Snow-covered streets may not be the norm in Australia, but nonetheless winter is a great time to stay inside. As the temperature drops, large outdoor celebrations give way to more intimate indoor events. Gone are the seemingly endless outdoor barbeques common in summer, replaced instead by cosy evening dinner parties. With cooking and entertaining two of my treasured pasttimes, winter is one of my favourite seasons.

From prosciutto-wrapped asparagus to slow-roasted rosemary and garlic lamb and strawberry and rhubarb crumble, I find nothing more enjoyable than creating a sumptuous meal for myself and others to enjoy. Good food, good wine and good company are indeed some of life’s greatest pleasures.

Of course if my home is not suitably styled, finding the motivation and inclination to entertain can be difficult. In previous issues we have shared ideas for updating your kitchen, living room and bedroom. To complete the makeover, this issue we reveal an assortment of elegant ideas to revitalise your bathroom. Far from ripping out the fixtures or becoming a master tiler, we show you how ribbons, paper and fabric dyes can be used to give your bathroom a much-needed makeover in just a few hours.

Looking for some easy ways to update other areas of your home? Try one of three oh-so-easy cushions, including an ingenious quilt that folds into a pillow. You really won’t believe it until you see it!

When all that hard work is over, reward yourself with a fashionable knitted vest and a dramatic knitted scarf (you could even make this as a gift for Father’s Day). Plus, we share a simple way to add a little life to your knitting needles.

Spoil yourself further with a simply chic wire-wrapped bracelet or treat the children with an adorable puppy sewn from vintage chenille fabrics.

All this, plus three great reader competitions. Purchase your copy of the magazine to find out how you can go in the draw to win one paper and sticker pack, one of two clip-on battery lamps or one of four bumper book packs.

Until next time,