● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD| Looking for quick and easy, affordable bathroom decoration ideas? If the answer is yes, you may want to keep reading!

When it comes to updating, upgrading and renovating any room in your home on a budget, the most important thing to consider is to try and refresh whatever you can from it's current state to keep the costs down. There are a number of small, simple changes you can make to really change the whole vibe of your bathroom without breaking the bank. Whether that's change the colour of the walls, updating your bathroom tiles or filling your bathroom with beautiful decorative accessories, the possibilities are endless.

Splash of Paint

An easy change you can make is to instantly refresh and uplift your bathroom is by simply adding some paint to the walls. A simple colour change can completely transform a bathroom immediately. Before you get the paintbrushes out, it's important to consider the look you want to achieve and make sure it goes with your chosen colour theme and personal style. It's also important to make sure to buy the appropriate paint for your room, e.g. water resistant, heat resistant or mould resistant, depending on what you're painting.

Consider New Tiles

Changing your bathroom tiles is one way to really give your bathroom a complete makeover. Whether you opt for something more plain or opt for some decorative, patterned bathroom tiles, the design and colour you choose can completely change the atmosphere of your room. This can be a great addition for those looking to include a bold feature wall in their bathroom, and have the tiles as the main focal point of the room .If you aren't looking to retile your bathroom, you'd be extremely surprised with how much of a difference giving your current tiles a good scrub can make, and actually can help transform your bathroom space. This process could also include a refresh of the tile grout, a small subtle change that will make a huge difference.

If tiles aren't your cup of tea, you may wish to seek alternative flooring options. If you're looking some something with a stylish, but unique feel, opting for a herringbone floor may be something to look into. It features a distinctive zigzag pattern that can help add some character to your rooms. It would definitely be popular choice for homeowners who want to add a touch of luxury, elegance and sophistication to their home.

Add Plants and Greenery

Another easy and affordable way to update your bathroom is to display a variety of house plants and greenery. If you're choosing a more minimalist theme for your bathroom, plants and greenery always help to inject a bit of life, contrast and colour into your room. If your bathroom has no windows or natural sunlight, opting for fake plants will be a better idea for you as they require less maintenance and will always look fresh all year round.

Lighting Ideas

Bathroom lighting can either make or break your room. Nowadays, you can easily find some modern and contemporary bathroom lighting ideas that will fit your budget and theme. When choosing your lighting style, soft natural lighting in bathrooms is always the best option as it helps give off a more spacious, airy feel and will help completely change the vibe of your room.

Soft Furnishings

Keep your bathroom looking fresh and clean by updating your soft furnishings, including items such as bath towels, face clothes, bath mats and rugs. Overtime, these products might just have been washed too many times, and have become discoloured, stained and damaged and will become extremely unsightly if kept out on display in your bathroom. Adding beautiful soft furnishing to your bathroom can help add colours, textures and improve the overall comfort of your space.

Adding Mirrors

The use of mirrors in any room can make a big difference. Mirrors can help add a so much space and light to a room you would be surprised. Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, and are widely available to suit any budget.

Artistic Prints and Photos

Hanging some art prints or compiling a gallery feature wall is one way to instantly revive a boring bathroom and give it a bold, eye-catching look. Before you hang up any new pieces, it's important to make sure you know how to protect your new artwork from any moisture, heat or damage whilst on display in your bathroom. Using prints and photos simply adds personal touch to your space and will be somewhere you look forward to spending time in.

Replace Your Shower Curtain

Shower curtains can visually take up quite a lot of space within your bathroom, so it's best to have one that's nice to look at. Throwing away that discoloured, stained and slightly mouldy shower curtain will be one of the best things you can do in order to refresh your bathroom space.

Clever Storage Solutions

Removing any exposed clutter from your bathroom surfaces and other areas of the room can instantly make a huge difference in the appearance of your bathroom space. Being clever with your storage can keep your bathroom looking neat and tidy any time of the day. Including features such as storage containers under your sink area, freestanding/wall-hung shelves, as well as bathroom drawers are affordable ways of keeping your essentials hidden away until you need to use them. You could even look into getting yourself a towel rail, accessory holders for toothbrushes/toothpastes and razors, and even a soap dish to help keep smaller items put away nicely.

