● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD| 2022 has finally arrived! Start your new year the right way by getting your hands on some of these super-useful tech gadgets and accessories. There are so many various gadgets and accessories out there, that can be used for just about anything in your life, it's hard to keep up with new releases and must-have items.

From fitness accessories, to homeware, to computer and smartphone items, or even gadgets helping you to de-stress and relax, they are all available out there! Below are some of the most necessary, must-have tech gadgets and accessories that you should get your hands on to see you through 2022.

- Smartwatches -

Smartwatches are definitely an accessory that everyone will have a use for. They can tell the time, count your daily steps, track your health and sleep habits, and can help you reach your fitness goals. As well as all this, smartwatches are perfect for those wanting to keep up-to-date with their social media notifications messages and phone calls whilst commuting and travelling.

Most smart watches are available in a variety of styles, sizes and colours, as well as having multiple strap options that’ll be suitable for all ages. If you're looking for some luxury Apple Watch straps, I'd highly recommend browsing online at The Watch Strap Co - who offer an amazing range of watch straps, my favourite would certainly be the black leather watch straps. A leather watch strap is simply sophisticated, timeless and prestigious. It can help make your smartwatch that bit more luxurious, and make it feel like a more high-quality, high-end timepiece. But if leather isn't your preference, they also offer other materials from woven to stainless steel to silicon and many more, the options are endless!

- Massage Guns -

2021 was the year I was first introduced to massage guns, specifically the Actigun. Massage guns are a recent innovation made to help muscle recovery, injury prevention, joint stiffness, increase blood flow throughout the body and improve your flexibility/range of motion. Massage guns are also a unique gadget to own ad only you're in charge on the amount of pressure and time you use to pinpoint on any tense areas of your body.

- Amazon Kindle -

If you're an avid bookworm, or just someone who wants to take reading up as a hobby for your New Year's resolutions, picking up an Amazon Kindle could be extremely worth it. A Kindle reader can store an insane amount of books offline, we're talking thousands! - making it an incredible solution for those wanting to read on-the-go, or taking with them whilst travelling on long flights or switching off on holiday whilst relaxing by the pool. The Amazon Kindle is also incredibly lightweight, small and fits into even the smallest of bags - no more carrying around those heavy books!

- iPads -

Apple's iPads are probably the most popular tablet in the entire world and there's definitely good reason for that - they can do just about anything and can be used by anyone of any age! Whether you're studying, taking photos/videos, watching videos, playing games, browsing the internet or keeping in touch with relatives, the iPad has it all from the touch of a button, and that's what makes it so fast, so reliable and so accessible. iPads are also incredibly lightweight and portable, making them easy to carry with you day-to-day - much more compact than your regular laptop, so they can be useful for taking to school, to university, to work, or even to be used on your daily commute on public transport or a visit to a local coffee shop.

- Bluetooth Speakers -

A Bluetooth speaker is probably one of the most versatile types of speaker that you can own, and the benefits of owning a one of these speakers are endless. One of the main benefits of these is that you can connect any to device via Bluetooth, whether it be your laptop, phone or tablet, and what's more useful, you don't need an internet connection for use. Plus, you don't need to use them just for music, they can also be used during work conference calls or even personal phone calls.

- AirPods -

Is there anything worse than reaching into your coat pocket or cluttered handbag, in search for your headphones, and finding them in a complete mess? This is why you need to get yourself a pair of wireless earphones to avoid all the stress. Products such as Apple AirPods, are an extraordinary, hands-free, technology gadget, perfect for those who are always on the go. Whether you're travelling, exercising, or just catching up with your friends on the phone, they are definitely a must-have accessory you need to invest in.

Do you already own any of these products? What are your must-have gadgets and accessories for 2022

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AD| Improving your dental heath and sustaining healthy teeth really does takes a lifetime of care, but can be fairly straightforward if you follow a good routine. It's important to take the necessary steps in your daily routine in order to properly take care of your teeth and prevent any dental problems occurring in the future. Listed below are a number of easy ways in which we can all improve our dental health with a few simple lifestyle changes.

- Change Your Diet and Lifestyle -

The choices we make when it comes to what we eat and drink is important for those looking to improve their dental health. Eating too much of the wrong types of food and drink can cause tooth decay, and lead to poor dental hygiene. Leading a healthier lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and tracking your alcohol and sugar intake are all beneficial for good dental health.

For those who have made poor diet or lifestyle choices, it can be extremely hard to get your white smile back after years of bad habits. Drinking certain drinks like tea/coffee and smoking can lead to tooth discoloration and bad breath. In this case, many people lacking confidence due to their bad dental health may look at getting help with cosmetic procedures to try and boost themselves. Many people opt for private dental cosmetic procedures or even dental treatments in Turkey due to their high-quality, affordable dental work, which is bound to get you smiling again.

