| Bakes, Books And My Boys

Top Tips to get your Garden summer ready.

Monday, April 23, 2018

With the glorious weather here and winter finally gone it’s time to start making the garden your outside extra room. But who wants to spend hours when they would rather be enjoying it? So heres some quick tips to get your garden ready for fun and relaxing!

1, Maintenance. First things first, run around with a sack and tidy up the garden of any bits and pieces left over from winter. Run the mower over the lawn and a strimmer over the edges. Reseed and feed any bare bits and patches.

2, Furniture. Get it out of the shed, wash it down! If its looking a little weary and you want to spruce it up the latest in furniture pant is superb. Choose a soft deep blue, green, grey and white are not only restful but look will amazing against summer foliage and flowers.

3, Soft Furnishings. Add these to your furniture and around the garden in nooks and cranny’s. Waterproof bean bags & cushions can remain outside this summer despite summery showers. Have a waterproof storage box full of rugs and blankets to wrap up with for those late light evenings and to snuggle up with a book with.

4, Lighting. A must for entertaining and making use of the garden throughout the summer. From solar bulb lights, lanterns hanging from the trees and stake lights to guide winding paths Groupon's top outdoor lighting deals are a great place to start.

5, Cover. For the heatwaves planned and the heat of the day what better way to extend the time you can spend in the garden with beautiful parasols and canopys. Make your own from some beautiful cotton stripe material and bamboo canes!

6, A Firepit, adds warmth to the evening and is also a perfect talking point to add to the evenings delight. Plus what a great way to end an evening then with the chance to roast marshmallows!

7, Tepees, if you have children of any age a tepee is an instant delight. From a teenagers hang out to a great cover over a sand pit or paddling pool. Carry cushions and rugs down and why not practise embracing the Spanish tradition of a siesta in the afternoon!

8, Flowers, even if your garden doesn’t have flower beds or gardenings not your things why not scatter round some lavender pots and rosemary. It’s a perfect way to scent any garden, add colour and encourage butterflies. Also a perfect addition to a bbq’s coals or burgers.

9, BBQ, we cant not mention the main stay of out summer. Haul it out and brush it down so its ready at a moment notice! Check you have coals or a full gas canister. Theres nothing worse than discovering you’re empty as you fire it up for cooking!

10, A Cooler! If you’re slightly lazy light me and don’t want to keep rushing back and forth to get cooldrinks why not invest in a metal bucket or container. There are some beautiful ones around- TKMaxx has some in stock as do most supermarkets. Feel it up with cold water or ice and pop those drinks in!

Perfect! Enjoy your summer all and if you have any toptips to make summer entertaining easy add them below!

home

Can changing your interior design change your mood?

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Freshening up your home décor is beneficial in more ways than you might think

Our home is our sanctuary, and should feel like it. It’s where we spend the vast majority of our time, and because of that it can have a strong impact on our thoughts, feelings, mood and overall wellbeing.

Multiple studies carried out by psychologists and architects alike have shown this, finding that certain designs and layout can be used to promote relaxation, while others can encourage alertness and higher thought. Factors like high ceilings have been shown to help improve creativity and inspiration, while lower ceilings can help you stay more focused.

Understanding just how powerful your home environment can be is a key step in improving your general mood, because your interior design is firmly under your control. The way you choose to decorate your home can change a lot more than just how it looks; it can change the way you feel. So here are some of the elements you will need to consider when creating a home environment that makes you feel good.

How are health and home linked?

Our thoughts and feelings are easily influenced by our surroundings, but this is something we usually don’t notice until we make the decision to change them. Coming home to an interior space that looks good ultimately makes us feel good. But simply choosing your favourite colours and items isn’t enough — you need to understand the benefit that each factor can bring to your home environment and therefore to you. Understanding balance will help you find the best way to effectively use the available space and combine elements like lighting, colour, layout and furniture to create a space that is pleasant, relaxing and energising in the long run.

A room with a view

Nature is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal when planning your interior design. If you’re lucky enough to have a home that looks out onto a large garden or perhaps a nearby park, use this to your advantage by turning your view into a room’s centrepiece. Nature and greenery has been shown time and time again to improve energy levels, reduce anxiety and help you feel more focused. One study found that working in a natural environment made employees 8% more productive and improved wellbeing by 13%.

However, for those living in busy urban environments like city centres, it can be difficult to find a home which looks out onto natural beauty, and busy street scenes have been shown to be both distracting and even tiring.

But it is still possible to include natural beauty in your interior design in order to improve your wellbeing. Adding greenery to your home in the form of flowers, foliage and plants is a simple step which can make a big difference. Bright kitchen flowers, leafy living room houseplants and floral dining table centrepieces can all make your home feel fresher and more colourful. This will help you feel fresher, too, giving you the energy you need to get on with your day.

