Surprising Ways That You're Probably Wasting Space At Home

There isn't anyone out there who wouldn't like at least a little more space at home. After all, even people living in huge homes can end up feeling a little bit cramped at times. For a lot of people, the solution is just to move to a bigger home. This can cause problems for a couple of reasons. For one thing, that's definitely easier said than done! After all, if you're living in a particular sized home, it's probably because that's the home that you and your family can currently afford at the current moment. That's not to say that you won't be earning more in the future, but it's hardly a good idea to hold out until then to start feeling comfortable in your home. The other problem is that the square footage of your home might not actually be the real issue. In fact, there are plenty of ways that you might be wasting space in your home without even realising it. Luckily, many of these things can be fixed by simply being aware of them and taking a few simple steps to avoid them. With that in mind, here are some things that you might be doing to waste space in your home, and what you can do to avoid them.

Bad layouts

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One of the most common ways in which people end up wasting space in their homes is actually one of the toughest to spot as well. When you're arranging a room, you probably have a pretty clear idea of what the "obvious" solution is. Most of the time people tend to lay out a room in pretty obvious ways. The couch will be in the centre of the living room, and everything will be pointed at the TV, which will be in one corner of the room. Or perhaps you'll have your bed sticking out into the centre of your bedroom with a closet at the foot of it. Sure, these can be pretty useful and convenient ways of arranging a room, but just because they're the most immediately obvious doesn't mean that they're necessarily the best. Why not take another look at the rooms in your home and think about different ways of laying them out. Instead of having it in the centre of the room, why not keep the couch pushed up against a wall? That way you're going to be in a much better position to maximise the floor space when it's not so divided. Sure, you're going to be further away from the TV but who says that the TV needs to be the focal point of the living room all of the time? Why not point your chairs and couches at each other instead? That way you're not only using the space more interestingly, but you're encouraging people to talk to each other.

Poor storage solutions

There are few things that can encroach on a room's overall size like having stuff strewn all over the floor. Not only is your home simply going to be more untidy but you're going to have significantly less space to move around. If you want to improve the size of your rooms, get creative with your storage solutions. Instead of taking up valuable space with large bookcases, why not use things like floating bookshelves? These not only allow you to free up far more floor space than you might expect but they can also function as some really interesting decorations around the house. The same goes for things like toys in your kid's rooms. Plenty of shelving units and closets come with spaces for stacking toy chests. That way you can have things hidden away when they're not being used. Giving your child more room to play overall and making it much easier for them to keep their room tidy.

Having too much stuff

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Do you ever walk into a room in someone's home and it just feels cramped? You can't quite put your finger on why but, no matter how large the room is, it just feels like you don't have that much space to move around. The next time that you start feeling like that, look at just how much stuff they have. You'll likely find that their home is crowded and cluttered with more junk than any person could ever need. Then, take that idea and apply it to your own home. Look at the shelves and surfaces. How much space is there? While you might think that space in your home is inherently a waste, the reality is that it can be an incredibly positive force in your home. If you fill up every inch of space on every surface and shelf in your home, then you're not going to feel like you have any room to breathe. By keeping things just a bit more minimal, it's going to add a whole new dimension of space to any room. Keep your mementoes in a box in the attic, that way you can change them up from time to time, so you don't get bored.

Appliances

A lot of the time people think about the appliances in their home as a part of the general shape and floor space of the property. This is usually because they come with the house and are in pretty static positions. After all, you can't move your radiator or washing machine into different parts of a room. However, just because you can't move them around doesn't mean that you have to just put up with how much space they take up. 3 column radiators are a fantastic way to decrease the amount of space that they take up. Rather than having them take up horizontal space that you might want to use, have them take up vertical space that is just going to end up going to waste anyway. Not only that but it will help to turn something functional like a radiator into something more visually striking which can help to make a room feel more interesting overall.   

Furniture

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A lot of people treat furniture in the same way that they think about many of their other possessions. It's just something that you put into your house that exists somewhat separately from it. In reality, furniture occupies a slightly stranger space since it's sort of halfway between being a possession and a piece of the layout of your home as a whole. After all, furniture is often very large, so if it doesn't fit with your home as a whole, then it's going to cause problems. Sure, you might want a huge couch that can fit all of your friends and family at once, but if it's going to eat up half of the living room, it might not be the best idea.

Of course, even if you do fix all of these things, there's no guarantee that your home is going to suddenly feel like a mansion. In reality, the best thing that you can do is to start thinking about your home more creatively. Rather than just trying to maximise the space at every opportunity, think about ways in which you can try and use that space as effectively as possible. By looking at your home from that kind of different perspective, it can often become much easier to deal with things that might have once seemed unavoidable problems. Even the tiniest home can work for just about anyone as long as you understand how to use the space that you have, rather than constantly trying to get more and more space that you're just going to waste in the same way as before.

Outdoors

Don't forget your garden! We all flock to the outside when it's sunny but that's a small proportion of the year. For the rest of the time our gardens remain largely un-used. But fear not, if you have the funds then why not splash out and build a separate space for lounging, entertaining, studying or working out?

