In association with Wayfair

What does Christmas day look like in your house?

Ours has always started with Christmas stockings. Bee and Belle will both come into my bed, (via FaceTime last year when Bee was in England and we were in Ireland), and they will take turns to open a present. Stockings are a mixture of fun things and useful stuff – always socks, often something with a flamingo theme for Bee, just to annoy her.

This year I dared to suggest that as Bee was 23 now, perhaps she didn’t need a stocking any more?

‘I’m just going to pretend you didn’t say that,’ she said. And that was the end of that.

After stockings, we go downstairs for the obligatory festive Bucks Fizz, and to loll about for a while on the sofa while people take turns to shower and get dressed and smaller members of the family organise presents from the tree into piles. ‘You’re sitting there Gran, next to your pile.’

As a family we give a lot of presents, but this year seems to be a bit different. My sister and her family have moved this year into a much smaller house, so they don’t physically have the space for anymore STUFF and that seems to have rubbed off onto the rest of us. There are so many THINGS already in the world, do we really all need a dozen more each?

No, of course not.

The secret really is quality rather than quantity – taking the time to choose one or two things that you know someone will love, rather than just panic buying a load of tat. It’s easier said than done sometimes though, hard to know what people will actually LIKE. One option is to go down a personalised route – something non-tacky like an adult paint by numbers created from a favourite family photo maybe? Or a jigsaw puzzle made from a map of the area you live in.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, Wayfair has put together some Christmas gift lists, aimed at very specific groups of people. Looking for a gift for a pet lover? There’s a list for that. Want to splash out on something luxurious for someone special? There’s a list for that. Need to shop for a fussy millennial? Try the millennials gift list.

Wayfair asked me to have a look at the millennial gift list in particular to pick out a few of my favourite things. I’m not technically a millennial myself, but Bee comes in at one end of the generation and my sister at the other, so it’s always handy to have some inspiration. They may be known as the snowflake generation, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to buy Christmas gifts for.

OBVIOUSLY the first thing I was drawn to was this Cat Whisperer print from Gemma Correll:

gemma correll print View Post

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Image: Pexels

Since the kids came into your life, you probably have less time for yourself. I’m guessing that’s pasta sauce making a huge stain on your shirt right now. But it’s nothing compared to the joy you feel, you say. It can be fun and fulfilling to raise a family. No one’s arguing with you on that one.

But let’s be honest here for a moment, you need to make room for some me time. You don’t want to turn into momzilla because of all the pent-up stress eating away at you. Giving yourself the space to grow is important. This reinvigorates your spirit and gusto for life. All that great energy will flow from you to your family. Trust me.

Bring out that personality and let it shine. Here are things that will inspire you to never stop discovering yourself and your thirst for adventure!

Learn something new

Find a new hobby or maybe pick up the one you never got around to finishing. Learning new things will develop skills you never thought you had or could do.

Travel solo

It’s not just a fad. Travelling alone can test you and allow you to get to know yourself again. Create memories. It doesn’t have to be overseas. A road trip is a great solo trip idea.

Watch movies solo

Grab your purse, drive down to the nearest movie theater and enjoy a good film — Mom only. It may feel weird at first not having the kids around but you’ll realize it’s a nice low-key activity to do on your own once in a while. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the movie age restrictions. Wink wink.

Visit museums

Walking around a room full of history can be life-changing. And museums offer that. Knowing and remembering the past makes you appreciate your life and others even more. It’s a humbling and amazing experience. Look up free museums in your area. You could even bring the kids next time if you like the experience.

Treat yourself to a fancy dinner

Have you been eyeing that one restaurant where you read online that they serve the best steak? And a rich red wine to wash it down with? Well, book that dinner now and enjoy the whole experience. It feels good to be fancy sometimes.

Have your fortune told

Aren’t we all curious about what’s ahead of us? The uncertain can cause us anxiety. We every so often want to know what we cannot see so we can better prepare for it or have some peace of mind. A seasoned fortune teller can provide advice and structured reading on what the future holds. It can be exciting to have a glimpse. Here’s a guide to finding a fortune teller.