Finding furniture that feels right

The right furniture should be chosen carefully in order to make the most of your space and reflect your own personal taste and style. Everything from your sofa to your bed and your dining room table can have a massive impact on the look and feel in that space, changing the way you feel.

This is all about personal preference. Some people prefer soft forms and curved edges — which studies suggest could be a subconscious desire to avoid potential dangers — while others might like the clean, defined look of more rigid shapes and styles.

Many people like choosing furniture and accessories, which is reflective of their own cultural heritage and ties, as this can help make it feel more personal. Beautiful vintage furniture is a great way to create a truly unique space in your home with a rich history behind it, and you can find stunning vintage options on sites like Vinterior

The two L’s: Layout and Lighting

Once you’ve found the perfect furniture for your home, you need to know how to arrange it in the best way for your wellbeing. This means considering a combination of aesthetic and practical elements, namely how easily you can move about the space during your normal daily routine. Your furniture arrangement can also have an impact on how often people interact in that space, as positioning seating against a wall has been shown to discourage socialisation, whilst central chairs positioned in groups facing each other encourages interaction. This is important, as socialising is a key factor in maintaining a positive mood.

Lighting is another vital factor to consider when decorating for your wellbeing, as it can influence our mood considerably. Natural light is important as sunlight and brightly lit areas have been shown to increase both positivity and productivity, helping us get energised for the day ahead. Different spaces and situations may call for different lighting, as dimmed lights at a dinner party can stimulate conversation and help you feel more relaxed, while low lights in the kitchen can make you feel more tired.

All the colours of the rainbow

Colour psychology has been present in society since as far back as the early 19^th Century, when Johann Wolfgang von Goethe released his book Theory of Colours. Things may have evolved since then, but one thing is certain: the colours we use in our interior design can have a very real impact on our own wellbeing.

Any hotel or restaurant owner will tell you that colour influences mood. Colour schemes can be used to help improve relaxation through the use of soft, warm colours, or to energise with bright tones and lots of light.

Yellow is a positive colour, thanks to its association with sunshine and happiness. It’s a popular choice for kitchens as it can boost energy levels and make you feel more alert. The kitchen is the most frequented room in most houses, so your colour choice here is extremely important. Orange has a similar effect to yellow but is often seen as warmer and homelier.

Blue has practically the opposite effect to yellow, as it is a tranquil colour associated with the sea, sky and relaxation. Light, pastel blues can be used in place of neutral tones like white and grey, while darker blues are often best reserved for feature pieces and elements. Because of its calming effect, blue is popular in bedroom and bathroom décor.

Red is one of the boldest colour choices out there. When we think of red we think of passion, love and strong emotions, meaning it can be overpowering and aggravating if used across large spaces. A feature piece of red décor, however, can be a good way to make you take notice of the space around you, helping you feel more awake and inspired. Consider purple as another bold option which can be used in larger quantities.

Green is the colour of nature, and as such can reduce feelings of stress and boost your focus levels. This makes it a great option for a home office.

White and grey are two neutral colours that can be used more liberally than most. They are clean and airy, making a space feel bigger and brighter, which can encourage you to feel more positive.

lifestyle

Eight Important Things To Do Before Bedtime

Friday, April 06, 2018

With the evenings getting lighter and brighter daily more attention needs to be paid towards getting a good night’s rest and feeling refreshed in the morning. What you do or don't do immediately before your shut-eye can have a massive effect on its quality. You don't want to awaken feeling exhausted for the coming day. Therefore, you should do your best to optimize your sleep by considering the tips below.

Ditch The Screens

Screen time before bed isn’t a good idea. Studies have shown that light from phone, tablet, and monitor screens can make falling asleep more difficult. So, try and steer clear of Facebook before bed to help you get to sleep.

Go Easy On The Alcohol

While some people swear that a nightcap helps them fall asleep, too much of the booze can ruin sleep quality. Don’t forget about the frequent night-time urination that it causes.

Read A Book

If you just put down your tablet and don’t know what to do, then consider reading a book. That doesn’t mean you can pick up your tablet again and open Kindle. Rather, find a real, paper book and have a read. Doing so can help you feel drowsy and make it easier to fall asleep.

Write Down Your Thoughts

Racing thoughts can make sleep near impossible. A good way to get these thoughts out of your head is to write them down, so consider starting a diary and adding entries before you go to bed. The writing process may help you organise your mind and can have a relaxing effect.

Avoid Tea And Caffeine

Coffee shouldn’t be consumed close to bedtime. In fact, those that are having trouble falling asleep may want to avoid it entirely after midday. The same goes for tea and other caffeinated drinks.