- Brush Properly -

Aiming to brush your teeth after every meal clean away any food/debris from becoming stuck in-between your teeth and gums. The way in which we brush out teeth is extremely important. When brushing, you should ensure you take your time to make sure you cover all areas of your teeth, gums and tongue. Making sure to move your toothbrush slowly in gentle, circular motions will help to remove any debris, stains or plaque.

However, brushing your teeth too hard and aggressively, or even using a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause damage to your teeth and gums. The effects of over-brushing can include many dental problems such as tooth sensitivity, damage to the protective enamel, and bleeding gums and erosion

- Visit Your Dentist Regularly -

Dentists typically recommend that you make an appointment to see your dentist at least every 6 months for a routine check-up. Many people often skip dentist appointments due to fear, costs or having no free time to attend, or even simply avoid going all together. Scheduling regular visits to your dentist are essential for the maintenance of your overall dental health, and both your teeth and gums. Regular dental check-ups can not only keep your teeth in a good, healthy condition now, but dentists are also able to check for any future issues that can be treated asap. Dentists can also recommend any treatments that they feel are necessary, including teeth whitening, braces and dental veneers, to help keep your teeth healthy and strong.

- Consider Using Chewing Gum/Mouthwash -

For those of you who are constantly on-the-go and may be unable to brush your teeth after eating/drinking, chewing gum can help prevent plaque tooth decay, protect your teeth and promotes good oral health, as long as you opt for a sugar-free gum. Chewing gum allows your mouth to increase the amount of saliva that is produced, this then helps to neutralise some of the acid that forms when you break down food or drink, as well as rinsing it away.

Incorporating mouthwash into your daily dental routine will give you that extra help when looking to remove unwanted bacteria/debris from inside your mouth. As mouthwash is a liquid, it is able to reach areas of your mouth that you may not have access to or you don't always brush. There are also specific mouthwashes available online and in-stores that may be able to help those suffering with bad breath and any unwanted dental problems.

What other ways do you look after your teeth and overall dental health?

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AD| Nowadays, many businesses are looking at incorporating and using different forms of artificial intelligence into daily work life as an aid to boost business growth, productivity and success -one of these being machine vision technology.

Businesses will typically use machine vision systems in a number of ways to improve quality, efficiency and operations in order to meet specific goals and targets. Machine vision technology and systems have continued to grow in popularity and are continuously evolving day after day. A machine vision system requires a computer and specific software to control and operate effectively. Both software and hardware systems are combined to make machine vision technology possible with components such as robotics, cameras, sensors, lighting and algorithms.

So you may be wondering, how is machine vision used in business? Machine Vision is predominantly used for quality control purposes, but also, it is necessary in helping businesses and manufacturers with other important processes such as for identification, inspection, guidance and many more. Listed below are some incredibly useful advantages of using Machine Vision technology in businesses today.

- Increased Safety and Security-

In businesses today, different forms of artificial intelligence are being used in order to improve safety and security procedures for employees. Newer technology, machine vision and robots are being introduced into companies for more repetitive, time-consuming, dangerous and more mundane jobs. In terms of machine vision, sensors used for specific jobs can be harmful for human employees. These can be placed in out-of-bounds or dangerous locations in the workplace, out of reach from employees to ensure a safe, risk-free and secure working environment for all.

- Improves Productivity -

Machine vision technology improves productivity levels within businesses in many ways. Machine technology and automation produces quality products faster and more efficiently. Another way machine vision improves productivity is by eliminates human error and preventing any production halts. Multipx Imaging specialises in Machine Vision Imaging, using cutting-edge technology and components, which help to make business and manufacturing processes more efficient and more productive.

- Quality Control -

Increased quality control is one of the main advantages of using machine vision technology, especially for businesses in the manufacturing industry. Machine vision technology is extremely useful in finding, correcting and preventing any production line defects and errors. In addition to using machine vision technology to identify defective products and errors, machine vision can also be used to help determine where any problems are starting/found in a production line, so corrective action and prevention methods can be taken.

- Reliability -

With an increase of using robots, computers and cameras in business today, these forms of artificial intelligence can help increase and improve reliability of certain processes within a business - especially during manufacture. Machine vision systems are typically used and implemented on a production line of a business. These systems would be able to inspect hundreds of new parts within minutes and with high quality camera technology, they will be able to detect any errors - even the smallest which would be undetectable to the human eye. Machine vision technology can also eliminate employee fatigue, making end-products of better quality and higher standards.

What other advantages are there of using machine vision technology in businesses today?

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AD| While it's convenient to have a smartphone, it's better to use a laptop for work and school. It's easy to carry around with you as you travel to your next destination. You feel better when typing things down for a project instead of having a tiny phone screen. Here are some of the benefits of having a laptop.

