
Monday, 1 March 2021
February's Lockdown Teen Style with Femme Luxe

Friday, 26 February 2021
Feeling Thankful in February Lockdown
I'm pleased to report that my mood is much improved since the last time I wrote a reasons to be cheerful post. The announcement on Monday that the UK has a plan for the next few months has really boosted me. I can't wait to be able to see my parents, go to church, travel for a break away and have a meal out. I don't do lots of extravagant or expensive things in life but I do really enjoy the simple things and I can't wait to enjoy them all again.
That said, I have been still looking for the silver linings in this lockdown and have many blessings to count -
* As I tided the kitchen this morning I watched a kestrel flying overhead, a pheasant wandering past my window and a then bunny hopping by and I reflected on how much I love living in the countryside.
* I helped with community meals today at church and it was great to have a chat with a few people.
* Our little cat is being very affectionate with me at the moment, I still marvel at the fact that I now like cats.
Sunday, 21 February 2021
Top Tips for Buying Perfect Age-Appropriate Presents for Children
Set your budget
What kind of gift do you want to give?
Thursday, 18 February 2021
Period Pants from ModiBodi - Perfect for Stress-Free Periods
Maxi-24hrs Absorbency Pants for Adults and Youths
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
Planning a Short Break in Hampshire - The Test Valley or South Downs National Park?
![]() |
Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay |
Saturday, 13 February 2021
Pensions Advice to Help Tackle the Gender Pension Gap
![]() |
Image by Alexander Kliem from Pixabay |
{This post was commissioned by Profile Pensions and Mumsnet}
Did you know that the average person who takes pensions advice will increase their pension wealth by £31k? (1) That is a pretty massive amount, right? If you live frugally that is enough to keep you going at least another couple of years, or maybe you want to splash a good amount of it on a once-in-a-lifetime world cruise or the car of your dreams. Whatever it is that you choose to do with your money, there is no denying that £31K can make a big difference to the average person's life.
The Gender Pension Gap
Friday, 12 February 2021
Sustainably Surviving 2021: Buying Used Cars!
![]() |
Image by Dũng Nguyễn from Pixabay |
{This is a collaborative post}
The
coronavirus pandemic has affected every country on earth and almost everyone
has felt the impact in one way or another, whether that is directly or
indirectly. And most of the direct impact has been financial – even for those
who have lost loved ones to the virus, money worries have also surfaced in the wake
of their bereavement.
A Warning
Some people are taking the pandemic as something of a warning from nature, fed up
with humans exploiting the resources of the planet, and sadly, all too often,
wasting them! From being an instant gratification population who sees something
new and wants it, often discarding last week's 'must-have' items in order to
make space for it, we must turn, or so the experts say, into people who are a
great deal thriftier with what we have been. Learning to recycle, reuse and
repurpose our items instead of continuing the never-ending quest for newer,
bigger and better material possessions is essential.
Driving Force
One of the ways that we can each make a dramatic difference to our impact on the environment, and quite coincidentally save money at the same time, is by opting to buy a used car rather than a new one. There are many advantages to getting a used car that are often overlooked in the tempting allure of a shiny new vehicle, but consideration of these advantages is actually worth a moment or two of your time.
Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Lockdown Exercise Options Recommended by Teenage Girls
![]() |
Miss E is enjoying her resistance bands from Neon Sheep |
This lockdown seems to be so much harder than the original one last Spring and as such motivation can be lacking to get outside and do all the things we enjoy and most importantly keep us fit and are good for our bodies and minds.
I'm lucky that my twin girls have been enjoying having the time to focus more on their fitness but it is just such a shame it keeps raining so much at the moment. I asked my girls to share what they (and their teenage friends) have been doing to exercise during this lockdown -
Chloe Ting Workouts on YouTube
Miss E is loving the Chloe Ting workouts, there is a massive variety and they all seem easy to do from home, all you need is an exercise mat. There are workouts to target all areas of your body and challenges that last a few weeks, so the variety is good and will keep you going for some time. Best of all, her content is all free.
Miss E didn't have an exercise mat so she was chuffed when Neon Sheep sent her a grey yoga mat for use when she is exercising. She was also really pleased that it is a good size, as at 5ft 7" tall she wondered if it would be long enough for her. This lightweight mat is currently on sale at £10.
