Gina Kingston

Get ready for Dry July with this list of everything you need to give up alcohol and go Dry this July.

I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - CRPS for short - in March while recovering from a broken wrist. The pain made it hard to get dressed, do household chores (it was a great excuse not to do anything), exercise, work and even to the things I usually find fun. Thanks to my physio and medication I am now mostly pain free and able to do a lot more. These are the things that got me through the early days and that I still use when the pain returns. Note: some items in this list contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small commission.

Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and slide on some sunnies. This list has tips and products to help you stay safe in the sun. Some sections contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small commission.

A sustainable take on this season's shoe trends. Who What Wear's shoe predictions for Fall 2025 (or Spring if you are in the Southern Hemisphere) are are: 1) Sock Boots, 2) Skinny Sneakers, 3) Boat Shoes, 4) Peep Toe Pumps, 5) Exotic Prints, 6) Slipper-inspired Flats, and 7) Pull on Boots. My list looks at 3 of these trends that are likely to stand the test of time, while giving a nod to the other trends. Where practical, I have used suppliers I know or those with a Good or Great rating on “Good On You” which looks at their ethical, sustainable and animal welfare policies. Of course, the most sustainable shoes are the ones you already own, so check your wardrobe before hitting the (virtual) shops. Some items contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small commission. This makes no difference to the price you pay.

Iceland is home to volcanos, waterfalls, glaciers and some fantasitic walking trails. This list will help you get to Iceland and make the most of your time there.

I recently did a 6 day guided hike on the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trail in Iceland with stopovers in the UK and Singapore. Luggage was limited, and the temperature range I needed to pack for large. Here is everything I took.

There are so many lovely things to do around Plymouth, whether you are a walker, a foodie or a beach lover. Most of these day trips involve a short walk and somewhere to eat. Unfortunately most of the walks are not accessible for people in a wheelchair (the exception is marked with a 👩‍🦽‍➡️). I hope you enjoy working up an appetite and enjoy their tried and tested walks.

As the days begin to cool down, I turn to warm meals and drinks. These recipes aren't fancy, but they sooth my soul. Variations of most of these recipes have been cooked by my family for generations. They feel like warm embrace from Nan or sitting by an open fire enjoying the heat and roasting marshmellows with Pop. They use seasonal ingredients, such as pumpkins, dates and zucchini, or are baked in the oven which doesn’t get turned on over summer. Where possible I have linked to Australian websites.

Some of my favourite foods to grow at home. Not only do they taste better than supermarket varieties, they can also help make your dollar go further. For most you don't need a large garden; many can be grown in pots on the balcony. Warning: once you have tasted home grown foods, you might not want to go back to the buying them.

There is nothing like a great home-cooked meal have a day or more's walk in the bush. While there are a lot of light-weight pre-packaged options, cooking the meal from scratch allows you to tailor the meal to your taste buds. My dad was sceptical when I first showed him this dish, but he changed his mind as soon as he tried it.Note: some of the items in this list contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small commission.

If you love Wordle and are after a new challenge, check out these web-based word games. While some are similar to Wordle, others will challenge you in completely different ways. Most games are free, but if you have to watch ads or subscribe to pay I have added “Subscription” beside the name of the game. Know a game I've missed? Let me know and I'll see if it's worth adding to the list.

As a former IT professional and small business owner, I don't want to have to think about the technology. I want to spend time doing the bits of the business I get paid for, not managing code and software updates. At the same time, I don't want to spend a fortune on products designed for big companies with thousands of employees and an IT department. With over 30 years experience in designing, developing, maintaining and evaluating software, I know what to look for when purchasing software. These recommendations are the best I have found for quality, value for money and ease of use.

Instagram templates for Christmas that are ready for you to customise in Canva. I've selected these templates because they are easy to customise. They use consistent fonts and consistent colours so you don’t need to change every slide to tailor them to your brand. They also include the essential images that make the templates work. In some you can add your brand images, but unlike some other templates, they don't require you to do a Christmas photoshoot just to make them work. Note: This list uses affiliate links. If you choose to purchase it won’t affect what you pay, but zi may recieve a small commission.

Need a new dishwasher, fridge-freezer, washing machine or dryer? Shop from this list to get the best appliances from the best companies. The best appliances are based on Choice's independent product assessments. The best companies are based on Shop Ethical's ratings that cover Environmental, Social, Political, Animal and Business Ethics and give them a simple rating from A to F. I have only recommended products from companies with a C or higher Shop Ethical rating.This list includes all the products I recently purchased when mine decided to stop working, as well as products that may suit you if you need smaller or larger appliances.

The goal: a relaxing zen bathroom that was easy to clean and also good for resale. The family recently renovated our bathroom to fix leaking showers. The labour alone wasn’t cheap, so we wanted to a bathroom we loved. Here’s what we chose.