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5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend

Staying in is the new going out
Nicky Ryan

We lead such busy lives and sometimes just getting to Friday seems like an almighty task. Take heart, home is your sanctuary and we’ve thought of five excuses to get off the grid and stay home this weekend… to just be.

5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

1. Your garden needs you

August is a great time to get into the garden. Check for bugs on all your plants, give everything a good feed with slow release fertiliser and do a good mulch and tidy. Even if you’re not an avid gardener, take advantage of bursts of sunshine to stroll around your outdoors or balcony to check on existing plants and get inspired for the spring to come.

Give your indoor plants a spa treatment by gathering together all of your green friends in the shower for a soak and pamper session. Paint your own toenails, then share the love by giving leaves a wipe with a clean cloth dampened with a solution of diluted full-fat milk to bring a lovely natural shine and ward off dust, giving their surface area a boost to breathe uninhibited.

5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Prudence Earl on Unsplash)

2. Baking is good for your mental health

Since it’s proven to be good for your mental health, commit to baking up a storm using one or two of those recipes you’ve had earmarked for ages. Bake your own bread or better still, pretend you’re attending a lunch or party and bake a cake or sweet dish to impress, then stay home and enjoy the spoils yourself! Try a couple of our favourite recipes:

Boiled chocolate & coffee cake

Dutch oven bread

Torta della nonna

Tiramisu cupcakes

Lime meringue pie cupcakes

Passionfruit and coconut fudge slice

5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Nicky Ryan)

3. It’s time to boost your daily nutrition intake

Whether your school lunchboxes are starting to look a little thin on nutrition or your breakfasts have taken a recent trip to Boring Town, plan to prepare for the week ahead with a couple of hours of power in the kitchen this weekend. Look to healthy recipes from NSW Health or use the lunchbox app from the NSW Cancer Council for some delicious and nutritious ideas for lunchboxes and breakfasts.

5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Getty images)

4. You need time to hang out with your kids

Cancel everything, plan nothing.

Build cubby houses with sheets and blankets and take in a stack of books to read together. Make popcorn and have a movie marathon, build Lego or do each other’s hair for hours on end. Go for slow walks in the park and explore nature together, blow bubbles or put on a song and dance show for one another. Draw on the footpath together with chalk. Play.

5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Inês Pimentel on Unsplash)

5. Spring is just around the corner

So why not get a jump on your spring cleaning by making a start in your home office, kids’ room or by giving your living room a mini makeover? Take your time to fall in love with your home all over again with a good session of tidying, styling and pottering.

5 excuses not to leave the house this weekend | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
(Credit: Home Beautiful)

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