LIFESTYLE: THE TRANSITION TO COUNTRY LIVING

Holiday House, Summer House, House, Country House
Country living is an increasingly attractive prospect for young families. It's a more relaxed lifestyle surrounded by better air quality while your money will get you a far bigger property than it would in the city. Still, starting a new chapter in rural surroundings will pose a number of short-term challenges.  
Once you have acclimatised to those changes, you'll never look back. Nonetheless, it's vital that you make a conscious effort to start the new chapter in style. Here's how to make it happen.
Modernise The Property  
Buying an older rural property can help you get a great deal for your money. However, several upgrades will be required to make the house feel like home. First and foremost, you must update the living room and add some personal touches to the bedroom and other rooms. Eco-friendly ideas and structural upgrades may be needed to ensure better efficiency and stop future damage. When supported by good security features, you can ease into the new lifestyle far sooner.
Stay Connected To People In The City
Stepping away from the crowds of the city is hugely beneficial. Still, the tranquillity can be a little strange, especially in the early months when you are yet to make new friends. Staying in touch with old friends from the city can provide great emotional comfort. Modern tech makes it easier to speak on a frequent basis. With the right rural broadband package, you can still enjoy the home entertainment packages that you would've had in the city too. Living in the country doesn't mean living in the past.
Explore The Area
There are a lot of things to love about living in the country. Sadly, you'll only experience a small percentage of them if you do not actively seek out those rewards. You can discover natural attractions and hidden beauty spots by taking walks or bike rides. This is why the right outdoor footwear is essential. Meanwhile, talking to people around the village will open your eyes to the community activities and other pastimes in the area. Put yourself out there, and you'll feel integrated in no time.
Think About Vehicle Changes
Countryside living may dictate that you need to drive a 4x4 or a bigger vehicle. Even if you don't need to change the car, you'll probably require new tyres that are suited to off-road driving. Given that getting to a garage can be quite tough if you suffer a problem, you must use this opportunity to take greater care of the vehicle too. Simple maintenance tasks like flushing the transmission and pumping up the wheels will pay dividends. Avoid stressful situations like this, and you'll thrive in the new lifestyle.
Master Bedtime Routines
Trading the background noises of the city for wildlife background sounds can be a little unnerving. Even when it's dead silent outside, getting to sleep can be difficult. A playlist of soothing background noises can help. This can be further supported by investing in new bedsheets, blackout curtains, and bedroom accessories. When the bedroom is designed with sleep in mind, you won't go far wrong. If this still fails, lavender sprays and other items can be used. A good night's sleep will completely transform your mindset.
Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE: PICKING THE IDEAL ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO SPAIN

Spain is one of the most amazing holiday destinations in the world thanks to the gorgeous weather, wonderful culture and delicious food. However, it can be a little expensive to visit as a tourist because there are still lots of traps, tricks and overpriced attractions that drain your budget. One of the biggest considerations when it comes to travelling to Spain is picking the right accommodation for your needs.
While it’s not the most expensive country to stay in, you can get some wonderful bargains if you do a bit of research. Alternatively, if you want to live in luxury while you’re there, then a simple hotel just won’t do! So let’s take a look at how you can pick the ideal accommodation for your trip to Spain.

