Top Essentials for Your New Home

Moving home can be stressful time, especially if you’re already snowed under with work and family commitments. It can be an awesome excuse to be out with the old and in with the new though, using the opportunity to get rid of any furniture that has seen better days and investing in new, high quality pieces that will help to make your new house a home.

Whether you’re making a new home for yourselves following your wedding day, or you’re upgrading your home because your family is expanding, packing up your life and heading for pastures new is something that we all do at some point or another. It’s an expensive business too, with much of your cash whittled away on fees and solicitors. With what you have left following the contract exchange, consider some new essentials for your new home, to make it feel truly special.

Lounge
While a living room will inevitably look ‘lived in’ in no time, there aren’t that many absolute essentials that you need to consider straight away. Somewhere for your other half to put their plasma TV and somewhere you can both sit to admire it are what many people think of as important. You can buy quality sofas online nowadays too, meaning you can choose what style you would like to see in your home, at the click of a button. Sofas and Stuff has a plethora of sofa options available that are bound to suit your personal taste.

Kitchen
If you’re lucky, this will already be set out for you. Sometimes, you may find white goods included (or integrated, even) or you may have your own to take with you. If it’s a kitchen/diner in your new pad, a dining table and chairs would be a nice touch – somewhere to sit as a family to enjoy an evening meal (or somewhere to bung the laundry after you’ve dried it!).

Bedrooms
This all depends on how much, and what kind of, stuff you have, but a comfortable, sturdy bed, wardrobe and bedside cabinet are a good start. Depending on your budget, a dressing table or chest of drawers would also come in handy, particularly if you have lots of things to stow away.


Weigh up your options and see what existing furniture could do with replacing, and make the most of your move by breathing new life into your belongings.

Sponsored Post : How To Get The Most Out Of Networking Events

Networking is a crucial part of selling your skills and expertise but how do you get yourself noticed instead of feeling like a needle in a haystack. Lists of guests are usually available online so you have time to work out who will be there. This is crucial as you do not want to walk in trying to wing it. Everyone else will have prepared and you won’t stand a chance if you let opportunities slip.

So what do you do?
Find out who you want to talk to and for how long, research names and blogs who could you potentially benefit speaking to. If it is possible make contact in advance and introduce yourself, hint that you would like to speak to him/her at the event. It may not work out as you wish because people may have their own arrangements but make an effort still.

What to expect?
Most people will be nervous but you are all in the same boat and don’t shy away if someone comes to talk to you. Label yourself clearly as one thing which is common at networking events is that you people will try and work out who you are.

Networking
Are you actually networking, building contacts, seeking out opportunities? People often forget to ask for contact details so have business cards at hand. It will make you look professional as first impressions count. Share ideas and your thoughts but this isn’t an opportunity to complain how difficult things are, so alternatively be constructive. If someone helps you out, don’t dismiss them but personalise a thank you card which could lead to other opportunities. It’s not just about landing the perfect job opportunity but building your professional profile too. If you don’t feel like you get anything out of the opportunity consider sending a thank you card to the organisers of the event and perhaps ask if you could help organise the next one.

Avoid queues....they may be the most popular person in the room, consider talking to other people too, some who are in the queue.

Social media
As we live in the digital era, most will have an online presence and share the likes of everything. But as recruiters and professionals are using this to head hunt and check profiles, keep yours clean. If you think social media accounts don’t represent the best version of you then update your privacy settings and make new accounts. LinkedIn is the most popular professional social media account so use it to connect and join groups where you can have discussions.

Keep in regular contact with people ask for opportunities and help others too as you never know who could help you in the future.

Sponsored Post : Battle the Winter Blues

Dragging yourself out of bed in the morning to be greeted by a murky, cold day can leave even the most style-conscious feeling uninspired about winterwear. But adding new key pieces to your wardrobe this season can be a fantastic way to re-invigorate your look, add a splash of colour and beat away those winter blues! Check out Avenue 32 clothing for a great selection of designer pieces which are guaranteed to persuade you out of those comfy pyjamas and get you looking glammed up in an instant.

