What do you wear for a wedding in a different culture?

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Once the excitement of receiving a wedding invitation has worn off, it’s time to start planning your outfit. Choosing a guest outfit for a wedding in the UK is hard enough, but what about if you’ve been invited to a wedding of a different culture? Together with Charles Tyrwhitt, retailers of timeless menswear, we look at how the dress code of a wedding changes depending on the background of the newlyweds.

What will the bride be wearing?

Brides are known in the UK for their flattering white dresses, accompanied by a long train and veil. But how do our own bridal traditions compare to India, Japan and China?

India

In India, the lady’s dress depends on the region of India that they’re from. In some regions, the bride wears a saree which is a garment that looks like a long drape, in others she wears a lehenga which is a long skirt. Often the bride is dressed in red or another vibrant colour, her garments will be carefully embroidered with an impressive design.

The bride and her bridal party often have henna on their palms, hands, forearms and legs.

Japan

Japanese weddings are very elaborate and it is acceptable for families to spend close to £75,000 on a wedding day. It is often the parents of the couple who organise the wedding, and they are willing to spend excessive amounts to save face. Because of the large scale of the weddings, the bride can have as many as 5 costume changes!

At a traditional (Shinto) wedding, the bride wears a white kimono, but more recently Japanese brides wear a dress that has a traditional print.

China

In China, it is likely that the bride will be dressed in red as it is considered a sign of good luck that can warn off evil spirits. In some regions, typically in northern China, the traditional attire for a bride is a one-piece dress that is embroidered with gold and silver designs. In southern China, the typical wear is a two-piece frock.

A bridal crown is part of the wedding costume for some brides too – it is worn for photography or for show at a grand occasion. For footwear, a special pair of shoes are often worn that are embroidered with a symbol — for example, a turtle or a deer which symbolises happiness and longevity.

What will the groom be wearing?

The men often have traditional dress codes that they are expected to follow – however, many of them are opting for a smart suit similar to how a groom in the UK would dress.

India

Similar to the women, it depends on what region of India the groom is from as to what they wear. Some husbands-to-be wear traditional dress, such as a dhoti which is a rectangular cloth ties around the waist. In other regions, they wear a sherwani (a long coat), a kurta (loose falling shirt that hangs below the knee), or a Western suit.

The men also have henna on their bodies but it is less elaborate and often hidden.

Japan

Traditionally, a Japanese groom wears a wedding kimono for the ceremony and then changes into a tuxedo. The formal kimono that he wears is called a montsuki, and often displays the family crest. More recently, younger grooms start the ceremony in a tuxedo too.

China

In China, the husband-to-be traditionally wears a black silk coat over an embroidered robe. Often, in the modern day, the overcoat is not worn.

The groom has to wear certain headwear too – this is usually a black hat with a red tassel. Some younger generations are not following the traditional dress code and simply wear a tuxedo or a Western-style business suit.

What should the guests wear?

It can be difficult to choose an outfit as a guest, as there are many traditions and symbols that you may be unaware of and you don’t want to offend anyone.

India

At an Indian wedding, the bolder your outfit is the better. Wearing vibrant colours will mean you fit in with the Indian guests. Guests should avoid white or black as these are colours worn for funerals and mourning in India. It is also advised that red is not worn either as the bride will probably be dressed in this colour.

Women guests should not bare their shoulders, wear low cut tops or short skirts as this can be seen as disrespectful — a jewel-tone dress with a shawl is one appropriate outfit. The Indian female guests will most likely be dressed in colourful sarees or anarkali suits. Jewellery is important for women too, choose a statement piece for around your neck with matching earrings and bangles.

Men often wear a tailored kurta with a pyjama and a dupatta (shawl) can be added over the kurta. For their feet, sandals, jootis or chappals are often worn as these are comfortable and prevent overheating.

Guests might also be expected to cover their heads if the wedding is held in a temple. For this, women can wear a long scarf or pashmina over their heads and men are usually provided with a head cover such as a large handkerchief.

An Indian wedding is often a long drawn out event (it could be three days long!) so make sure you are wearing something loose and comfortable.

Japan

At a traditional Japanese wedding, men were expected to be dressed very formally with a black suit and white tie. Now however, the dress code is more flexible and it is accepted for men to come dressed in suits other than black with various coloured ties. However, it is advised to avoid white clothes with black ties.

Women often wear dresses that are knee length or a coloured kimono to take on a traditional look. It is best to avoid showing any shoulder as this can be deemed a disrespectful.

China

When dressing for a Chinese wedding, avoid wearing red as this can be seen as trying to steal the limelight from the bride. It’s best to wear pink, peach or purple as these are all symbols of new life and happiness. A formal dress is suitable for a Chinese wedding.

Colours to avoid include black and white, as these symbolise mourning and black is considered to be the colour of bad luck.

Sources

• https://www.everafterguide.net/what-to-wear-to-an-indian-wedding.html
• http://www.chinabridal.com/etiquette/dress.htm
• http://chinesecommunity.org.nz/site/topics/show/391-dos-and-donts-when-attending-a-chinese-wedding
• http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat18/sub117/item617.html

Simple but Fun Ways to Involve Your Children in Your Wedding Day

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Whether you and your partner already have children together, or either of you has children from a previous relationship, you will, of course, want to involve them in the planning in some way. There are a number of different ways you can achieve this. Not only will it add another element to how special the day is but it will also make your children feel like they are part of the ceremony.

It is a good idea to ask your kids if there is anything in particular that they would like to do on the day. The range of suitable activities will depend on the age of the children in question, as well as their individual personalities and talents.

Arts and Crafts

Picking out wedding decorations can be rather dull. Many couples splash out on wedding decorations because they feel like they should, even though the decorations themselves don’t inspire much in the way of excitement. Having decorations that have been designed and made by your children makes them more special and is a really fun way for your children to be involved. Decorations made by or with your children will be unique and will ensure that there is at least one element to your wedding that is exclusive to you and your family and won’t be found anywhere else.

You could also ask them to write and design the place cards, which tell your guests where they will be seated.

