3 Things To Do Online To Relax

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am quite driven when online.  I like to kept abreast of the news, what is going on with social media; catching up with friends; writing blog posts; reading opinion pieces from writers I enjoy.

The thing is with all of that is that too much of it can mash up your head and fill it with too much information at once.  

It is important, especially for me, to remember that there are normal, fun things on the internet and relaxing things to do that have nothing to do with reading all the latest news bulletins and wanting to bang your head against a wall.

Here are the things I do online to have fun and relax:

YouTube Videos

I confess.  I am a bit of an addict to online makeup tutorials.  I don't put much of them into practice to be honest as I do not have the skills or all the fancy brushes and brands to recreate the looks; but I love watching the videos.

Also, funny animal videos.  You have to love them and find me one person who does not relax when watching a cute dog doing something funny in a video.

Listening to Music

While I am a complete 90s dance woman, when I want to relax, my go to music is piano based classical music; preferably from new artists that I have not heard before.  They can take my mood from stressed and overcome, to a mood of absolute calm and tranquility.

I highly recommend checking out Soundcloud for finding new artists.  For a personal recommendation, I particularly love IIya Beshevli who is a 23 year old pianist and composer from Siberia.  His piece Fairytale Castle is just magical.  

Games

I cannot play games on my phone.  After getting to a great level on Candy Crush and subsequently going back to level one again when I changed my phone, I am done with the game.  Done.  It literally crushed me.  I also don't understand the thrill of finding mythical creatures when I walking to various destinations.  I want to reach my destination, not be surrounded by Pidgeys and Ratatas.

For me, I love retro games and low level betting on formula one races and the outcomes of various events like the US presidential election.  I enjoy sites like Boomtown for online gaming and old classic games like Crypt Raider.

It may also help that a lot of those kind of games also have cheat sites which tell you what to do if you get really stuck.  I am looking for relaxation after all!  Shush!  Don't tell anybody!

What are your online relaxation go tos?

*Collaborative piece

5 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bill This Winter

We're approaching the end of the year at break-neck speed, and that means many different things to different people. For some, the winter months mean festive cheer and fun family celebrations with the people you love most. For others, while those happy thoughts are in the pipeline, there's a more pressing concern to worry about in the form of impending winter energy bills.

During the colder months of the year, we find ourselves consistently struggling with bigger, more worrying expenses. As the weather gets colder, thermostats are cranked all the way up, and we spend a lot more time indoors, watching television, using electricity, and avoiding the outdoors.

The good news is that if you're dreading a painful energy bill in the New Year, there are things you can do to begin cutting down costs. Here are some simple and effective ways to bring your energy expenses down to a minimum.

1.       Switch Energy Providers

Changing energy providers can seem like an unnecessary waste of time and effort. Most of us would rather avoid the complexity involved with calling up our supplier and explaining why we no longer want to use them for our electricity or gas. On top of that, you also need to spend extra time looking for an option that's cheaper and more effective.

Though switching can seem like a pain in the neck, the truth is that changing to a more effective provider for your needs could save you hundreds every year. All you need to do is get online and check out a few energy comparison websites. It's that simple.

2.      Pay Bills by Direct Debit

Rather than waiting for your energy bills to come to you in the post, and then trying to find the money to pay for them in a mad rush, you could always set up an account to pay a certain amount each month. This is often a much cheaper way of doing things. With a monthly direct debit, your supplier should be able to estimate yearly usage and spread your bill over 12 months too.

You'll probably overpay a little during the summer months when the weather's good, but this also means that you should be able to store up extra credit for the winter. Just remember to call up now and again and give your supplier an accurate meter reading.

3.      Stop Leaving Things on Standby

How often do you go out to pick up your shopping, or work at your 9-to-5 job, while leaving various electronics on standby around your home? You might leave your television playing to itself, or even a few light switches turned on around the home.