Since the Covid-19 pandemic the demand for garden rooms has sky-rocketed and today they're one of the most sought-after major home improvements. They're often less expensive than a conservatory or extension and generally don't require the usual permissions. Some go beyond the norm of building a single room and build an entire micro-home, referred to as a "granny annexe" to create a dedicated space for family and friends. 

Is It Worth The Investment?

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They say money makes the world go round, and it does. Just when you feel like you’ve got your income down and your expenses under control, another unexpected cost comes in. It’s never ending. But, that doesn’t mean you have to let money worries get you down. Instead, you should start to see your finances from a practical perspective. In life, there are so many different areas that warrant costs. Some you’ll be able to work out, but others will need paying. So how do you work it out?

At different points in life, you’re going to find yourself wondering is it really worth it? And that’s okay. Sometimes you’re going to want to save as hard as you can for the thing that you want, and then sometimes, you’re going to want to pass. Because you’ll soon realize that not everything warrants your money, or your time and attention. From your home life to the state of your finances themselves, money talks. So, it’s time to work out once and for all what’s worth the investment and what’s best left aside. If you’re not sure where you should be spending or saving your money in life, here are a few pointers to get you thinking.

Your Home

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At home, you could spend and spend and spend until you’re all out of money, but should you? Here’s how to work out where you’re money is best spent.

Home Improvements

When it comes to your home improvements, you’ve probably got a list as long as your arm. But, it’s not always easy to know where you should invest. If you’re thinking of selling your home, you’re going to want to focus on the areas that buyers care about most, like the kitchen or bathroom. So, do some research. Sites like Tap Warehouse are great for products, and Pinterest is also good for inspiration. If you’re not looking to sell, write a list of the jobs in order of importance or what matters the most to you and allocate funds that way.

Bills

When it comes to your bills, you may want to think about reducing them down as much as possible. To run your home, you don’t want to pay over the odds. So, speak to your utility suppliers to bag a better deal. Then be sure that you need all of the packages and subscriptions you have, and cancel things you can save money on.

Your Car

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Cars cost a lot of money to run, but they don’t have to zap up all of your funds if you don’t want them to. You just need to be smart with what, how, and when you drive.

Reducing Car Running Costs

Firstly, you should think about reducing your running costs. This one is a no-brainer. You shouldn’t pay over the odds just to drive. To cut down on your car costs, there are a few things you can do. Speak to your insurer to see if they can reduce your premium, or shop around when it's time to renew. But, you should also look at options for saving on your fuel too. You could also reduce fuel consumption by driving more carefully, or you could even car share to reduce costs.

Changing What You Drive

You could also think about buying a new car. Sometimes, it's the kind of car that is costing you the most. So, a cheaper option or a more efficient car could work out better. If you have a finance or leasing deal, you could get a cheaper monthly payment for switching to a different make or model.

Schooling

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You may not realise it, but school can cost. There are plenty of ways that you can save on that, but then you may want to think about the ways that you could invest in education as well.

Private School

When you want your kid to have the best possible education, you’re going to want to find the best school in your area. But don’t be put off if that is a private school. Sometimes, you may want to invest in your child’s education, but you may also be able to secure a place via a bursary. Depending on your other financial commitments and priorities, this could be one area to invest.

Everyday Fees

But even state schools can be costly. With uniform costs, trips and even food, the price seems to creep up year after year. So how can you control that? Well, you probably don’t want to scrimp in this area, but you could looking into making your uniforms last longer and being more efficient with food ideas for school.

The Garden

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You’re probably thinking, how can my garden be that expensive? But you’d be surprised by the ways that your outside space can take up a lot of your budget.

Landscaping

If you really need to get outside and create something (anything) out of your garden, you may want to do what you can on a budget. But there are tonnes of ideas for creating a gorgeous garden for next to nothing. You’re going to want to enjoy your garden, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay for expensive landscaping.

Maintenance

Then there’s also the maintenance to think about. When you want to give your garden some oomph, but you don’t think you can handle it yourself, it can be tempting to hire a local gardener to tend to it once or twice a month. Instead, why not learn to love gardening yourself? It’s surprising how easy and therapeutic planting, weeding, and pruning can be (and cheap too!).

A Holiday

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Every family loves to get away on a fantastic break as often as they can, but you’re going to want to work out what kind of budget you need. Should it be big or should you be frugal?

Cheap & Cheerful

Yes, you want a family holiday, but it doesn’t have to cost you thousands of pounds if you don’t want it too. You’ve always got the option of doing a staycation close by or staying in a family-friendly park home. Sometime in the UK, that’s close by can be super fun. You often find they’re the best kinds of holidays you can have.

A Special Treat

But sometimes, you do want to spend a bit more. When you have a special occasion coming up, or you’ve been working really hard, and you want to treat yourself and the family, why not go all out and book a fabulous holiday abroad? All inclusive too! If you’re cutting back in every other area too, there’s not reason not to.

Your Savings

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Then it comes to the actual savings that you’re going to put away. Whether it’s for a rainy day or something in particular, you’re going to want to work out where to put your money.

Savings Plan

One of the best ways to work out how to save and what you should save, is to start a savings plan. It may seem hard at first, but there are so many ways to sneak away a few more pounds here and there. Saving loose change, selling unwanted things, or even boosting your income, you’ll be able to make it happen. Just work out what monthly savings payments you can afford and go from there.

