Category: Lifestyle

1. Top Tips for Getting Outside & Active This Spring

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 21st Mar 2018

   The majority of us could benefit from spending more time outdoors. However, knowing this and doing something about it are two totally different things. If you’re determined to make a change but you’re unsure where to start, here you’ll discover some great ways to get active outdoors.

   

   Take up a new hobby

   What better way to renew your love of the outdoors than by getting involved in a new hobby? There are plenty of outdoor hobbies you can partake in which will help to get you fitter. Tennis, football, archery and even golf are all great examples of outdoor active hobbies. Golf may not seem like the best type of physical activity, but the amount of walking you’ll do as you work your way around the course is surprising.

   The point is to find an outdoor activity you actually enjoy. That way, you’re more likely to stick at it and you won’t need as much motivation to get outdoors.

   Join a club

   If you don’t trust yourself to stick to a new hobby and you need a little motivation (this might be me), why not join a club? This won’t just get you more active outdoors, it will also potentially boost your social life. There’s all kinds of clubs you can join too from running clubs to tennis clubs – whatever activity you’re into, you can bet there’s at least one club you can join.

   You could even get the family involved and take up classes such as skating. Skateboarding is a popular activity for kids, but it can be surprisingly fun for adults too. You’ll just need a few bits of equipment to get started such as a high-quality skateboard, but if you shop at stores such as SkateHut, it won’t break the bank. 

   

   Get walking

   Of course, one of the best ways to get active outdoors is to go walking. This again has multiple benefits. You won’t just get more active, but you’ll experience all of the benefits of being out in nature. Did you know you can experience life-changing benefits simply from walking just 30 minutes a day?

   As you can see, there’s a lot of ways you can get more active outdoors. Whatever your interests and fitness level, there’s always something enjoyable you can do to improve your health and fitness. Getting outdoors more will also boost your Vitamin D levels, which in turn will benefit your overall health.

   

   You never know, you might see me walking the school run in the mornings yet .......

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2. 5 things to do to prepare yourself for Easter school holidays

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 20th Mar 2018

   Just how quickly has this last term disappeared? Really. January seemed to last the length of a zillion months, and now here we are, waltzing into April, in the blink of an eye. So with the Easter holidays just around the corner, let’s take a look at five essential tips for nailing this seasonal holiday and not have to look into hair transplantation because the kids have made you pull your hair out this Easter.

   

    

   1.    Be ready to battle the beast

   With more snow set to fall over Easter weekend, this year may be less daffodils and baby chicks, more snowmen and sledging. You're going to have to turn all those Easter best bits on their head, and give them an icy twist. Wrap up warm and head outside for your seasonal shenanigans, as we’re apparently in for the coldest Easter on record. Winter really isn’t letting things go this year, is it?! But, one thing’s for sure, should it snow, it’ll be a year to remember.

   2.    Pinterest is your friend

   Whether snow pummels the UK or not, Pinterest is the-absolute-one at Easter. Get yourself on there, scour the app for craft ideas, makes and bakes. From egg decorating to chocolate nest cakes, you might even want to make bonnets, bunting or something a little more weird and wonderful. Come snow, rain, and shine, kids love crafts, and they’re a great way to spend time together and fill any school holiday lulls. You know, the ones when the kids are running riot and declaring war against one another? Then.

   3.    Ditch the dinner

   Do you really need to put yourself through the stress of cooking Easter dinner for the entire family. Either keep it small and sweet, rustling up a storm (weather puns unintended) for your household, or ditch the idea altogether. If you’re getting together with friends or extended family over Easter, say no to the nonsense and book a table at a lovely country pub. Just imagine. How lovely, especially so if the surrounding grounds are covered with a dusting of snow. Beautiful. Why bother with anything else?

   

   4.    Execute the egg hunt

   Don’t let a little bit of snow stop you! This is the time to really rev up your plans for the white Easter weekend. The egg hunt has to happen, but don’t forget to make the most of the snow. Perhaps hide plastic eggs in, under and around the snow, that your littlies can swap for chocolate. Extra sweet treats should certainly be available for building snowbunnies and snowchicks, of course!

   5.    Take time out

   Cooking, crafts, carefully planned activities, Easter can be discreetly hectic, don’t you forget it. Plan time out to just stay at home, snuggled up with your youngsters, the dog, and a big blanket. Stick an Easter film on, crack the eggs open, and enjoy. Without the pent-up pressure of Christmas, the Easter hols and a time when you will be forgiven for forgoing get-togethers. Enjoy time at home, doing nothing, recuperate and recharge.

   After all… summer term is ready and waiting, and we all know what havoc that wreaks.