Lightweight to Carry

You can have a laptop backpack for carrying your notebook around different places to help you keep everything in order. A personal computer stays in one spot. You have no access to your documents on your desktop unless you have a USB card, email them to you, or put them in an online folder.

Whether you're stuck at an airport for a few hours or dealing with a long commute to work on the train, you take your laptop and take advantage of the WiFi access to catch up with emails and finish editing your work. Also, it's easier on the back if you have to move somewhere for a short time and don't need extra space to lug a desktop computer.

Easier to Power Up

When you have a desktop computer, you need electricity to run it. You never know if you're working on something and the electricity will go out. If you have a power outage while working on a document, you may lose the file or have to recover it from the last time you saved it. However, a laptop with a fully charged battery can last you for a few hours. Not to mention, it doesn't require so many plugs and adapters to get it to work.

A personal computer requires separate adapters for your monitor, keyboard, hard drive, and speakers. It takes up a lot of space and outlets in your room. However, a laptop needs just one adapter to plug into the wall, and everything else is built-in.

Better for Staying In Touch

When you're doing business, it's better to have a laptop. You never know if you need to get on a quick video chat call or go back in forth through instant messaging. You might have an interview, and the employer requests a video call. Laptops come with built-in mics and webcams. For most desktop computers, you need to purchase a separate webcam as well as a clip to hook it onto your monitor.

Also, you can do teleconferencing from anywhere that has a quiet space with a reliable internet connection. Having a portable computer can make it much easier to move around and still handle business from anywhere.

What other advantages are there of using a laptop?

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Completed all your last minute Christmas shopping? Need some inspiration for low-cost gift wrap ideas? Look no further!

Christmas present shopping is expensive enough - there is simply no need to spend a lot of money on your gift wrap ideas either as there is so many low-cost and affordable options out there - you just need to be imaginative and creative. Most wrapping papers will get binned or recycled as soon as the Christmas gifts are exchanged and opened, so realistically, you don't want to be spending loads of money on fancy wrapping paper, gift bags or decorative accessories. Let's take a look at 5 last minute, low cost gift wrap ideas for Christmas presents that will look amazing and won't break the bank!

1. Gift Bags

Gift bags are the ultimate lazy option when it comes to wrapping presents, but they can also be extremely affordable. They are also the perfect choice of gift wrap for larger items, or items with irregular shapes that may be difficult to wrap in wrapping paper. Using gift bags is also extremely useful when you are carrying/transporting your gifts. Whether you're going to a friend or relatives house, or they are coming to you, the recipient of the gift has a pre-made bag to take their present home in. Reusing and recycling your gift bags is good for the environment and a sustainable way of gift wrapping your gifts.

2. Brown Paper and String

Brown paper is a very simple, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional-styled wrapping paper. You can pick up rolls of brown paper very cheaply from a number of shops and supermarkets, making it a great substitute that is widely available for purchase. It's also a great choice for those would want to be more eco-friendly, as brown paper is recyclable and reusable. Once your gifts are wrapped, brown paper tied up with string is such a simple, cute and effective way to decorative your loved ones gifts. This low-cost gift wrap idea is very traditional, can make your gift stand out, and makes it look like you took a long time to wrap your gifts - when it reality, it didn't!

3. Ribbons and Bows

To add some extra decoration, extra sparkle and to give your wrapped presents that extra little something special, using ribbons and bows can take your gifts from 0 to 100 in no time at all! A nice ribbon or bow simply adds a nice touch to a finished package. It also can help you when attaching a gift tag or card to your Christmas gift, which helps you remember who's gift is who's.

4. Decorative Christmas Accessories

For those who really want to make their Christmas gifts stand out and look spectacular, adding some decorative Christmas accessories is the way to go. If you've decorated your gifts with ribbon or string, this will be an easy way to incorporate some additional decorative accessories to your gift. I'm thinking candy canes, pine cones, fake plants and greenery, and even some small wooden ornaments.

5. Homemade Wrapping Paper

For those of you who like to be creative, have artistic talents, or even have a little spare time on your hands, making your own homemade Christmas wrapping paper is a great way to make your gifts more personalised and more special. This would also be a great festive activity for those with young children in the house at Christmas time. All you need is a few rolls of paper and some arts/crafts materials, and you're good to go! Some of my favourite homemade wrapping paper design ideas include;

- Using stencils and stamps

- Painting on Christmas shapes and patterns

- Calligraphy and Typography designs

These affordable, simple and easy Christmas gift wrapping ideas will help you save money on gift wrap, and you will be wow-ing all your friends and family members with your creative and imaginative designs.