Immerse in nature

Take a hike. Climb a mountain. Enjoy the sound of the river. There’s something about nature that clears the mind and brings focus.

Create art

Bake. Paint. Crochet. Heck, write a song! Anything that you lovingly create will produce a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Do random act of kindness

Help out a stranger. Lend a hand. Volunteer. Sharing your blessings with those in need without asking for anything in return will create a ripple effect. Amelia Earhart said that a single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. 

So take the time. Make time. Your family deserves a happy and fulfilled mom to look up to.

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PROMOTION

One of the main goals in life for most people is to own a home. For those who do however, it remains to be a place to come to after work to eat and rest, before then leaving for another day of work or travel. This realisation can create an anticlimactic feeling for someone who has worked so hard to own their own space. A good way to defeat this feeling would be by turning your home into a money-making machine. Some people have achieved this by establishing a work-from-home routine, which research has proven is likely to make a person more productive. There are numerous other ways to make money from your home. Here are a few of them.

make money from home

Turn it into a factory

This works best for people who have technical talents or skills and training. If you already own a home, the chances are that you already have one of the most critical things required in manufacturing – space. This of course does not mean that you should go gung-ho and attempt to start producing iPhones. It could be a bakery or even some very simple DIY life hack resources that you sell online. In other words, figure out a product that people need that you can easily make and get to work.

Rent out space and resources

A lot of your assets that carry the potential to make money are more likely than not just lying idle in your home. Once again, one of the most important resources you have is the space. Someone somewhere is likely to be interested in paying money – even temporarily – for your basement, your garage, your loft or your even your garden shed. Vehicles, musical instruments and farm equipment are some of the resources that could earn you money by renting them out.

You can also find ways to leverage the value of your home in order to earn more money. A good example of this could be taking up an equity release option. This is a situation where an elderly person can obtain either a lump sum amount or consistent payouts on their property, which is then due after they die or the property is sold.

Sell stuff you already own

Perhaps the most obvious way to make money out of your home is to sell it, or at least some of the things that are in it. You could start by carrying out a thorough cleaning out your house. In the process, you are likely to find items of value that you no longer need yourself. You can either dispose of these online or through a yard sale. You could also put antiques that you own up for sale.

A home is the most sacred space for individual, and even more so for a family. It does, however, carry the promise of so much more. Creative ideas and some initiative can easily transform it into a serious source of extra income.

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With so many bed options available, both in store and online, buying a new one may seem overwhelming, especially if you haven’t done it in many years.

A big question to ask yourself is, what is best for you and for your bedroom; a divan bed, or a classic, double bed frame?

bed frame or divan bed

This blog posts discusses both the benefits and the downfalls of both options:

Divan Bed: The Pros

  • If you are buying a new bed for a smaller bedroom, then a divan would be great, as they are usually filled with storage underneath and take up less space, as they are only as wide as the mattress measurements it is made to hold.
  • If comfort is your top priority, then the divan bed also has a padded top, sometimes known as a platform top, and has a firmer feel.
  • Divan beds also allow you to be completely customisable. You can choose the shape and colour of your own headboard, as well as add a few of your own accessories.

Divan Bed: The Cons

  • They can be more expensive than your standard bed frame, as they are considered ‘multi-purpose’ thanks to their impressive storage. If storage is the main feature that you’re looking for, then it might be worth checking out ottoman beds before coming to a decision.
  • Once your divan base is down, it might be difficult to move it. Divan beds can be heavy, and the draws can sometimes be a little awkward.
  • The draws that are underneath can sometimes hold less than a normal bed frame’s under bed storage. We would always recommend checking dimensions.

Classic Bed Frame: The Pros

  • There is a lot more choice when it comes to choosing a normal bed frame, and most of them are extremely aesthetically pleasing.
  • Since these come with their own headboards and footboards, you don’t need to purchase accessories on top of the bed itself.
  • The beds are often made using a lot of natural products, therefore the cost is usually reasonably low in comparison to divan beds.