Take Them Cake Testing

Selecting the perfect wedding cake is undoubtedly one of the most fun aspects of planning a wedding.  Not only do you get to sample a range of delicious and beautifully crafted cakes, you will also get to see just how big, elaborate, and expensive they can get. Needless to say, children will love to be involved in this process. Not only will it demonstrate to them that you value their opinions but it will also mean that at the ceremony itself they can proudly proclaim to all your friends and family that they chose the cake. Should your child pick a cake that isn’t to your taste, then you could let them choose a smaller cake in their preferred style to share with other younger guests, or you can speak to the baker about finding a compromise.

Take them to Preview Potential Venues

Selecting the wedding venue can be a nerve-wracking experience. It is, after all, one of the most important elements of the whole thing and couples often find themselves spoiled for choice and trying to decide between a number of equally beautiful locations. You can involve your children in making this decision both by bringing them with you when you visit any potential venues, and also letting them help you to draw up a shortlist beforehand. Websites such as UK Wedding Savings allow you to preview a range of venues from their website; do this with your child nearby to let them know that they are involved in the process.

Involving your children when planning your wedding will go a long way to making them feel that their opinions are valued and also that they are an integral part of the ceremony, after which you will all be a single complete family unit.

4 Sports Your 'Unsporty' Teen Might Enjoy

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For the ‘unsporty,’ there is a lot of pressure to feel like you need to participate and enjoy the everyday sports surrounding you. This can seem daunting for those who simply do not follow football, cricket or rugby; yet, these sports are national treasures. Do not lose faith, though, as there are, in fact, many sports for your teenager to love.

Take time to do a little research and figure out the best options. Attend practices and classes to see if your teen starts to pick up the sport and enjoy themselves. You’re not alone in the battle, so talk to other parents and students about their experience. See four sports your ‘unsporty’ teen might enjoy.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is great because it’s an individual sport that you can work at when you have time. Get yourself a pair of ice skates and practice at the local skating rink. With figure skates from the likes of Graf, Edea and Jackson or hockey skates from CCM, Reebok, Xcess and many others, you're sure to find the right pair at Skates. Their Ice Skates Buying Guide can help you make the right choice. If you enjoy the sport, secure a good coach who can help your teen get to the next level.

Swimming

Swimming is another individual sport that allows you to train and advance at your own pace. It’s likely that your teen has spent some time in the water and has gone for leisurely swims over the years. This is one of those sports where you can practice as much as you want on your own and get really good at the individual strokes. It doesn’t feel like a competitive sport if you’ve been swimming for a long time already and are used to the water.

Bowling

Encourage your teen to look into bowling if they want a new activity to enjoy. There’s a good chance they’ll have beginner’s luck and be able to walk their way onto a team pretty easily. Bowling is challenging and also fun at the same time. You don’t need a lot of special gear or skills to participate and do okay. There’s no need to break a sweat and train vigorously to play. If your teen really takes to the sport, you can get them a pair of shoes and their own ball so they feel more competitive. There are also health benefits of bowling they will reap.

Ping-Pong

Table tennis is an excellent sport for those who are feeling ‘unsporty.’ All you need is a place to play and the willingness to try and hit the ball back and forth with a partner. The better you get, the more fun it is to play and compete with other challenges. It’s one of those games you can pick up pretty easily and work at getting better if you choose; it’s also a great game to bring out at parties. Introduce it to your teen and see what they think.

Conclusion

There are lots of sports to choose from when trying to select one for your child. Stick with the search and try different options before committing to any specific athletics. These are four sports your ‘unsporty’ teen might enjoy.

My simple and Effective Laundry Routine

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With 6 of us, that means a lot of washing, and believe it or not, laundry is one of my favourite chores (not including ironing - I detest ironing). I find it quite theopoetic, sorting through and organizing the clothes. 

The key is to do at least one wash a day otherwise, things quickly fall into chaos. Below are my tips on how I run the laundry in our home efficiently.

Do a laundry wash every day.

Taking the time to throw a load of laundry in each day saves more time in the long run.  15-20 minutes each day to wash at least one load. Once I've unloaded a completed wash, I organize it to dry, and the machine is ready for the next load. 

Organize your clothing

I hate it when I chuck a wash in but miss a sock or one half of PJs! So now I always pair up the socks or PJs before chucking them into the wash.  So much easier and less likely to loose socks.

Inspect the clothes before placing them in the washing machine.

With 4-kids, I see all sorts of stains on their clothes, school white shirts are the worse, and there is nothing more frustrating of emptying a load after the wash cycle, to see there are stains on some of the clothing. To then have to use a scrub it with a stainer remover stick etc. and throw it back in the wash again.  So now, I check each item, and if I spot any that have a stain, I rub a bit of stainer remover before placing it in the wash.

Make sure to use a good detergent.

There is nothing worse than doing a wash and it doesn't clean well and so the whole wash needs re-washing. You need a detergent that gets the job done without a lot of hassle.  I don't like pods, and much prefer liquid. I have a 9kg washing machine, and I prefer how the liquid allows me to put the right amount of detergent needed - whereas, with pods, I find one is not enough, two can be too much.

Don't overfill your washing machine

I learnt the hard way. I had a habit of stuffing my machine full packed of clothes. If you overstuff your washing machine, with little room for the clothing to move around, your clothes are not going to effectively wash. I always leave a bit of space. 

Bio or Non-bio

If you have sensitive skin, as I do and my kids, then non-bio is a natural choice. It's more gentle and caring to the skin, as is Ecover. Ecover is designed to be caring and safe for sensitive skin.  Ecover laundry detergents will do the job without the unnecessary chemicals.

This post is my entry for BritMums #EcoverLaundry Challenge, sponsored by ECover

Money Saving Tips for this Winter

The temperature is starting to fall, and that means the heating system is operating for longer periods of time... and that means bigger energy bills. Winter is an expensive time, and I'm not talking about Christmas. During the winter, household costs shoot up, especially the heating bill.

Small changes and/or big changes will take money off your energy bills. Here are a few tips that you can use to keep your winter household costs lower this year. 
 

Draught proof your property

Most homes, especially most older homes, lose heat through droughts and when you get a chill in the room, this makes it more tempting to turn up the thermostat. Draught excluders for doors can make an instant difference. Don't forget to draught post the roof loft hatch.

