It's that time of year when you can make the easiest guilty pleasure ever. I got hooked on this a couple of years ago when my mum presented me with a bottle and now I try and make it every year. The hardest bit is tracking down the sloes (click here for advice on finding them) but once you have done this, its a cinch. If you are wanting to give it away as presents you can get great bottles from ikea or Lakeland if you do not have any yourself. Tart it up with some ribbon and a label and your away.

This week is Wool Week, a celebration of all things knitted, crocheted and, er, sheep related. The initiative — devised by Prince Charles — aims to help struggling sheep farmers by reigniting our love affair with the fabric, which he says is fashionable, eco-friendly and durable alternative to cheap “throwaway” garments. With the winter fast approaching it's time to reach for your knitting needles. I recently learnt to knit and once you pick up the basics its a brilliant way to to get creative, use your hands for something other than picking up kids food from the floor and bashing away at your keyboard.

Tesco are launching a charm offensive on the ethical community by collaborating with leading a ethical fashion label to create a line of recycled clothing. This will no doubt stick in the throat of a number of environmentalists. Tesco has attracted a number of high profile enemies, including the Tescopoly campaign. None the less, what this campaign will do is raise the profile of upcycling and ethical fashion and make it accessible to the masses. And for that we must applaud them.