While this might not seem like much of a problem, leaving your devices on standby does drain your cash quicker than you might expect. Most households waste around £30 a year leaving their devices on standby when they're not being used. While this doesn't sound like much in the grand scheme of things, it's enough to make you think twice about turning things off when you leave home.

4.      Turn the Heating Down

The concept of turning the thermostat down a notch or two when you can see the frost building outside might seem like madness, but the truth is that it could do wonders for your energy bills. 

Ultimately, you should never put yourself in a position where you're freezing, or risk illness, but if you can simply reduce your thermostat slightly and throw on a jumper instead, then you could save a lot of money.

Try wrapping yourself up in a nice warm blanket the next time you're feeling chilly, instead of cranking up the radiators and taking your layers off.

5.      Change to a Smarter Thermostat

Finally, if you've got a little cash for an initial investment, or you can afford to take out a personal loan, then it might be a good idea to switch to a smarter heating system in your home that allows you to place your radiators on a timer. This way, you can make sure that you're only heating your property when you're going to benefit from the extra warmth.

Timers on your thermostat can ensure that you don't need to leave your heating running all day when you're out at work just, so you can come home to a warm flat or house. Your thermostat will naturally turn itself up at a certain time each day so that your home welcomes you back with just the right amount of heat.

*Collaborative post

What to do when your Christmas gifts arrive damaged

The moment you've been waiting for weeks for finally arrives; your Christmas presents are here and much to your dismay, some of them are broken!

Unfortunately, these things happen, so it’s important not to get too caught up in the disappointment. Instead, act quickly and get the problem resolved well before Christmas Day arrives.

Even Santa himself isn’t immune from damaging his precious cargo! The different weather conditions and environments can take it’s toll on his sleigh, preventing him getting from A to B with all the presents intact.

Fortunately, the protective case experts over at The Case Farm are offering their top tips to help you solve the problem of damaged goods. Read on to discover how to ensure you get your gifts refunded and replaced before Christmas!

Know your rights

As a consumer, you’re entitled to certain rights under the Sale of Goods act 1979 that protect you when purchasing goods.

The Sale of Goods act states that you have legal rights if the item you bought is either:

• Broken or damaged in some way
• Unusable
• Not as advertised i.e. it isn’t as the seller described

It’s a good idea to be aware of these rights if you’ve received damaged goods, as they can help you get the compensation you deserve!

Find your proof of purchase

When buying items online or in-store, it’s crucial to keep hold of your proof of purchase just in case situations like this arise. This is usually a receipt, but it’s best to check the retailer’s returns to see what counts as ‘proof’ of purchase.

Many retailers require that you must have proof of purchase if you wish to return an item or get a refund, so it’s a good idea to keep hold of your receipts as a precaution.

Contact the retailer

If the shop or online retailer you bought your presents from have good customer service, then this process should be simple and straightforward.

The retailer may ask for purchase details or whether the goods are damaged or faulty. You will then be entitled to a refund, repair or replacement.

You can claim a full refund for a faulty product within 30 days of purchase. So if you’re tight for time, this might be the best option for you to get your money back in time for Christmas.

Get a helping hand

If the shop you bought your gifts from refuses to refund, replace or repair your damaged goods, you may need a bit of extra help to get your money back.

For big purchases such as second-hand cars, you can enlist the help of a consumer ombudsman. This is a free, independent service that helps you deal with your dispute and hopefully get it resolved!


*Collaborative post

Spread A Little Love This Winter

Among the seasonal cheer and chilly temperatures, winter is one of the busiest times of year for many of us. Whether it’s gift shopping or making time for friends, family and loved ones, there are plenty of things to keep us busy during the coldest months of the year. However, as we become increasingly pre-occupied and wrapped up in our own lives, finding time for one another can be a particularly difficult task.

Instead of focusing on the material aspect of winter and the festive season, we should do our best to get back in touch with the people who surround us each and every day. Care, kindness, compassion and generosity should all be integral at this time of year, which is why it is so important that you do what you can to welcome a little love back into both your life and the lives of others around you.

