Halfords - Tour de France Competition

The Tour de France is underway and the riders are currently making their way through the 21 stages of the event. 

Being a huge cycling brand Halfords have created a real-time competition following the Tour De France whilst it winds its way to the finishing line down the Champs Elysees in Paris on the 24th of July.

To enter the competition for a chance to win a Boardman SLR bike worth £1,799 which is drawn at the end of the race, and for a chance to win unique prizes every day of the tour click here. Don't delay though, as Tour De France is already underway, so get entering now!

And, to celebrate their love for cycling Halford are offering exclusive offers every time there is a British stage winner! And today, as Chris Froome took the stage (9) and the yellow jersey, Halfords celebrated with a 10% off all road bikes with an exclusive discount code that finished midnight - so watch out for more stage wins and exciting Halfords offers this Tour De France.

If you want to read some fun facts about Tour De France and its history, have a look at the inforgraphic below:

Money on the Mind

Money, Money, Money.. it is never ending.. there is always something to do, to buy, or some emergency.

We have a lot on at the moment, building an extension, renovations, on top of everyday life bits and bobs. My oldest is starting college, the bus pass costs nearly £300!  Then he would like to buy a moped so he can get back and forth from his new job - but he will pay us back for that..  

And, our oldest just had his prom night - £250 later....  kids are so damn expensive.

Then there are school trips to Belgium, our family holiday in August, and all the small things like clothes, and shoes etc.. Not forgetting the dreaded school uniform this summer which cost me near on £400 last year!

At the moment we're piling all our money into the extension, but I desperately want a new front door. Our current one is worn and on its last legs.

With all this I've been saying a lot to myseIf "we need more money.” or “I wish I had more money.” It’s natural to think these thoughts, however, doing so only creates more stress around money. At the end of the day money we need to remember that, money is nothing more than a tool that we use to trade with, it is a concept. But there are options out there available and we've been looking at available loans to help finish the work on our house (and for my new front door)

“Bob Marley — ‘Money is numbers and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end.’”

As long as I have a roof over my head, my kids are clean, healthy and they have food in the kitchen. This is what is most important. But, when you have dreams and aspirations, like the extension, or a new front door - this is when money can start to take over your thoughts and becomes a bit of a headache.

Euro 2016 fun continues without England

After England’s humiliation against Iceland you may have lost interest in Euro 2016, but you shouldn’t have. There is still a British interest with Wales going strong, as well as the chance to watch some formidable sides such as Germany, Italy and France. Plus, now we are out you can cheer on Iceland, the underdogs, as they try and compete with some of the stellar footballing countries despite only having a population the same size as Leicester, it really is fairy-tale stuff. Now the big games will be coming thick and fast and we have many ideas for how you can enjoy them.

Firstly, the remainder of the tournament will be played with later kick-offs, so there’s no need to worry about getting time of work like when England played Wales. On that day, Bedstar had given you the perfect guide to pulling a sickie and getting the day off work and whilst that’s not needed you could still turn to them for a way to enjoy the Euro’s. What better way than watching on one of their TV Beds. The TV pops out of the bottom of the bed and it will feel natural, comfortable and easy to watch the football from your own bed. Even though the idea of being wrapped up nice and warm and relaxed in bed watching the football is appealing there are also many other ways we can enjoy Euro 2016.

It involves getting your family and friends involved. Even though the weather is unpredictable, why not plan for a barbecue. Sun, food, beers and football, you will certainly be keeping a lot of people happy! If the weather fails those plans then why not some finger-food as you all can sit, chat and enjoy the football. That way, even if we get another Portugal, Croatia game that bores us all to sleep, then at least you can chat to your friends! Of course, if you don’t need the hassle of preparing everything and cleaning the house up for guests then why not head down to the local pub, particularly when Wales are playing as their might be a bit of an atmosphere with the British rivalry, especially after Wales players were caught celebrating England’s exit. Again you could incorporate it with a meal, so you could take all the family out, even if some aren’t too interested in the result. If spending around two hours watching football with your family isn’t appealing then you could always stay at home and enjoy a quiet night on the sofa, feet up and watch as the drama unfolds.

Whatever you choose, there are many ways to watch the remainder of Euro 2016 and for some it will be the last football fix for a month until the Premier League comes round, so why not enjoy it in style. Whether it’s from your own TV bed, or having a gathering of all your close ones, just because England are out, the Euro 2016 fun can still continue.

How To Pick The Perfect Pair of Glasses

A guide on how to pick the perfect glasses!

Have you always dreaded having to wear your glasses outside your home or office? Wearing glasses does not have to detract from your looks. In fact, if you play your cards right, you can end up enhancing or complimenting your facial features with the right pair of glasses. Because we can't always wear our contacts for various reasons, we need to keep a pair or two of glasses handy. With the following tips, you can invest in a pair of glasses that will always make you look good in any situation.

Determine your face shape

The first thing you need to think about is the shape of your face, since it largely determines how you will look with the glasses you select. There five face shapes—oval, triangle, heart, square, and round. These shapes are determined by the bones of our face and the placement of our features. Oval-shaped faces work best with large, angular frames. Heavy frames with eye-catching detailing balance triangular faces with wide jaws that taper down to a pointed chin. Round frames balance heart-shaped faces with narrow and bony features. Square faces do best with thin, round frames that soften the sharp angles of the face. Lastly, a round face can be balanced by large, cubic frames.