Add Pops of Colour with Decorative Accessories

An inexpensive way of updating your bathroom is with accessories. Items such as soap dishes, storage jars, decorative sculptures, candles and reed diffusers could just be what you need to give your bathroom a simple refresh. These days you can find a whole variety of interesting pieces that could become staple accessories in your bathroom. Make sure to check out your local shops home sections to see what takes your fancy!

Are you planning a bathroom refresh? What other ways can you completely change the look of your space?

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AD| Many of us have played video games at some stage in our lives. Whether that's in real life, using game consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo products, playing board games, or even going on the internet and playing games online. But without realising, playing games can really help to improve specific parts of your life, and it probably hasn't even crossed your mind. There are many social benefits to playing video games, as well as some health benefits too.

I remember from my childhood playing games on consoles with my brothers such as Mario Kart, Just Dance, Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, playing family board games like Monopoly, Operation, Buckaroo and Pictionary, as well as online computer games like Solitaire and Club Penguin. There are such a variety of games out there, and a whole selection of categories, that there is definitely something out there for everybody!

For those looking for an escape from everyday life, gaming can be super an extremely easy and fun hobby to take up. Not only is playing games fun, but they can also be challenging for your brain and help you to develop new skills. By playing games that you love, it can help boost your mood, gives you some time to yourself, and can give you something to look forward to when you have some spare time on your hands.

More and more people have been turning to gaming for the positive impact it can have on your daily mood, helping to improve mental health, anxiety and stress levels. Gaming can give you that time away from your hectic work schedule or chaotic day to day lifestyle, where you might just need a break to escape reality. Online gaming and quiz sites like Sporcle, plays.org and arkadium offer such a variety of games to play, so when you have a break from studying, need some quiet time to help destress or just need some entertainment, these sites might be helpful!

Gaming is a major way in which you can learn, improve, and practice your problem-solving skills. There are so many categories of games that you can pick from, but puzzle, strategy, memory and logic games will be super beneficial to you and to help you improve your skills. These types of games are some of my favourites as they can be very challenging and require you to think hard, but extremely will be rewarding, and you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you can complete them.

Gaming is extremely brain stimulating. Gaming may help strengthen your cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory and perception. It might not be something you would think of, but by playing these genres of games, it can also help you in everyday life, if you ever come across difficult scenarios or problems that need solving quickly.

Not only can you play games by yourself, but you can also team up with users from all over the world, allowing you the chance to be connecting and interacting with others who have similar interests to you. Many games offer online multiplayer game modes, which can help players to improve their communication, team work and social skills.

Finally, playing games may be an unusual date night idea, whether that's with your partner or friends, but having a games night could be extremely fun and can give you something to look forward to. It's a super enjoyable way to bring couples/friends together, stay connected and a perfect way to spend some time together without any stress.

Do you enjoy playing games? What genre of games are your favourite?

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AD - GIFTED | Many people have struggled through lockdown, not only with their day to day working life, but also their dating and social life has been pretty quiet and non-existent, due to the variety of restrictions that were put in place. But with many of those current rules easing, it is now much easier to get back on the dating scene and meet new people, now that we can meet outdoors, go to restaurants and enjoy some drinks at the pubs/bars.

Lockdown has taught many of us to embrace ourselves, enjoy our own company and make more time for self care and self love. There are many ways how we can feel more confidence, more empowered and more sexually confident when starting to connect with others and begin dating again. Now we can finally go out and about and meet with others, you can now practice those new found skills in real life. Those awkward first dates and nervous giggles will be a thing of the past, as your new found confidence and empowerment will shine through.

It might not be something you think about when starting to date, but meeting new people safely can really help to develop your confidence and improve social skills. Dating sites and apps are increasingly helping to 'meet' safely via video calling or voice calling, helping you to grow closer and connect more easily. Whether that's the typical dating sites like Tinder and Hinge, or something a little different like mybdsmhookups or subsanddoms, whichever sites take your fancy, you're sure to meet people with similar interests to you and get to know them in a safe and fun way. Using dating sites before you finally meet in real life can really help you to feel less anxious, less nervous, and more comfortable, helping to increase your confidence levels and prevent those awkward conversations. Meeting safely is hugely important when starting to date again after a long time. You want to make sure the person you are meeting is genuine and that you will feel comfortable in their company. It's also important to meet in a familiar, safe area to avoid any unwanted problems or dangers.