Classic Bed Frames: The Cons

  • The beds can be slightly larger than the divan bed, which is great if you have a large bedroom and need to fill an open space, but not so great if you need a new bed for one of your smaller bedrooms.
  • After a few years of usage, many parts of the bed may need to be tightened – so, you may need to bring out your DIY side. Slats tend to come loose on occasion, but that can be easy to fix, especially with the right tools.
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CFDs or Contract for Difference is a form of derivative trading that enables investors to speculate on the rising or falling of the financial markets for various assets; many of which cover shares, indices, commodities, and currencies. Trading CFDs provide a myriad of benefits one can enjoy. One of which is the fact that traders do not necessarily have to purchase the underlying asset but only a portion instead. This provides them with cost-effective alternatives especially when they are still on the starting point of their trading career. If you’re wondering how to make money from home trading CFDs then read on.

Another benefit is that you can trade on leverage. This means that you only need to deposit a small percentage of the full value of the asset in order to open a position. This provides investors the opportunity to double their profit although the same can be said for losses.

While there are several benefits that CFDs provide, it is important to note that there are still risks involved when handling various assets. To minimize said risks, most experts recommend using an online CFD analysis tool especially when trading live.

Benefits of using online CFD analysis

Like most financial assets, investors are expected to download a specific platform that enables them to trade items online. The reason why many platforms are now using online methods is because of its speed and relative convenience when performing transactions in real time. Some platforms include online CFD analysis as one of its key features which works as a guide for most traders. Many cite it as one of the most important features to look out for due to the fact that it can:

  1. Minimize risk – online analysis tools help minimize risk factors by presenting objective data that can enable traders to make sound financial decisions. This includes market movements, price shifts, and other various factors that can affect the market’s overall movement.
  2. Provide traders insight – this handy tool helps traders gain some insight by displaying key information in graphs, charts, and trends that can help them predict what direction the market will move next. While this online tool isn’t immune from mistakes, it’s still a useful advantage for traders who are working in a limited time period.
  3. Saves time – An effective online CFD analysis tool help narrow down information by presenting them in easy-to-understand graphs, charts, and text-based guides which helps cuts an investor’s research time in half.
  4. Saves money – these key features help investors save more money in the long run by providing them with ample information that can help them plan their next strategy.

It’s safe to say that platforms including CFD analysis tools are one of the best features to have especially when one is considering trading CFDs. When it comes to selecting the right trading software for you, it helps to look out for its key features as well as whether or not it’s user-friendly. Additionally, it also helps to take the time to practice due diligence through proper research since purchasing an effective platform is simply an investment we can’t ignore.

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Motherhood is something many women want to achieve in their lives. Mothers have a unique bond with their child. While being a full-time mother is a difficult job, some women take on more challenges by starting their own business.

Raising a child is not easy. It requires a lot of time and effort. As a mother, you also need support from people around you, whether it is from your spouse, relatives, or friends. All of these people contribute to the growth of the child.

The same is true with starting a business. You need to invest lots of time and effort to establish the business, especially if you are working from home, as this takes a lot of self-discipline. You also need support from a lot of people to ensure its sustainability. Here are some of the things to do if you want to become a successful Mompreneur.

  1. Establish a Plan

There are many businesses today, but only a few become successful over time. When you have a plan before starting it, it will make your company stand out from competitors. It also allows your startup to reach out to its target market effectively.

Make sure the plan is flexible enough to handle future problems or situations. You should be able to make changes when needed. Even if an issue comes at a short notice, you need to be able to adapt to the situation. Flexibility allows an entrepreneur to judge a situation and change the business plan appropriately.

  1. Earn Using Your Passion

The best way to sustain your energy and motivation over time is to create a company based on what you are passionate about. You can incorporate your hobby into a business concept to reduce stress.