Insulate the roof

The recommended thickness is 270mm and you can buy the materials from most DIY stores. By having insulation fitted in the loft you could see a potential reduction in heat loss, saving the need to turn the thermostat up.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

We did this last year as our old thermostat was not the most effective way to monitor the temperature in the house. Instead of basic on/off and temperature control, a smart thermostat allows you manage each minute of your home’s heating schedule from a smartphone, tablet or computer.   You can even install wireless smart radiator valves you can control the heat of each area/room.

Annual Boiler service

It is a good idea to get your boiler serviced each year. It's essential to ensure that it runs efficiently and safely. Heating problems are more likely to occur during the winter when the strain on the system is at its greatest. You can help to avoid having your heating system breaking down if you keep it well maintained. 

Upgrade your boiler

Modern boilers are more efficient, they burn their fuel very efficiently. All boilers built after 2005 must be high-efficiency condensing models which operate at over 90% efficiency. A modern boiler can save up to £340. Replace your boiler and you’ll probably use less gas than you currently do.

Choosing the Right School for Your Child

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

We all want the very best for our kids and we are all acutely aware of how important their education is, as well as what difference a good or bad school can make to a child’s future. Consequently, parents all over Britain have to, at some point, navigate the intricacies of our education system and try and find a good school nearby. It is not uncommon for parents to relocate their entire family in order to be in the catchment area of a suitable school. Not only do parents have to find the right school they also have to decide between public and private education.

The issues of which education system produces the best results for children and for society is one that is constantly being debated up and down the country and with such passionate arguments being flung so freely between each side, it’s easy to see why parents are confused about which is right for their child. There are numerous misconceptions about both systems. Ultimately, the right school for your child will come down to them as an individual, so below is a quick guide to help you and your child decide on the right school for them.

Public or Private?

It is best to work out, first of all, which system, public or private, you think is best for your child. It is OK to be open to both options. Obviously, this will give you more choice down the line. Private schools charge tuition fees and this limits who they are open to. There is no simple answer as to which system is better; both have their advantages and disadvantages and children can succeed in both systems.

Finding Schools

Once you’ve decided what the parameters of your school search are, it’s time to begin looking! Generally, it is important to be within the catchment area of your desired school, for private schools this is sometimes less important but for state schools, it is often hard to get a place in a school that you aren’t in the catchment area for. If for example, you are looking for a private school in north London such as Salcombe Preparatory School then you can use the official online London school atlas to find schools near you.

If it is very important to you and or your child that they get into a particular school, then you might have to consider relocating. Whether this is viable is obviously dependent upon your individual circumstances, but it can sometimes make the difference between securing a place or not.

Evaluating Options

Once you have identified a shortlist of potential schools then you need to evaluate them. The internet is an excellent tool for this and by searching for the school name and words such as ‘review’ or ‘experience’ you can find links to online discussions about the school. It is also worth checking the Ofsted website.

However, in the last couple-of-years there has been a big increase in parents choosing to home school their children. Reasons can be due to a lack of school choice, unmet special educational needs, which can lead to parents making the decision to homeschool a special needs child. There are also the "rigour and limits" of the current school curriculum, and pressure from the school on families etc,.

Choosing a school or choosing to home school your child is often a stressful experience and it is natural for parents to keep worrying right up until they know that their child is settling in well. We all want the very best for our children, particularly where their education is concerned. Do as much research as you can beforehand and you will be able to make the most informed choice that you can.

Staycations

Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash

While some friends and family have opted to go abroad this year, we’re all about the staycation in this household. The UK is full of incredible places to visit, from beaches and castles to pubs and wildlife trusts - we are truly spoilt for choice (albeit not spoilt on nice weather, unless you prefer the wind and rain)

Researchers from SACO, The Serviced Apartment Company, carried out a poll with UK holidaymakers and revealed one in four Brits believe there is "no place like home" when it comes to holidays.  As do I! There are many places I want to visit and take the kids. I'd love to holiday in the Lake District, Brecon Beacons, Devon...  my list goes on and on.

Staycations are not only cheaper, they are less stressful (I hate airports), and luxury at no extra cost, with places like serviced apartments in Manchester giving you an alternative to hotels, perfect for larger families like mine.

Nearly half of those polled by SACO said the biggest benefit of holidaying in the UK was the fact you could travel at a time of day to suit you and a quarter love the fact you don’t need to take out expensive travel insurance.

Being able to travel by car, avoiding sweltering heat and being able to take the family dog along were also listed as benefits of the staycation – we are planning on taking our dogs on our next staycation next year.

SACO also established:

ULTIMATE BRITISH “HAPPY PLACES”

1. Pub lunch in the Cotswolds

2. Walking/hiking in the Lake District

3. Eating ice-cream on Brighton Beach

4. Eating fish and chips in Padstow

5. Admiring the white sandy beaches of the Hebrides

6. Walking in the Peak District

7. Enjoying a cream tea in the Isles of Scilly

8. Enjoying a pasty in St Ives

9. Visiting the Roman Baths

10. Open top bus ride in London

11. Picking fossils on the Jurassic Coast

12. Swimming in Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall

13. Boating on the Norfolk Broads

14. Eating candy floss at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

15. Walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path

16. Walking the dog on Holkham Bay, Norfolk

17. Searching for Nessie at Loch Ness

18. Playing arcade games on Weston Super Mare Grand Pier

19. Building sand castles on Blackpool Sands beach

20. Climbing St Michaels Mount

21. Winning a toy for the children in Barry Island

22. Rock Pooling in Polzeath Beach

23. Exploring Exmoor

24. Playing rounders on Perranporth Beach, Cornwall

25. Strolling over the Clifton Suspension Bridge

26. Riding donkeys on Great Yarmouth Beach

27. Surfing on Fistral Beach

28. Crabbing in Looe

29. Punting on The River Cam

30. Sailing in Salcombe

MUST-DO ACTIVITIES ON A BRITISH HOLIDAY

1. Eating fish and chips

2. A pub lunch

3. Eating a cream tea

4. Building sand castles

5. Paddling

6. Playing arcade games

7. Getting blown about on a beach

8. Skimming stones in the sea

9. Relaxing in a deck chair

10. Getting rained on

11. Playing in rock pools

12. Eating a pasty

13. Playing cards

14. Crabbing

What is your must do activities on your Staycation?

