I've been feeling somewhat overwhelmed lately with the noise of this world. Creative introvert alert! I find baking so therapeutic, anything that gives you focus, a sense of purpose and an achievement as an end goal is always a winner!

Not to mention something to focus on that your 2, nearly 3 old son can also join in with. Having worked as a Playgroup Assistant, there are so many ways you can link baking to the EYFS. Weighing and measuring is maths and physical development in using fine motor skills. And learning about the world, exposure to the ingredients, how to follow a recipe and what that means. I love teaching and I find I just do it naturally (not that my son is always interested!).

So I found a recipe for banana bread and made it my own. It was so yummy I wanted to share it with you. Feel free to substitute any of the ingredients for your preference (gluten free flour, marg, dairy free spread etc).

Today I really needed to switch off. I felt my head spinning with thoughts to the point of feeling physically dizzy! Using my creative talent and getting lost in it is one way to rest but also give me focus and forget the noise of this world whilst I am in the moment.

So I decided to paint my nails and put Eastenders on in the background! Another perfect way of switching off. You don't have to deeply concentrate on it to keep up. And everyone is always so miserable, the drama makes real life seem not so bad after all!

I really love the galaxy look. You can use this technique on your nails, to paint a canvas, to decorate a glass jar and so on.

In May last year I was given a birthday treat to attend an Interior Design Masterclass with none other than Daniel Hopwood and Sophie Robinson. I missed my chance to blog about it at the time and shelved it. The current series of the Great Interior Design Challenge on BBC Two prompted me to get a wiggle on and finally write about it!

I so love #GIDC, now in its fourth series. It is a veritable feast for any fellow creatives. The inspiration, taking ideas and using them for your own, learning about new techniques, watching the contestants tackle the creative challenge. And my favourite bit is watching the process of transformation. Not just of the rooms themselves but of the contestants as they grow in their designing skills.

We moved house in June 2015 and the re-decorating/working on the house has been a slow process. So with my love of the Great Interior Design Challenge and needing ideas to get organised, I was so excited to be going on the course!