Lots of people move abroad for whatever reason but usually they will always look to return back to the UK at some point and this is fine but if you do not do your research and planning beforehand then it can be a long process and can end up throwing some unwanted surprises at you, so making sure you are clued up and ready for your return is important.

If you are planning to return back to the UK after a long period away and you are unsure what you need to do before returning then these few tips will give you an idea of what to plan for and get your started on your move back to the UK.

Source: Pexels

Make sure you want to return

It can be easy to run into some snags and not feel comfortable when moving away from your home country but it does not mean you have to move straight back, one of the first things you should do is sit down and think about whether moving back is really the right move for you and actually what you really want.

Update yourself on what is happening in the UK

You need to make sure you understand anything that has changed in the UK since you were last there, it is important to be up to date so you know exactly what you are going back to when returning to the UK. If you have particular views on things then this could impact you wanting to go back so it is always best to check prior to returning so you have no new nasty surprises when you get back.

Think about your personal circumstances

Since you left the UK your circumstances could have changed, you could have married and had children etc. So make sure that you have everything in place for your whole family you may need to look at getting visas if necessary for your family and look at spouse visa cost and you may need to look into how you can get any pets you have into the UK as well as the last thing you want is to get rid of any pets. You also need to make sure that your family is happy to move back and everything is timed right for them, with schools and new jobs make sure you give yourselves enough time to settle in before starting your new lives.

Manage your finances

Make sure before you go you set up a UK bank account and have enough money put away to live on before you can start work. You also need to tie up any loose ends before you leave such as being paid your final salary and also selling anything you will not be taking over to the UK with you, on the other side of it, also make sure you have bought a house or have somewhere to rent before you get to the UK so you are not facing any issues once you arrive.

If you are returning to the UK after moving away or leaving for a prolonged period of time and you are unsure what sort of things you need to plan for and think about them hopefully, these few tips will give you some idea of where to start with your planning to reduce anything going wrong for you.

*THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE POST*

 

https://unsplash.com/photos/4R6pg0Iq5IU 

It should go without saying that every parent wants to provide a healthy, happy, safe and stable environment for their children. This will give them the chance to grow up well-adjusted and confident, but it can sometimes feel like you’re not doing as much as you can, or you might not be sure how to provide the stability and safety that’s essential for kids of all ages. If you want some clarity over how to achieve this stability, here are four ideas to consider. 

Promote A Routine 

The easiest way of providing stability is to promote a routine that your kids can follow. This means you should establish mealtimes, study times, and bedtimes that they stick to. 

Working with your kids to create a routine will bring some order to their day. It will help them manage their time better and not spend too much time rushing or stressing to get things done. A routine brings comfort and normality to their life, which gives them something to look forward to and arrange other activities, such as seeing friends or exercising, around the fundamental pieces. 

Encourage Education 

Many kids will groan when faced with going to school even if they love it deep down (although they might not show it). However, encouraging education will give your child plenty of options in life, which sets them up for something great. 

Parents can help encourage a love for education if they make learning fun. Some concepts can be dull and tricky to understand, so try conceptualising these subjects with things your kids know and recognise. 

Keep Them Healthy 

Keeping your kids healthy by modelling an exercise routine or eating healthy foods is a fantastic way of passing on good habits. The sooner your kids embrace the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the better off they will be while growing up and in their adult life. 

You can help them find sports clubs or introduce them to activities that they like. Again, this combines with a routine, as it will help them keep busy on some evenings and weekends, and gives them something to look forward to. 

Give Them Support 

Home stability is not possible without parental support. You and your partner must be there for your children and help them overcome all the difficulties they face. 

However, not everyone has the privilege of a supposed ‘traditional’ family setup. This isn’t to say single parents are less capable of offering support. But having a spouse or partner who is there permanently, whether because they are citizens or through a spouse visa extension for couples from different countries, will ensure your child (and you) get the full spectrum of support to guarantee a stable and happy household. 