Plastic vs glass greenhouses – which should you choose?

Photo by Thomas Verbruggen on Unsplash

Greenhouses are perfect garden furniture for horticulturists as they allow them to make the most of the seasons, experiment with growing more exotic plants and grow more tender vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes.

There is a range of different glazing options for greenhouses and they all have advantages and disadvantages when compared. The right glazing for your greenhouse will be determined by your requirements, personal preferences, climate and budget.

Together with The Plastic People, retailers of polycarbonate sheets, we look at the pros and cons of creating a greenhouse from plastic or glass:

Fitting a greenhouse

With gardeners keen to grow their own produce in their backyards, greenhouses remain in high demand. Customers first face two choices when they decide that they would like a greenhouse – to build or to buy. Although buying a ready-built greenhouse can save time and energy, purchasing the parts from a supplier and assembling it yourself could save you hundreds of pounds.

Experts at Gardeners World estimate that building your own greenhouse would only take up one weekend too. There are plenty of tutorials online to guide you into building a greenhouse but it consists of five main steps:

·       Ensuring you have a level foundation

·       Assemble each section and attach loosely with clips and bolts

·       Fitting the door runners, the door and any automatic window openers or vents

·       Lining the glazing bars with foam glazing tape or rubber strips to act as a seal. Fit the roof first with glass or polycarbonate sheets and then the wall panes

·       Tighten all the bolts, starting from the top of the fixture

If this sort of DIY is not up your street, alternatively, you can buy one from a garden retailer.

Pros and cons of a glass greenhouse

Gardeners who greatly value the aesthetics of their garden tend to go for glass greenhouses as it gives the ‘traditional’ look. Research by gardeners at The Telegraph found that, compared to twin-wall polycarbonate sheets, glass had a 2-3% higher light transmission. However, this is because the light scatters as it passes through the twin-wall and manages to reach areas that light penetrating through glass cannot which could be advantageous.

One negative of glass is durability. If your greenhouse is in the flight path of any birds or footballs, you could find yourself replacing the panes regularly. Glass is very fragile as a material and can become damaged off a small bump.

Pros and cons of a plastic greenhouse

There are many advantages of introducing polycarbonate panes to your greenhouse. Some polycarbonate sheets, like the ones sold by The Plastic People, were found to be 200x stronger than glass yet half of its weight. This makes the material easier to use and more durable. Due to its hardwearing properties, polycarbonate does not need replacing as much as glass and has been found to be a longer lasting alternative for traditional glass panes. Upon testing (vigorously with a hammer), the plastic sheets were found to be shatter-resistant which is perfect for any mishaps that may occur in assembly or in the garden.

Polycarbonate sheets also filter out nearly all the harmful UV rays that you may become exposed to when gardening in the greenhouse, allowing you to harvest your crop without the fear of sunburn.

If thermal insulation is important to you and key to the growth of your plants, glass is the slightly favourable option. A single sheet of polycarbonate has 0.1 less ‘R’ value (measurement of thermal insulation) than a sheet of horticultural glass. However, this can be solved with a twin-wall polycarbonate panel which assists with useful light diffusion as mentioned.

If twin-wall polycarbonate is your panel of choice, it must be sealed properly as the flutes within the wall can attract moisture, mould and insects – proper assembly would prevent this from occurring.

At one time, a negative property of polycarbonate sheets was clouding over time. However, technological advancements have prevented this from occurring and the sheets remain clear all year round.

So, it appears that polycarbonate sheets could be the new glass when it comes to greenhouse panes. Boasting durability, shatter resistance and light diffusion in all the right places, it is ready to take on any challenge that the UK weather has to offer.

Sources

• https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=613
• http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/diy/how-to-build-a-greenhouse/
• https://www.theplasticpeople.co.uk/products/uses/greenhouse-glazing/
• http://www.wintergardenz.co.nz/glass-vs-poly-vs-film.html

5 Tips for Reinventing Yourself

Photo by Ivan Jevtic on Unsplash

Sometimes you can feel like you can’t control how you’re defined and how you’re perceived by others, and you can get tired of a label or an assumption about who you are if it isn’t true or if it isn’t how you intend to come across. However, don’t let your dissatisfaction become yet another observation about you – change some things about yourself if you’re unhappy. There’s nothing wrong with reinventing yourself a little.

The Home

This can be a big dissatisfaction for many people. It might be that you just want an organised and flowing home, but it’s always cluttered no matter what you try doing to it. If this is the case then you need a major declutter. Minimalizing is a great way to bring both a new style and new systems of organisation into your home. Lookout for convenient appliances that provide nifty storage solutions and a modern feel. Alternatively, if your home feels too minimalist, and you want to bring some more life into it, then you may want to embrace an additional style; how about a bohemian edge to your style, or a slight farmhouse feel?

Your Style

Many people worry about how they dress. You might not have thought about your style for a few years but now you’re noticing that people are changing how they dress around you. Don’t be left completely behind. If you don’t want to jump onto any fads because you’re worried they’ll soon be out of date, then that’s fine, but there are some timeless styles that are worth thinking about. You could buy some Levi Jeans in a cut that they’ve been making for decades, like 501s, or why not buy a slightly more modern suit jacket with three buttons and smaller lapels.

Your Motor

Are you still driving around in the hatchback you bought for convenience in the 1990s? Get rid of an ugly or unreliable car that’s embarrassing you, and think about something that the new you might like to be seen driving around in. Checkout the Lexus Glasgow garage for some ideas, and you might find that a new motor completely changes how people look at you. It might be that you already have a smart car but you’re having problems with it – if this is the case, make sure you take it into a garage and have professionals look over it. Don’t let clouds of smoke hang over your newly reinvented self.

Your Taste

It might be that you’re always trying to hide your dated tastes from your friends and colleagues. You shouldn’t get so stuck in your ways that it prevents you from socialising with people. If you’re so sure that the TV and music that your friends and colleagues enjoy is beneath you then there shouldn’t be anything wrong with checking it out a few times – you can keep your cynicism, but at least this way you won’t find it isolating. And you may find that you become the show’s next biggest fan. You should never stop trying new things.  

