But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t the right thing to do. Often when it comes to relationships, you find that people are holding onto something that isn’t working anymore because they have a history with that person. While it is understandable, it’s not something that anyone should be doing. While learning to let go isn’t going to be easy, it’s something that has got to be done, and in this article, we’re going to be giving you some advice about this topic. If you would like to know more, keep reading down below.

 Way back in 2018, I posted my first Christmas Wishlist. This featured a selection of products from beauty to trainers to perfumes, and much more, and to be honest, nothing has really changed since then. This year, I still have some beauty gift sets, fragrances and trainers on my Wishlist and below are what I'm hoping to get for Christmas.

When it comes to footwear, trainers are definitely my thing. I love being comfortable in the shoes that I wear, and trainers are the perfect everyday shoe. This year in particular I've built up quite the collection of trainers and two pairs that I would love to receive as presents are the White Nike Air Force 1s and the Adidas Ozweego's pictured above.

Is it really Christmas if you don't receive a beauty gift set of some kind? Two of my ultimate favourite brands for Christmas sets are The Body Shop and Soap and Glory. Every year they offer some of the most gorgeous and affordable gift sets, it makes choosing some for Christmas extremely hard. This year it's been hard to pick a couple to save into my Wishlist, but somehow I've chosen a couple that would make great Christmas gifts.

The Body Shop Festive Berry Little Gift Box - This box includes a good selection of products including Festive Berry Shower Gel, Festive Berry Body Yogurt, Festive Berry Hand Cream, and the Festive Berry Body Scrub.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Collec-Tin Christmas Gift Set - The Sugar Crush scent is my ultimate favourite from Soap & Glory. I don't actually remember the last time I bought anything from this range. It's definitely been a while so I'm hoping to get this for Christmas. This set includes Body Buttercream, Bath Fizzer, Hand Cream, Miracle Moisture Mask, Under-Eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches, all encased in a beautiful decorative tin.

I like to put some more luxurious and expensive haircare products on my Christmas wish list as these can be a real treat. Two brands that I would love to try out are Kerastase and Moroccan Oil - both of which I've heard such great reviews about. Throughout 2020 I've really tried to take much better care of my hair, and make sure it stays healthy and strong, and sometimes you definitely need to splurge on some great products for great results.

Every year it gets harder and harder to come up with some stocking filler gifts without being repetitive year after year. This year I've managed to find some affordable, different gifts that I think would make great stocking fillers for the women in your life. Whether they are into clothes, cars, beauty or food, they'll be something for everyone. 

Gift 2 - The perfect gift for any time of year, but especially as a Christmas stocking filler. Carfume air fresheners* are a very unique gift and inspired by fragrances and perfumes, to keep your car smelling 10/10. Featuring some of the most popular women's scents including Lady Million, Black Opium and Alien. The glass bottles with bespoke, carved wooden tops look so elegant & will add a classy touch to your car whilst giving you a long lasting aroma. If you're unsure of which scent to pick, Carfume offer some gift sets where you can purchase 3 fragrances from the website, and it comes in such a stunning, luxurious box so there is no need to wrap. 

Gift 3 - Everyone loves chocolate. Milk, dark, white or even flavoured chocolate, there is just such a huge range of choices. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a sweet treat in your stocking. Lindt chocolate is my ultimate favourite and these flavours pictured above would be the best chocolate boxes to receive - as well as a selection box!

Gift 4 - Something for the beauty lovers that I picked up during lockdown that would make a great gift is a lash lift set. I picked mine up from Amazon and it was super affordable. These beauty kits are perfect for those who are into eye makeup, or simply want to go for more of a natural look with gorgeous curled lashes. Lash lift kits usually have around 5-10 uses in them, so if the girl in your life likes getting her lashes done, this kit will save them some coins.

Gift 5 - It wouldn't be a Christmas stocking if you didn't receive some warm, cosy socks and fluffy pyjamas. These are the ultimate Christmas combo! For me, Primark is the home of cosy socks and pyjamas. They are so soft, so affordable and they come in so many different colours and styles, you could easily walk out with a new set for everyday of the week!

