Very few of us are naturally fantastic organisers. If you know a well-organised person, chances are it's because they make the effort to be this way. Being organised can improve your life in so many ways; it can reduce your stress level, boost your mood and generally make you feel like you're 'on top' of things. Here are a few very easy ways you can work on becoming more organised, and reap all of the rewards that this brings.

Having a to-do list reminds you of exactly what tasks you need to tackle, and helps keep you motivated. Aim to get the most difficult things ticked off first. You could use a notepad and pen and keep a physical list, or use an app on your phone. Many of these can be installed onto your computer too and update instantly. So you can type up your list on the computer but have it ready to go on your phone whenever you need it. Writing things down and keeping lists is a surefire way to keep yourself organised. Whether it's your shopping list or long term goals, having something to refer back to means nothing ends up getting forgotten.

Decluttering is an ongoing process. Every time you go shopping you're bringing new things into the home, which will all take up valuable space. Getting rid of things you no-longer need and love stops your home from becoming messy and chaotic. Making sure everything you own has a place and things aren't just crammed into drawers and cupboards can also be useful. That way when you're tidying up you know exactly where everything has to be.

Even if it's just ten minutes a day. We're all busy in the week, and when you come home from work tidying up can feel like the last thing you want to do. But spending a few minutes each evening will really help you keep on top of things. You could load the dishwasher, wipe down kitchen counters, put any mess away and squirt some bleach in the sinks and toilets in your home. That way when you come to do a deep clean at the weekend you're not battling with a whole week's worth of accumulated mess. 

Washing and laying out your clothes, packing your bag and sorting your lunchbox are all things you can do the night before. This will make your mornings run much more smoothly. No frantically running around searching for lost paperwork or realising your work shirt is dirty at the bottom of the washing pile. No having to mess around ironing things while you're half asleep. A stressful morning really does start off the day on a bad foot, and so staying organised can help.

Getting organised with your meals means you're much more likely to save money and eat more healthily. Write up a meal plan for the week, and then buy your shopping based on this. This stops you from impulse buying at the supermarket, and prevents you from calling a takeaway because you don't know what to make. Buy a chalkboard and hang it up in your kitchen, each week make a habit of writing down what you're going to be eating for the week. That way when you come home you know exactly what you're having, and have all of the ingredients on hand to do so.

How do you stay organised?

If you are a First Time buyer or an experienced Homeowner looking to move house then making your new home your own is great fun. Once the seed is planted that you are about to jump on, move up the property ladder the excitement begins. All too often the excitement stops if costs spiral out of control. Which is why getting a fixed fee conveyancing quote makes all the difference. You can go online to the Homebuyer Conveyancing website and compare fixed fee conveyancing quotes. Produce a moving house checklist and cost out each stage using fixed fee key professionals. Control your costs by working to a moving house budget. Being in control and knowing what expenses are due make such a difference to the moving house journey. It’s the same as watching a seed that you have planted become a flower.

View and compare fixed fee conveyancing quotes online. The process of finding a Conveyancer is made easy and efficient by providing a fully transparent Conveyancer fnder service. Find, compare and budget for accurate Conveyancing Solicitors fees and costs. Use the online search filter to find a Conveyancer by price, location and by Mortgage Lender. An easy and efficient Solicitor finder service that you can trust before you instruct a Conveyancer to manage your property legals.

1) View and compare accurate fixed fee conveyancing quotes

2) When ready take a quote away and book a call to discuss your quote.

3) If happy and your questions have been answered then consider instructing. The sooner you instruct the earlier the conveyancing process can begin.

Be realistic about your moving in date. Discuss with your conveyancer an achievable Exchange date and then discuss a completion date. Does it fit your plans? Make the most of the weekends and consider the advantages of moving on a Friday. The Homebuyer conveyancing panel is managed by We Help You Too Ltd. A business that turns complex process into the understandable. If you would like to view and compare competitive conveyancing quotes online without entering any personal details then you can visit the ‘get a Quote’ page on the website. Instant Conveyancing Quotes.  Or you can call  where you can get help in finding that all important Conveyancing Solicitor.