How do you wrap your Christmas presents? What low cost gift wrap ideas do you have?

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GUEST POST | Getting a hot tub for the first time can be as nerve-wracking as getting a new kitten. It’s super-exciting and you’re looking forward to showing it off to all your friends but doubts can set in.

Am I adult enough to take on this responsibility? How do I look after this thing and make sure it doesn’t die? What do I feed it? Don’t worry, looking after a hot tub is easy and, although hot tubs aren’t as cute as a kitten, a hot tub won’t jump on you in the early hours demanding food, wee on the floor or pull down your curtains. But hot tubs, like kittens, do need a bit of looking after and so here are some tips for new hot tub owners.

Take a Shower Before Getting Into Your Hot Tub

Yes, taking a shower before getting into your hot tub is tedious and you may wonder why you need to go and stand under some water before getting into a big tub of water. But a hot tub isn’t a bath and it’s not there to clean you. In fact, your hot tub would much prefer it if you got into it clean so you don’t clog up the filter with sweat, skin cells, deodorant, body lotions and the general grime we accumulate on our bodies throughout the day.

Regularly Clean Your Hot Tub

Why does your hot tub need regular cleaning if you’re getting into it shower-fresh each time? Because keeping your hot tub clean will keep it in tip-top condition, so drain and clean your hot tub every three months or so, unless you’re using it daily - in which case, you’ll need to clean your hot tub every two months. When it comes to the filter though, that’ll need to be cleaned weekly. Filters are easy to clean though - just remove the filter, get a hose and spray the dirt off, dry the filter and put it back in.

Don’t Be Scared By The Mention of Chemicals

We get it, you didn’t think you’d need a degree in chemistry to look after a hot tub. All those mentions of chemicals, PH levels, water being too alkaline or too acidic, sanitisers and chlorine makes you wish you had got a kitten instead. Being jumped on at 4am with a demand for food would be far preferable than trying to understand, let alone care, what a PH level is.

But it’s fine. Don’t panic. If you bought your hot tub from a reputable hot tub retailer, they will have explained everything to you and, even if it all went over your head, you’d have been given an instruction manual with your hot tub. And if the instruction manual is double-dutch to you, a good hot tub retailer will have a decent after-sales service so you’ll be able to ring them for advice any time you need it.

These are just a few tips for new hot tub owners. Keep yourself and your hot tub clean and you’ll have years of pleasure from it. It goes without saying though - never take a kitten into a hot tub!

Do you own a hot tub? What other care tips or advice do you have?

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GUEST POST| Eating, sleeping and drinking can usually be found at the top of most student’s list of priorities. Students aren’t known for being flush with cash though, so although sleep is free, food and drink can make a big dent in their student loan or wages from a part-time job.

There are ways to get free food though and below we’ll share five ways everyone can get free food, not just students.

Mystery Shopping/Dining

Have you ever fancied being a spy? Then mystery shopping is for you. Mystery shoppers go undercover to report back on a restaurant’s food, service and facilities and in return you’ll get your meal paid for and sometimes a bit of cash on top. Yes, that’s right - you’ll be paid to eat. You don’t have to limit yourself to mystery shopping for food - all kinds of companies use mystery shoppers to find out if everything’s as it should be but as this article is about free food, that’s what I’m concentrating on here.

If you fancy giving mystery shopping a go and getting some free food, just Google ‘mystery shopping’ and you’ll find dozens of agencies you can sign up with. As an added bonus, if you take along one of your housemates in your student accommodation for a free feast, they’ll love you forever and maybe cook you something in return - meaning more free food for you! Just be aware though that you’ll be reimbursed for your food, not paid in advance, so remember to keep all receipts as you’ll need them for proof.

Shopium App

The Shopium app contains a regularly-changing range of items for free or heavily discounted at all the major supermarkets. Download the app and have a look at what they’re offering in your local supermarkets either in-store or online. If there’s anything there you like the look of, buy it, scan the barcode, upload a photo of your receipt and Shopium will reimburse you within a couple of days.

Olio App

The Olio app is like a Freecycle for food. People in your local community who hate waste give away their leftovers on Olio. When I say ‘leftovers’, I don’t mean you’re getting the scrapings from their plates but, for example, if someone’s got too many carrots in their veg box (which is every single person who’s ever had a veg box) and don’t have any horses nearby, they can offload them to a carrot-loving neighbour.

It’s not just local residents who are using the Olio app though. Restaurants, retailers and bakeries are all getting on board with volunteers picking up the leftover goods from the stores and uploading them to the app for anyone to claim. A friend of mine got a whole case of Hellmann’s mayo on Olio. True story.

Foraging

Foraging works better in the countryside rather than cities. You won’t find many blackberry bushes in central London, that’s for sure. But if you are in a more rural location or you fancy a day trip somewhere green, do a spot of foraging for free food that’s as fresh as fresh can be.