For those prepping for their big first date, we obviously all want to make a great first impression and look our best. Using beauty salons for manicures or pedicures, getting your hair done at the hairdressers, and getting your brows/lashes done can help with body confidence, mental health and self-care.

When it comes to getting ready for your date, I'm sure we've all been there when your entire wardrobe ends up all over the bed because you have "nothing to wear". Picking cute outfits that you feel confident and comfortable in for date nights can give you that mood boost that you will need, especially if you are feeling anxious or nervous.

Socialising with others can help with mental health as lockdown has made many people feel isolated and lonely. Being around people increases your sense of happiness and well-being, helping to boost your mood and mind set, as well as allowing you to express your thoughts/feelings with others.

Is there anything better than new lingerie? It's empowering, confidence boosting and it makes you feel pretty good. Updating your lingerie collection could be exactly what you need whilst pursuing your body confidence journey. feeling more sexually confident by choosing beautiful and flattering underwear, which can also boost self esteem. There are so many shapes, sizes and styles of lingerie to pick from, there will definitely be something for everyone, and you'll be spoilt for choice!

If you usually play it quite safe on date night, it might be rewarding to choose a more unusual idea for your dates instead of something more generic like dinner and drinks. This can help you feel more confident and empowered, and pushes you out of your comfort zone by forcing you into the unknown. Date locations such as theme parks, crazy golf and other outdoor adventure activities might be worth looking into if you want something fun and different for your next date!

Most importantly, it's necessary to make time for some self care and "me time". We all need to take a step away from reality and have some quality time for ourselves, to help relax, destress and clear your mind. I was kindly sent a parcel filled with female empowerment and mood-setting goodies which included the following items.

1. Lavender Pillow Spray* - This pillow spray is infused with Lavender; a powerful scent that is renowned for its calming and relaxing properties. This could help to reduce your sexual nerves if used in the bedroom, or to calm your anxiety.

2. Amber Noir Candle* - This candle has the most gorgeous, calming yet sexy scent. Deep, musky and sensual, this could be the perfect ambience setter for those bedsheet moments.

3. Empowerment Print* - By having a deep and meaningful quote to live by, it can help you feel strong, powerful, and overall, can help improve your outlook on life.

4. Wellness Journal and Pen* - Having somewhere to note down your thoughts, feelings and goals is all beneficial for personal growth and confidence boosting. Spending 5-10 minutes a day to make notes and spending time to reflect and grow.

Do you have any dates planned soon? What empowerment or body confidence tips do you have?

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AD| Feeling slightly overwhelmed with clutter and don’t really know where to start? De-cluttering and deep cleaning your home is something most people often dread and put off for as long as possible, until the clutter becomes extremely unmanageable.

Getting rid of old clutter doesn’t have to be a stressful process, especially if you use a waste removal service to take care of all the work. These are ideal for home projects, as they help to simplify your waste disposal, making it easier to maintain a clean and inviting property, saving you so much time and energy. By making sure you have a step-by-step action plan in place before you start and some time set aside, you'll be good to go and start your journey to a clutter-free and tidy home!

Unwanted Clothing Items

Our wardrobes, clothing rails and drawers are often filled with items that we are attached to and simple cant bare to throw out. However, sometimes it's really important to sell online or give clothing to charity that no longer fits, doesn't fit your fashion style or hasn’t been worn for a long period of time. Sometimes you need to be totally ruthless when clearing out old clothing, but when you get rid of bin bags full of items you no longer want, you'll definitely feel much better and a lot less cluttered. Plus, you'll have so much more space, you can treat yourself to a few new items of clothing as a reward!

Be Smart With Storage

Depending on the size of your home, storage space may be quite limited and you may not have the space to store large items. Using shelving units, under bed storage, drawer organisers and personalised built in wardrobes are some easy and creative ways to make more storage solutions for those with limited space. If you are limited with space in your home, looking at places like Magenta self storage could be a great solution for you, where you can access secure, all-inclusive storage for both personal and business use. As well as this, they have plenty of storage facilities across the country, and help to can cater for all sorts of storage requirements you may need.