Provide contrast and proportion to your features

As you may have figured out, you can set off your features by having your glasses provide contrast. For soft, rounded features, you should get boxy, angular frames. Sharp features do well with rounded frames. You should also avoid frames that draw attention to your forehead. The main thing you want to focus on are your facial features and how they look with your glasses. Make sure that your frames do not overwhelm your eye shape and size, and that they don't make your nose look too big or disproportionate.

Keep your proportions in mind

Make sure to avoid frames that make some of your features look out of place or make your face look too thin or too round. Frames that are too large can upset the natural balance and symmetry of your face. They can also dwarf your cheekbones and make your face took too narrow. Meanwhile, bottom-heavy frames can make a narrow face look wider. Study the planes and proportions of your face before settling on a frame shape.

Find out what your best feature is

Do you have large, expressive eyes? Do you have a straight, defined nose? Do you have luscious, pouty lips? Your glasses can showcase your best features while drawing attention away from any problems areas. Thin black frames are good for outlining and emphasizing your eyes. 

Choose the right color

Glasses come in many colors, details, and patterns. As such, you can take advantage of the variety available to you and choose colors and patterns that work best for your hair color and skin tone. Warm skin tones—ones that have a golden or bronze tint—don't do very well with pastel colors. People with a warm skin tone should also avoid white and black frames, and instead go with shades of brown, gold, and olive green.

A cool skin tone, meanwhile, has a blue or pink tint. This skin tone can easily look washed out with the wrong colors. People with cool skin tones do best with black, gray, pink, purple, and blue.

Take your personality and the vibe you want into consideration

Ideally, we can have an entire collection of glasses that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. However, it is mostly more practical to keep one or two pairs of glasses. A pair of glasses can showcase your personality and can befit different situations. A fun, colorful, patterned frame can reflect a fun personality. Simple frames in somber, solid colors can be good for meetings and professional situations. Sporty and active people can choose sturdy or bendable frames so they won't have to worry about breaking their glasses while on the go. If you're not in need to expensive prescription glasses, you can build a small collection where you can pick and choose glasses that suit any occasion you might find yourself in.

Keep your budget in mind

 Prescription lenses and high-quality frames can be a little expensive. Lenses can also come with perks such as scratch-resistant surfaces or triple coating. Think about whether or not you really need these additional features before spending on them. If you can make do with basic prescription lenses, then you can buy those instead. Also, your frames don't need to be designer. You may want to stick to local, trusted brands who design bespoke handmade glasses. Sturdiness and longevity are just as important as style and flair. Also, if you want to embellish your frames to give them a little more flair, you can buy some supplies and decorate them to your tastes yourself.

You can also check to see if your insurance covers eye exams and prescription glasses. If you have a couple of hours on your hands, you can hunt for coupons in magazines and newspapers so you can get amazing discounts on the pair of glasses that you want the most.

Take note of your lifestyle

Your glasses should aid you instead of being a burden. As such, you should take note of your lifestyle and your routines when choosing your frames. If you're on your eighth pair of glasses because you keep losing them, you might want to buy cheap pairs or attach a lace to your existing pair. You can choose lightweight frames if you're always on the move. If you spend most of your time in the office and in meetings, you can impress your bosses by choosing a stylish but professional-looking pair of glasses.

If you keep these tips in mind, you can get the best pair of glasses for you. Your glasses can be the most flattering pair for your face shape, skin tone, personality, and lifestyle. 

Cystitis: how to tackle a bladder infection

Cystitis is a bacterial infection that causes your bladder to become inflamed, leading to a host of unpleasant symptoms such as discomfort when passing urine, a feeling of needing to go to the toilet more frequently, abdomen pain, feeling feverish and tiredness. For some people, the pain from cystitis can be mild while for others it can be severe enough to have an impact on their daily lives. Fortunately, there are a range of effective ways you can tackle a bladder infection. To learn how you can keep this condition from holding you back, keep reading.

Antibiotics

If you visit your GP, they may prescribe you a course of antibiotics, such as trimethoprim. This treatment, which can also be accessed through online pharmacies, works to prevent the spread of bacteria, and it can clear up the infection within a couple of days. Trimethoprim comes in tablet form. Usually, one tablet is required to be taken twice a day. You can take this medicine on either an empty stomach or with a meal, and for best results, you should aim to take the tablets at the same time each day. Like with most medicines, there are some side effects connected with taking this treatment. For example, you may experience nausea, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. If you require more information about trimethoprim, you should speak to a medical professional.

Fluids

Some people believe that drinking plenty of fluids can help relieve the discomfort that often accompanies cystitis. Although there is a lack of evidence to prove how effective this is, increasing your water intake is said to flush the infection out of your bladder. You could also try drinking cranberry juice. Again, there is little proof that this actually works, but it’s unlikely to make the condition any worse. Ideally, you should avoid drinking anything that is caffeinated, such as tea, coffee and certain fizzy drinks, as caffeine can irritate your bladder.

Painkillers

To ease the pain, you could try using painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. These medicines can help keep your discomfort at bay, allowing you to carry on with your day as normal. You can buy over-the-counter painkillers like this from your local pharmacy or supermarket, however to check that they’re suitable for you to use, you should speak to a pharmacist or your doctor first, especially if you have any other medical conditions.

Heat

Applying heat can help soothe your discomfort. For example, you could place a hot bottle on your stomach or have a bath. The warm sensation should relieve any aches and pains you might be experiencing. However, if you try this out, you should be extra careful to ensure you don’t scald yourself.

Putting some of these suggestions into practice should help you combat the effects of a bladder infection. However, if you find these don’t work or if you keep getting cystitis, you should speak to your GP for further advice.

