Why we all should have a bathrobe

I love bathrobes. They give you extra comfort, and warmth; perfect for cold mornings, perfect for when you get out of the shower / bath, lovely for when you arrive home from the freezing cold, you can snugly up into your robe.

Wearing a bathrobe is like wearing like wearing a cup of hot tea. 

If I have no need or desire to go outside, with ease I will quite happily wear my bathrobe all day, and I've slept in mine a few times.

A bathrobe envelops you in a dreamy embrace like no other garment can.

Wearing a bathrobe allows you to lie on a sofa, wrapped up in woolly fabric, barely aware of what’s going on around you, and in an overall state of perfect serenity and comfort. 

Everyone should have a bathrobe, why:

Wake up to Comfort

You can wrap yourself warm and snugly up in your bed and drift off... and wake up in warmth. 

Wrap up in one 

After a bath/shower you can wrap yourself up to get dry, keeping your shoulders your body warm. As the bathrobe covers more surface area of your body, you will dry off a lot faster.

Prepare for a Night out

Whilst getting ready, wearing a robe whilst getting ready and getting other things done, i.e. you can do your hair and makeup more comfortably.

Who needs to get dressed

It's early and you aren’t ready to get dressed, but you don’t want to be out on your front door in your pyjamas when the postman knocks. Or, maybe you are poorly, and you want to curl up on the sofa all day, a bathrobe will give you the comfort you need.

Brantano Kids Trainers Wish List

Trainers are probably one of the most verstile shoes you can wear, which makes them the perfect choice for children. Whether they need them for PE lessons, after school club, to go down the skate park, or just everyday use, trainers are pretty practical footwear.

Kids Trainers come in all sorts of styles, types, colours and patterns. Each of my 4 has their own favourite type. Lewis like a more unique pair, ones that are bright and colourful. Liam prefers just white or black, plain.  Jacob, likes any, as long as they are comfortable (he is very fussy with how clothes and shoes feel, he won't wear anything if that irritates him). Summer loves anything pink. 

Daisy by Character trainers £18.00 - Summer would love these, they are fun and colourful and of course, they are Peppa Pig.

NIKE Mercurial Vortex Iii £36  - These bright pair are perfect for Lewis, being asto turf, they are durable, but comfortable to wear. 

VANS Atwood £34 - Liam has been looking for his old, but hardly worn VANS (I think I threw them out earlier in the year), so these would be perfect for him.

NIKE Tiempo Rio a6 £30  - Jacob needs a pair of asto turf trainers for his PE, these would be perfect for him.

NIKE Fokus £28 - Jacob also needs everyday trainers. He would like these are they are like his old pair, which he finds comfortable to wear.

Brantano has a  good all-round range of kids’ trainers at great prices.

Lost School Uniform - An ongoing issue

We've all been there, you drop your child off at school, fully kitted out in uniform, but come home time, half of it's gone missing.

Lost uniform, which is never to be found again, can be pretty frustrating and expensive. You ask your child 'Where's your jumper' and they look at you blankly, or with that expression 'huh, how would I know that!' and they shrug their shoulders and say 'it's lost'.

Schools are like the Bermuda Triangle for uniforms - Uniform is taken into school and then never seen again. It’s a mystery to all of us.

One of the best ways to save your uniform from wandering off and disappearing into a black hole is to put a name tag on it. Albeit this doesn't always work and the jumper disappears from the face of the earth.

My tips: - 

Label everything with a name tag - I mean everything, the uniform, coats, plimsolls, pencil cases, lunch boxes etc. I'm always surprised looking in the lost property box how many items are not labelled.

Encourage your child to have a dedicated place to put their cardigan/jumper if they decide to take it off, they could put it in their tray or to hang it on their coat hook etc. Just not the back of the chair, this is when they are likely to go missing.

Check the school's lost property - you will be surprised with what turns up.

Praise your child for looking after their uniform. Kids love praise and if you tell them you are proud of them for looking after their cardigan/ P.E kit they are more likely to continue to do it in the future.

