If you are undertaking some home renovation over the winter months but find yourself conflicted by your budget, you don’t want to make the mistake of going for something cheap and not suitable just to cover the floor for now.

Whilst choosing something subpar may lead you to think you are discovering a real bargain, knowing what is reliable and will not need repairs and touch-ups over time is a major focus for those wanting long-lasting solutions. In that sense, Karndean Click vinyl flooring has reaped benefits for those looking to keep their budget in line and have a great product for it.

Low Maintenance 

When enjoying your home, you want to be able to sit and enjoy the time without the constant worry of needing to clean up.

One of the biggest benefits which turn people towards vinyl is the ability to switch off from worrying about the floor. The many manufactured safeguards that vinyl provides include anti-scratch and anti-slip wear layers - which is a relief if you have kids or animals running through your room. The floor has the durability to withstand any potential accidents.

With all that added durability and extra cushioned texture, vinyl can withstand much more than other household flooring options, which goes a long way towards further peace of mind.

Inexpensive 

Above all of the style and protection that luxury vinyl flooring presents, you want to know that what you will spend on your flooring is worth the investment.

People who invest in Karndean Click vinyl flooring are quick to discover it is a much cheaper option over any carpet, laminate or wood/stone featured flooring. What you also can take into consideration is the relative savings over several areas.

Should any individual piece of flooring need to be replaced, it can be done without disrupting the entire floor by taking out the damaged piece and replacing it with another. With the individual planks or tiles being very cheap to buy, you will find that it does not leave you out of pocket or have your budget stretched. 

Also, when you consider the savings on not requiring a professional fitter for the floor, you can treat it as a DIY project for that person in the house who likes to undertake a challenge.

Easy Clean

Everyone has those fears of embarrassing situations where you may need to hide sections of your floor due to spillages from drinks or sauces.

Instead of paying out for every kind of expensive chemical solution to clean up blotches on your floor, vinyl offers a simple solution - warm soapy water, a sponge or a mop. There are other ways people have taken to cleaning their vinyl with ease to retain its original gloss, and with the benefit of anti-moisture properties, you are ensured that there is no leaking to the subfloor and ruining the long term prospects of your floor.

This makes vinyl perfect for a kitchen where heavy activity requires a floor at can take the heat. When working within a set budget for renovation, Karndean Click vinyl flooring is a firm favourite for keeping money, style and security safe and sound as the best product on the market.

 How Can You Ease The Stress Of Parenting?

Image credit 

Almost every loving parent will readily sacrifice for their children. But they will also admit that raising their little ones can drain you emotionally, physically, and mentally. And when you throw in other responsibilities like work, it’s no surprise that parenting stress is common. Moreover, the more pressure you pile up, the closer to the edge you get. So, do you feel you’re ready to lose your mind any moment? Please don’t! Use these tips to ease the stress of parenting.

Find support in each other as parents and treat yourselves

Your partner is your greatest asset when it comes to parenting. And the last thing you want to do is make them feel like they’re carrying the burden alone. The more united you are in sharing the responsibility, the less burden you have on your shoulders. At the same time, find ways to treat yourselves and love each other. Believe it or not, parenting stress can damage marriages and make it even more challenging to raise the kids - not to mention what it does to the little ones. A once-happy family can quickly become a nightmare of arguments. 

So, take time out regularly and treat yourselves. Go on dates, support, and love each other. And speaking of love, find creative ways to renew your love. For example, you can buy each other gifts of appreciation or even create personalized gift books that show all the reasons why you love your partner. Visit lovebookonline.co.uk to find out more. 

Create an extra system of support around you

You want to take a break and go for a date or a massage treatment you need so badly. But who will take care of the kids in your absence? Even with a supportive partner, you’ll always need an extra pair of hands to help you out at certain times. You can rely on extended family members, trusted friends and neighbours, loved ones, etc., to put in some shifts for you when you need to take a break. Or you can hire a babysitter to cover your absence.

Join a local support group

You can also join local support groups, clubs, or associations in your local community dedicated to supporting parents. That will prove especially helpful if your kids have special needs. Raising children with special needs can be twice as stressful, especially when you don’t know what to do. You can get all the resources, assistance, tips, and hacks you need from such groups or organizations.