Gift 6 - A great gift to include in a stocking would be Reed Diffusers. I think they make such a great gift for anyone. There's so many different fragrances that you can choose from, and you can make your gift more personal for the recipient by choosing a scent that you know they will love. I found these diffusers in Superdrug, and they would make such a lovely, affordable stocking filler.

Gift 7 - Face masks. Everyone loves a good face mask, especially during the winter time. These are the perfect stocking filler addition for any beauty lover. Face masks are a real treat for your skin, even during the colder month of the year, and the perfect addition to any pamper evening. I picked up these affordable face masks from Primark and Boots, both had such a variety to choose from, including sheet masks, peel off masks and clay masks.

If you need some more inspo, I previously published a women's gift guide in 2019, with some great ideas that could be suitable if you're still stuck. Check out my Men's Stocking Fillers guide if you need inspiration for any male in your life.

What stocking fillers will you be getting the women in your life this Christmas?

 The common cold is, well, one of the most common illnesses in the world! People get it all-year-round, but it mostly comes to bite us during winter. The worst thing about the cold is that there's no cure for it and it keeps adapting. This is why nobody is immune to it, and also why you might get multiple colds in a year. 

However, another illness often gets mentioned in the same breath as a cold: the flu. You see the two paired together all the time, but what's the difference between them? How do you know if you have a cold or the flu?

The flu is considerably worse

Firstly, you'll know if you have the flu because it is considerably worse than a cold. While you might get a cold a few times a year, they may only put you out of action for a day or two. Bad colds can last longer, but you tend to recover very quickly. The main symptoms are a blocked nose, cough, sore throat, and general tiredness. They can also be treated quite easily - ginger is very effective at killing the cold virus, which is why it doesn’t last that long.

In contrast, the flu will floor you for at least a week. It has many of the same symptoms as a cold, but it's a lot stronger. You won't feel better for a good few days, and the symptoms will linger on well into a second week. The flu virus is highly contagious, which is why your best method of treatment is to stay at home and recover. You might be able to get some flu treatment from a doctor, but it depends on how severe your symptoms are. 

The flu causes intense muscle aches

I lived my whole life without having the flu, until about three years ago. To be honest, I assumed that the flu and a cold were pretty similar. In fact, I may have even told people I had the flu a few times. But, it's not until you actually suffer from it that you realise the stark contrast in the two illnesses. 

The biggest difference is that the flu causes intense muscle aches. This doesn't mean your muscles feel a bit sore and weak - it means they properly hurt. I had a severe pain in my back that felt like a really tight muscle knot. The same sort of thing happens in other areas of the body - it's like the day after an intense workout! For me, this is one of the tell-tale symptoms that help you differentiate between the two diseases. If you have cold symptoms and some serious muscle aches, you probably have the flu. 

The flu gives you a fever

Another common difference is that cold will very rarely give you a fever. Generally, you just feel a bit run down and tired. This comes with the usual congestion issues, but your temperature isn't too hot. Weirdly, one of the treatments for a cold is to induce a fever at night. Some people suggest that wearing wet socks triggers a fever, which sets your immune system to peak efficiency. The idea is that the fever drives out the cold. 

Anyway, the flu will give you a fever as one of the main symptoms. Again, this is an easy way to determine if you have a cold or the flu. Check your temperature, and if you keep sweating through your covers, you probably have the flu. 

The flu can make you nauseous

Colds tend to be quite a sinus problem. What I mean is that most of the symptoms affect your nose and throat. In turn, this often creates the feeling of your head being in a bubble. When your sinuses are infected or damaged, it does make you feel tired and ill. However, the flu makes you feel all sorts of other ailments as it's more of a total body disease. 

Nausea is a common flu symptom, but it's rarely seen when you have a cold. Generally, your eating habits aren't affected when you've got the common cold. You still have the urge to eat, it's just frustrating as you can't taste anything. By contrast, the flu can upset your appetite and make you go off food for a few days. As a result, you're left eating crackers and plain rice until your appetite returns. Thus, if you feel sick and have no inclination to eat anything, the chances are you have a cold. 