Xmas Money Saving Tips

Christmas is getting close (It's Christmas next week!) and if you are like me you still have a lot to sort out. But come January, will you be complaining? "I'm skint now". It's not too late to avoid this.

Below are my Xmas Monday Saving Tips.

Source

Look out for codes, search for vouchers and buy during the sales. don't forget to shop via cashback sites to obtain cashback. I love saving money on my purchases, and/or building up my cashback pot up.

Sell, we all have items stashed in the loft, or maybe far too many nail varnishes, books, DVDs, clothing - something to sell.

Do you really need to buy for the ever-widening glut of extended family and close friends?! For example, a couple of years back my friend and I talked and we agreed not to buy each other's kids presents, they get enough as it is - but we still treat each other, which is nice.

Do you need host all those Christmas parties? We are guilty of throwing parties over Christmas, and spending a bomb. Christmas day we have family around - this is priority, and I wouldn't change for anything but do we really need to then host a boxing day party? New Years Eve party, etc. 

Start to put money and/or buy gift cards aside each month to pay for next Christmas. In the past, I've tried to foot it all from November and December's pay, which was not a good idea. Even if you put a small amount aside, £20 / £30, it will soon build up throughout the year. And, you’ll have a lovely kitty ready and waiting.

Buy presents throughout the year. I do this and pop the pressies in my cupboard. The near to December I will do check to see what I have collected, and always surprise myself on how much I have bought throughout the year - meaning less to buy in the last minute dash of December.

Debt worries over Xmas? We've all been there! Sadly, Christmas isn't jolly for all. If you have debt worries, visit CreditFix for help. Help is good, especially if Debt is keeping you awake at night, then why not seek help.

Christmas Fun Party Bingo card

The Christmas countdown has begun! Crackers, check. Turkey, check. Sprouts….. yes please, I can't wait.

Christmas and New Year are full of traditions. Do you have some? Ours are quite traditional, but we are starting a new one this year and that is getting together with family, and taking the dogs for a walk.  For others, some traditions are historic like leaving the carrot for the reindeer on Christmas Eve or counting down the minutes to midnight on New Years' eve. Others are more recent, such as singing hit songs or watching a fight unfold on Eastenders.

I have the below fabulous Paddy Power Bingo card with some known and lesser known traditions on. See how many you can tick off and how traditionally British your holidays is!

The Step-By-Step Guide To buying a House in Ireland

Hubby and I bought our very first home, 18 years ago, it was the perfect terraced house; 2 up and 2 down.  It was a quaint snug home; but, with very steep stairs (Oh! the amount of times we slipped down those stairs). We weren't earning a lot of money back then, but we did manage to invest in the home, we added double glazing windows and decorated it to our taste. Also, our family started in this house, we had our first baby and my 9-year old step-son came to live with us.

We lived in our quaint little home for just under 3 years before we needed a bigger home as our family was growing and so we moved. We moved and bought three homes over the past 18 years, our current home we've been in for the past 9 years and don't plan to move anytime soon.  

These days buying a property is an issue that faces people across both England and Ireland. Increasing property prices all over England and Ireland have left many first-time buyers wondering when and if they will get on the property ladder.  

The recent announcement from the Irish Government and its Help to Buy incentive in Budget 2017 is designed to assist first-time buyers obtain the required deposit to secure a mortgage to buy or build a new home

AIG Ireland has designed a step by step guide to buying a house a Ireland  which you may find helpful. The infographic takes you through the steps you will have to take to get through the process. For example, did you know at the time of buying your first home that lenders require you and your partners to not only have life insurance but home insurance too?

Christmas Around the World

It's not long until Christmas 2017! Christmas is the highlight of the year, every year. It's a time to gather, be close to family and enjoy each others company; eat, drink and be merry.

Around the world, people celebrate the Christmas holidays in many different ways. Many Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions and the festivities can be very different from country to country, focusing on different aspects. 

No matter where you are in the world, if you celebrate Christmas you are sharing in the wonder and magic of the Christmas season. 

