Katie

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Ready to move house while on holiday?

Here’s why so many Londoners are moving house whilst on holiday – no joke. 

You’re thinking of moving house in a few months and the feeling of stress is already starting to fill all of your pores. Take a deep breath and remember that it’s a pretty normal feeling to have, you’re not alone.

According to an article on the Telegraph, moving house is one of life’s most stressful experiences, with people mentioning that moving house gives them more anxiety than starting a new job, relationship breakdowns, and even divorce.

However, what if I told you that there are ways to reduce the stress of moving to a new house and that you could enjoy a cold Pina Colada in a sunny destination whilst all of your belongings are being moved to your new place? Sounds too good to be true, right? Let me explain. 

So, you’ve found your dream house and paid the deposit. It’s now time to make your moving house checklist with plenty of time in advance. Really Moving have a highly comprehensive and helpful moving house checklist which will help you keep track of everything you need to do before moving.

Moving house

Now would be a good time to do some de-cluttering and get rid of anything that’s unnecessary, unwanted or just old. Then, it’s time to start putting everything away in labelled boxes (and don’t forget to label them by the room you intend them to go to or you’ll be looking for your cutlery in your office supplies boxes). 

If you are worried about forgetting to change all of your post to your new address, it might be a good option to set up the Royal Mail’s redirection service. This service will make sure that all your post will be forwarded from your previous address to your new one.

When you have everything ready, it’s time to call the Squad. Then, pack your bags, get on your plane and enjoy a relaxing holiday while the Handy Squad takes care of everything else for you. No need for a moving day survival kit! 

Moving house

The Handy Squad, a London handyman service, has helped many Londoners have stress-free moves by taking care of their home requirements whilst they are away on holiday. This means tackling any jobs you need, from moving furniture from your old place to your new house and other tasks, including replacing lightbulbs and repairing holes in plaster walls. All of this, so you can have a restful holiday thinking of how when you get back from holiday everything will be done.

Feeling a bit uneasy about having strangers in your house without you being there? There are various ways around your worries. First and most importantly, all tradesmen at the Handy Squad are fully-insured, CRB checked employees with photographic ID – so you can rest assured that your home will be in safe hands. If you are still not sure, why not ask a trusted neighbour or a close friend to check up on the tradesmen from time to time?

A discussion post on Mumsnet focuses on the members’ experiences of having work done around the house while they are away on vacation, highlighting all the advantages and disadvantages of doing this, so if you need some personal opinions – we’d recommend you read this post. 

Ready to move house while sipping on your favourite drink? Easy, give the Squad a call today on 0800-0-12-12-12 or visit the website https://www.handysquad.com/ for more information.

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A Brush Revolution // Silk'n ToothWave

I talk about beauty products and wellbeing a lot on Life Daily but I don’t think I’ve spoken about the importance of looking after your teeth and gums before now. I think brushing your teeth is probably a whole lot more important than using an exfoliator or finding the perfect nail colour, so why not delve into the wonderful world of dental care! 

Obviously, we’ve all been using toothbrushes for years, and if you haven’t erm, gross? But just recently I was sent a Silk’n ToothWave brush to review as part of a paid partnership with Join Platform, and I have to admit, I was quite interested to see if it did what it said on the tin so to speak, and to find out what was so different about this to the normal electric toothbrush we’re all so used to. 

SILK’N TOOTHWAVE BRUSH

The ToothWave Brush isn’t just your every day, regular toothbrush. It states that results achieved with this brush differ significantly from any other electric toothbrush. The secret behind ToothWave is the clinically proven, patented and safe DentalRF™ technology. The results it gives are on par to those you’d get seeing a dental hygienist, and we all know how expensive that can be! 

Daily use of the Silk’n ToothWave improves oral hygiene by removing plaque, but, unlike other brushes it also removes tooth discolouration, stains and even tartar. By reducing gum inflammation it also ensures healthier gums, all thanks to this revolutionary DentalRF™ technology. 

DentalRF™ technology works by sending radiofrequency waves to the surface layer of each tooth, even reaching under the gumline. This destabilises the bonds that hold the plaque, stains and tartar to the tooth until they’re detached and washed away. This is then replaced by fresh, clean water and toothpaste molecules to create a new, strong protective layer which helps teeth stay smooth and clean for a longer period of time. 