What kind of accommodation are you looking for?
One of the first things to decide on is the type of accommodation you’re looking for. Different personalities enjoy different types of accommodation, so it’s important to look at what best suits your travel style. For instance, some people prefer a local experience so they can mingle with residents of the location they’re staying at and other travellers. This typically means a hostel or an Airbnb is best. Others prefer to embrace the touristy accommodation options, hence why they pick hotels that offer all-day meals and spectacular views.
It’s a good idea to decide what type of accommodation you’re looking for first before you start searching. The main thing to decide is if you want to get closer to the locals for a more authentic experience, or if you prefer the luxuries of a serviced room.
Consider the area you stay in
Researching the neighbourhood that you plan to stay in is a great first step to take. Accommodation can vary considerably in both quality and cost depending on which part of a city you search in. Ideally, you’ll want to pick a place that is close to all the attractions you want to visit, but you should also consider if the area is popular and what kind of local amenities there are. Local transport and parking options are also important considerations to keep in mind when picking the right place to stay.
For more unique options, we suggest looking away from hotels and hostels and instead choose Airbnbs and private options like www,jardindelmediterraneo.co.uk. This will give you a better idea of the more remote or interesting locations in Spain since most hotels, hostels and other large accommodation options are based in touristy locations. By choosing something a little out of the ordinary, you’ll get a more unique and authentic experience.
Choosing the right dates
Accommodation prices can vary a lot depending on the time of year you visit, so it’s a good idea to do a bit of research and look at a couple of different months. Not everyone has the luxury of picking the months they go on holiday, but if you can, it’s always a great way to ensure you get the best accommodation for great prices.
Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE: CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME THAT WILL SAVE OUR PLANET

Whether you are watching television or scrolling through your newsfeed on Facebook, it’s no secret that lately, there is so much importance being placed in doing whatever we can to make a difference to this little planet we live on.
It seems that the many years of pollution and abuse of our planet has finally taken its toll, and we are now in a state of crisis. While we may be in a tough position at the moment, it is important to remember that it is still not too late to stand up and do something that can make a difference.
Today, we are going to be looking at some of the small things that we can all do to make a difference to the planet we live on. We are aware that everything we are going to suggest may seem small on the grand scheme of things, and that’s the point.
If we can all do just a little bit, others will start to follow. If we lead by example, we will soon start to see that what was once a few people will slowly become millions. The quicker we get to the point where millions are doing a small amount, the closer we will be to saving the planet.


Image Credit - Pexels CC0 Licence
Why Have Things Got So Bad?
If you watch some news channels or read the wrong newspapers, they will often try to put the blame on one type of person. As humans, we know this happens, and when it comes to the media, they love to point the finger of blame.
The truth may actually be more simple than this. The damage to our planet hasn’t just happened over the last 20 or 30 years; it’s more likely that this is something that has happened over hundreds of years.
If this is the case, then the majority of the damage was caused before we even had the capability to know if anything was seriously wrong. 
The only reason we are able to make a change now is that technology has evolved to a level that helps us identify the problems, and it is also giving us solutions. 
So, if we all stopped for a moment and concentrated on the problem at hand, rather than trying to point the finger, we would see that we could do far more to tackle this problem than you may think.
Stop Throwing Everything Away
When it comes to getting rid of unwanted items, we are all a little guilty of not really doing our part. We understand that many people don’t see a problem with throwing so much away, but the truth is, the more you throw away, the more pressure you are putting on the environment.
When we trash things needlessly, this applies pressure to the people having to recycle your items; it then applies more pressure to the people who produce these items, then distributors and the who thing unfolds.
While some people believe that a little trash can’t make a huge difference, they need to stop and place themselves on a larger scale. If you simply imagine yourself as one in one million people doing exactly the same thing every day, then stop and think, you are left with quite a shock.
So what do you do? Well, there are many things you can do to reduce waste. First and foremost, if you have some furniture you don’t like, don't be so quick to throw it away. You could see if anybody else could give it a home.
On the other side of things, if it’s a little old but you want to sell it, why not give it a little facelift? With a few things like a sanding block, some paint, and glue dots, you can give the piece of furniture a new lease of life and sell it for a handsome sum.  
One of the most important things you can do for the planet is to ensure that you are taking care of your electronic recycling. If you have any item that requires mains power to operate and it no longer works, please stop trying to recycle it in the wrong way.
With these items, you should be calling a specialist company that will come and get rid of the item for you. If everybody did this, you would find yourself surprised at the effect this will have on the planet.


