LIFESTYLE: 4 WAYS TO COZY UP YOUR HOME

 Every individual has a different taste when it comes to decorating their home's interior. Similarly, the idea of a comfortable home might differ from one person to the next. Despite these facts, every homeowner's goal is to have a cozy and inviting space where they can relax and unwind after a long day. 

Below are some simple strategies that you can apply to make your home more comfortable and inviting. 

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  1. Clean and Declutter

It is almost impossible to make your home warm and comfortable if it is filled with clutter. An untidy and cluttered space can cause feelings of stress. It is difficult to get psyched up about coming home if you have piles of unwashed laundry and countertops full of dirty plates. 

 If you are trying to figure out ways to make your home cozier, start making it clean. Do your laundry as often as you can and keep your floors and other surfaces clean. Make a habit of clearing clutter before things get out of hand.

 If you have many items that are not currently in use but wish to store them for later use, you can invest in extra storage space. Mobistorage.com.au is a cheap and convenient storage company that delivers their storage containers to your doorstep and picks them up after you are done filling them with your items. They can either store it securely at their site or deliver it to your new address if you are moving. 

  1. Hang Art

Looking at things that you consider beautiful, such as art pieces, can reduce stress and make you happy. Additionally, hanging up some art pieces in your home can instill your individual interests and personality into the space. 

Consider hanging a few art pieces in your home, even if you just moved in. The artwork that you select needs to be properly sized, depending on the size of your wall. Ensure that you also put it in a strategic position. 

  1. Adopt a Pet

Animals are beneficial in many ways. In addition to filling your home with love, they can provide you with a strong sense of social support and help to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. That is why it is a good idea to adopt a pet from your local animal shelter

Although taking care of a pet might seem like a great responsibility, your home will feel cozier if you have a furry friend who is always excited to see you. If you have the time and resources to become a pet owner, consider adopting one as soon as possible. 

  1. Go Green

Like animals and art, plants can positively impact your mood and help reduce stress. Introducing some plants into your living space can help to bring the peace and calmness found in nature to the indoors. 

There are plenty of easy-to-maintain house plants that you can incorporate to your space even if you do not have any gardening skills. Consider incorporating some fresh flowers and potted plants into your home to make it cozier. 

A beautiful and relaxing house is every home owner's dream. Apply the above simple tips to cozy up your home.


LIFESTYLE 4 TOP TIPS TO ENJOY A GREENER KITCHEN

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It has never been as crucial as it is today to evaluate our lifestyle and try to reduce the impact it has on the environment. And, what better place to start than the heart of the house? Our kitchens are the place where the household gathers and memories are made, and you should ensure that it perfectly fits your lifestyle and everyday needs. When it comes down to making a kitchen more sustainable, many homeowners are intimidated by how much a renovation can cost. At the same time, it is possible to reduce your waste and make your kitchen greener in just a few simple steps - check out some budget options below!

Let Nature In

When at home, we all use to spend a lot of our time in the kitchen eating, chatting, snacking, or even working! And, we always tend to use heating, electricity, and gas. Letting nature can hel[p you reduce your consumption of energy and resources - which can lower your monthly bills and make the kitchen a healthier place to live during the day! You can do all this by letting nature in the kitchen space with a few details. Start by removing the curtains and allowing in as much natural light as possible. Think about keeping the air quality in the kitchen high by opening the windows often during the day or while cooking. Lastly, don’t cut back on plants and natural materials such as wood and bamboo.

Make Sure Your Appliances Are Still Efficient

Your kitchen appliances are the most energy-consuming ones in your home. While they can last for over 20 years with the right maintenance, you should consider testing their efficiency every year. Specialised companies such as Melbourne Fridgeworks will be able to audit your appliances and check whether these are energy-efficient and eco-friendly. In some cases, you should consider upgrading your fridge, oven, or dishwasher in order to reduce energy consumption and save more!

Use Plastic-Free and More Eco-Friendly Products

Sustainability always starts with the choices you make at the supermarket! You can make your kitchen much greener and eco-friendly by only picking products that are natural and plastic-free. For example, you might opt for dishwashing liquid and cleaning products that are free of any chemicals. Additionally, when shopping for plates, glasses, and cutlery, you might opt for high-quality pieces that don’t contain plastic and will last for years. Of course, you should always steer clear of any single-use product that might considerably affect your kitchen’s sustainability. 