As well as the DentalRF™ technology, the ToothWave brush also has innovative brush heads. Containing two electrodes which radiofrequency waves move between and a silicone strip that forces the waves to reach the tooth’s surface. While the DentalRF™ technology is doing the manual labour, removing all the impurities from the surface of the tooth, the bristles on the brush heads sweep away those impurities without damaging the tooth enamel, preventing sensitivity and pain. 

A Brush Revolution // Silk'n ToothWave

Two brush heads are included in the box, one large and one small, both are extra soft. You can also buy replacements separately. 

There are three vibration speeds to choose from, high, medium or low, and you can also choose to use the brush without any of the vibrations, but with the DentalRF™ technology still being active.

The suggested speed to use is high, giving up to 48000 vibrating brush strokes per minute. It’s a completely different vibration to the ‘old’ style of electric brushes. This is less nose tickle, more sonic wave. You know it’s doing its thing, but you can barely feel or hear it! 

Silk’n ToothWave comes with a built-in timer. It will buzz after 30 seconds to remind you to move onto the next section of your mouth and, after 2 minutes it will switch off automatically, letting you know you’ve brushed your teeth for the recommended time. It’s waterproof, meaning you could brush your teeth in the shower if you’re running that low on time and it’s also safe to use on braces and dental implants. Although there are some health restrictions that mean you can’t use it.

I’ve never really been a fan of electric toothbrushes. I know they’re recommended by dentists and I appreciate they do a much better job than a manual brush, but they irritate my gums and my nose alike! When your toothbrush makes you sneeze and makes your eyes water, you know it’s not the one for you! 

When I first switched this on, I thought it was too low in charge to be working properly, because it was so quiet and lacking in the typical vibration our old Oral B brush had. So, I left it to charge fully, only to find it was working perfectly, it’s just quiet and extra gentle. Think of a low-level hum, just enough to let you know it’s doing its thing. It gets slightly louder with each level up, but even on high it’s barely noticeable. 

RESULTS

The all-important question, does it actually work? I’ve got to say, yes! I know this is a paid for review, but I would be paid for it regardless of my thoughts, so there’s no reason for me to not be completely honest. Plus, I’m a rubbish liar. 

The first week or so, I noticed my teeth felt cleaner. You know when you run your tongue over your teeth you can feel if they need a brush or not? For pretty much the whole day my teeth felt smooth and clean, not just for the first few hours. 

A Brush Revolution // Silk'n ToothWave

While my teeth aren’t hugely discoloured, they could certainly be whiter, even just from a vanity point of view, but my bottom teeth did have some plaque/tartar build up, which could have been removed by a trip to the hygienist but I wasn’t open to spending £100 on that! 

After 3 weeks of using this brush, twice a day, I can see a huge difference in my teeth. So much so, I spent a good few days baring my gnashers at my husband and kids asking if they could see as much of a difference that I could! Thankfully, they could. 

My gums never bleed using this brush, which shows just how gentle it is, and how well it works under the gumline. Even with a manual brush they would bleed, you just can’t brush too hard with the ToothWave, it won’t let you. I’ve used the highest vibration level from the get go and I’ve had no discomfort at all. My youngest has also been using it, the timer and the 30 second ‘move’ reminder is perfect for kids. You’d be amazed at how fast they think 2 minutes should go when they’re brushing their teeth. 

PRICE

So, it’s not the cheapest of brushes, £262 on the Silk’n website but when you consider that’s not even three trips to the hygienist, it definitely earns it’s price tag! Plus, cost per use and all that, if you only used it once a day for a whole year, it’s 71p per day, practically a bargain! 

You can buy the Silk’n ToothWave brush directly here.

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Creating a stylish home with kids in mind

5 Ways of Creating a Stylish Yet Child-Friendly Home

When you have little ones you must always consider ways in which you can make your home safer as there are many hazards for small children. This needs to be a priority, but it does not necessarily have to mean that you have to sacrifice style like you might think. You can have a home which is both child-friendly and highly stylish if you know how – read on to find out more.

1. Materials

Many people like glass tables but these are a no-go when you have kids for obvious reasons. In addition to the safety precautions, this is actually a smart move because glass tables will show handprints and smudge if you have kids. Instead, you should look to safe and stylish materials like wood and plastic which are ideal for families.

2. Rounded Corners

It is also important that you go in each room of the house and look for any sharp corners as these are a serious safety hazard for kids. Soft, rounded edges are not only safe but they can look fantastic and help to create a much softer, more welcoming feel to a room.

