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*

 

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From the moment your child is born, you are instilled with a certain sense of responsibility. Not only must you ensure that you provide them with the love, care and support they need to grow and develop - you also need to begin making decisions that affect multiple people as opposed to yourself. 

As a result, you may find it much harder than usual to make difficult decisions - after all, the repercussion can now be far-reaching. However, when this is the case, it is important you trust in yourself, your knowledge and your instincts. As a parent, you will always know what is best for your children - and you can use this knowledge to make difficult decisions much easier and more straightforward than they may seem.

Nevertheless, certain topics definitely require more thought than others. For example, if you and your partner no longer want any more children, you may be discussing different birth control options or considering solutions such as a vasectomy or tubal ligation. These are big decisions that shouldn’t be taken lightly and require a lot of care, sensitivity and thought ahead of time. 

With that in mind, here are some ways in which you can begin to make difficult decisions a little easier for everyone involved! 

Don’t rush the process. While some decisions may be time-sensitive (such as accepting a big job offer or moving house), others are not. Therefore, it is important that you do not rush unnecessarily into a decision, especially if it will have an impact on the family as a whole. Take your time to consider all options and the positive and negative aspects of each situation as it presents itself. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff. As a parent, you’ll always want to do what is best for your kids. Therefore, you may find yourself over-analysing certain situations or decision - even though they may be inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Therefore, it is vital that you learn not to get caught up on things that don’t matter. 

 

Be honest. As with any collective decision, everybody’s needs and best interests must be taken into consideration. For example, an exciting new job offer at a company you love may seem like a no brainer - but it may require you to move home or spend less time with your children. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good decision - you just need to ensure that the positives outweigh the negatives and that you are honest with yourself about what you want. If you are unhappy about a certain situation - don’t sit quietly - let your voice be heard.

Get everyone involved in the conversation. As they grow older, your children will begin to formulate their own thoughts and opinions and, as a result, deserve to be a part of meaningful conversations. While the ultimate decision will remain with yourself and your partner - sitting down and keeping your kids in the loop is a great way to teach them important skills in patience, communication and teamwork. This helps them overcome hurdles and grow into adulthood and beyond.  

*This is a collaborative post*

Feel like you've left it a little late for mothers day this year? No idea what to get her? Well here's a short list of ideas to wow her on that special day. 

 

First up is a card, most supermarkets sell cards from about 99p upwards even somthibg small and short worded still means the world to her.

Time for presents?! The top on my list is a Little Shelford portable digital radio, I'm forever listening to radio and music and this is perfect to have in the kicthen or to take out in the garden too. It's so cute and such a great price too. Have a look on Amazon here. 

Next is some good old fashion flowers, maybe an orchid or a lovely bouquet of carnations these are available from most good supermarkets but you can always get them delivered with Interflora. 

Chocolates are always a must have for mothers day and there's nothing better than pigging out on a box of choccies while the kids beg you for some! 

Maybe bake a cake? Or if your terrible at baking you could always order one from Eat Your Photo 

Peace and quiet? Does that exist? Maybe if your partner has been having a stressful time lately maybe let her have a lie in while you take the kids out to the park or while she has a nice bath entertain them to give her that much deserved peace. 

I hope all the mummies have an amazing mother's day and you treat her good! Much love x

 

From a developmental point of view, why do men grow beards? Is it pride? Dominance? Or laziness? Or any other reason. Many research types have shown that beards likely evolved to help men boost their standing among other men. You might think that all the facial hair you see on the street is to attract females. However, several studies have shown that men and women find that men with beards appear older, healthier, and more aggressive than non-bearded men. 

Some studies find that women prefer stubble, while others show that women like men with full beards. In comparison, some others show that women find clean-shaven men the most attractive. Though, the reason could be anything behind do women like beards?

However, bearded men are regarded as masculine, resourceful, and determined. Each bearded man is different, and everyone has their own unique set of circumstances that initiated them into the lifestyle. The reasoning behind the new manes is generally much more straightforward or more evident than you would assume. Keeping that in mind, we have discussed below some of the real reasons’ men grow out of their beards. 

The followings are some of the real reasons why do men grow out their beards:

• Beards look cool-

This is probably the common reason behind growing out a beard. On some men’s beards look simply fabulous. Whether you go for a lighter look, a more groomed look, or just letting your beard run wild, you will make a more distinct impression among family, friends, and strangers. Growing out a beard will give you a presence that cannot be depicted in any other way. Without doing anything besides allowing your body to act naturally, you will look more masculine. If you are looking for a transformation and want to make a statement, then growing a beard is the easiest option.