Tips For Getting Ready For A Special Date

Photo by Bence Boros on Unsplash

Going out on a date is exciting and nerve-wracking, and not knowing the person well, or even at all, is a good reason to be on edge. Instead of worrying about what could all go wrong on your big date, focus on all the positives that could be in your future.

It’s important to prepare if you want the meeting to go smoothly. Now’s not the best time to wing it. Talk to friends who’ve been through the same type of event, and ask them for input and advice. The most important aspect is that you remember to be yourself when meeting your new acquaintance. See these tips for getting ready for a special date. 

Start Shopping Early

It’ll make you feel more at ease if you figure out what you’re going to wear on your date. Dressing for the part will help your confidence and make you feel more like yourself. Try to find out what you’re doing or where you’re going ahead of time. This way you’ll be able to dress appropriately for the occasion. Bring a friend and go shopping to pick out the perfect attire for your important evening.

Pay Attention to Your Appearance

In addition to dressing nicely, this is also the right time to get your hair and nails done. You’ll feel great going into your date with a fresh look. Another idea is to purchase breast enhancement pills to naturally enhance and firm your bust. Join the thousands of satisfied women who’ve enjoyed fantastic and permanent results. Naturally increase the size and fullness of your bust without the need for invasive, painful and expensive surgery. Feeling good on the outside will inevitably make you feel great on the inside, and you’ll project confidence in your interaction.

 Get Sleep

Don’t stay up all night fretting over the next day. If you’re feeling anxious, participate in an activity that’s going to allow you to unwind. Stick to your normal routine and read a book or take a bath to calm your mind. You want to avoid showing up for your date with little sleep and a crabby attitude. One of the most important ways to prepare yourself is to get enough rest and have lots of energy to take into your date.

 Mentally Prepare

Another smart way to prepare for your date is make sure you’re mentally at your best. Think of questions and topics to talk about ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about experiencing any awkward silences. Write a journal entry about what you’re nervous about, and get your feelings off your chest ahead of time. Call a friend to talk about what’s going through your mind or head to the gym and sweat out all of your concerns.

Conclusion

Getting yourself ready for a big night out is both thrilling and scary. Try to bring your emotions and feelings to a happy medium so you can focus on preparing. These are tips for getting ready for a special date.

How to Easily Sell Your Home

Photo by Gleren Meneghin on Unsplash

Selling a home can be a long and tiring process. It, therefore, makes perfect sense that you might want to sell your home as quickly as possible, while eliminating stress. For this reason, we are providing informative advice on how to easily sell your home.

Boost Your Curb Appeal

Improve your home’s first impression by boosting your curb appeal, which could help you sell your home at a faster rate. You simply need to fix any exterior issues that could stop a prospective buyer falling in love with your property. Mow your lawn, remove any clutter and create a neat driveway and exterior walls. It could catch the eye of passers-by, who might want to pop inside to take a tour of their potential new home.

Identify Your Property’s USP

Why did you choose to buy your current home? Was it the friendly neighborhood, size of the property or close proximity to great schools for your children? Identify your home’s unique selling point, which you should advertise to prospective buyers. If you can’t identify a property’s unique selling point, speak to your estate agent who will have a good idea of its USP. It could boost the value of your property and make it a more appealing option to buyers.

Depersonalize Your Home

Potential buyers will want to imagine what life could be like inside a home. Unfortunately, they may not be able to envisage living in the property if you adorn your home with personal belongings, such as family photographs, keepsakes and decorative accessories. Also, try to create a blank canvas by painting the walls in neutral colors, such as white or beige, so a buyer can imagine how they would decorate the home.

Sell the Property for the Right Price

Homeowners wanting to sell at a quick rate should avoid overpricing their property. While you will want to receive as much money as possible for your home, you will not want to deter a prospective buyer. The price of your property will determine how fast you sell it, which is why you must set a reasonable price that reflects the value of the property. 

Initially setting your property too high could result in the property sitting on the market for a long time. As a result, a potential buyer might assume something is wrong with the property and look elsewhere.

Hire the Best Conveyancing Solicitor

Every property sale will require conveyancing, which is the transfer of a legal title of a property from the current owner to the buyer. To ensure you enjoy a smooth, hassle-free experience, it is essential to hire professional conveyancing solicitors in Hampshire at an affordable price. In fact, online conveyancing means you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home to provide the appropriate documents, which can make the process a doddle.

Selling your property can be easier than you think. Simply follow the above top tips for a smooth, hassle-free experience, which will have people queuing at the door to make you an offer.

Working from home - the office space

Photo by Trent Erwin on Unsplash

I've worked from home for 10 years now and absolutely love it.

It's not for everyone, there are a few negatives, it can be lonely as there are no office colleagues to speak to, office space in your home is not always the most effective, etc,. For me, the pros out shine the cons. I love the flexibility it offers, I am always on hand if my children need me, I can attend school events without having to book a day off work, if the children are poorly I am here, the list goes on and on. 

Since the extension was built and the renovations are nearly complete, I find myself wanting to organize my office space. My frustration with my current work setup is, I simply don't have the organized office space I desire or need. My planned office room, in the end, turned out to be a playroom for the kids, and so I'm currently carrying out my work on my dining room table. I have a mass of paper on my table, and it's not the best setup. One thing I do need is office furniture advice and inspiration so I can create a dedicated area, which is a better solution than working on the dining room table. 

I believe establishing a comfortable but creative space that also gives the functionality needed to be more productive in the home office. It should be a separate area dedicated for work. Including, the need to require myself a desk, I will also need to find the right office storage solutions.

I'd like a corner desk with a simple desk chair, a comfortable one. I also need Office storage, i.e. filing cabinet and some shelves.  An organized office area/corner will make a positive impression and will prevent me from feeling mentally overwhelmed: clear space, clear mind.

And, so until the kids grow up and they don't need the play room anymore, I will 'office' in the corner of the dining room.  I will make the best out of what I have. But when they do grow up, and I can relocate into the playroom, I will turn it into my dream office (floor to ceiling bookcases with my large desk and large leather office chair). 

