Why I’m Buying Hip Hop Bling This Year*

 

I love to accessorise an outfit with a piece of jewellery or two, especially when going on a night out or attending a special occasion. As someone who loves fashion, I feel that accessories help to finish off an outfit and bring everything together. One of the best things about jewellery is that there are so many types available – this is great news because it means that whatever you’re looking for there is going to be something to suit you. As someone who has spent years navigating plus size fashion options, this is something really important to me, because I know how it can feel to wearing clothing you aren’t 100% happy with. The fact that there is are so many choices out there can only be a good thing – it means that everyone can wear what they want, when they want. 

 

Different Types of Jewellery  

Although not immediately my personal style, I have recently been starting to look for Christmas present ideas in an attempt to get organised early. One thing I have started to look for is hip hop jewelry and I am amazed at just how much is out there. If you love a bit of bling then you need to get your hands on some iced out chains because they tick the boxes perfectly. I like my jewellery more understated, however, when it comes to a bit of bling – hip hop jewellery really does have your back. What I love about this style of jewellery is that it really is a statement piece – it’s something that is going to stand out and make people look, which is perfect if that is the look you’re going for. I have my eye on some iced out pendants for a friend because I know that is the type of jewellery that they love – and the fact that there are some affordable options is great for me and my Christmas budgeting! 

Of course, if you are buying jewellery for someone else always consider their style and what they like, because something like this is a personal style choice and you don’t want to get it wrong. 

Do you buy jewellery as presents? What would you recommend?

4 Ways To Make Dinner Out With Friends More Fun*

Eating out with friends is one of my favourite things to do – whether that’s going for afternoon tea, tackling bottomless brunch or simply going for a beer and burger – it’s all fun! However, there are some definite ways to make it more fun – here are some tips. 

Go Somewhere New 

Trying new places is always fun – even a burger from one restaurant to another varies in style and taste. I love going to new places because it means that I can try something new – and even take some new photos for my social media. There are often different deals on at different times of the week at various places so definitely have a look at what each place is offering and see what day might suit you and your taste buds. 

Book in Advance 

I have always liked booking in advance, but now when places are restricting the number of people that are allowed in its even more important. After all, no one wants to go somewhere and then be turned away – because that just leads to choosing somewhere in a hurry and that is never a good idea. When looking at private dining rooms I tend to book via somewhere like Square Meal which makes it so easy to book into a range of places – it’s even a good way to browse through different dining options and picking somewhere. You can even see which places are child-friendly! 

Read Reviews 

If you are going to try somewhere new then reading reviews is definitely recommended. Social media and even places like Trip Advisor are great for this. Although you can go on a whim and try somewhere because you like the sound of their restaurant menu, realisti8cally you won’t know what you’re getting. Reading reviews or even asking friends for their recommendations helps to make sure that where you’re going is going to be what you like – and that is one of the best ways to make sure you have a great time.  

Get Friends Involved 

If you’re going out with friends then get everyone involved – people with have their own likes, dislikes and needs so make sure that you take that into account. You can ask friends to pick somewhere and get a different friend to pick each time so that you get a bit of variety the choice is yours. 

These past 18 months have been tough and being able to eat dinner out is a luxury that we weren’t able to do for a long time. As such, now that we can and it feels safer to do so I am going to grab every chance I get. Whether that is takeaway around a friend’s house or going somewhere for bottomless brunch I want to enjoy life and make the most of the opportunities we have – and for me that includes enjoying food out with friends. 

What things do you like to do with your friends? Any recommendations on places to eat? 

Check out my 5 tips for eating out with a toddler

The Warning Signs of Requiring a Bookkeeper*

As your business grows, there is only so much time you can dedicate to handling your company records yourself. Starting you can easily rely on a spreadsheet template you sourced online, or even handle some accounting software you purchased to help, but as things get bigger your finances to start to get more complex.

When that day rolls around you are going to stretch yourself thin until you accept the reality that it is time a bookkeeper was doing this area. Some owners accept this early on, whilst others realise much later in the process, but you cannot ignore the signs that are there that it is a requirement.

Overworking
Around 39% of business owners commit more than 60 hrs a week to their business, which quickly leads to burnout from overworking. Every hour you work has a money equivalent tied to it, and if you add up the amount this time you are giving to your bookkeeping, you know the worth and the amount you spend on this area a month.

Compare the amount you are paying in the time dedicated to your bookkeeping efforts against that of professional bookkeeping services. You may discover that the rate of a bookkeeper in doing the job once instead of you dedicating hours to it every week saves a lot of money.