Although some things are easier to spot than others, e.g. blackberries or wild garlic, some things you will need to know what you’re doing before picking them unless you want to poison yourself, so take someone knowledgeable with you. Also, it’s a good idea not to forage on busy roads that have spewed exhaust fumes all over the bushes or had dogs going about their business on them.

Shoplift It

If you’re really desperate, you can always shoplift your dinner. This is obviously a joke. Do not do this. Do not steal your housemate’s food from the fridge either.

These are just five ways to get free food but, if you dig around, you’ll find plenty more. And, of course, there’ll be loads of restaurants, bars and cafes in your area offering student discounts as well as lots of ways to save money when you shop online.

What other ways have you got free food before?

12:00 1 comments

AD| A complicated set of procedures is always at the core of any business. These processes are especially ubiquitous and crucial in the manufacturing industry. From product development and creation to quality assurance and employee safety, each manufacturing business has its own set of procedures in place with distinct phases that demand attention and accuracy.

With so many of these processes running at the same time, it's easy to overlook a key step somewhere along the way. When avoidable errors start to occur, manufacturers need to rethink how they measure and manage processes throughout their enterprises. Errors are significantly more likely to occur if the company does not use good business process management software, so this could be the right option for you. Here are some of the benefits of using software for your manufacturing business.

Better Organisation

Organizing the specifics of each operation in a manufacturing organization might seem to be an insurmountable task. Many businesses struggle to keep track of processes that vary greatly in size and breadth and need a wide range of personnel, time, and resources. With so many variables to consider, it might be tempting to use a variety of different tools rather than searching for a holistic solution to get the task done. After all, how could a single solution be adaptable enough to meet every individual requirement?

A single solution may be "one size fits all" using highly adaptable process management software for manufacturing businesses. The flexibility to tailor each workflow to accommodate a wide range of demands enables firms to manage all of their operations, big and small, in any one location. Eliminating unneeded tools reduces the confusion that results from spreading information too thin and allows management to view cross-organizational data more clearly.

Save Money

It is difficult to detect whether a process isn't operating if faults aren't visible, and it may be tough for production managers to acquire an overview of the materials or resources they need to allocate properly. Manufacturing company software delivers a complete picture of administrative, operational, managerial, and inventory data throughout the organization, allowing you to effectively manage projects with real-time reporting. Your company will save money by saving time and resources attempting to obtain this information from numerous systems and by reducing waste, improving procedures, and profiting from happy consumers.

Streamlines Processes

In manufacturing organizations, inefficiency is a significant drain on productivity; struggling with clumsy procedures and manually contacting team members when they're required wastes valuable time and adds unnecessary weight to your firm. Inefficient procedures can cost businesses up to 30 percent of their income each year.

Accelerate things using software designed expressly for efficiency in manufacturing. A good process management system provides a plethora of automation possibilities, including the ability to start processes, pre-fill custom forms, remind co-workers to finish tasks as required, and more. With dozens of automatic checks, notifications, and updates ensuring that every step in the process is completed every time, increasing speed will never mean compromising quality.

What other benefits are there of using software in your business?

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AD - GIFTED | If you've been on the hunt for the perfect educational Christmas gift ideas for your children, look no further!

If you've got young children in your family, whether that be your own children, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, or any other young friends and family members, the lead up to Christmas can seem very chaotic and overwhelming at times. Christmas shopping can be extremely busy and a tiring experience, especially when you're unsure of what to buy and you have no Christmas gift ideas at all.

For children in particular, there is such a variety of gift ideas that will be suitable for Christmas. During this time of year, there are plenty of advertisements everywhere sharing a variety toys and games, clothes and accessories, and other fun Christmas activities that would be great gift ideas for children. Toys and games make amazing gift ideas as they are something that can be used time and time again, can help improve your child's learning and will never ever get boring! Whether you opt for family-fun board games, wooden or educational toys, or even some cute soft plush toys, you're bound to put a smile on your child's face this Christmas!

Soft Toys

Soft toys are such a cute Christmas gift idea, and there is such a large selection of soft plush toys to choose for. Soft toys are suitable for all ages, whether your child is a new-born, toddler or an older child, you will be able to select toys suitable for their age range, and as well as this, you can purchase toys according to which cartoons or animals are their favourites. In particular, younger children and babies love to explore, love to touch and feel new textures - soft toys can play an essential role in helping to develop sensory skills and encourages some social and emotional interaction.

Educational Toys

For me, educational toys are a good all-rounder gift for anyone, but as a child, you are always learning new skills everyday and will always improve on these skills with daily practice. Educational toys come in all shapes and sizes - whether you want your child to improve mathematical skills, reading and writing, problem solving and logic, motor and coordination skills, there is definitely something suitable for all age groups and abilities.