Your bootie slippers may look cute around the house, but will be no match for the chilly winter weather outdoors. You can make sure your feet stay snug by investing in a new pair of boots for the season. This may feel like a big spend, but quality footwear will last for many winters to come and can quickly become a firm favourite. Rather than traditional plain leather, look for textures which add interest to an outfit, like these Apperlai crocodile Gatsby boots. This modern shaped boot is available in a deep chocolate brown, so can be matched with a variety of outfits without the fear of clashing.

A fleece dressing gown may be a much-loved item come winter, yet the range of knitwear which has hit our stores this season certainly offers some competition! Wrapping up in warm fabrics can still be part of your daywear outfit, whilst making you look chic and unique. This quirky arts-and-crafts inspired Leutton Postle wrap cardigan is the ideal dressing gown replacement, featuring an open front in an oversized style. Luxury woven silk and mohair are blended to create this piece, and when paired with a long sleeved minidress, thick leggings and boots, is sure to keep you warm.

Winter weather can leave you feeling glum, especially if you’re stuck in an office and tired of your daily city commute. So why not head to the countryside and enjoy the crisp air and frosts – and do it in style too! Heritage fashion is huge right now, so channel traditional country chic and make a new purchase which will tempt you into the great British outdoors. We love these green wool plaid trousers by Thakoon Addition, which showcase the trend perfectly. Opt for a masculine look by pairing with a crisp white blouse and wax jacket. Wintery weather and rural retreats mean its probably best to swap those new boots for a pair of wellies.

The magpie-eyed girl will not resist being tempted by sparkly new accessories. Metallic hues can lift any evening look, add a spring to your step and allow you to face those dark early evenings looking smoking hot. Add some heavy metal with this chunky rose gold necklace by Mawi. The thick drain drips with a black Swarovski crystal pendant in this stunning art deco style piece. The lack of a single overpowering colour means you can easily pair this beauty with dresses in warm tones, or jewel brights.

So, discard those PJs and invest in some far chicer pieces this season. Quality, warmth, trend and opulence should be enough to help any girl trump those seasonal blues.

This is a sponsored post.

Sponsored Post : Contact Lenses

Look Great with Savvy Savings on Contact Lenses

For people who don’t like glasses or those who just fancy a change, contact lenses are one of the hottest fashion accessories. Not only do they allow you to change your look by giving you a break from glasses, but they are also available in a wide range of colours which allow you to change the colour of your eyes for a new and exciting look.

But whereas glasses are bought infrequently, contacts are often bought on a monthly basis, which can over time be quite expensive.

Thankfully, there are a number of online contact lens retailers such as Lenstore.co.uk, which sell contact lenses from well-known brands at discounted prices. However, even if you buy online, you should only order the lenses your optician prescribed. Quite a few opticians like Specsavers often repackage contacts as their own brand, but Lenstore.co.uk has a handy contact lens lookup page, which provides details on these lenses so you can still receive discounted prices.

Contact lenses are growing increasingly popular, allowing people to emphasise their eyes by ditching the distracting frames of glasses. It’s always good to mix things up a bit, and coloured contacts can be worn either to emphasise your eye colour or transform it. One of the most popular coloured lenses brands is Freshlook, who also have a sort of virtual coloured contact lens fitting room in their Color Studio.

Coloured contact lenses are also available in zero power, or ‘plano’, which means that those lucky enough to see perfectly can still try out a new look. However, a visit to a local optician should be the first thing on the to-do list if you want coloured lenses, as they can tell you which ones are the best fit.

Sponsored Post : Glasses Are Back!

Eyeglasses are back in style…

The thing is, we aren't even talking about the thin, metal glasses that all the smart people seem to wear - we're talking about those hideous thick, plastic frames you used to wear in the 70's and 80’s because there wasn't another option....

Except, those glasses are no longer hideous!
They're worn by everyone, and are versatile to fit your personal style. Actually, they're so back-in-style that people are even wearing them without an eyeglasses prescription!

While everyone seems to be hip to this new trending style, there is only one company I’ve found that’s done it without breaking our banks! GlassesUSA.com is an online eyeglasses retailer that has just about every type of frames out there - for everyone!

(Yes, I can even shop at the same glasses frame shop as my grandmother!) 