5 Reasons to Learn to Drive

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

Are you thinking about learning to drive? Wondering what the benefits are of investing in a licence and a car? Getting behind the wheel can give you bring you all sorts of things, from freedom to making the journey to work a bit easier. Here are some reasons why you should book those driving lessons and get out on the road in your own set of wheels.

Freedom

While you should, of course, try to get some exercise on foot, or on a bike, being able to drive gives you a choice. It opens-up a whole world of new freedoms. No longer do you have to rely on friends, relatives or work colleagues to take you places in their ‘taxi service.’

With your own licence, and a car, you can jump behind the wheel and get to the places you want to go – and when you want to. You will feel liberated, especially when it comes to those long journeys, which you may currently be done by bus or train.

Having a licence and access to a car means that you have the option of a door-to-door service at your fingertips, giving you more time on your hands – and helping you get to places more easily and more reliably.

A new skill

By learning to drive, you are adding a new skill to your armoury. The idea of going out on the road with a driving instructor, and then going through a nerve-wracking test, may fill you with fear. However, you should relax. Learning to drive can actually be fun and also stimulating, as you pick up an invaluable skill that should stay with you into your older years. Check out driving lessons Wolverhampton.

Work on wheels

Having a driving licence can mean the difference between getting a job and being turned down for one. Some positions require you to be able to get around during the working hours. This could be to attend meetings, make deliveries or even to provide a transport service. So, if you’re looking for employment, and think that you may have to be mobile, then considering driving lessons should be high on your agenda!

Holidays by car

Just think of all of those places you could visit if you were able to drive. Having a licence means you can head away on your days off, at the weekend, for a trip to the countryside, maybe to the coast or another city. You could even visit those relatives, you know, those you haven’t seen in years!

You don’t have to have your own car to get the holiday benefits. If you’re flying into somewhere, you could always hire a vehicle at the airport –that’s all possible when you have a licence in your hands.

ID checks made easy

The added bonus of getting your driving licence is the fact that you’ll get a new piece of ID in your pocket! This can come in useful for all sorts of things, to prove you are who you say you are.

eBay collections

This past 6 weeks I've been selling on eBay. I am fully into the swing of selling things and enjoying it at the same time.  I'm slowly shifting clutter and making money at the same time - its a win win situation. I started off with simple items, ones that I could pack and post off myself, but now, I've slowly started to list bigger items, i.e. wardrobes, garden table.

These I've listed as 'Collection only', which at first I thought would limit the interest my items would get, i.e. only local people would look to bid - but this is not necessarily true and this is because I didn't realise that a buyer can organize and pay for a courier to collect the 'Collection only' item from the seller. 

Expensive for you as a buyer? well, this is not the case. Companies like Shiply, work to match you with couriers and/or a man with van type, who are willing to pick up the eBay item and deliver to you for a fraction of the normal cost as they are heading in the same direction. 

Have you ever watched Shipping Wars on TV? 

Shiply is really easy to use, you just put what you want to get delivered, dimensions and weight, pickup, and delivery locations and watch the quotes roll in.

As the couriers are bidding for your delivery in a Dutch style auction format, the quotes will be cheaper than standard couriers. When making a decision on what couriers to choose, you can read their previous feedback before deciding.

So, if a buyer falls in love with my single white wardrobe with glass handles, but they live 200 miles away, they can now liaise with me about collection. Where they can log into Shiply and get some quotes. The buyer can enter the eBay item number into the Shiply website and it will bring up the item picture so that couriers can see exactly what they're collecting. It's so easy!

Photo by Oscar Nilsson on Unsplash

4 Ways to Get Your Life Back After a Relationship

Photo by Steffen Trommer on Unsplash

I'm happily married and plan to grow old with hubby. However, in my younger days, pre-hubby, the transition from being in a relationship to not.. is something almost everyone at some point in their life expeirences.

If you are at that point in your life and have a recent breakup, here are a few tips I hope that will help:

Remember Who You Used to Be

What were you like before your partner? What did you look like? How did you dress? What music did you listen to? If it’s been a long time, it may even be tough to remember, but it’s important to know where the relationship you’re ending has taken you. It might be that you don’t want to get back into your old interests, but you should know what they were, even if it’s just to understand the person you are now.

It might be that, since the relationship began, your sense of humour changed, or that you stopped seeing the friends you used to have the biggest laugh with. You could get in touch with them now, or even re-explore some of your old interests. Is there a type of music that you used to listen to that your partner couldn’t stand? Find out who that person was, the past you, and why they chose that relationship.

What’s New to You?

This might be more difficult or painful for you, but you need to face up to why you’ve left this relationship. It might be that, though your music tastes changed, you don’t want to go back to listening to what you used to. Your ex doesn’t have a monopoly over your interests or your personality – so don’t worry about the fact that you’re a different person now.

If you can assimilate some of your relationship baggage healthily, then you’re also showing strength. Whatever new interests you’ve picked up, or revelations you’ve had about yourself – it isn’t necessarily all useless or negative. Allow yourself to be made stronger by your experiences by embracing some of them.

What’s Your Status?

It’s never straight forward to end a relationship, and it’s always worth bearing in mind what progress you’ve made already and what steps you still need to take.  There’s always one last milestone – it might be that you haven’t change your relationship status on Facebook from ‘It’s complicated’, or that you haven’t yet told your closest family members all the grim details about how it ended.

It’s important that you don’t let anything get in the way of building up a strong support network for yourself. These are difficult times, and it always helps to have people you can share some of your vulnerability with.

Remove the Excess from Your Life

To truly move on, you need to make it official – either make it official that you’re single now or make it so that they know it’s officially ended. If you’re still married, then it might be time to contact divorce solicitors. It might even be the right time to step lightly into a new relationship or to completely cut ties with your ex. Whatever change is right for you, make it permanent.

It’s been tough to get this far, but you’ve made it in one piece. There’s a time to mope around and feel sorry for yourself, and there’s also a time to rebuild yourself into a person that nobody feels sorry for, not even you. It’s time to become that person, and to show the world how strong you are.  

Tips for taking a baby outside on a windy day

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Autumn is only just around the corner now, meaning that the temperatures are going to drop soon and we are likely to encounter some very blustery days. When it comes to taking your newborn baby outside in these conditions, it’s important that you dress them up right so that they are comfortable for the entire trip. Here’s some aspects to consider:

Don’t believe that the wind causes ear infections

Let’s first get a common myth out of the way — having a baby out in the wind will not result in them getting an ear infection.