Passion fuels the willpower of Mompreneurs to succeed in starting and running a business. If you are passionate about the business, there’s less stress that comes with being a mother and entrepreneur.

  1. Prepare to Work Odd Hours

Whether you are a freelancer, stay-at-home mom, or a working mother, proper scheduling is important if you are going to add entrepreneur to your title. Most of the time, working during regular office hours is impossible.

Most Mompreneurs work when their kids are at school or asleep. That gives them around one to three hours of uninterrupted time to work during the day. Some work at night, but that depends on how long they can stay up.

The schedule should be concrete so that there is no time and effort wasted during operations. It is also important to let your family in on your plan. That way they know what’s expected from them. You should find ways to complete all the necessary tasks to maximize your time.

  1. Reduce Distractions

Mothers deal with many distractions each day. When starting a business, it is important to try your best to minimize the distractions while working on the business. You should create rules on what to prioritize and stay disciplined in keeping up with the plan.

The best way to reduce distractions is to set rules and set things aside that will keep you from performing your tasks. However, make sure you have enough time for your kids. Don’t forget that being a mom comes before other roles in life.

One thing to keep in mind is that work doesn’t stop for a mompreneur. Still, you should be able to separate work from family. When working, put one hundred percent of your effort into it and avoid unnecessary distractions along the way.

  1. Make Sacrifices

Making sacrifices is a crucial part of becoming a mompreneur. There are instances in which you need to miss bonding with your kids during weekends because of business schedules. Other times you need to reschedule a meeting with a client because of a sick kid.

There’s no right or wrong solution to each problem that you encounter in the future. What’s important is that you determine if the sacrifice is worth it in the end.

  1. Get Inspiration from other Mompreneurs

Most successful Mompreneurs started their enterprise, knowing what they were getting themselves into. They got their inspiration from other mothers who successfully transitioned into becoming entrepreneurs.

You can talk with other entrepreneurs to get advice or look online to read about success stories. You can also look for mothers who failed at establishing their own business. Learning from the successes and failures of others can be helpful in the long run.

  1. Monitor Finances

It is important to monitor your finances before starting a business. Keep in mind that some ventures require little investment, while others require a large sum of money where they might need an assistance in term of borrowing extra cash from business lenders. Create a financial plan that shows where and how much you plan to invest.

Financial experts from just right loans suggest separating the business account from your personal account. While you might use your savings to start the business, make sure that you have separate accounting and bookkeeping for the company. This will be a big help during tax season as well getting loan from trustworthy lenders as professional business account improve chance of business loan.

  1. Have a Support System

Burning out is easy when you are a Mompreneur because of all the pressures and stresses that come along with running the company. The best way to avoid burnout is to develop a support system.

You can unload some of the time-consuming tasks at home by outsourcing them, for example, you can hire cleaners to maintain the cleanliness of your home. As the company grows, hire managers you can trust while away to take care of family matters.

  1. Know Why You are Starting a Business

Before creating a startup, you should think about the reason for starting it in the first place. Most moms create their own enterprises because of either financial needs or emotional needs. With the former, mothers want the profits to cover household expenses. Mothers want to fulfill their purpose or passion with the latter.

In most cases, mothers don’t become entrepreneurs for selfish reasons. There is too much at stake for them to risk the stability of their households. That’s why it is important to have a concrete purpose behind the decision to become a Mompreneur.

As you can see, the road to mompreneurship is not easy. It takes time and effort to ensure you can achieve your goals. Success doesn’t come overnight, and there will be heartaches and headaches along the way.

Being a mompreneur is like living a double life. Compromises will be made over time to ensure everything goes smoothly. Things might not always go according to plan, but it is important that you know what you are doing and do it well for the sake of your family and business. Knowing the secrets, we’ve shared in this article will help you on your journey to become a Mompreneur.