Investing

But you’ve always got the option to invest. If you want to take your savings seriously, it could be a viable option. And don’t worry about being a beginner, there is a lot to learn, but you can pick it up easily. Just be sure to be cautious, get your timing right, and do your research, and you’ll be sure to get the hang of it.

You Need To Spend More Time In Your Garden: Here's Why, How, And When

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You need to spend more time in your garden. Why do you ask? Surely the pursuit of a career, actually earning money to upgrade your living situation and get to the top of your field is more important that idly wasting time lounging around in your garden as your cat does?

Career considerations are important of course, and in that pursuit, it can be difficult to fully switch off your working brain. If this is you, your garden is calling out for you more than ever. Many people don’t spend enough alone time or time with their family in their garden. They see it as a beautiful fixture of the house, a nice place to decorate and maybe plant flowers once in awhile, but not a place to truly unwind and feel free within.

If you run a family, it’s not hard to imagine that any free time you do have is soaked up in the maintenance, socially and physically, of that family. Interestingly though, giving yourself time to reflect, even just a few minutes every day, can help you be more present in your daily life, and more available to your family members. This allows you to identify your relative's needs and wants much more clearly than when your head is filled with career or budgetary planning.

This is what nature can afford you:

Nature Relaxes

It’s scientifically valid. Nature can help reduce your levels of cortisol to a significant degree, and this has tremendous benefits on your overall health and positive cognitive functioning. This ability to natural rest in yourself and focus is only enhanced by having your own space to do it in, free from private eyes.

Here you can allow all of your weird and intricate personality quirks to show themselves in full light, and that is nothing but healthy. Consider adding a garden feature such as a water feature or pond complete with adequate hygienic pond filters, and you’ll have a beautiful and serene picture to lose yourself in during those extended periods of self-reflection. Speaking of reflection:

Nature Reflects

Being in your garden alone will give you the headspace necessary to assess how you’re doing so far in your life. Those little niggles that might have been eating away at you in the form of suppressed responsibilities or worries about the future can be observed and thought through in the bright light of day here. This is always healthy.

Nature Allows You To Appreciate

If you live in a relatively suburban area, it’s easy to get lost in the flow of daily modern life and the fast-paced culture we inhabit. As Ferris Bueller said “Life moves pretty fast. If You don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”

This is why spending time in your garden space is so valuable. Nature moves at its own pace and doesn’t require you to allow it to do so. There are no scheduling or meeting arrangements required to allow your leaves to blow in the wind. This is why spending time here is so relaxing. It can free you from the crazy duties that you’ve piled upon yourself in the pursuit of a better life and only sit with your life where it is. This is why some form of water feature is important as well because you’ll have the audible sound of relaxing, lazy water to punctuate the slow, free moving of the life in your garden.

A garden might seem like a dead area, a place to be molded and shaped to your will. You will find, however, that the longer you stay there, the more alive your garden becomes. Before long you’ll be making your garden reflection time a highlight of your week, and will add many home improvements to keep increasing its beauty often.

Low Maintenance, Edible Plants You Can Grow

More and more people are embracing home grown food.

Anyone can do it, you don’t need to be a farmer in order to reap the benefits of home-grown food. If you have a garden and/or window and a bit of extra time on your hands, then you can grow your own food right at home. Growing food at home also ensures that you know exactly where your food comes from and how it was grown.

Growing your own fresh food can be hugely rewarding, but where do you start?! If you start with a few easy to grow vegetables that don't require daily care, you can be eating fresh straight out of your garden or home - you don't even have to have a garden. Most of these vegetables can be grown in containers and kept at hands reach.  

Powertray have put together this helpful great infographic to help get you started on your own home grown food:

3 Secret Selfie Tips That Will Change The Game

Taking the perfect selfie seems to be something that the Kardashians and similar public figures have mastered. However, it can take time for us mere mortals to get down. With the right tips, you can transform a mediocre selfie into something spectacular - maybe even something that gets hundreds of likes! Here are a few tips you need to know for this to happen:

Take It From A High Angle

The most flattering pictures are always taken from a high angle. This doesn’t need to be ridiculously high; just high enough to slim the face and flatter you. Practice taking from a higher angle and see how you like it.

Use A Selfie Light

Sometimes, it’s not you. It’s the lighting! Natural lighting and artificial lighting can change your selfie. Investing in a selfie light means you have a special light you can clip to your phone so that it’s perfect, wherever you may be. Perfect for night’s out and when you’re away from home, or even when you just want to up your game.

Choose Your Background Carefully

If your background is too distracting, you’re not going to take that ‘wow’ selfie that you really want to master. Choose your background carefully. It shouldn’t be too distracting, and should even enhance the picture if possible. You could take it against a block colour background, or even something with a subtle pattern.

If you love these selfie tips, you’re going to love all of the tips in the infographic below. You’ll never feel bad about a selfie you take ever again!

Credit to MyTrendyPhone

Tips for a (mostly) Stress Free Family Holiday

Organising anything with kids can quickly become a stressful and chaotic experience. However, a week overseas in the sunshine can really be a way for you, and your kids to have the time of your lives. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your holiday without any big hiccups along the way.