Some people shudder at the mention of Christmas in October. But while it is early- thinking about and planning for Christmas doesn't have to mean putting your tree up, or blasting festive music before we've even had Halloween! But with a limited amount of weeks left, it's worth thinking about your budget. Christmas is an expensive affair, you have decorations, gifts, cards, postage, travel costs and so much more to think about. But with the right planning it doesn't have to leave you in debt, or rushing around at the last minute panic buying. Here are some of the ways you can start getting organised and ready for the festive season now.

Non perishables and those with a longer shelf life such as biscuits, chocolate and alcohol can all be bought in advance. If you spot something that's a good deal or on sale while you're doing your regular weekly shop, pick it up. Put it away in a safe place for December, and you can effectively spread out the cost of a pricey Christmas shop. It helps to write up a Christmas food shopping list so you can tick things off over the weeks, this prevents you from forgetting what you've bought and buying twice. At the very least, jot down in your phone the things you already have.

Ask members of the household to chuck any loose change into a pot, this will all add up and you won't even miss it. If could be the shrapnel from your pockets, or you could throw in a pound or two if you spot one in your purse. Even if it's just a few pounds a week, come December you'll have a little stash of money that's bound to come in useful. To make things a little more interesting, you could even turn it into a forfeit game. For example, make it into a 'swear jar' or allow people to forfeit a chore for a set amount of money. Once you have your big pot of loose change, you don't even need to queue up in the bank any more to cash it in. Most supermarkets have coin machines where you can pour them right in, and they give you your money in notes and larger coins instantly. 

Hopefully you'll already have a savings account with a little money in it, just in case of any unexpected bills or household emergencies. But set up an additional account too, specifically for Christmas and other special occasions. You can do this online with your bank in a matter of minutes. Each time you get paid, transfer a little straight into it. This is useful as it keeps the money separate from your regular outgoings and main savings. Then in December you have a chunk of money set aside that you can spend guilt-free on Christmas.

Since it's still early on, any Christmas items you can spot online will be at a good price. Come late November and December and everything will be massively marked up. Take advantage of the off-season prices right now and buy things like decorations and accessories cheaper. If you know there are specific items that you're missing and need to buy this year, scour for them now. You might well find an amazing bargain.

Have you started planning for Christmas this year yet?

Over the winter most plants tend to die back, and your garden can be left looking positively dull and drab. Top this off with the fact that most people tend to neglect their garden in the winter, allowing leaf litter to accumulate and the lawn to look untidy, and for half of the year it's like the outside space is completely wasted. While you're probably not going to want to sit outside in the winter with a drink in hand, you can still keep it looking nice for a stunning view from your window. Choose the right mixture of winter blooming plants and evergreens, and your garden can look lively all year round. Here are a few you could go for!

Winter aconite (eranthis hyemalis) displays pretty little yellow flowers from January to March. A time of year when most plants have completely died back, this makes a fabulous addition to the garden. They're only small, growing to around fifteen centimetres tall, but are generally pest free with no maintaining so there's no need to be stood outside in the freezing cold making the garden look tidy! They make the ideal bedding or pot plants, and give a vibrant pop of colour during the coldest months.

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) also known as 'bears foot) produces large, bowl shaped flowers in the late winter from December through to March. It's not actually a rose at all, and is instead a type part of the buttercup family. It is a poisonous plant and so isn't one to add in the garden if you have children or pets. But if not it makes a beautiful part of the garden, with it's evergreen leaves and blooms that are either snow white or occasionally pink. It can grow up to forty centimetres tall, and so is a nice one for filling a larger space in the garden. 

ALGERIAN IRIS

Do you use any winter flowering plants in your garden?

We all want our homes to be as cosy, warm and comfortable as possible- but decorating and dressing a home can be expensive! If you've just moved into your first home and are trying to build things up from scratch, it can seem like a monumental task. Thankfully there are plenty of options for getting a lovely looking home without spending too much money.

If you know you're going to be moving in the future, start gathering whatever you can early on. If you see reduced homeware items in the sale for example, pick them up. Start gathering essentials such as cutlery, bath towels and bedding ahead of time. This allows you to spread the cost as much as possible so you're not having to buy everything all at once when you move in. 