3. Display Children’s Art Properly

Every parent is proud of their child’s artwork, but it can look messy and unorganised when you have sketches and drawings blue tacked randomly or stuck on the fridge. Instead, it is worth going the extra step and having artwork framed and arranged in a floor-to-ceiling grid. In addition to looking much nicer and better organised, this will also help you to preserve their masterpieces.

4. Open Plan

Having an open plan home is beneficial for a few reasons. It can make the home look and feel much bigger, brighter and airier which brings many aesthetic advantages, but it is also intelligent from a parenting point of view because it means that you can easily always keep an eye on your kids no matter what you are doing. 

5. Child Safety Blinds

Another safety aspect that needs to be considered is the blinds in each room of the house. Cords and chains which are used to operate blinds can be dangerous because young children will often want to play with these, but with child safety blinds from places like Swift Direct Blinds you can promote safety with blinds which are safe for children – this includes options such as cordless blinds, wand controlled blinds and roller blinds. 

Safety in the home is paramount when you are a parent, but this does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice style. The above are all ways in which you can make your home a safe environment for youngsters while still making it an attractive space and somewhere in which you take great pride.

image source

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I Shoes You...

Shoes: can you really have too many?

According to research, the cost of the average woman’s shoe collection sits at just over £600 – with around four fifths of us owning at least one pair that we’ve never even worn. Put like this, it might seem like a bit of an embarrassing waste of money (not to mention space). After all, you can only wear one pair of shoes at the same time!

But there’s a reason that so many of us elect to invest in vast collection. Different shoes suit different purposes. You wouldn’t wear the same footwear to the beach that you would on a night out in November. What’s more, a change of footwear can have a considerable impact on the way that your overall outfit looks, and thus they’re a great way to mix things up. Shoes come in an enormous variety of shapes, colours and materials, and thus a large enough collection will offer something to match just about every mood.

Unlike the other items of clothing hanging in our wardrobes, shoes won’t stop fitting if we gain or lose weight. If a shoe fits and is comfortable when you first put it on, then the chances are that it’ll remain loyal throughout their lifespan.

And, of course, most shoes are inherently pretty – every time you buy a pair you’ll get a little dopamine rush that’ll keep you coming back to spend a portion of your paycheck on an item of clothing that you might never wear. Online shopping makes things even easier; you don’t need to spend hours fighting through the shopping-centre crowds on a Saturday afternoon, when instead you can just click on a few icons and have them arrive on your doorstep a few days later?

So, just as some people collect books, and some people collect coins, and others collect stamps, some people (mostly women) collect shoes. There are worse things to hoard!

How to get your shoe collection organised

One of the major downsides of a huge shoe collection is the space they’ll take up in the hallway, and at the bottom of your wardrobe. Unfortunately, most women don’t make the best use of the available space. To do this, you’ll need to get creative with shoe racks and built-in wardrobes. The right rack will allow you to conveniently stack shoes right next to each other, which means less empty space, and more efficient storage.

Probably the most space-efficient and convenient storage solution comes in the form of a sliding shoe rack. These are mounted on castors, and work in the same way as drawers, usually sitting at the bottom of your wardrobe. A bespoke solution from a fitted furniture company like Hammonds will help you get your shoe collection into browsable order.

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London Calling

First time in London – Must-see tourist destinations

London remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with almost 38 million inbound visits in 2018 alone making up 50% of all UK visits. It is a city of great culture, history and atmosphere and it has so much to offer that it’s unlikely you’ll get everything in during just one visit. However, if you are visiting for the first time and want to get a handle on the ‘must visit’ locations then look no further.

Harrods – No trip to London can be complete without a couple of hours spent in the world’s most famous luxury department store. Even if you don’t want to buy anything (and with the prices, we certainly wouldn’t blame you) it’s worth a visit just to marvel at the decor, the decadence and the iconic Egyptian escalator. Not to mention the food court!

The Museums – London perhaps rivals even New York as the city with the most to offer in terms of astonishing museums. Within walking distance of one another you’ll find the National History Museum, the V&A, the TATE Modern and the British Museum. That’s before we even begin to mention the more esoteric selections such as the Sherlock Holmes Museum. You could spend a week in London just doing a museum tour, but if you’re only planning a flying visit then you might want to consider your interests and research beforehand, planning your available time accordingly.