But that’s the thing, they actually also have really cool frames that you would easily find some of your favorite celebs wearing!!

I know what that you’re thinking buying glasses online is a bit scary - believe me, I thought the same too! But actually, they offer this really great tool called a Virtual Mirror. It allows you to upload your own picture (or choose some of their models), and fit frames to your own face!!

The Virtual Mirror is extremely cool & clever....click here to see how different styles look on you.

So head over to GlassesUSA.com. They have a great following and are a very loyal company - always ready to offer out new discounts for you! - And me! … And even Grandma! :) You can also stay tuned to their social networks, like Facebook or Twitter.
Oh! And on top of their already unbeatable prices, they even offered me some amazing discounts for my readers!!!!

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

-OR-

For A Limited Time Only: -Take 15% off your entire order amount + FREE shipping (orders over $50). Code: FS15

Sponsored Post : Parcelforce

How to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics

Sending and receiving parcels from London and surrounding areas will be more complicated this summer, especially from mid-July to mid-September. During those weeks, the city will be hosting the Games of the XXX Olympiad and the Paralympics. More than 550,000 officials, athletes, and spectators will be flooding the streets around Olympic Park in central London and other official venues. Both transportation and parcel delivery services will face unique challenges because of the expected traffic congestion.

Courier services such as Parcelforce have been working on possible solutions to this challenge since the summer of 2011. UPS has secured the exclusive rights to delivery and collections at the Olympic Village and the other official venues and this may cause further delays. For these addresses, Parcelforce Worldwide is obliged to hand packages over to UPS for final-mile delivery. Customers will be charged an additional £5 handling fee and £20 security fee imposed by UPS for each item.

An alternative to paying the extra UPS charges is to drop off and pick up parcels at local Post Office branches or Parcelforce Worldwide depots during these busy weeks. You might also want to consider obtaining permission to use the mailing address of someone you know who does not live in the targeted areas. Both options will save the additional surcharges that UPS will be charging.

Parcelforce Worldwide will be increasing the normal fee by £1 (for account customers) for each consignment delivered to postcodes E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W, and WC during the Olympics and the Paralympics. This charge will help offset the additional expenses incurred by the courier service during this time. To keep pace with the increased demand and more difficult logistics, Parcelforce Worldwide will be hiring extra employees, lengthening work schedules, and putting more vehicles on the road to limit collections and delivery delays as much as possible. Some routes have been altered, and others have been added to avoid the most congested areas.

When sending your parcel during this period, if you know that your parcels will be travelling in or out of affected neighbourhoods, try to send them a day earlier than you would have normally.

Parcelforce Worldwide will strive to continue its tradition of high quality of services levels for its next-day and 2-day delivery services.

This is a sponsored post.

Guest Post : Perfecting Neon in your Home

Neon is a big trend for interior design this summer. Before you recoil in horror – it’s a trend that can look amazing if it’s done right. When you think of neon, it might be enough to make you feel dizzy – but neon can be energising and stimulating. It might not be for the faint of heart, but it can be easily incorporated into most homes.

If your home is mainly neutral – with greys, whites, creams and blacks, this is the perfect setting for neon. It also works well with strong colour schemes. If your colour scheme is blue – neon blue will compliment the room well. Not to mention look so in vogue.

If you’re considering neon purely because it is in fashion – there’s no point in investing in a neon table. If the idea of neon has inspired you for the long term, however, invest away! Bear in mind to incorporate the trend with items that will suit it. A classic magazine rack, for example, will look out of balance if you were to paint it neon. Chairs, tables, lights and wall art will all work well, however.

Neon colours come in different shades and colours – so the first thing to do is decide what colour will work well in a room. And you don’t have to stick with the glowstick-popular greens and oranges, neon can come in shades of red and purple, also.

The main thing to remember when incorporating neon into your décor is that less is always more. Neon is eye-catching, and in subtle amounts it can be alluring and unconventionally stylish. A little more and this can quickly lead to overkill – and headaches. Just like adding jewellery to an outfit - the less there is, the better it looks.