Choose the right destination and the best place to stay

The right destination can really make all the difference for your holiday. Depending on the local weather and the activities that you are interested in doing, take your time to research and choose your destination and accommodation accordingly. If you are looking for a beautiful and relaxing place with a lower cost of living than that in the UK, Italy is one of the many great options. You can stay at one of the many villas in Sicily let out by locals and provide your family with much more room than the average hotel or other accommodation option; sometimes there is even a private pool!

Pack only what you truly need

It is easy to keep packing “just one more thing”. But save yourself the trouble of hauling oversized pieces of luggage throughout your travels and pack only what you truly need. Water shoes and SPF, those are certainly good items to pack. The three extra shirt options, and a framed photo of your cat however, are not worth the hassle. 

Take time for yourself

Traveling with family is always exciting and a great opportunity for bonding, but remember to take time for yourself. Whether it be 20 minutes for meditation in the morning or time with a book and a beautiful view, it is important to remember that this is your time on vacation, as well. The more relaxed and content you are individually, the smoother the time spent with your family will go. Often there are kids clubs available to offer mum and dad a little respite from the day care.

Let kids eat when they want so they don’t get irritable

Let’s face it- kids with rumbling tummies are not happy campers. To help avoid any meltdowns and keep energy positive, let your kids eat when they want so they don’t get irritable, even if that means working against jet lag a bit. Snacks can save the day, even when you least expect it. Think of it as a holiday treat!

Organize photos and put together a memory book

Going through photos from your holiday and putting together a summer scrapbook is a great way to look back on all the wonderful memories you and your family have created. After you have finished your holiday, it is much more relaxing to have all photos from it organised. It is that final step. Years down the road, you will surely appreciate the time and effort it takes to put together.

As you travel with family, flexibility is key. It would be miraculous if every single plan works exactly as you’d hoped. Just remember you are in a new country, with the ones you love, most likely basking in sun and enjoying some amazing food. It’s not the end of the world if you didn’t manage to find time to visit every single site. Enjoy the little moments and take a deep breath even if things do not go exactly how you’d planned.

Substance Misuse Worker Opportunities in Criminal Justice

There are numerous employment opportunities available for substance misuse workers within the criminal justice framework in the UK. These specialists support both adults and young people who have significant issues with drugs, alcohol or other substances.

Substance misuse counselors work in a variety of settings, from prisons and residence-based rehabilitation to clinics; they also often serve on youth offending teams.

Hours are typically irregular and may include weekends and after hours work when you are on call. Unlike other criminal justice jobs there are no set qualifications necessary for substance misuse workers.

A good understanding of substance misuse issues gained through volunteer work or personal experience is extremely helpful though.

The substance misuse worker must be skilled in talking and working with people from very diverse backgrounds and life circumstances. They must carefully manage behavior and set reasonable limits, all the while encouraging connection and trust with the client.

Typical Duties of a Substance Misuse Worker

The assessment and trust building process is a critical component of substance misuse counseling. To find out what is going on with the client you should have the interpersonal skills to connect with them and offer an environment of compassion and trust. At the same time, you need the strength to set and enforce appropriate boundaries.

Once you have discovered what the client’s issues and situation are you can seek the best services for them and support them on their journey to recovery.

This may include referrals for housing and medical services and supporting them by going to appointments with them. Substance misuse workers will also typically work with families and the individual’s wider support system.

Substance misuse workers may work in drop-in centers, specialized clinics, rehabilitation units or in an outreach role. Outreach workers often accompany police on patrols in homeless areas or near pubs.

They can offer needle exchange if needed and provide for immediate needs such as housing or connecting a client with appropriate care. In addition, substance misuse workers typically provide extensive education and guidance as part of their individualized and broader outreach services.

Specialized Roles within the Criminal Justice System

If you are interested in a substance misuse worker job that focuses within the criminal justice system it’s helpful to be aware of different specialized opportunities that are available. For instance, police custody referral workers help offenders fully understand the ramifications of testing positive for drugs when they are arrested.

Substance misuse workers are also typically an integral part of prison drug teams and probation venues within a community. In both environments, there is a strong possibility that the specialist will experience uncooperative or even belligerent behavior.

Additionally, substance misuse workers may provide drug and alcohol testing as part of their duties.

If you would like to help people overcome their substance misuse issues and make a new start in their life, consider a specialized role within the criminal justice system. In this environment, you can truly make a difference at both the individual and societal levels.

Looking to buy a new car

Buying a new car is quite exciting. It's definitely one of life's greatest joys.  The browsing, doing test drives, and finding the one car just for you. And, when you finally get your new car home, it feels really good.

Hubby has a company car, but when it comes to my car, it's the family car. A 7 seater, which is essential to fit all 6 of us in.

I've only ever owned Nissan's (following in my dad's footsteps), current car is a Nissan QashQai+2, perfect for our large family, it's not to big and has a great safety record. I've owned it for 4-years now, and I want a change. I've got my eye on a Audi Q7. This is a bigger car in size, but it also has the 7 seats we need, and most importantly it has a great safety record - and I bet your bottom dollar, hubby won't moan about it 'being a boring car to drive'.