Places like Gumtree, Preloved and Craigslist always have freebies and items that people are giving away. It's also worth checking local Facebook groups, or even just asking around family and friends. Most people will be happy to help and donate items when they know you've just moved into your first home. So if you need something it's worth keeping an eye out, as you may well be able to snag it for no money at all. 

Inexpensive highstreet shops such as pound shops, B&M, TK Maxx and Primark Home all sell inexpensive bits and pieces. Supermarkets are also a good place to look, the homeware sections in the bigger stores are fantastic and you can pick up some nice items without spending much at all. Ikea is another shop to search to find all of your essentials at bargain prices, things like photo frames and plants are just a couple of pounds each and will make your spaces look much more homely. You could scour charity shops, or look for bargains online on sites like eBay too. 

Upcycling is a great way to turn an ugly piece of furniture into something modern and beautiful! If you've been gifted a piece, or bought something really cheaply you can totally transform it without spending much. As long as the furniture feels solid with no signs of rot, a coat of paint and some new handles is all you need! You could even use pretty wallpaper samples to line the drawers to really finish off the look. Getting crafty is also another way to spruce up your home on a budget. Pinterest has tonnes of ideas so have a look to get you started. These kinds of things can help to bring some interest and personality to the room,  which is useful when you're starting with a complete blank canvas.

When you're starting out on your own it can be a struggle, so don't be afraid to ask friends and family for support. They might have some skills that could really help you out and save you some money. Know anyone that's handy with a sewing machine? Maybe they will make you some cushions and curtains for cheap or even free. Anyone that's good at DIY could make you some simple shelves out of inexpensive wood. Or friends and family could just generally pitch in and help you with jobs like painting and gardening.

Do you have any tips for furnishing a home on a budget?

Planning on creating a new lawn from seed? Maybe your current lawn is past it's best and you need to start again, this could be a result of too many weeds taking over or just lack of care for a number of years. Maybe you want to rip up some concrete or slabs and add a green area to your garden instead. Either way, creating a new lawn from seed can be a good way to go. It's much cheaper than using turf (especially if you need to cover a large area) and while it requires patience and some extra work, the results can be just as good. If not better! Here's how to go about it.

Preparation really is key. Try taking shortcuts here, and you will most definitely regret it further down the line when your lawn is lopsided or refusing to grow. To prepare the ground, you need to begin by removing any weeds from the area. This is so important, as if they're left in the ground they will quickly take over your new lawn and you'll have to start again. Use a contact weed killer to spray any live weeds and wait until they die off, this ensures that the root system is dead. You can then go around and pull them up by hand. Don't use a residual weed killer that stays in the soil, as of course this will stop your grass seed from germinating. 

Next you need to properly rotovate the ground, you will need to turn over at least the first eight to ten inches of soil. You may be able to do this with a spade, but if your ground is very compacted, hire a rotovator. Dig in some organic matter (if you are using manure make sure it is well rotted or the ground could sink unevenly) which will provide nutrients and goodness. After this is done, you will ideally leave it for a number of weeks to settle, and continue to remove any weeds that germinate. 

Levelling the ground is crucial. Any small hills and dips will create a lumpy looking lawn. This will make it difficult to mow and overall won't give a good finish. Continually raking and treading on the area in different directions will leave you with a level surface. Once it has been trodden on and firmed, you can then rake again in different directions ready for your grass seed. 

The good thing about sowing a lawn from seed is that you get control over what type of grass or grasses you want your lawn to be made up of. You can choose a hardwearing blend if you plan on using your lawn for regular family life. Or you could choose a delicate ornamental grass if your garden is more landscaped. You can find grasses that are suitable for shady areas, sunny areas etc. So decide on the kinds of thing you're after and choose your seed accordingly. Evenly spread the seeds across the surface following the pack or suppliers instructions. The seeds should be lightly covered with soil to stop birds getting to them but not 'planted'. Cover them over too much and they won't germinate. 

The middle of spring and early autumn are the two best times of year to grow grass seed. This is because the weather is mild and there's plenty of rain. You will be able to get a lawn started in summer, but it will be much more difficult. Soil temperature needs to be between nine and twelve degrees celsius to germinate which is between March and September in the UK. So there's no point trying to seed a lawn very early or very late in the year. You will need to keep the seed bed moist once your seeds are down, but how often exactly depends on the time of year and level of rainfall. If the ground starts to feel dry, give it a good water. Use a sprinkler nozzle on your hose to stop jets of water moving the seeds around or dislodging young grass plants.