Safe and Stable 

A safe and stable home is crucial for a child’s development. They will learn how to deal with issues in their life and obtain crucial skills that can help them succeed at school, work, and in their personal lives. All of this comes from their home, so you should do all you can to provide as much stability as possible.

* THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE POST *

 Buying a home, especially for the first time is somewhat daunting, there are several factors to consider when purchasing a home and it is vital that you consider them carefully. Rushing into a house purchase is certainly not advisable, it makes sense to take the time to analyse the various factors before you make the decision to go ahead. 

Here are some of the things that you should consider when purchasing a home, take them into consideration before taking the momentous step to invest in a property.

Finances 

When purchasing a home you should consider your finances, analyze your expenditure and examine your income. Once you have a good idea of how much you actually have to spend on a home you can begin to figure out whether you want to purchase in cash or buy the property with a mortgage.

Credit score 

If you decide to get a mortgage, you would need to find out your credit score. Your score will determine the type of mortgage you can get. If your credit score is significantly low, you might have to take the necessary steps to improve your credit score. There are many services available that can facilitate the process of improving your credit score. 

If you would rather go down the DIY route, you can analyze your debts and create a plan to start paying them off. If you have a credit card you can begin using your credit card to improve your credit score.   

If you have a large balance to pay off, pay it off and then use your credit card to buy everyday essentials and pay the balance immediately. This is a very effective way of improving your credit score in a short period of time.

Location

Location is an important factor to consider when purchasing a property. The location you choose will determine the cost of the property, if you want to live in a big city the cost will be significantly higher than if you were to live in the suburbs. It is advisable to spend a significant amount of time in the locations that you prefer. Make a list of three preferred locations and if you can, spend at least a week in each area to determine which area you would prefer to live in.

Budget 

Once you have decided where you would like to live, it is time to figure out how much you can afford to spend on a new home. Factor in the cost of stamp duty property tax and various other costs that you will incur when purchasing a property. Deciding on your budget will also determine the size, age, and location of the property. For example, if you are looking for homes for sale in South Jordan, check if the property prices in South Jordan fall within your budget. 

Financing 

Financing will not apply to you if you are buying your house in cash however if you want to buy your house with a mortgage you will need to choose a mortgage service provider. Your first port of call might be your bank, or if you purchase a brand new property from a developer the developer can provide financing through a financial institution. Make sure you choose the right mortgage to suit your specific needs and budget. 

You don't want to find yourself in a difficult financial situation where you cannot afford to make the repayments because of a misjudgement in affordability.

Type of property 

What type of property do you want? Do you want a townhouse? An apartment? A bungalow? Also, would you prefer a new-build property or an older property that you can fix up? You can also purchase a lot and build your own custom property as opposed to purchasing a ready built structure.

How many Bedrooms? 

How many bedrooms would you like? Choose Wisely here because often first time buyers overestimate the need for more space. For example, a couple buying their first house ends up buying a  five-bedroom property instead of a  cheaper three-bedroom house. 

 They later realize that they could have saved money and purchased a smaller, cheaper property. Therefore, think this through very carefully when you are deciding how many bedrooms you need in a property.

Make a list of must-haves

When buying a property you do need to leave some room for compromise however, you should create a list of must-haves, these are things that you will definitely not compromise on. For example, if you have young children and you definitely do not want to compromise on outdoor space, then put that on your must-have list. 

You must also write a list of things that you are willing to compromise on. Remember that it is quite rare to find the perfect property therefore, you might have to compromise on something when it comes to buying a property.

Price 

Remember that there is always room for negotiation when it comes to property price so if you find a property that you absolutely love, don’t give up on it because of the price. You can put an offer in to see if the seller would be willing to reduce the price. Usually, when a property has been on sale for a long period of time the seller is more likely to compromise on price. Don't shy away from negotiations. In fact never offer the asking price, always negotiate down.

Inspection 

Hire a surveyor to thoroughly survey the property that you want to buy. You would need to factor the cost of paying the surveying fees into your budget.