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of the differences between a cold and the flu. The flu is definitely a bigger concern, which is why there's a vaccine for it. Keep a look out for some of the defining symptoms that let you know if you have a cold or the flu!

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If you love soft, gooey, buttery golden cookies and creamy chocolate, you’ll be falling head over heels for these perfect Kinder Bar Chocolate Chunk Cookies. With crispy edges and soft centres, these cookies are the ultimate sweet treat and ready in around 25 minutes.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 180 C. Line two baking trays with baking paper and leave to one side.

Step 2 - In a large bowl, add the Butter, Brown Sugar and Caster Sugar. Beat using an electric beater until smooth and creamy. This step takes around 2 minutes to get the perfect consistency and to make sure everything is combined.

Step 3 - Crack in your egg and pour in your vanilla. Beat until fully combined.

Step 4- Add your Plain Flour and Baking Soda. Beat again until a soft cookie dough forms. Start very slowly as the flour can go everywhere if you're not careful!

Step 5 - Break in 9 of your Kinder Chocolate Bars and stir gently.

 Step 6 -Spoon 1.5 tablespoons of dough into small balls and place on the baking trays, leaving room for the cookies to flatten out. You will be able to make between 12 cookie balls with the mixture.

Step 7 -With the remaining 3 Kinder Bars, break these in half and place on top of each cookie ball.

Step 8 - Place in oven for 10-11 minutes, until golden brown on the edges. The cookies will look slightly undercooked, but once left to cool they harden up slightly, making the perfect soft and chewy texture.

Step 9 - Leave to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10 - Enjoy!

 Everyone looks forward to that moment when they can quit their 9 to 5 jobs and focus on other adventures or endeavours. However, this is a dreadful moment for some individuals as well, as they have nothing to fall back on when the pay checks stop rolling in. If you have multiple income streams to cater to your post-retirement needs, then you are on the right path to living your dreams after retirement, or else, you may have come up with ways to generate income. Traditional loans may look ideal, but they put you on the spot in the long run. However, there is one that gives you financial security with less risk – a reverse mortgage.

Introducing Reverse Mortgages

A traditional loan provides you with the money you need to meet specific needs. However, please don’t get caught up as it comes with its downsides. First off, there is an agreement between you and your lender in which you must meet a defined monthly payment plan. Failure to do that may cost you your credit score or, worse, your home; this is the last thing you want as a retiree.

On the other hand, a reverse mortgage puts money in your pocket. So, instead of paying your lender, it is the other way around. Your lender pays you while you keep the title to your home. And guess what? You get to choose what means through which you can receive your reverse mortgage funds. But how can you access this loan? Let’s find out.

Processing a Reverse Mortgage

The first condition that comes into play when procuring a reverse mortgage is the borrower’s age. You must be at least 62 years. For this reason, it is called a retirement loan. Another factor to consider is your home; this should be your primary, permanent residence. Kindly note that vacation homes or rental apartments do not count. Once these two conditions are in place, your lender will consider your creditworthiness using a reverse mortgage calculator. This estimation tool determines your capability to take care of the home.

Receiving Your Reverse Mortgage Funds

You can set up your reverse mortgage cash in any of the three options. One way to do so is by receiving it in monthly payments; this works well for those with monthly budgets that need settling. You can consider it as your post-retirement income. This monthly income will run until there’s nothing left in your balance. Another option is to set your funds as a credit line; this works like a credit facility where you can borrow money at any time. However, bear in mind that there is a limit to the amount you can take. 

Finally, if you have several bills to take care of at once, it will be ideal to receive your payment as a lump sum. Some may decide to set up their payment plan using all these options

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At this current time in global affairs, dating is something that has been continuously tricky throughout 2020. Lockdown after lockdown, closures of shops, pubs and restaurants, and also having many different rules put in place, it's definitely been hard for single people to meet new potential love interests in real life. 2020 is definitely the year where dating went online, and will be something that is continued for the foreseeable future until the world gets back to normal again.