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It’s a bit of a standing joke in my family that I’ve only just realised that ‘beach holidays’ is a concept. I said to Bee once that I’d always liked the idea of just going somewhere hot, lying on a beach and not doing anything. “Umm yeah,” she said, “you mean a beach holiday?”

Oh yeah.

But even though beach holidays are pretty popular and I didn’t invent them apparently, they’re not for everyone. Not everyone likes just lounging about on the beach for hundreds of pounds – they’d rather do something a bit more exciting and stimulating. Bee herself doesn’t even LIKE holidays at all (bit weird) but even she might like one of these ideas if she had something to occupy herself with.

I’ve always fancied going on a holiday with more of an itinerary so I don’t have to plan everything and don’t have any of that holiday regret where you wish you’d packed a bit more in. Here are some of my favourite unusual holiday ideas that aren’t just lying around on the beach.

Feel Yoga in Portugal

Whether you’re a daily Yogi or you’ve never practised before, a yoga holiday can be the perfect retreat for self-reflection and self-improvement. Yoga can be a really relaxing exercise, so this can be a great way of using your holiday time to get fitter while clearing your mind and also learning a new skill to take home with you. Do all of this in a beautiful sunny location with Feel Yoga in Portugal. There’s also a spa so you can truly relax and unwind.

yoga holiday View Post

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Whether you’re moving house or simply fancy a change in broadband provider, we all know we need to shop around for the best broadband deals and contracts. But what exactly do we need to look for when choosing a new broadband provider? Often we are roped into long contracts that we aren’t able to change, so you need to know that you’ve got the best deal and provider for you. Most of us usually don’t take that much time to search around for the ideal deal. We are more prone to going to one of the top ‘big’ brands, despite that fact that the best broadband deals can come from the most unexpected places. With a string of good reviews and a checked, reliable connection, you can find a fantastic deal that doesn’t come from the popular brands.

Here are some top tips to make sure you get the right broadband for your home.

Check what your needs are

Before you start, have a real think about your needs. Do you need super fast internet or do you only use it to browse the web occasionally? Will you be using it for work or just for pleasure in the evenings? Do you only need broadband or will you need phone and TV included in your package as well? Have a think about what exactly you will use it for and any broadband provider you speak to will help you put together the type of package that’s right for you.

Check the price

Obviously, a massive thing to consider is how much it will cost. Are you happy with the price you’re paying at the moment or are you changing providers to hopefully cut costs? Make sure you know exactly how much you’re paying for broadband now as if you let future providers this figure it might provide them with an incentive to beat the price with a cheaper quote. Make sure you know how expensive you are willing to go before you enter into any contract.

Check what deals are available

Christmas and Black Friday are great times to get really cheap deals from well-known providers, but it also can’t help to shop around further at any time of year. Use price comparison websites to check what sort of price ranges are available to you. If you have a mobile phone or television provider, check what deals they would be able to offer you by adding broadband to your existing contract package. It’s also worth asking around with family and friends to see if they’ve managed to get a good deal recently.

Check the reviews

While a contract may be cheap and offering everything you need, it may turn out to be too good to be true. It’s always best to look at reviews, either online, in magazines such as Which, or even ask family and friends how they find their providers are. As well as the broadband service it’s a good idea to find out what their customer service is like. Are they easy to contact? Do they fix problems easily at no extra cost? These are all important things to think about.

Check the signal

While a company may advertise amazing signal, when actually installed in your home the results may vary. Most companies have a signal checker on their website to make sure your area is going to get a good signal, but especially if you live in a rural location it can be a good idea to check with immediate neighbours to see which providers they use and if the signal is any good. After all, a consistent internet connection is going to be what is most important when it comes to actually deciding on a new broadband deal for your home.

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Today was the day that I was expecting the proof copies of my novel – Playgroups and Prosecco – to arrive.

I waited in all day, but then the postman came just as I was dropping Belle back at college in the afternoon and when I got back my parcel was outside behind the bin. Not the most salubrious of starts to my novel writing career, but potentially quite fitting with the tone of the book, plus it makes a nice intro to this post.