HC Slingsby: True British business heritage

Apart from my family and my blog, business is another passion of mine.  I studied business and work in business. My job for the past 8 years is working in a B2B environment. Thus, this post is a little different from my other posts, but it's a subject I find interesting.

The lure of true British business heritage can vary from sector to sector, with some industries and companies relying more on trust and familiarity such as HC Slingsby. Especially in an age where technology companies are the babies of business, but lead in many ways.

Businesses with a long history that embrace their heritage is a powerful tool that can be used to generate, or rather regenerate loyalty for a business. True British businesses that have a rich heritage can use their legacy to generate strong emotional connects about value and performance in consumers minds. Nostalgia is a positive reflection.

From humble beginnings in 1893 HC Slingsby have been on a journey where they are considered to be a highly trusted true British business with the heritage to back it up.

It all started in Bradford in 1883 with Harry Crowther Slingsby, where he originally worked for his family’s company, Wholesale Bottlers. As he worked, he began considering what he could use as labour-saving devices to help haul raw materials and make the lives of employees easier. Thus, a decade later HC Slingsby was born. 

They started out as a manufacturer of labour saving trucks and trolleys and now we are one of the UK's market leaders in the distance selling of industrial and commercial equipment. They currently manufacture and distribute over 35,000 high-quality products covering everything for the workplace; from handling and lifting and premises equipment to retail and office supplies.

HC Slingsby hasn’t forgotten Harry Crowther Slingsby’s commitment to family though — there are still members of the Slingsby family on the company’s Board of Directors.

HC Slingsby are a business that proudly flaunts their heritage. And, so they should, it shows that they have knowledge and expertise within their industry.

Adding a Bit of Hollywood Glamour to your Home

Your home should be a place of sanctuary from the stresses of everyday life. Once you walk through the door, you can begin to unwind and enjoy all the nice things you’ve worked so hard for. So, why not invest some time into making your space somewhere you can pamper yourself?

Here’s our guide to adding a little Hollywood glamour to your home, so you rest and rejuvenate ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

Luxury

You might think you have the comfiest sofa around but you haven’t truly kicked back and relaxed until you’ve stretched yourself out on a chaise longue. This piece of furniture is iconic as a place to relax (and possibly be fed grapes…) and conjures images of luxury and decadence. It is the ideal place to read a book, take a nap or simply rest a while.

Whether you opt for a modern and contemporary design or something more vintage, be sure to purchase the tiny rolled cushion that usually goes with it to finish off the look. The chaise longue is also a people-pleaser, with your guests making an immediate beeline for it as they walk through your living room door.

Glamour

Your bathroom is a multi-functional area. In the morning, it is used as a place to wake yourself up with a shower and get yourself ready (and presentable) for the day. But, come the evening, it switches focus from merely being functional and becomes a place of relaxation and pampering.

First up is the bath. A long soak with lots of bubbles can aid your unwinding as well as getting you all fresh and clean for bed. You can opt for a classic roll top bath if you have the space, or an elegant shower bath to conserve space – either one can add a bit of glamour to the home and have you never skipping bath time.

Other key items in this room are bathroom wall cabinets. In these, you can see yourself while washing your face, brushing your teeth, putting makeup on or as a guide to shaving correctly. It has multiple uses including its storage capabilities for all your bathroom items, and it also creates the illusion of a larger space. In terms of Hollywood glamour, there’s no better option than the illuminated bathroom cabinet, perfect for giving you an exceptional light for your face - you’ll feel like a leading woman or man in no time!

Fancy

After lazing on the chaise longue, soaking in a tub full of bubbles and implementing your face care routine in front of the bathroom cabinet, you can now retire to the bedroom.

If you have to space, then a dressing table is a must for the Hollywood theme. Here, you can have all the lotions and potions at hand to keep up your beauty regime and maybe some light bulbs surrounding the mirror to give your face just the right lighting.

There’s lots of different styles to choose from and Pinterest is a great place to browse what’s available. You could opt for the French antique white finish for an elegant and timeless look, or a darker wood for a more vintage feel filled with a sense of history. A fancy dressing table signifies wealth, opulence and a teensy bit of vanity!

Decadent

The piece de resistance for your home, to top off all of the glamorous additions, has to be a sparkly chandelier. Even if your budget won’t quite stretch to crystals, you can either opt for a contemporary chrome look or even go it alone with some thrifty upcycling with your basics from charity shops and household items. Even on a tight budget, you can still achieve some truly breath-taking results.

Chandeliers are perfect for entrance ways and hallways as one of the first things anyone sees as they enter your home. This aspirational piece will be the best first impression to your home, setting the precedent for what is to come.

A glamorous look and feel to your place can be easily achieved with a selection of carefully chosen furniture additions. And, as well as looking the part, your home will become even more appealing to you as a place to kick back and relax after a hard day at work or a busy day entertaining the children.

Preparing for Driving Lessons for My Son

In less than 6 month's time, my oldest will be 17-years-old. He is at that age and time in his life where he is transitioning from youth to becoming a young adult, and there will be big changes for him. He plans to start college in September to study Law and Economics and he is hoping to have a part-time job ASAP (he has an interview this week).

One thing he has wanted and asked for is a moped. To give him the freedom to travel without having to rely on us taking and picking him up.  So in the next couple of week's we are looking to buy him a second hand one. The moped will be a temporary solution, roughly for a year - he plans to get himself a car next year (after he has passed his lessons). Thus, we need to start looking at driving lessons for him as a birthday present for his 17th.