Camden Market – Very much the yin to the yang of Harrods and Oxford Street, Camden Market is a hive of activity and is home to some of the best bargains in the city. It’s also a hipster’s paradise surrounded by bars and restaurants offering everything from artisanal street food to gourmet cuisine. The area is also legendary for its live music scene. Placed alongside the lock, it’s the market that remains the real draw, however. For those of you with a little more cash to flash, meanwhile, Notting Hill Market offers a similar atmosphere only with a far more exclusive price tag.

Kings Cross – If you’re travelling to London by rail, then chances are you’re catching a train to King’s Cross station. The station is a legitimate tourist attraction in and of itself, particularly if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books and movies. Indeed, ‘platform 9 and 3/4’ has become one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the city in recent years.

Tower of London – A London day out like no other, this is the big one. Experience the 900-year-old former old royal palace, prison and zoo (really) and sink into the history of the place, which also happens to contain the world’s most famous jewellery – the crown jewels. Not only one of the most famous building’s in the world but one of the most well-kept historical relics in Europe, if you only have time to do one thing in London, this should probably be up there.

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PAYOT ROSELIFT COLLAGÈNE

PAYOT’s new firming Roselift Collagéne collection adopts a beautifully refreshing attitude; focusing on ‘Slow Ageing’ rather than Anti-Aging – supporting, slowing & enhancing the natural ageing process rather than fighting it.

The Roselift range nourishes skin, using the latest advances in skincare science working in unison with PAYOT’s patented ROSActive extract to nourish mature skin, leaving it feeling plump and radiant.

Two of the products in the new range were sent to me to try, I’ve been focussing on eye care recently as I’m great at remembering my face but not so good when it comes to the skin around my eyes, so I was interested to see how they worked and I love PAYOT as a brand, being the complete Francophile that I am!

PAYOT ROSELIFT COLLAGÈNE

Roselift Collagéne Regard Lifting Care Eye Cream

The delicate skin under the eyes is one of the first places to show visible signs of ageing. PAYOT‘s ultra-lightweight lifting eye cream works to gently lift the eye contour and open up the eyes; thanks to the mechanic tightening effect of Oat extract. Silk tree extract – also included in this product’s rich formula, reduces puffiness and dark circles.

I’ve been using this twice a day, gently patting it into the skin around my eye socket. I have very pale skin, which highlights dark circles, so anything that can reduce those (alongside more sleep please & thank you) is a winner for me. £38 for 15ml

Roselift Collagéne Patch Regard Under-Eye Patches

Beautifully refreshing, these fast-working, anti-fatigue eye patches revive tired under-eyes for a radiant, luminous effect. Hydrogel texture provides an amazing sensation when placed on the skin.

The patches are easy to apply, you just leave them on for 10-15 minutes to let the ingredients do their thing, remove and pat in any extra product into the skin.

For a 3-week intensive treatment apply the patches every other day, while using the cream twice a day each day. You can put them in the fridge before you use them, for a more intense ‘wake-me-up’ result. £40 for 10 individual sachets.

All items are available to buy from here.

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AGE DEFY+ BY GREEN PEOPLE FOUNDER CHA VØHTZ

Green People founder Charlotte Vøhtz has proudly put her name to what is now her signature range, Age Defy+ by Cha Vøhtz. The range is the result of Charlotte spending years exploring key actives, oil blends and luxurious scent profiles. And this month sees two new products being introduced. I have long loved Green People, so I was excited to see these new products in action!

PURE LUXE BODY OIL

For me, a body oil *is* pure luxury. It’s not something I tend to use all the time, despite knowing I probably should, but something that seems to be complete decadence.

This Pure Luxe Body Oil by Cha Vøhtz is made with 84% certified organic ingredients and is a blend of essential oils and plant botanicals, creating liquid nourishment for the skin.

It’s been developed to lock in intense hydration and is rich in phospholipids which deliver benefits direct to cells for superior radiance and unrivalled skin glow.

Nourishing and skin softening, with super absorbency levels it ensures antioxidants, nutrients and vitamin E are delivered direct to the skin, leaving a beautiful satin-soft finish.

Pure Luxe Body Oil’s aroma is a beautiful balance of essential oils including Mandarin and Neroli, which smells exactly like a spa treatment, absolutely heavenly. The best way to use this is straight after a bath or shower, onto damp skin so it can be absorbed fully.