There are many options to consider with neon. One easy way to ease yourself into the idea is to opt for accessories. A few neon cushions on your bed, a neon clock or perhaps a small neon light on a wall will be a subtle, yet uplifting touch. Similarly, a subtle neon umbrella in an umbrella stand, or a few neon mugs on display in the kitchen will work well.

If you are interior design-conscious, try mixing neon with pastel colours. Pastels are another trend this year, especially mixed with neon – subtle, cheerful, and a delightfully confusing clash of calming and energising to keep you on your toes. This experimental trend can also be easily achieved. Perhaps try a combination of neon and pastel wall art, or clashing pillows, for example.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try a neon or pastel (or both) roller blind. Although, perhaps opt for a room that you don’t sleep in, as this is a little more neon than a cushion!

Whether you want to add a splash of neon, or pastel as well, be sure to keep to the same colour spectrum. A pale, pastel blue and neon blue will look amazing together in one room, but a pastel pink and a neon orange wouldn’t work as well. If you’re going to clash, which is another interior trend this year, do it properly and combine different neon colours.

Of course, there’s no forgetting neon lights. They are energy-efficient and definitely make a design statement. They work well in modern home interiors, in moderation. They also work well as art deco designs, too. Even neon words can complement the more eclectic home.

Neon may be a bold move for you, which is why it’s a good idea to start small. You may think that neon can look tacky, but try it before you assume – as you may well be surprised.

This is a guest post.

Sponsored Post : Contact Lens Fashion

Coloured contact lenses are a big fashion accessory in the market these days. Changing your eye colour can complement your make-up and your clothes to create a striking, even experimental look. You can match your lenses to your shoes if you want; you are bound to be able to find the exact shade with the sheer amount of lenses on the internet. There are so many options available to us thanks to the explosion in online contact lens sellers such as www.getlenses.co.uk 

As the demand has risen in wearers of contact lenses, so has the demand for fashionable contact lenses. Since people are wearing prescription lenses, they want to be able to have fun with them too, although non-prescription contact lenses are also available. They don't just cater to those of us who want to enhance our natural colour, but also those of us who want a radical change. The colours you go for can be balanced out by your eye liner and eye shadow to create an artistic look. There is no fear where lenses are concerned. Enhancement lenses allow the natural colour of your eye to dictate the outcome when coupled with a lens, with only a slight tint. Opaque lenses completely change the apparent colour of your iris, allowing the darkest colours to go light and vice versa. This is no longer a luxury item in the market; prices have become more and more affordable, and you can even buy daily disposable versions if you prefer. Get Lenses sells lenses by the leading brands, Freshlook color and colorblends by CibaVision, and Expression Colors and Accents by CooperVision. The brands offer you the most natural shades as well as some of the more extreme - black and red options are available for you to try if you dare. You can change your look today.

Sponsored Video : "Code Club"

Some of the world's top entrepreneurs, including Chad Hurley (Co-Founder & Chief Executive - AVOS Systems), Niklas Zennström (Skype and Kazaa), Michael Acton-Smith (MindCandy)and Tim Berners-Lee (Inventor of the World Wide Web), were given ten hours to come up with an online video to promote Code Club - a project that encourages parents and teachers to get school children to learn how to write code. 

Above is the result....

Sponsored Video : Aviva Home Insurance Partnership : Fish Tank

Have you done something unusual with your home?
Aviva Home Insurance are running a competition to find the most extraordinary homes in Britain - share yours and you could win £5000.

Jack Heathcote is a stingray breeder who has built what is believed to be the UK's largest domestic aquarium at 20 tonnes in the basement of his house - it's currently home to 18 fish and 2 turtles.
I'm not sure if it would be for me....although no doubt my children would absolutely love it!

Other amazing entries (which can be seen on their Facebook page) include a garage converted into a disco and a garden full of topiary animals, including some really fabulous topiary turtles!!

To enter, just make a short film or take a photograph - then send it to their Facebook page....
it can be indoor or outdoor, a child's room, pet home....the quirkier or more creative the better!

"This post has been sponsored by Aviva but but all thoughts are my own."

Sponsored Post : Useful Tips for Disney Holidays Florida in 2012

Mere mention of the word Disneyworld holidays to your kids is likely to result in nothing but shrieks of excitement. Follow these top tips on what you need to know about embarking on Disney Holidays in Florida this year.