The Body Coach Workouts
Joe Wicks, AKA The Body Coach is another person with a great YouTube channel. My girls were keen for me to emphasise that it is not the PE with Joe Wicks that teens like but his other workouts, especially the 7 days of sweat. Have a look on his chancel and again, you'll see a great variety of workouts.
Roller skating
Miss E loves to rollerskate and this is great for your core strength and general balance. It's something you can do alone or with friends and you don't need much space outside. Paths, parks or cycle trails are all good places to go skating and if you manage to improve your skills during lockdown, it will be useful for when the roller discos open up again later in the year.
Yoga
Yoga is not only great for helping with your physical fitness, but it is also a wonderful way to help calm and centre yourself. You can feel the stress leave you and a new sense of mental clarity take over, which is just perfect for this unpredictable and stressful time we find ourselves in.
We have been using Yoga with Adriene on YouTube and again it is free content. She has a great 30-day program on there at the moment, called Breath. Miss E is loving the cute little pink yoga socks from Neon Sheep, they are £3 and have little rubber dots on the bottom to ensure you don't slip.
She also received these workout leggings and matching bra top. The leggings are available in size XS to L and they retail at £19.99. Miss E is wearing a size medium. They have sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties and Miss E says they have been really comfortable to wear. I can confirm they have also washed well too. The sports bra is available in the same size range and sells for £16.99. I really like the mesh detailing on the back and it gives good support in the bust area.
Cycling
Cycling is another great form of exercise during this lockdown as you can do it alone or with members of your family. Or even meeting with one other person for the purpose of exercise outside. Start small if you haven't cycled for a while as you may find you'll ache in odd places the day after and then slowly build up your stamina, distance and route.
Going for a Run
The Couch to 5K app is really useful for people just starting out on their running journey, as it gives you a safe way to build up how far you'll run and with what intensity. Of course, your teen may already be quite fit and not need an app like that, but always remember to do some stretches and a short warm-up before any exercise.
Footwear is the most important thing when running so make sure it is comfortable, well-fitting and not too heavy on the foot. Then why not grab a running armband to put your phone in and head off to enjoy some music or a podcast as you take in the fresh air.
Create your own Workout
There are loads of great article out there about creating your own HIIT workout and it is easy to do this as you don't need any equipment. You can even use a site like Interval Timer to plan your time intervals and have an auditory reminder of when it is time to change activities.
Miss M likes to plan circuits with her twin. So she'll get out any exercise equipment they have like a gym ball, weights, kettlebells or resistance bands and then they decide which exercises they'll do in which order and sort times out. This kind of workout is good as you can change it every time and it stays fresh and fun. It is also nice to do it with another member of your family, as you can then have a bit of friendly competition and compete against each other.
You can see Miss E with a resistance band in the very top photo. This is one of a set we received from Neon Sheep. For £12.00 you receive five different length/ resistance bands, a door anchor, 2 padded foam hand grips and 2 ankle straps, all supplied in an easy to carry nylon bag.
There really are so many ways to keep fit during lockdown, it doesn't have to be boring and even if the rain never lets up you can exercise in your house or even the garage if you want a bit of fresh air but to stay dry.
Do share with us any different ways you've been keeping fit during lockdown.
Why not pin this post for later?
Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Reading and Bonding During Lockdown
![]() |
Image by 2081671 from Pixabay |
Reading and Schooling
Monday, 8 February 2021
Enjoying Lockdown in Femme Luxe Loungewear
{This is a paid collaboration with Femme Luxe}
As we're all spending so much time at home right now, loungewear is definitely the order of the day. My teenage girls have been spending their days in fluffy pyjamas and tracksuits, so when Femme Luxe got in touch and asked if I'd like to collaborate again, the girls were over the moon. Last year they had some great T-shirts from them and they are wearing and washing really well.
I have to admit that as a larger lady it's not a site I've ever had a look at, their clothes are definitely for the smaller and more trendy lady. Some items go up to a 16 but many just seem to go up to a size 14 and it is one of my pet peeves when clothing manufacturers call a size 12/14 an XL. You can't possibly call a size woman extra-large, but I'll save my rant for another day as this post is about the clothes the girls have received and they do actually really like those.