So, with that in mind, how can you go about welcoming some positivity and a greater level of care into your thoughts and actions? Here are some top tips which will hopefully provide the inspiration to get you started!

Kindness

It costs nothing to be kind to someone, and this is a trait that can easily be applied to many situations throughout life. Whether it’s a simple smile and a compliment or taking some time out of your day to be there for someone in their hour of need, once you begin to takea conscious effort to be kinder to people, it’s something that will then continue to grow on its own. Plus, even if you don’t believe in fate, once you begin to act nicer and consider how you treat people, it won’t be long before you too begin to reap the rewards of your own actions.

Charity

We all know that Christmas is a time for giving, but how many of us actually spare a thought for the many people who are in need around the world at this time of year? With plummeting temperatures and bad weather, winter brings a whole new host of difficult challenges for people to face, be it the homeless in our own cities or refugee families and orphans across the globe. 

Even if it’s just a handful of loose change in a charity collection box, an hour spent volunteering at your local food bank or donating what you can to an appeal for the Rohingya, even the smallest acts can go a long way towards helping someone in need.

Love

Of course, we all have people who are close to us and those we appreciate and care for no matter what. Whether it’s your family or a good friend, it’s always nice to show an additional degree of love, care and attention to your loved ones at this time of year. From clearing your schedule and organising meet-ups with friends and big family gatherings to simply picking out the perfect Christmas gift, sharing these simple yet meaningful annual moments is the perfect way to strengthen your ties and commit to spending more time together throughout the year to come. 

After all, the feeling of being loved and appreciated is one of the best there is – wouldn’t you want to share it at this time of year?

At the end of the day, we should all do what we can to help our fellow human beings. We all share this planet and when we work together, we are far more likely to succeed and reach greater levels of success. For that reason, even if it’s just a small act of kindness, try to commit to making a change for good this winter. 

*Collaborative piece

Christmas Gift Guide For Women In Their 30s

Hello everyone!  I won't say happy Christmas, as it isn't December yet but Christmas is now all around us; with trees in shop windows, cards in the stores and the list of presents that we need to buy our loved ones, which seems to increase every year.

Today I thought that I would do a Christmas Gift Guide for women who are in their 30s.  My demographic (just about, don't say 40s, I have another 2 years to go yet!).  These are some of the things that I would love to receive in my stocking this year.

Everything I have chosen could be bought by a family member, close friend or even an acquaintance or work associate for their Secret Santa.

1.  Little Book of Cocktails £4.57

2.  Microwavable Slippers £13.99

3.  Folklore Hand Cream £6.00

4.  The Book of Everyone £32.90 (hardcover version)

My favourites from this section are the Little Book of Cocktails (find me a woman in her thirties who doesn't like cocktails, an impossible feat) and the Book of Everyone.  This book is a great gift to give to a family member or close friend as it is completely personalised to them and the day they were born.

 1.  Mermaid Makeup Bag £9.00

2.  Cowshed Bath & Body Oil Set £20.00

3.  Leather Goals Journal £36.99

4.  Compact Mirror £14.99

5.  Crazy Cat Lady Mug £12.50

My favourites from this section are the Mermaid make up bag, perfectly sized and a great design; and the goals journal.  Whether you are writing your future goals or planning times ahead with family and friends, this is a beautiful notebook to have on your desk.

I hope you like my gift guide and find something for the person in your life this Christmas!

To Parquet Or Not To Parquet?

Do you remember that zig zag shaped flooring you used to find in your grandparents house? That is parquet flooring, and parquet is back on the comeback trail. Its distinctive geometric shapes are what makes it stand out from the crowd and give it its own identity.