As we will be spending money on driving lessons for my son, it’s important that I take my time over choosing a qualified driving instructor or driving school and one that I feel confident with and that my son will feel comfortable with.

I want to make sure we choose a DSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADIs). However, I want to be able to do this quickly and with ease and what better way than doing it with a reputable company online? A place where I can search, book and check his progress. Pass'N'Go  offer such a service which would be perfect - it meets all our needs. 

I learnt to drive in my mid-30s, and that was due to my hubby encouraging me as I had no intentions of ever driving, I didn't feel I would like it, I was not confident at all. But, with some nudging from hubby, and after my second child, I took the first step and started my lessons - I've never looked back (although, it took me 3 attempts to pass and get my license) and enjoy the freedom and opportunities driving gives me. And, this is what I want for my son. Driving lessons I feel is important for him.

Male Grooming

With my hubby and two teenage sons, male grooming is a big thing in our home.

We have all sorts of grooming products and gadgets, my boys even have their own hair dryer.

It has changed over the years. My two teenage sons and their friends couldn’t be further away from the boys of my youth. I grew up in the 80s and my brothers and their friends very much cared about how they looked and the image they were portraying - the clothes had to be right and the hair had to look cool. However, they didn't have all the 'products' that modern teens have. It is very different now-adays and comparing to a couple of decades ago, there is a lot more involved in the modern teens morning routine.

My boys get up in the morning, spend (just as much time as I do) preening and fretting over clothes/hair/skin/shoes etc. They won't leave the house unless their hair is styled perfectly, their clothes are smart, and they've moisturised, cleaned teeth, mouth washed and smelling like a walking deodorant parlour - the amount of body sprays and antiperspirants they get through is crazy. Hubby keeps a backup spary in the car otherwise, it's a gonna.

My hubby is a little more relaxed than my boys and that is because he is from a different generation but he still takes great care in his appearance. It is a little different for hubby as he is older, for starters, he doesn't have any hair on his head, thus, he doesn't need to spend time styling his hair each day like the boys do, but he does have hair growing places he would rather that didn't i.e, nose hair which he preens and frets over - oh and his eyebrows need trimming back. These are things my boys will have to consider as they get older, but in the meantime they have got off to a good positive start.

I am glad they take care of their appearance, and they take pride in that.  It takes time and effort to pull it off, which doesn't always come naturally to some teens, but if they do, they’ll create an overall positive impression.

How to Host a BBQ

After a wet and windy half term, the weekend before the kids returned back to school, the sun finally decided to make an appearance, thus, what better way than to celebrate the nice weather than to organize impromptu BBQ. 

I love a good BBQ, you can't beat that - when the family get together and enjoy each others company, the kids running around screaming with laughter, lots of food and drink.  And, next month sees hubby's birthday where every year we host a BBQ and invite family and friends around. Which I am already planning and looking forward too.

I love to cook many different dishes, from making my red cabbage coleslaw, roasted vegetables, sweet potato chips, couscouse salad, and more, which means on the day a lot of my time is spent cooking. Then, the next morning, the big clean up commences, plates, cutlery, dishes, bowls, glass everywhere, and 10 dishwasher cycles later.... (over exaggeration slightly there)

Thus, in preparation for our next BBQ I have been looking at ideas and ways to save time.

Use disposable cups, plates, cutlery - not the cheap ones that break easily and make eating or drinking more difficult than it should be, I would opt for the good quality disposable and biodegradable plastic bits.

Everyone to contribute - When friends and family ask 'what should we bring', I not only suggest beer or wine, I suggest the option to bring an appetizer or dessert. This gives the BBQ some delicious surprises, and it will help you keep the cost down. It will also removes some of the pressure from me trying to cook all the dishes.

Fill a large bucket of ice - and everyone can place the cans of beer and pop in the ice to keep them nice and cool. Much easier than trying to find spaces in your fridge and cram it up.

Have a designated bin for recyclables - When people are finished drinking their can of beer or pop, and they have finished eating with the disposable plates etc. everyone can chuck them away in the large designated box - saving time for the big clear up the next morning.

Drink Dispenses set up and ready to go - use the ones with taps making it easier for everyone, especially the kids to top up their juice whenever they want.  You can make some great mocktails and fill them with fruit and have fun with them.

To Vape Or Not To Vape

I haven't smoked in over 10 years, I consider myself as lucky, I was able to just quit and since then I've never looked back - it was the best thing I ever did and I did it not only for me but for my children. I had started smoking when I was a teen, secretly and behind my parents back, I used to take all the measures to disguise my smoking habit, but it was my little sister that grassed me up in the end - and I got in rather a lot of trouble, but this didn't deter me, and I continued to smoke well into my mid twenties.

Since I quit friends and family that do smoke continued. Then vaping hit the markets and it grew in popularity and more and more people around me started turning to vaping and turning away from smoking cigarettes. Their motivations and reasons are different, from wanting to quit the cigarette, or because vaping simply is hell of a lot cheaper, or they can vape inside without causing too much of a stink.

Speaking to my teenage son recently I was surprised to discover that some of his friends and other students are vaping, it made me think, are students picking up on the vaping trend, and choosing to vape rather than smoking cigarettes? I am not sure...

Is this the e-cigarette / vaping generation? and is it a good thing?  

Well, I wish I had the option when I was a teen. Vaping would have done wonders for my health (not destroying my lungs) over the years and would have saved enough money to buy a small house. It isn't the best thing, but it's a lot better than smoking. And a subset of kids are always going to do that thing they are told not to. - if not vaping, they most likely would be smoking. 

