At the start of every year, I like to set myself five loose goals and this is something that I've done on my blog (and in real life) for a good f…

I'm a crafty person, but my problem is that I like to dabble in too much. I try one thing for a bit, then get fixated on something else for a bit…

It's no secret that the foodie scene on Teesside is absolutely amazing. We've got a whole host of small home businesses, markets, events, and…

I didn't used to be much of a drinker, and I'm still not massively into it, but as soon as you mention a lovely gin, I'm there. There'…

One thing that I was really excited about when the lockdown restrictions started to lift was the return of arts events, and let me tell you, there…

We're full steam ahead into the second half of 2021, but at the same time, it feels like June went on forever. I think it's partly because a …

I've always said that if I was only allowed to eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be pizza (but only if I could switch up the topping…

Hands up, who else loves a house plant? With spending lots of time around my mum and sister, I've found myself partial to a house plant in recent…

This post is sponsored in collaboration with Darlington Borough Council
I'm such a creature of habit and when I gallivant around Teesside, I usual…

Did you grow up hearing stories and urban myths about Middlesbrough and the North East? Are there things from Middlesbrough that you think the world …

I'm a firm believer in that chocolate makes up one of the segments in the food pyramid - you know the thing you learn about in school? With carbo…

We have such a gorgeously diverse mix of businesses here in Teesside, and I find Instagram one of the best places to find new people to shop from or …

Us Teessiders know that you haven't lived until you've had a proper dirty takeaway parmo. If you want something a bit upmarket, there are ple…

If I've said it once, I've said it again, we have got such amazing variety in the businesses across our region. While each of them are unique…

Guys, it's officially June, and I don't want to be that person, but we're nearly halfway through 2021. How on Earth did that happen? I fe…

After writing up a whole piece about Teesside chocolatiers, I figured it was only right that we delve a little deeper into the luxurious world. I kno…

While the pandemic has been a horrible time for a lot of people, it actually helped me discover so many new businesses. In between furlough and quitt…

If there's one thing that I could eat forever and be completely happy in doing so, it's really great cake. If I've said it once, I've…

There are so many things that we do well up in Teesside, but arguably, we are absolutely the best at making the most delicious parmos - Teesside is t…

Teesside is such a rich place for independent businesses. There are plenty who stick to the local area and bless us with their products across the re…

I'm not quite sure how to explain this, but for me, April went by so slowly, but so quickly at the same time. As I'm sitting and typing this …

If I've said it before, I've said it a thousand times, the Teesside indies in the sweet department are absolutely sensational. They cover suc…

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, I'm a total sweet-toothed fiend. I'm the type of person that always has room for…

We've had so many birthdays in the family lately, and as I said in one of my most recent indie Tees collective posts, there is no gift quite like…

If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I'm a chocoholic, through and through. I swear, if you cut me, I bleed liquid c…

I'm the type of person who loves picking up a new craft and exploring different ways to be creative. One of the best events I've ever been to…

When it comes to gift giving, what could be better than something completely personal and customised? I know that I for one love anything with my nam…

My gosh, I feel like I blinked and March was over! It's definitely gone way too quick and I can't quite believe it's April. I feel like M…

I don't know about you guys, but one thing that I'm desperately looking forward to when lockdown is over is being able to sit in a cafe, rest…

If you've been reading my blog for a few years, you'll know that I have a bit of a birthday tradition. I like to kick it old school and do a …

So far, The Independent Tees Collective has been very food and drink heavy, which you know I'm a big fan of, but the truth is that we have a weal…

One thing I really love about blogging and chatting to independent business owners is learning about what other people want to read. Sometimes, my mi…

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, we have such a wealth of amazing breweries and distilleries in Teesside, with so many na…

I decided that one post for International Women's Day just wasn't enough - we've got too many inspiring women in this region and it's…

Happy International Women's Day, everyone! While we should celebrate everybody's wins all year round, there's no time like International …

One thing we have an abundance of across Teesside is indie sweet treat businesses, which is absolutely ideal for me as someone with a raging sweet to…

Wow, February was a month. While it was the shortest month of the year, it feels like there was so much packed into the space of 28 days. But because…

Hair is something that I'm terrible at and I'm always in total awe of people who find that hair styling just comes naturally to them. Serious…

There is a tiny glimmer of hope on the horizon. As I'm typing this blog post, Boris Johnson has announced that we will be able to go to the pub a…

For today's Independent Tees Collective post, we're taking it back to lockdown. It was a time that was a bit uncertain and chaotic, but there…

I haven't baked from scratch in what feels like a lifetime, and while I've done the odd collab with Betty Crocker on Instagram, it's just…

As we all know, Teesside is a haven for small businesses covering a variety of products and items, but did you know it's also a hotspot for boozy…

Afternoon tea is one of those things that you just can't help but love. There's nothing quite like tucking in to fancy finger sandwiches and …

You guys all know how much I love a parmo, but I'm also a massive sucker for a really good burger. They're something that both Matthew and I …

While lockdown was a bit of a nightmare for a lot of us, for some people, it came as a blessing in disguise. If it wasn't for lockdown, the busin…

Wow guys, we actually did it! We made it past the 254th of January and we're finally in February! As always, the start of the year has dragged fo…

By the fantastic Hello Saturday. Read their blog or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
We are here to talk to you today about the little lesser know…

To see out the end of Veganuary, it was only right that I spoke to another brilliant Tees baking biz that offers 100% plant-based treats. We're l…

There are lots of things that Teesside is known for and one is for the humble parmo, our national dish and number one choice of takeaway foods. But i…

We all know how it is right now. It's currently lockdown 3.0, we can't go anywhere and we're pretty much confined to our homes, unless we…