Bright Horizons Nursery in Twickenham designed a fun fact infographic full of interesting information. It shares some lovely facts about Christmas Around the World and how it is celebrated in different countries; how to say Merry Christmas in different languages, about different cultures’ idea of ‘Santa Claus' and much more

Which E-Cig Should you Choose

Over the past few years we've seen more and more people turning to vaping, and for different reasons, whether they're trying to find a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes, or maybe they would like a cheaper option.  There's also people who try out vaping and love it even if they don't have a smoking habit - I know a couple of people who social vape, they've never smoked before, but now they are vaping -  I also know quite a few people that have moved from smoking tobacco cigarettes to vaping.

I quite smoking along time ago and vaping doesn't appeal to me at all, but I've also seen how vaping has become an alternative option to a few people around me.  It seems to have helped them, which I feel is a positive move which I support - vaping is better than tabacco!

This new pastime isn’t going anywhere, and if you are considering changing to vaping, what e-cig should you choose - take a look at this helpful Infographic:

Peer to Peer Borrowing

Borrowing money with a peer-to-Peer lender.

What is peer to peer lender?

It's a community lending/saving circle. An alternative way to borrow money.  You borrow from individuals, who invest their money by lending it to you.  This concept allows the borrowing and lending between individuals or a group of individuals, or ‘peers’, without a traditional financial institution such as a bank or building society being involved.  

All this is arranged with the peer to peer company; they pair up people who want to earn a return on their money, with those who want to borrow it. There are a few peer to peer lender websites, and each should be researched fully before making a decisions -i.e, what one meets your needs best?!

Why peer to peer borrowing?

The benefits of this format, namely, the rates are very competitive and you can pay it off early without having to worry about additional charges. The rates can look more attractive on loans, i.e. a £5,000 loan from a peer to peer lender over a three-year term comes with a rate of 6.9% APR. 

So no matter what the reason for the loan, whether it be for home improvements or to buy a car, if you want to borrow money, the peer to peer lender's websites put you in touch with individuals that want to lend it to you. As such, the companies behind these services act as intermediaries between a borrower and a lender or lenders, dependent on certain factors such as your credit score.

If you apply for a loan, you will be credit checked using a credit reference agency and also have to pass the peer to peer company’s own credit tests.

So if you prefer to take a loan without the need of bank or building society, perhaps you've been turned down by one in the past, or simply the peer to peer competitive interest rates and the flexible loan terms the websites offer, then peer to peer borrowing may be an option for you.

ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN DON’T KNOW THAT MILK COMES FROM COWS

A child's thought process is uniquely fascinating, their logic and reasoning as they learn can be charming and endearing and somewhat amusing. Children think outside the box and their minds are full of imagination. What they believe and the myths they pick up over can lead them to understand / perceive things differently.

A recent research survey* carried out by Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons has found out what children between 4 and 8 years old believe where their food comes from and the results are, interesting:

• Over one in ten boys (11 per cent) believe milk comes straight from the supermarket
• A fifth (20 per cent) of five-year-olds believe that chocolate is made from eggs
• Almost a third of children (29 per cent) believe a cow’s diet consists of sandwiches and pizza

The survey also captured parents opinions and how a large 73 per cent stated that knowing where their food comes from is important to them. As a parent myself, I would be within the 73%. But, when it comes to the children, one in five don't realise that milk comes from cows.

To help the younger generation , Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons has partnered with Giovanna Fletcher has partnered with Cadbury Daily Milk Buttons to help kids understand food provenance; in particular where the glass and a half of milk used to make each packet of its iconic Buttons comes from. In the video, Giovanna takes some parents and kids back to the farm to learn some truths:

*The research was conducted between 10th – 24th October 2016, on a sample of 1,500 parents and their children, living in the UK British parents and their children aged 4-8.

How to budget for Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner, there has never been a better time to look at your spending.

Setting a budget for the festive period can be tricky but Logbook Loan provider Auto Advance have outlined some top tips for not only setting a budget but sticking to it.

Setting a budget

Firstly look at what you need for Christmas, gifts, food, decorations etc. Prioritise them. The core of your budget should be based on the absolute essential items.

Once you know how much all the essential items are likely to cost look at how much you can afford to spend towards them, either as a portion of a monthly salary or a weekly figure.