It’s unsurprising to hear that traditional, old school flooring is back on the up, as vintage is a current trend as is incredibly popular, not just in the flooring market, but in the home and clothing market, and even the re-emergence of vinyl records. Today’s parquet has been given a contemporary twist to modernise it for the present day homes.

There is an incredibly broad range of parquet flooring on offer, so there truly is something to suit everyone. They come in fixed length, individual tiles, so can pretty much be shaped into any design that you like. It is important to ensure you have a specific design in mind before going into the fitting process as they can look a little cluttered and chaotic if proper planning is not put into place beforehand.

Parquet is incredibly durable, so is perfect for homes with high levels of footfall and heavy traffic. It won’t damage as easily as solid and engineered wood, so is a perfect option if you’re not only looking for a flooring that looks great, but that’s also incredibly reliable as well. It’s a long term solution for your home, as opposed to a short term solution that won’t last long. It’s also incredibly easy to clean, if you spill something simply wipe it up, it’s that easy.

The above are examples of just two of the different options you get with parquet. They come in lighter and darker shades, and in a range of species such as oak and walnut. These examples show you Engineered Walnut flooring (left), and the stunning Engineered Grey Oak (right), patters such as these truly add something different to a room. Darker colours add a warm aesthetic, whereas lighter colours create the illusion of space, and add a brighter glow. You can see in this photo the distinctive zig-zag shapes that make parquet as unique as it is.

This truly could be a perfect addition to any modernised home looking for a traditional twist. Not only does it looks amazing, and lasts you a long time, it’s incredibly cost effective. The warm colours can add a natural warmth to your home as the winter months roll in. We hope our guide has helped you to see how beneficial parquet can be to your home, good luck making the all important decision! 

Unexpected Factors That Shape Your Home

(Image Source)

In the modern world, your home has never been a more important place. With the hectic and chaotic nature of life, a lot of people will use this place as a refuge against the stress of life, and this means that it has to be perfect. There are loads of aspects which will impact this. But, of course, there is one which people will often ignore. To help you out with this, this post will be going through this factor, while also helping you to decide if a home is right for you.

The Location:

The factor you have to be considering is, of course, the location. Most people will choose this simply based on their job, where they currently live, or where they grew up. This doesn’t make sense, though, as there is almost certainly other aspects which you’ll want to consider. Below, you can find some examples of these, along with some ways to make an improvement.

The Facilities:

A place is only as good as the facilities and services it has to offer you. For example, if you have kids, good schools will be essential, and living somewhere with one close by will make things easier. Of course, though, there will be loads of things you can make use of. So, it’s worth thinking about as many as possible, along with researching some you may not have heard of.

The Climate:

Over the last few years, more and more research has been done to determine correlations between climate and happiness. In most cases, it has been found that warmer weather makes people feel better. So, it could be worth using a company like https://www.mybekins.com/ to find a warmer place to call home. Of course, though, you’ll have to think very hard before making a move like this.

The Culture:

Although it may seem pedantic, a lot of people will consider things like crime rates, nightlife, and other local culture when they’re thinking about a location to live. These sorts of metrics can be found all over the internet and can be very useful when you’re trying to find the place for you.

The Price:

In most cases, the price of the land a house sits on will dictate most of its value. This means that a move a very short distance away could make a house of the same size a lot cheaper. As long as this doesn’t impact the other aspects of your location, a change like this could be a very good decision.

The Building Itself:

Finally, it’s time to think about the building itself, and how the location might impact it. In different places, there are loads of varying construction and architecture styles. Having a home which embodies a look you don’t like will make it feel bad. This means that it could be well worth moving to find a home which better matches the aesthetic you want to cultivate.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start considering location when you’re looking for your next home. A lot of people will ignore areas like this, choosing to use budget or size as their guide. Of course, though, there are loads of things at play here, and you need to be able to balance them all.

*Collaborative post

Top 5 Things To Do In Gran Canaria

I have finally made the decision, I am going on holiday next year!!  I haven't been away on holiday for seven years now so think that I am definately due some sunshine.