Resort to anti-stress activities

As they say, prevention is better than cure. And regarding stress, there are various activities you can do to help reduce the possibility of stress. You can adopt multiple anti-stress management techniques or exercises to keep you calm and stop you from snapping. For example, you can join a yoga class, practise meditation, learn how to control your breathing with various breathing techniques, to mention a few. 

Raising your little ones can be exciting and exhausting simultaneously. However, adopting these tips will help you handle the responsibility without losing yourself in the process.

*This is a collaborative post*

 Image Courtesy of Pixabay

It might feel like 9 months of gruelling hell when growing your bundle of joy. Yet when the day finally comes, and you see your newborn baby for the first time, you instantly forget the backache, nausea and strange cravings. Instead, you immediately feel that it is all worth it when a baby grabs your finger for the first time.

But pregnancy is challenging as well as exciting, and it can be challenging for everyone involved. And when the baby is born, the journey isn't over. It's just beginning. You should therefore do all you can to plan ahead and make life a little easier when the special day arrives/

Prepare the Baby Room

It's an exciting time when you are expecting, and one of the most fun things you can enjoy with your partner is decorating the baby room. Picking out the right colours, buying cute toys and kitting it out with trending nursery products is all part of the fun. However, you should also be aware that not all items are baby-safe. So check for child-friendly features like non-toxic paints, rounded edges and secure installation.

Plan Your Hospital Stay

After giving birth, you will probably be released from the hospital within 48 hours. Yet, the average admission during the experience is around 3 to 4 days. This means that unless you plan on home birth, you need to plan ahead. You will need essentials like shampoos, hygiene products and comfortable clothing and underwear. You could also ask family members to bring some extra food and drinks as you need energy before, during and following birth.

Pack a Go Bag

Planning ahead for your hospital stay is always a great idea. Still, it isn't viable to lug a suitcase into the car or ambulance when your water breaks. But you can help yourself out a little with a Go Bag. A Go Bag is a small bag like a backpack that contains your essentials. These could include: 

• Spare underwear

• Travel size hygiene products like soap 

• Daily medication

Anything else may not be necessary. The point is that you take only what you need rather than what you feel like. Your partner or family and friends can pick up stuff later on. 

Stock the Essentials

In addition to stocking your own essentials when going to the hospital, you need to have plenty for the baby. While staying at a hospital, the establishment will provide most of what is required. However, the newborn will also need some basics such as:

• Going home clothes

• Car seat

• Blankets

• Nappies/diapers

• Wipes

• Feed

In addition, your home should be set up for receiving a new baby. As well as a good crib, you will also need a baby formula or breast pump, multiple bottles, sterilization equipment for bottles, plenty of clean blankets, and lots of onesies and baby grows. Planning ahead beforehand will make this exciting yet challenging time a little easier for everyone so you can get the rest you need.

Baby Proof the Home

Most of this isn't necessary until crawling age, but it is helpful to babyproof the home. Babies love to grab stuff, pull things and climb. Unfortunately, at such a young age, almost everything is dangerous to a baby. Therefore you should secure loose-fitting furniture to the wall, remove all sharp-edged items and ensure that everything is non-toxic since babies will put everything in their mouths. Specialist baby stores like For Your Little One provide excellent products made especially for babies and toddlers.

*THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE POST*

 A lot of the taboo around women’s health, especially sexual health and sexuality, has been lessened over the past few decades. However, it’s far from being a topic that’s discussed as freely and often as it should. A lot of women (and men, for that matter) are uninformed of matters of women’s health because they weren’t taught about it, or they might not look into it because of societal pressures that keep these conversations on the down-low. However, it’s important to talk, and check-up, on these aspects of your sexual health.

Source - Pixabay License

Education for the younger women amongst us

First of all, it’s important for us all to make sure that we know the basics of our anatomy and how to keep it in good condition. Sex education has become a lot better in schools over the past generation for most people, but if you want to make sure that any young women in the family understand their own bodies, then you might want to look at some of the guides available for matters like women’s reproductive anatomy at sites like All About Fertility.