This should be a sensible figure; something that means you can put money aside while also covering the costs of bills and other common costs that would be present with or without it being Christmas.

Make sure you give yourself some wiggle room on this figure too, particularly as some prices can fluctuate over Christmas depending on retailers, items and how close to Christmas you are.

Remember:

• Some items like chocolates or wine can be bought well in advance
• Keep an eye out for special offers and deals in the run up to Christmas
• Set a sensible budget that won’t leave you struggling financially

How to stick to a budget

It can be really easy to use “It’s Christmas” as an excuse to go a bit overboard.

Keeping that urge to go over the top in check is really tricky at this time of year but it can save a lot of financial difficulty in the long run.

It isn’t so much a case of being strict but being sensible with what you buy. A budget shouldn’t make life difficult or make you feel like you are missing out on things, careful budgeting just means showing restraint in certain areas. Forgoing the occasional take-away or night out in order to have more money for the Christmas period for example.

The key to a Christmas budget is understanding that due to the time of year there will be a slight hit to your finances regardless of what you do. The key is giving you time to financially recover. This means resisting the call of the Boxing Day sales and relaxing at home, instead of spending more.

Going into the sales often means you are armed with vouchers from relatives and many people don’t realise how much they wind up spending when they use the voucher, then put some of their own money towards a purchase too.

If you aren’t mindful your careful budgeting up until Christmas Day can come unstuck. The whole point of Christmas is to enjoy yourself and spend time with friends and family. Putting a sensible budget in place can help you enjoy Christmas more knowing that you are in better financial shape going into the New Year.

Keeping Your Home Safe Whilst You Go Away

Each time you go on holiday and leave your home, it becomes vulnerable to thieves.

We've been lucky enough to have family members temporarily move in and look after our home every time we go away, but, there are many people that don't have that option available to them.

When you go away, you want your home to feel safe; as I tell my kids 'home is the safest place in the world' and so it should be.  

There are steps you can take to help make your home feel safer and put off burglars. Some of these steps can also help keep down the cost of your house insurance.

Lock all windows and doors.

Always check the windows and doors of your home to make sure they shut and locked properly and that they are secure.

Secure the garden

Make sure all your valuables are locked away securely: bikes, and tools – make sure the ladder is put away, so a bugler cannot use it to his advantage.  And, make sure the gate is shut and locked.

Motion detector lights

Install motion detector lights to deter the burglars. Above the garage, on the shed, in the back garden etc. 

Install a monitored home security system.

With today's technology, you can install a home system that allows you to remotely access your home security via your phone. You can even use your device to lock/unlock doors via security cameras. 

Talk to your neighbours/family

Ask a neighbor and/or family member to watch your home and report any suspicious activity. 

Protect your possessions

Insurance gives you the safety net of covering your possessions. If you go for the cheapest home insurance then make sure it covers everything you need it to.

Gentlemen's Gift List

Why is it so hard to find the right gift for a man? whether it's your teen son, you hubby, your brother or your dad, I struggle every time, it drives me crazy. 

Christmas is coming, the woman in my life are easy to buy for, but when it comes to the men, not so easy! I try and avoid the clinch gifts - but, at the end of the day, it is the thought that goes into finding the gift, and I always give it a lot of thought! 

Every year I struggle to find the perfect gift for my dad. I normally ask mum and she will tell me clothes, or a hat (last year it was a hat for his walks).  I got him a furry trappers hat that covered his ears, which he loves, and is perfect for him during the cold months.   

I do think I overthink it when trying to find a gift, especially when it comes to the men in my life - my dad, my hubby, my sons.  So this year, I am going to keep it simple - nothing wrong in cliche gifts, as long as there is thought gone into it.

I've put together some ideas for Christmas gifts below from Chums website.

Baker's Dozen Initalled Handkerchief Set- when I was a little girl, my dad always had a hanky, thus, I always have a hanky still to date I keep a hanky with me during the winter months (dropped with Olbas Oil to help clear my sinus).  I would get these lovely personlised hankies, because they remind me of my dad! I just know he hasn't received hankies as a gift for many many years - he probably still owns the same ones since I was little!