AGE DEFY+ BY GREEN PEOPLE FOUNDER CHA VØHTZ

HYDRA-GLOW SLEEP MASK

Two of my favourite words right there. Sleep & Mask.

An intensely hydrating leave-on sleep mask to quench thirsty skin, drawing on a unique blend of antioxidant-rich plant actives, vitamins and omega oils to stimulate collagen production, regenerate, balance and purify skin.

The Hydra-Glow Sleep Mask contains Green Macro Algae and plant Squalane to help stimulate collagen production and lock in moisture where your skin needs it most. It also has vitamins and Omega-3&6-rich oils to soothe and soften the skin.

I’ve been using this for a few weeks now as I was sent it before it launched, and it’s just amazing. Used 2-3 times a week, you apply a generous layer to freshly cleansed skin, leaving on overnight – I tend to put mine on after I’ve had my bath or shower so it gets just that little bit extra time to work it’s magic – when you remove it in the morning your skin feels so soft, but not in a greasy, product way. In a deep down, nourished from the inside way and make up just sits better, even on the dehydrated parts of my skin. Winner!

Both products are available from Green People, the Pure Luxe Body Oil costs £25.00 for 50ml and the Sleep Mask is £32.00 f0r 50ml.

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Forever Ago Seems Like Yesterday

Despite it being 17 years ago, I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday.

Silly moments stick in my head the most, like the midwives asking me, on a scale of 1 – 10 how bad the pain was, and me replying that I had no idea as I’d never done it before! In my head, it was clearly a 10 but my rational side told me it was going to get a lot worse!

The pethidine making me feel like I was in the room but not quite there, telling the anaesthetist that I loved them for giving me an epidural, regardless of the fact that I was adamant I didn’t want one.

T disappearing below my knees when the epidural was being put in because he can’t stand needles but still wanted to support me, from the floor.

Then, 16 hours later there you were. Placed on my chest, your tiny, tiny bottom fitting in one of my palms.

Jet black hair, bright blue eyes that were wide open and staring at everyone in the room, but mostly at me. You didn’t make a single sound when you were born, I had to ask if you were ok, expecting a screaming baby, but nothing. Just you, completely calm, alert and absolutely beautiful.

Weighed at 6lb 13oz (so much for the “she’ll be a big baby” comments) and checked, then it was time to remove all the tubes, wires & plasters from me, having a wash and being wheeled to the ward. I still remember the amazement that they let me hold you the whole way there! What if I dropped you, or didn’t know what I was doing & they realised. But, luckily, I didn’t and they didn’t…..

The next few days were a whir of visitors, people popping in to meet you and give you cuddles. Looking back now, I wish I’d kept it just the two of us for a while longer. Our own private baby bubble.

When we finally made it home it felt real. You were so brand new but it felt like I’d known you forever.

Those days were so long ago, but they feel like they’re in touching distance, that they were moments that just happened.

I don’t think I realised until I had you, how fast time goes. Even then, as a new mum, when days felt never-ending and I was exhausted beyond recognition, I didn’t appreciate how quickly it would be gone.

What I wouldn’t give to have those moments all over again, you falling asleep on my chest every evening, eating dinner with one hand because you needed to be cuddled, snuggling up on the sofa watching Dora the Explorer over and over and over again, your tiny little hand always in mine, always making sure I was there, just in case.

Sometimes, I lay in bed at night, listening to you laughing at something on your phone and wonder how we’ve got to seventeen. How we have blinked, and the years have gone.

I think about all the things I did wrong as a parent, the times I shouted at you or punished you when I should have listened and cuddled you instead. When I didn’t really know what I was doing and we learnt together, all the times I sent you to bed and then felt guilty for something and would wake you up to give you one last kiss.

I remember so much about you but feel like I’ve forgotten it all at the same time. I’m scared and excited by your future all at the same time. If I could replay the last 17 years all over again, knowing what I know now, I would, in a heartbeat.

I am so proud of the woman you’ve become. The kindest, most gentle soul I will ever know. You make me laugh more than anyone, and I know, without a shadow of a doubt I can trust you. I also know you can’t lie to save your life, and I’m proud of that too!

I’m so glad I got you, seventeen years and two days ago. That is most definitely one thing I wouldn’t ever change.

Happy Birthday H-Bo xxx

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Ground Support To Major Tom.....

Why ground support equipment is so important when you next travel. 

