Healthcare essentials to take on holiday

When you’re packing for your summer holiday this year, there are certain items that should make it into your case. For example, it’s a good idea to pack some healthcare essentials.
If you’re yet to make your vacation checklist, consider adding the following products:
First aid kit
Hopefully you won’t need to make use of it, but it’s always handy to have a first aid kit in your suitcase. These kits should contain a minimum of plasters, dressings and cleansing wipes.
Online firms such as Steroplast Healthcare offer a variety of specialist first aid kits that can prove useful in a range of emergency scenarios. Bear in mind that it’s not always easy to find the relevant first aid supplies abroad, so it’s best not to chance your luck.
Pain relief
Headaches, nerve pains and other similar complaints can put a real downer on holidays, so make sure you take some pain relief with you when you jet off on vacation. If you’re travelling with children, it’s important to have suitable all-round pain relief products.
Sun cream
Even if you want to get a tan when you’re abroad, it’s important to take plenty of sun cream or spray with you. Exposing your skin to too much sun can result in nasty burns. As well as resulting in short-term pain, this can cause lasting damage to your skin. It’s recommended that you use a minimum protection factor of 15 and make sure you apply it on a regular basis.
Also, take some after sun with you just in case. This can provide much needed relief in the event that you do get burnt.
Travel sickness pills
If you think you might suffer from travel sickness, take some suitable medication and make sure you have it with you in your hand luggage. Most of these products are fast acting and can be taken during travel.
For flights, it’s also a good idea to take sweets for take-off and landing. This will help you to cope with the changes in pressure.
Rehydrating solutions
In a hot climate, it’s crucial that you drink plenty of hydrating fluids. It’s also helpful to have some rehydrating solutions in your suitcase. These products tend to come in sachets and they contain a blend of salts and sugars.
Insect repellent
Depending on where you’re going, it might also be important to take some insect repellent with you. The last thing you want when you’re trying to relax on holiday is to be eaten alive by flying pests.
You might also benefit from taking mosquito sleeping nets and antihistamine tablets to ease the itching that bites can cause.
Do your research
So that you know exactly what medical supplies to take with you on vacation, it helps to do some research on your chosen destination. You might also find that you need certain vaccinations before you set off. These can usually be arranged at your local GP surgery, but it’s important that you give yourself plenty of time before your departure date.
By making sure you’re fully prepared for your trip away from home, you can enjoy greater peace of mind.

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Chilling with OnePiece

In the last year I’ve gone from a hater of the onesie to a total convert thanks to OnePiece who first provided me with one. I couldn’t spend all day in one but when I’m chilling out, working from home then it’s an ideal solution to the actual clothes vs. pyjamas dilemna.
I was recently offered a new onesie, from the Summer collection and I instantly fell in love with the Sunny “Inca” design with it’s bright colours and laid back vibe. It’s not a traditional long legged, hooded piece…just an all in one, super comfortable piece of loungewear that’s just perfect for chilling in.
I don’t think there is much more I can write on the subject of Onesies; what more do you need to know than they are the comfiest thing ever? I know a lot of people are still divided over them- some love them and some just don’t get them. I’m a convert on the love side, and although OnePiece are on the pricey side I can confirm that they do make the highest quality, comfiest to wear Onesies around and they will last for years…it’s seven years since the company started and despite the naysayers it’s still going strong, stronger than ever!

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Summer Nails with Oriflame’s long wear nail polish

I barely get a chance to paint my nails these days so my skills are more than a little rusty. Working in healthcare has left my hands in a dire state- dry from constant washing and with super short nails that can’t have a trace of colour on them…I’ve gone from being the girl who was always playing with new colours to the one who by the weekend often can’t be bothered!
Despite this I have a huge collection of nail polish and I’m always looking for new colours and formulas to add to it. Oriflame have recently added five new Summer shades to it’s range of long wear nail polishes as part of it’s fashion focused “The One” range. The claims are that this will last for up to 14 days chip and flake free (with a base and top coat + touch ups) making it perfect for a Summer holiday. I was never going to be able to test out this claim in full as I get two days wear max out of my polish before having to remove it for a clinic, but given I can chip through the sturdiest of top coats in a matter of hours, I can still see how it holds up against my clumsy nature.
I was sent a gorgeously bright orange polish to review, which is one of my favourite shades for Summer nails. I am so out of practice with painting my nails that I did a rather hasty and messy job, but this polish applies like a dream thanks to it’s specially designed curve edge brush and dries quickly. Two coats gives really good, solid coverage which is brilliant because after two coats I just can’t be bothered any more, nail painting becomes a chore!
Longevity wise this survived the weekend chip free, which is pretty unheard of for me. This included a hen night and long hair washing session, both of which would ordinarily see me having to remove my once perfect polish. As ever Oriflame have left me impressed with their creation and once the shades go on sale on the 4th of July (limited edition until 7th November) I will probably pick up a couple more. With an RRP of £5.95 they are good value for money, with the kind of quality I usually pay more for. There’s a gorgeous green shade I have my eye on, so watch this space!
Who do you turn to for long lasting nail colours and what are your favourite Summer shades?

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but I’m a wanderer

Well, this might just be a first for me on the blog- an actual playsuit! Just like their long legged partners this is a garment I never thought I’d be able to wear. Having tried on a couple in the past I just found them uncomfortable; too short in both the leg and the body I found myself feeling like I was being cut in two, and I’m generally just not a fan of the super short shorts that so many other people seem to love and pull off.

Playsuit c/o Quiz | Sandals: Jonak via Sarenza

It seems that despite it now being pretty much the middle of Summer I’m still drawn to monochrome pieces, I just can’t help it! I love this little playsuit so much, it’ll be perfect for an evening out dressed up with heels and some statement jewellery, but it also proved pretty perfect for lounging around the garden whilst doing some work on the laptop from home one afternoon last week.
I’m a bit obsessed with these holographic flatform sandals right now. They are one of the comfiest pairs of shoes I own, and whilst they might not be the most flattering footwear in the world, who cares?!
Playsuits are another item now on my list to look more closely at, now I know the ones at Quiz fit me I hold out some hope for other places too…I think my previous experiences of Primark ones left me a little bit scarred. My body confidence seems to have improved a little lately, I think sunshine plays a large part in that and I’m enjoying trying out new things and learning that my perceptions don’t always mean reality.
What trends are you re-thinking?

Creative Spaces- Before//After

Following on from my “creative spaces” post the other day here are the before and after shots of Ben’s studio. Those of you who commented on the post requested them, so I hope that you (and anyone else who happens to be viewing right now) enjoy them!
As you can see, these are the before photos and the studio was in a very sorry state. These were taken after a dividing wall was taken down but before any other work was really started. I remember visiting just after Ben and his mate took the place on and wondering WHY? It was just a cold, damp and empty space with not much going for it in my eyes.
It baffles me how this is even the same place, really it does. Weeks of hard work and what, at times felt like snail paced progress has paid off. I made several visits during the start of the proceedings- I even pitched in and helped do some of the painting but it wasn’t until the weekend before last that I really saw the whole project as a whole.
Welcome to the most calming, creativity inspiring studio in Bristol- the perfect home for Ben’s creative work and guitar teaching ventures. I’ll link up to his website when it’s live, so if you fancy learning you can book yourself in (either at the studio or via skype). In the meantime I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please do share your own before and afters of projects- I’m yet to have any of my very own, but one day…one day.

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