However with lockdown being recently lifted, many areas of retail and hospitality have began opening up again, including restaurants, non-essential shops/shopping centres, pubs and leisure facilities, allowing dating during the coronavirus pandemic to return to some kind of normality. It also gives us the freedom to explore more of places nearby, get some fresh air and try to live life as normally as possible, all whilst social distancing and taking necessary safety precautions.

Date location 2 - Another Kent dating location would be to visit the Howletts Wild Animal Park for something a little more unusual. Described as "Kent's original wildlife park, it's a unique adventure like no other!", this would be a the perfect place for a socially distanced date. You'll be able to spend time seeing all the animals that are located in the park, and even enjoy a nice picnic if the weather isn't too awful! You also have the opportunity to create some amazing memories  by choosing to take part in the exciting experiences Howletts have to offer - but this will need to be checked out beforehand due to COVID to make sure everything is ok.

Exploring Outdoors in Kent

Date location 3 - 2020 has been the year of outdoor exercise, going out for walks, visiting local parks and getting some much needed fresh air. Kent is home to a large selection of beautiful outdoor spaces, including parks, gardens and beaches, you'll be spoilt for choice. Place like Westgate gardens, White Cliffs of Dover, Whitstable and Knole Park are just a few outdoor places located in Kent worth a visit. Outdoor based dates are perfect for getting to know each other without such a crowd of people surrounding you, you'll be able to talk about anything and everything, as well as seeing some spectacular scenery.

Have you been on any dates recently? What date locations would you like to visit?

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 Are you looking for your dream home? Finding something that is suitable for your personal taste is very tricky, but something that would be super cool to do is to create/build it instead. Not everyone will be able to do this right away, but if it’s something that you are interested in, then nothing should get in your way. Save up if money is the issue, and eventually you will be able to jump on this bandwagon as well. It’s a waste of time searching for the perfect home because you’re likely never going to find it. In this article, I'm sharing some of the ways that you can create your perfect home, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.

Have A Plan

First, you need to make sure that you have a plan in place for this. It’s essential that you know what you want from the home, how you want it to look, what materials you want to use and so on. Of course, you don’t have to have a solid plan or have every single thing worked out, but a brief idea is going to be better than nothing. This way, when it comes to talking to the professionals about what it is that you want, you’re going to have an easier time explaining. 

If you try to remember everything without writing it all down and having a plan, then you’re likely going to miss bits out. You don’t want to suddenly remember half way down the line when it’s too late. As such, just ensure that you’re writing down a plan as you think of new ideas.

Hire Professionals

Once you’ve got some kind of idea as to what you want and you decide you’re definitely going ahead with this, you need to hire some professionals. You don’t need to hire everyone at once because there are certain things which will need to be completed before others. We highly recommend that you hire an architect first and see what they have to say about the project. They will be able to design you a fantastic house that meets your needs and expectations, whether you live in Brockley or anywhere really, as long as there is land, there is a way.

Hopefully you have found this article helpful, and now see how you can create your dream home, rather than looking for one. We wish you the best of luck and know that if you follow these steps, you’re going to get exactly what you want.

Would you consider building your own home? What interior plans would you have?

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 With the lockdown rules lifted in terms of non-essential retail, Christmas shopping can now get underway and we can pick up the perfect presents for our friends and family. I previously published a Men's gift guide in 2018 and 2019, with some great ideas. This year, I've managed to find some affordable gifts that I think would make great stocking fillers for the men in your life. Whether they are into cooking, cars, beauty or food, they'll be something for everyone.

Gift 4 - Everyone loves chocolate, and Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a sweet treat in your stocking. Chocolate coins are a Christmas staple, and perfect for anyone, regardless of their age. Another favourite is Lindt chocolate. The chocolate is so rich and luxurious, my all time favourite being the Lindor truffles. There is so many flavours of chocolate these days, you'll be spoilt for choice. Whether they like the basic milk, dark or white chocolate, or something fancier like chilli or salted caramel, make sure their Christmas stocking has some chocolate, and you'll have a very happy man.