Vital checks for your reproductive health

The definition of sexual health usually covers the parts of your body that are components of sex and reproduction. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to be sexually active in order to make sure that you’re keeping an eye on things. Cervical cancer is a condition that can affect women of any age, regardless of how sexually active they are. It affects many women but is, thankfully, one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it’s diagnosed. That’s why you should talk to your gynecologist about arranging for a pap smear, and find out how often you should get checked up. It’s the most effective way to catch it early, as well as to check on your general reproductive health down there.

The risk of HPV

HPV, which is short for human papillomavirus, is usually very closely linked to pap smear tests, and often the test for it is carried out alongside that exam. HPV is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer and can cause a host of other problems besides, including issues that can affect a woman’s fertility. Aside from checking for HPV, however, sexual health clinics like CBD Medical can also offer vaccines for the prevention of HPV. These series of vaccines are recommended for just about every woman that is able to take them, especially for those that are sexually active. Both sexes can carry HPV, and also increase the risk of oral cancer, but the risks are both more numerous and often more dangerous for women.

Source - Pixabay License

Learning more about your contraceptive options

One of the aspects of sexual health that should be reinforced is the consequences of unsafe sex. When it comes to preventing the transmission of STIs, condoms are the best option that you have out there. However, there are many types of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy, which is another risk that a lot of people perhaps aren’t doing enough to manage. The burden should not be solely on the woman to choose a method of contraception by any means, but you should be equipped and prepared with knowledge from websites like CHOICE that can help you better understand how different forms of contraception work and, just as importantly, how they can affect your body and health in general.

About STIs

All too often, the conversation around sexually transmitted diseases is to use them as a cautionary tale to keep people, especially younger people, from having sex. While, yes, STIs are best avoided as much as possible, people still need to be informed about the different types of STIs, as well as the various treatments available for them. The conversation doesn’t end at getting tested and trying to prevent them. STIs are much more common than many people assume and, as such, the prognosis attached to them and an understanding of the different treatments available, should be part of the conversation as well, and sites like MedicinePlus have plenty of information on how different STIs are diagnoses, treated, and managed through medication.

The question of libido 

If you’re looking to have an active and happy sex life, then anything that affects your libido might be of concern, but it’s not something that we often talk about. Treating changes in your libido can be difficult because it can be affected by a wide range of physical and mental health changes, not to mention the changes that come as we age, as well. However, there are options for women to help improve a low sex drive if it’s desired. In fact, it’s typically known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and being taken more seriously by doctors. Talking to your doctor can help you get a more specific look at the causes and potential treatments, but there is plenty of information on lifestyle changes that may help as well.

Source - Pixabay License

The undersold side of sexual health

When we talk about sexual health, we do talk a lot about the potential consequences of sex, including unwanted pregnancies and STIs. However, the side of sexual health that is often underrepresented, if not outright ignored, is that of the health benefits of a healthy and active sexual lifestyle. Sex is good for you for a variety of reasons. Aside from the release of happy neurotransmitters and general improvements of mood, which should be expected, there are studies that have shown that sex can reduce symptoms of stress, can reduce the risk of cancer (so long as you’re being safe), and can even play a role in preventing heart disease. Unsafe sex can come fraught with risk, but that doesn’t mean that we should flat-out ignore the benefits of the act, either.

Your sexual health is all your own business. But hopefully, the points above give you a reminder of some aspect you might want to check up on or help you find the solutions that you may not have known were out there.

*This is a collaborative post

Everybody on earth can relate us to the struggles of managing unwanted body hair. But, have you ever caught yourself thinking, is there any better way of doing this while shaving, Plucking or waxing for the millionth time? There are millions of satisfied consumers out there relishing the benefits of laser hair removal treatment. Today, laser hair removal treatment has become the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure around the world. The technique is a boon to maintain a clean, hygienic and neat look at all times. 

Anyway, the first misconception about laser hair removal treatment that comes to our mind is the cost. It is reasonable for people to be concerned about the cost of cosmetic treatments. However, laser hair removal is quite affordable and pocket-friendly. In today's world, looks tend to play a crucial role in terms of perception. The first impression is the best is not a myth. People tend to judge others by their overall outlook. Even the best dress can seem dull without proper grooming. 

We want to discuss specific reasons for the best laser hair removal treatment at an economical budget?  

