Showing posts with label me time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label me time. Show all posts

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

How to Choose the Right Press-On Nails for Your Nail Type

 

Image Credit: Pexels

{This is a collaborative post}


Choosing the right press-on nails can transform your manicure routine, offering an easy and stylish way to maintain beautiful nails. To find the perfect fit, consider your natural nail size and the shape that best complements your style. You can select press-ons that look seamless and natural by measuring your nails carefully. Some sizing methods involve simple tools like tape or sizing kits, making it easy to find your ideal match.

Shape and length are also key factors when selecting press-on. For longer nail beds, medium or long options often provide a more flattering appearance. Meanwhile, shorter nails may benefit from compact shapes. The right design should improve your natural nails rather than overpower them, guaranteeing a balanced look.

You can easily find the best press-on nails at Lilac St., or any other reputable brand, which offers a wide selection of stylish, easy-to-apply options. These nails are durable and available in stunning designs, perfect for any occasion. By choosing the right press-ons, anyone can effortlessly achieve a professional-looking manicure at home.

Identifying Your Nail Type

Understanding your nail type is key to choosing press-on nails that fit well and last longer. You can make a more informed choice by assessing nail shape and size, considering nail bed health, and recognizing nail texture.

Assess Nail Shape and Size

Determining the shape and size of your nails involves measuring them at their widest and longest points. Use a soft tape or a piece of paper to capture measurements accurately. People often overlook the curvature of their nails, which can impact how well press-on nails fit.

Common shapes include round, square, and almond. Knowing your natural shape will help you select suitable press-on nails. Consider both width and length, as a close fit may require some filing or trimming. This approach guarantees a more comfortable and natural appearance.

Understand Nail Bed Health

The health of your nail beds affects how well press-on nails adhere. Healthy nail beds are typically smooth and even with a light pinkish color. Check for ridges, discoloration, or spots, as these could indicate issues that might impact the longevity of press-on nails.

Maintaining good nail hygiene is important. Keep nails clean and moisturized to prevent dryness and brittleness. Healthy nails provide a strong foundation, helping the press-ons stick better and longer. Neglecting nail bed health can result in discomfort or short-lived applications.

Sunday, 13 September 2020

Reasons to be Cheerful - Suiting Myself!

ashburnham place

I have to say that I am really pleased that the girls have gone back to school and JJ has started college, this means I am getting a bit of time alone in my house again. I treasure this time. It's when I do the cleaning, listen to the silence and just suit myself.

Today all three kids were working and then the girls went into the local town with my hubby, this again left me alone to do whatever I wanted to do. So it has been the most lovely day and I feel as if I have achieved loads but it has been simple, no stress activities without having to travel anywhere. 

The only downside of my day was getting up early to ensure the girls got to work for 8am and JJ for 8.30am. I figured because I was already awake I might as well do an exercise DVD and clock up some good steps to start my day well.

It was then time for some yummy scrambled eggs on toast and preparing all the veggies for tonight's roast dinner whilst watching church online. I enjoyed the service and as it was just me in my kitchen I was able to sing to my heart's content.

A quick tidy of the kitchen, put the washing on and do the few bits of ironing I had and then I headed for a leisurely shower and a read of my book whilst I dried off. It really was a very slow-paced and enjoyable day!


I met JJ for lunch and we had ham and cheese paninis in the sun and then a walk around one of the lakes before he had to go back to work and I continued around the other lake and sat for quite some time praying and waiting on God. 

By the time I got back home, it was time to cook the roast dinner and watch a bit of Chicago PD as I did so. We then had a good family dinner together and everyone shared a little of their day. I got the kids to clear up and I read some more of my book.

And here I am now doing a spot of blogging whilst watching Home Alone. It really has been a lovely day, just suiting myself but still looking after my house and family. I'll be heading to bed soon for a little more reading and feeling quite content that I clocked up over 13,500 steps on my leisurely day.

I hope you've had a nice Sunday and been able to find even a little time to suit yourself too.

I'm linking this post up with Becky at Lakes Single Mum for Reasons to be Cheerful.