Once your seeds have been sowed, you can expect to see small grass shoots popping up after around two weeks. Be patient, sometimes it takes a little longer. You will need to keep people and pets off it for as long as possible (ideally one season) but at least a few weeks. Don't cut the lawn until it's around three inches high, and only take around an inch off at a time. This will encourage it to grow without killing it off. 

Have you ever successfully established a lawn from seed?

We all know the importance of being kind to the environment, and doing what we can to save the planet. But did you know there are tonnes of things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint right from your own home? If you're looking to make a difference, here are some of the things you could do.

Recycle

Recyling is so easy- it's literally a case of separating your rubbish and putting it into a separate bin. But so many people still don't bother, or make as much effort as they should. When you throw away materials such as plastic, they go to landfill where it won't degrade for a thousand years in some cases! There they will sit and leak pollutants and chemicals into the soil and water, and lead to further landfill sites needing to be created. These are ugly and extremely bad for the environment. Anything that can be recycled should be, it takes a few extra seconds of your day but can have a massive impact on the planet. 

Compost

As with recycling, when you compost you reduce the amount of waste that's being sent to landfill and incincerators. Having a compost bin in your garden means you can break down any recyclable waste yourself, and as a bonus this can be reused in your garden. All of the broken down material is high in nutrients and has an incredible impact on the fertility of your soil. You can buy compost bins, or just make one yourself if you're handy. Every time you have things like fruit and vegetable peels, tea bags and cardboard egg boxes they can go onto the compost heap rather than in the bin. You can also use this for prunings and cuttings from around your garden too, such as fallen leaves and grass cuttings. 

Upcycle and Re-Use

Every time you buy something new, you're feeding the demand for factories which burn fossil fuels. While it's sometimes unavoidable, if you can reuse and upcycle where you can you will reduce your carbon footprint. Things like solid wood furniture is built to last, it doesn't need to be thrown away just because it looks a little dated. Instead of buying new, revamp it with a coat of paint and things like new handles. You'll get a unique piece of furniture and it's better for the environment. 

Copper and marble are two massive homeware trends at the moment, and it's easy to see why. They're just stunning! And as beautiful as they are individually, something really special happens when you combine the two. Here are some of the gorgeous copper and marble pieces that would make perfect additions to any home.

(£10 from Notonthehighstreet.com)

These could be used for anything from storing stationery on your desk to displaying makeup brushes on your dressing table. They'd work on a kitchen counter holding utensils, or to use as regular plant pots. These heavy duty marbled cement pots have been dipped in copper at the base, they're a lovely little accessory that could be used just about anywhere in the home.

(£60 from Notonthehighstreet.com)

An amazing addition to any home office, or even as a bedside table. This angled lamp is made with the pretty copper coloured metal and finished off with a small touch of marble just at the base. The perfect combination, and the ideal way to bring both trends into a room. 

(£49 from Made.com)

This clock is the epitome of gorgeous, understated chic. If you're hoping to dip your toe in either the marble or copper trends then what better way than with something like this? At 35cm it's a nice size too, big enough to make a statement but without taking over an entire wall. 

(£498 from Anthropologie.com)

The priciest thing here by far, but what a beauty! It's simple yet absolutely stunning, if you want something that's understated while still being right on trend then you won't go far wrong with something like this. The oval style gives it a more unusual finish than a standard square coffee table, an incredible looking piece that would be well worth investing in.

What do you think of the copper or marble trends?

It's nice to update your home for the season, and one easy way to do this is with the decor. But that doesn't mean you need to get the paintbrush out every time you fancy a change! If you keep your home fairly neutral it means you can have fun with accessories without it ever looking overwhelming. If you're looking to update your neutral living room for autumn, here are some ideas.

ADD TEXTURE

Chunky cable knit cushions and throws look ultra cosy and snuggly for the colder weather. Fluffy and  faux furs are also a good choice, as well as soft and comfy fleece. These kinds of textures will bring warmth and interest into the room. Pile them up on beds, armchairs and sofas to instantly make your home look more autumnal.