Hubby likes a car that has a bit of omph like he does with his company car, but mine the family car, doesn't have that omph and so it's not his favourite car to drive (apparently it's boring) - but that doesn't matter as safety comes first.  So, as it being the family car, we opt for more safer options in the car and don't mind it being a bit boring - but we can have both of best worlds, a non boring car and one that offers the safety I seek, the Audi Q7.

If you are looking at buying a new car and want to find our what is the safest cars out there, you can search by using this easy to use interactive infographic by clicking here. It's a handy, user-friendly interactive table showing the safest cars for drivers, passengers and pedestrians, so you can make an informed decision and stay safe on the roads. The Audi QT is on the list!

Smyths Superstores - Family Party

One more day until half term; and double bonus, it's a bank holiday this weekend.  Do yo have any plans? 

It can be hard to find things to do to keep the kids entertained on the weekend, especially when the British weather ruins your plans of a nice family barbeque in the garden! 

However, thanks to our friends at Smyths Toys Superstores, you won’t have to stay in twiddling your thumbs this spring bank holiday, as children across the UK are invited to visit their local Smyths Toys Superstores on Saturday May 27th from 9am – 2pm for a FREE party!

All children who attend any of the leading toy retailer’s UK stores will receive a FREE goody bag bursting with some of their favourite toys including My Little Pony, LEGO and Play-Doh *(while stocks last). Doors open at 9am with a number of special guests such as Play-Doh, Shopkins Strawberry kiss and Smyths Toys very own Oscar making an appearance in selected stores.

There will be a DJ, FREE face painting for over 3’s* and candy floss available in-store on the day. In addition, there will also be a FREE live raffle taking place every hour on the hour in all stores between 9am-2pm where you can be in with a chance to win a £50 Smyths Toys gift voucher to spend in-store! 

SkateHut Wish List

I'm not sure about you but there's something quite therapeutic about making a list (small or large) and wish lists are so much fun to do! especially ones for my kids.  

I've shopped at Skate Hut for years. My now teen boys when they were younger and into Scooters, they owned many different scooters over the years - and we always bought them from Skate Hut.  Sadly they grew out of their love of scooters, but, Jacob is now starting to discover his love of scooters. He currently uses his older brothers old JD Bugs, but has asked for his own scooter.

It's coming up to summer now and the kids are getting outdoors more and more, and they keep asking to take their scooters (old ones at that) on our walks. Jacob could definitely do with a new one, so we've been having a browse.

I love a good wish list and enjoyed putting this one together with Jacob:

JD Bug Pro Street V3 Complete Scooter - Pepper White £59.95

Heely's Launch - Black/BlackRed £54.95

Harsh Pro EPS Helmet - Red £28.95

SFR Essentials Triple Padset - Black / Red £13.95

Rampage 4 Way Fun Box £79.95

Different Types of Wardrobes

Wardrobes come in all sorts of shapes, colours and sizes. You have walk-in wardrobes, free-standing wardrobes, fitted wardrobes and more. They are one of the most used furniture items in the entire house after a bed. Choosing a wardrobe, you have to make sure you pick on that gives you enough storage space, functionality, and one that matches the décor of the room.

Free Standing

This type of wardrobe is found in almost every home. They are easy to move around and convenient when going to purchase one and placing one in the bedroom.

Fitted

Fitted wardrobes can give you lots of space, from top to bottom of the room - with ample clever storage functions.  We have fitted wardrobes, so really utalise the space well.

Walk-In

Who doesn't dream of having a walk-in wardrobe - when the kids grow up and move out I might treat myself and convert a spare room into my very own walk-in wardrobe.

High Sleeper Cabin

Perfect for small bedrooms you can get a high-sleeper with a wardrobe underneath the bed. My little girl has one in her box bedroom, it allows her to function more in her bedroom.

Hanging rail

The hanging rail is a good option for minimalist, or those with limited space to work with.  A cheaper option too.  We've recently bought one for the play-room to hang up the dress-up outfits. 

2 door, 3 door, sliding door, modular, the list goes on. 

Aquascutum Wish List

I work from home, which means I get the best of both worlds when it comes to what I wear for work. I attend conference calls in my comfy jeans, or even my PJs. But I also travel on business nationally and internationally a few years a time, and so, I also get the opportunity to dress like a successful business woman. 

During my most recent business trip I made a promise to myself to refresh my business attire. It's my favourite shopping experience. Why? because, I get to treat myself to fabulous new pieces that I can wear that gives me an identity other than being just a mum.

I've been window shopping and put together the below wish list from Aquascutum.

I love the understated elegance and quality tailoring of Aquascutum - a true authentic British luxury.

My wish list features one of their gorgeous trench coats in navy - a trench coat is a versatile must have. I love to wear a bag that adds a splash out colour to my outfit, thus, I picked out this gorgeous Origami red bag, and a sheer scarf that matches nicely with it - along with a beautiful skirt and sweater:

• Sara A-Line Skirt  £150 
• Fleur Cashmere Sweater £225 
• Pansy Crinkled Trench Coat £695 
• Origami Bag £550 
• Pandora Bird of Paradise Scarf £190 

Dog-friendly Britain?