Monday, 25 November 2019

Bannishing my Aging Dry Skin with Balneum #ItchLessLiveMore

Balneum products in wash bag
{This is a collaborative post}

As I age, I am realising more and more that I should have been looking after my skin better when I was younger. My skin is often tight, dry and itchy now, especially on my lower legs, upper arms and chest area. Of course, at the moment it is Autumn and we're at the best time of year for my skin as it isn't too warm and it isn't too cold, but already as the colder weather arrives, I am being reminded of the need to moisturise regularly.

Luckily Balneum got in touch a couple of months back and asked me to try out their dry skin and itch relief lotion, which I was happy to agree to. I was then over the moon when it wasn't just the lotion that arrived, but their cream, oleo wash and shampoo too. I have been using all the products for the last few weeks to give them a thorough trial, to see how they work on ageing skin and I also got my 16-year-old son to try them too as he has pretty bad psoriasis, and we are keen to minimise his need for steroid creams as much as we can.

Who are Balneum?
Balneum have created a specially formulated emollient and daily cleansing range for people with dry skin and for when itch relief is required. When used together the products become a complete emollient therapy for the skin and scalp that are dry, flaky, agitated or suffering with eczema or psoriasis. So, me with my dry skin and itchy and flaky scalp, and JJ with his all-over psoriasis are good candidates for putting these products through their paces.

Their slogan is Itch less, live more and that's great, as we're in an age now were no-one should have to be that uncomfortable with their skin that it starts to negatively impact on their life and activity choices.

Thursday, 25 October 2018

Reasons to be Cheerful - Italian, Community Day and Bathtime Bliss

I've loved it being half-term this week but I can't believe how quick it came about, and how quick it is whizzing by!

It's been a fab week, we took it pretty easy over the weekend as my husband was with his cub pack at camp but the girls and I enjoyed lunch at Prezzo.


Monday was community day here where we live, so everyone joined in with fun and games together. Loads of laughs were had and Miss E enjoyed making loads of cakes with my husband ready for the Autumn feast, we enjoyed in the evening.

Thursday, 1 February 2018

The Highs and Lows of my Spa Day at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne



Earlier this week I enjoyed a leisure day at The Grand Hotel Spa in Eastbourne with my friend Annie. I had some spa vouchers to use and it seemed a good idea to gift Annie half as her Christmas present. I choose the Grand Hotel as it isn't far from our homes and as it is a 5 star hotel I expected the spa to be pretty luxurious and it certainly looked good in the photos on the website.

We arrived to the hotel about half an hour before I had booked our treatment times and our first struggle was finding some free parking. The streets round the hotel generally have free on-street parking but it was super busy. You can park in the grounds of the Grand but that's £25 a day and you pay to park on the seafront as well. Luckily just as I was about to give in and pay we found a space close by and headed in to the hotel. We were greeted by a lovely jolly doorman who gave us instructions were to go. Let the fun commence!


Great hall at the grand hotel eastbourne

The first impression of the hotel is fabulous, it's not called the Grand for nothing but as we headed in the lift to the basement the view gets consistently more grotty. Old carpet, plain cream walls and not a touch of glamour in the corridors or reception areas. Thankfully the staff were in total contrast to the look of the area and they were great. Really friendly, super professional and nothing was too much trouble for them.

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Being obedient

I know what I should be doing and what is good for me, so how come I so often don't do it?
  • I should go to bed and be ready for sleep by 11pm each night, I know that when I do I feel good in the day, I achieve lots and I don't bite at my children. So how come it has been 12/1am for the last two weeks since dh has not been here?
  • I should eat a moderate amount of food and not over indulge because then I feel good about myself and full of energy. The truth is I eat too much, become sluggish and fall into very bad habits!
  • I should spend time with God every day and make sure that is a priority
and I'm pleased to say I have been working hard on this last one. Yesterday I felt called to have a day with God and to just lay aside all the other tasks that are on my to-do list. I feel so much better for taking this time and using it wisely.

I'll show you how my day went -

Did the normal and got the kids to school for just before 9am and then came home and did a few jobs around the house. At 11am prompt turned off the computer and left the house, heading for St Albans. The weather was beautiful and this is where I was heading - can you see it nestling above the trees?


A friend had told me about a new car park and I had no idea how to get to my destination, so I just ambled through the park with the Lord as my guide. I delighted in all I saw and thanked Him for this fabulous day. It felt right to sit down and watch the people go by for a while, seeing them feed the ducks and chatter away as I listened to a Joyce Meyer podcast about intimacy with God.


