Yearly Archives: 2022

Playtime with Dantoy*

28th September 2022

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One of my favourite things about being a Mum is watching Eliza learn and discover new skills whilst playing with her toys. Despite my best intentions, the majority of her toys are noisy and plastic- it’s just how it goes it would seem! However, we do like to shop sustainably where possible; sometimes this means picking up something from our local charity shops or from vinted and other times it means treating ourselves (or being treated) to something new from the every growing range of sustainable children’s brands.

A little while ago now we were gifted this Hammer Toy by Dantoy. Eliza loves to bash things (trust me, I have the bruises to prove it) so this toy was an instant hit with her and her curious little mind and it didn’t take her too long to work out how to smash the balls through the toy by using the hammer, and Pablo loves to chase them as they escape and roll across the living room floor.

Whilst Eliza loves the fun side of this toy, I love the eco-credentials of the brand. The hammer toy is made from bioplastic, a 100% sustainable and 100% recyclable raw material. Even the packaging is environmentally friendly, being made from recycled cardboard so it really is a product that gives back.

A month on and the novelty of this toy hasn’t worn off, it’s great to watch Eliza become more and more confident, knowing it’s helping her hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, as well as doing something for our planet too.

Dantoy is firmly on our radar as a brand we love, and with Eliza’s first birthday rapidly approaching, we will hopefully be adding some more to our collection soon!

Posted in baby

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Minor Lifestyle Changes to Passively Improve Health*

06th September 2022
Photo by Jannis Brandt on Unsplash

It’s always a good idea to passively improve health for a little extra self-care. Your diet plays a key role, but your physical and mental health also depends on some minor home and work changes.

Eat a Varied and Healthy Diet

Physical well-being depends on a healthy diet. This is because fresh foods help prevent degenerative noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. A healthy diet must include a variety of foods and be low in salt, sugar, saturated fats, and trans fats made in factories. But nutrition is a complex subject. There are many ways to learn about it, such as gaining nutrition certification for a course or online medical sites like WebMD.

Change the Way You Work

Most of us have to go to work for a living. Yet your workplace could affect your physical and mental health. Especially if you sit at a desk or hardly move all day. Office workers, for example, often suffer from RSI, increased weight gain and stress from things like deadlines. Don’t let work change your life for the worse. Manage your schedule correctly, and take breaks when necessary, as the law allows. Also, consider asking for a standing desk rather than sitting in a chair.

Passively Improve Health with Movement

You don’t need to exercise to stay healthy. Not that exercise isn’t important. But you can easily include more movement into your life, so you don’t weaken your heart or muscles. Try these:

  • Take breaks at work and walk around the office for easy extra health.
  • Play VR, sports or dancing video games that force you to be active.
  • Walk or run for short journeys or get off the bus a couple of stops early.

Taking breaks at work is essential if you work at a desk or a computer since you can get RSI or circulation issues. But movements like playing games pass the time quickly in a more fun way.

Take Time Away from Work

Like many people all over the world, you probably work too hard. Working over 55 hours per week, as many people do, severely impacts your physical and mental health. Yet there is more to life than work; you need time away from it. So, if possible, stay at or below the standard 40-hour work week. And completely disconnect from work when you’re at home. Further, always use up your legally entitled vacation days for holidays and long weekends.

Find Ways to Relieve Stress

Work and home life can cause stress. Sometimes you want to escape from work, and others, you want to stay away from home. This is normal because we all need time to ourselves. The key is finding something you enjoy that relieves stress. Maybe you like to exercise. Or perhaps you love to spend an hour in the pub after work. Or maybe you have a hobby like playing video games. Just do what gets you through when you have spare time from commitments.

Summary

There are some ways you can passively improve health. Eating a healthy diet is a good start. But you can also move more at work or play and find something that relieves your stress.

Posted in healthy living

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How To Beef Up Your Financial Health In The Next Few Months*

01st September 2022
Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash

If your finances have been a little tight in 2022, you are not alone. Worse still, the continued rate of inflation is set to pile even more pressure on money matters over the months to come. Frankly, now is the time to take action before your finances become drained. 

A comprehensive strategy will allow you to see significant progress. Whether your goal is simply to keep your finances afloat or you have financial goals like saving for the deposit on a home, the following tips are for you.

Sell Unwanted Goods

When looking to bolster your finances over the coming months, it is likely that you will want to see quick results. Aside from the immediate impact it can bring, you’ll find that it instantly puts you in a positive mindset. Selling unwanted electronics, homewares, and clothing online could earn you a few grand in a matter of days. The fact that it saves valuable space around the home is another worthwhile bonus to consider.

For the best results, combine this with an improved mindset where you no longer feel the need to buy unnecessary products.

Embrace Efficient Money Management

Regardless of how much money you have, it is always a good idea to make it last longer. Learning to manage your money more efficiently could include seeking outside professional help. Or it may focus simply on getting organised and up to date to avoid unnecessary charges. It is also a good moment to think about seeking cheaper energy rates or cutting out services you no longer require.

In many cases, the savings made through simple updates will counteract the expenses caused by inflation.

