can show them magazines and images of the sort of look you want to achieve. But make sure too that they advise you on the proper storage you need and how much cooking you do, as this will determine the size of cupboards and refrigerators – and if you intend to entertain.

There is no use opting for a slimline fridge if you aim to cater regularly for 12 – large American style fridges now almost come as standard for family kitchens, and ovens too have to do their work. A range or Aga is usually on the top of most kitchen must haves, but not much point if you are a singleton.

Colour is also a big issue – how about a beautiful colourful Smeg if you are looking for the retro edge. Go bold and opt for the bright red model, or if you want to girly, they do a lovely pink. Free standing units, and the ‘unfitted look’ is also big news for 2012. Choose a few fitted base units, but then look out for a butcher’s block style console or a rustic wooden.

Then add interest with a centre island, complete with granite top and Belfast sink. The rest is down to accessories, Cath Kidson crockery, beautiful glasses and funky new saucepans and storage jars.