As always when I decide to do something, I research!  This is especially important when you are going away on holiday, not least for the amount you are spending.  You want to go somewhere that has everything that you want, for the best price.

This week I have been looking at Gran Canaria with Holiday Gems and thought I would share some of the research I have been doing, to help you with your holiday destination planning too.

Gran Canaria is in the Canary Islands, just off north western Africa.  The flight time is 4.5 hours, something to consider for those of you who don't like flying.  Personally, I love flying and enjoy it as part of my holiday.

Gran Canaria has both white sandy and black lava beaches.  Depending on whether you are looking for a busy, active holiday you might choose to go to Puerto Rico or for something quieter, somewhere like San Agustin.

Here are 5 things to do in Gran Canaria depending on what type of activity you like.

Drink Rum!

Let's face it, when we go on holiday we are allowed to have a tipple (or 5).  Gran Canaria is famous for its Arucas rum.  Gran Canaria has been producing sugar cane for 5 centuries now and during that time, has perfected its rum making which is now exported all over the world.  

There is a distillery that you can visit which is 15 minutes outside of the capital which gives you an afternoon experience of showing you how the rum is made and of course, allowing you to sample some of the many flavours of the rum!

Look to the Stars

For a night time activity, what is better, and more relaxing, than looking at the stars?  Gran Canaria is one of the best places in Europe to see the stars at night and there are two different observatories on the island that offer night walks.  Not something perhaps for a family holiday, but perfect for a romantic holiday away.

Go Swim with the Fishes!

Gran Canaria is great place to go scuba diving over various parts of the island.  If you are looking for a relaxed dive, looking at the fishes and maybe coming across a sea turtle or two.  For the more experienced, you could check out the El Cabron Marine Reserve, there is submerged wreck at Puerto Mogan or a cave dive in Las Palmas.

Take in some history

For me, it is important for me to take in some culture of the place that I am visiting.  To see the history of the country and what is important to those that live there.  

To achieve that, you can do no better than visit Teror which is a place of pilgrimage for the residents of Gran Canaria as it holds the state of the Virgen del Pino which is the patron saint of the Canary Islands.  There are also weekly Sunday markets where you can pick up handcrafted local items.  To check out some authentic and typical architecture of the island, go to the Plaza de Teror.

See the whole Island!

One of the best things about visiting an island is being able to see the whole of it in one day.  This is something that you can do in Gran Canaria.  There is a day tour available which enables you to see all four coasts of the island in a trip that takes around 8 hours and costs around £32.

You get to see everything from the pictureque fishing villages to the mountains, the banana plantations and also the famous Canteras beach.  

So what do you think?  Is Gran Canaria somewhere that you would think about visiting for your summer holiday?  Let me know!

Images all from Pixabay

Post in collaboration with Holiday Gems

Wedding Traditions In Different Cultures

I love receiving wedding invitations. Once the excitement of receiving a wedding invitation has worn off, it’s time to start planning your outfit. My favourite part.

Choosing a guest outfit for a wedding in the UK is hard enough. You want to be individual but not detract from the bride and ideally, buy something that you can wear again. What happens however if you’ve been invited to a wedding abroad, of a different culture?

Just like the tradition that no guest wears white to a wedding in the UK, every culture has their own traditions and rules. It can be difficult to choose an outfit as a guest, as there are many traditions and symbols that you may be unaware of and you don’t want to offend anyone.

Together with Charles Tyrwhitt, retailers of timeless menswear, I am looking today at how the dress code of a wedding changes depending on the background of the newlyweds. in India, Japan and China.

India

What will the bride be wearing?

The bride and her bridal party often have henna on their palms, hands, forearms and legs.

In India, the lady’s dress depends on the region of India that they’re from. In some regions, the bride wears a saree which is a garment that looks like a long drape, in others she wears a lehenga which is a long skirt. Often the bride is dressed in red or another vibrant colour, her garments will be carefully embroidered with an impressive design.