Long-Lasting Results

One of the primary benefits of choosing laser hair removal treatment is its long-lasting results. Despite popular debates and discussions, hair removal is not a one-time activity. Though the growth rate might depend on the individual, it does pop outback at some point or the other. Laser hair removal techniques are scientifically proven to prove long-lasting results. This is a big deal for people who strive to maintain smooth and healthy skin. Consumers can quickly locate the best price laser hair removal treatment in the digital era with a simple search. 

Affordability

These treatments require at least six to eight treatment sessions, so it would be better to get them as a package. If you are purchasing one session one by one, it may add up the cost. Also, watch out for seasonal sales and other discount sale promotions. Most clinics and spas try to influence people with the best price laser hair removal treatment to promote their services. 

Safe Procedures

Laser hair removal treatment is safer for the skin, and it is highly effective. Experts have conducted extensive testing on the radiation and the technique used by leading dermatologists and skin salons. Though the skin might need some post-treatment care, it is safe for the consumers. It is also imperative to find reliable dermatologists and salons who would warrant the success and safety of the treatment. 

This cosmetic treatment has gained extreme popularity because it has managed to satisfy consumers from different angles. The results are pretty outstanding and safe. Consumers claim that hair growth is significantly reduced. Once the treatment is done, people witness hair growth reduction to up to 80-90%. This motivates people to choose this method of hair removal treatment. Another essential factor to consider is the ample amount of research done on this avenue. Therefore, specialists are looking for cheaper and effective methods to enhance the client's benefits. 

 

*This is a collaborative post *

Every kid loves a bath bomb but there never seems to be any fun ones about without paying an arm and a leg for. There's a couple of cool shapes about like robots or shells but nothing that really wows the kids so Zimpli Kids decided to change the game and make some amazing bath bombs that are super kid friendly and sooooo much fun!

The new range includes a rainbow cloud, a rocket ship a star and a moon, all with different colours that fizz out from them making bath time super colourful and fun!

So to use the bath bombs just run a bath as usual and then hold the bath bomb on the waters surface til it starts to fizz and the colours start to come out. 

Both my children loved these so much and thought they were absolutely amazing with all the colours we'll definitely be going to buy some for us as well as for little gifts. 

You can find Baff bombz in most toy stores or online retailers. So grab them now!

Disclosure : This is a collaborative post 

 As much as we all want to be adventurous on our travels, many of us resort to similar destinations each year and partake in similar activities. If you only have one opportunity a year to get away, then you will likely stick to what you know. However, it might not be fulfilling you anymore. Thus, you are looking to be more adventurous. On that note, here are some tips on how to be more adventurous on your travels.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay 

Choose a different way to travel

Whether you like to go on a Disneycation in Florida each year or sit on a sunny beach in Spain, you might be getting bored of your choices. Although they are fun and fulfilling, they might not be fulfilling your inner adventurer. Therefore, here are some ideas for great travel experiences that will allow you to be more adventurous. 

• Motorbike trips: a motorbike trip is ideal for those that know how to ride. You can find a route and go alone or with friends on a fun road trip. Along the way, you can stop at familiar spots. Yet, the ride itself will be the adventurous part of your trip and allow you to go outside of your comfort zone. Ensure to be safe and maintain the good health of your bike to maintain safety and not experience disruptions to your first adventurous trip. You can find out more about the right parts for your motorbike on this page. 

• Be environmentally friendly: instead of choosing a flight, you could be more conscious of the environment while being more adventurous by choosing a different way to get to your destination. You could take a boat, a long bus journey, or cycle. Choosing a different mode of transport to get to your destination will allow you to experience new things while you travel.

Wake up earlier

You might miss out on a lot of fun and activities if you decide to lie in each day. Although a holiday is a good excuse to rest and reset, you will also want to get the most out of your day. 

Simply getting up earlier could be a way to be more adventurous in itself. You might be able to catch the sunrise and see the destination in a way that you have never seen before. 

Play travel roulette

If you are finding it really challenging picking a new way to travel, a new destination, or new activity, then try playing travel roulette. 

You could do this the easy way and write ideas on small bits of paper and put them in a bowl. Toss them around and then choose one. Whatever idea you unfold, you have to go with. Ensure to write down things that you have never done before and always wanted to do so that you can experience new things. Playing a game that decides for you will ensure that you can’t make excuses and always have something new and adventurous to look forward to when you travel.

*This is a collaborative post*

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*