Stop Wasting Energy
The final thing we are going to look at is the amount of energy you waste. While you may think that you are only paying for what you use, you may get a nasty shock if you look at things a little closer.
The shocking truth is, you are probably wasting around 30% of the electricity and gas that you are paying for in your home, and that is an optimistic figure. It seems that many residential properties in the United States could be wasting up 60% 
When it comes to saving energy, there are many things you can do, but the most effective is the simplest. If you want to reduce your bills dramatically, you should look at getting yourself a smart meter, and finally, you should make it everybody’s job in the house to ensure that all plugs and lights are off when they aren’t being used.
By doing this, you will be very surprised at how fast you start to see a difference in the amount of energy you are using in the home. 
We understand that this is simple, and as we said in the beginning, it will be the smallest things that make the biggest difference to this planet so why not make a few little changes and see what difference you can make, not only to the planet but maybe to your bank balance too.
Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE: 5 BENEFITS OF DIY WEDDING INVITATIONS

5 Benefits of DIY Wedding Invitations
As many of you know all too well, planning for a wedding can be a massive undertaking with enough details to make your head spin. One of the most important tasks on your to-do list that doesn't have to be a major stressor, and can actually be pretty fun to do, is wedding invitation design.
Wedding planning, themes, and colours have evolved so much over the years that being able to create your own invitations to match your own unique day is right at your fingerprints. Thanks to the wonders of technology and some pretty innovative people running the show, DIY wedding invitations with class and style are a few clicks away.
Companies are making it super easy for people to make their own creations. For example,with beautifully designed wedding invites from Pure Invitation, that you create yourself with a huge variety of themes and colours are waiting. Why go to all this trouble, though, when you could simply hire someone to make them for you? Here are a few reasons why DIY wedding invites might just be worth your while:
Every Little Bit Helps
This is one that's probably the most obvious, but is also not one to be taken lightly. According to The Knot's 2019 Real Weddings Study, "the average cost of a wedding stood at $33,900 in 2019" (roughly £26,130). That's more than a down payment on a house for most newly-married couples.
When it comes to saving money, every little bit helps, and with wedding planning, that adds up to a lot. Making your own invitations can save you pennies on your wedding day planning, and after looking at the average cost of a wedding, you'll be happy that you did.
It is Much Easier Than You Think
Making your own custom invitations is something that anyone from the novice to the advanced techie can handle. You don't have to be a graphics designer or the like to create invitations that look like you really know what you're doing.
Creating your own designs has never been easier with your hand being held every step of the way. You create the design that you want while they do all the printing. There's no cutting involved on your part; just double-sided sticky tape. You assemble them yourself and end up looking like a pro.
Create Memories with the People You Love by Your Side
There is something very special about the idea of designing your invitations together and then physically making them with each other when materials arrive. While it does take a bit more time and effort, you can create beautiful memories with your future spouse, family, and friends by getting hands-on together with the invitation-making process.
Save some of them to pass on to your children and grandchildren one day and remind them that this is something that you did together with your own hands. What a special memory that you'll be able to share and pass down to future generations.
Make Something Custom That Suits You
With DIY invitations, have fun creating the look and feel of the invitation yourself. You can get bold with the colors and choose the design that works best for you. Say goodbye to the same old boring looking stationary that many people choose. You can jazz them up with your own flavor.
One of the really neat things about DIY wedding invitations is that they'll be unique for you. Plus, as you're actually putting them together, you can add or take away things of your choosing. There is also something very special about receiving a handmade invitation from someone. There's a different, caring touch there that just can't be found elsewhere.
People are Going the More Non-Traditional Route
Something else of note from The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study is that formal weddings are more on the decline while non-traditional weddings are on the rise. To sum it up, people are doing more unique things for their weddings and becoming a bit less traditional.
DIY wedding invitations can definitely fall in line with this as there is something quite unique and different about creating your own. Also, going for a look with more bright and bold colours falls in line with this uniqueness trend as does simply adding your own special flair. Since weddings themselves are morphing and changing, it would only make sense that wedding invites would follow suit and go through their own metamorphosis.
A Few Items to Keep in Mind
Something for you to remember is that once you've decided on how you'd like to create your invitations, it's good to review some wedding invitation etiquette before you sign, seal, and deliver anything. Having the correct wording for your invitations is very important, along with knowing when to order them, when to send them, and so forth. It's all about the details for your special day and this is one area not to be overlooked.
One other point to keep in mind is that creating your own wedding invitations is not for everybody. While saving the extra cash is great, not everyone has the time to spare for DIY projects. One of the wonderful things that certain wedding invite companies offer, if you don’t feel up for the task, is taking care of that part of the legwork for you.
You can design the invitation of your choice from numerous templates, make it just as you'd like it, and have them do the assembly for you. You can still choose from a wide range of styles, colours, and looks, and go through the creative process of designing them yourself, but then have the actual making-of-them done for you.
If you don't mind sparing the extra time, though, and tapping into your arts and crafty side, this is one project that might just be worth your while. Even if you're not typically into DIY projects, creating memories with your future spouse and family by designing your own wedding invitations and crafting them together is something that can never be replaced.


Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE: HISTORCIAL TRAVEL IDEAS TO EXPLORE & EDUCATE

When you get the chance to book a vacation there are so many different options for you to choose between, from sun soaked beach side getaways to short city breaks. One idea that can offer you so much experience and culture involving visiting some historical locations; as they boast a wealth of educational and inspirational opportunities that can ensure you can form memories that last a lifetime. It’s so interesting to venture out on a historical vacation, and it can be a great learning curve to explore the past and uncover some of the world's most iconic wonders. So, if you have the chance to book an amazing vacation and would like to explore an inspiring historical area, then read on for some of the best concepts that you can make the most of today! 

Take A Trip Around Eastern Europe 
Eastern Europe is a hotspot for history and culture, and the architecture that has stood proud for hundreds of years is such an outstanding feature that you simply cannot experience elsewhere. From the eery region of Transylvania in Romania to the tours and school trips to Auschwitz in Poland, Eastern Europe offers so many chances for a traveller to learn about what life was like in the past. It can also be a very inexpensive choice if you don’t have a large budget to splash on your trip, so it’s a great option to explore for a cheap historical getaway. A quick search online will uncover a whole host of museums, art galleries, iconic landmarks and so much more! 
Explore The States Of America
America is such a haven of history and opportunity. Each state offers its own specific culture and spirit, so booking a trip that allows you to explore a couple of these locations can open your eyes to so many new and interesting places that you will adore. From the jazz and delicious food in New Orleans to the iconic capital city of Washington where the White House stands proud, the eclectic and alternative lifestyle of Oregon and the flash and fast hustle and bustle of New York City. Getting the chance to travel to America can really be the trip of a lifetime; but it can be an expensive venture if you’re travelling from anywhere inside Europe thanks to the lengthy flights you will have to endure. It’s a good idea to hire a vehicle when you visit the United States, as it’s such an enormous land mass which requires almost constant road travel to get around. 
Getting the opportunity to take a historical trip to an amazing location is one that really cannot be missed. The ideas and concepts detailed above can inspire you to explore some of the culture rich cities and countries around the world, and show you just how easy it can be to book your historical adventure in no time at all. Whether you decide to wander around Eastern Europe or take a vacation to the glorious United States, there’s no time like the present to experience the past!
Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE 6 ESSENTIAL CONTACTS FOR TOTAL WELLNESS