Tidy As You Go

When you lead a busy lifestyle, it can be very difficult to keep your living space neat and tidy as you're always doing something more important. However, you should make it a daily habit to put things away you have been using where they belong. This will allow you to save yourself time and stress later, as everything will be kept away where it should be, and will help minimise any cluttered surfaces in your home. A few examples of this could be putting your makeup and beauty products away after use, putting away any clean washing or even making sure you to clean and store away cooking utensils whilst cooking meals.

Dispose of Old Electricals/Appliances

Got some old electricals or unused appliances lying around at home? I'm sure many of us have drawers filled with old electricals that we simply don't use anymore and have no purpose in our lives. Items such as mobile phones, cameras, battery-operated toys to games consoles can clutter up much needed storage space in our homes if not used regularly. Nowadays, there are a number of ways you can get rid of these and free up space in your home. You can either sell on to someone else, get your local council to collect larger items or even recycle the lot!

Expired Beauty Products

Makeup bags, beauty product drawers and bathroom cabinets are known for collecting an array of expired make up products, medication, old toothbrushes, empty toiletries and other products you will probably never use. It's important to ditch any dried up, broken or just old beauty products you've had lying around to help cut down on clutter, as well as avoid the potential spread of germs. If you have brand new unwanted gifts or unopened beauty products that you cannot simply throw away, why not gift these items to friends and family, or even donate them to homeless shelters, for those who might need them more than you.

How do you keep your home clutter-free? What other tips do you have?

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AD| Many people find that exercise and other physical activities helps them maintain a positive mental health. This doesn't mean you need to be running marathons daily, spending every day at the gym or doing any activity that you absolutely hate.

There are lots of different exercises and activities you can do to be more active and better your lifestyle. It's important that you are choosing an activity that works for you and for your lifestyle. Having something you actually enjoy will definitely help boost you mood and mental state, as well as having something to look forward to and help you stay fit.

Running is an exercise good for both your physical health and mental health. One of the best and most common psychological benefits of running is stress relief. Endorphins and serotonin are released in your body through exercise, and these hormones are those that improve your mood as well as helping to reduce stress, depression and anxiety. Going for a run of any length, whether that be a few laps round the local park or a marathon, gives you time to think about your feelings or problems, get some much needed fresh air and to escape reality for a while. This form of exercise can also improve a person’s self-esteem, as well as helping you to feel rewarded and a sense of accomplishment.

For those who want something relaxing, calming and an exercise with lower body impact, yoga and meditation might be worth a go. Practising yoga can help to increase body awareness, relieve stress, reduce muscle tension/strain, and calms the nervous system. Yoga may be beneficial for those who find exercise hard, strenuous or difficult, as its a slower pace activity with easier, low impact movements. Yoga has so many incredible benefits, it would be silly not to try it.

Boxing style workouts using a punchbag are great for working out your entire body. Constant movements can help keep you agile, flexible and mobile. Boxing is a sport that can help teach you how to control/manage your anger, to stay focused and keep alert. As well as this, boxing is a great activity for relieving any stress or tension that builds up in our bodies.

Horse Riding is the perfect outdoor activity for those who loves to get some fresh air and are also extremely fond of animals. Horses specifically. Horse riding is definitely renowned for its benefits to our physical health, as well as helping to lower stress levels and improve your confidence. The study completed by The BHS concluded that "horseback riding stimulated mainly positive psychological feelings, with reducing depression by 30% as well as lowering the chance of dementia by 30%". Researching your local stables or horse riding centre might be worth a look at if you're keen on getting started with horse riding as a new hobby.

Cycling is a great activity for those who love to get outdoors into the fresh air and exercise at their own pace. Many people take up cycling as a hobby for both physical or mental health reasons including to improve fitness, building muscle or losing weight, as well as clearing their mind and enjoying the environment around us. A survey by Cycleplan found "75% of cyclists noticed an improvement in their mental health since getting on the saddle, with 8% even saying it helped with their depression or anxiety". Cycling can also help improve your social life as well, especially if you go with your friends, or even join a cycling club or class, allowing you to meet new people with similar interests to you.

Finally, swimming. Swimming is such an underrated activity when it comes to stress relief and weight loss. Swimming also allows the body to releases endorphin, that can help us achieve a sense of happiness and wellbeing. The benefits of regular swimming sessions are incredible, not only can this exercise help fight depression, anxiety and improve sleep patterns, but it is also very low impact and easy on your joints, making it a perfect activity for those struggling with their weight or the elderly.