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3. Birthday Presents for Dads – For the Man Who Has Everything

   Posted on 5:15pm Monday 26th Feb 2018

   Although Christmas is now a distant memory, there are other occasions that pop up throughout the year where we find ourselves buying gifts for our nearest and dearest. One such occasion is birthdays that come up all year around, but when it is your boyfriend/husband or father, you have to step up and go that one step further. It is my husbands birthday next month so am already on the present trail quest!

   If it feels as though the man you are buying for has everything that you can think of, then you really do need to knuckle down and put some real thought into what you can gift. From stunning jewellery to fun gadgets, here are some suggestions for birthday gifts for the man who has everything.

   

   Drones – Keep Away from Children

   If the man in your life has a love for all things electrical, then the chances are that they will absolutely love a drone that they can fly around. These are not children’s toys and can hurt if they fly into you, potentially causing serious injuries.

   Make sure that any drone is used safely and responsibly, ensuring that children are kept at a safe distance. Even small drones that can fit in the palm of your hand can leave a nasty cut. When flown by a responsible adult, drones can provide lots of fun for recreational pilots.

   Fashion Accessories

   Does the man that you are buying for keep up with the latest fashion trends? Would he classify himself as a modern gentleman, taking pride in his appearance? If so, then you won’t go far wrong by gifting accessories such as jewellery that can be brought out for special occasions.

   Perhaps your boyfriend/husband has a wide range of shirts and ties that he likes to wear for nights out? If so, how about complimenting his look with a set of gold cufflinks or a simple yet effective tie pin that he can wear to finish off his outfit?

   Getaway for Two

   When was the last time that you got away, just the two of you? If you struggle to answer that question, or even if you don’t, surprising your man with a getaway for two is a fantastic gift. Just make sure that you have childcare sorted before you book – you wouldn’t want to spend money on a trip for two only to find out that you have to cancel as your babysitter has cancelled.

   The beauty of going away as a couple is that you don’t necessarily have to go very far at all. In fact, an overnight stay in a neighbouring city can be all that you need for a romantic break. After all, when the two of you are together, does it really matter where you are?

   Experience Day

   If none of the above catches your fancy, how about organising an experience day for your other half? Imagine the look on your partner’s face when they open up a gift of a driving day at a race circuit such as Silverstone or Donnington, or a tour around their favourite sports stadium?

   Materialistic gifts can often be left on the shelf gathering dust for years, while an experience day creates memories that will last a lifetime. If you have a common interest, why not organise an experience day that you can do together?

   

   Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to buying a gift for the father of your children. If you are crazy enough about each other to start a family together, then he will probably love anything that you give him as he will appreciate the thought put into the gift.

   Fingers crossed anyway!

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4. The Secrets of Storage at Home

   Posted on 4:00pm Monday 26th Feb 2018

   One of the struggles of modern life is keeping a rein on all your possessions, so they don’t take over the house. From newspapers and magazines, to clothes, to DVDs, we accumulate more and more things over the course of our lives and if we don’t keep them properly organised they can swamp a home and leave it a frustrating and stressful place to live.

   Today we’re offering a few handy hints, tips and hacks to make sure you stay on top of your storage – and stop your clutter getting on top of you.

   Don’t Let It Drive You Up the Wall

   Using your walls effectively can give you a huge boost to your storage space. Shelves give you extra storage options, and help relieve the pressure on floors and fixed units in your flat, giving you more space to enjoy.

   

   You can also mount extra wardrobe rails to walls in alcoves, to give you extra clothes storage space, and hooks securely attached to the wall can provide a diverse array of storage for all things from your yoga mat to your bicycle!

   Find a Storage Unit

   If you really do have more than you can accommodate at home, but can’t bring yourself to part with the excess, it’s worth consulting local storage companies to see what they have to offer. Storage is not necessarily expensive and it can be the ideal solution if you have some bulky items left over you can’t house comfortably after a move.

   Choose the right storage company, and you could also get extra services included like free collection of your stored items and even free boxes! Boxes are surprisingly expensive and one of the great hidden costs of storage and packing so any company that absorbs this cost for you is worth looking into.

   If you’re interested in London storage, byStored offer some useful services, so take a look today!

   Sell Online

   If you’ve got excess clutter that’s in good condition that you’re happy to part with you, selling it online is a great idea! In fact, the sale of one of two big items may even subsidise the fees on storage for the things you really do want to keep!

   

   eBay is a good generalist online store you can sell through, but if you have some specific items you’re trying to sell, it might be worth finding some specialists communities as you may be able to sell them more quickly and at a higher price!

   Once you’ve slimmed down your collection of clutter, and got some creative storage solutions working, your home will be a carefully organised, relaxing place to spend your downtime.

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