7 Signs Your Home Needs An Upgrade*

7 Signs Your Home Needs An Upgrade

Your home provides a personal space to spend quality time with loved ones and make memories. It’s also the place where you can unwind after a busy day. However, you’ll sometimes need to make modifications to ensure your home is always in good shape and as enjoyable as possible. According to research, about 76% of homeowners in the UK spent on renovations in 2021. Some signs can serve as indicators if you’re wondering when it is best to upgrade your home. Ignoring these signs can prove costly in the long run. Here are some signs to look out for to prompt you that it’s time to upgrade your home.  

  1. A dripping roof

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Most households ignore roof leaks because they believe it’s a minor issue. However, when left unchecked, a leaking roof can cause significant damage to other parts of your home. It’s best to hire a professional to do a good job, so you don’t worry about having to replace it again anytime soon. Depending on the style and nature of your home, you can consider various options for your new roof, such as gable or flat roofs. Remember to consider functionality when settling on the type of roof you want to upgrade your home.

  1. Persistent drainage problems

If you have constant drainage issues, especially in your bathroom and kitchen, it’s best to check your plumbing system and make the necessary changes. This way, you prevent water from seeping into your walls and floors, preventing long-term damage. Although you may be tempted to handle such plumbing issues using the DIY route, hiring a professional plumber to ensure a quality job is advisable. 

  1. You want a modern style

Home trends occasionally change, so you may want to upgrade your home to stay modern. However, consider a design that combines style with functionality so that it will be useful for a long time. Spending a lot of money to fully redecorate your home only to keep up with trends may seem impossible, but you can identify simple ways to make it happen. You don’t have to do everything at once. You can start room by room. For instance, you’ll be surprised at how easily you can transform your kitchen by altering something as basic as the cabinet knobs and faucets. You can also consider changing some of your furniture to add a contemporary touch to your home.

  1. Damaged flooring

Whether your floors are tiled, hardwood, or carpeted, spending time and money on them may significantly increase the value of your home. Good flooring can also make your home appear more beautiful and welcoming. Additionally, it will help prevent issues like tripping or falling. If you have damaged tiles in areas such as your kitchen and bathroom, you can use durable grout from Fosroc conbextra gp to fix them. If you’re considering getting carpets for your flooring in areas such as your living room and bedrooms, you’ll need to consider aspects such as whether you have pets, to make the right choice of flooring material. 

  1. Dull or faded paint

Paint has a way of bringing your home to life, both outdoors and indoors. Therefore, it’s a great way to keep your home looking fresh without breaking the bank. If your paint is chipping off, it’s time to get a fresh coat. You can explore various colours depending on your personality and the rooms you’re upgrading. You can easily paint on your own or make it a fun family activity by doing it with your loved ones. 

  1. Pests and insects

Pest infestations can be very unpleasant for you and yours and can quickly damage vital parts of your home. If you notice any pests or insects around your home or in areas such as your window frames, corners, and so on, it’s best to immediately deal with them. Occasionally fumigate your home to reduce the incidence of any pest infestation. You should also clean your home thoroughly so it won’t provide a breeding ground for pests and insects. 

  1.  You intend to sell

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A well-planned makeover might significantly raise the value of your home. If you plan to sell your home anytime soon, it may be time for an upgrade. However, you should avoid making drastic changes that could deter your target market. Select neutral elements that have a broad appeal to increase the likelihood of you selling your property in no time.

Financial constraints may occasionally force you to put off home improvements, but the indicators listed above call for immediate reaction. It’s crucial to examine them as soon as you come across any of them. This way, you’ll reduce the likelihood of problems in the future that would cost more time and money to fix.

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Gift ideas for toddlers*

[Post contains products that were gifted]

Recently Eliza and I were lucky enough to be sent a selection of toys which we have been trying out over recent weeks. With Christmas fast approaching I thought now was a good time to share the ones we love the most incase anyone else is struggling with what to get their toddler (because somehow my baby is now a toddler, complete with attitude) this festive season.

You’ll have to excuse the quality of the photos, trying to get Eliza to stay in one place long enough is just impossible these days!

This first toy is the Geomag Magiccube magnetic cubes, a great introduction to building blocks. This set is £29.99 and comes with 13 coloured cubes in different shapes plus wheels. The building possibilities are endless and both Bob and I have spent many a happy hour making various constructions with Eliza; to be honest we get as much out of these as she does! All parts of this set are made with 100% recycled plastic too, so you get bonus points for the planet!

Next up we have the Dantoy Bioplastic gardening kit, £30, which has very quickly become one of Eliza’s favourite things ever. She loves planting out her carrots and watering them (and us, and Pablo) and as well as being both 100% sustainable and recyclable, it also is great for developing her fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. We love this, even if I am finding carrots in all kinds of places!

Another fabulous piece from Dantoy (we are a big fan of this brand) is the Blue Marine large dumper truck, £22.94. Eliza loves racing this around the living room and loading/unloading her smaller toys (and cat toys, my phone and whatever else she finds) endlessly. This will be really great in the Spring and Summer too when we get her sand and water table in to operation. This is another sustainable piece made from recycled marine products such as fishing nets.

We hope you’ve found this guide useful, I would love to know what toys your little ones are loving right now.

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The Self-Cleaning Bug-Busting Bottle from LYT

LYT UV-C Bottles and Caps are the perfect way to get the purest tasting water on the go.

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They do not filter your water but use ultraviolet light to keep your bottle clean and fresh. Powerful ultraviolet light is your family’s new favourite tech. Built right into the cap, our these-working rays are on the same wavelength as the UV used to sanitise operating theatres and water treatment plants.