What activities or exercises do you do to improve your mental health? Is there any hobbies that you want to take up?

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GUEST POST | Does it feel like your skincare routine could use an update? Maybe it’s no longer giving you the results you are looking for, or perhaps you want to elevate your products and opt for luxury items that use better quality ingredients.

Luxury skincare products can do wonders for your skin, no matter your skincare concerns, but the trick is knowing which products to include in your routine. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of three essential products that you can add into your skincare regime so you can see dramatic results.

It Starts with a Good Quality Cleanser

Skincare routines can differ from person to person; one thing they all need to contain is a good quality cleanser that is meant for your specific skin type. This is what preps your skin for all the steps and products to follow, so the cleanser needs to do its job well. Your cleanser should easily be able to remove any traces of makeup and oil without actually stripping your skin. Cleansers can come in a variety of forms such as gel, cream, balm, and oil and there may be a little trial and error necessary to find the right format for your skin.

Ingredients to steer clear of when shopping for a luxury cleanser are dyes, perfumes, and chemicals. All of these can be very harsh and damaging to your skin.

Targeted Serums – Addressing Your Specific Needs

Then there are serums, which is a pretty massive category. Ideally, you want to take a targeted approach, meaning you pick one specific skincare concern and choose a serum that can address it. While there are certainly serums out there that claim to be an all-in-one solution, more often than not these end up falling short. So, if fine lines and wrinkles are your main issue, pick a serum that addresses aging. If uneven skin tone and dark spots are something you want to fade, then choose that targeted serum.

As for where to slot the serum into your routine, the correct order is:

· Cleanser

· Toner

· Serum

· Eye cream

· Spot treatment

· Moisturiser

· Face oil

· Sunscreen

Facial Oils - a Luxury Experience

While the idea of using oil on your face during your skincare routine is nothing new, it has really hit its stride in the past few years. Facial oils have now become mainstream as more and more people realise just how many benefits they offer. Depending on the oil you choose, it can target such issues as dry skin, dull skin, uneven skin tone, dark spots and pigmentation, and more.

When shopping for facial oil, be sure to look into a high-end reputable brand that is known for using good quality ingredients. For example, Tata Harper is a brand that uses raw organic and plant-based ingredients. The Tata Harper experience is meant to be chemical-free, giving you the ultimate facial oil, among other products.

By adding these essential luxury products to your skincare routine, you can expect to see some beautiful results.

What luxury beauty products do you use in your routine? What products would you recommend?

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AD| When it comes to beauty, many people find the thought of having unwanted hair, hair regrowth and hair removal can be extremely annoying, uncomfortable and is often a very time consuming process. We spend many hours and a lot of money on our beauty regimes since it can help boost confidence, mental health and self-esteem. When it comes to hair removal, there are a number of different procedures and techniques to get rid of unwanted hair such as shaving, tweezing, threading and waxing.

Now, as we all may be aware of, these techniques can be time-consuming and you often find yourself repeating the procedures time and time again. Now, for those who are looking for ideal permanent results and the first procedure that comes in the mind is laser hair removal. Many find that this technique works so effectively and results can be seen from the very first session. However, many people who are going for consultations or their first laser appointment find themselves stuck with so many misconceptions and find themselves unsure if the procedure is right for them.

Is it quite painful?
The thought of having a laser used on your body sounds incredibly awful, but the process of laser hair removal shouldn't feel too painful. You may experience different types of sensations, varying in pain, but this will vary from person to person. Therefore, it is indeed tricky to find out how you are supposed to feel, as not everyone will experience the same feelings and have the same pain tolerance. Talking about the majority, they experience a slightly tingling sensation after having laser hair removal, but isn't anything too uncomfortable. Many individuals feel that it does not hurt any more than waxing, since the laser procedure is categorised into many different sessions over a period of time. It can be an extremely safe procedure compared to waxing, if carried out by a trained professional. You would not have to bother about any bleeding, ingrown hairs or rashes, and will begin your journey to being hair free!

Probably expensive procedure?
The price? This is another one of the most common misconceptions about laser hair removal. The reason behind this misconception is that this procedure revolves around advanced technology, and is carried out over a period of time. This beauty procedure is quite accessible for anyone and you can find treatments to fit any budget. The pricing for this can be extremely reasonable, especially if comparing the price you would pay for regular waxing/shaving for the rest of your life. You could be saving thousands of pounds over your lifetime through going ahead with laser removal. There are so many different price packages of laser hair removal that works is available to go with your price range, depending on the company or treatment you decide to go with.