We expect a lot of ourselves. We tend to think of our bodies and minds as infinite resources which we can call upon to take on the challenges that each day brings. But our bodies are more like machines. Without fuel, care and maintenance they will begin to fail us. And unlike machines, we can’t replace them when they do. That said, it’s never too late to start making repairs to the body and the mind. The battle for wellness is one that’s fought on many fronts. In order to get the most out of our bodies and our minds we need to target the causes of damage to both. When you’re young and pretty it’s oh-so-tempting to assume that you’ll stay that way forever. But without self-care and attention to your wellness, your body can age faster and your mind can begin to fail you.
Still, this isn’t a battle you have to fight alone. Every girl should have a handful of useful contacts to help her to account for all aspects of her personal wellness. Make sure you have each of the following in your address book...
A dietician
Following a balanced diet is generally good advice for everyone. But here’s the thing. No two bodies are identical. And whether you know it or not, yours has specific dietary needs. You may not be lactose or gluten intolerant and you may not have any food allergies that you’re aware of. But your body is predisposed to burn some forms of dietary fuel better than others. Rather than getting by on what you read online, a dietician can get to know your body and your blood type before helping you to better understand the foods that your body processes best and how to build a meal plan from there. If you’ve tried diet after diet but not seen the results you’d expect, they can help you to better understand why you’ve been so frustrated for so long. 

A personal trainer
You go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, and that’s great. But be honest with yourself… Do you really get the most out of every workout? Or have you been coasting by, refraining from pushing yourself too hard. 
A personal trainer can help you to better understand your personal fitness goals and which exercises will get you there fastest. What’s more, they’ll provide motivation when yours is flagging and push you harder than you’d be likely to push yourself in the gym. With the help of a PT, you can get the most out of every workout and accomplish things you may never have thought your body was capable of. 
A solicitor
Stress is one of the biggest threats there is to your health and wellbeing. And all of us experience stress at some point or another. A little stress can be good for you. It can even help you to bring out the best in yourself. But chronic stress can be seriously detrimental to your physical and emotional health. 
Being prepared for all eventualities is a great way to mitigate stress and feel better in control of your life. And that starts with legal representation. Having a solicitor like Bannister Preston in your contacts list can ensure that when you need to buy a house, make a will or (Heaven forbid) get a divorce you have someone you trust on your side to get you a fair and just outcome. 
A financial advisor
Many of us lose a great deal of sleep to money troubles. And sleep is enormously important to maintaining your good health. Many of us assume that money troubles are part and parcel of adult life but nothing could be further from the truth. As well as listening to podcasts that can give you financial advice and reading anything that Martin Lewis writes, you can help yourself enormously by seeking out a financial advisor. No matter how much or how little money you have they can help you make the most of it, helping you to choose better mortgage products, advising you on investments and savings and helping you to strategically manage your money.
A therapist
And finally, we all need to open up to someone about our problems. And while friends and family are our first port of call, they’re not always able to give us the kind of practical advice that we need when we feel down or distracted. Even if you don’t believe that you are in poor mental health, it can’t hurt to have the number of a good therapist close to hand.
Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE: AVOIDING THE TERRORS OF TODDLER TRAVEL

If you’re in need of a break, there are few better ways to get it than through travel. Even with a toddler, travel is the ideal option for helping you all to unwind and refresh. In fact, this experience can be so beneficial for youngsters that you may be keen to jet away the moment they’re old enough to know what’s happening. 
The trouble is that, while travel may be the ultimate in relaxing fun for you, the same doesn’t always apply to youngsters. Instead, toddler travel done wrong could lead to groggy groany kids that ruin the peace and don’t enjoy themselves. 
Luckily, there are ways to avoid the terrors of toddler travel. If you’ve got a trip planned for your young family anytime soon, simply keep reading to find out what they are. 