Once I’d retrieved the parcel from behind the wheel bin, avoiding falling into the green box full of empty cat food tins, I took it inside, into the kitchen, and opened it.

Inside I found these:

Playgroups and prosecco

They look pretty nice don’t they? Thicker than I imagined, but then I did write 95,000 words, (can you believe!), so I suppose they do take up space. I looked at them stacked for a little while. I liked the neatness of them. I imagined them on one of those tables as you go into Waterstones. View Post

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In case you didn’t know, this month is breast cancer awareness month. It’s a subject close to my heart because my own mum was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago now. Luckily she made a full recovery, and thanks to cancer research, when the signs are spotted in time the survival rate for a breast cancer diagnosis is one of the highest among all cancers. When spotted and treated quickly, the treatment process can actually be relatively simple and straightforward, but it’s so important that we all check our breasts regularly so we can spot any red flags that might come up.

Because we are generally more aware of what to look for when checking our breasts and more people check their breasts regularly than ever before, the survival rate has jumped from 50% in 1970 to 85% in 2018. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime but thankfully 691,000 are still alive today after their awful diagnosis.

A lot more info has been widespread lately about what we should all be looking for when checking our breasts, but are we really sure what we should be on the lookout for on a regular basis? It’s best to check your breasts as often as you can so that you get more accustomed to how they feel on a day to day basis and at different times during the month – this will be the easiest way to know if something is wrong. Everyone’s breasts will feel different with different lumps and bumps but the most important thing to look out for is any actual changes in your breasts. If you feel a new lump or something doesn’t look quite right it’s always better to be safe than sorry and make an appointment with your GP.

While you may think that odd and brand new lumps in your breasts might be the only sure sign of breast cancer. There are lots of other things to look out for. Everyone is different so any change in your breasts could either be harmless or a sign of a more serious problem. Things to definitely look out for: View Post

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If you have children and are looking for an innovative way to create a fun free-play and educational space for them but don’t have a lot of room inside then you might want to consider turning that run-down shed in the garden into a perfect place for the kids.

No matter your budget or size of the shed, creating a nursery space can be easy to achieve and this handy guide is going to provide you with all of the information needed to get started.

  1. What have you got to work with?

First things first, you need to establish what kind of space you have available. If you have more than one child who will be using the area then it’s a good idea to start off planning how you see them using the space and what kind of furniture you want to put in there. Is it going to be for drawing, so will there need to be a table? Might they want to have a snug space in the corner to read? If so you might want to consider making room for bean bags and cushions. Pick one of these garden shed plans to get you started or give yourself some inspiration.

Once you have a general idea of how you want to see the space then it’s time to head out and actually get into the shed itself. Most sheds are packed full of unused and unwanted junk and are typically used for garden storage so now is a great time to have that clear out you have been planning for months.

The great thing about clearing out is that you don’t just get to create more space for yourself, you can help others by donating your items, whether they are gardening equipment or even that bike you never got round to using. There are numerous local community garden projects that will take tools and garden appliances off your hands. If the items are in a really good condition, then you could always sell them online and use the funds on your nursery project. However you choose to do it, the goal is to completely empty the space so you can now access it for damage.

  1. Is the Space Functional?

The majority of sheds are mid-size and if they have not been properly maintained then you can experience rotting and damp to the structure. Whilst this is not ideal this can be fixed if it is not too severe. This project is best tackled during the summer months so that any repair work and coating that needs to be done had sufficient time to dry.

Make sure that the shed is elevated to keep the floor moisture free and with proper ground clearance, even in wet weather then you can be sure that damp won’t soak in this way.

A sealant is an investment you will want to make if there are any cracks or small holes in the walls, this is essential as it will prevent the wind from blowing through and again prevent moisture soaking through. The sealant can be painted over to make it look more attractive so you don’t need to worry about how it looks at this stage. The exterior can be initially coated in a permeant timber treatment which will penetrate the wood and keep it dry. You can use glass or polycarbonate sheets for these shed windows, either is appropriate.