It's funny looking at that picture, it looks as if not another soul was in the park but actually there were loads of people, I must have just captured a moment when it was just myself and God's beautiful creation. After half-hour or so it was time to continue my journey and the walk up the steep hill led me to here -

St Albans Abbey and Catherdral
First stop was the cafe and I sat down to continue my bible study, at the moment I'm looking at the book of Hebrews and I'm not finding the explanatory text I'm using particularly easy but that is a good reason for me to keep going and learn more. I'd worked up an appetite and enjoyed a hearty brunch.


What is the obvious thing to do when you are in the Cathedral? Go for a prayer walk around it of course -


It is a beautiful place and I felt very comfortable spending time in prayer with the Lord. After this I walked slowly back to my car and again sat down to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful views while listening to part 2 of my podcast about seeking God and knowing Him on a one-to-one basis.

By the time I got back to pick the kids up I was a far happier Mummy and I can honestly say there was no shouting yesterday. It really does pay to be obedient and do what I know is good for me.

What about you, what have you done recently that has been really good for your soul?


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If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!Follow on Bloglovin

Thursday, 20 June 2013

Grateful for time #R2BC week 25, year 3

This week I am really grateful to have time on my side.  We were supposed to move next week but that is not happening, now dh will go this Sunday as planned and he starts work on Monday but the kids and I will stay here until the end of July and hopefully our sale will complete then.

I've now finished work, so I have some time over the next 3-4 weeks to really focus on me and I have badly neglected myself over the last few ultra busy years. This is what I am looking forward to -


I am of course also really excited about BritMums Live tomorrow, catching up with all my old friends, meeting lots of new ones and learning a few new blogger tricks is a very tempting proposition.  I hope I get to meet some of you there, please forgive me if I don't recognise you but if you see me on the butterfly stall do come and say hi, I'm sure I'll know your blog name.

Blogger of the Week

Talk of BritMums Live leads me on nicely to our blogger of the week.  This week my shout-out is for Ruth of DorkyMum, she dips in and out of #R2BC as the mood and her life circumstances dictate and I like that, we are here for the every week and the infrequent joiner alike.  On Saturday Ruth is sitting on the Blogging for Good panel with me and that will help steady my nerves, knowing she is there too. She is a lady who has such integrity and is good fun as well. Her blog is extremely well written and she is not afraid to say what she thinks. Go check her out...

Now it is your turn
I'm handing the baton to you and it is your turn to let us all know what is making you cheerful and grateful this week.  Write up your post, add in the blog-hop code, link up and then visit a few other people to comment.  I will aim to get round very one this week, even if it is Monday.  Sorry I didn't get to visit you last week, time escaped me and I was poorly and uber stressed with our house move (or lack of more correctly).

Wishing you a fabulous weekend whatever you are doing.  If you are coming to BritMums Live you will spot me pretty much attached at the hip to this one -

Seasider Clare and I in January this year

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If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!Follow on Bloglovin

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

I can do all things...

It is a busy time for me at the moment, what with relocating, the children moving schools, dh and I both finishing our jobs, dh starting a new one, I'm starting a business and the normal day-to-day managing the lives of a family of five. Today I have been off work but I had a bit of mental to-do list, it got to about 4.30pm and I was sat in John Lewis enjoying tea and cake and many, many things were ticked off that list.  I feel good but I don't feel smug. I know that every time something goes right in my life I need to give thanks and praise to the Lord, for He is good.  It is Him who gives me the strength, skills and aptitude to get though all the little things that life throws at us.


Yesterday I have managed to make the beds, empty and load the dishwasher, put a wash on and make a lasagne before I took the kids to school at 8.30am. Once back I made a couple of movies for Fathers Day as gifts for dh and my Dad. Then it was an hour conference call with my new client that I am excited to start work with in July (more to be revealed soon). After that some general blog maintenance, emails and whooping for joy on Facebook, followed by lunch and a couple of phone calls. Work emails came next and then packing up my bedroom ready for the big movie. Ten boxes later and it was time to head out. Oh and don't forget I sorted out the dry washing and put it away before popping another load on before I left the house.

My trip out included a charity shop drop, collection from the sorting office, sending my Dads fathers day gift, going to B&Q for an ariel, getting petrol and going through the car wash.  Then heading to town to get some money out, go to the jewellers, buy some teacher leaving presents, meet dh off the train and enjoy tea and cake in John Lewis (while doing a spot of blogging (this post).