Can cause more hair to grow?
Many people do not agree with laser hair removal for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is they are thinking that it will probably lead to more hair growth, but this is not 100% true. Experts say that our bodies are constantly changing, and keep changing as we age. Some people are supposed to lose body hair while some probably have more hair in a new places. This will obviously differ from person to person, so each individuals results will be different, so don't compare your own to someone else.

Laser does not work well on dark skin?
As per the advanced laser technology, this is nothing but a myth only. Over the last few years, laser hair removal has become quite advanced and has been developed further to work for many more people. Today, laser hair reduction can be done on individuals with all skin tones. However, the amount of time and number of sessions you will require for this may vary, solely based on your skin tone and hair texture.

Overall, laser hair removal is extremely helpful for those who want to get rid of unwanted hair for good. Instead of believing the misconceptions, it would be better to make sure to do your own research before you make any decisions. If you have any questions or further queries, you should consult with a health expert in case you have more doubts regarding this, or are looking at getting laser hair removal yourself.

Have you had laser hair removal? Is this procedure something you have been considering?

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AD| Traveling and going on holiday abroad can be extremely expensive if you fail to do enough research and come up with a detailed, planned itinerary. With many of us browsing online and looking to start booking summer holidays and trips away now some travel is allowed, you can already start saving some money before you've even left you're own home. There are so many decisions to make and things to consider when holiday searching, and sometimes you just don't need the added stress of everything happening all at once.

Before even thinking about going on holiday, the most important thing is to save up enough money to be able to afford the trip. You obviously want to make sure you are financially stable, and can actually afford to go on holiday. Make sure to set a budget for the total cost of the holiday, as well as for each day of your trip, will help you when it comes to planning and saving money. By having a set budget, this will help you when searching for your perfect getaway, as you have a price range to work with.

It's also really important to make sure to research your destination so you know what to expect when you get there. You will need to decide where you want to stay, the length of your trip and also find out what the weather conditions are like before you go. You can also look online to find recommendations and reviews of places to go and stay. This allows you to get real peoples thoughts and opinions, and you'll also be able to see where you should be spending your money.

A big way to save money when booking your holidays abroad is by being as flexible as possible with your travel dates. Traveling during off-peak times can be a lot cheaper than during the busiest times of the year, so if you have the time flexibility, it's worth looking at cheaper dates. You can also have a look at special offers and deals that travel companies offer that are scheduled for specific dates, so if you have full flexibility, this could be something to look out for.

When you have finalised your travel dates and destination, you'll then want to go ahead and begin to book your flights and accommodation. During this stage of your booking process, you'll be able to research and find out if booking your holiday in a package or separately will be cheaper for you. I'd recommend using price comparison websites that can search the internet for flights and hotels, suiting your dates, time and budget.

If you're going to be exploring your destination by bus/tube/train etc, it may be more cost effective for you by buying travel passes for the duration of your stay. Depending on what you have planned for your trip, having a travel card already purchased can save you a lot of time and money, so you have more time to go sightseeing and and exploring. It can also be worth having if you decide upon some unexpected last-minute plans and venture out of the local area.

If your accommodation allows you to have access to a kitchen, that is an extremely easy way to save money once you're away. You can pick up your ingredients quite cheaply from local supermarkets and make your own food. However, if you are looking at eating out most of the time, why not get some recommendations from locals and enjoy local food and drinks. Many restaurants, pubs and bars are situated in very popular, tourist areas, and visiting these locations may be quite expensive. Many destinations will have places to eat and drink that are super popular with the locals and residents, so it may be worth asking around for some ideas of places to enjoy your meals.

If you're visiting somewhere where you want to take sightseeing at your own pace, looking at car rental services might be a good option to save you money on public transport and taxi fees. Many rental companies have special offers and discounts when booked in advance, and offer a variety of sized vehicles for your own personal needs. If you're looking at island holidays, for example, such as Santorini, Ibiza or even Cyprus, I'd highly recommend looking at hiring your own car to help you get about and explore your next holiday destination.