A great education toy that I have found is the My First Calendar. This magnetic calendar is the perfect gift idea to encourage children to learn simple life skills and use the days of the week, dates, months and seasons of the year, and also the different types of weather. This reusable calendar gift idea offers a fun way of learning as it is very easy to use, as well as being colourful, attractive and eye catching - it's something they can hang up in their bedrooms and interact with daily to help with their visual learning and life skills. The My First Calendar can always help with promoting independent learning, as it can help children with reading, pronunciation and spelling, as well as helping them to associate different months of the year with seasons and to recognise what type of weather usually occurs during different times of the year.

Board Games

Christmas time is all about spending quality time with your loved ones, and there is nothing more fun than spending time playing your favourite family board games. Board games can provide countless hours of fun, social interaction and challenges, suitable for all ages and abilities. For children, playing board games assists with early learning as they are important for a child's mental and social development. Many games feature a wide variety of tasks and challenges, and may offer practice with focus and concentration, mathematical, logic, problem solving and hand-eye coordination skills.

Wooden Toys

For a more eco-friendly, sustainable option for your Christmas gift ideas, wooden toys are a great choice. Wooden toys don't require electricity or batteries, making them incredibly long-lasting and durable. These types of toys can be used over and over again without any damage, which would be a good idea to get for young children who can continue using these wooden toys whilst they are growing up.

Wooden toys come in all shapes and sizes, whether it's building blocks, puzzles and jigsaws, or even board games, there is plenty to choose from. A product I have come across recently from Jaques of London is the Shut The Box Wooden Game. Shut the Box is a straight-forward dice based game that offers an introduction to simple arithmetic, mathematics and numbers. The object of Shut The Box is to use all the numbers on the board, or 'shut the box', determined by the throws of the dice.

Arts and Crafts Activities

For children who love being adventurous and creative, or just love to their hands dirty, choosing the perfect arts and crafts activities could be the perfect gift idea. Arts and crafts activities allow children to be creative, imaginative and experimental, and is something that is definitely suitable for all ages and abilities. Whether your recipient loves drawing and colouring, painting, making models or even textiles, arts and craft activities have such educational value, it's definitely something to consider as a Christmas gift.

What are your favourite toys, activities and games?

12:30 No comments

GUEST POST | If you’re on a low income, a zero hours contract or minimum wage, you might feel you’ll be laughed out of the bank if you go in there asking for a mortgage. So, how can you get on the property ladder with no money?

Average House Price in The UK

With the average house price in the UK being £264,000 and the average salary being £31,285, how is anyone supposed to get on the property ladder, never mind those on a low income (as an illustration, someone working 40 hours a week on minimum wage would be on a salary of £18,532.80)? All is not lost though. You might think you’re priced out of the housing market but there are ways to get on the property ladder with a low income and we’ll have a look at some of these ways below.

Look For Property in a Cheaper Area

If you’ve got your heart set on a townhouse in Notting Hill, setting your sights a bit lower will help you get on the property ladder. When I say ‘a bit’, I mean stop coveting those £6million penthouses on Rightmove and have a browse on estate agents in Essex websites instead. You’ll get far more for your money in slightly less-salubrious areas such as Barking, Basildon or Dagenham and, if you work from home, you can live wherever you like (and can afford), so you won’t be spending thousands a year on your commute.

Save a Bigger Deposit

Saving a bigger deposit is easier said than done, no one’s going to disagree with that. A rightful complaint from would-be property buyers is that they can easily afford a mortgage, as proved each month when they pay rent that’s more than their mortgage payment each month would be. If they didn’t have to pay so much in rent, they could save up for a bigger deposit with which to buy a house. It’s a Catch-22 situation for sure. There are ways to save though, even if you think you’re already financially stretched to your limit.

Cut Down On Essentials and Non-Luxuries

Go through your bank statements and online subscriptions and see what you can cut out. That daily coffee shop coffee? Get a travel mug and take your own coffee on your commute. Do you really need all your streaming services? There must be some you can cut out or downgrade to a cheaper plan. Do you have a gym membership but can’t actually remember where the gym is? Scroll through the apps on your phone. Are there apps you’re paying for but never use? If there’s stuff you really have to buy, here are some tips to help you save money online.

Put The Money in a Savings Account

When you’ve gone through your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly outgoings and cut out those services and non-essentials you can live without, put the money you would have spent into a savings account. This isn’t because you’ll make more money in interest (you get approximately bugger-all in interest these days) but because if you leave it in your bank account, it’ll get spent somehow. Put it in an account that doesn’t give you a bank card and you’ll soon see the money for a deposit build up.