As a man’s best friend, your dog is likely to be far more than just the family pet. But just how dog friendly is Britain? Here, grain free dog food specialists and dog food retailer, Feedem, looks at the stats behind dog-friendly Britain:

Outdoors

Most dogs feel at home when exposed to the great outdoors— but which UK city best caters to our canine companions? Research carried out by Esri UK has found that Scottish cities are the go-to destinations for doggy day trips, as they have a greater proportion of green space.

Some cities across the UK have masses of space for your best friends to enjoy. 49.2% of Edinburgh is green space, while Glasgow has 32%. In terms of English cities, Bristol (29%) and Birmingham (24.6%) are leading the way. It’s bad news if you’re planning a visit to Liverpool with your pooch though, as just 16.4% of the city is green space.

With a whole list of cities that offer space for your dog to play, throw in a stellar coastline — including 199 Blue Flag beaches — and plenty of rolling countryside, and it’s clear that Britain’s dogs are well catered for.

Doggy employees

How would you feel about working in the company of your best friend? Some employers even allow their employees to bring their dogs to work. June 24th is national Bring Your Dog to Work Day, with many businesses across the country getting involved. However, Britain’s workplaces aren’t just dog-friendly on this day — 8% of UK employees are allowed to take their dogs to work all year round.

Dog-friendly holiday’s

Taking your dog on holiday with you to UK's best dog friendly holiday parks can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry babies. There are many dog-friendly holiday options available, from dog-friendly accommodation to destinations that offer plenty of outdoor activities for your dogs to enjoy.

When planning a dog-friendly holiday, it's important to choose accommodation that welcomes dogs. Many hotels, guesthouses, and rental properties now offer dog-friendly options, so you can find a place that suits your needs. It's also a good idea to check if there are any additional fees or restrictions for bringing your dogs along.

Dog-friendly shopping

Dogs are generally largely excluded from the British high street, apart from pet shops and a handful of independent stores. However, what you may find surprising is the number of premium retailers who welcome pooches to their stores.

For example, the Bond Street branch of Fenwick’s department store will welcome any breed of dog no matter their size, as long as they are kept on a leash. Likewise, iconic London store Harrods welcomes dogs but only on the fourth floor (Pet Kingdom), providing you can present up-to-date vaccination cards. However, you won’t be able to browse the rest of the store with your dog, but you can leave them in the pet crèche!

Beers and doggies

British pubs have always been a popular stop off to the public. But you’ll want to enjoy your beverage with your best’s friends company. According to data from Google Trends, search interest in ‘dog friendly pubs’ has grown steadily since 2012. Now, an average of 9,900 people search for ‘dog friendly pubs’ each month — compared to just 1,900 who search for ‘romantic restaurants’.

Believe it or not, there are currently 5,000 dog-friendly pubs listed on Doggie Pubs, although this number is likely to be much higher in reality as the list is curated. An increasing number of businesses are becoming dog friendly to cater to a wider audience.

A 2016 Kennel Club survey found that after introducing a dog-friendly policy, 71% of businesses gained new customers. 50% of guests visited for longer too, as their dog wasn’t at home or tied up outside. Not only does the move help to introduce more customers to your business, it has also been found to increase customer and staff interactions by up to two thirds.

Whether it’s work, rest or play, Britain seems to be a nation loving our four-legged friends.

Gardening Safety at Home

With the warmer weather slowly but surely arriving, it means we will be spending more time in the garden tidying it and trying to make it pretty for the summer months. If like us, you need a whole garden refurbishment, then you have a big job ahead of you. If you are a beginner or expert gardener, health and safety should always be a priority. Here are my tips for gardening safely:

Avoid trip hazards

Avoid trip hazards such as loose paving slabs, garden hoses can camouflage well into the grass, and tools such as spades and rakes can cause a serious injury if left on the ground and stood on. 

Storage

Make sure to store you garden tools safely.  Sharp tools should be locked away, especially from children. Lock away electrical equipment to keep it dry and away from the wet weather, and lock away chemicals such as weed killers and insecticides.

Dress to protect

Make sure you wear the correct protective equipment to avoid a serious injury when working in the garden. Especially when operating machinery such as lawn mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and hedge-trimmers:

• Wear safety goggles, sturdy shoes, chainsaw gloves and trousers to prevent injury when using power tools and equipment.
• Wear gardening gloves to avoid, cuts, and possible irritants.
• Be aware of the sun. Wear long sleeves, hats, sunglasses, and SPF sunscreen.

Barbecues

Barbecues and other fuel-burning appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal when not used safely. Never use these items within a confined space, such as a tent, caravan or conservatory. Remember you can’t smell, taste or see carbon monoxide. Never leave a barbecue unattended and make sure the flames are fully extinguished when finished with.

Laundrapp £15 #discountcode with no minimum spend

No matter how large or small your family, the never-ending round of laundry can be one of the most dreaded household chores. Many homes choose to utilise launderettes, but for many of us with busy lives, sparing the time to get to the laundrette can be an even bigger drain. 

Laundrapp, the on-demand, on-your-doorstep, laundry and dry cleaning service is offering my followers £15 off their first order, using the code LAUNDRAPPTANYA.