Exchange rates for currency are always changing and are in constant fluctuation everyday. Obviously as a buyer of currency, we want to get the best deals and prices when looking at getting foreign currency. Probably the easiest and cheapest way to buy your foreign currency is going online, and comparing banks and travel agents, to make sure you get a good exchange. By making sure to organise and collect currency before travel, you can save yourself some money by not purchasing at the airport, or at your final destination, as the conversion rates are usually not great.

Finally, when you're on holiday, you may want to look at finding some day trips or visiting attractions, as these can prove costly if not pre-planned and booked ahead. If you to fill up your travel itinerary, it might be worth researching some free excursions and activities that your travel destination has to offer. Many tourist destinations will have plenty of parks, museums and shops that you can visit for free. You could even ask in your hotel or accommodation centre if there are any activities going on during your stay that you might find interesting.

How do you save money whilst travelling? Have you got any holidays planned soon?

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AD| If you are starting to look at planning your next UK summer vacation but want something a little different, why not consider a caravan/motorhome-style holiday?

Caravan and motorhome travel can be extremely exciting and if planned well, can be so much less stressful than your typical holiday abroad. You can take your journey at your own pace, take more direct routes to your destinations, as well as making some super amazing memories and having an awesome adventure with your friends and family.

Obviously, one of the most important parts of planning your getaway for your first UK caravan holiday is to completely make sure that you’ve carried out all safety and security checks on your car/caravan/motorhome. By doing this, this ensures your vehicle is fit for purpose and you won't come across any breakdown issues on your trip. You'll want to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road, checking tyres, fuel and other fluid levels, and also making sure your have a safe and secure tow-bar for your caravan to attach to.

Before you set off on your trip, it would be very useful and informative to check any driving regulations for caravans/motorhomes, as suggested in The Highway Code. You’ll need to switch up your driving style when you are towing a caravan, as it will feel completely different to a normal car. You'll need to consider things like vehicle weight, conditions of your brakes, as well as considering your stopping distance, vehicle speed and room needed for manoeuvres. You may even opt for a special driving course for caravans or motorhomes to make sure you are fully confident ahead of your summer trip.

Making sure you go online and check that you have the correct insurance for your caravan/motorhome trip is extremely important. It's not ideal to be spending extra money on something that isn’t necessary, so finding a good deal on your insurance is extremely vital. If it's your first caravan/motorhome travel holiday, it’s probably a good idea to take out some insurance in case of any unplanned issues. This could include breakdowns, repairs or even theft. By researching ahead of your trip, the touring caravan insurance you need can be found at a lower price, allowing you to make sure you’re getting the best quotes and deal for what you require for your trip.

Obviously, journey planning is one of the biggest steps in researching for your caravan/motorhome holiday. You'll ideally want to make an itinerary of how long you wish to spend travelling, places you want to visit, and of course, the route you're going to take for your journeys. There are plenty of online resources that can help you to help plan your trip, giving you the best routes and letting you know the timeframes you will need. I would also recommend setting up a sat-nav, as well as bringing a map, just in case of emergencies. Doing all this planning beforehand will help you to feel less stressed and anxious, and allow you to also to come up with contingency plans if there are any issues on the road ahead.

Whilst planning your trip, it's also wise to make sure you have saved up enough money to last you the length of your trip, but also essential to budget for any additional costs. This could be for things such as food/drinks, parking charges, road tolls, just as a few examples. Having put aside some extra money can help you if anything unexpected comes up and catches you "out of the blue". This money can also cover costs if you want to take detours from your original journey plan and visit other places along the way that were not pre-planned before the trip.

Have you considered caravan or motorhome vacations before? Where would you like to visit?

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AD| Real estate can be one of the most profitable businesses to get into. Even if you're buying a home for the long term and are just curious about how much of a return you can eventually get, there are things everyone can do to increase their equity.

Make A Large Down Payment
The larger your down payment, the more equity you have in your home. Instead of making the minimum down payment, plan on paying off a significant portion earlier so that your monthly payments may be lower or your mortgage can be shorter. Every cent you put into your down payment turns into equity, so don't be shy about pouring a lot of money into it.

Increase Property Value
The simplest way to gain equity without paying off your home faster is to update your home itself. If you add value to your home, all of that value will be equity. The updates that increase value the most are kitchens, master bathrooms, and master bedrooms. When people look at Vancouver homes for sale, they’re considering how much work they will have to put into a property. Having updated spaces that are functional and pretty from the get-go has a lot of value in it.