Mock Sheepskin Trapper Hat - my dad was over the moon with his hat we bought him last Christmas, perfect for him when he takes the dogs on walks.  But, he only has the one hat, so I new addition would be nice for him. 

Dunlop Twin Gusset Slipper - I am such a fan of slippers. I love my slippers. I know my parents love wearing slippers (it's where I get it from), thus, this pair are a lovely choice for my dad.

Aramis Aftershave - You can never have enough Aftershave, it gets used every day, and it's a bathroom essential. 

Sandalwood Shaving Set - My dad has always had a mustache, but apart from that has always been clean shaven. I remember my dad having a shaving brush when I was younger, but I don't think he has owned one for many years, this would make a lovely retro gift. 

Choosing Not to Go to University

Finding out I was dyslexic a couple of months before my GCSE exams, was both a revelation and a knock of confidence. Any thoughts I had of going to university to achieve the business career I so wanted were rapidly thrown out of the window. 

I went on to college as I wasn't ready to leave my friends or go into the workforce.  And, so I did business studies. I left college and embarked on work, but at this point in my life, I also made a promise to myself that I will push myself to learn and work hard. 

Having a family put my climb up to my career on the back burner for a few years. Then after a lot of hard work, a bit of luck and lots of determination, I worked my way up. I got the dream job and I did it without going to university, so is the cost of university degree really worth it?

With the increased costs of going to university and a lifetime debt, many people could well be wondering whether it is worth it anymore. 

For many, they have no choice but to go down the route of going to university to achieve their dream job. For example, my oldest son has just started college, the courses he is currently taking is Law and Criminology - he wants to be a Lawyer, thus, that means he has to go to uni to achieve his goal. Then my middle son, who is 13, he has had a dream since he was young to become an Architect, again this is a career where achieving a uni degree is compulsory. Both my boys are prepared and understand they have to go onto university.

For them, it's more than about the money, the cost of achieving a university degree is an investment and hubby and I encourage and fully support; but it does break my heart that they will, in the end, have large debts, and to think, the amount of time it will take for them to pay it off... heart breaking.

University isn't right for everyone, and depending on what career you want, having a degree is not always necessary, there are other options out there. 

The online money saving and voucher code website MyVoucherCodes have taken a look at the British University system to see what students are getting for their money. The research finds that the average starting salary for graduates is £25,000, whilst the approx. cost of gaining a university degree sits at around £44,000, so depending on what career they want, is the investment worth it? Of course, there are degrees that provide a graduate with a significantly higher starting salary.

You can read more on the research here.

How to Raise a Complaint to Question Your Treatment

If you believe there has been injustice or hardship because a health organisation has not acted properly or fairly or you received a poor service and they've not put things right, what do you do?

If you are not happy with the medical treatment that has been provided to you or a member of family you are legally entitled to have your concerns investigated and to receive a full response from the healthcare provider - Dentist, GP, Optician, pharmacist or private health care body.

First and foremost you have to submit a formal complaint to your healthcare provider following the NHS complaints procedures. This can be done either by written format, email or verbally.

The aim of the formal complaint is to receive answers and an explanation to your questions to which you have with you have regarding the treatment you received.

Once you submit your formal complaint to the healthcare provider, they must acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days after receiving it. Here they will also confirm how the complaint will be investigated and give you an estimated time period of when you can expect a full response.

When you receive your full response and if for any reason you are not happy with it, what do you do then?

If you are not satisfied with the response for whatever reason you can seek a review by the Health Service Ombudsman. They will look at unresolved complaints for all healthcare providers and if they conclude that the healthcare provider got things wrong, the Health Service Ombudsman will look to make recommendations to put it right. This can include explanations, apologies, and recommendations for the service to improve.

What next? What if you feel this is not enough?

The decision about whether or not to sue is a very personal one.  You have to consider if this route will give you what you are looking for? Closure... Would it help you to feel that your situation has been taken seriously and that lessons have been learned?!

The next stage would be for you to speak to a Solicitor that has experience of similar cases to see if this is something that they can assist and support you in. You may also find it helpful to take a look at First4SeriousInjury site.