Photo by Вальдемар from Pexels

• You want to grow a facial hair because someone else suggests it-

For many of the guys, wanting to grow a beard is not enough to get them to set the razor. Sometimes it helps if someone else suggests providing the boost of confidence and assistance required to wander into the grooming area. The one who is very close to you means it; then many bearded men will take this as a hint to think bearded thoughts and start the journey towards hair glory. Though sometimes, what it takes is a little encouragement to change your life for the better, and while before you know it, you will appreciate friends to do the same. 

• Beards help you to stay warm-

Many years ago, men used to grow a beard not out of choice but out of necessity. In the early days, people weren’t shaving too frequently. Since then, men in colder climates depend on their beards to help them stay warm and protect their face with harsh winter winds. Snow, ice, current, and dryness can take it all on a guy’s face, and at that time, bearded men were more worried about survival than comfort. At that time, today, most of the bearded men rely upon their beards to protect themselves from the harsh winter. 

• Express laziness-

The above might surprise you, but this is the most common reason men grow out their beards because of pure laziness. Shaving is not fun; it is time-consuming, painful, and nerve-shaking. And the best way to avoid these things is to keep up the facial hair. However, it might provide you to trim up parts of your beard at a certain point, but for the most pull-out part, you can just let it grow in whatever pattern it is developing. 

Photo by Bruno Salvadori from Pexels

• Hiding up what’s beneath your beard-

Besides complementing your other features and providing you with an aspect of masculinity, facial hairs are a great way to redesign your facial features and select what parts of your face are and aren’t visible. For younger guys, beards are a helpful way to cover up the bad skin or acne, essentially acting as a covering to your face’s floor. Similarly, if you are a heavier set guy with a less defined jawline or chin, beards can act as a great way to heighten whatever features you favor the most. However, it is essential to embrace your personality and carry confidence in yourself. But you will need to remember that just because you were not born with a beard doesn’t mean you cannot include it in your identity. Whatever makes you feel comfortable, embrace it to the fullest. 

Conclusion:

There are many reasons men grow a beard, but some men can also grow out a beard simply because they like it. Growing out a beard can provide many benefits, out of which some of them are discussed above. 

 Heartburn is far more common than one thinks. Yet, it is one of the most uncomfortable experiences that results in hiccups, a burning sensation in your throat and chest and sometimes even acid reflux. It is usually caused or sometimes triggered by eating spicy or acidic foods which can be avoided when possible; however, when heartburn does strike there are certain things you can do to ease the discomfort. Here are some quick and easy remedies for heartburn.

Image Credit: Pixabay

An Over-The-Counter Medicine

The quickest heartburn treatment is to take an antacid that gives immediate but short-term relief or a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) medicine that gives long-term relief. PPIs work by decreasing the amount of acid made by the stomach, which in turn helps relieve symptoms and discomfort. 

These medicines need no prescription and can be taken on a daily basis; however if you are unsure consult your doctor first.

Identify (And Avoid) Triggers

Certain foods and food groups are also known to trigger heartburn. Spicy and acidic foods are the most common culprits but sometimes certain foods and drinks affect some people prone to heartburn while not bothering others. These include chocolate, peppermint, milk, coffee, alcohol and fizzy drinks. Identify which foods and drinks spark off feelings of discomfort for you and where possible, avoid them completely. 

Change Your Routine 

Sometimes, small things such as exercising too soon before or after eating, or a particular sleeping position, can trigger heartburn. Doing something as simple as changing your routine (exercising at least an hour before a meal) or sleeping on your left side instead of on your back or front, for instance, can help you manage your heartburn more effectively. 

Pregnancy-Related Heartburn 

Heartburn is also a common side-effect during pregnancy, primarily because of the additional weight which puts pressure on the stomach and weakens the muscles of the oesophagus. Eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of larger meals, and leaving a gap of at least 1-2 hours between dinner and bedtime to aid in digestion often helps. Wearing loose-fitting PJs also helps you feel more comfortable when sleeping or lying down. 

Quit Smoking

There is no ‘good’ reason for smoking and heartburn is another reason to quit. Cigarettes and even second-hand cigarette smoke is a trigger for heartburn, so if you’re a smoker, there’s another reason to give it up.