These UV-C rays destroy various micro-organisms in your drinking water. Third-Party tested to kill 99.9% of e-coli in your water.

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Sip back and relax with the LYT bottle cap which stops odours from breeding inside your water bottle. Every hour, powerful UV rays in the cap automatically activate, keeping your bottle fresh and clean keeping odour and everyday funk away from the bottle.

The LYT Bottle Cap is compatible with the vast majority of cola-style bottle brands. The most popular brands include: Chilly’s, S’Well, & S’ip.

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The bottle is lightweight and uses premium 18/8 stainless steel. With double-walled vacuum insulation, it will keep drinks ice-cold for 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. The bottle is 100% BPA-free.

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LYT Cap is charged using a patented port-less charging technology to ensure no water leaks into the unit making it ultra-water-proof. UV technology has a 99.9% rate including nasties such as E-coli. The bottle won’t filter chemicals, metals and, organics that is why it is best filled with water from a Zerowater filtering system which removes 99.6% of all total dissolved solids. 

The 500ml LYT UV-C Bottle costs £49.99 from Zerowater.co.uk

Must-Know Jewellery Style Tips*

Photo by Tara Yates on Unsplash

Many of us think that simply popping on a piece of jewellery is all we need to do to look good in it, but jewellery, just like other clothing and accessories really does benefit from being styled.

So, if you want to ensure you look your best whether you’re wearing a beautiful one-off ring from the bespoke jewellers or a cheap piece of costume jewellery from the local high street, here are a few jewellery style tips that you need to know.

Lots of layers

One of the best ways to make your jewellery really stand out and make a statement is to layer them up. Instead of wearing one bracelet, wear three in contrasting colours, or instead of putting one ring on your finger, stack two in different textures.

Experiment with stacking different shapes, colours and textures and your jewellery will always look amazing, even if it costs you very little, oh and remember that things tend to look best when stacked in multiples of three!

But don’t go too far

Of course, too much can be…well too much. If you are wearing a statement piece that is big, bold and in your face, then stacking it with another big, bold piece is probably just going to look too try-hard. Statement pieces often work best when they are not competing with any other pieces of jewellery.

Mix metals

Mixing metals was once a big no-no, but these days, wearing a silver necklace, and with a rose gold pendant is very much the in thing and can help to add an extra layer of interest to your look, so do not be afraid to mix metals, providing that they look good together, and remembering that the bigger the contrast, the more attention your jewellery will draw.

Choose earrings that contrast with your hair

If you are someone who loves to show off your earrings, but you also have long hair, it is easy for your jewellery to get lost in your locks. Something that can help is choosing earrings in a colour that contrast with your hair, For example, if your hair is red, then choosing green earrings will ensure they stand out and look great, so that they do not get lost in everything else.

Complement the clothing

It’s an obvious point, but jewellery is there to enhance your outfits, so it is important that you choose pieces that complement your clothing- for example, if you are wearing a bright pink suit then going for subtler jewellery such as thin silver chain, for example, is likely to look better, whereas if you are wearing a simple back shift dress then going with a big statement jade necklace will add more interest to the outfit and ensure you stand out in the right way. Always consider what you are going to be wearing when you choose which pieces of jewellery to wear.

Now you know how to style your jewellery, you can always ensure that you go out looking your best!

What is the Best Jewellery for Men to Wear?

Historically, jewellery has been associated more with women, but when you think about it, men across ages and cultures have worn the same kinds of jewellery for many of the same reasons as women. If you’re a man and you want to update your style this year, you’re in the right place. 

Rings 

Some men keep their jewellery to a minimum, they might only wear a wedding band and some cuff links from time to time, but nowadays, it has become more and more acceptable for men to wear more jewellery. Rings are a great example, but they have a tradition as jewellery for men. 

If you want to change your style this year, why not add a new ring to your collection? A ring can be meaningful, but it doesn’t have to be; you can use it purely for style. Designed rings like the ones from The Great Frog are trending at the moment, so take a browse and see what suits. 

Cuban Chain 

A Cuban chain is an excellent piece of jewellery for your life; not only does it give your style and new dimension, but it also complements most outfits. A Cuban chain is made from gold or silver; they are short neck chains that look excellent when worn prominently for any event or occasion. 

If you want to update your appearance this year, choose a cuban chain. There’s no harm in buying a Cuban chain to try it out, chances are you will love it and keep it for decades, but if you don’t, it has sell-on value; you can easily sell it for an equal value on an online marketplace. 

Bracelet 

In the past, there were some jewellery pieces that men tended not to wear; these included bracelets. Times have changed, and it’s more acceptable for men to wear jewellery of all kinds nowadays. A bracelet for men is a nice way to accent an outfit for a special seasonal event. 

Bracelets for men are available in gold and silver; they are also available in many styles suitable for men, such as snake that eats its tail. Browse bracelets for men to get an idea of what is out there; remember, if you buy a bracelet for trial, you can always sell it again; they hold their value.   

Cuff Links 

If bracelets and rings were once viewed as inappropriate for men, cuff links were definitely not. Cuff links are typically for men and can be comfortably worn with fashionable suits to accent your outfit. Like earrings, cuff links come in different shapes and sizes, as well as metals. 

Cuff links are typically worn on formal outfits for special occasions and parties, but there’s no reason why you can’t wear cuff links to your work as well. Why not collect sets of cuff links for your life to give you plenty of choices when it comes to selecting an outfit for your occasion?  

Necklace

If you want something more casual than a Cuban chain, then look into a necklace for men. Men’s necklaces are available in different styles and metals; they are also nice in leather and cord. There is a necklace or jewellery item for every style, so don’t limit yourself, be experimental.