# 1 - Keep flights short
Toddlers and flying are a pretty terrible mix, and a long-haul flight at this stage could see you and an entire plane of people having to deal with tantrums that last for hours. You can’t even blame your toddler for this Long flights are boring, and the constriction will be an entirely new experience. Make it one that they’re able to master by thinking about flight lengths when you book a holiday. After all, a flight that lasts to Spain that lasts around two hours is far less likely to get painful. In fact, with a fun on-flight pack, the novelty won’t even have time to wear off in this period. 
# 2 - Pack right
Think, too, about what you’re packing for your youngster. The usual holiday gear and sun cream are, of course, essential, but you may also want to consider entertainment. Packing their favourite toys and plenty of reading material can, for instance, keep them engaged on even poolside days. You could go as far as packing a tablet with their favourite films already downloaded so that you never need to worry about them getting antsy during downtime. 
# 3 - Have a plan
Remember, too, that it’s often the boring explorations/between-times that most get your toddler in tantrum mode. At that age, sitting in the sun just isn’t fun! Instead, make sure you have a detailed action plan at every stage. You could write your own itinerary here, or book a planned tour that keeps things flowing. Your toddler certainly won’t have the time or inclination to moan if you explore Egypt with On the Go Tours or see Spain with a travel group to accompany you. You could even look out for kid-friendly tours that really keep them engaged. Then, you’ll be able to rest easy that they’ll enjoy that trip as much as you do.
There’s no denying that travelling with a toddler can be well worth your while, but it can also be a draining experience. Put these pointers and more into place before you go so that you can guarantee a trip that’s a hit with every single one of you.
Posted by at No comments

LIFESTYLE: BRRR MY BEDROOM IS FREEZING

The recent storms that have taken over the UK have probably made you appreciate your warm home a little bit more! There’s nothing more satisfying than lying in a cosy bed when you can hear the rain against the window. Except, perhaps if you find it hard to keep your bedroom warm at night. Nobody likes going to sleep in a freezing bedroom. But when you’ve turned the heating up to the max, and you still can’t feel any improvement, it’s time to look for the best solution. 
Let’s keep things clear from the start. You would know immediately if you had any boiler issue because you would probably spot an error message on your boiler, or notice that the blue flame has gone. So let’s assume your boiler is not the source of your problem. What makes the bedroom cold?  


You’ve got cold air coming in
Poor insulation is the most common cause of a cold bedroom. You can easily test your theory. Old windows tend to let the cold air in, even when they’re shut. Sometimes, it’s something you can fix in a matter of minutes by getting a new sealant around the window frame. However, windows are not the most important source of air infiltration at home. Houses lose up to 30% of their heat through the roof. You can ask a roofer to check your roof and get you a quote for eventual repairs. If you want to be sure about where the air comes through, you can touch the ceiling. If it’s cold to the touch, it’s enough to know the roof needs some work! 


The heating system needs checking
Your heating system consists of your boiler and your radiators. As mentioned before, it’s easy to check if your boiler is working. You can also rapidly spot broken radiators. They can’t warm up properly or only get hot in certain areas. Additionally, you may even notice a leak or some unpleasant noises at night. Your radiators need regular servicing, which includes bleeding – it’s something you can do yourself and which can solve the problem. Otherwise, you can also get in touch with a Safe gas engineer for a power flush, which would get rid of potential blockage inside the pipes. 


Is it really cold, though?
Is your bedroom really cold, or does it just feel like it? Living in a decor you dislike can affect your perception of temperature. Indeed, because you think negatively about the room, your mind is more likely to develop discomfort. Simple changes of decor, such as picking a colour scheme you love, could transform the perceived temperature! Additionally, you can also use smart interior tips to make a room that faces north feel warmer. It’s important to use a vibrant and rich colour that brightens up the space for a north-facing bedroom, as it can trick the mind into seeing more light, and therefore sun, as there is. 


Don’t let your bedroom make you feel cold at night. If you want a good and resting night’s sleep, you need to focus on making the room feel warmer, either by resolving the issue or by helping your mind to change its perception of the room. Additionally, you can also go back to your granny’s best advice: always use a hot water bottle at night to warm up the bed! It works wonders in winter! 
Posted by at No comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)