Pay Your Debts Off

I know paying more money out seems to contradict the advice above about cutting down on your spending, but one thing a mortgage lender looks at is how many loans and debts a potential borrower already has. Paying off any debts such as a student loan (okay, that’s possibly a bit unreasonable), personal loans and credit cards will make you look better in a lender’s eyes.

Improve Your Credit Score

A low credit score isn’t going to do you any favours when it comes to getting a mortgage. If you think your credit score is going against you, you can check it for free at websites such as Experian. If your credit rating isn’t great, make sure you pay off any loans regularly and don’t miss any payments. On top of that, pay more than the minimum amount required to really improve your rating.

‘But I don’t even have a credit card. Why is my rating so low?’ is a common question. The reason your credit rating is low when you don’t even have a credit card is because there’s not actually anything to rank you on. No one will know if you’re good at paying back a debt if you’ve never had one. Yet another of those pesky Catch-22 situations.

Yet again, I’m going to contradict myself and say, if you’ve never had a credit card and your credit score is low - get a credit card. This sounds a crazy idea but getting a credit card and paying off the balance in full each month will improve your credit score. I’m not suggesting you get a Platinum Amex and max it out on shoes, handbags or cars each month, but buy your groceries and other regular essentials on your credit card and just remember to pay it off in full each month. You’ll be no worse off but your credit rating will improve.

The above advice isn’t a magic bullet for getting on the property ladder with no money, but a bit of cutting back, compromising and improving your credit rating will get you further towards your dreams of being a homeowner.

Are you on the property ladder? What are your tips and advice for first-time buyers?

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GUEST POST | If you're looking at planning a visit to Cardiff, Wales for the first time, here are some things you must see, do and experience.

Splendidly situated betwixt the mountains and the sea, Cardiff is making a big splash with visitors. This capital city is small in size, but big in personality. Weekenders are drawn by its unique character and charms. Some come hoping to rub shoulders with rugby players, spy a dragon or two, take in an ancient castle or join in with a good old singsong, Tom Jones’ style. Aside from those quintessentially Welsh pastimes, Cardiff has much else to offer too.

Making waves since the 15th century, Cardiff is now home to 350,000 people. Set just off the M4 motorway, with its own airport and a centrally located train station, these days the city is within easy reach of just about anywhere. With its emblem of the red dragon in glorious abundance, every sign written in both Welsh and English and a chorus of distinctive lilting voices all about you, once here you know, without a doubt, that you are in the heart of Wales. The buzz of the city comes from music, rugby and a strong, proud sense of national cultural identity. Some even claim that the shopping here is better than in Milan. The city is also brimming with lively nightlife options, from traditional pubs to sophisticated bars, live music and a wide range of clubs for a memorable party night out. Whilst Cardiff has all the cosmopolitan buzz of a capital city, it is compactly set within a small area, making it easy to get about.

Cardiff lies within a stone’s throw of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Black mountains to the North and the South Wales coastline to the South and West, where there are also plentiful Bristol activities. This means that adventurous types, with a penchant for the great outdoors, can schedule in walking, biking, golf, surfing, canoeing and other Cardiff activities. There are small to middling sized mountains to scale, the largest being Pen y Fan, at a lofty altitude of 886 metres. Coastal towns such as Ogmore-by-Sea offer the very hip challenge of surfing. For cyclists, there are a range of on and off-road options, the most famous being the Taff trail. At 55 miles (93 kilometres) long, it wends its way from Cardiff to the historic market town of Brecon. It largely follows the course of the Taff river and is a mixture of on and off-road sections, requiring either a mountain bike or perhaps a hybrid model to tackle it. Even within the city itself, there is the opportunity to get out on the water of Cardiff bay, in a canoe, kayak, wind-surfer or dinghy. Sticking safely to dry land, there is also the rather lovely and very central Bute park to picnic, lob frisbees and generally laze about in.

For rugby fans, Cardiff holds the allure of the 74,500 seat Millennium stadium. This is home to the Welsh national side, fondly nicknamed the Red Dragons. On match days, thousands throng here, creating a sea of red in the stands, together with a carnival display of nodding and bopping dragon and daffodil head attire. Even if you’re not here on match days, you can still sneak a glimpse into the dragons’ lair. Stadium tours allow you to peek inside the dressing room, tread in the footsteps of giants through the players’ tunnel and hold a trophy aloft for yourself.