If you have items that inevitably come with plastic or packaging, make sure you have an efficient recycling system in place to dispose of your waste appropriately. 

Shop at Zero-Waste Stores and Local Market

The stores and shops you support can impact your sustainability. Opting to only shop at zero-waste, package-free, or local stores can help you support the local economy while also reducing your environmental waste. Additionally, while it might seem like more effort at first, you could consider shopping at the local farmers market. This lifestyle choice has many benefits, including getting access to fresh and seasonal produce and supporting the local communities. 





LIFESTYLE: WHY EXTERIOR DESIGN MATTERS AS MUCH AS YOUR INTERIORS

Homeowners usually put a surprising amount of work into their home interiors. They’ll change wallpapers on a regular basis, they’ll rearrange furniture, and they might even renovate parts of the home for a completely new look. Many of these improvements are fairly easy to carry out. Small projects like this typically don’t take more than a weekend and it can add a significant improvement to the entirety of your home. As such, it’s a good idea to occasionally swap things around and give your home a fresh coat of paint.

These renovations are a great way to transform your home for an affordable price. However, people often neglect to give as much care to the exterior of their homes. In many ways, the outside of our home is often much easier to renovate and can also be very affordable. So in this post, we’re going to talk about why exterior design matters just as much as your interiors and how you can start caring more about it.

The outside of your home is the first thing you see when you come back
When you return home from a long day at work, the last thing you want to see is a run-down looking home that is covered by debris and overgrown foliage. Nobody wants to experience this and it can have a surprising impact on your mood if you let it get out of control. As such, it’s a good idea to look after the exterior of your home so that you can come back to a beautiful and clean exterior that uplifts your mood and starts your evening on the right foot.
Don’t underestimate how some simple changes to your exterior can brighten up your day. As the first thing you see when you come back, it can ruin your mood to see rodents and pests roaming around, or chipped paint and cracked paths. Make sure you take good care of your exterior and you’ll notice a significant improvement to your mood whenever you step outside or come back home.

The outside of your home is also the first thing visitors see
The exterior of your home gives the first impression of your home. Whenever someone walks past your home or a visitor arrives, the very first thing they’re going to see is a run-down exterior that looks like it’s never been taken care of. In a situation like this, it’s important that you put some time into repairing things and making your exterior presentable, especially if you’re expecting visitors or want to set a good first impression. While a lot of people don’t really care about how their home looks, it does give a little indication of what the people inside are like.

With just a little bit of time and effort investment, you could clean up the exterior of your home and make it more welcoming. All you need to do is clean up any foliage, get rid of the trash, and repair stuff like chipped or broken fences and paths. This can have a major positive impact on your home and is a fantastic way to set a good first impression for anyone that walks past.

It helps to protect your home from weather and pests
Another advantage of looking after your exterior is that it protects your home from all kinds of pests and adverse weather conditions. For example, you could find many different cracks in your foundation or even holes in your siding that rodents are using to get into the structure of your home. There are also cases where loose roof shingles could let water seep into your home and cause a variety of different issues such as leaking or even damage caused by damp conditions.

If you want to protect your home, it’s a good idea to start looking after the exterior of your home. Look around your home for areas where pests are gathering or look for entry points that rodents are using to invade your home. The more thorough you are, the more likely you’ll get rid of all the entry points which can ultimately protect your home. 
Add more functionality to the outside of your home
Whether you love having a barbeque in the summer or just want a relaxing and tranquil place to rest after a long day at work, your exterior has the potential to be all of those things and more. However, it’s going to take a bit of work on your part as you’ll need to plan areas for new furniture and appliances, or even clear out some land that can be paved over and used as a patio space. There are loads of things you can do to your exterior to make it more functional, and it all starts with some creative ideas.

A great place to look for inspiration is local services such as Shadeland Shade Solutions which offer all kinds of renovation options. Whether it’s outdoor umbrellas to provide shade or even a brand new pool, there are loads of ways to upgrade the outside of your home and give it more purpose. If you own a considerable amount of land, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of it.