Laundrapp collects, dry cleans and delivers your clothes in pristine, freshly pressed condition.  With just a tap of a phone, tablet or laptop, customers can book a free collection and return delivery at a time that suits them. The app is completely on demand, allowing you track your order and see the location of your driver. 

Available in over 100 UK towns and cities, Laundrapp work with local drivers to offer on–demand technology for your laundry.  To book your free collection and delivery download the app or visit www.laundrapp.com.

Getting Your Home In Shape For Summer

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The warm summer months are on their way. Now is the time to prepare your home, so that you can spend your time off in the summer soaking up the sun and not cleaning or carrying out DIY projects. Here are just a few preparations you should be making.

Have a spring clean

Nothing is stopping you from having a spring clean at any time of the year. Households traditionally chose Spring as it was the best time to clean up dust before the invention of the vacuum cleaner. It would also be warm enough to open windows, but cool enough that insects weren’t a problem.

To this day, Spring still remains a sensible time to clean the house. Christmas can create a lot of clutter which may need to be thrown out, sold or donated. You’re also likely to have fewer guests during this period and more rainy days when you’re likely to want to stay indoors.

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Lighten up your furnishings

It’s worth preparing your home for the heat of summer. Those thick winter curtains that kept you cosy over Christmas may need to be taken down to stop you from frying in summer. Shop around for gorgeous ready-made curtains that are thinner and brighter in preparation for the sunny weather.

You may also want to buy a new blanket or a summer duvet for your bed. This could be useful for those hot summer nights when you still want something covering you but can’t handle a regular duvet.

Get your garden groomed 

Spring is the perfect time to start any big garden projects. These include building a pond or laying a patio. Completing them before summer gives you more time to enjoy them when the hot weather arrives. If you’re hiring a handyman to do these projects, you may also have more of a chance of finding someone in the Spring than in the Summer when many gardeners and landscapers get heavily booked. Rates may also be cheaper.

Spring may also be a good time to do any maintenance work. Stormy weather during winter may have destroyed fence panels or damaged plants. If you’ve got a pond, you may also want to clear this out before summer arrives. This is not a fun job and may require putting fish in buckets and draining the whole pond if weeds have got out of control.

You should also start buying all that garden furniture now before the demand increases and prices shoot up. You can usually get good deals on barbecues before summer hits. Also, consider any garden furniture you may want that you needed last year. If sitting outside at night was too cold last summer, a patio heater or chiminea might be worth investing in. If the garden gets too dark in the evening, consider buying garden lights. Solar lights might be a good option as they are cordless and won’t add to your electricity bill.

As for general gardening, this is a good time to sow the seeds for any new plants you hope to grow in time for summer bloom. If you’ve considered growing a vegetable patch, Spring is when soil is generally easiest to mulch up and when most vegetables are perfect for planting.

Give the front of your home a facelift

 The front of your home may also be looking a little shabby after winter. Make Spring the season to give it a facelift. This could be investing in a new driveway or path using Readymix Concrete Not only will it instantly improve the appearance of your home, but it's also a practical solution that will last for years to come. Plus, you won't have to constantly worry about repairs or maintenance.

If you’ve got a front lawn that suffered through last summer’s heat and became patchy, you may want to buy a sprinkler for it. You can find all kinds of sprinkler systems online that can use minimal water, allowing you to save money on your water bill.

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Security

You may also want to up your security for summer. This is when most people are on holiday and out of the house, and so is a popular season for burglars to make their move. Motion-sensitive lighting on the outside of your home can be great for deterring thieves. It also has the dual use of allowing you to see your keys in the dark. You can buy solar-powered motion-sensitive lights so that you’re not using up extra energy. Make sure that all your windows also lock and that door hinges aren’t loose.

Vintage Handbags

A girl's best friend is a handbag!  I love handbags. I have a few I've collected over the years, and never throw them out - I store them away safely. 

The handbag is a statement of personality and attitude. They're a unique statement of a woman's status and quite possibly they're mood.

But, why do we carry handbags? 

For me, it's an extension of "me" that gives me stability, comfort and security, this is all in addition to its main function of carrying and keeping my most important possessions, close to me. As boring as that sentence reads, the handbag doesn't have to be boring.  A handbag can be an extension of who you are. A status symbol, the perfect accessory to dress up your day and your outfit.

Acquiring a handbag is an enjoyable experience, and wearing one is just as positive. Especially when it's a bag that offers history and uniqueness. Like vintage Louis Vuitton from Xupes.

Xupes is an online retailer of pre-owned designer handbags, jewellery and watches. Established in 2009. Xupes base their trading on strict policies of absolute honesty, integrity and professionalism. They have over thousands of luxury items in stock and offer up to 70% off of RRP on pre-owned and brand new high-end watches, jewellery, vintage handbags, fine art and antiques.

Antique or Vintage handbags will often be unique or one-of-a-kind, giving you the timeless and beautiful must-have accessory. It could be the only piece that has survived! If you owned a bag like this, you are carrying on your shoulder, a piece that has a story.