Falling Behind
When you fall behind on your books, the actual state of your finances are not correct. This in turn makes it much harder to understand your cash flow and discover how your business is performing financially.

Running blind to how your business is performing financially, as well as how to stop running in the red, is a dangerous game. One made all the riskier when you catch up towards the end of the tax year and have to step away from your business to decipher it all. Do it wrong and you'll be paying the penalties.

With bookkeeping services in Manchester, you will be provided with monthly financial statements that showcase where money is going and coming from, handing you an accurate presentation of your company's financial situation.

Leave it With the Accountant
Many business owners make the mistake of leaving their books untouched over the entire year, then dropping them onto their accountant's desk during the busiest tax month.

The mistake is not only that your account is more expensive per hour than a bookkeeper, but they also have the busiest period during the financial year-end where their time is precious in dealing with every client they have. This means they will not have as much time to help you as you may need in doing your bookkeeping.

Having bookkeeping services provide your accountant with up to date records saves a lot of time and expense from your accountant and goes a long way to making sure that nothing gets missed that could lead to a fine from HMRC.

Having a bookkeeper take these stresses from your working life is a benefit and one that allmajor ows you to concentrate on the real task at hand - running your business.

Luvanto is Pure Transformation*

 

Your lifestyle changes with every passing day and a big part of being happy with your lifestyle to start naturally within the home. 

You may feel that in choosing an area like a floor design you are simply just looking for something to step on that looks pleasing. The truth is that making the right choice by evaluating your personal needs pays back in your day to day lifestyle, giving you more comfort and time to focus on other things.

Underfloor Heating

If you have considered underfloor heating and it is something you are game to have implemented throughout the home, then you need to consider what flooring can perfectly accommodate it.

Underfloor heating adds incredible comfort to the home, as well as increases its value should you choose to sell up in the future. However, it is not compatible with all types of flooring. Many people love the look of real hardwood flooring, but it does not work well for underfloor heating. If the look and feel of a hardwood floor is your desire and you are also desiring underfloor heating, then Luvanto luxury vinyl flooring is a great substitute. 

This flooring option perfectly replicates real hardwood floors whilst being a perfect layer for underfloor heating.

Maintenance

Cleaning floors and looking after them is something everyone has to endure and may take a lot of care to keep them presentable.

If your household sees a lot of regular foot traffic then it's safe to say those days breaking out the mop and cleaning products feel never-ending, and we continue to put it off if we can. This is another area where luxury vinyl flooring provides a helping hand and reduces those hours spent cleaning, as they can be kept in great condition with as little as a simple sweep and mop without requiring specialist cleaning products. 

You spare a lot of time tending to scratches, stains and water damage due to its resistant properties, giving you peace of mind and savings on repair items.

Making it Last

When choosing a floor you want it for as long as possible whilst also having something that will match any change through decorating.

With luxury vinyl flooring you are instantly opened up to designs that will match any changes whilst having a durability factor that lasts for over 20 years before any major replacements could be needed. 

In greatly reducing the work you have to put into your home and providing a longer-lasting sense of transformation with it, you see and feel benefits as well as the time to yourself doing what you wish.

A Quick Midweek Pamper Session To Try*

 

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Now and again we all need to give our bodies some tlc. Whether this be shaving our legs, applying a face mask, or washing our hair with a deep conditioner - making sure our bodies are happy is so important. 

If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands but you know that your skin is in serious need of a treatment - here is a midweek pamper routine you can try that is super easy to do and will refresh your face. 

Use a pore cleansing strip 

The first stage to your pamper routine is a pore cleansing strip. This can be applied on the nose or chin and it will rid the skin of dead cells, blackheads, and sebum. To use this you need to first wash your face and warm it with warm water. Now, on a damp nose or chin, apply the strip and press it down. Press over with a towel and leave to dry for 15 minutes. Remove and you’ll see lots of oil and skin coming out of your pores, cleaning them. 

Apply a face mask 

Once you have done a pore cleansing strip it is time to apply a face mask. A face mask will help to penetrate the pores and you will feel fresher and tighter skin afterwards. Whether you are looking at a hyperpigmentation skincare routine or you have blemished skin - there are face masks out there to suit any need. Apply your mask and leave for 20 minutes, and then rinse off. The easiest way to do this is by applying your mask before you shower, and then simply get in the shower and rinse it off in there. For a midweek pamper session this saves a lot of time. 

Wash your face… twice 

Now it is time for your in-shower pamper routine that will refresh the face and get rid of any last bits of debris or dirt in your pores. Wash your face first with a foaming cleanser made for sensitive skin and this will provide a light cleanse for your pores. Then go in with a charcoal face wash which will penetrate deeply and will rid the skin of any dirt. 