Matching interiors and exteriors can create a fantastic-looking home
Focusing solely on interior design isn’t as good as matching both the outside and inside of your home. You can try to keep a relatively consistent colour scheme, you can add areas that blend the indoors and outdoors, or you could even make use of large windows to let in a lot more light. There are loads of ways to combine both interior and exterior design as long as you’re willing to get a little creative and take better care of your exterior.

Hopefully, this article has given you a few ideas on how you can better design and take care of your exterior. It’s both a blank canvas for creative decor ideas but also the first barrier of defence against pests and other invaders.


AD PR SAMPLE- MOTHERS DAY BOOKS FROM WONDERBLY

Mothers Day is this Sunday. We have kindly been sent over a couple of personalised books from Wonderbly including this Loves Mummy this much book! 

They are really beautiful books with lovely illustrations and storys inside. You can choose to personalise the books in so many different ways. You can add your child 's name, and in some story's  up four children's names. You can pick the cover colour, and choose what kind of story you would prefer. I love the idea of fully customising a book so Amelia loves it! The Amelia Loves Mummy This Much book is lovely and is such a nice keepsake! You can also add a personal message which is such a special touch, you could add the year and age of the child here. 
They also do storys for Grandparents and books for Dad too! 
Check out the Mothers Day section here 

Wonderbly have a great range of different stories to suit all ages! You can search for books to suit age and they have something for everyone. The illustrations and stories are great! You can have a good look at the inside of the books before you order and it's so easy to personalise each book. The website is really user friendly and easy to use. I love to gift books and they also have a whole Birthday book section which makes it super easy to order a book for those special people in your life. 

If you haven't got your Mum a Mothers Day card yet, don't worry Wonderbly have you covered. You can follow this link here to download and print this lovely Mothers Day card which goes perfectly with the I love Mummy book! 

















AD BEAUTY: ULTIMATE TIPS FOR CLEANSING YOUR SKIN





I thought i'd put together a blog post with a few tips to follow when cleansing your skin. These are all things you can do at home and without breaking the bank.

You should clean your face everyday! Ideally in the morning before you put any make up on and at the end of the day to remove make up and any dirt and grime. Make sure your hands are clean before you start to wash your face.

Double cleanse! - This is one of the most important tips I can share. Even if you don't wear make up everyone should double cleanse. The first cleanse clears out the dirt and impurities from your skin and the second cleanse actually cleans your skin. 

When cleansing your skin you should use warm water, not hot water( this dries out the skin) with a cleanser, right now i'm using the Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser for my first cleanse and then The Body Shop Cleansing balm for my second cleanse. You should follow the directions as instructed on your preferred cleanser. I apply the Cetaphil cleanser to the skin and massage gently, using clean warm water to rinse and then pat dry with a clean towel. 

Exfoliate - Exfoliating is like a deep clean, it unclogs pores and removes dead skin/cells. I like to use a gentle exfoliating cleanser which you can massage into the skin and rinse away the dirt and impurities. I only do this a couple of times a week. 

Avoid using face up wipes. Yes they are quick and easy but not so great for the skin. 

Don't rush! Take a few extra minutes to ensure you have thoroughly cleaned your skin and got rid of all of the grime we pick up during the day. Why not look into facial massage and spend a little extra time and make the most of it. You should spend at least 3 minutes removing the dirt and then washing your face. 

I like to keep my make up brushes clean and fresh, I also regularly change my pillow cases and flannels and towels to ensure everything I use on my face is clean. This is a good way to prevent a build up of dirt. 

What are your top tips for cleansing your skin? Do you have a holy grail cleanser? 






LIFESTYLE: What Should I Keep In My Child's Medicine Cabinet?

 One of the scariest and most worrisome aspects of early parenthood is when your baby falls ill or gets badly hurt. Parenting is challenging enough as it is, coming to terms with your new life, your baby’s schedule and trying to figure out each stage your baby/ toddler/ child goes through. 


But add an illness or broken bones to the mix, and it takes the stress levels to another level. It is, after all, heartbreaking to see your child suffer, and even scarier when you don’t know what to do. Take your worries away and be prepared for any first-aid or immediate relief for your baby/ child by stocking up on some must-have medicines...