For culture vultures and seekers of knowledge, there are museums, galleries and shops, including the National Museum of Wales, Techniquest hands-on-science centre and Wales Millennium Centre. There is also the 2,000 year old castle to explore. Back through time, it has been home to a Roman fort, a Norman citadel and a Tudor stronghold. These days, instead of repelling grockles with slingshot and hot tar, it welcomes them with open arms. If you time your visit to Cardiff right, you could sup locally brewed beverages at the Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival in June or munch your way through the Great British Cheese Festival in September. Music is in the blood of Welshmen and Cardiff is firmly at the melodic forefront. It has major venues in the form of the Millennium stadium and the Motorpoint Arena. These regularly attract the big names in music, such as the legendary figures of Gary Barlow, Dolly Parton and McBusted. There are heaps of Eisteddfod and Jazz options to enjoy and a smorgasbord of live music available in smaller venues too.

If you wish to craft, nibble, quaff and laze, Cardiff offers a wealth of luxurious, sublime and quirky opportunities to do so. You can roll your very own handmade chocolates, create melt-in-the-mouth fudge, muddle some cocktails with a master mixologist or shrug off the hustle bustle of the 21st century at a lavish spa.

As the sun sets over Tiger bay in Cardiff, visitors have their sights set on re-fuelling and thoughts naturally turn to eating, drinking and making merry. Cardiff has a huge variety of restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and nightclubs on offer. Mermaid Quay is part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of Cardiff bay and boasts a number of restaurants and bars, where you can sit, sup and enjoy views out across the water. Alternatively, you can head for the central area, near the castle and train station. Here lie pubs for every tippler, from traditional to spit and sawdust to trendy and sophisticated.

There are clubs a-plenty too. For alternative music, head for the top end of the town centre. For mainstream chart, dance, trance, house and party music, you could head for the areas around St Mary Street in the centre, Cardiff Bay or Greyfriars road. Cardiff’s motto ‘The Red Dragon will Lead the Way’ perhaps hints at the promise of mini adventures for those that choose to follow, offering something for every size, shape and flavour of visitor to the city. Join the migration and let the dragon lead on.

Have you visited Cardiff?

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GUEST POST | You know how it is when you get a new kitchen. You vow to look after it so well, it’ll look shiny and new forever. Each time you venture into your gleaming kitchen, you delicately stroke the worktops and promise to keep them looking pristine and to never let them get dirty or damaged. In fact, you love your new kitchen so much, you don’t even want to use it. Ever.

But, let’s face it, in the real world, kitchens are there to be used and, not only are they there to be used, they’re there to be used for mucky stuff. After a while, all your good intentions go out the kitchen window and suddenly there’s flour and fingerprints everywhere. Don’t fear though, all is not lost, because below you’ll find a few hints on how to look after your kitchen worktops to keep them looking as good as they did on the day they were installed.

Look After Your Kitchen Worktops By Using A Chopping Board

It probably goes without saying, but to save your kitchen worktops from getting scratched, use a chopping board. Even if you have resilient, strong and scratch-proof marble kitchen worktops, protect them the best you can by not chopping anything directly onto them.

Wipe Up Any Spills Straight Away

As you’ll probably be aware, some foods and liquids stain stuff just by being in the same room as them. Beetroot, turmeric and red wine are just three substances that create stubborn stains, so wipe up any spills straight away to keep your kitchen worktops stain-free.

Clean Your Kitchen Worktops Carefully

Of course, although wiping up spillages straight away is a great habit to get into, that isn’t going to keep your kitchen worktops clean. But before you start channelling Mrs Hinch and start stocking up on cloths and cleaners (who are we kidding, with all the millions she’s worth, she probably hires an actual cleaner now), save your money and leave the bottles of chemicals and abrasive sponges on the supermarket shelf.

Hot soapy water is all you need to keep your kitchen worktops clean but, if they do need a bit of extra help, you can add a bit of multi-purpose cleaners. Not bleach though. Bleach is bad. Also, don’t let a wire scourer or anything similarly scratchy anywhere near your worktops and use a soft microfibre cloth instead.

Clean Into The Corners

How often do you clean in the corners of your kitchen worktops? You know, under the toaster and behind the bread machine? If the answer is ‘When I can be bothered,’ you’ll get no judgement here. I’m exactly the same. But if you want to keep your kitchen looking as good as it did on the day it was fitted, you'll have to make the effort to move those appliances out of the way and get into the corners.

Look After Your Kitchen Worktops With Trivets

‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,’ is a well-known saying (or, depending on your age, lyrics in a Bucks Fizz song). This saying obviously doesn’t apply to saucepans or casserole dishes, so they’ll have to stay in the kitchen even when they’re hot. Heat and worktops aren’t a great match though, so this is where trivets are your kitchen worktop’s best friend to save your worktops from getting scorched and permanently damaged.

Kitchen Worktops Can Last A Lifetime If Looked After

If you look after your kitchen worktops, you'll not only keep them looking good but they’ll also stay in tip top condition and should last you many years, if not a lifetime.

How do you take care of your kitchen worktops?

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