As smoking is subject to regulation and social pressure, discovering and taking up smoking makes sense for teenagers to gravitate towards vaping instead of smoking due to the social stigma cigarettes have now-a-days. 

When Should You Take A Child To The Doctor?

 It's the age-old parenting dilemma. Your child is sick, and you suspect it's more than a cold, but you're not sure whether to take them to the doctor. While it's always best to go with your intuition and do what you think is best, there are certain situations where a trip to the doctor or even A&E is recommended. Here are a few things to consider when you're deciding whether to book an appointment or simply treat the illness at home. 

Serious symptoms

 It can often be difficult to work out the severity of an illness in a child. This is because they can't always communicate how sick they are, so you may need to play detective and work out how serious their illness is. However, there are some symptoms that are serious and mean you should seek urgent medical attention. They include, but aren't limited to:

·      High fever in babies – over 38c for babies under three months, or over 39c for a baby aged three to six months

·      Floppiness or drowsiness

·      Severe headaches or aversion to light

·      Rashes that don't change colour when pressed with a glass

·      Stiff neck – when combined with other symptoms such as fever or vomiting

·      Dehydration – if your child is drinking but not passing urine for example

 These are the kind of symptoms that it's important to get checked out right away. When your child has these sorts of symptoms, your first instinct will probably be to call 111 and get professional advice. However, if they are having a seizure or trouble breathing, then call 999 as it's a medical emergency at that point. 

Ongoing illnesses

Another situation where you might be wondering whether to see a doctor is when your child can't seem to shake a certain illness. In certain seasons, it's quite common to get back-to-back illnesses, but when is it time to book a doctor's appointment? Again, it's often a case of using your intuition. You might decide to get online medical advice at https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com or call 111 first to see if they recommend a visit to the GP. Alternatively, you can take your child to see a private doctor for quicker services and tests. A broken bone, for example, can't usually be seen very well from the outside, so it's important to get your child to a hospital as quickly as possible. Broken bones will require x-ray imaging in Rockaway, NJ (or in your own hometown), as will other internal issues that may indicate an ongoing illness.

Children often bounce back quickly from things like coughs and colds, but if they haven't gotten better in a couple of weeks, or are showing worrying symptoms like wheezing, it's time to see a doctor. 

Care at home

 Many simple conditions can be taken care of at home, and it's a good idea to have some basic over the counter medications on hand for when illness strikes. As a parent, you'll no doubt have to deal with more than one sickness and diarrhoea outbreak a year, for example, and usually, that just means ensuring your child gets plenty of rest and fluids. However, things can change quickly, and if you have any concerns then you should get medical advice as soon as possible.

If you're a parent taking care of a sick child, you usually have intuition, that tells you whether it's serious or not. You know your child's usual behaviour and can judge what's normal for them. Therefore, if you have any concerns it's worth getting medical attention as soon as you can, so don't be embarrassed about seeking help when you feel it's needed. 

Hiring Home Fitness Equipment

For some people going to the gym can become second nature, but for must of us (including me) it's a task that becomes just that, a task, and if we wannabe gym goer achieves a quick half-an-hour one afternoon, we feel pretty proud of ourselves.

As a fellow wannabe gym goer I would love to tone up my wobbly bits, but as a busy mum of 4 children, working full time I just don't have the time, and logic and reason go out the door especially when the sofa and TV look so much more inviting. Thus, I have avoided joining a membership gym when I know it is impossible for me to get value out of it.

The thing is I know I would enjoy it, I enjoy working out and one day when the kids are older, I look forward to joining my local gym and becoming a full member. But in the meantime what are my options?  How can I train and exercise to keep fit, and tone up? 

So what is the alternative to the gym... is to hire home fitness equipment.

You can hire fitness equipment so that you can workout within the comfort and convenience of your own home. If you love the idea of getting fit, exercising daily and making the most of your body, but you don't have the time to get to the gym, then bring the gym to you. And, it can give you the perfect balance between keeping fit and ensuring that you can work out on your favourite pieces of equipment. You can hire the following machines:

• Treadmills
• Cross trainers
• Exercise bikes
• Rowing machines
• and more...

Hiring fitness equipment is easy too; you simply pay a monthly fee for your kit and keep it until you want to return it. As simple as that!

Below are 4 top reasons why we all should be working out.

Improve your body: Not only will working out tone and strengthen your body, it also strengthens your heart and bones, lowers your blood pressure and of course, reduces your body fat. Also it will improve your posture.

Improve your confidence: Exercising gives you a sense of accomplishment and achievement and each workout takes you a step closer to the ideal look you want to have for yourself, making you feel as good on the inside as you do on the outside.

It makes you feel good: When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, relieve stress and can improve your mood.

Improve your night sleep: Exercise tires the body naturally giving you a sounder, deeper sleep. You'll pass out when you hit the pillow if you've had a busy day along with some added exercise.

If you would like to hire your own gym equipment, 

Hirefitness.co.uk are giving my readers 20% off the first months rent on any hires of 12 weeks or longer.  Using code:  CNASE2016 

Sea Life vs. Space Life

I was one of the many people that followed astronaut Scott Kelly tweets and all his amazing images that he shared during his 12 months in space last year. He was able to share amazing photos and even replied to tweets and answered questions. This interaction allows for a more insightful exciting experience for all. Roll on to 2016 and we get to share the experience with our very own British astronaut Tim Peake. 