Other Useful Tips

• Sleeping with your upper body slightly elevated also helps in easing the discomfort of heartburn. Either raise the head of your bed or use 3-4 pillows and sleep slightly upright from the waist. 

• Sipping on ginger tea (just boiling water seeped in ginger - avoid the milk) through the day is also a known home remedy for heartburn.

• Another lesser-known home remedy is to dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly. Baking soda helps neutralize the acid in the stomach.

• Avoid tight, restrictive clothing as far as possible - the more comfortable and loose your clothes are (especially around the waist), the less sick you will feel.

• Chewing gum is also effective as it helps to dilute the acid in your stomach

*This is a collaborative post*

Adobe LiveCycle Designer and Adobe Acrobat actually posses diverse scripting object models. This can be quite confusing for many, but this article aims to clear it up. By revealing the differences between the two as well as providing advice on conversion, you should be a lot clearer regarding how to convert the JavaScript found in Adobe Acrobat for use in Adobe Livecycle Designer. Read on to find out more…

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-front-of-laptop-on-brown-wooden-table-2115217/

Let’s begin by revealing a little bit more about the LiveCycle Designer software which was released last year. This has been designed in order to let you build intelligent forms. There are various methods for doing so, such as adding form logic through LiveCycle Designer UI or adding JavaScript scripting. This is highly beneficial because through working offline and alike it can enhance workflow efficiency and usability dramatically. Another reason why this program is popular is because it gives the possibility of saving in PDF containing the XML form data, XDP, HTML and more. Get some Free SVGs to help you make amazing designs.

When dealing with Adobe Acrobat and Adobe LiveCycle Designer it is not the case that the two completely do not work together. A lot of the Acrobat JavaScript will work in LiveCycle Designer formats. Yet, there are some that won’t and this is due to the difference between the two scripting models as there is barely any overlap. Companies like Supportiv can assist if you need more programs in place to run all of your work.

When converting the JavaScript found in Adobe Acrobat to Adobe LiveCycle Designer the first thing you need to do is decide how much of Acrobat can actually be used in LiveCycle Designer form, and consequently how much needs to be converted.

Make a table and spilt it into three categories. The first category is for those that do work in LiveCycle Designer forms. However, they do not have any LiveCycle Designer JavaScript equivalent either. The second is for those that again work however there is the possibility for a conversion to LiveCycle Designer JavaScript. And finally, the latter category is for those that simply have to be converted because they do not work in LiveCycle Designer forms. Most technology experts recommend converting all that is possible. Yet, begin with your necessities; those that will not work without conversion.

There are various different ways to make the transition to Adobe LiveCycle Designer; this encompasses everything from LiveCycle Designer UI form logic to FormCalc scripting. The latter is a popular and effective option. FormCalc is essentially an easy and straightforward calculation language. It is popular because it doesn’t need the knowledge of traditional scripting techniques it can actually facilitate quick and effective form design without it. This is especially beneficial for individuals who are going to be using the software and performing a substantial amount of calculations.

Nevertheless, the method of conversion you select largely depends on your design goals as well as your skill set. FormCalc Scripting is quite straight forward but some programming knowledge would be useful. There is also LiveCycle Designer UI form logic; this is extremely easy to create and maintain and thus no programming skills are required. And then there is LiveCycle Designer JavaScript which is recommended you have programming ability for. Make sure you don’t choose anything that is out of your depth.

But finally, if you are struggling then simply look to the internet for guidance. You will find lots of step-by-step guides which talk you through the exact process; from importing a file to testing and debugging. You will never be too far away from help.  

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

If you experience stress on a day to day basis then you will know how debilitating it can be. Even if you think that you are handling it well, this may not always be the case. If you want to make sure that you are not putting yourself at risk for various health problems or if you want to combat your stress once and for all then this guide will certainly help you out.

Stress Can Stop you from Sleeping

Stress can also stop you from being able to sleep. Studies have shown time and time again that stress triggers the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and this plays a huge part in your sleep schedule. You may find that you experience sleep loss and that you find yourself going over the same situations in your head again and again. This is essentially your brain working overtime so that a solution can be found.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is a symptom of stress and it can cause huge damage to your teeth if you don’t get it sorted. The main reason why this happens is because your subconscious mind has a heightened level of activity and this needs to be released somehow. Grinding your teeth can cause dental problems and it can also give you a painful jaw too. 70% of bruxism cases can be directly associated with stress, so you need to try and prioritise your anxiety and put yourself first so that you can stop your teeth from grinding at night. If you are having a really hard time dealing with anxiety, then it’s a good idea for you to look into treating that. Remember that CBD can help anxiety, if you want a natural solution that you can easily access online.