When we got home there was tea to cook, serve up and clear away, the kids to shower and read with, certificates to be made for the work away-day I'm helping to run and a choice of 4 or 5 other tasks from the list.

As I type this Monday afternoon - I feel really good, I am enjoying this hour to myself and a time to blog and enjoy. I really can recommend John Lewis chocolate victoria sponge cake - divine!  But then at £3.50 a slice, you expect it to be... but this was my 'me time' for the day so I'll enjoy it and not be distracted and moan about the cost.

What I come back to at the end of each day is this -
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

To God be the glory.

This morning Liska tweeted me and said she was starting a new Tuesday linky called 'T'you'sDay' and it is all about us parents carving out some 'me time'. I tweeted her back and said I'd join in once I moved as I did not expect to get much 'me time' before that but then today sitting here in John Lewis I was reflecting that I have had a lot of 'me time' today.  The things I had to do were mainly things I wanted to do and were about me and my family.  I did not begrudge doing any of them.  Then the last hour sitting and blogging and then being joined by my husband was just perfect.

For me all I had to do was change my perspective and I had carved out some me time!


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If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!Follow on Bloglovin

Thursday, 29 September 2011

Reasons to be Cheerful - The MADS Edition

Reasons to be Cheerful at Mummy from the Heart


How could my reasons to be cheerful be about anything else this week? Selfish, indulgent? Yes. So what? Sometimes we have to look after ourselves and have a bit of fun! Life is about balance after all. Too much seriousness makes Mich a boring bunny.

Tomorrow night is the Mummy and Daddy (MAD) blog awards in London and it is thanks to you super bunch that I will be there as a finalist in the Best Blog about Family Life category. I am super chuffed to be going and very excited. I know that Sally and Jen will have done an amazing job organising the event.

So straight onto my list of MAD reasons -
  • After dropping the kids to school tomorrow, I am straight off up to London for a spot of shopping
  • Then meeting a load of great bloggers for a late lunch/ early dinner of Tapas
  • Checking into the Radission Bloomsbury hotel - which looks super plush!
  • I have an outfit provided by Marks and Spencer and I feel so comfortable in it and hubbie tells me I look glamorous. It looked quite plain on the hanger so I have just included a snippet in the monatge below, I'll post a full piccie for you on Saturday.
  • I am have had my hair cut this morning
  • I applied the fake tan last night and have non-pasty legs for once
  • My toe and finger nails are manicured and tidy, sadly the hot pink went out the window for my finger nails as a load have broken but they still look nice.
  • I intend to have cuddles with loads of super friends at the awards - Chris, Alex, Clare, Heather, Karen, Nickie, Maggy and a very special hug for Lexy. (and if I have not mentioned you by name I am up for hugs with everyone else too!)
  • I am going to have some booze tomorrow night, it is not very often I drink and completely non-existent to get drunk nowadays but tomorrow I might just head that way!
If you fancy tuning in and getting the live news from the MADS then log on to the MADS Blog for about 7pm tomorrow night.  The awards will actually start at 7.15pm. It will be worth it just to see every one's gorgeous outfits. There will be a competition running on the live blog so someone can win £250 of luxury skincare products - sounds good!

My thanks go to Parentdish UK and TalkTalk the main sponsors of the MADS. So over to you, what is making you happy this week? Link up your post now...

Thursday, 15 September 2011

Reasons to be Cheerful - Week 37


Morning cheerful ones!

This week we are being hosted by Ems over in Cyprus, so pop on over and see her at A Matter of Choice.  Link up your happy post there and leave her some comment love.  Thanks go to Bod for Tea who did a super job of hosting last week and even managed to attract some male attention to #R2BC - you go girl!