Know Your Entitlements

Millions of people face financial difficulties and are living from one paycheque to the next. Help is available in many cases, but it can only be gained by those who reach out for it. It could mean knowing what to do if you think your cancer is due to Camp Lejuene water. After all, there are many scenarios where someone else’s negligence means you are due compensation. Don’t be afraid to seek it.

Alternatively, you may be entitled to tax credits or other financial support for a range of personal circumstances.

Create Revenue Streams

In the likely event that your salary hasn’t increased at the same rate as inflation, you must find ways to supplement it. Knowing how to turn a passion for guitar playing into a side hustle can work wonders. Alternatively, you could become a paid product tester on the side or make use of your social media following. Affiliates and influencers are known to command a very strong return.

Aside from supporting your immediate financial health, it can make up for the fact that your pension payments won’t go as far as they once would have.

Start Saying No

Finally, one of the easiest updates to implement is to start saying no. The harsh reality is that it is quite difficult from an emotional perspective. Whether it’s rejecting lavish nights out, lending money to friends, or spending money on branded goods you don’t need doesn’t matter. The sooner you embrace the habit of saying no and putting your financial health first, the sooner you will see a difference.

As with all the steps above, consistency is king. While life is to be enjoyed, you’ll be far happier when your finances look good.

Posted in finance

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How To Take Your Exercise Regime To New Heights*

25th August 2022

Exercising regularly can have countless benefits for both your mind and body, lifting your mood while improving your physique and helping you to maintain the best overall health. But how can you take your exercise regime to new heights? Thankfully this doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as this guide contains some of the most innovative ideas that you can utilise to take your workouts to another level. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on. 

Photo by Carl Barcelo on Unsplash

Explore New Workout Routines 

One of the best ways to take your exercise regime to new heights is by exploring a new workout routine. It’s easy to get bored of exercising if you’re doing the same things all of the time, and it may even lead to a plateau in your results. There are so many different sources that you can investigate to come across a variety of different exercise options, starting off by contacting a personal trainer. A personal trainer has a wealth of knowledge of multiple routines, moves and concepts that you can get involved with, and they can walk you through your new workout step by step to make sure you’re maintaining the right form to get the best results. You can also look online, as there are thousands of workout videos, tutorials, guides and more on the web that you can utilize! Whether you choose to perform a 3day leg split workout or follow a pilates video, or there are so many options to explore. Break free from your habit of the same old exercise routine and get excited about brand new concepts that put the spark back into your workouts. 

Get Some New Exercise Clothing 

Another brilliant option that you can explore to take your workout to new heights is to get yourself some new exercise clothing! The outfits that you wear to workout can actually have a surprising impact on the way that you exercise, as uncomfortable, dull and lifeless clothing can make you feel uninspired to say the very least. On the other hand, buying yourself a couple of new outfits can put some pep back in your step and motivate you to hit the gym harder than ever before! You’ll stride past the gym mirror with the greatest confidence thanks to your new clothing, and this might just be the boost that you need to push yourself to achieve a personal best you never thought was possible. There are so many places that you can buy great exercise clothes from, especially when you take the opportunity to look on the web, so be sure to spend some time browsing around to find the comfiest, most stylish exercise gear that can help you to take your workout routine to new heights! 

Taking your workouts to a whole new level has never been such a simple task when you can utilize some of the brilliant tips and ideas that have been carefully detailed in this informative guide, so what are you waiting for? Get out there and hit the gym today!

Posted in fitness

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Golden Touch*

18th August 2022

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Up until a year or two ago I was strictly silver/white gold jewellery only. Yellow gold seemed too grown up for me, and perhaps even a little boring.

Well, I am a grown up now (apparently) and I find myself more and more drawn to yellow gold pieces of jewellery. I’ve recently added some beautiful pieces to my collection, hence why I’ve once again bought myself out of blogging hibernation to show them off.

rings c/o Astley Clarke

Astley Clarke, a brand I have admired for years, recently let me pick from their collection of gold rings and it was like letting a kid loose in a candy shop! I literally spent hours browsing their collection (because I kept getting side tracked and looking at the rest of their stunning jewellery too) before settling on these two beauties. These are perfect for wearing as standalone pieces and for stacking and the Amazonite ring especially is perfect for brightening up any outfit; ideal given that very soon I will be back in work wear as my maternity leave draws to an end. I’ll share how I’m styling my rings over on Instagram once I’m back “in office”…where has the last ten months gone?

The other item I’ve recently acquired was a lucky giveaway win on Instagram. I started following Walking Primrose as soon as I caught a glimpse of their pieces. I’d actually already put this necklace on my Christmas list (yeah, already!) when I took a chance and entered a giveaway- something I never do these days! Anyway, I was gobsmacked to have won the necklace of my dreams, it’s even more stunning in real life, and the owner of the company really goes above and beyond when it comes to packaging and delivering her products- if you follow me on instagram you’ll have seen how it arrives.

I cannot stress enough how much I love Walking Primrose and the ethos behind the brand. Please do check out the website and read up on them.

So now my Christmas list is lacking in an item, but I can pretty much guarantee it’ll be another yellow gold piece…or two, or three!

Posted in accessories, brands I love, jewellery

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