Katie

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LD Sleep // How To Create A More Sleep-Friendly Bedroom

Your bedroom should be your safe haven from the world, your retreat from stress and worry, the place that you can go to if you need to instantly relax. Bedrooms are our own private spaces, the places that are all about us and no one else. Your bedroom should be a space that you love, somewhere that you feel completely comfortable and relaxed in. If when you step into your bedroom you don’t instantly feel relaxed and comfortable, then your bedroom is not the ideal…

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LD Home // Rented Home to Owned Home: Making the Move

Moving into the first home that you own when you’ve been living in rented accommodation is exciting, but it can be daunting too. Being a homeowner means having a variety of responsibilities that you didn’t have before, from paying a mortgage to maintenance for your property. When you’re planning your move, you want it to go as smoothly as possible. It’s a costly and time-consuming exercise, so anything that makes it easier is good for you. If you want to get organised and settle into your new home, take a look at the following advice that will help you move in without the hassle.

Remember to Account for All Costs of Buying

Buying a home is costly, and it can take a long time to save for it. When you’re saving, it’s important to remember that the deposit for your property isn’t the only money that you need. There are various other costs too, so you’re going to need to take them into account. You will likely have mortgage fees to pay, as well as the cost of a solicitor and survey. If the property you’re buying is expensive enough (over £300,000 for first-time buyers), you will be paying stamp duty too. Then there’s the cost of moving, furniture, and other expenses.

Get the Timing Right

When moving from a rented home to one that you own, you’ll be transitioning from paying rent to paying a mortgage. One of the important things to get right is making your last rent payment and moving out at the right time. If you’re too hasty, you could end up with nowhere to live. It’s best to wait until everything has been completed before you make your arrangements for moving. If you give notice to your landlord or letting agency too early, the deal on your home could fall through and leave you with nowhere to live.

Don’t Forget About Furniture

Many people who rent their home rent it fully or part furnished. This is convenient for many tenants because it means they don’t have to move furniture around every time they move home. However, when you move into your new home, you won’t have any furniture there to get you started – except on the rare occasion when a property owner might offer the property with some or all of their furniture. You need to remember to budget for buying furniture for your home, particularly essential items like beds and somewhere to sit. There are some things that you can buy over time, but others are needed right away.

Stay Organised During Your Move

It’s easy to get flustered when you’re trying to move home. Getting out of a rented home and into one you own can complicate things too. There are a few things to remember when you move house if you want to stay organised. The earlier you start planning and preparing for your move, the easier it will be to get into your new home. Ask for help from family and friends if you need it, or hire movers to help you out. It’s better to have a solid plan and take your time than to try and rush your move.

Compare Utilities

When you rent your home, you can switch your utilities, but many tenants don’t realise this. If you’ve never done it before, it might feel a bit unfamiliar to have a choice when you move into your own home. But you need to get all of your utilities and services hooked up, so it’s a good idea to take a close look at what’s available. You’re in control – at least as far as which suppliers are available in your area. Use a comparison site to take a look at the best suppliers for you. It’s helpful if you know your usage regarding electricity, gas or other utilities so you can compare things accurately.

Take on the Responsibilities of Being a Homeowner

Now that you’re a homeowner, you need to take on some new responsibilities. Of course, there’s paying your mortgage but that shouldn’t be too different to paying rent. Set up an automatic payment to make sure it gets paid each month. You’re also responsible for the maintenance of your home. If the boiler breaks or the roof needs fixing, it’s up to you to sort it out. Having savings available to deal with these things is essential. You should also have insurance for your property and its contents.

Moving into your first owned home is a big deal. Make the transition smoother by being as organised as possible.

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LD Home // Let There Be Light!

On the 28th October the clocks will go back (spring forward, fall back – it’s the only way I can remember it) and that means we’re going to get into the cosy lighting stage of the year. 

You know, when it gets dark early and we need hundreds of beautiful scented candles to light the way. 

Don’t tell me that’s just me. I won’t believe you. 

I am candle obsessed. Obsessed I tell you. I have at least 3 in every room. Some haven’t been used (yet) because their first burn has to be for a minimum of 4 hours, otherwise they’ll never burn evenly and that is highly annoying. If you’re a candle rebel and don’t follow this rule, then I’m not sure we can be friends anymore. 

Obviously, you can’t live you whole life by candlelight. Because, well, it would be dangerous no? Imagine – chopping up the veggies for a roast in the dark. All kinds of accidents waiting to happen. So, you know, lightbulbs and all that. 

We’re (I say we, I mean me) trying to go greener now we’ve moved. We have more room for recycle & food bins. I’m trying to use my tumble dryer less, grow my own herbs more, and, I am desperately trying to reduce the amount of energy we use (and money we spend!)