But did you realise astronauts are better connected than Sailors?  Sailors, depending on the Ship they are on limits what communication services they have access to, whereas astronauts have access to full communication services, albeit a lot slower up there than down here. 

Below is a fun and interesting infographic that explains the difference between Sea Life vs. Space Life communication in more detail:

Money Saving Tips for Your Business

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All business owners need to keep their eyes on the expenditure. Although sales and marketing are often the focus of the day-to-day running of a commercial venture, controlling business costs is just as important. All too often, businesses can be wasteful with their spending, either purchasing too much of something or not getting the best value for money. To minimise your business costs, follow the tips below. Each of them will improve your balance sheet no end and provide you with an improved gross profit in years to come.

Research Your Energy Costs

Often thought of as a fixed cost, energy consumption can vary greatly from business to business and there is no reason to think that the amount you use means you cannot find a better deal. Many businesses need power to run equipment, but even if it only comes down to nothing more than heating and lighting costs, electricity bills and gas charges are frequently a high proportion of a company's ongoing quarterly costs. Look into low energy measures, such as thermal insulation, or using energy at times when it is cheaper. Price comparisons, based on current usage, can be highly beneficial too, when looking for a cheaper supplier.

Increase Your Business Space

Expanding the size of your business premises can mean that you can simplify workflows and clear clutter, leading to fewer mistakes. This can lower costs because things don't have to be repeated or orders re-despatched. However, renting more space is costly. Instead, fit a mezzanine floor. This means you can effectively double the amount of space that you have available without needing to increase your rental or heating costs. Different companies provide mezzanine flooring services such as Warehouse Storage Solutions which offers its customers this service. By installing one, you can add more workspace, find room for a better-organised warehouse or even use it for office-based staff if wanted. Installing mezzanine flooring opens you up to other beneficial space-saving warehouse additions like industrial stairways (found on websites such as https://www.platformsandladders.com/industrial-stairways), as they can be fitted to the floor and then put away without any hassle. Your warehouse will be kept in good condition as well as safe.
 

Use a Franking Machine

When you have lots of posts that need to go out, heading to the Post Office to weigh and despatch parcels is time-consuming and costly. Even if you use stamps for standard-size envelopes, the price per item that is posted is greater than if you use a franking machine. By leasing one, you can spread the costs without having to find capital outlay. On average, users of franking machines save a penny for every item that they send, so they can soon lead to sizeable cost savings for companies that post goods or use the postal service to send invoices and statements to their customers.

Outsource Payroll

If you have a small amount of staff, then your payroll function may take up a disproportionate amount of your time. By employing a payroll clerk who runs your payroll function each month, you may not be getting the best value for money. Firms with fewer than a dozen or so employees can often save money by using a specialist sub-contractor who works exclusively in the field of payroll. Not only will you save money over a year, but costly mistakes are often avoided by engaging the services of an expert.

Switch to Electronic Services

By sending out paper invoices instead of electronic ones by email, you are potentially wasting thousands of pounds each year. Why not consider the virtues of dealing with customers electronically? Many businesses are now set up to handle customer enquiries via their website, thus reducing the amount of time spent dealing with commonly asked questions. A properly organised company website - and other electronic services, such as corporate mobile phone apps - should be able to reduce the amount you spend on staffing customer service lines and dealing with the same sorts of enquiries time and again.

The Intimate Truth with Vagisil

18 years hubby and I have been together, and this year we will be celebrating 12 years of marriage. We've shared and experienced so much in those 18 years, but we've remained in a strong, close and loving relationship. I especially love how he loves me and makes me feel; he chases and lusts over me almost every day, he makes me feel beautiful, sexy and so much more. However, like most long-term relationships, there are periods of when 'life happens events' that affects the blissfulness of our close and intimate relationship - but we understand lulls are inevitable and we will always bounce back, and during these periods we take a philosophical approach as in, we look forward to finding our intimacy again 'soon' and we always do.

Long-term relationships require a lot of work and trust. Keeping the love alive despite the years can be challenging yet it can also be fruitful and rewarding, and intimacy and sex are powerful tools for any relationship, especially long term ones.  Those feelings keep you bonded, happy and close. And yet it can be the one thing that gets dismissed.

As the relationship grows sometimes we become too comfortable that we can forget that part of the relationship. You can arrive at a stage where you would rather read a book or just sleep rather than have sex. 

No relationship captures feelings of pure happiness all the time. It's normal for relationships to go through periods of lesser and greater intimacy, but that is okay,  there's nothing wrong with losing a little passion now and again; it's normal. The important thing is putting in the effort to sustain the relationship even during those lull periods. 

Using a product like Vagisil ProHydrate is designed to help you find that blissful intimacy and maybe even help your journey to reconnect and rediscover each other.

The Vagisil ProHydrate range is specifically designed to relieve intimate dryness so that you can feel comfortable, confident and enjoy intimacy when you want to. From Vagisil's research, they found that when it comes to relationships, over half of women (56%) say that they want to feel more connected to their partner. The top three things associated with ‘intimacy’ among women in a committed relationship are; ‘closeness’ (69%), ‘togetherness’ (65%) and ‘love’ (61%). Thus, when it comes to intimacy, women associate this with closeness, togetherness and love. 

The Vagisil ProHydrate range is available at Boots and Superdrug.

Why You Should Make London Your Next Family Holiday Destination

Nothing in this life beats a great family holiday. It’s a chance to break away from the mundane, and enjoy something out of the ordinary. More crucially, it’s a fantastic chance to create those magical memories that your family can cherish for a lifetime.