Re-felting your shed is a job that requires a little bit of precision so it may be a good idea to hire a handy-person to come and help with this. Also if the shed doesn’t already have a window then now is the time to get one fitted in, this is really quite cheap and easy to install and will have big benefits as it will let in more natural light.

Sometimes disused shed can be completely unsalvageable and this is the time to invest in affordable shed storage from BuyShedsDirect, This is a site that offers an extensive range of options that will help you crack on with your nursery project (they also have a summer sale on at the moment!)

  1. Ingenious Interiors

Once you have secured your shed and made sure that it will stand the test of time. You are ready to start planning how you are going to decorate it – which is the part you have been waiting for!

There are so many themes you can choose and just to give you some inspiration there are some listed below:

  • Gender Neutral – By injecting a pop of colour like such as yellow you can keep the rest of the interior simple with whites and creams and keep the overall look edgy – definitely not boring!
  • Luscious and Tropical – Take inspiration from the beautiful summer weather and design a space that invokes a calm and relaxing feeling. Use vibrant greens and cool blues on the walls and why hang plant baskets from the ceiling adding to the lush green theme and a hammock for the perfect place to chill out while they read?
  • Native American – Get creative with tepees and animal print throws and rugs inspire by this fascinating culture. If Navajo niche is the look you are trying to emulate then make your own dreamcatchers and totem pole to add to the look.
  • Accent Wall – By keeping colours simple and decorating just one of the walls you can make a bold statement. Why not follow the hipster trend and design a mountain range mural on the main wall. Using deep greys and blues you can recreate a panoramic view and make the space feel bigger than it is.

Once you have put the finishing touches to your new nursery it’s time to see what the kids think. Not only does it mean that they will be spending more time outdoors but it gives them a dedicated space that they can use to follow their own play pursuits, meaning less mess in the house.

This project is really simple to achieve and can be completed within a week provided the weather is good so why not give it a go yourself and revamp your tired shed into the perfect place for your kids this summer.

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No matter whether you are wine newbie or experienced on the art of wine tasting, wine tasting events can be lots of fun and are a great way to try and narrow down what wines you like and which ones you don’t without having to invest in a full bottle. For some, not knowing the proper wine tasting etiquette can dissuade you from going, so we’ve come up with the do’s and don’ts that you should follow when wine tasting.

Take Notes

When you are going to a wine tasting event, remember to take a pen and paper with you, or if you forget, you can always use your phone. Taking notes is a great way to remember what fine wine you love the most and which ones you were not so keen on. After you have tasted a few different wines, it can be difficult to remember which one is which. There is no need to write down lots of information, simply give the fine wine that you are tasting a score out of ten. Base your score on its smell, taste and appearance.

Try Something New

Wine tasting events give you the perfect opportunity to try out some fabulous new wines. We are all guilty of sticking to what we already know and like but if you are in another country then you can try out a variety of wines from different regions and who knows, you may find that you have a new favourite wine from a different country! Even if you think certain wines are not ones that you will like, give them a try as you could love them.

Ask Questions

When you are buying fine wine, it is important that you ask lots of questions before making a final purchase. Ask about its background and how it will be stored as you may need to store it in a wine cellar such as those provided by Octavian Vaults who store wine from merchants in 39 different countries. The host will know everything that there is to know about these wines, so make sure you take advantage of their knowledge whilst you are there!

Eat Something Before Hand

One of the big don’ts that you try to avoid when you are going to wine tasting events is to arrive on an empty stomach. Try and eat something before your wine tasting as it can quickly add up and you can end up drinking a lot more than you had originally intended.

Give Your Opinion

Many people tend to think that when they are wine tasting they will need to be positive in their feedback, however, you don’t have to hold back and you are perfectly entitled to give your opinion. Discuss what you think about the wine with others and when you are asked what your favourites wines are, be honest in your answer as this will help the match your taste with other similar wines.

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