Gift 5 - Socks can definitely be that present men really hate and it can seem quite boring receiving them at Christmas, but in all honesty, they are definitely an essential gift for any man. But it's always nice to change it up and to find some really cool and quirky Christmas socks. How cute are these skiing Santa dinosaurs? Novelty socks are also a great secret santa present, I know Primark and H&M do some great designs, so if you're looking for socks, go check them out! 

Gift 6 - Finally another food gift similar to the BBQ set, but this time it's hot sauce! Perfect for the chilli sauce lover who wants something different. This particular set offers 4 delicious sauces that will spice up any meal. Inspired from different countries of the world, this hot sauce set will have you cooking up a storm and exploring new flavours/cuisines.

What stocking fillers will you be getting the men in your life this Christmas?

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Nothing beats redecorating a room and feeling like you've walked into a brand-new house. Whether you're renting your home or just in need of a freshen up to your current interior, there are lots of things to consider before making changes. 

What home decor tips do you have?

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 With many companies trying to figure out how they will enable their employees to effectively and efficiently work from home, many homeowners are looking for ways to re-evaluate their necessities. Many people are looking to get more space for a home office. You probably need a bigger home when working remotely if your home doesn’t offer enough space for a home office.

The affordability of the home

It is common sense that bigger homes always come with larger price tags. However, the sales are not the only thing that is inflated here.  There are bigger property tax payments, larger insurance to protect the home, and utility bills. Bigger homes are expensive to heat and cool compared to small ones.

Prior to buying a bigger home, consider all the added costs that come with the purchase. Learn more about the current household budget and decide whether the bigger home's real cost fits in. Use a house loan calculator to approximate your monthly mortgage payments. Additionally, compare mortgage offers from various lenders to make the most of your buying power.

What you are willing to sacrifice

Maybe, you love living in or near the city, but you find bigger homes in a problematic locality. Keep in mind that finding a bigger home in the city comes with a high price tag. You will ultimately have to leave the city and look for a home that fits your budget.

Are you ready to sacrifice that? Because moving far from the city will also mean extended commute hours to work, and you will spend more time in your car to get to your beloved restaurant and shopping hubs.To get the extra space you need, for example, the bigger back yards, extra bedrooms, and a luxurious bathroom suite, you will have to sacrifice the convenience and pleasure of living in a big city.

How much more space you need

When selecting a bigger home to buy, consider the way your family lives. You won’t need a more oversized kitchen if your family doesn’t do much cooking. Go for a house with just enough space that you need. If it is an extra bedroom, you probably won’t need a two-car garage.  If you are buying a bigger home to find space for a home office, just pick one with an extra one room, depending on the size of your home office.

Once you are aware of what you want, start focusing on the beauty. As you go about your daily life, deliberate on the various types of houses you see and make notes on the ones that amaze you. Ideally, you will need a home that will give you the extra room for your home office without going overboard.

The equity in your current home

Home equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and the current worth of your home. It is crucial to consider the equity you have in your current home if you want to buy a bigger one. If you built up equity in your current home, you could be lucky to evade a huge mortgage payment. When selling your home, you can apply the profits to your down payments and lessen your mortgage payments on your bigger home.

The current condition of the market

It is always a sellers’ market or a buyers’ market. This means that the market can favor the seller or the buyers. But who gets the most out of the market situations? If you want to buy a bigger home, you will have to wait for the time when the market is in favor of the buyers; this equals to lower interest rates and lower home price tags.

But what will happen when it is time to sell your home? It would be best if you always keep your home's resale value in mind when shopping for a bigger home. You might be looking for a home that is big enough for your entire family, but if your home has excess irrelevant features, you might just turn away any potential buyers. You will struggle to sell it for a price that will give you a profit.

Bottom Line

The Coronavirus pandemic has homeowners re-evaluating their needs. This is particularly true for individuals or parents working from home and families that have children who have started remote learning. Remember to take care of your eyes as you work from home, and get a bigger home with adequate learning space and office space sounds impeccable. 

With the right research, it is possible to get a bigger home within your budget. Use the above tips as points of considerations when buying a bigger home.  

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