Monthly Archives: February 2021

Spring cleaning tips

We have been in our homes more than ever before. While many of us have been keeping clean and tidy homes, is there a better excuse to get the marigolds on than the start of spring?

This year, with regional lockdowns starting to (hopefully) lift in the next few months, get a head start on making sure your house is prepared by doing a good old spring clean.

We’ve pulled together some of our top tips for spring cleaning each room – so let’s get started!

slide-01-1024x352 Spring cleaning tips

Living room

  1. First things first – crack those windows open! If it’s a sunny day, let the light in and soak in some Vitamin D. Letting fresh air into the home is a really simple way to improve your indoor air quality and can even be good for your health.

  2. Dust dance! Make cleaning up enjoyable by popping your favourite songs on a spring cleaning playlist or tune in to your favourite podcast. Soon you’ll be done and dusted before you know it.

  3. It can be easy to think the most effective way to clean is to get scrubbing and mopping before anything else. But first, its important to make sure you’ve cleared up all of your clutter, including magazines, newspapers and other bits and bobs you have lying around. This will make the clean-up so much easier in the long run.

  4. Since lockdown, we’ve been on our sofas more than ever before. Make sure you remove your couch cushions and vacuum any crumbs and dirt that have slid down the sides of the couch without you realising. You never know – you may even find a £5 note!
lemons Spring cleaning tips

Kitchen

  1. You’d be surprised at how much dirt and fluff makes its way into the drawers in your kitchen. Use this as an opportunity to get into your cupboards and re-organise. Once you’ve sorted all of your cutlery, and thrown away the takeaway menus you no longer need, give the drawer a good scrub to make sure all dirt and grime has been lifted.

  2. At the start of lockdown, a lot of us stock-piled canned and pantry goods just in case. Make room for new treats by taking out all of the dried foods in your cupboards and make sure you’re not holding on to anything that’s out of date. This will mean you can re-discover things you didn’t realise you had, and even give you some meal inspiration for the coming weeks.

  3. Don’t throw out your lemons just yet. Lemons can be used as a natural antibacterial bleach. Rub them on your chopping board as a disinfectant, to get rid of any persistent stains, and to leave it smelling fresh.

  4. If you’re keen baker, you may have bicarbonate of soda in your cupboards. This is an excellent cleaning product – it can soften hard water and cuts through grime quickly and easily. Not only that, but it can also cut through grease in blocked sinks.

Bathroom

  1. There is no better feeling than putting on a fresh towel after a long bath. One of the first things to do when tackling your bathroom is to launder all your bathroom necessities – towels, dressing gowns, wash cloths and bathmats. Next time you shower you’ll feel as good as new.
  • Toothbrushes aren’t just for brushing your teeth. If you have an old toothbrush kicking around you can really get into the curves and crevices of your shower or bathtub with a toothbrush scrub. Excellent at getting between your tiles, toothbrushes are a cheap bathroom cleaning product.

  • We can often pick up the next best beauty products, use them once and put them in the back of the cupboard never to be seen again. Make sure your products haven’t expired by checking the period after opening symbol to know which serums and moisturisers you can save.

  • Get smelly – in a good way. We all associate the bathroom with some unsavoury smells, but freshen up the room by introducing essential oils, wax melts or even candles to the space. Especially helpful if your bathroom doesn’t have a window.

pillows Spring cleaning tips

Bedroom 

  1. Have you got drawers filled with bed clothes and sheets that never seems to look organised? Pop all of your matching duvet sets into one pillowcase – and you’ll save bags of room and clutter.

  2. As noted throughout this blog, we know that clutter has become a problem in many people’s homes this past year. Do you have a bedside table or desk drawer that has old batteries, unfinished books and other pieces gathering dust? Do a clear out, de-clutter and find a new spot for these items.

  3. Have you got a closet full of clothes that you don’t wear anymore? Although we’ve not been able to go anywhere recently, it’s never a bad idea to follow the two year rule. Ask yourself if you have you worn that top/pair of jeans/hat in the past two years. If not, and the garment is still in good condition, you could donate it to a charity shop or clothing bank. This will make your closet seem far more organised and save some space for new pieces.

  4. Don’t forget the light switch. One of the most commonly touched areas in any room is the light switch. Make sure you spray the cleaner on your cloth, rather than the switch – this also applies to sockets.

Be productive when working from home this winter

When we started to work from home in March last year we thought it would be a temporary measure. But 10 months on we are still doing everything possible to keep safe and remain indoors to protect our families, neighbours and key workers.

Although working from home has its benefits – a much shorter commute from bed to desk is one that springs to mind – it can be a testing time.

Here in Chapelton, we’ve pulled together some top tips to help you make the most of working from home in 2021.

Make sure you have a dedicated work space

It’s important that while you are working from home you have space to focus. Having a dedicated space helps you switch on at the beginning of the day and get into a productive mindset. A steady and reliable internet connection will help you make the most of virtual catch ups and keep on top of your workload. In Chapelton every home has fibre right into the interior of the home, meaning that residents are able to access the fastest available connectivity.

Set boundaries

With the laptop just a reach away, it can be tempting to work out of hours and answer just one more email. It’s important to set boundaries with colleagues and have clear switch off times so that you can catch up with your family or relax with your favourite hobby. Try and tidy your laptop away in the evenings and weekends so you can make the most of “you” time.