What will the groom be wearing?

Similar to the women, it depends on what region of India the groom is from as to what they wear. Some husbands-to-be wear traditional dress, such as a dhoti which is a rectangular cloth ties around the waist. In other regions, they wear a sherwani (a long coat), a kurta (loose falling shirt that hangs below the knee), or a Western suit.

The men also have henna on their bodies but it is less elaborate and often hidden.

What should you wear as a guest?

At an Indian wedding, the bolder your outfit is the better. Wearing vibrant colours will mean you fit in with the Indian guests. Guests should avoid white or black as these are colours worn for funerals and mourning in India. It is also advised that red is not worn either as the bride will probably be dressed in this colour.

Women guests should not bare their shoulders, wear low cut tops or short skirts as this can be seen as disrespectful — a jewel-tone dress with a shawl is one appropriate outfit. The Indian female guests will most likely be dressed in colourful sarees or anarkali suits. Jewellery is important for women too, choose a statement piece for around your neck with matching earrings and bangles.

Men often wear a tailored kurta with a pyjama and a dupatta (shawl) can be added over the kurta. For their feet, sandals, jootis or chappals are often worn as these are comfortable and prevent overheating.

Guests might also be expected to cover their heads if the wedding is held in a temple. For this, women can wear a long scarf or pashmina over their heads and men are usually provided with a head cover such as a large handkerchief.

An Indian wedding is often a long drawn out event (it could be three days long!) so make sure you are wearing something loose and comfortable. 

Japan

Japanese weddings are very elaborate and it is acceptable for families to spend close to £75,000 on a wedding day. It is often the parents of the couple who organise the wedding, and they are willing to spend excessive amounts to save face. Because of the large scale of the weddings, the bride can have as many as 5 costume changes!

What will the bride be wearing?

At a traditional (Shinto) wedding, the bride wears a white kimono, but more recently Japanese brides wear a dress that has a traditional print.

What will the groom be wearing?

Traditionally, a Japanese groom wears a wedding kimono for the ceremony and then changes into a tuxedo. The formal kimono that he wears is called a montsuki, and often displays the family crest. More recently, younger grooms start the ceremony in a tuxedo too.

What should you wear as a guest?

At a traditional Japanese wedding, men were expected to be dressed very formally with a black suit and white tie. Now however, the dress code is more flexible and it is accepted for men to come dressed in suits other than black with various coloured ties. However, it is advised to avoid white clothes with black ties.

Women often wear dresses that are knee length or a coloured kimono to take on a traditional look. It is best to avoid showing any shoulder as this can be deemed a disrespectful.

China

What will the bride be wearing?

In China, it is likely that the bride will be dressed in red as it is considered a sign of good luck that can warn off evil spirits. In some regions, typically in northern China, the traditional attire for a bride is a one-piece dress that is embroidered with gold and silver designs. In southern China, the typical wear is a two-piece frock.

A bridal crown is part of the wedding costume for some brides too – it is worn for photography or for show at a grand occasion. For footwear, a special pair of shoes are often worn that are embroidered with a symbol — for example, a turtle or a deer which symbolizes happiness and longevity. 

What will the groom be wearing?

In China, the husband-to-be traditionally wears a black silk coat over an embroidered robe. Often, in the modern day, the overcoat is not worn.

The groom has to wear certain headwear too – this is usually a black hat with a red tassel. Some younger generations are not following the traditional dress code and simply wear a tuxedo or a Western-style business suit.

What should you wear as a guest?

When dressing for a Chinese wedding, avoid wearing red as this can be seen as trying to steal the limelight from the bride. It’s best to wear pink, peach or purple as these are all symbols of new life and happiness. A formal dress is suitable for a Chinese wedding.

Colours to avoid include black and white, as these symbolise mourning and black is considered to be the colour of bad luck.