 A professional surveyor will thoroughly inspect the property and provide you with a comprehensive report. This report will determine whether or not the mortgage company will provide you with the financing that you want to buy the property. Sometimes the survey report fails to meet the requirements of the mortgage company therefore, they might offer you a lower amount or advise that you search for a different property.

You will certainly face challenges when purchasing a property, especially if it is your first time buying a home. However, if you take your time and consider all or some of the things outlined in this article you should be able to overcome the challenges that are often associated with buying a home.

*This is a collaborative post*

Image Credit. 

Whenever summer comes around, most families have two things in mind. First, get out there and have some fun. Second, maybe slap on some sunscreen before they go out, especially if they’re prone to burning. 

However, that second point is a lot more important than it might seem at first. Also, many people don’t apply sunscreen half as often as they should, even though many dermatologists recommend applying it every two hours at least, and that’s even if it hasn’t been immediately washed off in the pool. If you’re going out for the day, it’s best to make a list of necessary supplies and to include sunscreen on that list. That way, you won’t forget it. 

But why is it so important that we regularly make sure that our skin is protected from the sun?

Of course, the UV radiation from the sun isn’t all bad. It’s one of the primary ways that our body produces vitamin D, which is vitally important for our health. Not only is vitamin D good for our bones, but it’s beneficial to our mood and to our immune system. The sunlight also has other potential health benefits. 

However, excessive exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and causes sunburn. Every skin type can be affected in these ways, but some skin is more vulnerable than others, particularly to sunburn. Unfortunately, there aren’t any definitive recommendations for a safe level of sun exposure, so it’s up to each family to be cautious yet reasonable. 

While people think of sunburn as being irritating, embarrassing, and sometimes painful, it can actually be more serious than you may realize. A minor burn isn’t something to be too worried about, although you should get out of the sun quickly. However, second or, very rarely, third-degree burns can present as a result of too much sun exposure. These burns mean that the deeper layers of the skin have been damaged, which requires medical attention. These are more likely to occur if you’ve drifted off to sleep in the sun. The immediate effects of sunburn are obvious, but the long-term effects can sneak up on you. 

Skin cancer is a danger that most people think about, and they may also consider premature aging. However, another condition that has been linked to sun damage is rosacea. This is a condition that presents as blotchy facial flushing on the face and typically affects middle-aged people. You can use a rosacea treatment to help, but lessening risk factors, like sun exposure, before it develops is ideal.

Now, people can be very aware of the need to protect their skin during the summer but are perhaps less concerned throughout the rest of the year. This is because they’re more aware of the sun when it’s obviously beating down on them, but the sun is still there in the other seasons. Yes, it might be cold on that crisp December day, but it’s still sunny. 

You probably don’t have to be as disciplined with the sunscreen, because you tend to spend less time outside when it’s cold and you’re almost certainly more covered up. However, it’s still something to be aware of, because sunburn and other sunlight-related conditions can still affect you even when it’s chilly out.

*THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE POST*

 Special educational needs... What a way to put it hey! Yes my child is special, special to me and he's also a little terror sometimes (maybe alot of the times) but I love him nonetheless, so this school year has been hard, It was ollis first school year and I've always kind of suspected somthing of him on the spectrum but it's always a wobbly one with younger children and toddlers.

We were told when he started school that he was having issues, Olli gets very violent and very aggressive some days and others he's absolutely fine and wouldn't hurt a fly. Fast forward about 8 months and he was starting to get excluded for a day or a few days at a time ans coping with this was really hard for me.. Like he was 4 at the time!

I was told he may possibly have ADHD or ADD and that's when all my worries set in! What should I do?, what can I do?, who do I speak to? How can I help him? School have put Olli on a reduced timetable so he now only goes to school from 12-3 every day because a full day is alot for him to deal with, but it's also really hard on me too with work and childcare ect.

