Monthly Archives: January 2019

Jan 18 2019

How to make your home the ultimate Valentine’s Day venue

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We all love spending time together as a family, but sometimes the adults need a night to themselves. If you are unable to leave your house this Valentines Day then do not fear. There are so many ways that you can make your evening more special without having to leave your home. All it takes is a little thought, some effort and the willingness to have an amazing evening in. Check out our tips below and make your home the best Valentine’s Day venue ever this February!

Try to find a babysitter

First things first, find yourself a babysitter! Finding a babysitter is great because it means that you will have the one-to-one romantic night-in that you have been dreaming of. This sometimes isn’t possible when the kids are around. Make sure that you try to book your babysitter in advance to avoid them being booked up! Unfortunately, no matter how hard you may try, there just isn’t someone to look after the kids, but that’s okay. If you can’t find a babysitter then don’t worry, the kids have to fall asleep eventually!

Cook a gorgeous evening meal

One of the most romantic things in the world is having someone else cook you a meal. The thought and preparation that goes into it makes it really special. Try having one of you cook the main and one of you cook the desert to even out the load. Alternatively you can hire a gourmet chef to cook for you in your home. If there is no way that you can get out to a restaurant this valentine’s day then why not bring the restaurant to you? Oh, how romantic.

Wear something naughty

One of the best ways that you can spice up your Valentine’s night is by putting something a little revealing on. There are a range of products that you can buy that will definitely get him going (and vice versa, gentleman!). Whether you’re looking for a classy camisole, a beautiful baby doll look, or some luxury lingerie, you will be able to find the perfect thing with an Ann Summers promo code. Pair your outfit with some heels and sexy accessories and get your night on the go!

Flowers

Flowers are a traditional and classic way to show someone that you care. Filling your home with flowers to surprise your partner is a great way to make a Valentine’s night in more special than a valentines night out! Stock up on flowers this valentines day and make your home smell, feel and look gorgeous.

Fill your home with candles

Scented candles are the epitome of romance. Pick up some tea lights, candle jars and even fairy lights to give your home that really romantic feel. Low lighting and subtle music are known for helping to boost your relaxation and help both you and your partner to unwind. If you want to do something special for your other half but you are unable to go out, then filling the house with fairy lights, candles or glow in the dark stars is a really great way to boost the romance of the evening. Plus you can get great deals on all sorts of romantic lighting options when you use online discount sites like My Favourite Voucher Codes. So not only will you be hosting the best possible Valentine’s Day yet, but you will also be saving money as well.

Get your favourite drinks in

What is your partners favourite drink? Do they love some scotch on the rocks? Are they a fan of high quality botanical gin and tonic? Do they love a smooth glass of red? Whatever it is, make sure you get it in. Fill your glasses with some of your favourite alcohol to have the most romantic night ever. After all, it’s not as if either of you needs to drive home!

Look through old photos

One of the best ways to ignite a little romance and really make use of your home as a valentines venue is to crack out the old photos. Take a look at all of the pictures that you have together and reminisce on your funny, romantic and happy memories. This is a great way to remind both of you of all of the special times that you have had, and of all the special times that you will have. Now you wouldn’t get that in an over crammed restaurant!

Start writing your bucket list

We all have relationship goals, but it can be difficult to reach them once our daily lives take over. Take the time to sit down together and write down all of the things that you want to do together in the future. Whether you want to plan a Safari, show your spouse where you were born, visit family abroad or get a dog, writing it all down together - and event planning how you will do it - makes all of those dreams so much more realistic. This is a great way to get you and your partner connecting on your Valentine’s night in!

 

There are so many things that you can do to make your home the best valentines venue of them all. Really, who wants to spend a fortune on eating out when you can transform your home and have the most romantic experience yet! Make sure that you fill your home with candles and flowers, home cook a meal, look through old photos, create a bucket list and wear something a little bit naughty. But most importantly, get yourself a babysitter! May this valentine’s day be your most romantic one yet!

 

Jan 17 2019

Five ways you can work from home as an expectant or new mother

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Having a baby is said to be the most exciting time of your life. It’s a dream scenario for many women – have a baby so that your family is complete. However, how does it affect your working life? Regulations including the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulation of 1999 are in place to protect a person who requires a career break to look after a new born. In some unfortunate circumstances, people may find that they are discriminated in their workplace and any career progression is also affected. Elsewhere, some discover that their priorities change, and they want to take a different career path. Then, there are those who simply require more money during their leave.

In this article alongside Babythingz, who stocks the double buggy, we take a look at what options expectant and new mothers have to work at home.

Photo by Alejandro Escamilla on Unsplash

Why work from home?

The idea of working from home appeals to many in Britain. In fact, flexible and remote working are two of the most sought-after benefits for people looking for a new full-time role. Surveys have found that the nine-to-five regime is disliked by nine out of 10 workers in the UK. The concept of remote working can give you control over your schedule and allow you to avoid the long commutes, both of which can improve your work/life balance.

So, other than requesting remote working to their current employers, what ways are available to parents who want to work from home?

Freelance writing

The writing industry offers a great opportunity for a wordsmith to work from home. Those who are journalists or PR experts can continue to work in a freelance environment thanks to technological advancements and the internet.

Journalist and blogger, Davina Gordon, said: “Freelancing while on maternity leave enables me to express myself as a creative individual while also boosting my income. I plan to be a working mum and I believe it’s possible to be both a great mother and have a great career. The happier and more fulfilled I feel, the better mum I’ll be, and my son deserves the best version of me.”