Get outdoors

We know – no-one wants to go outside on a wet and cold winter evening. Try and swap your evening walk for a lunchtime stroll to make sure you are getting some daylight and exercise into your day. The Chapelton trail starts at the heart of the town in Hume Square, and is the ideal length for a run or a good dog walk.

Or.. let the outdoors in!

Add some more greenery to your home this winter and invest in some plants to bring the outdoors to you. Plants can reduce stress and help mental health, as well as giving keen gardeners their green finger fix.

Plan ahead

While there isn’t much to do at the moment, with cafes, restaurants and cinemas closed, having plans with friends or family can make a week of work fly by. Whether that be a socially distanced walk with a friend, a delicious takeaway from Teacake, or a fancy meal on a Saturday night, having something to work towards will help you relax.

How to make Teacake’s confit duck and poppy seed pancakes

Pancake Tuesday has crêped up on us again, so we’ve been in touch with Teacake owner Bob Miller who has shared his favourite pancake recipe.

Get in the kitchen and give it a go – let us know how you do! This recipe does involve marinating the duck so we recommended reading all the way through and preparing some time before you plan to eat.

bob3-edited-scaled How to make Teacake’s confit duck and poppy seed pancakes

Pancakes ingredients

  • 100g caster sugar
  • 200g self-raising flour
  • 2 medium eggs
  • ½ teaspoon of poppy seeds
  • Splash of milk
  • Small knob of butter

Start by mixing the sugar, flour, eggs and poppy seeds. Next, gradually add the milk and whisk until you have a thick pouring consistency.

Heat a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat and grease with a small amount of butter. Add a ladle of the mixture and tilt the pan to cover until the mixture reaches the edges. Leave to cook for around one minute or until you start to see bubbles forming. Then flip and cook on the opposite side for around 30 seconds. Remove from the pan and repeat until all of the mixture is used. Set the pancakes aside under a clean tea towel to keep them warm.

Confit duck ingredients

  • 3-4 duck legs
  • Tablespoon of mixed spice
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon crushed pink pepper corns
  • 500ml – 700ml duck fat
  • Drizzle of rapeseed oil

Begin by taking the duck fat and massaging into the duck legs – you want them to be covered as much as possible. Place on a plate and cover with cling film before leaving in the fridge for around eight to twelve hours.

Next, remove the duck from the fridge and use a paper towel to remove any excess fat from the legs. Place in a slow cooker and drizzle with a little rapeseed oil before cooking for around four hours on a low heat. Once ready, the meat should bull away from the bone with a fork.

Sweet chilli & soya reduction

  • 250ml soya sauce
  • 100ml sweet chilli
  • Zest of one lemon /juice of ½ lemon
  • Zest of one orange/ juice of ½ orange

Place all of the ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for a few minutes until the mixture has thickened.

Once you’re ready to eat, take a pancake and add the duck mixture. Top with a drizzle of the reduction. You may also want to add some garnish, such as spring onion and cucumber or a few sesame seeds. Enjoy!

2021: A first time-buyers guide

Buying your first home can often seem a daunting process, from location and home options to school catchments and legal fees, there are so many things to consider. Thankfully, by following a few simple steps buying your first property can be much easier than many may think, and temporary changes in tax mean buying now could save you thousands.

Knowing that now is a great time to buy is one thing but knowing how to make it happen is something else entirely. That is why we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions for those looking to get onto the property ladder.

Where do I start?

While it can be fun getting lost in looking at properties online, the first step of the journey to home ownership should be to arrange a meeting with a mortgage adviser. In the first meetings potential buyers will be talked through how much they can borrow, what their mortgage will cost them every month and what deposit is required. This lets buyers narrow their search and properly assess the options available.

From there, the next step is to look at additional costs such as the cost to move from a rented property. This would normally include how much should be set aside for paying the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) that has replaced Stamp Duty in Scotland. However, as part of the economic measures in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, this won’t be charged on any properties purchased before 31 March 2021 up to the value of £250,000.

Are there any first-time buyer schemes available to me?

The Scottish Government has established several schemes designed to bring down the cost of getting a foot on the property ladder.

Following the Scottish government’s latest Budget in January 2021, the First Home Fund has been re-opened for applications from 1 April. The £60m funding will support First Time buyers with up to £25k deposit.

Since 2007, the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) shared equity schemes have helped over 12,000 people to buy a home without having to cover the entire cost. Buyers using the scheme will buy a majority share in the home with the government covering the cost of the remaining share. This brings down the cost of the home significantly although it means that you will only receive your share of the value if you later decide to sell.

Chapelton_South-Wolrige-Gardens-Lane_AJC_Site_plot_120-1024x768 2021: A first time-buyers guide

How do I decide where to buy?

It can be difficult to decide where to buy, with factors such as proximity to work, access to facilities, transport links and community all having an impact.

Located just five miles from Aberdeen and with regular transport links as well as plenty of facilities and a thriving community, Chapelton has become an increasingly popular place for first time buyers to set up home.

The series of quality housebuilders involved in the build of the town means that there are plenty of homes to choose from that suit every budget.

Housebuilder Stephen has launched several two and three bedroom cottage style homes, with the Ardwall currently falling within the reduced LBTT property threshold. Aboyne-based housebuilder AJC also has a number of smaller properties available at the recently launched Wolrige Gardens, all of which are designed for modern living. 

Places for People, formerly ZeroC, has a selection of two & three bed homes available to purchase on the New Supply Shared Equity Scheme.  The scheme funded by the Scottish Government and Places for People offers buyers up to a 40% deposit interest free, making home ownership much more affordable