Trendy Loungewear
Friday, 5 February 2021
Stylish and Practical Black Praper Backpack from Gaston Luga: Review
Ordering & Delivery with Gaston Luga
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Spa Day at Bannatyne Hastings During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Here are some of the deals I've bagged in the last couple of years via Wowcher:
- £29.99 for day spa access and 25-minute treatment
- £69 for day access for 2 people and 3 mini treatments each
- £49 for day spa access and 3 treatments
- £95 for day access for 2 people and 4 mini treatments each
I shared my thoughts on a day spa visit that my husband and I took in January 2019 and this is now an updated review on how a half-day spa went for me in December 2020 between the two lockdowns in the UK. This was my early Christmas present from my parents and I went alone. After doing lots of spa days with friends and my husband I actually think I enjoy the days I go alone the best, as I only have myself to suit and I do love to relax and read.
Bannatyne Hastings
The centre itself feels more like a gym/ sports centre than a traditional spa, so make sure you have the right expectations when you book for here. If you want the kind of experience you'd get at Champneys then I'd say don't bother. On the last two or three visits, the reception staff have seemed pretty new and not very clued up. I've even had a couple of rude ones and certainly, it appears, some like to chat with each other more than help you, but I take it with a pinch of salt as the actual spa and the treatments I've received on every occasion have been exceptional.
Thursday, 28 January 2021
Tips for Planning a Long Weekend in London
{This is a collaborative post}
January is my bookings month, it is when I make plans for the year ahead. Where will the family go on holiday? Will I treat anyone to a weekend away for a special occasion? Should my hubby and I have a romantic getaway? It's the same every year, the minute Christmas is out of the way I am on my mission; it is as if the next year feels better for having some trips away planned.
Of course, last year turned out to be a series of disappointments on the going away front. I can't even begin to tell you how many wonderful occasions and trips were cancelled but I am feeling far more optimistic for this year ahead and being able to have some amazing times away from home.
The one trip I missed the most was my annual mother and daughter trip to London for Mothers Day. My Mum and I have chosen to spend our Mothers Day weekend together for a number of years now, and we've decided that this year has to be bigger, better and longer to make up for missing out on our 2020 break. Realistically we're not going to have our break in March this year as who knows what will be happening with lockdown and tiers but I feel confident to book for a July break to tie in with my Mums birthday too. A double whammy celebration!
Here are my tips for booking a long leisure weekend away in London. I think we are going to have at least 3 or even 4 nights this year -
Book your Travel about 12 weeks in Advance
Once you have your dates set, think about how you'll be getting into London. My Mum and I always use the train, as it means we don't have to think about parking and we can travel from different areas and meet easily at one of the stations. I think one of the 1/3rd off discount rail travel cards are worth it if you'll travel a few times in a year and look to book your tickets about 12 weeks in advance, as you'll often find advance or super-saver return tickets then and can bag a bargain.
I look forward to my hour train journey as the start of my stay away. A time when I can read a book and shake off the realities of home and work.
![]() |
Image Credit: SITU |
Book a Serviced Apartment rather than a Hotel
When Mum and I stay away we always want it to be somewhere a little luxurious and not just a functional but boring hotel room. I'd really advocate checking out serviced apartments as somewhere to stay in London. Not only will you have a comfortable bed to lay your head at night but you'll also have a lounge area, well-equipped kitchen, clothes washing facilities, Wi-Fi and so much more. Serviced apartments are a home away from home and depending on the length of your stay they generally have a housekeeping service too.
I spent a happy hour on the SITU website planning where Mum and I might stay in June and I was really surprised at the great places that came up. I had a budget of £100 per night in my head and didn't really expect to find anything nice, but there was a good selection within that price range and I am booking The Gloucester Road Escape apartment that came up at just £332 for 4 nights stay. I think that's a great price.
I've been very pleasantly surprised and I'll be using SITU again to choose an apartment next time my family all go to stay in London as they have a very large range with many multi-bedroom serviced apartments, not just in London but all across the UK and further afield too. Do have a look at SITU Serviced Apartments if you fancy staying in a serviced apartment in London.
Saturday, 23 January 2021
Surviving Home Schooling and Feeling Thankful #R2BC
Time to sit down and bash out my little dose of positivity. It's been a good couple of weeks, and I've managed to get out a couple of times - nowhere particularly exciting of course but it still counts and it's good for my soul.