Social media is rife with specially created freelance groups to help editors reach out to freelance writers. Sites like Fiverr can also provide great opportunities with subscribers able to bid on work projects.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Graphic design

In a similar fashion to freelance writing, graphic designers can continue to pick up freelance work during their maternity leave. Many small businesses can’t afford to hire a full-time employee for this role so continuously look to outsource any work they need completing. Once again, sites like Fiverr can be a great place to pick up projects.

Buying a franchise

This may sound like hard work, but it doesn’t have to be. Many parents hate the idea of being away from their new addition. While franchises, such as McDonald’s, Subway and other huge brands may be out of the question, why not look a little closer to home? You may find that you have attended, or will be attending, baby classes with your child. Did you know that the majority of these ideas are actually small franchises, meaning you may be able to run your favourite class?

This means that you’ll be able to run as many classes in your selected area and also be available for party hire, meaning you can earn while also taking your little one along with you!

Set up your own business

It may be seen as the riskiest of options. Setting up a business can financially be tough at the start. In fact, eight out of 10 new companies cease to exist within 18 months. However, with the correct idea it can be a great option to staying at home for work.

Kate Greenhalgh, founder of date-night suggestion company A Year of Dates, set up her own business when her daughter was nine months old following a Christmas gift her husband had made her. Originally, the work was completed during nap times and in the evenings. However, she had decided she didn’t want to go back to making the hour-long commute to her account manager job, or be required for last minute late-night work, so had a lightbulb moment to set up the company.

While she admits that her day is still jam-packed, she realises that the benefits outweigh the negatives. “My time is my own,” she says. “I can go to meetings and networking events which has been great for opening important doors. I can also pick my daughter up from nursery, take her to gymnastics and spend quality time with her.”

Online customer support

Many start-ups and established companies look out for someone to be able to connect with their customers. You can work at home to respond to incoming emails through online systems, and reply to support requests, especially on social media.

Of course, there are more options available, but the above are a few great examples of how to achieve that all-important work/life balance following your new arrival. While money is an extremely important factor when you have a child, it’s important to remember to cherish the memories while you can and working at home can go a long way to achieving this.

 

Jan 9 2019

The value of a smile

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I recently got in a spot of bother on Facebook for taking a casual swipe at the amount of pouty profile pics on my friends’ feeds. Although it was totally tongue-in-cheek, my status got some 100 comments, with a couple of people suggesting I was “unfairly judging” and “damaging (their) self-esteem”. It did (eventually) blow over with only a handful of acquaintances sending me to Blockdom, but nevertheless, it has me wondering just when a traditional smile went so out of Vogue.

Having recently polled a few particularly pouty mates, “not liking their teeth” is the most common reason given for all the Blue Steel poses. All of them have teeth, yet they claim they’re not white or straight enough to be Tinder-worthy. This, despite the fact I’ve had numerous night’s out with these ladies, and they’ve never looked more sexy than when they’re laughing.

Don’t get me wrong, I can see their point. With all these naff filters making the rounds, it’s far easier to take a pouty pic nowadays, than it is to take something natural. It’s a trend I’ve deliberately resisted, despite some anxiety over my own teeth. Thankfully my views seem to be shared by the majority of men out there as my aforementioned post was given the thumbs up by 100% of male respondents.

Like most people in their thirties, I’m paranoid about the colour of my teeth. Although I don’t drink tea or coffee, having vowed to never drink white wine again, and switched to red, my gnashers are now decidedly less Hollywood, and more Dallas. Yet as I have sensitive teeth, the thought of bleaching them frightens me, and given the state of our finances, Craig is almost certain to leave me if I nipped to Harley Street to have them laser-whitened. (… I’m saving this particular “can I have…” until he slips a ring on my finger!).

I’m also not a massive fan of my two front teeth. I think they stick out a little, and are wider and longer than the rest of them. I’m pretty sure this can be corrected via a few cosmetic appointments, but again, until my wedding day, I can cope with the quirkiness of them. Hey, if it’s good enough for Madonna, right?

So am I just more blasé about my appearance than my mates? Or maybe I’m just more comfortable in my own skin. Or maybe, just maybe, my teeth aren’t that bad.

I don’t want people to think I’m not an advocate of cosmetic dentistry. Far from it. In fact, one of those big front teeth I’m not so keen on, well it’s a crown. Yep, due to an alcohol-fuelled misadventure in my teens, I once famously sat on a picnic bench so heftily it flipped up and whacked me full frontal in the face. Thankfully, a quick emergency call to Daddy for some cash the next morning saw me pounding my mobile for a cosmetic dentist to fix my cracked tooth that day.

The whole experience opened my eyes to the miracles that dentists perform day in and day out. We’d all be forgiven for thinking that when a tooth decays, cracks or slips out of alignment, that little can be done. After all, we all know someone who seems beyond redemption. But the sheer quality and availability of dental services out there today, means no smile can’t be fixed or transformed. My wishlist may still be just that, but when I win the lottery, I’m booking myself into the dentist’s chair, getting a boob reduction, and hiring a personal trainer the very next day.

Yet still, Facebook is full of lies. We turn to our best side, avoid anything below the shoulders to hide those pesky lbs we’ve put on, and keep our mouths closed. Turn on some Disney-esque filter and we have flower halos above our heads, our eyes and lashes have been enlarged some 20%, and a cute animal nose sits atop ours. I struggle to make out who half my friends on Facebook are thanks to Snapchat filters!

So I’m sticking by my guns. I’m not judging anyone, it’s not my place to tell you what you post to Facebook, Instagram or anywhere else. But I’m bringing smiles back. Big, wide, eye-creasing smiles. My smile, that is unique to me. So no one, even when I eventually change my surname to Craig’s, won’t know who I am, and just how happy I am being me.

What do you guys think? Partial to the odd pout? Let me know in the comments

xxx ‘Til next time! xx

 

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