Apply toner

Once out of the shower, it is time to rebalance the pH of your skin and ensure that it does not breakout. This is an easy step to do and it will ensure that your pores close back up and that your skin feels balanced and healthy. A toner is a simple skincare item and it should always be applied after you have cleansed. Apply with a cotton pad and upward and outward motions. 

Hydrate with vitamin E 

Now it is time to finish your midweek pamper session with hydration - and this can be easily achieved with a vitamin e oil. You can get vitamin e oil from any drugstore and applying this in gentle patting motions all over the skin will rejuvenate the skin as well as promote blood flow.

Where to Go for A Last-Minute Babymoon*

 

A babymoon is a relatively new concept that couples are adopting as their last hurrah before the baby arrives. It's an idea of taking a vacation with your partner to celebrate the impending birth and spend quality time together before life changes forever. But wondering where to go last minute that's easy, with good access to health care if there are any problems? Here are five excellent last-minute destinations for a relaxing and fun babymoon!



Rome, Italy
Rome is a lovely city to explore on your babymoon. You can aimlessly wander throughout the ancient roman ruins and eat an amazing plate of cacao pepe, while enjoying the Italian “dolce vita”. The food there is great, the streets are cobble-stoned, and the history of this ancient city will fascinate you. It's easy to get around with its excellent public transportation system, and there are plenty of good hospitals if any problems arise. There is also the option of private clinics in case you want a more luxurious experience during your last-minute babymoon.




Spa Getaway in Iceland
Iceland is a charming place to travel during the summer months. It's relaxing and easy to get around the destination with good public health care; you'll be able to soak up the beauty of this country which is already known for its potent geothermal activity. The Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to go for some pre-baby. Take advantage of being surrounded by such beautiful nature and indulge in the Lava view suite at the Blue Lagoon hotel and bounce back and forth between your suite and the amazing spa! You can even enjoy a nice dinner here with your partner while enjoying the relaxing display of geothermal waters boiling, steaming, and smelling lovely in front of you.




Beach Magic in Marbella, Spain
Marbella is a great place to travel last minute. The beaches are beautiful, there's plenty of good restaurants, and there are many private clinics to take care of you if anything goes wrong during your babymoon in Spain. It's also easy to get around Marbella with its international airport nearby, and the public transportation system is also pretty good.

Cotswolds, England
Cotswolds is a beautiful English countryside region close to a large and lovely airport (London Luton). The best time to visit here in summer is between May and September. This place comes highly recommended as it's picturesque, charming and nearby if you don’t want to travel internationally before your baby is due! This is the kind of trip if you are interested in beautiful gardens and peacefully wandering around.

Lavander Galore in Provence, France
Provence is an absolutely lovely region of France. It's known for its medieval villages, delicious local cuisine, and sunny weather. The French Riviera here is also another nice option for you to enjoy during your babymoon. Nice airport and excellent public health care make Provence a great place to choose as your last min babymoon destination.

These destinations are safe and relaxing and can give you a bit of everything you want, from amazing food and a distinct cultural experience. Every destination has its own charm, so you can choose the best place for your destination. We hope these tips will help you in planning the perfect last-minute babymoon!

Review | Hotel Paradiso, Underbelly Festival*

courtesy of The Other Richard

 

We were kindly invited down to watch Hotel Paradiso at the Underbelly Festival and it was just a fab performance! Full of thrills, gasps, laughs and drama!

At the start of the show the characters started off talking to the audience (in character of course) and we both really enjoyed that. It helped us get into the theme of the show perfectly.

 

courtesy of Nino Giuffre

The show is based at The Hotel Paradiso. A rather run-down hotel which is run by Madame who unfortunately lost her parents at a young age and was left in charge of the hotel alongside her wine loving concierge and his staff of two, the bell boy and the chambermaid.

Two mysterious bankers arrive with a 24 hour notice to raise the cash for the hotel or lose it for good! Follows is 60 minutes of non stop heart-stopping acrobatics and a series of laugh out loud clowning moments.

Our favourite act of the show was the hula hoop routine, no plot spoilers but it involves lots of hula hoops and a bottle of champagne.

Overall I must say it’s a great show! The performers were fantastic especially with the lighting storm and heavy rain falling onto the tent. The show is only an hour-long, so perfect for the smaller members of the family. A must see and we will definitely be going again!

Age Recommendation: Most Suitable for Ages 5+

Performances: 2.00pm  

Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes

Ticket Prices: From £15

Address:  Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0PN                    

*We received complimentary tickets for the purpose of this review