I've been feeling really thankful this last week and that is amazing as it is like a drug to me, soothing me, reminding me that things will be OK, and we can all get through this.
Here is a list of just some of my reasons to be thankful -
- The girls are getting on with their homeschooling (in the main!) and the most frequent thing I have to do is jivvy them along and threaten consequences if they don't knuckle down and get on with the work.
- You can tell the school/ teachers are now more confident with teaching remotely as most of their resources are in Google classroom and thus easy to access and the girls are having a few live lessons every day too.
- My JJ is a treasure, he just gets on with his college work and is really self-motivated. He's such a good lad and is happy to help the girls too if they need it. That sure helps me as I have no idea bout most GCSE maths or science.
- Miss E is constantly on Facetime with a girl from school and they seem to be establishing a really lovely and deep friendship during this lockdown. I pray it continues when they return to school.
- We had to take the cat to the vets for a check-up as he was bitten last month and he is healing well, this meant Miss E and I got out and we could get a cheeky McDonalds drive-through.
- We've found out some stuff that has been going on for one of our twins and it is difficult stuff (I won't go into it) but I am so pleased to now know and to be able to offer her support. We've talked more and spent more time together this week, which is very good.
Thursday, 21 January 2021
Practical Tips for Living with Allergies
{This is a paid collaboration with Klarify}
With over 44% of British adults now suffering from at least one allergy (1), it is high time that we all had better information, support and help for our allergies. As a child of the 70s and 80s, it was literally a couple of kids in my class who had asthma or suffered from food allergies or that was certainly how it seemed, but now so many of my children's classmates seem to have sensitivities, intolerances and allergies.
I do think it is good that we have much better information available to us nowadays and that product such as home allergy tests are so widely available. It is armed with good information that we're able to avoid the allergen triggers and help our homes remain a place of rest and respite.
If you're suffering from the classic allergy symptoms of red, itchy and watery eyes, running or blocked nose, sneezing, wheezing or cough, your first step needs to be identifying the source of your discomfort and this isn't always easy. Many allergies such as pet dander, pollen and house mite dust can produce the same or very similar symptoms and without diagnostic tests, you'll never know quite what to do. This can be very distressing if you have a beloved pet and you are unsure if they are the cause of your discomfort.
Talk to your GP initially and see if they are able to help, depending on the area and the severity of your symptoms they may offer testing such as skin prick or patch testing. If there is a long wait or they are not forthcoming you may choose to have an allergy blood test that you can perform yourself at home. This is a simple case of using a lancing device to prick your finger and 6 drops of blood need to be collected. Ths blood sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis and within a few weeks, you'll have the online results that you can discuss with your GP and decide on an appropriate way forward to improve the comfort of your everyday life.
Friday, 15 January 2021
Visiting Herstmonceux Castle and Gardens, East Sussex
The castle gardens and grounds will re-open 13th February 2021.
We've lived about a ten-minute drive from Herstmonceux castle for over seven years and had never yet visited it. We've been talking about going for quite some time and finally, in early October 2020 my husband and I headed over there and I am so glad we did, as it is lovely. Just as nice as many National Trust sites I've visited before and a good price too.
We paid £7 per adult to visit the gardens and grounds, and it would have been £17.50 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Normally you can have a tour of the castle, which is used as a study centre for the Queen's University in Canada, but not at the moment during the pandemic. It didn't matter though as there are 300 acres to explore and in nice weather, you could spend a number of hours here.
An Amazing Slice of History
Herstmonceux castle really is a beautiful example of a moated castle. It started to be built in 1441 to replace the original manor house that stood here. On completion, it was the largest private home in the country. It was lived in as a private dwelling for the next 300 odd years and started to fall into disrepair. It was remodelled in 1776 and then parts of the castle became a ruin, until 1911 when a new owner started a restoration project, which was finally completed in 1932.
Friday, 8 January 2021
Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu Recipe
{This is a collaborative post, this recipe has been provided to me for publishing}
Crispy salt and pepper tofu is an
ever-popular Chinese dish that we absolutely love. The contrast between the
crispy exterior and super silky interior of perfectly cooked tofu is hard to
beat and the subtle, classic flavours of simple salt and pepper is always a
winner in our books!
This delicious and easy crispy salt and pepper tofu recipe is an absolute
breeze to cook and is on the plate, ready to eat in just 35 minutes
(including preparation and cooking time!).