LED Hut have a huge range of LED bulbs which are meant to be money saving geniuses – so we’re all over that. I am not, and never will be a fan of energy saving bulbs that take 3 hours to increase to a level bright enough to actually see what you’re doing, but I’m sure we’re coming on leaps and bounds in that area. 

There’s certainly a time and a place for low level lighting, but there’s also times when you need bright and beautiful. Our dining room for example, is now a place for romantic dinners for two (if we ever get to be alone again) and homework battle central. We have a GCSE’r in the family this year (holy crapping hell) and all the revision is being done downstairs, in the dining room, where I can make sure it’s going to plan. So the candles go out and the big lights go on. 

We almost need a few different light settings for each room – depending on what’s happening in there. And of course, we need a few more candles and a very lovely lampshade to compliment the new dining room…..

 

 

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LD Spirituality // The Meaning Of Angel Numbers

If you follow me on Instagram you have probably seen me banging on about Angel Numbers on many an occasion. 

I am crazily into anything and everything a little bit spiritual and mystical, I could tell you exactly when the next full moon will fall and what new moon we’re currently in (Virgo, if you’re interested) and I bloody love anything to do with Angel Numbers. So much so, that my 9 year old and one of his best friends now all shout out when they see Angel Numbers, wherever they are, which pleases my best friend greatly! 

Angel Numbers 

Have you ever found yourself seeing the same numbers over and over again? Or, more importantly, the same numbers repeated? The most famous of Angel Numbers is 11:11, but they’re all just as important as each other, and all have their own meanings. 

I, without fail, every single day will spot 15:15, 16:16, and 20:20. My husband likes to think it’s because I’ve primed my brain to look at the clock at those times, but I disagree (naturally!) and, besides, I even see them on clocks which are set to the wrong time, I see them on TV, in books, it’s all magical you see! 

Side note, whenever I text my husband at one of the Angel times, eg: 15:15! He will wait precisely one minute and text back “15:16” because he’s annoying like that. 

Messages

These Angel Numbers all have their own messages, and the fact that they’re repeating is designed to grab your attention, so you’ll find out what that message is and maybe lead yourself to an answer you’ve been searching for. For example, the meaning behind 222 is telling you to sit up and take note – the Universe is trying to get your attention! 

222 often appears when doubts, anxiety or fear has begun to creep into your mind, and you’re avoiding doing the work you need to. So practice self-trust and believe in your intuition!

Whereas the number 1515 is all about having a positive outlook and focussing on the things that really matter. This message is trying to get you to think about the good things you want to achieve in life, and think about them a lot, because then you’re well on the road to manifesting them. See? Bloody.Magical! 

If you’ve ever wondered what the meanings are behind these numbers, you can google them pretty much instantly and you’ll be sucked into a whole world of meaning. Or maybe that’s just me. 

What Angel numbers are you always spotting? 

 

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Every year, I find myself eagerly waiting to find out the Pantone chart for the colour trends due that season, and although this years choice was more of a lime shade than emerald green, there’s no denying that this rich forest colour is making a bold impression in the interiors world.

Those a bit shy of colour may find the idea of investing in something so bold a little scary, but there’s really no need. Here are my top ways to incorporate elegant emerald green pieces into any space.

A Feature Wall

LD Style// Shade Of The Season - Emerald Green

Easy to do yourself and, actually, quite an inexpensive way to revamp a tired room, creating a deep emerald feature wall is really simple with a few licks of paint. I love this rich shade by trusty Dulux; it glides on beautifully and is stain resistant – ideal if you’ve got little ones with sticky fingers running about!

A Bold Green Sofa

LD Style// Shade Of The Season - Emerald Green

Green sofas are going to be all the rage this season, and I’ve wanted one for ages! My favourites are the, plush velvet designs, and I’m particularly partial to a traditional Chesterfield to really add a show-stopping finish to a living room. Because I love a bit of show stopping! 

If you do decide to indulge in a glorious green sofa, my one bit of advice, if you don’t like too much colour, would be to keep the rest of the room almost plain and pared-back to really let your couch take centre stage.

Emerald Accessories

For decorating wallflowers, there are always subtle emerald-hued accessories. These oh so tasteful tea light holders look effortlessly chic dotted around a coffee table or sideboard.

Likewise, I’ve fallen head over heels for these striking velvet cushions from Ikea. And at this price, you can probably (definitely) invest in a handful to scatter on your sofa or bed for an instant luxurious update. Or both!

Tasteful Tiles

I first spotted emerald tiling on my daily browse on Pinterest. Used primarily in bathrooms, gorgeous green tiles lend an undeniably glamorous vibe to your W.C.

Matched with millennial pink, my mind instantly drifts to 1950s Miami – I’m thinking of the Beverly Hills Hotel, Hollywood film stars from times gone by, and all the other kitsch interiors inspiration that I love. A trend I’m definitely going to try in my own home.

Image Source: Sofa /Walls 

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