Orlando is the dream destination of many kids in UK. Just thinking about all the thrill rides at Universal Orlando® Resort and the magical things to do at the Walt Disney World® Resort makes many a child wish they could spend their whole lives here and never grow up.

If you decide to take your family and yourself to Orlando to enjoy what Disney has to offer, it is better to be informed and know the best places to visit during your holiday in advance. 

There is the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort, which features a rendition of Cinderella's Castle. It is beautifully made with every detail paid attention to. It actually looks as though it came from the cartoons itself and is truly a sight to behold. 

The decorations include shimmering lights and long green garlands that will force you to reach for a camera and take a picture to savour the moment. The night shows are also holiday themed to get you right in the holiday mood. 

All your kids' favourite cartoon characters will be there to make sure that your child feels like he or she is in wonderland. As if all that is not mind-blowing enough for the kids in your family, you can also take them to Hollywood at Disney's Hollywood Studios where millions of twinkling lights, 3-D carousels, snow flurries and angels are located. 

These holidays do not have to be all about the kids, you can have a fun time too while at it. You can take long walks on the streets in the evening and enjoy the sights in Orlando. Listen to the live bands with your spouse and kids. Take pictures of the fun moments wherever you are in Disney so that you always have something to remind you of the fun and happiness this destination brings. 

You should consider renting a car rather than travelling by train or bus. This will save a lot on costs and will also give you the freedom to visit different places as much as you want. You should also keep in mind that the traffic rules in America will be slightly different from those of the UK: so be prepared to see drivers overtaking from the inside lanes. 

To save more on costs, you should keep food coupons offered at restaurants. This will go a long way in reducing the total costs you incur during the whole holiday. Do not forget to pick the leaflets offered at supermarkets and stores as they have valuable information and you never know when you might need them. 

Florida holidays 2013 are a complete thrill for you and your family if you prepare yourselves prior to the visit. Ensure you have enough money and stick to the budget. This way you can have great holidays to Orlando without coming home to lots of unwanted debt.

Sponsored Post : Best Trends in Contact Lenses

There are several different trends in contact lenses which are taking place simultaneously. These trends have led to the introduction of stronger, better functioning, more comfortable, stylish yet inexpensive contacts. One trend deals with the length of time one wears and keeps contact lenses. Another trend explores coloured contact lenses and has inspired a myriad of designs, colours and shapes. A third trend focuses on creating lenses designed to solve people's pressing vision problems.

Contact lenses have changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Initially there were only hard contact lenses. Those contacts were uncomfortable, almost impossible to wear for long periods, expensive and you were forced to keep the same pair for years. Modern trends have brought a tremendous amount of innovation and improvement in the comfort, versatility, price and the length of time people keep their contacts.

Today there are disposable contacts, extended wear contacts and lenses specially designed to correct almost any vision problem. For people involved in sports or living an active lifestyle there are soft comfortable lenses which conform to the shape of each person's eyes. These are single use lenses which allow you to wear a new pair every day. Extended wear contacts are also very popular. These contacts can be worn for a number of days straight, even while asleep. Coloured contacts are another popular trend. If fact, colour contacts are some of the fastest selling contacts on the market. They allow people to express their personality and unique sense of style while still providing them with corrective lenses.

Coloured contacts are often worn by people who have no vision issues at all. They just love having the ability to change their eye colour anytime they wish. Coloured contacts can enhance your eye colour or give you the eyes of an entirely different species. For many people they represent fun and freedom. Not only are they available in a rainbow of colours, you can also buy them with interesting shapes, animal prints, alien species, cats, bats and any other animal you can imagine.

Addressing vision issues and comfort is the focus of another trend in contact lenses. A big problem for contact lens wearers is the irritation contacts commonly cause. Several manufacturers have begun to address this with great success. They have created the 'next generation' of contact lenses. These contacts allow more oxygen to pass through. This makes them more comfortable and safer to wear. There are also contacts which have two prescriptions allowing one lens to solve two problems. One lens can help people see to read and improve their ability to see things a long distance away. Other lenses correct astigmatism. There are even contact lenses designed to be safely worn by children.