Watch What You Eat

Some people find that eating a heavy meal before bed can interfere with their sleep. It may be best to stick to snacks and light eating options. Try and avoid excessive amounts of sugar and fat.

Take A Warm Shower Or Bath

Hot water can make you feel sleepy so consider showing or bathing right before you go to bed. If you can, make the time for a bath rather than a shower. Anyone that has spent a decent amount of time in the tub will know how sleepy it can make them feel.

Clean Your CPAP Mask

For those that require night-time breathing support from a CPAP mask, you probably know the hassles of cleaning your device. Of course, cleaning is important so that all the gunk doesn't find its way into your airways during the night.

To help make the job easier, considering getting a CPAP cleaner. Click here to learn more about the different options.

Conclusion

Don’t make sacrifices when it comes to your shut-eye. By paying attention to your actions and habits pre-bedtime, you may be able to increase the quality of your rest greatly. If sleeping isn’t something that you’re the best at, then consider if these tips could benefit you.

lifestyle

Should you take dogs on a camping holiday?

Thursday, March 29, 2018

You and your family may be looking forward to a camping holiday once the weather improves, but what about your dog? Join Flogas, a supplier of camping gas bottles, as they look into how popular dog-friendly campsites are across the UK and if you should indeed take your four-legged friend camping or look into alternative options instead…

Are there many dog-friendly campsites in the UK?

You will never be hard pressed to find a campsite across the UK which will welcome your dog with open arms. In fact, Cool Camping lists 787 dog-friendly campsites on its website — Campsites.co.uk expands on this number further by listing 981 such locations.

Here’s three popular sites in particular that you and your pooch should consider visiting once the temperatures begin to rise:

Dunstan Hill Camping & Caravanning Club Site

When is it open? Dates vary from year to year — for 2018, the site is open from March 29^th to November 5^th.

How to find the site: Dunstan Hill Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3TQ

Contact number: 01665 576310

What is there not to love about the Dunstan Hill Camping & Caravanning Club Site? After all, the area plays host to breathtaking views and is frequently visited by an abundance of friendly wildlife. There’s also a selection of hardstand and grass pitches available, so it’s up to you how you’d like to set up camp.

There’s so much to see around the surroundings of the campsite too. Take the time to seek out Dunstanburgh Castle — which has the glorious Embleton Bay as its backdrop — as well as the imposing Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle, the latter of which Harry Potter film fans will surely recognise as it was used to represent Hogwarts School in the movie franchise.

Key amenities for dog owners:

The campsite is one mile from the North Northumberland Heritage Coast | Designated dog walk

Size: 150 pitches

Further information: http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/northumberland/alnwick/dunstanhill

Secret Valley

When is it open? From the week before Easter until the end of October

How to find the site: Secret Valley, Cobbs Cross Farm, Goathurst, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2DN

Contact number: 01278 671 945

If you want to try your hand at glamping, look no further than the Secret Valley farm. Located within the Quantock Hills of Somerset, all the accommodation options at the campsite are home to their very own fire pits — barbecuing or stargazing long into the night will never have felt so pleasant!

Step away from your campsite and you’ll come across footpaths which will lead you to lookouts at the top of family-run, working organic farm boasting views which can stretch across into Wales on clear days.

Key amenities for dog owners:

Communal BBQ | Horse Riding Permitted

Size: Space for the following accommodation: 1 Big Yurt, 1 Tipi, 2 Shepherds Huts, 3 Lodges, 3 Lotus Belle Tents 3 Yurts, 8 Big Chief Wigwams, 11 Small Wee Brave Wigwams

Further information: https://www.secret-valley.co.uk/

The Sunnyfield

When is it open? For 2018, between May 26^th and September 3^rd but on weekends only.

How to find the site: Maxted Street, Nr Stelling Minnis, Canterbury, Kent CT4 6DJ

Contact number: 01233 750024

Whether you are looking to camp in a tent, a campervan or experience glamping, The Sunnyfield campsite caters to all needs. Furthermore, each pitch is not only spacious but come complete with their own campfire pits. You’ll also find hot showers uniquely designed inside horse boxes around the campsite, as well as a horsebox coffee shop, a straw bale breakfast café and a wood-fired pizza oven.

It’s encouraged that you take the time to explore the surroundings of The Sunnyfield campsite too, due to the historic city of Canterbury being a 15-minute drive away and the beaches of Folkestone, Dymchurch and Sandgate each within a 30-minute drive.

Key amenities for dog owners:

All pitches located in a car-free meadow | Found in the heart of the Kent Downs, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty

Size: 6 pitches available across 8 acres of grassy space.