The crispy outer coating is achieved with a 100% vegan-friendly
cornstarch batter that gives an incredible flavour and texture to our favourite
ingredient in health-conscious cooking: tofu. We think cornstarch is much
nicer than frying tofu with flour and egg (not to mention that without the
egg, this recipe is vegan friendly) as it provides a much lighter batter for
a firm, crunchy crust that doesn’t overpower the tofu.
We also use white pepper in this recipe, commonly used in Chinese cuisine
due to its milder flavour that’s perfect for a delicious yet light crispy
salt and pepper tofu dish.
You can garnish your crispy salt and pepper tofu with a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper, some red pepper flakes, and/or a sweet chilli dipping sauce, or eat them fresh out of the frying pan as you prefer.
Sunday, 3 January 2021
Review: Ticket to Ride - Europe Board Game - Great for Teens
I first played the original Ticket to Ride board game about five years ago with some friends and I've been hooked ever since. I'm not quite sure why it took me until the first lockdown last year to actually buy it, but I am so glad I did as myself and the children have played it so many times. I am a bit dismayed that they can all beat me quite so easily but it is still a lovely way to spend time together.
There isn't that much that can bring all the family together for an hour or so, but this is one of them. Ticket to Ride Europe really is a hit with the teens, I suppose it is a game that is a great blend of strategy, fun and luck that only takes an hour or so.
Useful information
Recommended age: 8+ years
Number of payers: 2 - 5
Length of play: 30 - 80 minutes
Time to learn the rules: 10 - 15 minutes and the booklet is super easy to navigate
Time to set up the board: 5 minutes
Cost: You can normally pick the game up for around £30, although I notice it is sold out in many places as I publish this. The RRP is £39.99.
Aim of the Game:
To score the highest points by collecting and paying the coloured train cards, so you can place your train pieces on the board and complete the routes on your route cards.
I think having four players is my favourite for this game, as it offers a better level of challenge on which routes we all try to claim and makes the gameplay about an hour long. Basically, the gameplay on the Europe edition is the same as the original North America version but there are also a few added features like completing a tunnel, where you have to be lucky or you'll end up playing more cards than the train pieces you'll lay; taking a ferry, which requires you to have a certain amount of locomotive cards as well as the necessary coloured train cards; or using a station to give you access to a route that is already blocked by another players trains.
Tuesday, 29 December 2020
Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls
{This is a collaborative post, the recipe had been provided to me for publishing}
Cinnamon rolls are an excellent
breakfast alternative to porridge or cereal - everyone loves them, and it's easier than
you might think to make them.
This cinnamon roll recipe can easily
be prepared in your Dutch oven. If you aren't familiar with a Dutch oven, don't be fooled into thinking it is a massive piece of equipment that you need. You might just know it as an enamelled cast-iron casserole dish. Dutch ovens are
fabulous for baking as well as making main courses, as they distribute the heat
evenly.
You can make this cinnamon roll
recipe at home or even on your next camping trip. You can also make these rolls in
advance and chill them overnight for baking the next day if that suits your plans better.
This recipe serves 4-6 people.
Ingredients for the dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk, any kind
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant active yeast (typically one packet)
Ingredients for the filling
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Ingredients for the Icing
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Tuesday, 22 December 2020
Pre-Christmas Reasons to be Cheerful
Having just gone into tier 4 (practically lockdown) this past weekend it seems extra pertinent to write a Reasons to be Cheerful post and to try to focus on the good things going on in my life.
First off, the biggies - my family are all well, my friends are well, we have a lovely home, our heating got fixed and we are warm, we have enough food to eat and we can afford to pay our bills. In this time when people are losing loved ones, jobs and homes, I know we are very lucky to have all of those things still.
Then the next thing I am giving thanks for, is that I know Jesus. My faith makes a massive difference in my life and it is so much richer for it. We are also part of a super community-spirited church and we've had some great zoom church services, a quiz and met some other members online for a chat recently.
I'll share a few photos from other precious moments in the last couple of weeks -
* Decorating the tree with Miss E. Going for the mismatched but full of memories look
Friday, 18 December 2020
Tips for enjoying Christmas during a Pandemic
I did wonder if I should title this post - tips for surviving Christmas during a pandemic - but no, I figured I should be positive. For the great majority of us, we CAN enjoy Christmas and not just have to survive, endure or get through it this year.