We all have travel bucket lists. However, you don’t need to go chasing exotic adventure to have a great family vacation. In truth, a city break to London could be the best option at your disposal. Most British families will take the occasional day trip to the capital. But it’s also the perfect destination for your next family holiday.

Here are 11 compelling reasons why you should consider on your shortlist.

Travel

When holidaying with children, you should never forget the importance of the journey. Let’s face it; a difficult trip can instantly put a downer on your vacation. Not only does it put you in a bad mood from the off, but it also leaves you fearing the return legs.

Early morning airport runs, long-haul flights and further travel to reach your final destination can be very testing. However, travelling to London is relatively easy from anywhere in the UK. The London Underground and public transport facilities make it a simple task to access the city once you’ve arrived too.

For foreign travellers, international links through Eurostar and multiple airports make life equally simple. Easy travelling will set a solid foundation for a less stressful vacation for parents and kids alike. What better starting point could you need?

Familiarity

Visiting a new country can be very exciting, but it can be a little daunting for children. Aside from the fear of travelling to another country, they’ve also got to handle the prospect of being in a different culture. That lack of familiarity can be quite scary, so staying in England can be very beneficial.

Simple pleasures like using English currency shouldn’t be underestimated. London is a fascinating place unlike any other in Britain. But there’s still the familiarity of seeing shops and other items that they get back home. Removing the prospect of language barriers can have a telling impact on your enjoyment.

Multicultural Pleasures

The general familiarity of being in your home country is great. But one of the wonderful things about London is the diversity. If you want to, you can embrace the city in a way that lets you enjoy a world of different cultures.

This could entail taking in different types of art and entertainment. Alternatively, it might be something as simple as trying worldwide foods. Not only is a great way to share some time as a family, but it also enhances those feelings that you are away on vacation.

London is home to such a vibrant culture that you can always tailor the adventure to suit your specific family requirements. Perfect.

A Chance To Educate

Travel broadens the mind, and holidays are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the world and ourselves. Moreover, it’s a chance to impart wisdom onto your children. In turn, this could be very beneficial as they develop their individual passions in life.

Quite frankly, there’s no place like London for achieving this goal. Apart from the many galleries, the city is home to cultural landmarks that everyone should visit at least once. Walking around the Westminster area alone can bring you to Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, and Big Ben to name just three. Alternatively, you could book a bus tour at https://www.theoriginaltour.com/. Either way, it’s the ultimate chance to educate your children with one of the most enjoyable days out imaginable.

London also has some of the best museums, pop-over to read the Motherhood the Real Deal blog post covering the best ones to visit.

Celebrate Passions

Those educational rewards can help develop new passions. But your family already has favourite pastimes; London is an ideal place to embrace them. As far as entertainment is concerned, you cannot find anywhere better.

Arranging your trip to fit in with events on the sporting calendar could be the perfect answer to making this an unforgettable trip. It could mean watching the latest West End theatre show. Or perhaps your family is more focused on tennis and would prefer a trip to Wimbledon. Whatever you love doing, London will provide the ideal destination to fulfil those dreams.

The key to enjoying a great family holiday is to do things together. These events allow you to do that, and it’s something that you’ll all remember for years to come.

Luxury

The perfect family holiday should offer plenty of adventures and excitement. However, modern life is frantic, and we can all appreciate the chance to recharge the batteries a little too. When travelling with kids, you’re never going to rest for a full week. But that doesn’t mean you can’t invest in a little you time.

You could partake in these delights as a family. Alternatively, you could drop the kids off at an organised club for the day. Either way, finding a spa or place to relax in London won’t be difficult. In truth, there’s a strong possibility that the accommodation will provide facilities too.

Value For Money

One of the key items putting people off of London is the cost. However, the perceptions are often far worse than the reality. If you’re not careful, the capital can be very expensive indeed. As long as you’re responsible, though, it can still be a lot cheaper than an international holiday. For starters, you won’t be paying through the nose on travel.

Sightseeing and visiting places like Trafalgar Sq doesn’t have to cost a penny. Meanwhile, a trip to Hyde Park is truly wonderful for an afternoon of family fun. Likewise, you can often find street performances in Covent Garden and the Southbank. Aside from being cheaper, it’s a chance to see the true beauty of London too – the people.

Accommodation will probably be the big expense. But if you can’t find a decent solution, then there’s always the option to stay in the surrounding areas and get a train into the city.

Fun 365 Days A Year

Advancements to international travel have made the world feel like a smaller place than ever before. And there are some truly wonderful destinations out there. Many of them are very reliant on the seasons, though. Not London. Regardless of the timing, the capital will always offer a brilliant holiday.

You can never rely on the weather, but London has plenty of indoor facilities to battle those potential issues. Meanwhile, winter months can be a wonderful time to visit too. Along with the markets, Winter Wonderland is the perfect attraction for family fun. It’s a great way to build those festive spirits too. Find out more at http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/.

In today’s busy world, simply getting time off work can be a hassle. No matter when those breaks come, London will guarantee a great vacation.

Less Planning

As with any holiday, organising your trip to London does require some work. However, it’s far less stressful than alternative options.

For starters, you don’t need to worry about planning months and months in advance. Quite frankly, you could decide to make a late decision and still have a great adventure. There’s no need for worrying about VISAs, injections, and special holiday outfits. With travel and accommodation booked, you’re virtually set to go.

The spontaneous adventures are often the best ones too. And with less time spent planning, you can spend more time enjoying the capital with those people you love most.