So I phoned my doctors got an emailed response (thanks covid) and got the ball rolling for him to be assessed, now Olli can't be assessed til he's 6 and that's still just under a year away but the waiting list is very long so it was best to start now. Along with this giant form for the school to fill in I got a DLA form to see if he's entitled to any help from those as he's not in full time education yet so I'm still waiting on that but any help would be greatfully received!

The next step is to get a ECHP (educational healthcare plan) to help set some rules and boundaries at school, I can also use this if he needs to move to an SEN school, hopefully this won't take as long as the application for his assessment and can help us on our path for the help he needs.

Overall I'm worried some days are really bad and I'm so nervous about sending him to school or he'll throw such a paddy about it that no one knows how to deal with him in that situation. Other days it's better but it's such a struggle for me with my mental health and having him at home I feel like I can't get anthing done.

Hopefully soon it will get better and we can have the support we need but for today I just worry. 

So I loveeee talking about sex and relationships and all that jazz, it's part of our everyday lives (for most of us) and self pleasure Is a part of that too. It's such a taboo subject for some and that's why I love talking about it. 

I was sent some new toys from Sinful to review and I'm not saying I'm an expert in any way because who is, right? But I definitely have a few comments about them so let's go have a Sinful experience.

The first toy I received was the Sinful Rechargeable Rabbit Vibrator it came well packaged, was neatly wrapped in the box with its charging wire which is USB so fits easy in to a USB plug , it has 3 rows of balls inside that rotate with 6 different rotation speeds as well as 6 different vibration speeds too, it's very powerful and extremely intense, with its sleek design and silver features its going straight to number 1 on my list.

Secondly I got the Fantasy for her Ultimate Pleasure and 3-in-1 stimulator this lovely sleek friend comes in a great shade of purple with a tonne of features including a moving tongue with silicone textured covers, a multi strenght vacuum to suck for pleasure and its powerful G-sport vibrator that has 10 settings that will make your eyes roll back. This is also rechargeable with a magnetic usb cable and to top it all off its totally waterproof so you can even use in the bath or shower and really relax.

Lastly I got the Satisfyer Traveler Clitoral Stimulator, this little one really packs a punch and is so compact you can even keep it in your handbag, with 11 settings as well as it being totally quiet and waterproof this is the best travel toy to keep with you, this is great for solo play or even to spice things up with your partner, it's easily recharged with the magnetic USB cable and with the pulsing vibrations and waves of pressure it will be one of your favourites! 

So overall these 3 new toys are definitely great at what they do, with all the speeds and functions you can have an orgasm to remeber! Remeber to take your pick on the Sinful site with a wide variety to choose from for all budgets and needs. 

*This is a collaborative post these products were sent to me in exchange for a honest and open review*

Father's day is coming up fast and I'm always struggling to find what to buy for my kids dad's, aside from the norm of aftershave, new socks or a tie i always find myself wanting to get something better or different, so I've put together a guide for you for some of the best gifts this year for dad's.

1. Trendhim Backpack.

Who doesn't love a backpack right? From gym lovers to business traveling dad's this Lazy Bear backpack is so spacious, with a padded laptop/tablet pocket inside, colourful lining and artificial leather deatils who could go wrong?!

Trendhim have a range of brilliant and tasteful bags that suit your dad's style for a day trip or a business trip there's a bag to suit every need and they are such good quality too! Definitely a must have for dad this year! 

2. Personalised chocolates from Chocface.

Chocface is a great personalised chocolate gift you can give to your loved one, you get 6 chocolates that actually have your chosen photos printed (with edible ink) on to them, it comes in a dvd sized box with a chosen box name printed on the chocolates cover.

They look and taste totally amazing and are so easy to order, first you name your box and then select your 6 photos to upload to the chocolates, you can resize and zoom on the photos so you get the best bits and then all you have to do is enter your shipping information and payment details to finish! 

This is definitely a great gift for father's day this year especially if he's got a sweet tooth! 

3. Wireless headphones from Skullcandy

I recently got a pair of headphones from Skullcandy the Hesh ANC wireless ones and I have to say they blew me away.