The solicitor will then provide support directing you through process.

But, it is important to realise that you have the right to question your treatment and to raise complaints and the potential right to compensation they have too.  By speaking up and shining a light on issues you may have faced, you can make sure this doesn't happen to other people. Compensation will never make up for what's happened but compensation can ease the burden and support families with their situation. 

Rattan Direct's Wildlife Photography Competition

I took this photo in the Carlton Marshes this year.

Shortly after I started blogging was when I discovered my love for taking photos, especially capturing moments of the kids, but many times on our days out I enjoy to take photos of the beautiful wildlife. And, I always have to take my camera with me when we head out.

Do you enjoy taking photos? If you do, Rattan Direct have a fabulous competition for you.

Rattan Direct are hosting a Wildlife Photography competition for all to enter, whether you are a keen photographer or someone that enjoys taking the odd photos now and then, you can submit your favourite wildlife photo you captured to be in with the chance to win a gorgeous Rio (Armed) 4 Chairs And Open Leg Square Table Set. 

You could submit a picture of wildlife that you found in your garden, or maybe it's a photo taken out in the woods, along the beach or anywhere else; it could be a photo of a creepy crawly, a bird or any other wildlife you captured.  

Once you have your wildlife photo you would like to enter, you upload it to the Rattan Direct website - it's as easy as that.

Rattan Direct will then choose their favourites and place those onto their Facebook page for the public to vote for the best one.

The Rattan Direct Wildlife competition closes on 30th October 2016, so don't delay and get your entry in today. Good Luck

• Website:- Rattandirect.co.uk
• Facebook
• Twitter

5 WARDROBE ESSENTIALS FOR WOMEN

Your wardrobe has seen trends come and go, but the basics are ones which lasted forever. Your favorite pair of black trousers or a plain white button-down, are key pieces you know would never go out of style or lose their street-chic appeal. With few of these key pieces on hand, though, you’ll always know what to reach for!

1) BLACK TROUSERS-  Black trousers are one of the few wardrobe mandatory that would work with just about anything else in your closet. The perfect pair has the power to truly transform how you look and feel!

2) WHITE SHIRT-  This being my personal favorite, a plain crisp white button-down would be the most timeless classic you could invest onto and team it up with almost anything and look really sexy in it!

3) PRINTED SCARF- One of my friend who I met while playing bingo online suggested me, that even on a day, where you almost feel that you have nothing to wear, a plain tee accessorised with a nice printed scarf as the 'bright' piece would just complete your look.

4) BLACK BLAZER- Laying up with well-fitting blazer is an effortless way to look classy and feminine. The best thing about it is that it look great on all body types, for both day or night.

5) NUDE PUMPS-  This fashion favorite has withstood the test of time because it is the go-to shoe for day or night, jeans or trousers or skirts, dressy occasions or more casual events. Whether worn as heels or perfect flats, a pair of nude pumps adds polish to any outfit.

So here were 5 tips of timeless pieces that can be paired with almost anything you have. If they are still missing from your closets, it's high time you get them for they would be an investment worth!

Beautify your Restaurant Business with Ceiling Tiles

Are you thinking about a nice improvement in your restaurant? Maybe you don’t need to think about spending a fortune on renovations. Perhaps the best way to beautify your restaurant is starting with the walls...Choose a different paint color and brighten up the entire space by applying ceiling tiles. There is a very wide palette of ceiling tiles available through www.TalissaDecor.com and they offer top quality products at reasonable prices.

All you need to do is start browsing among the products and choose the tiles that you like the most. There are Styrofoam tiles or faux tin tiles available, and each sub-category has dozens of models and patterns you can choose from. The best part? The ceiling tiles can be applied through a DIY project, and you don’t even have to hire specialized help. Just pay attention to the installation instructions, and purchase all the tools and accessories that you need. Then, within a few hours, you can set up a brand new ceiling within your restaurant. Your guests will be definitely impressed. 

