Likes and Loves August 2026

We’ve had birthday celebrations, a few lovely days out, and I’ve finally got around to some of those little projects that have been sitting on my to-do list for far too long. The bathroom has had a makeover, and my crochet hook has been busy. August has been a nice month.

And now September is here, I’m already getting excited about autumn. Cooler evenings, cosy nights and the first little hints of orange appearing in the trees… yes please! But before I get too carried away with all that, here are a few of my favourites from August.

RAF Cosford

We visited RAF Cosford for the first time this month, and we had a really good day. I’m not sure why it’s taken us so long to go, especially when it’s not too far from home!
There’s loads to see, and the boys enjoyed looking around the displays.
It’s definitely somewhere we’d visit again. Entry is free too, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for a family day out without spending a fortune.

Family Board Games Days

We’ve played lots of board games over the past few weeks.
We were recently introduced to Racing Line Standard Edition, and it’s been a big hit in our house! Craig and my eldest are massive F1 fans, so this one was always going to go down well. I’m not quite as clued up on all things racing, but thankfully, you don’t need to know your way around an F1 paddock to join in!

The idea is to outsmart your rivals, overtake at the right time and collect the most points before crossing the finish line. It’s easy to pick up, but there’s still enough strategy to keep things interesting. And, of course, there’s always that one person who takes a friendly game far too seriously!
My youngest actually really enjoyed this one too, which surprised me. If you know my boy, you’ll know it takes a lot to keep his attention for more than a short while!

There are also extra tracks you can add on, which is a nice way to mix things up and keep the game feeling new. You can check out our review here. It’s definitely earned a spot in our games cupboard!

Crochet Kindle Case

I finally got around to making myself a crochet cover for my Kindle! This has been on my to-do list for ages, so I’m quite pleased with myself for actually finishing it rather than starting another project.

The yarn is from Aldi, and the button came from a pack I picked up on Temu. I get quite a lot of my crafty bits and bobs from there, as you can find some lovely little bargains. I’m really happy with how it turned out, and it’s nice to have something I’ve made myself that I’ll actually use.

A Gift for a Creative Teen

I was looking for a gift for a teenager who enjoys getting creative, and spotted this Uni-ball Posca Marker Pen and Bottle Set at Hobbycraft. It comes with eight Posca markers and a bottle to decorate, so there’s a little project to get stuck into straight away. I thought it made a nice change from the usual gifts for teens, especially for someone who enjoys drawing, doodling or trying out different crafts. Plus, the pens can be used for plenty of other projects afterwards!

Napiers Skincare

We’ve had another influx of wasps this month! I don’t know what it is about this year, but they seem to be absolutely everywhere. You can’t even sit outside with a drink without one turning up to investigate. Little pests! They are honestly the bane of my life.

So, the timing was pretty perfect for trying a few bits from Napiers, including their Bugbuster Outdoor Body Spray, which is designed to help keep biting insects at bay when you’re outdoors. We’ve also got their Bite Ease Post-Bite Comfort Serum, which is handy to have in the cupboard for those annoying little bites.

I’ve been dipping into their Chamomile & Peppermint Skin Cream and Aloe Vera & Seaweed Gel, too. With the weather starting to turn and those cooler days creeping in, I always find my skin needs a little more looking after at this time of year. The cream feels lovely and comforting on the skin, while the gel is really light and refreshing.

I have to say, the whole range feels really lovely quality too. The glass jars make everything feel that little bit more luxurious, and you definitely feel like you’re getting something a bit special for your money. I think I may have discovered a new go-to skincare brand!

I also think a few of these would make such a lovely little autumn self-care hamper. Add some fluffy socks, a candle and a few treats, and I’d be very happy with that!

Craig’s Birthday

We celebrated Craig’s birthday this month. We’ve had a lot to process this year following his CAV diagnosis, so I’m especially thankful that he’s doing OK and that we can still enjoy these little moments together.
We’re taking things one day at a time, and I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself with the worrying (doing a bit rubbish with that). Easier said than done sometimes, but I’m so grateful for the good days.

New Cosy Bedding

Speaking of autumn. I love our new Furn Bootanical Autumn Bed Set from Terrys Fabrics. I mean, it has little ghosts on it. What’s not to love?! I really love the dark blue and floral print too, and all those gorgeous autumn colours look so cosy together. And as you can see, I like getting my pumpkins out haha, so this couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I think it’s safe to say I’m fully embracing autumn now!

Outdoors Time

We’ve been enjoying some lovely walks this month. One favourite is Cannock Chase. It’s one of those places we’re so lucky to have on our doorstep, and I never get tired of it. A bit of fresh air, a wander through the trees, and some time away from the usual jobs does us all good.

Our Bathroom Refresh

Oh my days, what a difference a bit of paint makes! We recently partnered up with the lovely team at eico paint, to give our en suite a much-needed refresh, and I’m absolutely loving how it’s turned out.

The built-in wardrobes were looking a little tired, so rather than replacing perfectly good storage, we gave the doors a fresh coat of paint and added some new handles. It’s completely changed the feel of the room, and I still keep popping in for another look. Sad, I know, but I’m easily pleased when it comes to home makeovers!

You can see the before and after photos and read all about our bathroom refresh here. It’s amazing what you can do without ripping everything out and starting again.

Comfy PC Gaming

Because we all need a comfy gaming chair, right?

Craig has been trying out this PC gaming chair recently, and he’s really pleased with it. One thing he particularly likes is that it’s fabric rather than that sticky PVC-type material that can make you feel all hot and sweaty after sitting in it for a while!

It comes with detachable head and lumbar cushions too, although Craig actually prefers it without them, so they came straight off. You can adjust the height, swivel around and recline the back when you want to get a bit more comfortable.

It’s a nice, simple gaming chair, does the job and has fitted in perfectly with his PC setup.

How was your August? I’d love to hear what’s been making you smile lately.