Further information: http://www.thesunnyfield.co.uk/

Advice for taking a dog camping

By now, you’ll have an idea of where to go camping with your four-legged friend. The next thing you will want to consider is what to pack and, indeed, whether it will be wise to take your dog with you to a campsite or if it will be better arrange for them to be looked after at home by someone you know or checked into your nearby kennel.

The following tips should help you make up your mind:

Make sure your dog is fit and healthy

You and your dog could be in for a rude awakening if you go camping despite your dog never being out into the open countryside before. Therefore, give them a trial run to ensure they are fit by taking them for a long walk around a local park or through a forest if you have one near where you live. Both experiences will also give your pooch an added opportunity to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of nature — aspects that they will need to get used to when camping.

You’ll want to make sure your four-legged friend is healthy ahead of a camping trip too. Are there vaccinations up-to-date? Have they been wormed recently? If you have answered no to either question, you’ll want to get your dog booked into the vets prior to a camping holiday.

Will your dog cause trouble or a fuss?

Most people choose to go on a camping holiday because they want to relax in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle or their everyday lives. However, they are not going to get much of a chance to unwind if the peace is constantly being interrupted by a dog barking.

If you feel that your dog needs to become more obedient, provide them with some training sessions before you go away.

However, if you honestly cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to control your pet or that they will not be well behaved around people and other animals, it will be best for you and other campers if you opt not to take them.

A packing checklist for your pooch

Happy that your dog is fit, healthy and well behaved for a camping trip? Then here a checklist of what you will want to pack for them:

· Their favourite toys — these will be perfect for keeping them entertained during car journeys, as well as reducing the risk of them picking up dangerous and hazardous items when walking around a campsite.

· A collar that includes a tag with their name, address and a mobile phone number for their owner — you don’t want to think about your pet getting lost from you while camping, but it’s best to be prepared should they wander away.

· Their bed — dog beds are often small enough to fit into a car, and they will also give your pooch so much comfort once they are at a campsite.

· Towels — you want at least two sets of towels for your dog; one for if they need a wash and another to keep them clean after they have been walking outdoors.

· Their lead — take note here that UK rights of access guidelines state that you must use a fixed lead measuring no more than two metres long between March 1^st and July 31^st (the period known as the ground-nesting bird season across the nation), as well as whenever they are near livestock.

· Dog poop bags — something you won’t want to forget if you want to reduce the risk of getting slapped with a maximum fine of £1,000 if you don’t clean up after your dog.

how to

How to Organise an End of Primary School Party

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

I cannot believe the eldest and I are here already! Personally I'm not ready for this but he cant wait! So what better way to finish this last year of primary school full of SATS than with a party?

Whether you are actively looking forward to your child leaving primary school or are quietly dreading this period of transition, the fact is that it’s going to happen, and soon. You may be inwardly smiling at the thought that you no longer need to face the playground politics of pick-up, but when your child moves up to high school, you face a whole new set of challenges that you previously hadn’t thought of, but that is a different matter altogether! So, what can you do to mark the end of junior school?

Approach some of the other parents and carers to help you organise the event. You need a team to delegate some of the tasks to. Choose wisely though – you want doers rather than just your immediate friendship group. If you know someone who is good with money, give them the task of working out the budget and the contributions that parents and carers will need to make to fund the party. Here are things that need to be included within the budget:

Venue

Hire out a local venue to hold an after-school event for the children to celebrate the end of their final term at primary school. It’s best to choose a local venue so that the majority of the class will be able to get there without transport being an issue. A village hall or park building is preferable as the venue should ideally have an area of open space so that the children can play outside (if the weather permits) and burn off some of their energy – it will also enable you to keep the costs down too.

Souvenirs

Provide the children with a souvenir of their time at primary school. A lovely and popular idea is to give each child a personalised hoody or printed polo shirt to remind them of their primary class, click here to see the options you have. Just remember to order their teacher one too!

Activities

There really is no need to spend a vast amount of money for activities for the children, they are generally quite good at entertaining themselves. If you have an appropriate indoor space, they can bring their scooters to play on but remember to take a Bluetooth speaker so that you can play a pre-prepared playlist. If your outdoor space and budget permits, hire a bouncy castle or see if you can hire a bubble football company to come and attend. Less expensive options include a game of rounders, manhunt or football. You can ask the school if you can borrow equipment.

Food

Preparing food for a large number of children can be hard to get right, so keep it simple. When you send out the party information to parents and carers, ask them to provide their child’s sandwich choice from a selection of 3 fillings. You don’t have to provide a gourmet meal for 30, rather offer ham, cheese or jam. You will also have to ask about anyallergies so be mindful! Make individual sandwich bags up that are named and provide the sandwich, a snack and a piece of fruit.

The stresses and strains of the Year 6 SATS will be a distant memory, and the children will be excited and relieved that they are over. By organising an end of term party, you will be giving the children an end of term to remember.