Source: https://www.talissadecor.com/gallery/575725c573729RM23web.jpg

About Styrofoam ceiling tiles

The Styrofoam ceiling tiles represent the best solution if you wish to cover up an unsightly ceiling (such as a popcorn ceiling). The good news is that you do not have to renovate the celling first, but you can just simply cover up that ugly ceiling with the Styrofoam tiles. Also, Styrofoam tiles are 100% paintable in any color that you wish. Therefore, if you do not wish to have a white ceiling, you can just paint your ceiling in any color that you wish.

Here is a handy video tutorial on how to install ceiling tiles over popcorn ceiling. Watch it, and then you will be able to perform your own project and make it look top professional. With some research online, you can come across dozens of such high profile tutorials on how to properly install Styrofoam ceiling tiles. The secret to a perfect job is to purchase only high quality tiles offered by reputable providers. Also don’t forget to purchase a few extra tiles than you need, in case you accidently cut or damage a piece. This way, you will have spare replacements to complete your project.

Styrofoam ceiling tiles can help bring more class and style to your restaurant. The Styrofoam tiles also require a relatively small investment, but you can make a big difference with your project. Why is it worth it to choose Styrofoam tiles?

• Because you do not have to go through the tedious job of removing an old and unsightly popcorn ceiling
• TalissaDecor produces top quality Styrofoam tiles that are manufactured from extruded polystyrene. This material is much more durable than regular polystyrene.
• Extremely lightweight and easy to handle during the installation project
• Tiles that are moisture proof
• Very easily to clean & practically maintenance free
• Paint them any color that you wish
• No special equipment required for the installation of the Styrofoam ceiling tiles
• Apply them over traditional flat ceilings or popcorn ceilings. Cover up instantly any unsightly ceilings

Source: https://www.talissadecor.com/gallery/5757351cb4c20web.JPG

You can get plenty of design ideas regarding the installation of Styrofoam ceiling tiles here. Just browse through the top quality pictures and you will be able to check out hundreds of DY ceiling tiles projects for both commercial and residential purposes. As you can easily note, you don’t really have to invest thousands in order to beautify your restaurant. You can just opt for the simplest yet most effective solution, represented by ceiling tiles.

If you would like something even more impressive, you can opt for the faux tin ceiling tiles. These are available in several pattern and colors, and with the help of these tiles, you can recreate the looks of authentic tin. You will instantly brighten up your space and make it much more beautiful and glittery with faux tin ceiling tiles.

Faux tin ceiling tiles are available in plenty of colors so that you can choose the one that suits best your locale.

• White pearl and brass- goes wonderfully in an elegant restaurant where glitter and eleganceare your number one priority
• White pearl and red- white in combination with red will give an instant ‘bright’ spirit to your entire space
• Silver and purple- classy, elegant yet extremely trendy. Does this represent your business? Then, you might want to check out these beautiful tiles…
• Aged copper- an extremely classical choice, which gives an instant “historical’ feel to your entire space. There are 11 different patterned tiles available in this color, so you should definitely check them out

The faux tin tiles offered by Talissa are extremely lightweight and easy to install. The tiles have 3D embossing in order to recreate that special appearance of authentic tin. The tiles are water, stain and moisture resistant which are all important requirements in a restaurant. The tiles are easy to clean, and they are virtually maintenance free. Moreover, the faux in tiles are guaranteed fire tested, and they are suitable for both residential and commercial projects.

So why start with extremely expensive investments in order to beautify your restaurant? Maybe all your business needs is a beautiful new paint finish and a new ceiling. This improvement will not even cost you a lot and these can be performed as DIY projects. 

Source: https://www.talissadecor.com/gallery/5751c5a623c85kitchen_ceiling_009.JPG

Take a look at the impressive faux tin tiles available on the main website of Talissa, and decide which pattern would best suit your interiors. If you want to, you can so get the opinion of an expert to inform you which exactly pattern or design would go best for your restaurant.

The faux tin tiles are extremely attractive and versatile because they can even be mounted framed on the wall to create a 3D pattern that is amazing. The tiles can be mounted directly onto a flat ceiling, and you don’t need any specialized help. Start beautifying your restaurant today!