No Boredom

By now, you’ve probably realised that London has a bit of everything. Some holiday destinations are brilliant for a short trip but become boring quite quickly. Conversely, London is a place where even the locals don’t have time to soak it all in. And keeping your kids entertained on holiday has to be a key priority.

Being bored on holiday feels like a waste. Furthermore, being asked when it’s time to go home can be rather demoralising. In London, your stay will never feel too long. Best of all, it’s suited to people of all ages. And as long as you’ve enjoyed the trip, it can only be considered a success.

Great Photos

Enjoying the holiday is one thing, but it’s also nice to have reminders of that great trip. You can always find souvenirs to reminisce about the vacation. However, the best item is those family photographs.

With so many world famous backdrops, London is a great place to take photos that will eventually brighten up your home. You can find out about turning those images into canvas art http://www.my-picture.co.uk/. Not only will it give the home a unique vibe, but it’s a constant source of happiness to pick you up when you’re feeling down.

When combined with the immediate rewards of the holiday itself, it creates the perfect full package. And don’t worry about it ruining future day visits to the capital, they’ll still be as exciting as always.

Easily Entertaining the Kids

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When you have a long summer ahead of you, figuring out how to keep the kids entertained can be a bit of a daunting task. School might be boring for them, but they’ll certainly remind you of just how bored they are at home when you don’t line up activities that will keep them occupied all summer long. Whether it is sending the kids to summer camp, finding a swim program, playing with crafts at home, or going outside, you need to find something that will keep your kids entertained.

Whether you decide to stay at home or go on a long road-trip, there will come a time when you need to fall back on good old-fashioned television. By now, you’re probably wondering just what new program you can even introduce to your kids. They’ve already developed favorites that they turn on weekend mornings, and you’d like to find something somewhat educational at least, so hopefully their little brains won’t turn to mush before school resumes in the fall.

You’re in luck, thanks to HMV and Groupon Discount Codes. At HMV, you can search through every genre of media ever made… selecting the right titles for each kid, and even a flick for yourself once they’re all settled in. Those Tuesday afternoons just got a whole lot easier now that you can put in their favorite action movie and go take a nap, instead of having to field a dozen “Mom, he hit me” and “He started its.”

If your car is equipped with DVD or Blu-Ray players, you are in luck. When you decide to take the family on a long drive to go camping, you can entertain them with a movie, instead of having to listen to a dozen of the classic “Are we there yet?”

Summer doesn’t have to be an endless series of days of you searching desperately for activities that will keep your kids happy. Thankfully, every kid loves watching a movie or television show every now and then. Pay a visit to HMV and you’ll find everything you need to easily entertain your kids all summer long.

Quiz Clothing Wish List

I am off to Amsterdam on a business trip in a couple of weeks, and I am looking for a new outfit to wear when travelling the day before. I will have a 2-hour drive to the airport and then the flight, thus, I am looking for an outfit that is comfortable, but casual-smart too. 

I am looking to travel in comfy but smart trousers, with a lightweight but warm coat - and I am thinking a comfortable top with a bit of colour. Looking at the Quiz Clothing website I've put together my outfit below.

Grey Fleece Long Sleeve Jacket: Perfect, a cozy fleece coat with long sleeves to keep me snug and warm whilst travelling. Smart looking, it looks great when worn with skinny jeans/trousers. RRP £26.99.

Black Crepe Elasticated Waist Trousers: You can't go wrong with black trousers, these are a slim fit, smart-causal style.  RRP £16.99

Cream and Blue Crepe Flower Print Top: A flower print design with short sleeves and chiffon hem. Would wear really well with the slim trousers.  RRP £19.99

Silver Glitter Jelly Wedges: I really like these, and they would finish the outfit off perfectly.  RRP £16.99

I like Quiz clothing they offer good quality clothing at great value.

Charity gifts: giving a present with a feel-good factor

 Perhaps you’re struggling to find a present for the person who already has it all, or you’re looking to surprise that someone special with a truly unusual offering. Let’s face it, gift buying can be difficult. If you’re not careful, you can end up wasting your cash on items that people don’t need or particularly want. So, why not think outside the box next time you’re hunting for a present and put your money towards a good cause?

Charity gifts are becoming increasingly popular as people switch onto the fact that these offerings have an undeniable feel-good factor. Organisations such as Oxfam make the process easy by offering tailored packages that come with personalised charity e-cards. If you still need to be won over by this form of gift giving, consider the following benefits.

An array of options to choose from

There’s a surprisingly wide range of charity presents for you to choose from, so regardless of who you’re buying for or the occasion you’re celebrating, you shouldn’t struggle to find something that suits. For example, if you’re purchasing on behalf of an animal lover, you could get a gift that provides people living in poverty with creatures that help them put food on the table and earn a sustainable income. From putting money towards initiatives that provide families with goats, sheep or chickens to contributing to an entire farmyard, there are a variety of options available.

Other great causes include providing lifesaving soap and sanitation to communities, giving clean water to families, providing children with school supplies and kitting out classrooms. Whatever your budget and whoever you’re buying for, you’ll be able to find a gift that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

Simple and quick 

The best thing is, as well as being worthwhile, charity present buying is easy and quick. You can search the web for great ideas and purchasing your gift should take a matter of moments. Also, if you go to an organisation like Oxfam, you’ll be able to personalise and send an e-card informing the recipient of the contribution that has been made on their behalf. This means no traipsing around shops or standing in queues and it’s ideal if you’re looking for last-minute or long-distance presents. 

Whether you want a present for a birthday, Christmas, wedding or any other occasion, forget worn out clichés and consider putting money towards a good cause instead.