ADD COLOUR

Obvious autumn colours are reds, burnt oranges, coppers and golds- shades that reflect the changing leaves. But any dark shades are good choices for autumn and winter. Burgundy and berry reds, deep purples, dark green and navy. Bringing in these kinds of rich shades will instantly transform your neutral room and make it look perfect for the colder seasons. Another way to add colour to the room is by displaying seasonal flowers. Things like sunflowers, gerberas and dahlias look really pretty, you could either treat yourself to a bunch every couple of weeks or cut some from your garden if you have any flowering. 

ADD PATTERN

If the rest of your decor is fairly simple and neutral, you can really have fun with pattern. For example you could add a fun accent chair to a plain three piece suite. You could liven up a plain bed with tonnes of patterned soft furnishings. Tartan is a very trendy choice over the autumn, you could also get things like cushions with leaf designs printed on or rustic floral designs. Again they will bring in interest and cosiness which is ideal for the autumn.

ADD DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES

Finally you can finish off the look with decorative accessories. This could be with scented candles, homemade pot pourri or an autumn leaf wreath on your front door. You could scour the shops for any other seasonal little bits and pieces too. If you have a gallery wall in your home, you could switch out some of the frames with cute autumn inspired prints.

How do you decorate your home for the autumn?

It's all well and good decorating the inside of your home to perfection, but if the outside looks scruffy it will let down the overall look. The outside of your house is the first thing people will see, and so it's worth spending time making it look nice. This will boost the value of your property if you're looking to sell, but even if you're not it's a good way to take pride in your home and make sure it looks it's very best. Here are some of the ways you can create kerb appeal.

TIDY UP

This one is easy, but can make a dramatic difference. If there's anything at the front of your home that shouldn't be there, tidy it into a shed or garage or put it where it's supposed to be. This could be things like garden tools, childrens toys, shoes and bikes. Clear any litter that's blown in and rake up any leaves. Once everything is clear it will instantly make it look nicer and more well kept.

MAINTAIN THE GARDEN

This could involve mowing the lawn, cutting back plants and trees and deadheading flowers. When your garden looks maintained it shows that someone has made an effort and actually cares about it. To go a step further you could plant seeds and bulbs so they flower every year and make your garden look beautiful without much effort on your part. You could replace any cracked slabs, and overseed your lawn to make it look thicker and address any bald patches. 

PUT UP HANGING BASKETS

Hanging baskets near the front door look really pretty and are a great way to create kerb appeal. In the spring and summer you have a wide range of gorgeous flowers you could choose from, in the colder months go for evergreens or see if you can find any winter flowering plants at your local garden centre.

PUT DOWN A WELCOME MAT

A door mat is practical as it stops people trudging mud through the house, but is also a good way to create a welcoming entrance. There a loads of cute designs you could choose from. Most doormats will need replacing every year, so if your is past it's best it's worthwhile picking up a new one.

CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS

Splattered and dirty windows don't create a good impression when looking at a house, and they're not very nice to look out of either! Give your arms a workout by giving all the windows and doors in your house a scrub, and call up a local window cleaner to do the outside if you're not great on ladders. Don't forget the sills and any handles. Having matching window treatments such as vertical blinds up at the windows can make everything look uniform and finished too.

How do you make your home look it's best from the outside?  

Throwing a cocktail party? With so many different drinks variations these days it can be difficult to know exactly what to offer your guests. A good way to go about it is to set up a 'bar' area, which could be on a cart or just on a table. And provide a range of different ingredients so guests are able to make the cocktail of their choice. Here are some of the things you'll need.

ALCOHOL

If you're throwing a cocktail party then a keeping the alcohol flowing is essential! Some of the spirits you could consider are vodka, whiskey, brandy, rum and gin. You could also add bottles of liqueurs such as Pimms, Irish cream and Amaretto. These will make the base of most cocktails, and having a selection available will give your guests a wide range of different drinks to create. Other things you could consider are wine for making cocktails such as sangria, and even beer and cider. This also caters for people who don't drink hard alcohol.