Headaches

Stress can easily cause headaches. Tension headaches can wreak havoc on your life, and they can last from an hour to a few hours. Headaches like this can put pressure on both sides of your head and you may find that you also experience neck tension too. If you experience headaches like this on a weekly basis then this is a sign that something needs to change.

Irritability

Stress can impact your mood in ways that you probably find very hard to control. When you are stressed out, your nervous system will be overly responsive, and you may find that your sensory receptors are much more sensitive to various stimuli. This makes everything feel more intense than it actually is, and you may find that it spills over into your life more than you realise. This can also make you more reactive, which can have a knock-on impact on your job performance. If you want to stop this from being an issue, then you need to try and make sure that you do everything you can to lower the stress in your life. If you are under too much pressure at work, then this may mean talking to your boss about lowering your responsibilities. If you are struggling at home, consider exploring the idea of childcare.

 

*This is a collaborative post*

Everyone has a song, a special moment in time or lyrics that remind you of someone, music is special, it helps with mental health and brings so much joy. Say it with songs cards make amazing cute cards with lyrics to a special song but then they add a QR code on the back so you can scan it and listen to that song and let your memories flood back in!

Valentines cards include Mr. Loverman with the song by Shabba Ranks, Crazy In Love with the song by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing with the song by Aerosmith and so many more amazing tracks and lyrics. 

Say It With Songs don't just have valentines cards they have cards for all occasions like birthdays with the song by Stevie Wonder or Mothers day and loads of other things! Each card comes with a blank inside and the QR code printed on the back, they're such a cute card to give and I'm totally obsessed with them right now! 

The QR codes that are printed on the cards take your recipient to a page where they can choose how to play the song such as Amazon Music, Spotify or YouTube, these codes are scannable with your smartphones camera (non iPhone users may need to download an app from the app store to access the song) 

Say It With Songs proudly support the Music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins and the donate 10% from the sale of each card to help them support people in need. 

So horay! You know about these amazing cards and you'd be lying if you said they didn't sound amazing, so if you order now you can save 10% off with my code: 10XOFF03 ;) 

Plus, Say It With Songs and me are giving you the opportunity to WIN* 5 cards of your choice from the website! How cool is that?! So enter below and good luck!

  Say it with songs

*T's & C's apply - Open to UK residents only. This is a collaborative post with affiliate links, all opinions are my own. 

When you are in a relationship, it’s important that your partner knows you love them. You need to make sure that they know, otherwise they may end up questioning it, which could lead to the demise of the relationship altogether. People need reassurance. People need to be told the things that you are thinking in order to know them. Nobody on this planet can mind read, and you should never expect someone to know something that is not being proven. In this article, we are going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to show your partner that you love them. If you would like to find out more about this topic, keep reading down below.

Pic Link - CC0 Licence

Little Gifts

The first thing that you can do is leave them little gifts every now and then. These don’t have to be expensive, but just something to let them know that you were thinking about them. For example, you could pick them up a bunch of flowers on your way home from work one day. It’s not going to bankrupt you, but it’s enough to put a smile on their face. Or, you could get them something that you know they like, just to see them be happy for a while. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but it shows that there is effort being put into the relationship. Effort goes where effort is received, and that’s something you need to keep in mind.

Leave Them Notes

Something else that you can think about doing is leaving them little notes around their/your home. Let them know the things that you are thinking. Let them know what runs through your mind when you see them first thing in the morning. Let them know what you see when you think about your future together. It’s little things like this that give people the reassurance they need to know they are loved and cared for. It takes a couple of minutes out of your day, but it makes their entire day.

The notes don’t have to be essays. You could simply write one sentence and change their mood for an entire day. Again, it’s the thought that counts here more than anything else.

Be There

Lastly, you need to be there. Be there when they need you. Be there when things are falling apart. Be there when they are happy. Be there when they want to talk. Be there when it feels like the world is turning upside down. Keep showing up, even when it gets hard. Don’t threaten to leave when things get tough. Don’t be looking up divorce solicitors every time you have a fight. Just be there.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do in order to show your partner you love them. It’s important that you do this if you want your relationship to survive, so if you’re not currently doing anything to let the one you love know this, then you need to start sooner rather than later. We wish you the best of luck with this, and hope some of these suggestions help.

*This is a collaborative post*