We're still a week away from Christmas day and there is plenty of time for each of us to check ourselves and start changing our mindset from negative to positive. We know now that the rate of spread in the UK is still high and for many areas (especially London, the South East and Wales) the spread is rising exponentially. So, it is time for every one of us to act responsibly and to have the smallest, safest gathering possible this Christmas.
It won't be normal - there won't be boozy nights with friends, trips to the panto, ice skating with the kids or frantic sale shopping and now we know that for sure, it is time for us to accept it and make the best of what we have left. I'd like to suggest that we can still have a good time or even a great time and I wanted to share some tips for doing so.
Take a Positive View
My first suggestion and it applies to everyone is to look on the bright side. I know from personal experience and from being involved with the Reasons to be Cheerful gang for over a decade that looking for the good in a situation makes a difference. When you choose to be grateful and offer thanks for the things that you do have, it changes your mindset and it can easily become a habit. Of course, you have to be willing to put in the effort and I think it is good to write down each day the things you are thankful for. Aim for three a day and when you are struggling just seek one positive thing, even if it is as simple as - you have a home, warm clothes, food to eat. Start with the basics and keep recording what you are grateful for and your list and your heart will grow, I promise you.
A few years ago I wrote a post titled 'Keeping perspective: It's Just One Day After All!' where I talked about not following the crowd and remembering that Christmas is just a short snippet in time, and I think it is more important than ever this year to remember that. Don't spend money you don't have, mourn the things that are missing or be anxious over whether the turkey will be perfect. Try instead, to be calm, loving and present in the moment.
Oh and on the note of being positive, make a concerted effort to stay away from negative people during this time. You don't need anyone to steal your joy! You really can control your own thoughts and positive affirmations go a long way. I have a typed sheet on my mirror that reminds me of who I am, for me, it is about being a child of God and I focus on His promises but for you it might be more general affirmations like - I am a beautiful woman with a good heart, I am generous, I am loving, I will have a great Christmas day, I treasure time by myself. All the things you want to believe and need to hear, write down and say them aloud to yourself as you start the day.
Ideas to Refresh your Garden for Spring
{This is a collaborative post}
It might be dark and gloomy outside right now, but it won’t
be long before the nights start to draw out again and the first signs of Spring
arrive. So, even though you might not be
spending much time outside now, it’s worth thinking about giving your garden a
refresh ready for spring, you'll want some glorious colour to cheer you up by then.
You might be nodding right now and thinking, yes this is
what I should be doing. If so, here are some ideas to help you along.
Lay a patio or deck
If you don’t have a patio or decked area in your garden,
this might be worth considering. It
creates a handy area for socialising, BBQs, and just having a quiet cuppa. When laying a patio
or decking, make sure you’ve planned enough space to accommodate things like
seating, plants and your BBQ.
Create a pond or water feature
Water features have a nice calming effect and are always pleasing to look at. If you have time to create and maintain one, a pond is an excellent feature to have in the garden and you can enjoy the wildlife that a pond attracts too. But if you’re looking for something easier to manage, then a small water feature can work just as well, and they often add a very pleasant water trickle sound to your garden too.
Friday, 11 December 2020
Building a New Home? Things to Consider Before Starting
{This is a collaborative post}
Taking the decision to go down the self-build route to achieve the home of your dreams is an important one. Around 8% of all homes built are self-build according to Government statistics. There are several things to consider if you are going to go down this route; the following should help you make the project as smooth running as possible.
Consider your Budget
While your design is important, if you don’t know the expected cost of building a new home, you may be left with an unfinished property or worse, you need to request a loan to finish the property off. This is especially worrisome if your budget goes way above what you can afford. Things to consider in your budget include professional fees for architects, surveys of your proposed site, fees for planning permission as well as the building materials, tradespeople, and any connections you need to make to utilities. Then, of course, there is the cost of decoration and getting the perfect finish for your dream home.