We all love travelling – the excitement of visiting a different country and exploring a new culture is a very special feeling. Plus, all the new food that you’ll be trying for the first time. What’s not to like?

I personally travel most often by plane, it’s easy, fast and many times cheaper than spending a day out in London. Plus, I love airports (not a popular opinion, I know)! I think that airports are part of my travels rather than the means to an end. Airports are just like small cities with everything you need and for me, it’s super fascinating how everything works in order for passengers to have a stress-free experience (most times). 

Ground Support To Major Tom.....

One of my favourite things to do at an airport is to go sit down next to one of those large windows, look out of it and notice all the airport staff and bits of equipment that are used for each plane to be ready for boarding. So, basically, I love people watching. 

A few years ago, whilst I was people watching, I started to wonder what all the equipment was and what it was used for. Fortunately, one of my good friends works at Aviation Spares & Repairs, a company that supplies ground support equipment, which is all the equipment that is used at airports and airfields, and she was happy to answer some of my questions.

United

If you’ve ever wondered this yourself or maybe you children have asked you these questions, continue reading below. 

What is ground support equipment?

Ground support equipment is any type of support equipment found at an airport, and as the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 149 explains, it’s “typically associated with the servicing of aircraft during the ground-based, airport turnaround process.” This involves equipment to power airplanes, such as generators, to move airplanes, such as tow tractors, to help load cargo onto the airplane, such as baggage belt loads and to aid passengers board, such as boarding stairs.

There are also various other tasks performed by ground support equipment, including restocking of food and water, airfield maintenance, aircraft refuelling and more.

Now, you can understand why this type of equipment is so important as after all, it ensures that the aircraft you are about to board is ready to safely take you to your holiday destination. 

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The Carat Shop

Calling all Harry Potter fans! No matter if you are part of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff or even if you are a curious muggle, I’m sure you’ll find something special at The Carat Shop’s new website. 

The Carat Shop is a Hertfordshire-based jewellery maker which specialises in designing, making and retailing licensed Harry Potter jewellery, including necklaces, earrings, charms and rings that feature the most popular characters and items of this novel. They have recently launched their new website and they are inviting all lovers of Harry Potter to visit the website and let them know what they think. 

Wearing Harry Potter jewellery by The Carat Shop is the ideal way to show-off your love for all things related to the wizarding world and is the perfect way to find fellow Potterheads. And do you know the best thing about their new website? All UK orders come with FREE shipping!

So, hop on your broom and get over there! If you are looking for a gift for a partner or maybe looking for something for yourself and are not sure what to get, let me show you their best-selling products.

Golden Snitch Jewellery

From golden snitch earrings to golden snitch necklaces and more, The Carat Shop has a variety of accessories and jewellery which feature everyone’s favourite gold coloured Quidditch ball.

The Carat Shop Golden Snitch

Deathly Hallows Jewellery

The Deathly Hallows symbol consists of the shapes of three magical items: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility. You’ll find deathly hallows necklaces, deathly hallows bookmarks and much more at The Carat Shop.

Time Turner Jewellery

Go back in time with The Carat Shop’s time turner jewellery pieces and accessories. From Hermione’s time turner necklace to time turner earrings and more! 

Visit The Carat Shop’s website today at https://thecaratshop.co.uk and browse through their whole collection of Harry Potter jewellery. 

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Top tips to freshen up your home this autumn

Who else gets excited when Autumn comes? Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the few warm summer days that we get here in England, but there is something about Autumn that really gets my heart pounding. Whether it is the beautiful warm autumnal tones all around, the crisp sunny mornings wrapped up in a cosy jacket or the pumpkin spice everything and anything – I just can’t get enough of Autumn. 

One of my favourite things to do when Autumn is on the way is to freshen up my house, giving it a little something to celebrate the season and all its glory, without spending too much money (of course!).

Spring Cleaning? Why Not Autumn Cleaning?

Most of us give their homes a deep clean during spring, but did you know that Autumn is a great time to do the same? Start by decluttering your wardrobe and clearing out your cupboards. House Beautiful has an article focused on how it’s essential to deep clean your home during Autumn to ensure it’s ready for the winter months and “to keep seasonal bugs at bay.”

Cosy home for Autumn

Switch Things Up.

A great, quick and inexpensive trick for making a room look fresh is by rearranging the furniture. Then, simply change up your linen cushions for velvet or knitted ones and add a chunky knitted blanket to your bedroom or living room and absorb the cosiness. 