They have noise cancelling, a microphone and are so so comfy, they come with a little carry bag, charger and Aux cable just incase you run out of charge, they're the perfect gift for dad's who love music and are constantly on the go!

4. Lego Star Wars!

The star wars movies are iconic and so are those tiny little bricks so what better way to celebrate fathers day than with this Lego Darth Vader model to build!

Photo Credit Eddie Wright

Lego has some great sets and produce so many happy memories and for some of us even a die hard hobby! Spend time with your dad and help him build some new memories.

5. Little extra bits. 

Now would it really be fathers day without the cute yet funny card. Or the screwdriver pen? Last minute extras can always add to your special gift and can be found at Card Factory, there's even a new app to download to help you find the perfect way to celebrate life's moments! 

But finally a homemade gift or a homemade card from the heart is always so touching, get creative and make dad the centre of attention if you can't afford anything big or anything at all as long as you show dad you love him that's all that matters.

Photo by Josh Willink from Pexels. 

*Disclaimer* this is a collaborative post

 I'm so very excited to share my big news with you all, I'm expecting another baby 😍 I'm over the moon and so are Lilli and Olli.

I'm really looking forward to sharing this journey with you all, we can't wait to have another little squish on our very dynamic family but will love him/her none the less.

Right now I'm 7weeks and 3days I'm having morning sickness on and off and I'm bloating a little too, i can't stomach any hot drinks until the evening so I'm surviving without coffee somehow!

I have my first antenatal appointment on Tuesday to get the ball rolling but I've already had an early scan as I had a fall and broke my finger! 

Meet little Squish ❤️

I'll update more after my next scan and fingers crossed everything goes fine 🤞

Much love from mumma and the bump 😁

 The dating scene can be a daunting place, and when you just can’t be sure how things will turn out, you can be incredibly hesitant in even just starting a conversation with someone else! Who knows what might go wrong? Who knows if your date will even like you, once they meet you in person? 

Thinking thoughts like these ahead of time will only help the night become a self fulfilling prophecy! Because you need to have a bit of confidence here, for your own good. And with the points below, we’re sure we can help you to build the self esteem you need to rely on for the dating scene. 

Pexels Image - CC0 Licence

Don’t Obsess Over Someone Else’s Opinion

Dating is a two way street. Yes, someone needs to like you back in order to arrange a date, or something more than that, but you shouldn’t obsess over this portion of the process alone. You should be thinking more of yourself when you’re trying to date with confidence; ask what you want, and who you like, instead of the other way around. 

When you do this, you put yourself in charge (more on that later!), and dating becomes a safer, more secure place to be. So, what do you want out of a potential partner? Maybe even make a list to remind yourself, and then go out there and find out - don’t just wait for it to come to you. 

Put Yourself in Control

When you put yourself in control, you take power over the uncertain situation dating puts you in. You really grab the bull by the horns here and decide where it’s going to go, and when you fake the confidence for long enough, you’ll soon start to feel it for real! 

So, in other words, be the person who reaches out to talk to someone you’re attracted to. Get into the online dating scene and take some photos you’re proud of, and write a profile that’s fun and confident, rather than short and sweet, like you don’t want to be seen. You could push the boat out with a site like https://thechatlinenumbers.com, to practice your best lines with, and ultimately, you make the choices you really want to. 

Take a Chance

Finally, dating is made up of a lot of chances, and that means you’re going to have to take some chances here and there. Maybe that person you’ve been chatting to isn’t your usual type, but you really like what they have to say? Maybe that dating app will have something to offer, and you shouldn’t write it off yet? It’s a very confident move, to put yourself out there like this, and going through the motions and taking those chances will really help. 

You need to have confidence in the dating scene, and that doesn’t come around easy. But if you fake it ahead of time, and do everything you can to put yourself in the right position, you’ll build it! 

So for breakfast nearly every day we have waffles... The shop-bought McVities ones from the supermarket, they cost me a fortune as a pack only last 2 days!

