Give up ‘surface-living’ once and for all, and make your home life a fulfilling and cared for one with this fab little series

So many of us are guilty of ‘surface-living’ these days. You know, rushing in and out of your home, to and from work and various social dos, doing the bare minimum to keep yourself fed and in clean clothes… Ok, maybe it’s not always that bad, but there are definitely days when we are all guilty of a little domestic neglect. The truth is making an effort to care and look after your home can bring you a whole load of fuzzy good feelings. It really is that simple.

But where to start? It may be that your mum and granny were über-domestic goddesses who instilled in you every trick of the trade, or maybe nothing ever really got through to you and it’s a bit embarrassing now to have to ask your mum how to clean the oven… Luckily help is hand and it comes in the form of the Women’s Institute super cute Practical Know-How series. So far the retro 1950s styles series includes In the Kitchen, In the Home, In the Wardrobe and In the Garden.

Each book is filled with useful hints and tips gathered from WI members over the years and combined with inspiring quotations (you know, the kind that always bring a smile to your face). So we’re talking how to cook a perfect roast, what to do if you’re missing a lid for a jar and how to freeze flowers in ice-cubes for summer parties (In the Kitchen); what to do with squeaky floorboards, how to get rid of lipstick stains and make linen and clothes smell lovely (In the Home); defuzzing bobbly jumpers, repairing buttons and what to wear if you’re going straight out after work (In the Wardrobe) and how to beat slugs and snails, discourage moles and make ties for tall plants (In the Garden).

It’s all there, and reading about it makes you want to get all domestic and caring and fulfilled – there really are rewards to be had when you put a bit of time and effort in. So, there’s nothing stopping you, get to it!

The Women’s Institute Practical Know-How series is published by Simon & Schuster.