It’s Been a Long Time- Tips on Returning to Work after Kids

If you have taken a few years away from working to focus on raising a family, the thought of re-entering the world of work can feel completely overwhelming. Jobs have moved on, technology is changing and improving every day and though you have racked up a huge set of skills during your years spent with your children, a lot of mothers (and fathers) simply lose confidence after so much time away. Here are some tips on how to get over some of the barriers that may be stopping you from reaching for the career of your dreams.

Research Online

Getting back into the game means knowing where to look, so put down the newspaper because job listings have moved into the virtual realm; finding a job advert has never been easier. Not only do the job listings come with extra details and information, but you can also personalise your search to suit your own availability and distance you are willing to travel. There are also some sites such as blog Jobrapido, which are dedicated to offering advice and tips on finding a job as well as enabling you access to different kinds of listings and vacancies. Online research also allows you to study potential interview questions and learn more on the job you’re looking at. With all the information you need in one place, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been out of the game, getting back into it will be a piece of cake.

Update your CV

After having understood the field and direction you’d like to go in, updating your CV is the next step. Figuring out what your best attributes and skills are is important, and having them on your resume directly will help the employer get a better picture of you too. Thanks to your CV, you will also be able to explain the gap between your last job and the one you’re applying to now- something many parents worry about when going back to work. Explain all the abilities and skills you have had the chance to learn and improve during the gap- parenthood provides us with many (e.g. organisation, time management, organising finances etc…). Show how determined you are to excel in the position you’re applying for; you’ve had your break, show them how much you want to work now!

Network it out

A smart and easy way to ease yourself back into work is also by looking at those around you, and learning from their current situations. Networking is an important part of the job search, and asking people about their jobs, if there are any openings, or if they have any advice is a great way to narrow where and what you’re looking at. Not only will speaking to people help you understand what is out there, but you might even have the possibility of working alongside somebody you already know!

Practice interviews

Once you’re set to go and you receive your first call back interview, practising a few Q&As will definitely get you through the process better. Online there are many resources where you can find many different and interesting sample questions to practice- see if your partner or a friend can help you out with some role-play. The important this is to find somebody you feel comfortable with for the practice interview, and go through them until you feel ready. We all react to interviews differently, but going through mock interviews has never decreased anybody’s chance; so let the questions roll in! You may not be invited for a face to faced interview but rather a Skype meeting which makes the process a lot easier for the company and perhaps for you too. So be sure that you have a Skype account up and running and remember- just because you’re at home during the interview, smart clothes are still essential!

Sex, Money and Death Discussions

When it comes to tricky discussions like sex, money and death, they are not always the most welcome, and/or the easiest of discussions to have. Depending on the situation and who you are talking too, is whether it is a comfortable experience or not. For example, conversations with kids will differ to those with parents; siblings; grandparents or friends. But, these are conversations that at some point are needed and most of the time shouldn't be avoided.  

One subject that most people don't feel comfortable in bringing up, or even thinking about, is wills. When you think, wills, you think morbid and death and you feel insensitive. No matter what you think, wills are important and they don't have to be complicated or expensive.  

When the time does come to begin thinking and talking about the topic of wills with those around us, Which? Wills has simplified the process of learning how to make a will with its easy to use online tool to create a will in 30 minutes.

According to the research, many of us have managed to avoid discussing awkward subject matters with our parents altogether and although it’s clear that wills are generally not seen as taboo subjects, we still don’t really like to talk about them.

The below infographic reveals the trickiest subject matters that we dread discussing are, sex, finances, death and relationships:

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Renovation and Extension Insurance

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Last year we had an extension built. At first, we did consider moving to a larger home, but we didn't really want to move. It was a close decision between, do we move, or do we extend - based on our previous move into this house, which wasn't a very positive experience, we wouldn't want to go through that again (Why it wasn't very positive? even though we exchanged early afternoon, and it should have been in and out, the people weren't even packed and they were not willing to move out until our solicitor threatened them with expensive legal bills - a week later they were still removing their furniture and belongings from our new home).  Plus there is the massive fact that we really like the home we have and the area we live in.

So, we decide to take on the mammoth task to extend and renovate - a year later and we still haven't fully finished yet; we went completely over our budget and time, but then that is normal isn't it?! The extension is done and it's very much apart of our home now, but, the next stage which we hopefully start next month, is to convert the garage into a play room. 

When we had the extension built we had steel work installed, main walls were being knocked down - I remember the first evening the acro-props were holding up the back of our house up, and the wall had been knocked down, I couldn't sleep! my head was spinning and spinning with horror thoughts, would the acro-props somehow collapse, and would the back of the house collapse.  It didn't happen, but I didn't sleep at all that night.

What would happen if something went terribly wrong during building works? are you covered under your home and building insurance? should you contact your home insurance?

If you’re planning on building an extension or carrying out any sort of building work, make sure you keep your insurer updated. Your home insurance could be invalidated if they’re not made aware of changes. 

by adding an extension, you should probably expect to pay higher premium on your insurance – most extensions increase the value of your home, so it would cost more to insure it.

Why Building Insurance should be considered:

With some insurers, a renovation or extension on your home may reduce the protection of your current home insurance policy or invalidate it completely, leaving your home potentially uninsured. You need to consider and make sure you are covered for the below points during the renovation/extension period:

• damage to your property and contents
• theft of possessions and building materials
• personal accidents