So I thought long and hard about investing in a waffle maker, one that would make 4 at a time so we could all do breakfast in one go and the ingredients would be cheaper in the long run too!

We got the Belgium waffle maker from Von Chef and it's been a total dream! I had most of the ingredients in the cupboard anyway so I just bought some extra toppings like Squirty cream and some fresh eggs.

So, Lilli helps make the mixture in the morning, we make enough for 2 days and cover it up in the fridge overnight, the waffle grill takes about 1 ladle full of mixture per waffle square too so we always have plenty leftover too.

Simply plug it in and wait for the light to go from red and green to just red and use the cool touch handle to open it up, pour in the mixture and close firmly, the waffles take about 8 minutes to cook (just be aware of steam, especially with little hands) and then they're so easy to take out with a fork or spatula then just add your toppings!

For our toppings, we had chocolate sauce from Dessert Parlour, Squirty cream and crushed Oreos and a few strawberries.
90% of this stuff we had in the cupboard/fridge anyway!

We love sweet waffles but if you like savory ones just add some salt and less sugar in the mix and have some cream cheese on top?!

The batter is so simple to make just follow the recipe card below...

PIN ME!!

Simply add all the ingredients in one bowl, mix well and ladle into the waffle maker and voila breakfast waffles ready to be demolished!

Comment below what toppings you'd like on your waffles. Are you sweet or savory?

With so many vinyl flooring brands doing the rounds and new ones springing up from time to time with limited lifespan, which one is the best for any upcoming design changes to your home that isn’t just a flash in the pan product?

Whilst many options present themselves as the number one in the vinyl flooring market, only one stands ahead as the most popular choice. That option is Luvanto luxury vinyl flooring.

From wood effect, stone, ceramic and especially abstract designs in supply and demand when it comes to flooring, Luvanto is the brand with the larger quantities of suitable options to fit any room of your home.

Secure Fitting

Every type of floor falls victim to something within days of it being fitted.

The most common problems stem from liquids spilt or food dropped and mashed into the floor. All kinds of household carpets are left with a lasting stain and discoloration from too many scrub attempts to remove these instances. Then people are left seriously out of pocket on differing ranges of specialty cleaning chemicals to try and get the floor back to its original look.

With Luvanto planks or tiles there are a lot of considerations taken into effect to prevent these instances ruining your floor. 

Should those liquids or foods find themselves on your flooring, simple household products can restore the floor with minimal cleaning. Usually just a simple household mop and water mixed with vinegar leaves your floor looking as it should, with no money spent on specialist cleaning products to remove the stain. Some sauces that have distinct food colourings such as tomato sauces or curries could use a more thorough clean to avoid slight discoloration, but if cleaned up straight after making contact with the floor it should clean up simply.

More Range Over Competitors

With more years being the market leading popular brand it's no surprise that more options exist within Luvanto luxury vinyl flooring.

From wood to stone to porcelain designs, Luvanto provides much more colours and palettes to choose from. Whilst popular replicated looks such as dark woods give ambience to a room, people also gravitate towards more stone abstract options or a unique combination of both to connect or separate spaces within the home. Bathrooms and kitchens are targets for stone look vinyl whilst living rooms, conservatories and hobby rooms aim towards the wooden style.

When you want the best selections, Luvanto and it’s ranges like Luvanto Endure Pro and Luvanto Design certainly can provide more options.

Supply on Demand

With LVT being the big thing for home design there is a huge influx of qualified suppliers to help give your home the right feel.

Luvanto luxury vinyl flooring offers a market leading product through its core ranges and brings professional looks and feels to any room you wish to design specific to a look. When interior designers or market research conducts a poll on the best flooring in today’s marketplace, Luvanto is a regular visitor to the top five options and tops the vinyl flooring brands in the popular polls.

Considering the amount of differing brands in the vinyl market, it speaks volumes that Luvanto has managed to maintain its position for so long, which surely makes it the top consideration for your floor at home.

*This is a collaborative post*