Pay Higher Than Due Every Month
Following along the lines of making a sizable down payment, you'll be in a better financial position if you pay higher than your monthly set payment. Not only does paying off the debt faster lower your interest total, but it also ensures you start gaining equity faster. Do the math on how much you owe, what percentage above your monthly payments you can currently afford, and how much time that shaves off of your mortgage.

Have Patience Beyond Five Years
If you’re making the minimal house payment, the first five years of it are more than likely just covering the interest. Although it can be annoying to think of, this is the territory that comes with buying a home with a loan. After those first five years, all money you put into your property can be considered equity and make your home your own.

Spend One Partner’s Entire Salary
This tip is only for couples who don't have kids or significant financial obligations outside of their home: or who make enough that they can afford to do this easily. Many couples will earmark one of the partners' incomes solely for house payments. If both people in the pair are making around $50,000 a year, this could mean the couple pays off a $200,000 home in just under five years after interest.

This plan does have its fall-backs since it means that half of the income is gone, but if a couple is capable of living frugally, it's possible. After taxes take around 20% of their income, the couple would have to survive off around $3,350, which isn't impossible in most cities! This option should be thoroughly discussed and only used by couples who know and trust each other financially.

Have you considered real estate? What other ways can you grow equity?

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AD - GIFTED| Are you a major fan of the matching loungewear co-ord sets? Then this post is for you!

Now the warmer weather is definitely on its way, lockdown restrictions are constantly being lifted and we can finally go out and socialise with friends, everyone will be looking for outfit inspiration that would make a change from loungewear sets we've been wearing at home. However, loungewear is a must-have essential on spring days, as the weather can easily shift between cool and warm in such a short space of time, it's good to be prepared with wearing something that is suitable for both temperatures.

FemmeLuxe loungewear has definitely been some of my favourite matching sets to wear throughout lockdown, and on those days where I just want a simple, easy and effortless outfit to throw on and go. Loungewear is so versatile, dressed up or dressed down, there's so many ways to wear it, and still look stylish yet comfy. Loungewear is such a wardrobe staple, all year round. Hoodies, sweatshirts, crop tops, joggers and leggings are all perfect items for everyday wear when you're putting together a super casual outfit.

Chocolate brown was definitely the colour of the autumn/winter season, and it's definitely something that's here to stay throughout the springtime. This Oversized Chocolate Loungewear set* simply screams comfort! You can't go wrong with an oversized sweat and some joggers for the perfect casual everyday outfit. On this occasion, I've gone for something slightly different as I would never usually go for this colour, but I'm extremely glad that I did. I find browns super flattering for all skin tones and this tracksuit set is the perfect outfit when you want something easy to through on.

To add some neutral tones to my wardrobe, I picked up a Cream Oversized Hoodie & Jogger set*. This loungewear set has a relaxed fit, making it extremely comfortable and perfect for layering underneath or over the top. Cream is a great colour for those who love a neutral colour them in their clothing, as you can pair it with pretty much any colour and it will match perfectly.

To switch up my loungewear style, this Grey Ribbed Loungewear Set* is the perfect addition to my wardrobe. This loungewear set has more of a slim fit to it, helping to flatter the body, and is a change from wearing big, baggy lounge sets. Grey is an extremely versatile colour so you can pair this with so many things for a cute outfit. I would simply through on an oversized puffer jacket for an everyday outfit.

To help inject some colour into my spring wardrobe, I've opted for another loungewear set in this absolutely stunning pale blue colour. This Slogan Oversized Loungewear Set* is super relaxed and very comfortable. This set is really unique and different compared to the ones already featured in this post. The slogan back is a really cool added detail, and the bold text really makes it stand out and get noticed.

So whether you're looking for some spring outfit inspo, WFH clothing or are simply on the hunt for some comfy and super affordable loungewear, I hope this post has given you that much needed inspiration. I know I definitely want to fill my wardrobe with loads more loungewear sets. You can never have too many! FemmeLuxe is a great online place to shop. Super affordable, a huge variety of clothing, good quality and fast delivery, what more could you ask for?

Which outfit is your favourite? Have you shopped at FemmeLuxe?

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