Welcome Guests.

An easy way to give your home a refresh during this season is to give your doorway some love. After all, it’s the first thing your guests will see when they come to visit. You can give your front door a nice update by giving a fresh lick of paint and by changing up the door hardware – anything from the door numbers to your door knocker or even letter plate. 

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed and are not sure how to pick this type of ironmongery, Ironmongery Experts, an architectural ironmongery business, has various blog posts on how to choose house numbers, how to choose letter plates and the different types of door knockers that you can choose from.

Let there be (candle) light

Let there be light.

Candles create the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing and cosy Sunday day in. Plus, with this season comes every Autumnal scent that makes you feel even cosier – apple, cinnamon, pumpkin, mulled wine, how good does that sound?

Autumnal Decorations.

If you are not into Halloween decorations (not judging here, but how are you not into Halloween decorations?) there are many ways to decorate your home to embrace the autumnal vibes. An article on the Huffington Post mentions that texture is key and “prints can also change the mood from summery to autumnal: tartans, nature-inspired foliage and bold geometric patterns are all eye-catching ways to spruce up your space.”

Top tips to freshen up your home this autumn

Now, that you’ve given your home the refresh it needed, get cosy and enjoy looking at the rain from the inside of your home with a cup of hot cocoa.

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Tips for Teaching Your Child How to Save Money

Every year, there’s a day in April designated to helping children to learn how to save. However, if you’ve ever sat down with a child and discussed the ins and outs of financial freedom with them, then you’ll know we need a lot more than one day a year. Ultimately, children don’t get the education they need to help them make the most out of their money as they grow. 

More often than not, the issue of finances and spending is brushed over in school, which means that parents are left to handle the task of teaching children how to manage money on their own. If you’re worried that your child isn’t going to get the guidance that they need, here are some tips that will help you offer a better education. 

1.   Focus on Wants vs Needs

The first step in successfully teaching your child how to save money is teaching them how to understand wants vs needs. For instance, explain that their needs are the basic things that they have to have to survive, like food. However, food can be anything that sustains them. Takeaway, sweets and other treats are a “want” even though they stem from a need. 

For the things that your child wants, help them to understand that they’ll need to set long-term and short-term savings goals. Sometimes, they’ll just need to wait until they get their weekly pocket money to afford their wants. In other circumstances, your child might need to learn the benefits of delayed gratification and saving towards something over time. 

2.   Let Your Child Earn Their Own Money

When your child is still very young, they’re probably not going to go out and find a job. You’re going to need to wait until at least their early teenage years before your youngster starts earning a wage. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t start to teach the benefits of an earning an income from an early point. 

For instance, if you want to give your youngsters money to spend on the things that they want, consider giving them a weekly or monthly pocket money. Rather than giving your kids that cash for no reason, give it to them in exchange for doing chores like cleaning their room, or taking out the trash. This way, they’ll learn the benefit of working. 

3.   Act As Their Loan Company

The chances are that you’ve needed to take out a loan every now and again to help you pay for the things that you need. With the economy the way that it is today, your children might need to do the same thing when they grow up too. With that in mind, if your child asks to borrow money from you for something that they desperately want, acting as their creditor could be a great idea. 

For instance, agree to give your child £40 for a game if they give you £44 in return. You can put the extra £4 into a savings account for your child and start to teach them about things like interest. Asking for interest might seem like a strange tactic at first, but it pays off in the long-term. 

4.   Talk with Your Child About Money

Part of being a good saver and a savvy spender means understanding your money and where it goes. When your child starts getting their own pocket money or they earn a wage from their new job, invite them to sit down with you regularly and do some basic budgeting. During this time, you can teach your youngster about the expenses that you need to consider when sorting through your cash each month. 

Budgeting with your child also helps to open up a dialogue about money. It’s important that your child knows that they can talk to you about their concerns and uncertainties around cash, without feeling overwhelmed. 

5.   Set a Good Example

Finally, remember that your child will always be looking to you for examples on how to behave. If you want your child to be careful with their cash, and avoid impulse spending at all costs, then they can’t see you constantly buying extra things online whenever you fancy. Make sure that you plan each of your purchases carefully and think about the impression you’re having on your youngster. 

Be prepared to answer questions that your child might have, and if you set any rules for them on how they need to use their money, make sure that you’re following the same guidelines. 

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