This is because the location of an ear infection is found behind the ear drum and way back in the inner ear. Therefore, external exposure like wind or even water will not affect this area.

Instead, the risk factors to bear in mind is their age (ear infections are prominent in children aged between six months and two years old), family history, exposure to smoke and to a small effect, the use of a dummy.

Remember that if you’re cold, your baby will be colder

Now that we have that myth out of the way, it’s time to cover some facts. First of all, it’s totally fine to head outside with your baby right away if you’d like to. However, many paediatricians advise that you keep newborns away from crowded places due to germs being prevalent in such locations. It’s best to delay that trip to a shopping centre, supermarket or a restaurant with your baby by a few months then!

Furthermore, Ed Glasser, M.D., F.A.A.P., clinical associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, has pointed out to Fit Pregnancy And Baby: “Infants lose about 50 per cent of their heat from their heads.”

Add to this the fact that babies will cool down a lot quicker than adults, as well as the point that it is more difficult for them to generate heat once they have lost it, and the need to protect them when it’s cold outside becomes very important.

Some general rules of thumb to bear in mind is to dress your baby in one more layer than you’re going to be wearing when venturing outside, ensure they are wearing both thermal and waterproof layers to protect them from the weather elements, and checking that their fingers, toes, ears, nose and chin are all covered but that they can still breathe easily.

It’s best to only plan on being outside for short periods of time with your baby when it’s cold and windy, as well as heading inside as soon as your newborn looks uncomfortable and you’re unable to shield them from the blustery conditions.

The effects of windy weather on a baby’s skin

Cold and dry air can cause issues to your baby’s tender skin, as the conditions run the risk of sapping precious moisture and leaving their rosy cheeks feeling leathery and wind-burned.

Hands and feet are particularly prime target areas when there’s a chill in the air, so protect their fingers with a snug pair of mittens and ensure their feet are nice and snug by enhancing your buggy, pram or pushchair with some Cosytoes.

A couple of top tips to consider is to change your infant’s mittens or socks if they get wet, with a fresh pair to avoid skin becoming irritated and applying some baby moisturising cream as soon as you spot any of your baby’s skin which looks or feels dry.

Tips for Choosing a Car for the Family

Photo by Cameron Offer on Unsplash

There comes a time when you realise that the two-door sports car that you love just won’t work for your growing family, or really, any family at all. You don’t have to sell your beloved car, but you do need to get one that can support your family. You want one that can take them to their sports games, their after-school activities, their friends, and you want one that can handle a family on a road trip.

There are many things you can do with your family when you have a family car. Here’s how to choose the best car for your family:

1.     The Size of Your Family

This consideration isn’t just for how big your family is now, but how big you plan for it to become. If you want a large family, you will want to buy a car that has ample seating space. If you plan to have a small family of one or two children, you can opt for a great car like the Hyundai i20 models. Regardless, always choose used, as it means you can get the car for you at a greatly discounted price. You’ll need that money later!  

2.     Where You Live

There are vehicles that are better suited for cities, and those better suited for rural areas. If you live in a rural area, for instance, mileage is going to be something that you will want to look in to.

3.     How Much Storage You Need

The bigger the family, the more storage you will need. There are, however, other things you should consider that will take up space. Does your child play a sport? Does that sport require a lot of equipment? How comfortable would a road trip be? Having ample space is important for anyone, but as a family not having enough space can mean cramped driving situations and possible arguments and complaints.

4.     Safety Qualifications

This is the single most important aspect of choosing a car for your family. More than anything, you want them to be safe. You want the car to not only protect you if you get into an accident, but you also want it to do everything that it can to prevent you from crashing in the first place. The newest cars have the best safety features. It is wise to know what these features are and learn how to make the best use of them.

Getting the best price for your family car is a great way to save money for the more important things in life. Whether those things are enrolling your kids in their after-school activities, or taking your partner out on a much-needed date night. Know what you want, and do your research. Knowing the true value of the car, which is either what similar cars are being sold for, is a great way to negotiate. Know your stuff, and get the deal that saves you more money upfront and in the long run, and enjoy the family time you’ll have in the car. 

Preventing Diabetes in Your Pooch

Like diabetes in the human population, canine diabetes is on the rise, with nearly an 80 percent increase in cases being reported in the last decade. This is a worrying statistic for dog owners who have the best intentions towards their pets, but the good news is that in the majority of cases, canine diabetes can be prevented, or in the cases where a diabetes diagnosis is inevitable, the symptoms can be managed so that they have a much less pronounced impact on your pooch.

Here are some simple things you can do to prevent or reduce the symptoms of diabetes in your pooch right now:

Book Regular Checkups

If you don’t take your dog to the vet’s office for regular health checkups, it might be a good idea to start. Having an annual checkup which includes blood tests will highlight the tell-tale signs that your dog is in danger of contracting diabetes so that you can implement some of the other suggestions in this post to stop the disease in its tracks.

Between checkups, if you notice that your dog is excessively thirsty, urinating a lot more often or generally behaving out of character, take him or her to the vet’s office to be assessed immediately.

Have Your Dog Spayed

If your dog is a female, having her spayed will reduce her odds of contracting canine diabetes because, when a dog gives birth or goes through a heat cycle, there is an increase in her progesterone levels, which could lead to diabetes.

Anyway, having a dog spayed is a good idea generally because it can cut the risk of various other illnesses, including Uterine infections, and pyometra, amongst other things. It will. Of course, also prevent any unwanted pregnancies, which might otherwise arise if your dog is left intact.

Ensure Your Dog is Active

Exercise is a great way to prevent human diabetes, and it’s the same for dogs, so ensure that you’re walking your dogs for at least an hour twice a day if your dog is young and energetic, and for as long as your dog can manage if it’s older.  If you can’t manage that, visit this site to find a dog walker in your area who can help you out, and make an effort to play more active games, like tug of war with your dog. Burning off as many calories as he can will help to keep your dog fit and it’ll do the same for you too!