  1. So this weeks top news for me being happy is that I have returned to work after my secondment.  One way or another I manged to have most of the summer off, which was very welcome but I have actually enjoyed being in for my 3 days this week.  I have some great colleagues that I work with and it was nice to be back and realise that I have remembered how to do most things!
  2. We are having carpet laid today.  After the moth debacle (which I must blog about) we are finally having some carpets go back down upstairs.  So by tomorrow Miss E's room will be complete.  I am then decorating over the next couple of weeks and then the other two bedrooms will be done too.  JJ has moved downstairs and the twinnies have a room each, it is all going well on the home front.
  3. Family time at the weekend, we tried out a super new church, very small but really personal and I have not seen dh that comfortable with strangers for a very long time. Our country Police HQ also had an open day and the kids were in their element especially JJ, he is already trying to sign up as a cadet, only a 5 year wait JJ!
  4. I am getting some time to myself.  With the girls being at school full-time I have 2 school days a week to myself.  I have re-joined the gym, made some overdue appointments and contacted friends to arrange some coffees! Let the good times roll...
  5. School settling in is going really well for my girls.  They tell me they love it and whilst they are very tired by bed time they seem to be coping brilliantly.  Mummy is very proud of you little ladies.
Every day the girls run into school excited, long may this last!

So I expect you know the protocol by now, write a cherry post, link it up and go and visit some other blogs on the linky. In fact go and visit all the other blogs on the linky, it is always fab to find some new reading material.  Leave me some comment love and I'll come and do the same for you. Check out here if you are new to #R2BC and want to read the full low down.

Thanks for joining in, you rock!  Mich x

Thursday, 28 July 2011

#R2BC - Bargain Shoes, Neat Gardens and Soft Skin! Wk 30

Reasons to be Cheerful at Mummy from the Heart


Evening all,

How are you on this fine evening?  It has been a lovely week here in the Home Counties, what about for you?  My boys have been away camping with the Cubs and Scouts so I am so pleased it has been good for them, how miserable to get rained on for a week when camping with 30 odd kids, it has happened to dh on many summer camps in years gone!

I am super cheerful tonight, my week has been good and I think much of that is down to my choice to be in a good mood and my handing over the crap to God. For example I found a leak earlier this week and my new insurers impressed me by getting someone out 4 hours after I called them, yes they stopped the leak but they also broke my toilet and now I am still without an upstairs loo!  I pray they will call and book me in soon.  Add that to the broken front door and all the ripped out carpets upstairs and things are mounting up but lets be honest I am sat here watching 'Help my house is falling down' as I type and this poor woman's water logged house is making me feel immensely grateful for the small problems I have.


See how tidy my garden is looking, there is another reason I feel good tonight.  The girls and I spend quiet a bit of time outside today getting both the front and back gardens in a good state - roll on twinnie play date tomorrow.

We also popped into town today to buy a pressie for one of their friends and we popped in M&S to use the loo and Miss M really made me laugh, she started to properly browse and show me dresses she liked.  Ohh a lovely glimpse of the future as we have a girls day out shopping, nothing Mummy (and Nanny too) love better than a good shop, especially when there is a bargain to be had.  And oh yes, big bargains to be had in M&S today. I spent £8.00 and got 3 pairs of shoes for the kids, all 1 size bigger, so they can grow into them.  JJ's are £28 leather school shoes!  Whoop, whoop - mega pleased with £8 for them all.


Lastly I have only just logged on here tonight as I took a lovely long shower and then pampered myself for an hour whilst watching TV.  My skin now smells gorgeous of Paris and is completely soft too.  Rachel reminded me the other day that when we take the time to pamper ourselves we then feel so good we do not want to spoil that feeling by eating and I sure hope to prove her right tonight. So I am doing this post and heading off to watch a chick flick, 'Love and other Drugs' and enjoy and evening alone.

So there is me, happy Mich!  (Trying not to think about next Monday and Tuesday and the busy time I have ahead at work, I can get through it, it is just 2 days and then I am off for 2.5 weeks).

Over to you, what is making you cheery this week? If you are new to Reasons to be Cheerful, then check out HERE and then link up a cheery/ gratitude post from the last week.

Thanks for joining in, leave me some comment love. Visit others and leave them some comment love and don't forget to tweet with #R2BC. I hope to be able to visit everyone this week and offer some comment love, I have managed it the last 2 weeks now!

As far as guest hosts go, I think the people who have offered are Bod for Tea, Seasider in the City, Celebrating Mums,  Glass Half Full, Mum of all Trades and A Matter of Choice. I think everyone except Mum of all Trades has let me know when they can't host, so if you read this please email me on mummyfromtheheart @ virginmedia .com  so I have a contact for you and know which weeks suit you.  I will then send out an email in early August with dates/ instructions/ badge code/ linky code etc. 

Cheers Mich x