SYRUPS AND SWEETENERS

These are added to a number of cocktails to offset the strong, bitter taste of hard alcohol. Grenadine is a staple when you're having a cocktail party. Monin syrups are good choices too as they come in a variety of different flavours. You can also make your own fruit syrups easily. Boil down some soft berries of your choice (strawberry and blueberry both work well) in a pan with some water, sugar and lemon juice. Once the fruits have broken down and released their natural sweetness, you can blend the mixture or pass it through a sieve. Put it into a glass bottle and refrigerate until you're ready to use. Just a small amount mixed into a cocktail can make a dramatic difference. 

JUICES AND MIXERS

It's useful to have a range of different fruit juices on offer. Orange juice, apple juice and pineapple juice are handy for tropical flavoured cocktails. The tartness of cranberry makes cranberry juice a good choice, and coconut water. Don't forget fresh milk or cream if you'll be serving cocktails such as White Russians. Other mixers are also important, things like flavoured fizzy drinks, carbonated water and tonic water. 

SLICED FRUITS AND GARNISHES

A cocktail isn't complete without a slice of fruit and a garnish! You could slice pineapples into rings, and then into wedges. Cut a slit upwards through the point so that it can sit on the side of the glass. Slices of lemons and limes, glacier cherries and olives are also great drinks garnishes. Along with herbs such as mint and even rosemary. Don't forget cocktails sticks so you can display your garnishes on the side of the glass! The Food Network has some cool ideas about how you can put garnishes together.

ICE

To keep drinks nice and cold you'll need plenty of ice. If you invest in an ice bucket, this will keep ice cubes cold and you can refill it from the freezer as needed. If your refridgerator doesn't have an ice machine, you could buy a number of bags of ice so you have plenty for the evening. No one wants a warm drink, and ice is an important thing not to overlook.

GLASSES

Finally you'll need a good selection of glasses. From hi-ball tumblers to hurricane glasses to martini glasses. This will make your cocktails look extra impressive too. You can find them cheaply from places like Ikea, making sure you have plenty to go round is essential.  

Have you ever thrown a cocktail party? 

Autumn is the time of year that we all look into making our homes cosy again, ready to spend lots of time feeling snug and warm inside. One way to make your home feel extra seasonal for the autumn is with fragrance. Autumn scents are based around warming spices, vanilla and seasonal fruits and so these are the kinds of things to look for when picking your home fragrances. 

SCENTED CANDLES

Scented candles are amazing in the autumn. You get the beautiful scent and the soft flickering light is exactly when you need in the evenings when the weather starts getting chilly. Brands like Yankee Candle are great for unique and unusual scent combinations. High end homeware brands and department stores will also stock amazing luxury candles. Jo Malone, Neom and Diptyque are good choices if you're looking to spend a little more. 

REED DIFFUSERS

Reed diffusers are a great way to scent your home. Since you can only light candles when you're around to keep an eye on them, you can't have the scent being released all day. Whereas reed diffusers can just be left and will release fragrance constantly until they run out. They tend to be more subtle, but having them on places like your desk or on your bedside table means you get a whiff of the gorgeous aroma whenever you're nearby. 

GEL AND HANGING AIR FRESHENERS

Again these tend to be a bit more subtle, but are an excellent way to scent smaller areas of your home such as cupboards and wardrobes. Gel air fresheners last for ages, and can be places strategically around the home so they're out of sight but lightly fragrancing the air. A handy tip to know is that car air fresheners are an amazing way to freshen wardrobes and cupboards. 

PLUG IN AIR FRESHENERS

Plug in air fresheners are fantastic, they really fill your home with scent especially if you dot a few of them around. The good thing about them is they can be switched down to a lower setting for more of a subtle fragrance, or switched off completely. Whenever you have these plugged in, you'll often find guests commenting on how lovely your home smells. Plugging one in by your front door means you'll be greeted by the gorgeous scent every time you come home.

POT POURRI

Pot pourri makes a cute, rustic decoration when displayed in a nice bowl but also smells incredible too. You could buy some or make your own using dried flowers, dried fruit, pine cones and whole spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. If your pot pourri begins to lose it's scent, you can rejuvenate it with a few drops of essential oil.

How do you make your home smell beautiful?