Feed Him Quality Food

When it comes to feeding your dog, you should aim to give him the highest quality food you can afford to keep him healthy. Ideally, you should feed him a diet that is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates it helps keep his blood sugar stable. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but read the labels and try to choose food that’s not packed with unhealthy fillers if you possibly can.

Avoid Overfeeding

A lot of owners use food to show their dogs affection and reward them for good behaviour. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but you must be careful not to overfeed them in any way. So, read the serving size on their regular food and stick to it, and when it comes to buying treats, choose low-calories options like the ones at this site. Also, try to switch between food rewards and other treats like a favourite toy or game to ensure you aren’t overstuffing your pooch.

Go Grain-Free

If you really want to get serious about cleaning up your dog’s diet to prevent diabetes, you might consider going grain free. The jury is still out as to whether it’s a good idea, so you should always consult your vet first, but a lot of pet owners are finding that their dogs do better on grain free food that doesn’t spike the blood sugar or cause dogs to overeat when they’re allowed to. Removing corn and corn syrup from your dog’s diet, in particular, could be one of the best things you do to stop him from getting overweight or contracting diabetes, as it really is one of the worst things where blood sugar is concerned.

Don’t Share Your Food

It’s tempting to allow your beloved pooch to share some of your Sunday brunches with you or finish off your leftovers, but it isn’t really a good idea to let them do this, especially if what you’re eating is refined carbs like bagels, toast, and sweets. Giving him a few scraps of meat from time to time will probably be fine, as will the occasional fruit or vegetable treat, but anything else is likely to spike the blood sugar and increase his chances of being diagnosed with diabetes in the future.

Sprinkle Some Cinnamon

Various studies have shown that taking just half a teaspoon of cinnamon each day can help to keep blood sugar on an even keel and help the body to better regulate insulin. Cinnamon is perfectly safe for dog consumption in small quantities, so why not sprinkle a little on your pooch’s food each day?

Fill Up on Fruits and Vegetables

If your dog is used to getting lots of treats, replacing them with fruits and vegetables is a good way to keep them happy and get some good sugars, which won’t lead to diabetes, into the body. If your dog is fed on dry kibble, mixing in some lightly cooked veggies will help to boost their nutrient intake too. Just make sure that you check out this site, which lists the foods that could be harmful to dogs before feeding them anything new. It’s not worth the risk to do otherwise.

Before you make any changes to your dog’s diet or lifestyle, it’s important that you consult with your vet, who will be able to point out any potential problems with any changes you’re interested in making. Usually, there won’t be a problem with doing any of the above, and your vet will be happy to see you taking the initiative to increase your dog’s activity and clean up his diet, but it’s important to check nonetheless.

Garden To-Do Wish List

Photo by ORNELLA BINNI on Unsplash

With the extension and renovations we've recently had, our garden has taken a battering the past 12 months. After a good tidy and clear out, it looks a lot cleaner and tidier than it did a few months ago, but the garden is still looking neglected and a bit sorry for itself.  My aim is to give it a new lease of life in time for next spring. Somewhere where we will be proud to invite guests around, sit, entertain and spend time together as a family. So below I've put together my to do list / wish list on what I want for my garden.

In-ground trampoline

The trampoline looks ugly and big in our garden, we lost the net in the latest bad winds a couple of months ago and rather than buying a new trampoline, I will instead get an in-ground one. They not only look much tidier, but they are safer than the traditional trampoline. 

Hot tube

We're booked to go to Center Parcs later this year, we booked in one of the luxury lodges which has its very own hot tub. We stayed in one last year, and we love chilling in the hot tub.  But to buy one of your very own Hot tubs it can be expensive, so a great alternative would be the inflatable hot tube - easily put away once finished

Turf.

I've not made my mind up about this yet, I am umming and arring about it; with 2 beagles will it cause issues, like bad smells.  But then, I would love the convenience it would offer, perfect green lawn with little maintenance. I'm no gardener and avoid it, because of this, our lawn is rubbish - with lots of dried patches.

Rattan sofa 

My wooden parasol has snapped in half (good ole British coastal wind). And, our wooden table and chairs look old, faded and ugly.  Next year I definitely want to replace it with a nice new rattan sofa set. 

Built-in BBQ

I really like the idea of a built-in BBQ.  They look amazing, they are great for entertaining and it would last for years.  We often have BBQs whether that is just for us, or if we invite friends and family around.  But the metal BBQ tire over time and we are in need for a new one, ideally, I would like a nice brick built-in BBQ.

Do you have any wish lists for your garden? What would you like to change?

GEM Motoring Assist issues warning on dangers of fatigue

Photo by Maria Stiehler on Unsplash

GEM Motoring Assist issues warning on dangers of fatigue

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging drivers to be wise to the dangers of fatigue on journeys this summer. Join Car Leasing Specialist Rosedale Leasing as they explore this issue!

The advice has been re-issued as thousands of families across the country embark on long road journeys to various holiday destinations.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said;

“It is widely accepted that fatigue is a major contributory factor in road crashes, particularly in the early hours of the morning. Many thousands of collisions occur because of a driver’s reduced ability to respond quickly and safely if a dangerous situation arises.

“If you’re making a long road journey, then it’s vital to be properly rested before you set off – and to ensure you build in time for breaks on the way.

“Statistics show that those most at risk from a fatigue-related collision include young male drivers, shift workers, truck drivers and company car drivers. Around 85% of drivers who cause fatigue-related crashes are male, and more than one third of these are aged under 302.”

Tips to reduce fatigue risk

The Highway Code offers specific advice to reduce the risk of being in a fatigue-related collision.

Tips include:

• proper journey planning
• the importance of taking a 15-minute break after every two hours or 100 miles of driving
• avoiding certain medications
• the times of day and night to avoid
• the importance of overnight stops on long road trips

Worth adds;

“It’s not only professional drivers at work who are at increased risk of a fatigue crash. If you’re making a long road journey to a holiday destination, or if you need to drive in the early hours of the morning to catch or return from a long-haul flight, then you are also at risk.

“Once again, planning is key to safety. Avoid alcohol if you know you need to drive, and consider stopping somewhere rather than risk a road journey if you have had very little sleep in the preceding 24 hours.”