Thursday, 3 December 2020
Reasons to be Cheerful - Advent, Cakes and Walks
1. Beautiful winters days, with amazing skies but not too cold.
2. Lockdown has finished and we are welcoming guests back to the centre where I live.
3. I had a great walk with a friend along Bexhill seafront, it was good to chat and enjoy a hot chocolate.
4. My girls filled an advent calendar for me and the first day was a little note saying 'I love you', it's very cute
Saturday, 28 November 2020
Tips for Remaining Confident as a Teenager with Psoriasis
Living with Psoriasis
Friday, 27 November 2020
Dreams for the Future, when I win the Lottery Jackpot
![]() |
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash |
{This is a collaborative post}
I have to admit it's been quite some years since I have actually played the lottery, but when it first launched here in the UK, I did play every week and I had a set of numbers that I always used. I won the odd £10 by matching three numbers and I think I even had four numbers once or twice but never more than that sadly. However, just because I don't play doesn't stop me dreaming of what I'd do with a really big win.
I don't think I'm alone there and I know I've played the 'what I'd do if I had a million pounds' game with friends before. I actually really enjoy spending an hour dreaming about what the future might hold if I have a whole load of money in my bank account. So here are the things I'd like to do if I win the lottery jackpot one day in the future.
Help Others
The first thing I know I want to do is help others. I know that sounds a bit cliche but as a Christian, it is important to me to serve and help others where I can. I'm not a saint, so it will need to be a project or business where I enjoy serving and working, rather than just selflessly giving, but it needs to be worthwhile. I've always had this dream that my husband and I would run a Christian conference centre somewhere in the UK, and he is sort of doing that now.
So I think my dream would now be slightly different. Still working with my husband and offering hospitality, but being more local community based. I could see myself investing in and managing a community centre that is really committed to helping its local people. I'd have a pastor and team on board to run the church side of things, but my husband and I could lead the outreach. We'd have a community cafe where locals can come for food, be that paid or gifted, people to chat and pray with them, a food bank, debt and job counselling, activities for the kids and youth and so much more.
I feel excited just thinking about this. Money is often the thing that holds these kinds of projects back and if I had my lottery win, there would be no need for it to feel limited by its resources. My background is in HR and training, so I'd really enjoy doing the practical parts of coaching people to help them get back into employment and leading training courses for parenting, assertiveness, time management. You name it, I want to give it a go!
Thursday, 26 November 2020
Save Money on Your Mobile Phone Bill, with Airtime Rewards, for UK Networks
![]() |
Image Credit: Airtime Rewards |
About six months ago I received an email from EE introducing me to Airtime Rewards. It's an app you can download, add your credit and debit card details to and it sits in the background and logs your spend with the participating retailers. You then earn rewards for every eligible purchase and those rewards become money that you can use as money-off your mobile bill. I've received £30 off my mobile phone bill in the last few months and considering I only spend £10 a month, that has been three months of free service for me!
I love getting things for free and I'm sure you do too, and Airtime Rewards comes without any hassle or risks so I knew I had to spread the word and let others know about it too. So here is my lowdown -
Which Networks are Eligible?
The easy answer is all the big ones. Three, EE, O2, Vodafone, giffgaff, Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile, ASDA Mobile, Lebara mobile, Lycamobile and Now PAYG. You can also use the reward for money off your pay monthly or pay-as-you-go contract.
How do I use Airtime Rewards?
Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Take The Stress Out Of Finding The Perfect Gifts
![]() |
Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash |
No matter what time of year it is, gifts are something that just about everyone can get excited about. Everyone loves giving and receiving presents. The issue that a lot of us end up facing is that it can often be a struggle to figure out what to get for each person. Even if you've known someone your entire life, you feel like you know everything about them, and you love them dearly, finding the perfect present can be tough. You don't just want to give them something they'll never use (or worse, throw away!) But at the same time, you don't want to spend massive amounts of money. Besides, it's not about the cost! The key is to think about who they are and what they might want! But if you're really struggling, here are a few things to consider when trying to find that perfect present.
Make it useful
Is the person you're buying for particularly practical? Do they do a lot of things themselves, whether it's cooking, crafting, or handiwork? Well then think about getting something that will actually be useful to them. If they love to make things themselves then getting them something that they can't use or do anything with could well mean it ends up at the back of a closet.
A gift that someone uses every day is not only going to be far more useful to them but it means that they have the chance to think about you as often as possible. It's the kind of gift that not only makes someone happy, but that also strengthens your connection to one another. Think about what interests they have and try to come up with something that can fit in with that interest, or even make enjoying it easier.