Kwik Fit - Nostalgia Lane Competition

When I look back on my childhood family holidays, I will often look back with a certain fondness, but there is one holiday that stands out for me,  the most memorable holiday from my childhood. 

It was one summer holiday in my teens when we travelled Europe, through France, Luxembourg, Germany to Switzerland and back to France.  We holidayed in our caravan, my dads' pride and joy - we had some amazing holidays and trips in that caravan, lots of fab memories.

When I look back at my time in Switzerland I often fondly reflect back on, the beautiful buildings, the turquoise lakes, the mountain with snow tops, our day splashing around in a waterfall, the wildlife - snakes swimming in the lakes or the hedgehogs that raided our awning. I remember going into a village searching for a traditional cuckoo clock. (which hung on our living room wall for years).

Switzerland is a beautiful and magical place, leaving lasting memories.

Now a days I am making holiday memories with my children, ones I hope they will look back on fondly too. Holidays bring holiday memories, and, often a sense of nostalgia for good times long gone. 

We've taken our children on some amazing holidays too, from Lapland to Mexico.  But, over the years our holiday habits have changed due to many reasons. A few years ago we looked forward to holidays abroad, but the past couple of years we have immersed ourselves more into staycations and are particularly enjoying it. It does mean we are travelling via car more, which is the only negative - as we have 2 boys that suffer from travel sickness and they dread the road trips.

Keeping kids occupied in the car has changed over the years, from when my oldest two were younger we would pack and take a portable DVD player and they would watch films, but now with the younger two they take iPads and watch YouTube and play games. But, as two of my boys suffer from travel sickness they do avoid too much screen time as this enhances the sickness, thus, they like to do simple things like i-Spy game etc.

Along with other bloggers, I've collaborated with Kwik Fit and shared my top tip for when it comes to keeping the kids entertained on a long family road trip you can see all the tips here.

Kwik Fit are running a  Nostalgia Lane Competition in their Family Hub, where you can enter to win £150 worth of Amazon vouchers, simply by describing a memorable road trip.

#DreamsExplained Campaign - What Dreams Mean

Adjustamatic make adjustable beds and riser recliner chairs and recently got in touch to invite me to share one of my dreams as part of their #DreamsExplained campaign. The campaign leads up to the launch of their new video which will be featuring Ian Wallace, a top dream psychologist. There will be 5 dreams from the #DreamsExplained campaign selected to feature in the new video. 

We all dream, and they fascinate me.

My kids will often tell me of their dreams, good or bad.  I love hearing about their dreams as they describe them, it's so sweet.

I've always been fascinated by my dreams and my kid's dreams. Some of my dreams can often be epic, so much so they can have an impact. Depending on the dream and how vivid or lucid it has been, I can wake up and the effect stays with me for a time, mostly in a positive way.

I'm very much someone that needs at least 8 hours sleep. If I don't get my 8-hours sleep, I will have a quick nap on my sofa and during my naps is when I often dream more vividly. These are the best ones.

And, as part of the Adjustamatic #DreamsExplained campaign I was invited to share one of my dreams, which could be picked to be 1 of the featured dreams in the video Adjustamatic are making.

My dream: 

I come home to find my hubby had got us a second beagle, which I am shocked, as I've been considering getting another one and trying to talk hubby into it, but I know the time isn't right, not with our 1-year-old beagle Poppy, who is a handfull already, not just for me, but for our little old Lhasa Apso, who is 11 years old, and our 2 old cats who are both 19 - getting another beagle would not be fair, thus, it's not the right time at the moment.  So I was shocked to come home to find we had a second beagle, more shocked because hubby is the sensible one and advises against getting a second beagle, but in this dream he was the one that went out and got me one. However, in the end the second beagle had calmed down our Poppy, thus, they were both calm, even the cats cuddled up with them and everyone was happy.

That was pretty much my dream summarised. It's my most recent weird dream, because, for starters, my hubby would never go out and get a dog, I'm the one that normally has to persuade and bargain with him. And, secondly, I think the part about the dogs being calm (anyone that knows beagles know they're not calm dogs) is wishful thinking. Also, the cats go nowhere near Poppy, cuddling up to them - it just wouldn't happen.