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Common Cold And Cough

There’s a reason it’s called the ‘common’ cold - did you know that it’s absolutely normal for a child to have eight or more colds per year? And once your littles go to school, it could even be more as they are constantly in close contact with other sniffling children! 


While it might not be a life-shattering illness, a cold that refuses to leave is definitely very irritating for a number of reasons. Babies get stuffy noses and often gasp for breath, toddlers find it difficult to sleep at night, older kids get irritable and refuse to eat… and it’s just not pleasant for anyone, parents included!


What’s worse is that the cold has to run its course in which time it will progress to include a cough as well, which only makes it more difficult for children to sleep. But certain things can provide relief so make sure you have them in your medicine cabinet. 


  • Saline nose drops can help loosen the dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose 

  • Chest rubs such as Vicks Vaporub also provide relief to congested noses and chests 

  • Eucalyptus oil can be added to boiling water; inhaling the steam helps clear the nose and throat

Fever

Children get a fever quite often as well. It could be because of an infection or the side-effect of another illness such as a tummy bug. Sometimes children also get a fever after their vaccination shots or when teething. Keeping a fever medicine for kids in your medicine cabinet is a must. Of course, it makes sense to also keep a thermometer at hand to keep a check on your child’s fever. 

First-Aid Kit

Children - especially smaller kids - are accident prone and nothing is more important than having a first-aid kit at the ready. Stock it with antiseptic cream, bandages, gauze, cleansing wipes, a cream containing hydrocortisone for skin rashes, insect bite/ itch relieving cream, a painkiller such a paracetamol and a thermometer. 


It’s also important to know what to do in case your baby or toddler is choking. Either read up on the internet and be prepared or do a first-aid course on the same

Miscellaneous Items

Other things that could come in handy are a teething gel (if your baby is teething), allergy or hay-fever medicines (if your child is prone to allergies) or extra inhalers and asthma pumps if your child has asthma.


LIFESTYLE: How to Stay Healthy While Working a Full-time Job

 How to Stay Healthy While Working a Full-time Job

Staying fit and healthy can feel like a burden when you have a full-time job. After a stressful day in the office, you probably don't feel like lighting your stove to put together dinner, let alone hit the treadmill or gym. According to statistics, physical inactivity is responsible for one in every six deaths in the UK, with an estimated cost of £7.4 billion every year. With the current lockdown and restrictions due to the pandemic, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging. Here are four proven ways to stay on top of your health while working full-time.

  1. Start your day early

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As the famous saying goes, the early bird gets the best worms; you can apply this in your daily routine as well. Several pieces of research have proven that the most successful people are those who get up early. Waking up early to start your day plays a key role in how fulfilling your day is. However, starting right begins from the previous night. Ensure to get enough sleep, at least eight hours; to rise early, odds are you'll have to take an early bed to get a decent night's sleep

  1. Skip the gym 

Hitting the gym every morning can feel like too much work. While an early morning exercise has great physical and mental benefits, there are other exciting ways to keep fit without having to deal with frequently putting off your gym time. You can consider biking to work, a weekend hike, or join the recreational football team with your friends. It's harder to stay away from practice when it's planned with others. Furthermore, you’re almost certain to engage in something you enjoy doing and most likely not realize the work that comes with it. 

  1. Share responsibilities with your partner 

It’s fundamental to establish clear jobs, duties, and expectations in your home. You may take up some jobs in the home while your spouse also takes responsibility for others. One may cook on certain days while the other does the cleaning after dinner. However, there are days when your spouse may not be available, which can prove a headache, particularly when you’re remote working. Combining home and work duties have proven difficult for several people, especially when there are kids involved. Fortunately, companies such as Shiply can help with easing some tasks such as searching for a budget-friendly courier, so you can focus on other jobs. 

  1. Plan your weekday meals 

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Planning your meals reduces pressure and anxiety when having to prepare meals. It’s common to find yourself contemplating what to have for dinner during lunchtime. It’s, therefore, advisable to make plans to reduce the extra pressure associated with preparing your meals. Planning your weekday meals during the weekend means you can complete your grocery shopping before the weekday pressure sets in. If you live with a spouse, you can get tech-savvy by creating a Google drive to share your grocery lists, meaning either of you two can take up the responsibility of shopping without necessarily having to call the other during working hours.